Every month, Amazon, Etsy, crowd-funding platforms, and bookstores release numerous tarot and oracle decks. There are now thousands of decks available, ranging from new releases to out-of-print ones. Reviewing a deck helps readers decide whether to purchase it, focusing on factors like card quality, artwork, and guidebook usefulness. This month, I’ve chosen to critique the Runic Tarot.
The Cards of the Runic Tarot
From the Publisher
“Norse mythology meets tarot; this is the deck that the Pagan community has been eagerly awaiting. Based on the gods and mythology of the Norse, the Runic Tarot is the ultimate divination deck for connecting with Valhalla, the realm of the gods. The powerful art is imbued with a fierce, ancient aura as it weaves together the wisdom of the runes, the poetry of the Skalds, the valor of the Einherjars, and the evergreen bounty of life and nature. This reading deck pays tribute to the divine spark within humanity, calling out to everyone who feels the pull of the ancient Norse ways.”
From the Booklet
“The Runic Tarot combines two divination systems into one unique cartomancy pack (tarot cards and Runes). Runes are the symbols that make up the magical alphabet used by the old Germanic and Viking populations. The Runic Tarot includes three varieties of Runes. Singular Nordic Runes appear on the Major Arcana cards (with some exceptions, such as the Lovers and Moon). A series of Rune staves appear on the Minor Arcana as well, with Runic symbols taken from different Runic alphabets (for instances the Sword portrays Runes taken from the Anglo-Saxon Futhark, while the Pentacles rely on the Younger Futhark). Finally, the Court Cards display a single bindrune (a single Rune composed of other Runes crafted for a specific purpose).” (6)
Deck Review: The Dungeons and Dragons Tarot
Card Stock and Shuffling
The card stock is thick and high quality, with a gloss finish and rounded corners. They are easy to shuffle because they are the standard size for tarot cards. If you have small hands, you will be able to riffle shuffle them without any problem. The cards do not stick together when first removed from the box, so shuffling is easy right from the start.
Artwork and the Visual Accessibility of the Runic Tarot
The artwork for this deck is truly magnificent. Jack Sephiroth produced beautiful stylized representations of each Norse character. You can feel the power of each image. And, he captures the strength and intensity of the Viking world perfectly. Whether it is the immense authority of the Major cards or the archetypes of the Minor cards, he delivers! These cards are brilliant renditions of this bygone era.
Deck Review: The Nightfall Tarot by Amory Abbott
The Magician
Meaning:
Heimdall, the guardian god, stands tall. He has one hand on a giant horn, ready to call the others. His armor is well-padded with metal and furs. A sword dangles on his belt, next to Giallarhorn, the giant horn able to warn all Asgard if an enemy approaches. A battle has not started; however, preparations are being arranged. Their right hand points high into the air where a Rune appears in bright red. Swirling dark clouds appear in the sky. Potent magic is at play. There are two rainbows, symbols of hope and triumph, that connect the Viking to the land and air. A rooster sits on the warrior’s shoulder. Is this Gullinkambi, the rooster who heralds the end times of Ragnarok?
Rune: Mannaz – ability, community, bonds of family and friendship.
Ace of Cups/Horns
Meaning:
Someone placed a drinking horn in a tidal pool. It sits perfectly balanced. Ripples radiate out of the horn. Lush water plants grow around this wet area. Rocks jut up in the background, providing some protection against the weather. The sky seems calm. There are many clouds. Three Runes have been galred on the side of the horn.
Bind Rune: develop strong creative insights.
Queen of Wands
Meaning:
A figure dressed in red robes appears in the middle of a raging fire. They have long red hair, and a crown appears on their forehead. They wear several layers of bead necklaces. Various pouches and implements dangle off their belt. Their right hand reaches up to hold a strand of hair. The other hand pushes their staff out in front of them. A knowing smile crosses the person’s face. The sun appears bright from behind the clouds. A bindrune appears near the person’s leg.
Bind Rune: take joy in handling your destiny.
Explanation of the Cards
This deck comes with a very good booklet that provides detailed explanations for each card. There is positive, upright meanings, as well as negative, reversed ones. The sections also include the meanings of the Runes and Bind Runes. The booklet also includes sections: About the Runes, Understanding the Meaning of the Cards, Using the Cards, and Magical Action. The booklet also contains three additional translations in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Usefulness of the Runic Tarot
The Runic Tarot deck stands out, both due to the amazing artwork and thorough descriptions of the cards. There is rich symbolism in the images and helpful intuitive guidance in the guidebook. Each card is a masterpiece of beautiful art, capturing the essence of Viking/Norse culture in vivid detail. The deck’s strength lies in its captivating images, drawing from deep cultural and spiritual insights to offer profound wisdom. It’s a powerful tool for both beginners and experienced seekers alike.
Tarot Deck Review: The Marvel Tarot by Syndee Barwick and Lily McDonald
Rating
I give the Runic Tarot a solid 5 out of 5 stars for both its content and design. The rich, detailed symbolism on each card magnificently captures the essence of Norse tradition and the Rune messages. The accompanying booklet enhances the experience with thoughtful insights and guidance for each card. The cards themselves are high-quality, printed on durable material that feels luxurious to the touch. The deck comes in a sturdy hard case, offering protection and making it ideal for storage and travel. It’s an excellent investment and a great deck to work with.
Where to Buy this Deck
If you like the Runic Tarot and wish to purchase a copy, you can do so online.
The post Deck Review: The Runic Tarot appeared first on askAstrology.
