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

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I previously reviewed The Steampunk Lenormand, which is the sister deck to the one I'm reviewing today. The Steampunk Tarot is a tarot deck with much to offer. Its beautiful designs and loyalty to the theme make it stand out among other decks. It works well for both experienced tarot readers and those just starting out. The artwork is rich in detail, capturing the steampunk genre with its blend of Victorian aesthetics and futuristic technology while maintaining traditional imagery.

Despite the change in artist, the author remains the same, ensuring continuity in the theme and atmosphere that fans have come to love. The 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.

Pros	Cons
+ Truly amazing guidebook	- Cards could have used a better paper quality
+ Beautiful artworks
+ Sturdy box

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.

The Steampunk Tarot - Guidebook and Deck

Cards and the Artwork

There are 78 cards in The Steampunk Tarot, making it a standard tarot deck. The suits follow traditional expectations. The imagery follows mostly the traditional RWS tradition, so the meanings are easy for beginners to understand. This balance between basic structure and engaging elements is characteristic of Barbara Moore's decks. They feel special but still familiar.

My main concern with this deck is the paper quality. Everything else is well-executed, but the paper feels bendy and mass-produced. This shows most at 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. 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 works well. There are differences, as the artist is not the same, but the feeling is there. The main difference is that this time, the world feels less fantasy and more realistic. This difference makes the decks complement each other well. You get to see different sides of the same world.

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 better ones I have seen, especially for a deck in this price range. It has quality content that gives you the fundamentals and more specific tips. I would consider buying it even without the cards if it was sold separately.

This guidebook is 298 pages long. The introduction provides 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 clear, and new readers will benefit from it. The section provides what you need to know about tarot. The author's knowledge and experience are evident.

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 tips on how to read this card. The content is well-done. I recommend reading them if you decide to get this deck. If you need help reading the cards, there is an example reading at the end of the book, which shows you the process.

Conclusion

The Steampunk Tarot is a solid deck, suitable for both experienced readers and beginners. The artwork and thematic coherence make it stand out, and the guidebook is a valuable resource. However, the paper quality of the cards could be improved. This deck is a good addition to any tarot enthusiast's collection.

The Steampunk Tarot

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