Mythos Tarot Review
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By: Helena Elias
Publisher: Rockpool Publishing
Number of cards: 78
Card size: 4.75 in x 2.75 in
Box size: 7 x 5 in
Guidebook pages: 172
Release Date: November 1, 2023
Purchased or gifted?: Advanced copy gift from my publisher Rockpool Publishing
Absolute favorite card: The hanged man (Prometheus)
My favorite cards: The emperor (Zeus), three of coins (The Moirai), Wheel of Fortune (Demeter), four of cups (Styx), ace of swords (Chaos), The Hermit (Hermes), the Empress (Hera)
First of all, this deck is STUNNING!!
It’s really beautiful and I could’ve taken photos of it for hours. I actually had to stop myself at some point because I could not get over how gorgeous it is. The colors are really saturated but also very muted and I feel like this deck was meant for me—- 100% my vibe! In fact there’s a new oracle deck series I’ve been thinking about and this style would be perfect for it! But I digress. The sides of the deck are a soft gold that I really appreciate. Sometimes those edgings can be a little aggressive but not here. And actually, the deck as a whole, from a visual perspective is quite harmonious.
The box is a fairly new offering from Rockpool. They are my publisher and I followed them for a long time before I was signed so I have seen many different types of boxes from them. This one is more on the luxe side for sure but Rockpool consistently offers details and luxuries most other publishers won’t bother with. And I’m not just saying that because I’m signed with them. They really do pull out all the stops with their packaging. Each one has some unique foil or feature and this is no different.
This one is a two piece with a platform inside to hold the cards. I have very few tarot decks with this kind of packaging. This type of box is usually reserved for big names like Kim Krans or Colette Baron-Reid so that tells me RP has a lot of faith in this deck becoming a best-seller. And rightfully so. It has my vote and I can’t imagine a world where it isn’t an instant hit!
I love the addition of a Greek god for each card. I think that was a really smart way to portray the card’s meaning and I would even love to see this adapted for deities of different pantheons. Imagine Egyptian, Roman, Chinese, or Indian.. beautiful! I’m calling it it. But getting back to this deck, I see both tarot and deities as teachers and messengers so it seems to me, they make a natural fit.
It’s also a great way to introduce yourself to some lesser known deities, like Morpheus (knight of cups) for example. You say that name and a lot of people think of the Matrix but he is one of my favorite God’s of all time and I don’t believe he gets the fame he deserves. I also learned about some deities that were new to me. Horme (page of coins), the personification of effort and Bia (nine of wands), the personification of force, were both names I haven’t come across but found an instant connection with.
The benefit of having the Greek god on the card is that the guidance doesn’t have to end with your reading. You can continue to learn about and work with the deity through prayer, offerings, or even a few words of thanks. Personally, I believe the real work isn’t in pulling or even interpreting the cards. It’s putting the guidance into physical action and integrating it into your life. So working with the associated deity can become a physical manifestation of your reading, giving you something tangible to explore far beyond the cards themselves.
Mythology can be cruel, something Helena does speak to in the guidebook, but also a lot of their behavior represents heightened expression of the human psyche. I often think of the dark parts of mythology as shadow work, written within the words of folklore as a way to escape and make sense of the brutality of ancient times. It may be uncomfortable, but so is shadow work and a lot of other spiritual work for that matter. All that to say, I’m glad Helena didn't shy away from the harder meanings which is something I really appreciate and value. I don’t either in my decks so when I find another creator that doesn’t water down meanings, I’m fully invested.
I really can’t say enough good things about this deck but there is one con I think you should be aware of. It doesn’t have a lot of diversity if that is a determining factor for you. There is one card, The Emperor, that features a black person and the rest appear to be white or at least racially ambiguous ( The fool (Pan), ten of coins (Tyche) and four of wands (Hestia). Though her Instagram has a pretty solid variety of skin tones and shapes so diversity is definitely a part of her art.
To be fair, it is a deck about Greek mythology so maybe the intention was to keep the heritage of that which is completely understandable. And if she did take my idea of doing the other Pantheons (wink, wink), IDK that it would be right to toss in random cultures. But it’s also 2023 and the days of not representing as many people as possible need to be over. It’s something I’m always trying to improve for my own decks and I can’t preach that and not expect it of other creators as well. It’s a learning process for sure.
Having said that, I really do love this deck and there are certainly decks with zero representation, at least this does have some. So it’s not going to stop me from using it at all and in fact, I think this is going to find a place in my top five favorite tarot decks. I haven’t had a new “favorite” tarot deck in years. That tells you how much I love this one. So Helena, if you want to illustrate my next deck or deck series, give me a call, darling!
Any decks you’d like a review on? Have any questions about decks at all? Leave me a comment and stay tuned for more reviews.
This page may contain affiliate links which may allow us to collect a commission when you click and make a purchase through the links on our site. There is no additional cost to you for doing so.
