Deck Review: The Modern Witch Tarot

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 Modern Witch Tarot.

The Cards

From the Publisher

“The strength of traditional tarot symbols combine with diverse bodies, up-to-the-minute fashion, and the strength and power of twenty-first-century witchcraft, where we make our own magic.

The 78 cards of the tarot deck are rich with meaning—archetypes like The Magician, The Empress, and The Chariot reflect our lived experience and are a mirror into the ways in which we interact with the world. Acclaimed artist Lisa Sterle takes these symbols into contemporary life with vibrant art that celebrates the diversity, excitement, and energy of the new kind of magic that is happening in this world. The Modern Witch Tarot Deck is the answer to your questions about the past, the present, and whatever the future may hold, and its empowering messages will help you take the next step toward whatever you desire. Includes 78 contemporary tarot cards and guidebook (hardcover).” (source)

About the Artist and Author

“Lisa Sterle is a Columbus, Ohio, artist with work spanning from comic books to concept design to pop-culture-fueled illustration. Her work is often bright, expressive, and occasionally tinged with horror— marrying her two favorite themes: the beautiful and the grotesque. She has worked with HarperCollins, IDW, Image, Archie Comics, Vault Comics, BOOM! Studios, and many others. She is the cocreator of monthly comics Long Lost and Submerged, as well as creator of The Modern Witch Tarot Deck, a modern and diverse interpretation of the classic Rider-Waite tarot deck. Currently she is working on the graphic novel Squad and the monthly comic series Witchblood.” (source)

Card Stock and Shuffling

Printed on stiff card stock, the cards of the Modern Witch Tarot feature a gloss finish and rounded corners. They are easy to shuffle because they are standard size for tarot cards, and only slightly larger than playing cards. If you have small hands, you will probably still be able to riffle shuffle them. Thankfully, the gloss finish prevents the cards from sticking together when first removed from the box. With their high-quality card stock, these cards are durable and will last for many years, even with extended use.

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Artwork and the Visual Accessibility of the Modern Witch Tarot

The artwork for the Modern Witch Tarot is good, but not spectacular. What makes this deck stand out, and popular, is the diversity of the figures in the cards. This is a direct copy of the Rider-Waite images, but with a mix of different ethnicities, genders, and body styles. The Queen of Pentacles is African, the Hermit is female, and the woman in the Star card is voluptuous. Also, the deck is “modern” in that the Chariot figure rides a motorcycle and individuals wear current fashions.

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The Chariot

Meaning (from the booklet):

“She rules everything around her. The Chariot rides in on a silver gleaming motorcycle, ready for battle. She’s got her leather armor to protect her. Her crown points towards the sky and she’s connect to nature, to her emotions, and to the stable ground beneath her. The Chariot has worked hard to balance everything in her life perfectly, everything is in its right place and under her control. Victory might not be easy, but she’ll win in the end. Fight for yourself, don’t give up, don’t let anyone run you off the road.” (page 17)

Two of Cups

Meaning (from the booklet):

“There’s a super amazing, spectacular person in your life, or there’s about to be. You love being in their company so much, each time you’re together feels like a party and your heart is just bursting full of love for them. Get drunk on love, enjoy them beside you and let them fill your cup.” (page 36)

7 of Pentacles

Meaning (from the booklet):

“It’s time for a much-needed break. Step away from whatever project you’ve been nurturing and take some time to relax. Maybe everything’s going perfectly, and you can see the rewards on the horizon. Or maybe you’re stuck and unsure what to do next. Either way, some time away will give you a fresh new perspective when you come back.” (page 45)

Explanation of the Cards

The deck comes with a hardback booklet. It contains seven sections: Forward by Vita Ayala, Introduction, Major Arcana, Minor Arcana, Reading the Tarot, Spreads, and Extra Cards. The Major Arcana cards have one full page of explanation in two paragraphs with the images at the top. The Minor Arcana get a single paragraph of explanation. Like the artwork, the writing is contemporary, using slang and a more conversational style.

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Usefulness of the Modern Witch Tarot

This deck blends the timeless wisdom of the Rider-Waite tradition with vibrant, contemporary art, offering fresh relevance for today’s seekers. Its diverse imagery reflects modern identities, empowering individuals from all backgrounds to see themselves in the archetypes. The updated explanations connect age-old symbols to contemporary experiences, making the deck accessible to seasoned readers and newcomers alike. Perfect for personal growth, spiritual insight, or creative exploration, this deck is a powerful tool for spiritual work.

Rating

The Modern Witch Tarot earns a solid 4 out of 5 stars. While it is more visually accessible than the traditional Rider Waite Deck, there is still a learning curve. The booklet is necessary for learning to read the cards properly. The card stock is excellent and the hardcover booklet is a nice touch. The deck also comes in a very nice, sturdy box.

Where to Buy the Modern Witch Tarot

If you like the Modern Witch Tarot and wish to purchase a copy, you can do so online.