The Everyday Witch Tarot is a modern interpretation of the traditional tarot deck, featuring whimsical illustrations and relatable themes. Created by Deborah Blake and illustrated by Elisabeth Alba, this deck is designed for both seasoned tarot readers and beginners alike. The Everyday Witch Tarot consists of 78 cards, each with its own unique artwork that brings the traditional tarot archetypes to life in a fresh and modern way. The deck follows the structure of the traditional tarot, with 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards divided into four suits - Cups, Pentacles, Wands, and Swords. What sets the Everyday Witch Tarot apart is its relatability and accessibility. The illustrations feature everyday people in everyday situations, allowing readers to easily connect with the cards and their meanings.
Most of the scenes and clothing evoke European life centuries ago. Girls wear lace bodices and long skirts. Boys wear tunics and tights. The witch mixing a potion in the Eight of Coins is working under a thatch roof in a shop with an old-fashioned hanging sign that announces her profession with an image of herbs and a broom. There are castles, scrolls, chalices, and cauldrons, and, on the knight of wands, a red, fire-breathing dragon. The dragon appears contentedly tamed, and breathing only smoke, in the queen of wands card.
Chapter 2 focuses on common questions asked about doing tarot readings choosing and using significators, clarifying cards, reversed cards, negative readings, rituals to do before a reading. Her beautiful illustrations are faithful to Pamela Colman Smith s classic cards, updated with humor and whimsy to speak more directly to 21st century witches.
The illustrations feature everyday people in everyday situations, allowing readers to easily connect with the cards and their meanings. The deck also incorporates elements of witchcraft and magic, adding an extra layer of depth and symbolism to the interpretations. For those new to tarot, the Everyday Witch Tarot comes with a comprehensive guidebook written by Deborah Blake.
Review | Everyday Witch Tarot Mini, by Deborah Blake, art by Elisabeth Alba
I was looking to expand my tarot card collection with a deck that’ll be easy to carry around for whenever I’m suddenly in the mood for a reading. I came across the Everyday Witch Tarot mini deck on the publisher website, and as you can see in the photo, it’s small enough to fit perfectly in my hand. The size does make it a bit of a challenge to shuffle the cards — to be fair, this is the first mini deck I’ve tried, so I can’t compare — but the convenience is well worth it.
I absolutely love Elisabeth Alba’s artwork. The deck does not come with a guidebook, so heads up for folks who are new to tarot, but the images themselves are so beautifully evocative that you can almost come up with a full reading even without being familiar with tarot interpretations. (That being said, I find that looking up the various meanings of each card does help deepen the reading, and I personally love the Biddy Tarot website for that.)
The cards feature illustrations of witches, and the images do indeed convey a sense of magic, but overall, I also found the images very grounded in reality. While there is the presence of the esoteric, Alba’s illustrations depict the magic of everyday life, with the witches enjoying non-magical activities like doing yoga or enjoying a day at the beach. This enhanced my emotional connection to the cards, and help make the spreads come to life for me.
Below, I display some of my personal favourites from the deck:
First, as a cat lover, how gorgeous is the back of these cards (middle image in the above)?! The black cat is adorable, the witch hat and broomstick heightens the magical mood, and starry night sky in the background adds a lovely touch of whimsy.
The guidebook provides not only the meanings of the cards but also instructions on how to conduct readings, interpret spreads, and work with the deck's unique energy. It serves as a valuable resource for beginners, helping them navigate the world of tarot with confidence. Whether used for self-reflection, guidance, or divination, the Everyday Witch Tarot offers a playful and enjoyable tarot experience. Its vibrant illustrations and relatable themes make it a favorite among many tarot enthusiasts. With its balanced combination of tradition and contemporary interpretation, this tarot deck has become a go-to choice for those seeking clarity and insight in their everyday lives..
Reviews for "Everyday Witch Tarot: Navigating Life's Crossroads"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really excited to get the Everyday Witch Tarot, but I was disappointed with it. The illustrations are not as detailed as I was hoping for, and the overall design feels a bit cluttered. Additionally, the card stock is quite thin and doesn't feel very durable. Overall, I expected more from this deck and I wouldn't recommend it for serious tarot readers.
2. Emily - 1 star - I found the Everyday Witch Tarot to be lacking in symbolism and depth. The imagery felt a bit too cartoonish for my taste, and it didn't resonate with me on a spiritual level. The guidebook that came with the deck was also quite basic and didn't provide the in-depth interpretations I was hoping for. I ended up shelving this deck and using my older ones instead.
3. Sarah - 3 stars - While the Everyday Witch Tarot has some cute illustrations and a playful theme, I found the interpretations to be a bit shallow. The guidebook lacked depth and didn't provide much insight into the cards. Additionally, some of the traditional tarot symbolism and meanings were replaced with more modern references, which didn't resonate with me. It may be a good deck for beginners or those who prefer a light-hearted approach, but it's not for everyone.
4. Michael - 2 stars - The Everyday Witch Tarot is marketed as a great deck for daily readings, but I found the artwork to be a bit repetitive and uninspiring. The images all seemed overly similar, and it lacked the variety and diversity that I enjoy in a tarot deck. The card meanings were also quite generic, and I didn't find them to be particularly insightful or helpful. Overall, I was disappointed with this deck and wouldn't recommend it to others.
5. Jessica - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Everyday Witch Tarot, but I found the illustrations to be a bit juvenile and lacking the depth I was hoping for. The imagery and symbolism felt a bit forced and didn't resonate with me. Additionally, the card stock quality was not the best, making the deck feel flimsy and easily damaged. I would recommend exploring other tarot decks before settling on this one.