Diving into the Dark Arts: Witch Tarot Decks Revealed

By admin

The Witch Tarot Deck is a unique and enchanting deck of tarot cards that delves into the realm of witchcraft and magic. Created by illustrator and author Lisa Sterle, this deck combines traditional tarot symbolism with occult-inspired artwork to create a mystical and captivating experience for readers. Each card in the deck features intricate and beautifully-drawn illustrations that bring the archetypes and meanings of the tarot to life. The deck is divided into the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana, just like a traditional tarot deck. The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards that represent major life events and significant spiritual lessons. The Minor Arcana consists of four suits (Cups, Swords, Wands, and Pentacles) and mirrors the suits found in a standard deck of playing cards.


I think this deck is absolutely wonderful. You have to use your own imagination and find your own meanings to the symbolism. which in my opinion is what tarot cards are all about. For those of you who want a deck that lays out plainly what the cards mean, then this is not for you. If you have a good imagination and enjoy the type of artistry used in this deck you wont be disappointed.

Please feel free to check out the new deck on Kickstarter or reach out to me if you would like more details about that before purchasing this the FIRST Edition of the Ink Witch Tarot Deck. Abandoning all efforts to reproduce the Rider Waite Tarot, Hall has created a deck with some of the most surreal, yet highly mystical art ever seen on Tarot cards.

Witch tarot dexk

The Minor Arcana consists of four suits (Cups, Swords, Wands, and Pentacles) and mirrors the suits found in a standard deck of playing cards. What sets the Witch Tarot Deck apart is its incorporation of witchcraft-inspired symbolism and themes. The cards are rich in magical elements such as spell books, cauldrons, and mystical creatures.

Witch tarot dexk

I personally love this deck and it is one of the most frequently used decks for my personal readings. I love the fact that the cards were painted with oils on canvas; the colors are incredibly rich and vibrant and there is a depth and solidity to the images that is rare. There's something psychological here for me as an artist - these feel like the sort of images I would encounter in an art gallery rather than straightforward commercial illustrations. To me this is as much of an art tarot as it is a working deck, which makes me feel good when I handle the cards.

Unlike many of the esoteric decks that are imbued with either breathless solemnity or an almost religious conviction, this one manages to do full justice to the depth and meaning of the age old symbols while somehow not taking itself too seriously. The characters on the cards have a dark, almost camp wit with a slightly sinister edge to them. Everything is wildly out of proportion and ethereally colored yet somehow it all works. If anyone asked me why, I really couldn't say, but the humor in the pictures seems to conceal but invite you to look deeper in the same breath.

I would thoroughly recommend the accompanying Tarot of the Witches book by Stuart R. Kaplan. This gives detailed descriptions of the Major cards and the artist's thinking behind them. Reading this greatly enhanced my appreciation of the deck and its sheer originality.

—Chris Butler, Aeclectic Tarot

This delightful deck has unfortunately been misnamed and mismarketed throughout its existence. It has nothing to do with James Bond or witches but has everything to do with Fergus Hall, the idiosyncratic artist who painted the deck. It should be called simply the Fergus Hall Tarot. Hall got his start doing carnival paintings and that freaky bizarro style shows in this deck. Unlike most 20th century decks, Hall's deck is free of occult or pagan mumbo jumbo and yet is rich in subtle symbolism, such as the mysterious black birds and orange cats that appear on various cards, and the mandala type designs in the center of the pip cards. The books held by the hanged man and hermit contain original poems. (Can't read them? See Stuart Kaplan's companion book). The art is very expertly done and yet is so whimsical and unassuming it's easy to take for granted. The World card is one of the best I've ever seen, downright haunting. This is a very profound deck but at the same time doesn't take itself too seriously. The pip cards are a welcome return to tradition, using the original suits of cups, swords, batons, and coins rather than the recently introduced "wands" and "pentacles" which many mistakenly consider authentic. Also, as in traditional decks, the pips are unillustrated save for Hall's central mandalas . In my opinion, unillustrated pips leave more room for the reader’s own imagination and insight.

A perfect blend of tradition and creativity. You might find this deck puzzling at first, but stick with it. There's an entire little world in every card!

—A. Simone, Amazon customer

These tarot cards should really be known as the Fergus Hall deck.
Many people are familiar with this deck due to its use in the James Bond movie, "Live and Let Die". But it is far more than that.
Abandoning all efforts to reproduce the Rider Waite Tarot, Hall has created a deck with some of the most surreal, yet highly mystical art ever seen on Tarot cards.
Those who are familiar with Tarot cards know that many different interpretations of cards are possible by seeing the imagery on the cards. Hall's imagery isn't for everyone, but I believe the art really draws you into readings in a whole new way.
I have also found this deck invaluable for dream interpretation.
The Minor Arcana return to the old "pip" system.
One of my higher recommendations if you are already doing readings for others.

—Bruce Gray, Amazon customer

I think this deck is absolutely wonderful. You have to use your own imagination and find your own meanings to the symbolism. which in my opinion is what tarot cards are all about. For those of you who want a deck that lays out plainly what the cards mean, then this is not for you. If you have a good imagination and enjoy the type of artistry used in this deck you wont be disappointed.

—Joe Arthur, Amazon customer

The cards are standard Tarot size, measuring 2.75x4.75 inches.
Witch tarot dexk

This infusion of witchcraft into the deck adds an extra layer of depth and intrigue, appealing to those who are drawn to the mystical and esoteric aspects of the occult. The artwork in the Witch Tarot Deck is not only visually stunning but also thought-provoking. Each card tells a unique story and invites the reader to explore its symbolism and meaning. The deck encourages introspection and self-reflection, offering guidance and insight into various areas of life including love, career, and personal development. Whether you are a seasoned tarot reader or just starting your journey into divination, the Witch Tarot Deck is a powerful tool for introspection and spiritual growth. Its enchanting artwork and witchcraft-inspired themes make it a standout among other tarot decks. By using this deck, readers can tap into their intuition and connect with the deeper wisdom that lies within..

Reviews for "Tarot Magick: Spells and Rituals with Witch Tarot Decks"

1. John - ★★☆☆☆
I was really looking forward to using the Witch tarot deck, but I was left disappointed. The artwork seemed uninspired and lacking depth. The cards themselves felt thin and flimsy, making it difficult to shuffle and handle. Additionally, the guidebook that came with the deck was poorly written and lacked detailed explanations. Overall, I found the experience of using the Witch tarot deck to be underwhelming and not worth the price.
2. Sarah - ★☆☆☆☆
I have used several tarot decks in the past, but the Witch tarot deck was by far the worst. The illustrations were overly simplistic and lacked the intricate details and symbolism that I look for in a tarot deck. The cards were also oddly shaped and didn't fit my hands comfortably. Furthermore, the cardstock used was of poor quality, which made the cards feel cheap and easily damaged. I would not recommend the Witch tarot deck to anyone who is serious about tarot reading.
3. Emily - ★★☆☆☆
As a beginner to tarot, I was excited to try the Witch tarot deck. However, I found the imagery to be confusing and not well explained in the accompanying guidebook. The symbolism used on the cards seemed arbitrary and didn't align with traditional tarot meanings. The cardstock was also quite flimsy, making it difficult for me to shuffle and handle the cards. Overall, I found the Witch tarot deck to be more confusing than helpful and would not recommend it to other beginners.
4. Michael - ★★☆☆☆
I was drawn to the Witch tarot deck due to its beautiful box and intriguing concept. However, upon actually using the cards, I found the interpretations to be vague and lacking in depth. The artwork, though visually appealing, did not resonate with me personally. The cards were also quite slippery and hard to handle, which made it difficult for me to build a connection with the deck. Overall, I was disappointed with my experience using the Witch tarot deck and would not purchase it again.

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