Sugar Plum Fairy Strange Magic In the world of fantasy and whimsy, there exists a remarkable creature known as the Sugar Plum Fairy. This enchanting being is often associated with the magic and wonder of the holiday season, but there is much more to her than meets the eye. The Sugar Plum Fairy possesses a strange kind of magic that is both captivating and mysterious. Some believe that her powers stem from the sugary treats and confections that she so adores. Others think that her magic comes from the dancing and graceful movements that she is known for. Despite her delicate appearance, the Sugar Plum Fairy is a force to be reckoned with.
When holding the deck in hand, you feel a substantial difference that usually only shows up in decks with larger-sized cards. I’ll note that it didn’t hinder me and my tiny hands from shuffling the deck because while the cardstock is hefty, the cards are standard sized and fit easily in my palms.
The gloss makes it so the cards sometimes stick together but because of the thickness of the card stock, they are easy to separate with little issue. It comes with a gorgeous velvet tarot bag that would be almost unnecessary if it wasn t embroidered so wonderfully because the box holding the deck is rock solid.
Despite her delicate appearance, the Sugar Plum Fairy is a force to be reckoned with. She is cunning and quick-witted, using her magic to outsmart and outmaneuver her foes. Her powers allow her to manipulate the elements, casting spells that can summon gusts of wind, create vibrant displays of light, and even transform ordinary objects into fantastical creations.
Tarot of the QTPOC Deck Review: Modern Witch Tarot
The Modern Witch Tarot is a fresh take on an ancient tradition.
It all began with the creation of the Ten of Swords card which was posted to Twitter by Lisa Sterle and immediately sparked the interest of tarot readers everywhere. It was clear even then there was something special about this new relatable rendition of the tarot.
What sold this project to me was Sterle’s amazing version of The Magician card featuring a young Black girl- something I’d frankly never seen in before. This was just around the beginning of the indie tarot deck boom, and we were yet to be spoiled by an influx of inclusive decks that crowdsourcing made possible.
Since then Sterle’s tarot deck has become an incredibly inclusive fresh take on a tradition that’s been exclusionary to many folks. In the Modern Witch Tarot, more folks are able to see themselves in the cards, building deeper relationships with their practice. Sterle intended this deck to be a source of power for women and girls, clearly evident in the art choices she makes throughout the deck.
The idea that there’s this wealth of power within you, that you just need to trust yourself to tap into, is an inspiring thought that also definitely ties into feminism for me. — An Interview with Lisa Sterle (Liminal 11)
Aces, from the Modern Witch Tarot
Look & Feel:
The production quality of this deck is outstanding.
It comes with a gorgeous velvet tarot bag that would be almost unnecessary if it wasn’t embroidered so wonderfully because the box holding the deck is rock solid. The colorfully illustrated, two-piece box is blessedly easy to open and close and securely holds both the deck and guidebook with no issue. It’s got wonderful details, with the interior of both pieces covered in suit symbols- it’s details like this that charm, and you’ll find more attention to detail throughout the deck itself.
The deck’s guidebook is sized to fit in the box which y’all know by now is always a point of hallelujah for me. While the hardcover (yes, a hardcover LWB) is full color, the pages are black and white which doesn’t take away from the whole package in any way.
The card stock is #thicc.
When holding the deck in hand, you feel a substantial difference that usually only shows up in decks with larger-sized cards. I’ll note that it didn’t hinder me and my tiny hands from shuffling the deck because while the cardstock is hefty, the cards are standard sized and fit easily in my palms.
My one qualm with the card stock is that its glossy- but that is a teeny tiny qualm. Especially since that was probably an artistic choice to really bring out the pop art/comic book color palette and style Sterle uses throughout the deck. The gloss makes it so the cards sometimes stick together but because of the thickness of the card stock, they are easy to separate with little issue. Honestly, not enough of an issue to worry about it and with regular use, that stickiness should dissipate if not completely disappear.
All in all, the quality of this deck is undeniable and unquestionably intentional. You get the sense that there was thought in every little detail, which I can’t help but deeply appreciate.
a selection of favorite cards, from the Modern Witch Tarot
Imagery & Content:
The art speaks for itself.
It’s gorgeous, color rich, and modern with a touch of vintage charm. Mixed in with known tarot symbols are modern accoutrements like cellphones and laptops. These additions don’t take away from the card meanings, if anything I find they add to the cards.
I think it’s brilliant that a new generation of tarot readers will be able to access the tradition with symbology that looks like their reality, not just those of the past. That mix of modern and traditional makes this a unique deck to read with. I can’t help but wish that I had a deck like this when I first started tarot- honestly my resistance to the RWS might have been substantially eased had I been able to see more of myself in the cards.
And that’s really the core of the Modern Witch Tarot, for women and femmes to see themselves represented in the cards; a deck that looks like its readers- across ages, bodies, races, and gender expressions. Sterle makes an interesting choice with gender, I noted. This deck is an ode to the feminine- all expressions of it, including non-binary iterations. It is an intentional prioritization and I don’t think that Sterle ever makes that ambiguous in any part of this deck.
In the description of the court cards, Sterle only uses ‘she’ and ‘they’ form of pronouns with the Page & Queen referred to with ‘she’ and the Knight and King referred to as ‘they’. Not to say that non-women or non-femmes can’t read with the deck, not at all, just pointing out that there is a particular project in the Modern Witch Tarot: a spotlight on the power of women and femmes to reflect and affect both their destinies and that of the world.
art that asks questions, from the Modern Witch Tarot
I do have to admit that there were cards that I didn’t at all take to. Particularly the Strength card. Seeing Black or dark-skinned femmes of color in this card is very “florals for spring, how groundbreaking” for me. Devil Wears Prada references aside, it’s actually a pretty disturbing trend in tarot decks that I’ve painfully noticed.
In fact, I think I’ll have to write up a post examining this issue across decks more closely because it really is shocking how often this happens-look through your own collection and see- even with the best of intentions. The conflation of Black women and Strength (and also the suits of Wands and Pentacles) stemming from the “strong black woman” stereotype is harmful. It dehumanizes us, robs us of the space to be vulnerable and positions us as the world’s burden bearers.
I know it may sound like those of us asking for representation are constantly moving the finish line but is that really a bad thing?
How far is too far to ask for our humanity to be represented without harm? We’re slowly moving from whitewashing and tokenism, and now that we’re here it’s still imperative to improve. The work is not done until it’s done.
Despite my visceral reaction to the Strength card, I will say that Sterle does include cards that rarely if ever have Black or dark-skinned femmes like The Magician and Temperance, to name just a few. In fact, it was The Magician that first drew me to this deck- a version of Black girl magic that didn’t feel token or gimmicky. I’m glad that there are more decks working to be inclusive- I am also asking that creators continue to do better with nuances.
a selection of the Courts, from the Modern Witch Tarot
Remember not all tarot readers will do the same things! Always ask, if they don’t mention it in their FAQ if they are comfortable answering the following:
The Sugar Plum Fairy's magic is also deeply connected to the emotions and feelings of those around her. She can bring joy and happiness to those who are feeling down, using her powers to create an atmosphere of warmth and cheer. Conversely, she can tap into the dark corners of the human psyche, using her magic to bring forth fear and despair. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Sugar Plum Fairy's magic is her ability to enter the dreams of others. This allows her to communicate and connect with individuals on a deeply personal level. Through her dream-walking abilities, she can offer solace and guidance to those in need, helping them overcome their worries and fears. Despite her extraordinary powers, the Sugar Plum Fairy remains a humble and kind-hearted creature. She uses her magic not for personal gain, but rather for the betterment of those around her. She is a protector of the innocent and a guardian of the magic that resides within each and every one of us. In conclusion, the Sugar Plum Fairy possesses a strange and unique kind of magic that is as awe-inspiring as it is enchanting. Her abilities to manipulate the elements, traverse dreams, and tap into the emotions of others make her a truly extraordinary being. Whether she is casting spells to bring joy and happiness or offering guidance and support to those in need, the Sugar Plum Fairy is a symbol of the power of magic and the beauty of the whimsical..
Reviews for "A Day in the Life of a Sugar Plum Faify Strange Magix Practitioner"
1. John - 1 star - I found "Sugar Plum Fairy Strange Magix" to be a disappointing read. The story felt overly cliché and lacked any originality. The characters were one-dimensional and the plot was predictable. It felt like the author tried too hard to create a whimsical and magical world but failed to make it believable or engaging. I struggled to connect with the story and found myself disinterested throughout. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a captivating and well-crafted fantasy read.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - "Sugar Plum Fairy Strange Magix" was not my cup of tea. While I appreciate the author's attempt to create a fantastical world filled with magic and whimsy, I found the execution to be lacking. The writing style was overly verbose and the pacing of the story felt off. I also had a hard time connecting with the characters, as they lacked depth and development. Additionally, some aspects of the plot felt forced and did not flow organically. I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with this book.
3. Mark - 1 star - I regret picking up "Sugar Plum Fairy Strange Magix". The story had potential, but it was poorly executed. The writing was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to follow along. The characters lacked depth and their interactions felt forced. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me with more questions than answers. Overall, I found this book to be a frustrating and unsatisfying read. I would not recommend it to others.