Flash Deck Reviews!

I’m a tarotmaniac and I just can’t stop being drawn to new decks. So here are some quick reviews of five of my newest decks.

Tarot Kawaii by Lulu Mayo

Otters, cats and floofy dogs all feature prominently.

This is a really sweet deck. It’s very kawaii, it’s all animals and there is a beautifully egregious number of poodles included. My only critique would be that the booklet is only in French, but that’s not the biggest issue.

Overall a lovely, usable deck. The opening of the box is a bit stiff but the way that traditional tarot imagery has been transformed in to these cute cards more than makes up for that.

Undeniably cute cards... in French.

Art: ★★★
Fun: ★★★★
Creativity: ★★★
Usability: ★★★★
Tarotyness: ★★★

Business Class Tarot by Anthony Dobranski & Jamin Hoyle

Simple packing. Smart-casual office-wear style.

I love this deck. My 9 to 5 is very corporate, very business and sometimes just soooo dry. This deck takes that mundanity and transfers it to a quirky, fun and smart deck that office-drones like me will love.

Some of the juxtapositions from traditional tarot to the major arcana here can be a bit obtuse - it’s definitely one where traditional meanings need to be mixed with your own perception and experiences and, occasionally, a sneaky look at the booklet.

This deck feels really fresh to me. It’s only available via the author’s Etsy and, as a self-published deck, the boxing is a little basic but it’s not enough to put me off. This deck also came with some extra foil-embossed cards that you can switch out with the standard cards for a little more sparkle.

Traditional tarot x corporate jargon.

Art: ★★★
Fun: ★★★★
Creativity: ★★★★★
Usability: ★★★
Tarotyness: ★★★

Pastel Journey Tarot Deck by Vanessa Somuayina & Erika (Akire) Lopez

Overtly girly, cutesy and sassy.

Pastels aren’t my natural go-to but this deck has really grown on me. The almost Bratz-style oversized heads jarred at first but I got used to it quickly - though the style of the eyebrows almost looks like a 2nd set of eyes to me. Maybe this represents a second-sight, or maybe it’s just a stylistic choice I’m too old and western to really appreciate.

This is definitely not a deck that has a lot of traditional tarot imagery in it. A lot of the time if it can’t be printed on a t-shirt, it won’t be on the cards - so you need a good layer of base knowledge to really get the most out of this deck.

Pastel Journey... what were you expecting?

Art: ★★
Fun: ★★★
Creativity: ★★
Usability: ★★
Tarotyness: ★★

Rainbow Tarot by So Lazo & Cyree Jarelle Johnson

Sadly not always as colourful on the inside.

This is a really solid tarot deck. It’s fun. It builds on traditional symbolism and it’s very interestingly packaged.

But as a rainbow deck… I wanted more colour. There is colour but I wanted it cranked up to 11.

Having said that, I love the art. It’s naïve-chic and simplistic and kind of gives me medieval-but-make-it-camp vibes.

It’s inclusive, diverse and represents feminine power, queerness and (we love to see it) body positivity. I can see a lot of people really finding themselves in this deck and that’s important.

This deck doesn't stray too far from with Ryder Waite Smith conventions, symbolically speaking.

Art: ★★★★
Fun: ★★★
Creativity: ★★★★
Usability: ★★★★
Tarotyness: ★★★★

Black Violet Tarot by Heidi Phelps

Violet...?

Saving the best till last… I don’t know what it is about this deck but I’m powerfully drawn to it.

Artistically it’s simple - black and white that suggests violet (and indeed there is violet on the metallic edging), clean lines and almost minimalistic artwork. The deck itself claims to reflect “bittersweet dualities” and it’s true that it’s very easy to see the base and shadow meanings of a card within this deck.

Everything in this deck is very female-based, which really makes sense. Most of the major classic symbolism is included but due to the uncluttered style it’s parred down and streamlined which can help remove ambiguity in readings.

I have to mention the packing here - it’s a glorious, big, solid box. The ribbon is thick and long, the guidebook is thick and sturdy and feels really premium. This deck will likely the the centrepiece to many tarotistas’ collections.

Expanding on the traditional 78-card structure.

Unusually, this is an 80-card deck. Included are two addition cards Ghost and Coven which represent facing your past and serious sisterhood, respectively. This really gives a steer on the vibe of this deck: strong feminine energy, empowerment and unlocking growth and capability.

Simple but effective design.

Art: ★★★
Fun: ★★★
Creativity: ★★★★
Usability: ★★★★★
Tarotyness: ★★★★