Exploring the Archetypes: A Deep Dive into the Modern Witch Tarot

The Modern Witch Tarot is a contemporary take on the traditional tarot deck featuring modern, diverse, and empowering imagery. Created by artist and illustrator Lisa Sterle, this deck was first published in 2019 and has gained significant popularity among tarot enthusiasts. Unlike the traditional tarot decks that often feature older, Caucasian figures, the Modern Witch Tarot showcases a more inclusive representation. The deck embraces diversity, featuring people of various ethnicities, ages, body types, and genders. This diversity aims to create a more relatable and inclusive experience for readers and seekers of all backgrounds. The imagery in this deck is bold, vibrant, and deeply magical.

Publisher: Sterling Ethos

Acclaimed artist Lisa Sterle takes these symbols into contemporary life with vibrant art that celebrates the diversity, excitement, and energy of the new kind of magic that is happening in this world. Then using your own intuition, knowledge, and or books you interpret cards meaning we love The Tarot Companion Book , imagery and symbolism to arrive at your answer.

The imagery in this deck is bold, vibrant, and deeply magical. It draws inspiration from various cultures, myths, and folklore from around the world. The artwork is rich in symbolism, blending traditional tarot archetypes with modern themes.

A Review of the Modern Witch Tarot

I’ve been anticipating the Modern Witch Tarot for quite some time. From creator Lisa Sterle, this is a traditional RWS-style Tarot deck set in the modern day. It features contemporary dress (rather than the slightly off-putting faux Renaissance garb of the original RWS), the inclusion of modern-day technology like laptops and cell phones, and a somewhat more diverse array of body types and ethnicities than given in the Waite-Smith deck.

My first impression of this deck is that it’s charming and accessible. Despite the modernizing twists, this deck is so strongly influenced by the RWS—even down to the background colors of individual cards—that I’d go so far as to call it a RWS clone. This makes it a great deck for beginners, as the imagery will work well with just about any introductory Tarot book on the market. And there’s certainly a place in the Tarot world for decks with a more modern flair. (Other decks in this vein include the Vanessa Tarot, Urban Tarot, and the Tarot of the Boroughs.) Not all readers, and certainly not all clients, want a deck that feels like it’s set in the distant past. A deck like the Modern Witch Tarot presents its central themes in a clean, accessible way without a veneer of anachronism. I suspect that this quality will make the deck a crowd pleaser, and this is probably an especially good deck to whip out with new querents who are unfamiliar with (and perhaps intimidated by) Tarot. The imagery is clear, understandable, and non-threatening.

That said, I do feel that some attempts to modernize are more successful than others. The Chariot as a motorcyclist is absolutely brilliant, as is the Fool listening to her headphones and not paying attention to where she’s going. But I don’t entirely understand the adaptation of the Wheel of Fortune, for instance, or of the Hanged One. In the case of the Chariot, the modernizing twist feels like it really adds something to the card; in some other cards, it doesn’t feel purposeful, and can end up feeling like more or less the same card as before, just with a different costume. This isn’t necessarily damning—I think there’s genuine virtue in how closely this deck adheres to its RWS predecessor—but Sterle’s creative vision shines through more clearly in some cards than in others.

The same is true of the Minor Arcana. The single most standout card in this deck (and the one that Sterle designed first) is the Ten of Swords, which shows the traditional backstabbed figure staring at her phone; the deck even comes with an additional copy of this card, labeled “EVERYTHING IS FINE”. Which, come on. How delightful. It makes me giggle every time.

Likewise, some cards in the Minors feature additions that expand upon and deepen traditional imagery; e.g. the motorcycle in the Eight of Wands and the “OVER IT” sweatshirt worn by the figure in the Four of Cups. Other cards feel much more like standard RWS reproductions. In places, where the modern revamp doesn’t quite make sense to me. (I stared at the Seven of Wands for a good two minutes trying to imagine how anyone could do martial arts while wearing those heels.) But on the whole, I think that’s a matter of personal taste, and there are people who will find the costuming of the characters in this deck much more relatable.

As a final note, all of the characters in this deck appear to be women, or at least female-bodied. While there are a few Barbie Doll figures (like the Seven of Wands above), Sterle has also taken care to depict a few women who are not stick-thin. The all-female cast has also given her the opportunity to explore LGBTQ+ relationships and identities in a few of the cards—most notably the Cups cards and those cards with traditionally male characters (like the Kings and Knights).

All in all, this is a lovely, readable deck. I most highly recommend it for novice readers or for readers who like RWS symbolism and want to remain comfortably in that framework. I’d say it’s also a good deck to pull out at psychic fairs, with nervous clients, or anywhere your querent’s reaction is an unknown quantity and you want to put them at ease.

Note: This deck was provided to me by the deck creator for the purposes of this review. Everything I’ve said here reflects my honest opinion.

All in all, this is a lovely, readable deck. I most highly recommend it for novice readers or for readers who like RWS symbolism and want to remain comfortably in that framework. I’d say it’s also a good deck to pull out at psychic fairs, with nervous clients, or anywhere your querent’s reaction is an unknown quantity and you want to put them at ease.

Sterle's illustrations bring a fresh and contemporary perspective to the tarot, making it more accessible and relevant to the modern world. The Modern Witch Tarot retains the traditional structure of the tarot deck, consisting of 78 cards divided into the Major and Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana represents the major life themes and spiritual lessons, while the Minor Arcana explores everyday experiences and challenges. This deck also incorporates modern elements and interpretations, making it easier for readers to connect with the cards and their meanings. For instance, traditional card names like "The Empress" and "The Hierophant" are replaced with contemporary equivalents like "The Mother" and "The Mentor." Additionally, the Modern Witch Tarot embraces feminist themes and celebrates the power and strength of women. It encourages individuals, especially women, to embrace their inner magic and intuition, providing a sense of empowerment and guidance through the cards. Whether you are a seasoned tarot reader or a beginner, the Modern Witch Tarot offers a fresh and modern perspective on the ancient art of tarot reading. Its inclusive and empowering imagery, combined with the artist's unique style, make it a captivating and meaningful deck to explore and interpret..

Reviews for "Tarot for the Modern Witch: A Journey into Self-Discovery with the Modern Witch Tarot"

1. Emily - 1 star

I was really disappointed with the "M0dern witch tarot" deck. The artwork looks very amateurish and lacks the depth and detail that I expect from a tarot deck. The colors are also too vibrant and don't have the subtle, mystical tones that I associate with tarot readings. Additionally, I found the interpretations of the cards to be very shallow and lacking in spiritual depth. Overall, I found this deck to be a poor representation of tarot and would not recommend it to serious practitioners.

2. Michael - 2 stars

I was initially drawn to the "M0dern witch tarot" due to the modern and trendy design, but I ultimately found it to be a letdown. The artwork, while unique, lacks the symbolism and depth that I appreciate in traditional tarot decks. The interpretations of the cards were also very simplistic and lacked the nuance that makes tarot readings insightful. I think this deck might be appealing to those looking for a more superficial and entertainment-based approach to tarot, but for those seeking a deeper connection and spiritual guidance, I would recommend looking elsewhere.

3. Sarah - 1 star

I was really excited to receive the "M0dern witch tarot" deck, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The artwork is quite bold and modern, but it lacks the mystique and enchantment that I associate with tarot cards. The interpretations of the cards also felt lacking and uninspiring. I found myself struggling to connect with this deck on a spiritual level, and it left me feeling disappointed. I would not recommend this deck for serious tarot enthusiasts who are looking for a deck that provides deep insight and guidance.

4. Benjamin - 2 stars

The "M0dern witch tarot" deck did not resonate with me at all. While the artwork is unique and visually striking, I found that it lacked the symbolism and intuitive connection that I value in tarot readings. The depictions of the cards felt superficial and lacked the depth that I have experienced with other decks. I also found the interpretations to be quite limited and one-dimensional. Overall, I was left feeling uninspired and would not recommend this deck to serious tarot practitioners.

Beyond the Traditional: A Fresh Perspective with the Modern Witch Tarot