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Created By: Hattie Thorn
Publisher: self-published
Number of cards: 78
Card size: 4.75 x 2.75 in
Box size: 5 x 3 in approx.
Guidebook pages: no guidebook
Purchased or gifted?: purchased
Absolute favorite card: Ace of Pentacles
Other favorites: Six of swords, Hanged Man, three of cups, two of cups, Wheel of Fortune, 3 of wands
Notable detail: by a small business owner
Season: winter
Sabbat: yule
Sign: Sagittarius and Capricorn
Element: Earth
Oracle Deck compliment: Vintage Christmas Oracle

First Impressions

I first saw this deck on Marina the Arcane’s page last year and I have been obsessed with it since but waited to purchase it since Christmas was basically over when I saw it. I love the deck although there are a few things I don’t like about which I’ll get into later. But overall, this deck is glorious. I love the images. It's so sweet and quaint and exactly the thing for the holiday season. I got mine just before November 1st, right when I was holding off trying to get into the Christmas spirit. I haven’t really felt all that into Samhain this year, wanting the cheeriness of the holidays instead. So when I got this deck in the mail, it spoke directly to my heart and I kind of just fell in love. Regardless of some issues I have, I can tell this one will be treasured for years to come. So let’s dig in.

The Packaging & The Guidebook

I grouped packaging and the guidebook into one section this time because there’s no guidebook and for the price of this deck — $93 — that’s a real shame. There isn’t even a digital one so I’m just a bit salty about that because this is on the more expensive side. I have dozens of independently published decks that are half the cost with luscious guidebooks and packaging so it's hard to justify the cost here.

The packaging is ok. It's a fairly sturdy two piece box which according to the website is a new feature for this year. It's just enough to hold the deck and to protect them from the elements. The cardstock is quite nice. They don’t feel too thick when you hold just one or two at a time but when you hold them as a deck, they feel super thick. I would say shuffling is medium in terms of ease. They’re just a little stiff but will soften with time. Tarot cards tend to be harder to shuffle at first since there’s so many. No gilding which for the price of this deck, again is a shame.

The Artwork

The artwork though is gorgeous. And let me just get it out of the way and say there is zero diversity here but I kind of don’t expect it with the vintage style. We know that historically, inclusivity wasn’t something many people cared about so it's bittersweet whenever I see something in a vintage style. I love these images. Me and mom spent so many weekends watching old movies from the 30s, 40s and 50s so I grew up on things that look just like this. Some of my favorite movies of all times are from those eras so I really resonate with the art even without the diversity. And while I wish inclusivity had been more a thing at the time when images like this were around, I understand that I can’t change the past but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the artistry of it; the positive parts of it.

With that out of the way, I love the artwork so much!! Haha. It's warm and cozy and cheery. Even the more depressing cards feel peaceful and relaxing. And I have to say, I think the imagery is well matched to Rider-Waite. You’ll have no problem at all, recognizing the traditional symbolism but reinvented for Christmas.

My favorite card is the ace of pentacles. I love, love, love the big giant ornament hanging from the sky. It feels like a giant sun offering you a clear chance to embrace what’s before you. This image is dark but feels magical and encouraging. I really like the six of swords too even though this is kind of a bittersweet card but here, it just feels peaceful. It feels positive and hopeful. Sometimes I think the six of swords doesn’t show enough hope, focusing too much on the sadness the figure is walking away from. I don’t get that sense at all with this card. As always, there are plenty of photos to look at down below. I took so many because this one is just so good to photo. The matte cards and soothing tones make it a dream in pictures.

Purchase Vintage Christmas Tarot

Reading With this Deck

So far, this deck has been such a joy to work with. All of my readings with the exception of the collective pull have been immensely positive. I keep pulling pentacles and the empress which are always wonderful to see. For some reason, I don’t have too many “kind” decks. My decks usually tend to be tough love or tell it like it is kind of situations. But this one is really encouraging and warm. For my deck interview, it told me I had so many opportunities and that by working with this deck, I’d be able to open the door to increased creativity, abundance and discovering my long-term vision. Can’t be mad about that right?

Collective Pull

I pulled the three of swords for you. This card indicates a recent heartbreak or painful situation. It advises you to make time to grieve as you should but to remember you have a pathway to healing when you’re ready. You don’t need to dwell in the hurt anymore than is necessary for you to process and heal. Having said that, don’t hold yourself back from mourning. Yell, scream, cry, get angry and let the experience move through you so that you can release it.

Season, Sign, Element and Sabbat

I think it goes without saying, the season must be winter. There are so many winter elements that you just can’t imagine it for any other season except for maybe Christmas in July. Since yule is the pagan version of Christmas or rather, Christmas was used to replace yule but that’s a conversation for another time, the obvious sabbat is Yule. The element is earth because of its association to the winter season but also because this is an earthy deck. The tones are all rich earth colors with a lot of green and brown.

For the zodiac sign I went with sagittarius and capricorn. I always associate Sagittarius with Christmas because most of the holiday season is experienced during Sagittarius even though Christmas occurs during Capricorn. So I just chose both.

Who is this deck for?

If you love Christmas, then you will love, love, love this. It is pretty much all you could ever want in a Christmas deck. I almost want to get another one to slip one card in each of my christmas cards this year but changed my mind because it is more on the expensive side. But I will absolutely have it for Christmas day. My family likes to get readings from me and this is so festive, it would be a shame not to have on hand.

And if you know someone who loves tarot and Christmas, I think this is an excellent gift. I will say though, you should get it sooner rather than later. It did take a few weeks to arrive so I would recommend getting it sometime in November if you want to give it as a gift.

Oracle Deck Companion

Luckily, this deck has a perfect companion made by the same creator called the Vintage Christmas Oracle. It's in the exact same style but with all new artwork and you can read all about it in my review here.

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