Quarantine Tarot: My Top 2020 Decks
A year. An entire year now in basic quarantine. Even as we phase to reopening, we have only recently become vaccinated enough to start hanging out more, planning events. Like many tarot readers, I found myself incredibly blacked-out divination-wise during the lockdown. I didn't want to explore the past, present or future. I was tired of seeing disaster on every horizon, grief in every path... I just took a break and started focusing on practical crafts to keep my wandering mind busy. The crushing anxiety of a pandemic, chronic illness, book release and personal losses made everything about reading for my path (or anyone else) just a nauseating thought. And frankly, I've never gone so long in my life without being asked for a reading, which was honestly a breath of fresh air.
But, all that aside, I never let go of my love for the cards. I kept the collection growing, exploring what these incredible authors and artists from around the world have to offer. And while 2020 may have been the dickiest year I've ever lived through, I have never been so impressed with the direction that cartomancy is taking. If you have been at a loss for inspiration and direction after a year sitting with this ridiculous nonsense of a past year, then maybe some of these fabulous offerings from 2020/21 will give you some fire. I mean, these decks are fire.
1. The Infernal Tarot by E. Pollitt
I had begun backing this project in 2020 and it is a phenomenal deck, one that should prove very interesting for readers into that old-world demonology vibe. Bendy, smooth, thinner cardstock, great gold edges, the etching/woodblock style is fascinating and the colors were a nice slash against the more muted background.
2. Materia Prima by Uusi
Uusi is basically the premium deck maker of our day with some really astonishing offerings in their catalogue, this large deck based on the periodic elements and their relationship to our universe is an interconnected journey through the spiritual interpretation of science and really takes some getting used to. Those who know their chemistry will really excel with this deck, but people a little less familiar with the science will need to make sure they get the booklet that accompanies. Perfect cardstock, silky and probably some of the highest quality you can get. Unboxing below...
3. Jonasa Jaus 5th Edition
Every green witch in the world needs this deck. It's literally green! And yellow, and black, and white. It's seriously a wonderful pallet. Floral, feminine, sensual and emotional, it is my favorite overall artwork for the 2020 picks and I highly recommend ordering her other editions as well. What I loved was that the cards tell everyone a different story, and they tell me the story of a lush, wild, shaded garden and a woman's romantic journey through it. All of the editions are fascinating, and this edition is wider than a typical deck, but not too difficult to shuffle. I'm a big fan of the overall aesthetic and you will be too. Unboxing below...
4. Ad Orbita
A wonderful offering through Old Rose Press is an interesting combination of nature and space, teaming planets and stars with rooted vines and seashells. For those who prefer to do some work in interpreting and who dig the poetry of the abstract, this deck is very appealing. While the cards are a bit heavy, and the deck is thick enough to be a little difficult for a traditional shuffle, I can't complain because as always, the quality is just so damn fine and the simplicity is refreshing.
Beloved figure in the world of witchy media Rachel True brings us a long awaited gift that really stood out last year in the best way. Offering hope, guidance, positivity, color and inclusion, this deck was a splash of good vibes in a dreary year, and really reflects the wonderful evolution of tarot styles. Frankly this is the deck I'd get anyone looking to start because it is so easily interpreted. The packaging was great, the accompanying booklet was thorough and useful and frankly the whole thing looks really unique and classic at the same time.
Seriously, if you need to reawaken during these, the vaccine times, then these decks are ready to guide you.
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