Every year on Halloween, folks who practice various pagan religions will celebrate Samhain. It's a holiday that celebrates those who have passed, and represents the day of the year when their world is closest to ours — much like the Mexican Día de Los Muertos. As so many cultures celebrate some form of death remembrance on this day, Samhain buzzes with the mystical energy from all over the planet. There's an indescribable feeling in the holiday, as though the other realm is visiting you and guiding you through the next year.
Of course, Samhain is a great time to divine with your deck of tarot cards. While myth persists that it's bad luck to purchase your own deck (it's not — buy all the decks that you like!), receiving a deck as a gift from others makes it that much more special. Channel the magical energies of the holiday into your card spreads with these beautiful tarot decks that are sure to inspire your intuition.
Rider-Waite Tarot by Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Coleman, $13.48, at Amazon
The Rider-Waite Tarot is the classic deck. Arthur Edward Waite was a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, an occult magic group that was active during the Victorian era; he worked with artist Pamela Coleman to design this deck in 1909. Many tarot decks use Rider-Waite's symbolism as a starting point for their own visual explorations.
The artwork, like the Golden Dawn's teachings, derived from various magical traditions and practices, like Rosicrucianism, astrology, the Kabbalah, and alchemy. There is so much symbolism in each of the cards that could a fill book — and, indeed, one of the best books on tarot is about this very subject. It's called Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack, a transgender author who is considered one of the foremost experts on tarot. This book will astound you with the meanings of the minute details in the Rider-Waite Tarot.
There is also the Melanated Classic Tarot, a fresh update on the Rider-Waite deck that features people of color, though it is difficult to find.
Sacred Rose Tarot by Johanna Gargiulo-Sherman, $17.73, at Amazon
This beautiful deck was a gift from a friend for my 30th birthday. The design is based on the Rider-Waite Tarot, but the lush, imaginative artwork feels like a walk through a magical rose garden, with resplendent greens and twinkling lights. It is rich with Wiccan symbolism, with a love of nature. The Sacred Rose Tarot is one of my most treasured possessions, and I know it will become one of yours.
Queers and Queens Tarot by Sam Kahn, $50, at Etsy
One major criticism of tarot deck designs are the abject lack of diversity. The Rider-Waite deck's human drawings are all white cisgender people, a theme that doesn't change much in many Tarot designs. The Queens and Queers Tarot deck aims to showcase the rich diversity of magic with 78 hand drawings of LQBTQ+ folks, backed by a lush flower drawing in the colors of the Pride flag.
Bad Girl Tarot by Katie Skelly, $40, at Catland
The Bad Girl Tarot is so. Much. Fun. Designed by comic artist Katie Skelly (whose zines and comics are must-reads), this deck makes the tarot feel freeing and inviting — a huge contrast from "serious" decks like the Hermetic Tarot (see below). In her human drawings, Skelly also focused on diversity, with playful touches like The Hanged Man wearing a pink leather harness and the Judgment archangel wearing go-go boots.
Anima Mundi Tarot by Megan Wyreweden, $45, at Etsy
Prepare to swoon over this fauna-themed tarot deck. Artist Megan Wyreweden painted each card, and the edges are gilded in gold. Animals like birds, dolphins, and foxes journey through a moody, blue-toned world with misty clouds and faraway starts. Once you enter the twilight of Anima Mundi Tarot, you'll never want to leave. For extra vibes, light a forest-scented candle and read these cards outside on a crisp night.
Dust II Onyx: A Melanated Tarot by Courtney Alexander, $159, at Dust2Onyx
The Dust II Onyx Tarot deck is absolutely breathtaking. It is designed by artist Courtney Alexander, with paintings that seem like dreams from another world. The artwork includes "cultural myths, symbolism, history, and icons within the Black Diaspora," and the luxurious packaging comes with a guidebook and a printed box for safekeeping. If $159 is a bit too steep, the Dust II Onyx Tarot comes in a smaller travel size for $50. I can't recommend this deck enough!
The Hermetic Tarot by Godfrey Dowson, $17.49, at Amazon
The Hermetic Tarot is a unique, hand-drawn black-and-white deck with a specific focus: hermetic ceremonial magic as practiced by the Golden Dawn. The details are so intricate, you could stare at these cards for hours and always spot a new symbol or power glyph. Unlike other tarot decks, this deck focuses on Western occult traditions, with geometrical and biblical references, as well as Jewish mysticism and numerology. I purchased this deck for myself and couldn't be more thrilled with its secrets. Even though Samhain is a great time to use tarot cards, the Kabbalistic symbology makes me want to use it during Hanukkah.
Pagan Otherworld Tarot by Linnea Gits and Peter Dunham, $58, at Catland
This stunning deck is illustrated with oil paintings that feel like Baroque or Renaissance artwork in the palm of your hand. Stark backgrounds place the focus on the figures and give the deck a more contemporary feel. Truly a deck for high holidays and serious intuitive readings.
Spirit Speak Tarot by Mary Elizabeth Evans, $43, at the House of Intuition
The Spirit Speak Tarot isn't just a uniquely refreshing update on the tarot's symbolism, it's also one of the most travel-friendly decks on the market. It's as small as a deck of playing cards, so you can take it with you for readings at a friend's house or a café. I fell in love with this deck when I received a reading with it at Maha Rose in Brooklyn, and am attracted to its monochrome allure.
Ethereal Visions Illuminated Tarot by Matt Hughes, $14.68, at Amazon
The Ethereal Visions Illuminated Tarot is inspired by the Art Nouveau movement from the turn of the century. It features sinuous curves and shapes, framed figures, and lots of botanical shapes and objects. It's a light, airy deck that feels perfect for dark nights and sunny days.
Nicoletta Ceccoli Tarot by Nicoletta Ceccoli, $21.05, at Amazon
Artist Nicoletta Ceccoli created this deck based on her macabre, childlike style. Each hand-painted card belies a sinister feeling, even through the dolls and lollipops and toy horses. It's unsettling in the best way possible, and this unique deck will let you tap into the uncanny valley.
