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Created By: Lili Nguyen
Artwork by: Lucie Corbasson
Publisher: Rockpool Publishing
Number of cards: 33
Card size: 5 x 3.5 in
Box size: 5.5 x 4 x 1 in
Guidebook pages: 79
Purchased or gifted?: Review copy gifted by Rockpool Publishing
Absolute favorite card: Death
Other favorites: Duality, Renewal, Magic, The Devil, Happiness, Mother, The Door, Beauty
Notable detail:
Season: Summer
Sabbat: Beltane
Sign: Aquarius
Element: Fire
Tarot Deck compliment: Mystic Mondays Tarot
Collective Pull: Father

First Impressions

When I asked to review this deck, I was interested but not all that excited. It isn’t typically the kind of style I go for but I felt called to review it anyway and I’m glad I did. This deck…wow! There are so many things about it that I loved and that is just on the first glance. So much happening design wise. So many cool things. I found myself just looking at it for a long time. You all know how much I love my Rockpool decks and not just because they’re my publisher. They really do packaging well AND they’re great about betting on new talent and things that don’t fit the mold. I feel like you can really see that here. It's a more unusual deck at least in my opinion but I’m glad they decided to publish it. So, here’s my review of the Venice Witch Oracle.

The Packaging

Packaging—stunning! It's a two piece rigid box that’s pretty standard for Rockpool. The treatment of the box reminds me of lot of pink leather like something an alien would wear. It has a shiny quality about it and I think that totally makes sense for the overall design of the product.

I’ve mentioned this before but Rockpool started making the bands around the cards match the deck which is a small detail but feels just a bit more luxe. Things like that show care and attention to detail so I always mention it. The band is black in this case, matching the inside of the cover and bottom of the box.

The cards are pretty standard in terms of thickness and shuffle ok. They’re a little stiff but are starting to soften and will soften more with time. The most notable detail are the gilded edges. First of all, Rockpool always does gilding and to be honest, it made me a bit spoiled because now I expect it in all other decks as well. Rockpool’s been committed to doing gilded edges and not just regular gold and silver, they always have cool colors and now apparently, cool patterns like this one. The sides are holographic but with this interesting pattern that almost makes it feel like you’re going through a timewarp. So cool. I love this deck just for that. You can see a photo of it down below.

The Guidebook

The guidebook is full color on steroids. The backgrounds feature a hot pink and black checkered pattern which normally I’d say is really busy but it looks pretty great here. This deck really does feel well thought out and planned, not that other Rockpool decks aren’t but this one seems more intentional than normal.

Inside the guidebook, you’ll find an introduction, a section on how to use the cards, two spreads, and of course the card entries. I will say, I wish the guidebook had been a little meatier. At first, I thought the creator did the guidebook and the artwork because the artist’s name isn’t on the box which to be honest, I’m not a fan of. I got another deck from Rockpool recently where the artist’s name wasn’t on the box and I’m feeling some kind of way about that. I’ve worked with Rockpool a long time and from my experience, they have been quite strict in making sure the author and the artist’s names go on the box at least with my decks and rightfully so but lately, they seem to be changing their tune a bit. Not sure what that’s about but I do not support this decision.

Anyway, considering the artist and author are separate, I guess I would’ve expected a little more from the entries and even from the introduction. What each card does have is a short statement then the meaning. And the meanings are great so you’ll still get enough if you’re someone who enjoys using the guidebook.

Just a note, the card numbers are on the face of the card at the top right and bottom left corners. I missed them at first. They kind of blend in with the background which is ok, just thought I’d let you know.

One thing I will say, I appreciate the meanings a lot. I’ll be honest, I’ve been a bit bored with the same card names and meanings for a while, even with my own decks. The names here are familiar but the meanings feel fresh. I noticed this for cards like Father and Happiness. I feel like the author has pointed out more fluidity and different pathways to experience an energy that is perhaps different from what you’re used to and I really like that.

The Artwork

I’m surprised by how much I like the artwork. It's definitely not my style and it's way brighter than I would usually go for but I really don’t mind the bright pink. I think it's because it's balanced with so much black. A lot of the images are dark so they feel soothing even though there’s a lot of color.

My favorite card is Death. I love this representation of leaving a part of you behind and stepping into a whole new portal. Death is an energy we all experience many times in a lifetime. We see the death of each day, the death of who we once were, the death of an idea or goal. And each time we do leave a little piece of us behind but we also get to pick up new pieces along the way. So I felt like this image portrayed death in a really positive way, one that I so appreciated.

“Every moment of the journey life offers is really worth living, for it leads to unexpected happiness.”

All of the cards have this psychedelic feel to them but still feels very witchy. I find the deck to be well balanced in masculine and feminine energies too. Every card feels dynamic but also fluid. My second favorite card is probably the devil. She’s so beautiful and serene but when you look closely, you’ll see there is a woman covered by her veil. You can barely see her. The devil is so hypnotic, it's so easy to focus on that and miss how she’s holding someone captive. This would be one heck of a devil card in a tarot.

So many of these cards are very layered so while there isn’t a lot in the guidebook, you’ll have plenty of symbols and elements to draw from the art. Another one of my favorites is Happiness and not only is it one of my favorite cards but that’s probably my favorite meaning of the whole book. I love the way the author describes happiness; it perfectly matches the art and I think it’s pretty accurate to the human experience.

Purchase The Venice Witch Oracle

Reading With this Deck

I kid you not, I have pulled a card named beauty and intuition from every single deck I’ve worked with for like the past month. These energies are following me around and it's getting a little eerie. I found my initial readings to be quite feminine in nature. A lot of more feminine qualities like intuition, empathy, inner child work came up. I didn’t really have expectations of what my experience would be like so I’m not surprised or blown away.

So with the deck interview, I was told this deck represents a new beginning and that feels accurate. I’ve been saying for a while now that we’re heading towards a reset so it's nice to get that confirmation here. I was also told I needed to have more empathy for myself and actually that was surprising. This appears to be one of those decks that is self focused, at least for me. If you read my reviews often then you’ll know I never believe a deck is inaccurate and that holds true here. I can feel this deck is trying to tell me something monumental but I can’t seem to put my finger on it.

Collective Pull

I pulled Father for you. This card represents masculine energy but it's tempered with a feminine quality. It reminds you that sometimes love doesn’t come in the way you want it but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Make the most of what you have, even if it feels lacking. This card can also appear when a masculine energy enters your life, which doesn’t necessarily mean a man. Men, women, non-binary and all expressions of people carry masculine energy within them. Additionally, this card can also be your invitation to embrace your own masculine energy. Perhaps you could use a little more structure and strength in your life right now.

Season, Sign, Element and Sabbat

The season is summer for sure. There’s so much movement and energy that I’m having a hard time seeing it for anything else. I feel a lot of fire energy here as well so I’ll go with that for the element. I kind of wanted to say aether but it's not quite that. It does have a slight cosmic energy to it but what I’m really picking up is like a zest for life. A zest for adventure and a desire for more confidence which all correspond to fire.

I’m going with Beltane for the sabbat. I always call Beltane the sexy sabbat and this feels like a sexy deck. It has that passionate, erotic feel that I associate with Beltane. And finally, I chose Aquarius for the sign. And yes I know, all of these things don’t really correspond to each other but I like a deck that’s a bit all over the place. It feels unexpected. The psychedelic quality is what made me think of Aquarius which rules plants like cannabis and mushrooms.

Who is this deck for?

I think if you’re looking for something a little different that isn’t your typical earthy witch deck then give this one a try. As I’ve said, I’m not super into bright decks but this one somehow feels gentle even when the colors are loud. I also think this is a good deck for a younger witch, maybe in their later teens or early twenties. It's fun and evocative so I can really see it being a lovely gift for a college student.

Tarot Deck Companion

I was reminded of an older deck called Mystic Mondays Tarot. I don’t have it anymore since it never really aligned with me and a friend of mine loved it so I gave it to her. But I remember its energy quite well and after revisiting the style, I do feel it's a good match to the Venice Witch Oracle.

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. In the meantime, please enjoy a variety of photos from this deck.

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