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By: Liz Huston
Publisher: U.S. Games Systems
Number of cards: 78
Card size: 4.75 (just under) in x 2.75 in
Box size: 7.5 x 5.5 x 2 in
Guidebook pages: 180
Purchased or gifted?: Review copy gifted from U.S. Games Systems

Absolute favorite card: The Hermit
Other favorites: The creatrix, the fates, temperance, seven of cups. eight of pentacles, pentacle court cards, the hanged woman
Season: winter
Sabbat: Imbolc
Sign: Pisces
Oracle Deck compliment: Vintage Wisdom Oracle

A *look at my favorite cards from the deck*

First Impressions: My first thought is that it reminded me of a deck I’ve had for a long time called Vintage Wisdom Oracle. It has that same sort of early 1900s surrealist aesthetic and actually, when you look at the Amazon listing for Vintage Wisdom, this deck comes up as frequently purchased together. The Oracle of Mystical Moments (I don’t have this one) also shows as frequently purchased with this deck and that really brought to mind Tarot of Mystical Moments (I do have this one and love it)—both by US Games. If you’ve seen that deck, I would say it is very similar to this one.

I really do enjoy this deck so let me get the things that I didn’t like out of the way. For starters, there’s no gilding. This is something I’ve mentioned on many decks, mostly because I’m still surprised that so many come without it. There are some like Cozy Witch Tarot and Witch Sister Tarot that feel right without gilding but this deck is so surreal and filled with so much imagination that I feel it suffers from the lack of gilding. I would’ve loved to see something trippy like a holographic color or perhaps a champagne color, taken from the card images. Again, it’s a small thing but one I feel makes a huge impact.

There isn’t a lot of diversity in the images. I passed through all images several times and really, I can’t recall one single moment when I saw a skin tone other than white. There are decks like Witch Sister Tarot where I genuinely don’t mind seeing as it’s based on her homeland, Scotland. But this deck doesn’t appear to have any specific cultural connection so it’s a bit disappointing. My feeling is that, because the images are taken from what appears to be vintage photos from the late 1800s and early 1900s, there will be an obvious lack of representation. But then I think of the Beloved Dead Oracle which uses similar vintage imagery, including that of diverse skin tones. So I’m a bit torn with how I feel about that. Of course every artist is entitled to express their art the way they see fit but I would be lying if I said it didn’t have an impact on my connection to the deck.

Finally, the guidebook is great though not in full color. Just the other day, I was thinking pretty much all decks seem to come with full color guidebooks now but seeing this one reminded me that isn’t true. It’s an interesting choice considering some of the other decks I’ve received from U.S. Games come with beautiful full color books. Nevertheless, the book is lovely and thus, ending my list of things I didn’t care for. I have enjoyed reading with these cards and have found myself contemplating a fresh perspective many times as a result of my work with this deck.

I love the take on the wheel (renamed the fates) and the seven of cups. The guidebook is quite rich, offering a wealth of information for each card. And the divinatory message is clearly marked in the event you do not wish to read through the whole meaning or have done so several times already. I really appreciate that. I love books with long entries for each card but, sometimes I just want to take a look at the divinatory meaning and having it clearly marked saves me from having to search for it. To be fair, there isn’t always space for that as is the case with my own decks. So I understand when it isn’t included but I also like to gives props where due. You will also fine a clear, short meaning of each card, just under the title.

The artwork is quite special despite the lack of diversity and I should also point out, the author worked on this deck over a period of 12 years. Obviously inclusivity has grown in strength over the past four years and not something most people worried too much about, myself included. Seasons of the Witch: Samhain wasn’t inclusive at all. And with a project done over so much time, I’m sure it just wasn’t something that was front of mind. Or at least, I’m choosing to believe that.

Still, many cards left me breathless. My absolute favorite card is the Hermit which features half of a woman sitting on top of a bare tree, looking at a reflection of herself in the clouds. The side of her face has another face, forming three different aspects of her focus. I found this card to be so powerful and really indicative of the deck as a whole. I love surrealism because it’s what I imagine is living inside my brain. I’ve often had dreams that present themselves in surreal images not unlike these. And this card forced me to confront something about myself that maybe I would prefer to avoid. I often split my mind up into parts, listening to something in the background with one part, writing with another, and thinking through an idea with another still. While I’d like to believe this is me being intelligent and clever, it’s really just me being afraid to go all in on what is in my heart; it’s a distraction. And really, that’s what this card is about: eliminating worldly distractions to turn your focus inward, face your depths and return with renewed purpose.

Another favorite is The Creatrix (FKA the Magician). She looks as though she is being created, one water droplet at a time. You can see two similar figures beside her. My first thought is that she’s drawing her ideal self out of the either and embracing it in physical form. She’s claiming her vision of herself essentially and I really see this as an excellent representation of the magician. I feel like this is such a great image to meditate upon when you are ready to truly take control of how you want your life to be. Continued Below…

Purchase The Dreamkeepers Tarot

I could pick apart so many cards in this deck but I will leave that to you. It’s a solid deck, both in terms of imagery and the guidebook. I hardly think you’ll be disappointed if you decided to purchase it, especially if surrealist art is your kind of thing. Every single card feels like a dream as the name suggests and I think it would be interesting to draw a card and just think about how it makes you feel or what comes to mind.

I’ve used it several times now, including an Interview of the deck and for me, it appears to be a deck that will push me to be my best. In my deck interview, it said I should call on it when I’m confused and need to make clear decisions and I quite liked that. The images don’t appear to make sense and yet, they make perfect sense. Just like your intuition. I think it’s a beautiful deck for understanding how your subconscious works and developing your intuitive power.

Season, Sign and Sabbat

I’m kind of torn with the season. My first thought was summer. There’s a lot of water energy and over the years, I have come to really associate summer with the water element although I was always taught autumn was water. Many of the deck’s tones are autumn, that’s very clear but I just can’t bring myself to place this one as a fall deck. That doesn’t feel right. But after more thought, I decided to place it as winter because, for me, dreams are at an all time high from Samhain through to Ostara, so late fall to late winter.

I also chose Pisces because when I think of surrealism, I think of Pisces. I’m a pisces moon and tend to get lost in my fantasies at times, sometimes thinking up weird things and contemplating what they mean. I can get lost in a leaf blowing by, wondering if it’s a sign or hearing the same story many times in one week. These cards have a lot of little things you can get lost in, reflecting and contemplating their meanings. And that feels like a Pisces thing to do.

Finally, I included this deck on my list of decks for Imbolc, again because of the winter connection to dreams.

Who is this deck for?

I would say this deck is for a more advanced reader. Its not that you wouldn’t be able to read it as a beginner but, its imagery is very complex and I think it helps to be familiar with the Rider-Waite-System before diving into this one. But if you’ve been reading for a while, then definitely give this one a try. I think it will really help you to stretch your understanding of tarot and teach you how to search for imagery. There’s a lot of layers to each card. In fact, I didn’t even notice the reflection in the hermit card until I saw it through my camera lens. There’s lots to find and if that gets you excited, then this is the deck for you.

Oracle Deck Companion

As I mentioned, this deck really brings to mind Vintage Wisdom oracle so that is the deck I chose for the companion. The artwork isn’t quite the same but I do get a similar sense of energy from both decks.

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