Oct 5 - The rise of indie decks

Tarot has always evolved, but the last couple of decades have seen an explosion of independent deck creators. Kickstarter, Etsy, and social media have made it possible for artists from all over the world to bring their visions to life - from whimsical and inclusive to darkly Gothic, pastel-perfect, or wildly experimental.

Indie decks are about creativity, diversity, and accessibility. They give readers options that reflect modern identities, storytelling, and culture, often including underrepresented voices and fresh perspectives. Every new deck is a reminder that tarot is alive, playful, and endlessly adaptable.

For readers, indie decks offer something special: a chance to connect with a deck that truly speaks to you, whether it makes you laugh, think, or just marvel at the artistry. The rise of indie decks proves that tarot isn’t stuck in history - it’s continually reinventing itself, one unique deck at a time.

Do you have a favourite indie deck, or one that’s caught your eye? Share your picks and why you love them in the comments!

Sep 7 - The First Tarot Decks

Before tarot became a mystical guide, the earliest decks were beautiful, handcrafted works of art designed for play, display, and status. The 15th-century Italian decks - like the Visconti-Sforza - featured gilded cards, hand-painted figures, and suits that would feel both familiar and strange to us today.

The first tarot decks weren’t uniform. Each deck reflected the tastes, symbols, and priorities of its patron: some emphasized chivalric imagery, others moral lessons, and some were just plain whimsical. The cards told stories - not about your love life or career, but about society, virtue, and human nature.

Even the early Major Arcana were evolving: allegorical figures appeared, some trumps changed names or functions, and the number of cards could vary. These decks laid the foundations for the symbolic system we now recognise in modern tarot, proving that tarot has always been as much about imagination as utility.

If you could see one of these first decks in person, which card would you be most curious about? Share your pick in the comments!

Aug 6 - Tarot and Cartomancy

Tarot isn’t the only way to read cards - cartomancy has a long, rich history too!

Cartomancy traditionally uses standard playing cards (the kind you might find in a deck for poker or bridge) to explore questions, fortune-tell, or tell stories. Each suit and number carries meaning, much like tarot’s suits and pips. Hearts, for example, often represent emotions and relationships, while Clubs can point to work or action.

Tarot, on the other hand, is a bit more elaborate. With its 78 cards, including the Major Arcana and the four suits, it gives room for detailed stories, archetypes, and symbolic depth. The imagery alone adds layers of interpretation that standard playing cards don’t usually provide.

Example Comparison:

• Cartomancy: Draw three cards - Heart 9, Club 4, Spade 2. Quick reading: happiness or emotional success (Heart 9), effort or work needed (Club 4), potential obstacles (Spade 2).

• Tarot: Draw three cards - The Sun, Five of Wands, Two of Pentacles. More detailed: joy and clarity (The Sun), conflict or competition (Five of Wands), and balancing responsibilities (Two of Pentacles).

See how both give insight, but tarot allows for richer storytelling through imagery and symbolism?

💭 Have you ever tried reading playing cards, or do you stick to tarot? What do you enjoy most about your chosen deck?

May 8 - When Tarot Became Mystical

For the first few centuries, tarot was mostly a game. But by the 18th century, things began to change. Occultists, mystics, and scholars started reading the cards as more than just playthings - they saw symbols, hidden meanings, and a path to guidance.

Figures like Etteilla in France pioneered the first “tarot for divination” systems, assigning meanings to the cards and publishing guides for fortune-telling. Soon after, the mystical associations grew: correspondences with astrology, numerology, and the Kabbalah began creeping into card interpretations. Tarot wasn’t just a game anymore; it became a tool for insight, reflection, and even spiritual exploration.

This transformation gave us the tarot we recognise today - a blend of artistry, symbolism, and intuition. Without this mystical turn, the Rider-Waite-Smith deck might have been just another fancy card game, and we wouldn’t be shuffling for guidance over coffee at our cozy winter tables.

Have you ever used tarot just for fun, or do you always approach it with a divinatory mindset? Share your style in the comments!

Mar 6 - The Oldest Surviving Deck

Meet the ancestor of all tarot decks: the Visconti-Sforza deck. Created in 15th-century Italy, this deck wasn’t made for divination - it was a luxurious card game for wealthy nobles. Think gilded edges, hand-painted figures, and a level of detail that would make modern artists weep with envy.

The Visconti-Sforza deck shows that tarot started as a game, not a mystical oracle. Its suits and trumps tell stories, but they were about entertainment, status, and artistry - not predicting your love life or career. Some cards look straightforward, others…well, they can be downright bizarre to modern eyes: knights in full armour doing mysterious gestures, allegorical figures whose meaning is lost to time. Sadly, six of the cards are also lost to time, although many artists have attempted to recreate them in the same style.

Looking at these early decks reminds us that tarot has always been about imagination and interpretation. Even then, people were telling stories with cards - they just hadn’t yet added the crystals, candles, or daily card pulls.

If you could hold one of the oldest decks in your hands, which card would you be most curious to study? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Jan 2 - Welcome to the RWS

A brief, slightly irreverent introduction to the deck you probably already own

You know it. You’ve seen it. You might even have three versions of it already.
Let’s talk about the deck that launched a thousand readings: the Rider-Waite-Smith.

(Or, as some of us lovingly call it: the “RWS” or “The One With All the Yellow.”)

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🎨 A Very Quick Backstory

The deck first appeared in 1909, born of a curious trio:

• Arthur Edward Waite – a mystic and scholar who wanted to make tarot less fortune-teller and more symbolic.

• Pamela Colman Smith – the brilliant artist who illustrated all 78 cards (often overlooked, but not here, thank you).

• William Rider – the publisher who put it out into the world.

So yes - Rider-Waite-Smith is kind of like calling Harry Potter “Publisher-Boy-Witch.” But we digress.

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🔍 What Makes It Special?

• All the Minor Arcana are illustrated.
  That was a game changer at the time. Before this, most decks looked like numbered playing cards.

• Symbolism for days.
  Every little gesture, colour, and background element is intentional (and sometimes wildly esoteric).

• It’s the default “language” of tarot.
  Most modern decks - even wildly artistic or niche ones - still reference RWS meanings and structure.

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💛 Why People Still Use It

• It’s readable.
  If you’re just starting, it tells stories with its images.

• It’s versatile.
  Works for intuition, structure, journaling, or waving around dramatically during Mercury retrograde.

• It’s classic.
  Like a little black dress. But with swords.

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😬 The Downsides?

• Pamela Colman Smith rarely got the credit she deserved.
  That’s slowly changing - but we’ll say her name again: Pamela. Colman. Smith. Icon.

• The art style doesn’t vibe with everyone.
  (That’s okay! Tarot isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s one-size-finds-your-weird.)

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🧙‍♀️ Final Thought:

The RWS isn’t the only deck - but it’s a great one to know. It’s foundational, flexible, and full of Easter eggs.

Think of it like the original flavour of tarot. You don’t have to like it best, but it helps to have tasted it at least once.

✨ Bonus Prompt:
Pull a card from the RWS (or your RWS-based deck).
Ask: What part of me is ready to see this image in a new way?