Ink witch tarot is a modern and unique interpretation of the traditional tarot deck. It combines the art of tattooing with the symbolism and meanings of the tarot cards. This deck has gained popularity among tattoo enthusiasts and tarot readers alike. The ink witch tarot deck was created by tattoo artist and tarot reader Victor Rosewood. Rosewood is known for his intricate and detailed tattoo designs, and he brings that same level of artistry to his tarot deck. Each card is filled with stunning illustrations that reflect the style and technique of tattooing.
The Five of Cups is another non-traditional interpretive approach and I’m here for it. My edition of the deck didn’t come with a little white booklet, and while these cards are easy to read with because Maille has already given you so much to work with, I do find myself curious about the artist’s interpretations for specific cards.
By the way, check out Maille s online art portfolio, especially the page of his full-color bird illustrations , where each work is titled after a deity, like Icarus, Prometheus, Pandora, Medusa, Ariadne. Maille s Etsy shop describes his work as witchy and queer-friendly art, to which I d also add covers an eclectic range of cultural iconic references.
Each card is filled with stunning illustrations that reflect the style and technique of tattooing. One of the standout features of the ink witch tarot deck is the use of black ink. Unlike traditional tarot decks that are often filled with vibrant and colorful illustrations, the ink witch tarot opts for a more monochromatic and striking look.
Ink Witch Tarot, Second Edition
I reviewed Eric Maille’s Ink Witch Tarot back in 2021. Maille has now released a Second Edition, which is significantly improved many features from the First Edition. You can click here for a walk-through and review of the Ink Witch First Edition.
This post will focus on the differences between the First and Second, and showcasing the additional options and alternates from the expansion packs.
Left: Second Edition magnetic flap box. Right: First Edition 2020 tuck box.
The Second Edition comes in a sturdy magnetic flap box, compared to the first edition cardboard tuck box. Also, the above photo shows the difference in deck sizes. You’re getting a lot with this Second Edition pack!
Instead of 78, we now have an expansion pack of 84 cards in total, including unique cards such as The Witch. For a deck titled the Ink Witch Tarot, I’m loving this bonus. I like using this card as the significator, and that use aligns with the creator’s intentions– per the guidebook, “This card represents you— and anyone else who might use this deck.”
The Witch card indicates personal power and choosing one’s own fate. It depicts two hands wielding a deck with a card back design just somewhat reminiscent of the Ink Witch Tarot’s card back, and is the design featured on the Second Edition box cover.
Ink Witch first came about in 2020 after three years of dedicated work on the art. The art is done in ink and watercolor, in subdued ink washes with the occasional burst of vivid color. Symbolism is primarily drawn from Norse and Greek mythology, Arthurian legend, fairytales, and paganism.
The Ink Witch First Expansion pack consists of 14 cards for alternate artwork. The Second Expansion pack consists of an additional 14 cards where alternative names are provided in lieu of the traditional key titles. You can swap in any of these cards for a customized Ink Witch Tarot deck, one that best suits you.
I love that Maille did not take away from the first edition and replace; but rather, added to the first edition to produce an augmented Second Edition. You get everything from the first edition and then some, and that’s what the Second Edition is.
The top row in the above photo is the Second Edition of Ink Witch Tarot. The second row features the equivalent card from the First Expansion pack, and the third bottom row features the equivalent card from the Second Expansion pack.
Here you see two different illustration options for The High Priestess, and two different card titles, The High Priestess or The Seer. The Second Expansion pack also offers the Empress and Emperor with the titles Cultivation and Structure respectively.
Left: First Edition. Right: Second Edition.
Here, though, note how The Empress card from this Second Edition is a mirror reflection of The Empress card from the first edition.
Left: First Edition. Right: Second Edition.
Ooh, and same for The Emperor!
The Second Edition features a total of four different Lovers card options, and note the alternate Key 5 card title option, i.e. The Hierophant or The Teacher.
Left: First Edition. Right: Second Edition.
I hope the above photograph shows what you’ll be able to see in-person. The First Edition printing was just a touch fuzzier, whereas the line work in the Second Edition is crisp and much clearer. You can also see a slight difference in the hue saturation.
The above photograph shows the different additional options and alternate cards from the deck itself and the expansion packs. The First Edition Tower card depicted an atomic explosion, while the new Tower card pictures a watchtower struck by lightning. Hmm, I really like both, and can’t decide which I like better.
I love the four Devil options with imagery that run parallel to the four Lovers card options. The Second Edition updated illustrations are in cooler tones than the First Edition.
The Ink Witch Tarot lends itself well as a modern workhorse deck. It reads beautifully and with all the customization options, you can tailor it to your perfect deck, one that you know will resonate with you and your querents.
Continuing on, let’s compare the Second Edition to the First Expansion pack alternates in the Cups:
And the Second Edition Four of Cups is new. Below you can see it compared side by side with the First Edition Four of Cups.
The below side by side comparison of the First Edition (left) and Second Edition (right) highlights the saturation and brightness difference between the two editions:
If you have the First Edition Ink Witch and love this as a workhorse deck, I might recommend retiring your copy as it is a collectible now and getting the Second Edition. It’s brighter, clearer, and I really love that you can totally customize your own Ink Witch deck with the expansion packs.
The top row above feature the cards from the Second Edition tarot pack; the second row features alternate card options; and the third row features the cards with alternate titles, i.e., Queens and Kings are renamed to Guardians and Sovereigns respectively.
I’m really liking the alternate option of Guardian and Sovereign for the Queen and King courts.
Above you see the new Guardian of Swords (Queen of Swords) alternate and a new Sovereign of Swords, with a total of three different option for your King of Swords card.
I love the two illustration options for the Seven of Pentacles– one of the woman embroidering on her lap, third person perspective, and the other in a first person perspective.
The trade paperback size guidebook that comes with the Second Edition is fantastic. I love guidebooks. I want guidebooks. Maille’s intention for Ink Witch was that it functions perfectly well without a guidebook, as his deck stays close to the RWS tradition. Yet what I love about this guidebook is the insight into the artist’s mind.
This Second Edition offering is a testament to the First Edition’s wild success, and you can already see how loved this deck is by the community– one day in and Maille is already close to being fully funded.
This is definitely a new and improved version of a versatile generalist deck that was already great. Here’s to wishing Eric all the success with this Second Edition!
Support the Ink Witch Kickstarter!
FTC Disclosure: In accordance with Title 16 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 255, “Guides Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising,” I received The Ink Witch Tarot Second Edition from the creator to help support and promote the Second Edition crowdfunding campaign. Everything I’ve said here is sincere and accurately reflects my opinion of the deck.
The trade paperback size guidebook that comes with the Second Edition is fantastic. I love guidebooks. I want guidebooks. Maille’s intention for Ink Witch was that it functions perfectly well without a guidebook, as his deck stays close to the RWS tradition. Yet what I love about this guidebook is the insight into the artist’s mind.
The black ink gives the deck a mystical and almost gothic feel, adding to its appeal. The ink witch tarot follows the traditional structure of the tarot deck, with 78 cards divided into the Major and Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana represents significant life events and archetypal energies, while the Minor Arcana reflects everyday experiences and emotions. Each card in the deck is carefully designed to convey its unique meaning and symbolism. Tarot enthusiasts appreciate the ink witch tarot deck for its ability to provide accurate and insightful readings. The combination of tattoo art and tarot symbolism creates a powerful visual language that resonates with readers. The deck's black ink aesthetic is also said to enhance intuition and deepen the connections between the cards. While the ink witch tarot deck may not be for everyone, it has certainly carved out a niche for itself among tarot enthusiasts and tattoo lovers. Its striking visuals and unique interpretation make it a standout choice for those looking to explore the world of tarot in a fresh and innovative way..
Reviews for "Enhancing Your Tarot Readings with Ink Witch Tarot Spreads"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Ink witch tarit". The story was confusing and poorly developed. The characters lacked depth and their actions felt random and illogical. The writing style was also hard to follow, with excessive use of metaphors that didn't add much to the narrative. Overall, I found the book to be frustrating and unsatisfying.
2. Emily - 1 star - I couldn't finish "Ink witch tarit". The plot was convoluted and the pacing was painfully slow. The author seemed more concerned with showcasing their writing skills than telling an engaging story. The characters were flat and uninteresting, and I didn't feel any connection to them. I found the book to be a waste of time and would not recommend it to others.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Ink witch tarit" had an interesting premise, but unfortunately, it fell short in execution. The writing was overly descriptive to the point of being tedious, and it slowed down the already slow-paced plot. The world-building was lacking depth and the magic system felt underdeveloped. The characters were one-dimensional and the dialogue felt forced. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity and I was left disappointed.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I found "Ink witch tarit" to be a confusing and disjointed read. The story lacked a clear direction and the narrative jumped around without coherent transitions. The writing style was overly flowery and pretentious, making it difficult to fully understand and engage with the story. The characters were forgettable and their motivations were unclear. I struggled to stay invested in the book and ultimately felt let down by the experience.
5. Rebecca - 1 star - I regret picking up "Ink witch tarit". The writing was incredibly pretentious and it felt like the author was more interested in showing off their vocabulary than crafting a compelling story. The characters were unlikable and their actions made little sense. The story lacked clear direction and the ending was underwhelming. I would not recommend this book to anyone.