Tarot cards with silver witchcraft imagery are a fascinating and intricate representation of an ancient practice that has captured the imagination of people for centuries. These cards are not only visually captivating but also offer a glimpse into the world of witchcraft and the spiritual realm. The use of silver imagery enhances the mystical allure of the tarot cards, creating an enchanting aesthetic that draws the viewer in. Silver is often associated with mysticism and the moon, adding an ethereal quality to the cards. The symbolism and interpretation of the cards are further enhanced by the silver accents, adding depth and meaning to each individual card. Witchcraft imagery in tarot cards has a rich history, dating back to the early days of tarot reading.
Alongside these silvery additions, there are animals associated with the suits, such as the aforementioned bunnies in Pentacles and cats in Wands, yet it seems striking that the cat in the Queen of Wands — based on Smith’s cat Snuffles in the RWS deck — is omitted here. These animals add to the natural or Pagan feel of the deck by drawing on the idea of a witch’s familiar.
But readers who don t have an emotional or intellectual interest in the playing card tradition probably won t be bothered by this artistic interpretation, and may prefer the silver images. However, the move away from skeletons and towards butterflies in Trump XIII seems to ignore the artistic traditions of the dance macabre and memento mori which have been used for centuries to understand death as a part of life , but can also obscure magical traditions surrounding death such as death midwifery.
Witchcraft imagery in tarot cards has a rich history, dating back to the early days of tarot reading. The imagery often includes symbols such as broomsticks, cauldrons, pentacles, and witches themselves. These symbols represent different aspects of witchcraft, from spellcasting to divination and spiritual connection.
Silver Witchcraft Tarot Kit, by Barbara Moore
Illustrated by Franco Rivolli, The Silver Witchcraft Tarot is a Pagan deck that focuses on the cycle of the year and feminine energies. It draws upon traditional Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot (RWS) imagery as well as nature-based “magickal spiritual understanding,” says Barbara Moore.1
When opening the deck for the first time, its most striking features are the silver gilded edges and vibrant colours. The cards are easy to shuffle, riffling showcases the beautiful gilt edging, and the cardstock feels sturdy, but not too thick. The large box that houses the cards and booklet shows off the prettiest card in the deck, the Ace of Cups, and is great for storage, but a bit cumbersome for travel.
The softening of some imagery — like Death — makes this an excellent deck for fun, lighthearted events. However, the move away from skeletons and towards butterflies in Trump XIII seems to ignore the artistic traditions of the dance macabre and memento mori (which have been used for centuries to understand death as a part of life), but can also obscure magical traditions surrounding death (such as death midwifery). So, while the Silver Witchcraft Tarot is “designed to resonate with magickal practitioners,”2 it may not offer the full spectrum of energies.
Throughout the trumps, Christian iconography from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck is replaced with images from nature. For instance, the Devil card includes a dead tree in a mirror that is chained to a white cube, somewhat similar to the mirrors in the Tyldwick Tarot. This shift in iconography makes it a good deck for witches who are not interested in working with Biblical allusions.
The trumps also use vibrant, almost ombré, background colours to indicate three spheres of existence: the Material Sphere is seen in yellows and blues, the Immaterial or Intellectual Sphere in purples and blues, and the Spiritual or Divine Sphere in pinks and purples.3 This division of the trumps into three lines of seven cards — with the Fool outside the lines — is common in tarot books like Rachel Pollack’s 78 Degrees of Wisdom, and Rivolli’s colour scheme makes this structure more apparent.
In the suit cards, the pip cards are explicitly connected with Pagan holidays; the twos represent Yule, the threes Imbolc, and so on with the nines as Samhain (the ones and tens are the self and universe, respectively). This connection with the Wheel of the Year helps with timing in readings and reflects many literary works on witchcraft, such as Patricia Monaghan’s Seasons of the Witch.
However, some of the connections with Pagan holidays clash with traditional RWS imagery as well as keywords included in Moore’s text. For example, I tried the Sabbat Spread from her booklet when preparing for Beltane. My theme card — drawn from the fives, which represent Beltane — was the Five of Pentacles. I don’t associate Beltane with the keyword “poverty”4 or with the traditional RWS snow, but I do associate it with the nakedness and fertility that is shown in Rivolli’s art, as depicted by a young and old woman disrobing, accompanied by a bunny.
In addition to using the sabbats to organize the suit cards, this deck does not always include traditional suit markers. Each of the suits is given a silvery image: Cups are Silver Moons, Pentacles are Silver Threads, Swords are Silver Wings, and Wands are Silver Flames. While the associations here — such as replacing cups with a moon to invoke intuition and emotions — can foster a deeper understanding, sometimes these silver symbols feel redundant. For instance, each Pentacle card includes at least one pentacle with silver threads.
Because the number of symbols does not always match the number on the cards, this deck feels distant from fortune telling with playing cards. My grandmother read with only playing cards, and my mother reads with only tarot cards, so I personally tend to prefer decks that draw from both traditions. But readers who don’t have an emotional or intellectual interest in the playing card tradition probably won’t be bothered by this artistic interpretation, and may prefer the silver images.
Alongside these silvery additions, there are animals associated with the suits, such as the aforementioned bunnies in Pentacles and cats in Wands, yet it seems striking that the cat in the Queen of Wands — based on Smith’s cat Snuffles in the RWS deck — is omitted here. These animals add to the natural or Pagan feel of the deck by drawing on the idea of a witch’s familiar.
Silver Witchcraft Tarot features people who are ethnically diverse, and tends to favour dark-haired women, which makes it great for people of colour — both readers and clients who want to see themselves reflected in the cards.
Overall, this deck is excellent for festivals, parties, and card-of-the-day readings. However, I think it can be a little unbalanced for dark spiritual or psychological work (such as Jungian shadow work or death midwifery) — the softening of some imagery gives it a light feeling, and does not offer the reader many paths through darkness. As a witch, I appreciate the silvery Pagan feel of Moore and Rivolli’s cards.
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The Silver Witchcraft Tarot merges tarot with modern pagan symbolism and magickal understanding. Illustrated in deep, atmospheric colour, it has a multicultural cast of robed characters set in glorious nature-based scenes. The 78 borderless cards are enhanced by silver metallic edges, and there’s also a companion book by Barbara Moore.
The Silver Witchcraft Tarot aims to bridge a gap between traditional Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) tarot imagery and the world of “magical spiritual understanding”. This is a deck that is visually stripped down to the very basics of tarot imagery, and shorn of all but the most fundamental RWS symbolism. It has a strong emphasis on colour-coding – greens, blues, purples, and browns dominate this deck – although there is no guide as to what the exact significance of these colours is. Presumably you assign meaning for yourself.
The tarot cards’ imagery allows users to tap into their own intuition and connect with a deeper level of understanding. Each card holds a specific meaning and message, which can guide individuals through different aspects of their lives. The silver witchcraft imagery adds an extra layer of mysticism, making the reading experience even more magical. It is important to note that tarot cards, including those with silver witchcraft imagery, are not a form of dark magic or evil practices. The cards are simply a tool for self-reflection, guidance, and personal growth. They offer insight into various aspects of life, helping individuals make decisions and gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. In conclusion, tarot cards with silver witchcraft imagery encompass a captivating blend of spirituality, symbolism, and artistic beauty. These cards provide an opportunity for individuals to explore their inner selves, connect with higher powers, and gain guidance in various aspects of their lives. The silver accents enhance the mystical allure of the cards, immersing users in a world of magic and wonder..
Reviews for "The Transformational Power of Silver Witchcraft Tarot"
1. Emily - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with these tarot cards. The silver witchcraft imagery was not what I was expecting at all. It felt too dark and eerie for my liking. I prefer tarot cards with more vibrant and colorful designs that are easier to interpret. The silver imagery made it difficult for me to connect with the cards and understand their meanings. Overall, I would not recommend these cards to anyone who prefers a lighter and more accessible tarot deck.
2. Jason - 1/5 - These tarot cards with silver witchcraft imagery were a complete letdown for me. The artwork was too elaborate and confusing, making it hard for me to focus on the actual meanings of the cards. I believe tarot cards should have a more traditional and simplistic design to make them easier to use for readings. The silver imagery felt unnecessary and gimmicky. I would not recommend these cards to anyone who values clarity and simplicity in their tarot practice.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really excited to try these tarot cards, but unfortunately, the silver witchcraft imagery just didn't cut it for me. The details in the artwork were too intricate and overwhelming, making it hard for me to discern the symbols and meanings of each card. I prefer tarot cards with more straightforward and relatable imagery that resonates with my intuition. The silver element felt forced and didn't enhance my experience with the cards. Overall, I was disappointed and would not recommend these tarot cards to beginners or those who prefer a more intuitive approach to tarot reading.
4. Alex - 2/5 - The silver witchcraft imagery in these tarot cards was a bit too dark and unsettling for my taste. I found it difficult to connect with the cards and interpret their messages due to the heavy use of silver accents. The symbolism felt abstract and obscure, lacking the clear and concise meanings that I seek in tarot readings. I would recommend looking for tarot decks with more traditional and visually accessible designs if you are a beginner or prefer a more straightforward approach to card reading.