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By: Kristoffer Hughes
Art: Nadia Turner
Publisher: Llewellyn Publishing
Number of cards: 78
Card size: 4.75 (just under) in x 2.75 in
Box size: 8.25 x 5.5 x 2 in
Guidebook pages: 296
Purchased or gifted?: Publicity copy gifted from Llewellyn Publishing

Absolute favorite card: Ace of Wands
My favorite cards: Aces, the Wheel, Six of Pentacles, The Delphic Bee, The Devil, The Magician, Ace of Jars, Ace of Swords, Seven of Jars, Seven of Pentacles
Season: Summer
Sabbat: Lammas
Sign: Virgo
Oracle Deck compliment: Seasons of the Witch: Lammas Oracle, The Herbal Astrology Oracle

First Impressions: I really love Kristoffer Hughes who also authored the Yuletide Tarot. I think he has a really unique perspective and a quite masterful way of drawing out themes in tarot form. So I’m 100% biased and probably would’ve loved this deck anyway. But really, this deck is amazing. I’m pretty blown away to be honest. The style, guidebook, artwork and meanings are all so spectacular and I have found that the tarot decks coming out of Llewellyn these days are instantly becoming new favorites. I’m pretty sure this one is going to live on my tarot reading desk.

Packaging is first as always. I love the box especially the single bee on the cover instead of one of the card images. This deck is an homage to bees and the cover reflects that. Llewellyn’s tarot boxes are gorgeous though. I’m really loving their packaging. While I’m not missing it really, I think it would’ve been lovely to have hairline foiling around the bee’s wings. There is a lot of gloss on matte action happening which is quite reminiscent of gilding but not quite the same. Although it reminds me of the mirror like surface of insect’s eyes which feels on brand.

Did the bees understand the mysteries of the Druids… or did the bees perhaps give them access to those mysteries?”

I love the poem on the inside of the box and I especially love the beehive motif you’ll find throughout the deck. It’s so beautiful and doesn’t compete with any of the artwork in any way. Like the packaging, Llewellyn does such an amazing job with the guidebook. They’re probably my favorite guidebooks out of all the decks I own. They’re big, full color and the artwork for each card gets a full page showing all of the incredible detail. And if you hold the book together, you can see a bee hive pattern on the edges of the pages.

The cards themselves are pretty standard to Llewellyn; a bit on the thin side but I like that. I don’t like it when cards are too thick because they’re harder to shuffle. These are in my opinion, great for shuffling especially if you like to casino shuffle like I do. Usually I complain about the lack of gilt edges when it comes to Llewellyn decks but I don’t miss it here. I would even say gilt edges would take away from the deck. I would’ve loved for the backs of the cards to have a single bee like the cover but I know why it doesn’t and I completely understand. I would’ve made the same choice. It’s to keep the reader from knowing whether the cards are upright or reversed if you choose to read reversals. I’m honestly nitpicking because I really have nothing bad to say about the deck at all. I love it!

Kristoffer and his partner actually keep bees (see intro) which I loved. He brings his deep, intimate knowledge of them to this incredible work. My favorite feature is the use of the term “Buzzwords” instead of key words. And the suit of cups is renamed Jars which is so sweet and appropriate. These are small things but I think little things like that show attention to detail and intelligence. It’s quite clever.

The guidebook has upright meanings and reversals, six spreads including one called the Waggle Dance which is so fun, an intro, another section called “Into the Hive” which is about bees in general, “Beyond the Hive” which is a background on tarot, and “The Waggle Dance” which is a bee term but makes total sense here. You’ll find out why once you read it. This section describes how to read tarot. Of course the major and minor arcana with an introduction for each and the conclusion which includes a list of ways to support the preservation of bees.

What really stood out to me is when Kristoffer says “The tarot is not a tool to test your psychic abilities.” This is something I’ve thought a lot about lately. I have so many friends and frankly strangers who are always trying to “test” my intuition and it kind of pisses me off. Psychic abilities are not parlor tricks and frankly, just because you didn’t like something I had to say doesn’t mean my intuition is wrong. I’m a ranting a bit but it’s because Kristoffer said something that I believe really needed to be said. He also says “In truth, a tarot reading should not tell you anything that you don’t already known in your heart of hearts.” That also rang very true. I’m often asked what if the cards you pulled are wrong? To which I always response, the cards are never wrong. Sometimes you don’t want to face it but deep down, you already know everything your cards have to say are true.

“In truth, a tarot reading should not tell you anything that you don’t already known in your heart of hearts.”

As always, I found myself deeply engaged with and inspired by Kristoffer’s interpretations. When doing my deck interview, I discovered I am meant to work with this deck when things are exciting and for seeking happiness and peace. I felt that here as this is a very cheerful deck, not unlike the Yuletide Tarot. I didn’t really expect that but loved it when I drew my cards. This deck feels so bright and happy and positive. I’m not afraid of a deep dark, confront your shit type of deck but it’s also really lovely to have a fun, good natured deck that makes you feel warm inside. Kristoffer says “Honey is liquid sunshine” and this deck feels like the sun card times 78! Even the scary cards like the Tower feel just a bit softer. Continued below…

Purchase Bee Tarot

My favorite card is the Ace of Wands, mostly because it reminds me of The Herbal Astrology Oracle which I love. The artwork is so beautiful. The art for this particular card is very similar to Gingko from the Herbal Astrology Oracle which very clearly took inspiration from the ace cards in tarot. But aside from that, the color palette feels really similar between these two decks.

Which brings me to one of my favorite things about this deck, the soft tones. It’s colorful but still muted which is a trend I’m noticing now and completely support. It’s much more soothing on the nervous system which really makes a difference during a reading. Your environment and the things you surround yourself with have a direct impact to your overall sense of well-being. Soft or muted colors in general promote relaxation and while you see this in practices like Trauma-informed Design, it’s still being overlooked in things like books, clothes, and well, decks. As someone who’s long suffered with stress and anxiety, I appreciate the desaturated nature of the art. I genuinely feel like cards with softer colors feel more supportive.

I absolutely love the Devil card which is portrayed as a corporate executive using bee hives for personal gain. In contrast to that, you have the six of pentacles which is so homey and heartwarming. You can absolutely imagine what country life in Wales must be like for Kristoffer and his partner, just by looking at the cards. I chose the ace of wands as my favorite but I absolutely loved the Wheel card. A garden is such a great way to portray the ebbs and flow of life but also how so much is happening beneath the surface that goes unnoticed. There are thousands of insects moving about, bees coming and going, and worms tending to the soil which speaks to the heart of the wheel. It may seem like sudden change to you but really, it’s the result of a lot of hard work happening over a period of time. Abundance comes, it goes and then it comes again, just like the shifting of the seasons in your garden. Brilliant!

I’ll end it there because in true fashion, I can go on and on. I will say that Llewellyn’s tarot decks are excellent and their authors are truly masters of their craft. You can tell there’s pride in the work and that everyone involved cares about the users experience. Kristoffer Hughes has become a huge inspiration for me as an author and I eagerly await his next deck.

Season, Sign and Sabbat

I went with Virgo for the zodiac sign. I wanted to pick a spring sign but that just didn’t sit right. Virgo represents hard work and what’s more hardworking than a beehive?

I like Lammas for the sabbat. I really want to choose Beltane because the reoccurring theme of the Seasons of the Witch: Beltane Oracle is a bee which you can find at least one on every card so the Bee Tarot is especially dear to me. But in truth, it feels like Lammas energy. I don’t have the sample for Seasons of the Witch: Lammas Oracle at the time of writing this but I’m curious to see if it will do well with Bee Tarot. Anyway, my point is, Lammas feels like the time of the year when bees are the most active. There’s a plethora of flowers to pollinate in preparation for the winter time. Summer is also just a busier time of year and that busy energy feels align with the buzzing and busy energy of bees. Haha, and just as I wrote this, a bee came buzzing across my window as if to say “that’s correct!” I can’t argue with a bee about Bee Tarot so Lammas it is!

Likewise, the connection to Seasons of the Witch: Beltane is itching to say this is a spring deck but that just doesn’t sit right in my soul. It feels like a summer deck for sure. Especially considering how bright and cheerful it is. It would not be proper to try to make it anything else.

Who is this deck for?

I’m going to say just about anyone but especially people who have a love of bees or are green minded. If you feel as though bee is one of your animal guides or it’s an energy you like working with, then I think this one will be an incredible layer to add to that work. It’s beginner and advanced friendly, taking the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith symbolism just updated to align with bees. I think you’ll get a lot out of it and if you get a chance, also check out the Yuletide Tarot by the same author.

Oracle Deck Companion

I really feel like this is going to match Seasons of the Witch: Lammas Oracle so I’ll update you once I get the physical deck in my hands. But for now, I’m going with The Herbal Astrology Oracle as my first option because as I said before, the tones feel so similar and also, plant and bees go hand in hand. And the Seasons of the Witch: Beltane is my second option because of the direct link with bees.

Thanks for reading all the way through. If you found this review to be helpful, informative or entertaining in any way, please be sure to leave a comment down below. It really helps me know what you’re enjoying so that I can provide more content based on what you love.

And of course, if there is something you’d like me to consider reviewing, please comment below or email me at hello@spiritelement.co