Table of Contents
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Where the past and future converge…
With a turn of the wheel and a spin of the cog, the oracular machinery lumbers into action. The curtains slowly draw back; the time has come to reveal your destiny.
Created by award-winning tarot expert Barbara Moore and brilliantly brought to life by artist Aly Fell, The Steampunk Tarot deck offers a glimpse of the future through a lens to the past. Retooling the gears of the Rider-Waite tradition, each card’s intricate artwork depicts a scintillating fusion of man and machine, nature and technology, science and alchemy, romance and fashion. The included manual offers tips, original spreads, and guidance in card interpretation.
From The Steampunk Tarot product description
I previously reviewed The Steampunk Lenormand, which is the sister deck to the one I’m reviewing today. The Steampunk Tarot is a fantastic tarot deck with so much to offer. Its beautiful designs and loyalty to the theme make it stand out among other decks. It’s perfect for more experienced tarot readers and those just starting out. The artwork is rich in detail, perfectly capturing the steampunk genre with its blend of Victorian aesthetics and futuristic technology. Still, they have not forgotten the traditional imagery.
Despite the change in artist, the author remains the same, ensuring a continuity in the theme and atmosphere that fans have come to love. The new collaboration between the author and artist brings a fresh yet familiar feel to the deck, keeping that mystical and imaginative vibe intact. The synergy between the author’s narrative guidance and the artist’s visuals creates an immersive experience. That being said, let’s get this review started!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Truly amazing guidebook + Beautiful artworks + Sturdy box | – Cards could have used a better paper quality |
About the Creators
Barbara Moore is an accomplished author and tarot expert in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She has been immersed in the study and practice of tarot since the early 1990s. Moore is well-known for her book Tarot for Beginners and has written over a dozen other books. She has also contributed to popular tarot kits like Mystical Manga Tarot and Shadowscapes Tarot. In addition to writing, she leads retreats and workshops globally, sharing her extensive knowledge of tarot. Moore’s work blends mythology, psychology, art, and history, offering rich, insightful perspectives on tarot reading.
Aly Fell is an independent comic artist from Manchester, known for his work in traditional animation on shows like Danger Mouse and Count Duckula. He transitioned to the gaming industry as an animator and concept artist. Co-creator of the bestselling Steampunk Tarot Deck, Fell has also contributed to Heavy Metal magazine and authored the critically acclaimed comic ‘The Shadow Glass’. He is working on the third instalment of his graphic novel series, which began with ‘A Trick of the Light’ and continued with ‘The Kissing Gate’, with the latest set in 1920s Devon.
Cards and the Artwork
There are 78 cards in The Steampunk Tarot, which means it’s a standard tarot deck. The suits of the deck are what you would expect, so nothing special is going on there. The imagery follows mostly the traditional RWS tradition, so the meanings are easy for beginners to understand. Being basic but still having exciting things happening in the deck is why I love Barbara Moores’s decks. They feel special but still familiar.
My main problem with this deck is the paper quality. Everything else is exceptional, but the paper feels bendy and mass-produced. Where this shows the most are the edges of the cards. The black border around the card gets easily scratched if you are not careful, and some white starts showing under it. Luckily, the box that the cards come in is sturdy and can protect the cards. However, if your shuffling technique is rough, be careful.
As with The Steampunk Lenormand, the art style is spot on. Obviously, there are differences, as the artist is not the same, but the feeling is there. In my mind, the main difference is that this time, the world feels less fantasy and more realistic. This difference makes the decks complement each other perfectly. You get to see different sides of the same world, and I’m happy about it.
The backs of the cards feature a machine resembling a clock and its gears. All the suits are present, and the overall feeling is thematically appropriate. The brass colour scheme suits the deck well.
The Guidebook of The Steampunk Tarot
The guidebook of The Steampunk Tarot is one of the best ones I have seen, especially for a deck in this price range. It has quality content that not only gives you the fundamentals but also more specific tips. I think I would buy it even without the cards if it was sold separately.
This massive guidebook is 298 pages long. The introduction provides a lot of information about the authors and this deck and gives you perspective on it and its world. Next, you learn how tarot cards are used and how they can be interpreted. The writing is good, and new readers will get a lot out of it. The section provides anything you need to know about tarot. It is clear that the author knows what she is talking about, and it is apparent that she has a lot of experience.
There is a large black-and-white picture on each card. In the text section, you’ll get the card’s name, a one-sentence summary of its meaning, the core meaning of the card, a longer description of the card, and finally, some tips on how to read this card. The content is absolutely fantastic. I can highly recommend that you read them if you decide to get this deck. If you still need help reading the cards, there is an example reading at the end of the book, which shows you the ropes.
Conclusion
The Steampunk Tarot is a fantastic deck, perfect for experienced readers and beginners. The stunning artwork and thematic coherence make it stand out, and the guidebook is an invaluable resource. However, the paper quality of the cards could be improved. This deck is an excellent addition to any tarot enthusiast’s collection.
