Modern witch tarot cards have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people turning to them for guidance and inspiration. These tarot cards are a contemporary take on the traditional tarot deck, featuring modern artwork and imagery that appeals to a wider audience. One of the main features of modern witch tarot cards is the inclusion of diverse and empowering representations of women. Gone are the stereotypical images of witches as old hags, replaced instead with women of all ages, races, and body types who exude strength and confidence. This reflects a growing recognition and celebration of the power and wisdom of women in modern society. In addition to the increased diversity in representation, modern witch tarot cards also incorporate contemporary themes and symbols that resonate with a broader audience.
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.
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. 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.
In addition to the increased diversity in representation, modern witch tarot cards also incorporate contemporary themes and symbols that resonate with a broader audience. This includes elements of popular culture, astrology, and spirituality, which help to make the cards more relatable and accessible to people of all backgrounds. Another notable aspect of modern witch tarot cards is the stunning artwork.
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
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.
Many artists have taken a fresh approach to tarot card design, creating visually striking and captivating illustrations that capture the essence of each card's meaning. The artwork often combines traditional drawing techniques with digital elements, resulting in a unique and mesmerizing style. Despite these modern updates, modern witch tarot cards still maintain the core principles and structure of the traditional tarot deck. Each card holds its own specific meaning and can be interpreted in various ways, depending on the context and individual reading. The deck typically consists of 78 cards, divided into major and minor arcana, each representing different aspects of life and the human experience. In summary, modern witch tarot cards offer a contemporary twist on the traditional tarot deck, incorporating diverse and empowering representations of women, contemporary themes and symbols, and stunning artwork. These modern cards appeal to a wider audience and provide a fresh and relatable approach to divination and self-reflection..
Reviews for "The artistry behind modern witch tarot card designs"
1. David - 2/5
As a long-time tarot card enthusiast, I was excited to try out the "Modern Witch Tarot Cards." However, I was ultimately disappointed with the deck. The artwork lacked the depth and intricacy that I have come to expect from tarot cards. The illustrations felt too simple and cartoonish, detracting from the overall mystical and spiritual experience that tarot readings usually provide. Additionally, the accompanying guidebook was quite concise and didn't offer much insight into the interpretations of the cards. Overall, I would not recommend the "Modern Witch Tarot Cards" to those seeking a genuine and spiritual tarot experience.
2. Sarah - 3/5
I found the "Modern Witch Tarot Cards" to be underwhelming. While the artwork was aesthetically pleasing, it lacked the traditional symbolism that I associate with tarot cards. The interpretation of the cards felt shallow, and it often left me wanting more depth in the meanings. Additionally, I noticed some design inconsistencies in the deck, making it feel less cohesive. While the deck may appeal to those who prefer a more contemporary and less mystical approach to tarot, it was not what I was looking for in a tarot card set.
3. Jonathan - 2/5
The "Modern Witch Tarot Cards" didn't live up to my expectations. The artwork, while visually appealing, lacked the depth and symbolism that I appreciate in traditional tarot card decks. The interpretations of the cards felt too modern and focused heavily on pop culture references, which took away from the spiritual aspect that I seek in tarot readings. The deck also seemed to have a limited range of emotions and situations that it could address, leaving me wanting more diversity in the card meanings. Overall, I was disappointed with the "Modern Witch Tarot Cards" and would not recommend them to serious tarot enthusiasts.