Table of Contents
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The path to enlightenment is unique for each of us, but many of the lessons we learn are shared stories passed among cultures and generations. With rich, vibrant art and a keen understanding of traditional tarot archetypes, illustrator Yoshi Yoshitani infuses Tarot of the Divine with worldly insight and an intriguing selection of fables and folktales from cultures across the globe.
Product description from the official online store
Tarot of the Divine is a beautiful and unique tarot deck created by artist Yoshi Yoshitani. The deck features stunning illustrations that draw inspiration from various mythologies and cultural traditions around the world. Each card in the deck is rich with symbolism and offers a fresh perspective on the traditional tarot system. You should also check out Beneath the Moon, a book that completes the deck by telling the stories behind the cards.
I absolutely love myths and stories from all around the world. Something about how different cultures tell tales fascinates me to no end. I enjoy how each story is unique and reflects the beliefs, values, and experiences of the people who tell them. It’s incredible how diverse these stories can be. Yet, at the same time, similarities and common themes can often be found across cultures. If you have interests similar to mine, Tarot of the Divine is worth checking out.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Colourful and intriguing art + The guidebook is easy to read + You get to see things from various mythologies and cultural traditions from around the world + Quality is good | – You have to buy the companion book separately – Waite-Smith Symbolism can be a bit overshadowed by story symbolism |
About the Creator of Tarot of the Divine
Yoshi Yoshitani is a talented illustrator and artist with a unique style that blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary elements. Born and raised in California, Yoshitani was influenced by Japanese heritage and the diverse cultural landscape of the Bay Area. This artist studied illustration at the California College of the Arts and went on to create artwork for a variety of clients, including Disney, Netflix, and DC Comics.
Yoshitani’s work is characterised by intricate patterns, bold colours, and a sense of storytelling that draws the viewer in. Artworks often incorporate animals, nature, and mythical creatures into their illustrations, creating a fantastical world grounded in reality. Yoshitani is also known for committing to social justice and representation. Yoshitani elevates marginalised voices and advocates for diversity and inclusivity.
Cards and the Artwork
The Yoshi Yoshitani art style is evident in these cards, which is great. The artwork features bright colours and intriguing characters that are sure to capture your attention. All cards share a similar bold colour palette, which ties them together.
However, if you are a beginner, Tarot of the Divine may not be the easiest to read. The Waite-Smith symbolism is not as obvious in the cards as it is in some other decks. However, more experienced readers can easily find the symbolism and see how it has been intertwined with the symbolism of the stories. This makes you pay more attention and take a closer look at the cards. Even if it seems random at first, at least certain characters have been assigned to cards intentionally. Once you get the references, you can feel the smile on your face.
The cardstock is thick, matte-linen finished and does not have gilded edges. The cards feel nice in hand and are easy to shuffle, except for those with small hands. I myself have quite big hands, but I have heard that the deck is quite thick.
The Guidebook
The guidebook is quite limited, but despite that, it contains all the necessary information for conducting a successful tarot reading. Each entry is accompanied by a picture of the card, some upright and reversed keywords, and a brief description of the card’s meaning. Additionally, the guidebook provides the origins of the story behind the card.
What you don’t get is the story itself, which is a bit of a shame. However, I understand why. It would clutter the guidebook, and the tarot purpose of the deck would be overshadowed. Even though I have previously complained about some other guidebooks missing the backstory, I find it acceptable, especially since that information can be found separately from the companion book Beneath the Moon.
Beneath the Moon
Beneath the Moon is sold separately from the Tarot of the Divine deck, but I suggest you get it anyway if you can. It is a collection of seventy-eight stories, legends, and myths worldwide. Yoshitani has masterfully brought to life these beloved fairy tales, cultural fables, ancient mythologies, and inspirational deities by weaving recurring themes of conquering evil, overcoming adversity, and finding love and companionship throughout the book. Each story is only one page long, so you can quickly see what the stories are about.
Apart from being an excellent read on its own, Beneath the Moon is also an ideal companion to the Tarot of the Divine deck. The seventy-eight stories in the book align perfectly with the seventy-eight cards in the deck, making it an excellent reference for anyone interested in exploring the meanings and symbolism of the cards. Each story provides a unique perspective on the themes of the Tarot of the Divine deck.
Conclusion
Lore-wise, this is one of my favourite decks. It is a good-quality deck with colourful pictures and a unique art style. The guidebook gives you enough context to get you started. Still, I recommend you purchase the companion book Beneath the Moon, which is sold separately. Tarot of the Divine is a fairytale and folklore-heavy deck, so you might be better off with another deck if that is not for you. However, if you like me and enjoy that, add this deck to your collection.
