Tarot Decks
A specific form of Oracle Cards, with some traditional structure and meaning but also great variety of styles and details. Decks are generally structured as 78 cards; a Major Arcana (suit) of 22 cards plus four Minor Suits, each consisting of cards numbered one to ten, plus four ‘court cards’. Exactly how far from this basic structure, traditional names or typical imagery a designer may stray and still be considered a Tarot deck is a matter of personal taste or belief. There is no legal definition.
For me, the bulk of the magic in the cards is how their imagery invokes, stokes, or provokes our subconscious. There is no ‘one perfect deck’ so much as a deck (or decks) that resonate with our inner Self. Below I present four of my Tarot decks (with non-Tarot Oracle Cards below that) to see if any of these cards speak to you for your reading.
In the early days (ie before moving to Ohio in 1994) my library consisted of five Tarot and three non-Tarot oracle decks. Between the explosion of Print on Demand capabilities, efficient(ish) systems to produce & distribute items globally, increasing public tolerance of ‘weirdness’ and artists’ abilities (necessity?) to take control of their work, there are now many thousands of decks available. My desire to have these small art collections- beautiful and practical- is limited by financial resources and physical space. Only one of those early five Tarot decks is still with me; the others have been sold. Currently I have 36 Tarot and 24 other Oracle decks.
As noted above, there’s enough consistency in Tarot deck structure that I can show the same card (0 The Fool) to give a mostly-fair comparison of each artist’s style. The ETA Tarot is an exception, as it’s a collaboration of 80 artists. Descriptions below are generally taken from the deck’s sales page or website.
My 2026 Standard Tarot Decks
Left to Right:The Somnia Tarot (Illustrated Edition) , The Ethereal Visions Tarot (Luna Edition), This Might Hurt Tarot,
Below is The ETA Tarot– a collaboration of ‘Emerging Toronto Artists’.
This image links to a larger version.
The Somnia Tarot (Illustrated Edition), (2023)
tells the tale of Tarot through the dreams and nightmares of artist Nicolas Bruno. Each full-color illustration reimagines the imagery from the first edition of The Somnia Tarot, which was created entirely through photography. The Illustrated Edition will help you explore the depths of the subconscious through dream symbolism and traditional Jungian archetypes.
The Ethereal Visions Tarot (Luna Edition), (2022)
Matt Hughes has drawn inspiration from the Art Nouveau movement, adopting its distinctive style and meticulous approach to craftsmanship. Every detailed image in the 80-card deck is hand drawn and colored. This Luna Edition includes revised artwork reflecting greater diversity and each card is illuminated with iridescent silver foil stamping.
This Might Hurt Tarot, (2019)
Keeping time-honored symbolism and imagery, but losing the medieval context, this deck is designed to be both easy to read and highly relatable. Clothing and scenery are modernized, diversity is embraced, and queerness is lovingly acknowledged. All of the court cards, and a few other select Minor Arcana cards, are portraits of real people in my [the artist’s] life.
The ETA Tarot (2017)
The Emerging Toronto Artists group was founded in 2014 to support artists in and around Toronto ON. A few years later a call was announced to find 80 artists to create this collaborative Tarot deck.
Other Oracle Decks
I don’t presently use ‘Le Normand‘ (36 cards) or ‘Kipper‘ (36 cards) decks for client readings. Visit US Games Systems for a quick overview of the differences between each of those systems and Tarot.
Beyond those systems, a wide variety of publishers offer an incredible array of decks. Some are based on historical, mythic, or literary paradigms such as First Nations (indigenous peoples of the Americas) traditions, various gods & goddesses around the globe, or beloved fictional universes. Others are focused on themes; everything from Angels to Animals (domesticated or not) to Wicca to the Zodiac.
Everything from the number of cards to the style of art (or typography if not illustrated) to meanings and suggested uses is up to the individual deck creator (and/or publisher). They can add emphasis or detail to a Tarot reading or be used for a specific question or concern suited to a specific deck.
My 2026 Standard Non-Tarot Decks
Left to Right:Goddesses, Gods & Guardians, Dreamscape Oracle, Sacred Creators Oracle,
Below is The ETA Oracle– a collaboration of ‘Emerging Toronto Artists’- a number of them returning ETA Tarot artists.
This image links to a larger version.
3G- Goddesses, Gods & Guardians (2021)
A beautiful, diverse card deck to help users access divine messages. The 44 vibrant and soulful cards depict a diverse collection of powerful global deities and spiritual guides to divinely support, empower and inspire your path.
Let the goddesses, gods and guardians walk alongside as you create a life of self-healing, spiritual connection and enlightened purpose.
Dreamscape Oracle (2021)
presents 32 guides, some animal messengers, some mythological archetypes, to help us explore the liminal spaces in our lives. This deluxe deck has gold foil stamping on the cards.
Sacred Creators Oracle (2020)
A guide for dream-chasers and magic-makers seeking serendipity, magic, intuition, and expansive potential in everyday life-or in business!
The messages you receive will guide you to take inspired action in your purpose-filled life as you map your soul’s journey or plan your next creative project. The extra journal prompts for each card are a fun, simple way to rethink the challenges you encounter and inspire magic so your creator spirit will thrive.
The ETA Oracle (2020)
After the success of the ETA Tarot project (creating original art, a gallery show, and then the deck) a call went out for the creation of an Oracle deck. The result is a deck of 56 cards with art inspired by “crown’ and a unique key word.
