The wicked witch of the west is a popular character in fairy tales and fantasy literature. She is known for her dark and sinister appearance, complete with a pointed hat and a flowing black robe. In many stories, she is depicted with a long, hooked nose and a menacing expression on her face. The wicked witch of the west is often portrayed as a powerful and dangerous antagonist. She is known for her magical abilities, which she uses to bring harm and misfortune to others. She is sometimes portrayed as a figure of terror, capable of casting spells and curses that can cause great harm or even death.
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.
She is sometimes portrayed as a figure of terror, capable of casting spells and curses that can cause great harm or even death. The wicked witch of the west is also often associated with dark and eerie landscapes. She is often depicted living in a castle or deep in a dark forest, surrounded by her loyal minions and henchmen.
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:
Her environment is usually filled with the presence of bats, black cats, and other symbols of darkness and evil. Many artists and illustrators have depicted the wicked witch of the west in their drawings and paintings. These interpretations can vary widely in style and tone, depending on the artist's vision and the context in which the character is portrayed. Some artists choose to emphasize her dark and sinister side, using dark and bold colors and dramatic shadows. Others may choose a more whimsical approach, incorporating elements of fantasy and fairy tale. Regardless of the artistic interpretation, the wicked witch of the west is a character that has captured the imaginations of many. Whether portrayed as a terrifying villain or a misunderstood antagonist, she continues to hold a prominent place in popular culture and folklore. Her iconic appearance and magical abilities make her a memorable and enduring figure in the world of fantasy..
Reviews for "Tales from the Shadows: Drawing a Sinister Wicked Witch of the West"
1. Jennifer - 1/5 - I was really disappointed with the drawing of the Wicked Witch of the West. It lacked the detail and creativity that I was expecting. The colors were dull and the lines were sloppy. It looked like a rushed job done by an amateur artist. I was hoping for a more unique and captivating depiction of such an iconic character. Overall, I would not recommend this drawing to anyone who is looking for a high-quality and visually appealing artwork.
2. Mark - 2/5 - The Wicked Witch of the West drawing was just okay. It didn't really capture the essence of the character or bring anything new to the table. The colors and shading were mediocre, making the whole drawing look flat and uninteresting. I feel like the artist could have put more effort into it to make it more visually engaging. While it wasn't terrible, it definitely didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really excited to see the Wicked Witch of the West drawing, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The proportions seemed off, making the witch look more cartoonish than menacing. The choice of colors was also questionable, with the witch's skin appearing more green than sickly. Overall, it just lacked the dark and eerie vibe that I associate with the character. I was hoping for a more accurate and atmospheric representation, but this drawing didn't deliver.