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 Tempest Tarot by Maisy Bristol.
The Cards
From the Publisher
“Tempest Tarot invites you on a nautical adventure to explore the mysteries and secrets of the oceanic realm. As you venture beyond the shoals, to those deep places that challenge you to seek the treasures of inner truth, you will find your perspective shifting. Mythic sea creatures, jaunty pirates and enchanting sea maidens help you navigate new horizons in the 78 cards of tarot. Includes 72-page booklet of meanings with special card spreads, packaged in a premium tuck box.”
Card Stock and Shuffling
The card stock is medium, and good quality, with a semi-gloss finish and rounded corners. They are easy to riffle shuffling because they are a standard size for tarot cards. If you have small hands, you should have no problem shuffling these cards. Helpfully, the cards do not stick together when first removed from the box. So, shuffling is smooth right from the start.
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Artwork and the Visual Accessibility of the Deck
The Tempest Tarot by Maisy Bristol presents a visually striking maritime theme, with nautical symbols reimagining traditional tarot archetypes. Each card features sailors, mermaids, sea creatures, treasure, and ship motifs, rendered in muted yet evocative colors. The imagery is bold, clear, and symbolically rich, allowing readers to engage intuitively with the narrative of the deck. From spyglasses to tankards, each suit’s iconography offers a fresh lens through which to interpret traditional tarot meanings.
Visually, the cards are highly accessible, with clear symbolism that supports both novice and experienced readers. Many of the archetypes are clear without consulting the accompanying booklet, though the guide provides deeper nuance and thematic context. The deck encourages intuitive readings while maintaining storytelling clarity, making it easy to recognize relationships between cards. Therefore, whether exploring personal insight or conducting detailed readings, the artwork invites exploration and engagement at multiple interpretive levels.
4 of Wands
Meaning:
The 4 of Wands in the Tempest Tarot shows a lighthouse at the center, surrounded by four spyglasses pointing inward. This image signals stability, celebration, and shared focus. The lighthouse provides guidance, clarity, and a safe harbor. Meanwhile, the spyglasses emphasize alignment, attention, and recognizing achievements. The card encourages honoring milestones and strengthening community bonds. Additionally, it invites you to enjoy stability earned through collaboration, celebrate accomplishments, and cultivate harmony in relationships.
The Hierophant
Meaning:
The Hierophant in the Tempest Tarot depicts a cartographer carefully mapping oceans and lands. This image emphasizes wisdom, guidance, and structured knowledge. The map symbolizes understanding, planning, and long-term vision. Meanwhile, the cartographer’s focus highlights patience, skill, and deliberate action. Therefore, the card encourages seeking guidance, honoring tradition, and learning from established systems. It invites you to plan thoughtfully, share knowledge with others, and approach challenges with careful, methodical strategy to ensure success.
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Knight of Pentacles
Meaning:
The Knight of Pentacles in the Tempest Tarot shows a sailor reading a book and tossing a coin while the ship sails smoothly. This image emphasizes diligence, patience, and steady progress. Moreover, the coin and book symbolize practical skill, learning, and careful planning. Consequently, the card encourages methodical action, responsibility, and attention to detail. Additionally, it invites you to balance knowledge with practical steps and remain focused on long-term goals while maintaining reliability.
Explanation of the Cards
The Tempest Tarot booklet offers concise yet practical explanations for each card, including both upright and reversed keywords. Each entry provides a brief interpretation, highlighting the core meanings while keeping guidance accessible. While the explanations are succinct, they effectively convey the essence of the card’s symbolism and energy. The booklet is ideal for quick reference during readings or for gaining an initial understanding of the deck. However, due to space limitations, the interpretations are necessarily short, providing only the essentials. Overall, it supports both beginners and experienced readers in navigating the deck efficiently and intuitively.
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Usefulness
The Tempest Tarot by Maisy Bristol is an exceptional deck for both beginners and experienced readers. Its vivid, yet simple artwork allows intuitive interpretation, while the accompanying booklet provides deeper context for each card. Moreover, the deck blends traditional tarot symbolism with innovative nautical imagery, making insights accessible and memorable. Readers can quickly understand core meanings visually, yet the guidebook enhances accuracy and nuance. Consequently, the deck supports personal growth, self-reflection, and spiritual exploration. Whether used for daily draws, in-depth readings, or teaching, the Tempest Tarot offers clarity, creativity, and practical guidance. This combination makes it a valuable addition to any tarot collection.
Rating
The Tempest Tarot earns 4 out of 5 stars for its thoughtful artwork and intuitive appeal. The Major Arcana and many court cards are immediately understandable, offering clear visual cues for readings. However, some numbered suit cards lack visual accessibility, requiring study of the included booklet to grasp their full meanings. Additionally, the booklet, though helpful, is short in order to fit the small tuck box, limiting in-depth explanations. Despite these constraints, the deck remains highly effective for self-reflection and divination. Overall, it is a visually engaging, creative, and versatile tarot deck, with only minor limitations for beginners.
Where to Buy this Deck
If you like this deck and wish to purchase a copy, you can do so online.
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