Tarot of the Divine: A Deck and Guidebook Inspired by Deities, Folklore, and Fairy Tales from Around the World: Tarot Cards

Firstly, I'd like to say I'm more of a tarot collector than an active practitioner (given inexperience) so please read with a lil grain of salt in mind. With that out of the way, I am in love love with this deck. Superficially, the art is astounding and colorful with vibrant depictions of a number of ethnic groups and cultures. There is no shying away from the richness of skin color and portrayal of clothes and fabrics associated with each individual group. I'm not 100% sure about how accurate the depictions are, but the inclusivity is 110% better than most mainstream, white-washed decks that one would typically find. Also, the cards (and stories associated) are LGBTQ inclusive for those looking for a little bit of that. I adore the finish of the cards because I simply have a hard time shuffling cards without a little grip (I have butter fingers). I also really like the linen texture to the cards, giving it a more multi-sense experience for me as a tactile person. For me personally, I already knew more than half of the folktales/myths/lore associated with each card, as well as simply knowing about the Raider-Waite deck in general. HOWEVER, the combination of the two makes it so much simpler for me to get a read off of. Initially, some of the associations were a little off to me, but if you really understand the point of the stories associated, it can make for a much deeper connection to the meaning of the card as a whole. But also, the whole thing is up to your interpretation--so really, it's whatever you like. That being said, it is really helpful to actually know the stories. The book associated with the cards is helpful, but unfortunately still very surface level--and it doesn't break down some cultural aspects that are tied to the stories. If you don't have a deep understanding or emotional tie for some things/concepts that aren't translated well between East vs. West, it can be confusing/feel like a wrong match. You might have to do some extra research. If you're looking for a "quick-and-easy" pretty deck that you can simply read like any other standard RWD, I don't think this is the one. If you ARE someone who appreciates lore and exploration of culture to a deeper depth of understanding and don't mind researching and looking up the information and ties to each individual culture, then I think this deck is a beautiful, multi-learning experience. Tying the stories to the cards and back really helped me learn more about both and I find that to be such a wonderful way to strengthen my appreciation and curiosity for both. TL;DR If you're a myth nerd and love tarot, you'll probably like it. If you want a sleek aesthetic deck, just be ready to do some research or you may not enjoy.

The cards are great for small hands, beautifully drawn, and they feel heavy and good. Each card depicts a story from a different world culture. It makes me want to read all of the stories, and I will! This would be wonderful for literary minded people, younger readers, people studying comparative mythology, or just anyone who enjoys vivid artwork and timeless stories. The back of the deck is gorgeous.

Not penalizing for this since it has both to do with the artist or publisher, but I seem to have gotten a deck that was opened and returned. The cards were not wrapped in plastic, which would be awesome if that was a choice for sustainability, but unlikely. More concerning, they look like they’ve been over shuffled with a bridge shuffle and are warped and twisted as a result. There a no creases or missing cards so I’m going to try pressing them with some heavy books. If that doesn’t work I’ll have to exchange them. I’d rather they not go to a landfill so I’ll try. Disappointed in Amazon quality control. Now - the deck itself = fantastic. The card have a linen texture and are thicker than playing cards but thin enough they should be easy to shuffle. The artwork is gorgeous and diverse. The book is nice though small. It has keywords for each suit and number at the beginning, which I appreciate and think would be great for a beginner. It also has some layouts that are not the standard. I wish the book gave a more detailed synopsis of each fable, but it does tell the country of origin, the name of the story/deity so you can use that to research them separately. Instead it uses that space for interpretation, and they are decent. I’m sure this was a decision to help keep cost down, and it’s a very affordable deck so I’m not too upset at needing to do my own research on the stories. The artwork is incredibly beautiful and manages to be diverse, representing different cultures in a positive and celebratory fashion while still maintaining a consistent style. The fables all seem to connect well to the RSW system so I expect it will be easy to read with. Just wish the cards had arrived in perfect condition, but I suppose better they land with me than get tossed. Hoping I can flatten them. If so a quick cleanse, and I’ll be happy to use them.

This deck is stunningly beautiful. The artwork is gorgeous and the card stock quality is top notch. The cards are thick and the coating feels nice in the hand. I was excited at the myths/gods/folkloric figures I recognized and I'm stoked to learn about the ones I didn't. The deck is a great and diverse representation of so many cultures, I'm really excited to start using it.

I bought this deck because I kept seeing the beautiful illustrations online. I don’t really relate to traditional Tarot artwork and miss parts of the symbolism because they’re so busy and uninviting. The book that comes with the set has the illustrations and a brief summary of the fairy tale. I like the offered interpretations of the cards, too. They are to the point and accurate. I purchased Yoshi Yoshitani’s companion book, Beneath the Moon, which I highly recommend as an adjunct. I wanted to know more about the fairy tales, because they so beautifully illustrate the meanings of each card. But it’s a perfectly fine deck without it. I have a couple of other decks, and I’m unable to properly shuffle them because I have small hands and the cards are so stiff. In this deck, the cards are the same large format but are flexible enough for me to easily shuffle. They are plenty sturdy. Do I love the shiny, textured finish on them? I don’t. But the magic of this deck is the artwork, which is superb, the meanings presented, and the stories, which help me remember the cards better than anything else I’ve used.

As someone who’s been working with tarot for years, Tarot of the Divine quickly became one of my all-time favorite decks. The artwork is absolutely breathtaking—each card feels like a tiny, sacred portal into a different world. I love how the deck draws from global folklore and mythology; it not only honors cultural diversity, but also adds such rich depth and meaning to every reading. The card stock is great quality—smooth, easy to shuffle, and durable. The guidebook is clear and informative, with just enough detail to inspire without overwhelming. I find myself pulling this deck constantly, both for personal reflection and readings for others. It’s intuitive, powerful, and honestly, just so beautiful to hold in your hands. If you’re looking for a deck that feels both mystical and deeply rooted in the stories of our ancestors, Tarot of the Divine is pure magic. I truly LOVE this deck and can’t recommend it enough!

these cards are, very simply, gorgeous. the artwork is deft, subtle, rich, and evocative. the selection of folk or fairy tale for each card is apt, often stunningly so. i was expecting something pretty and appealing to my love of global tales, and not necessarily deep or resonant for doing actual readings. i collect artistic tarot decks, so that was fine. but i was blown away by the genius of art plus tale selection here; to say it "exceeds expectations" is a massive understatement. and yes...you can read with it, as it follows the basic waite-smith deck conventions. if you are not familiar with the folk or fairy tale on a card, you may need to consult the accompanying booklet for clues and/or (even better) look up the tale referenced. i have spent my life studying fairy tales and folk motifs, so i was familiar with most of the images on sight. even so, there were a number of less familiar ones i needed to reference, and that is great---i learned something! it's a truly global deck, with tales and figures spanning the world both geographically and in time; everything from gilgamesh to john henry. i felt a special joy on recognising tam lin as 'strength', and seeing vasilisa as the 9 of wands. and i found the choice of sedna for the 10 of swords poignant and appropriate. i found the card stock to be no worse than expected for the price point, and the textured finish is fine. my cards were well-printed, with no evident over-runs or errors. the box is sturdy and well-designed. the accompanying book is more than adequate to enjoy and use the cards. i didn't expect a full synopsis of every tale, and the brief explication provided for some of the tales less commonly known in western/euro-centric societies was perfectly adequate. as i said, it's easy and enriching to look up anything unfamiliar. apparently there is a book created to go along with this deck, and i absolutely intend to check that out soon, but it's not a necessity. i loved the deck specifically because these are not the toothless, pastel, disney-fied tales, but rather the complex, often ancient, stories of our common human heritage. life is a tapestry of dark and light, and old tales reflect that. the tarot, traditionally at least, also reflects this complexity. i am delighted that the artist was true to both tarot and tales in creating this beautiful, resonant deck. unreservedly recommended.

Obviously the color palette is one of the best I’ve seen in a tarot deck. The art is so beautiful, and what I love is that the symbolism is still there within each card. Each card comes from a different cultural folk story and it is so fascinating and well thought out. The cards are a little thin but I don’t mind, it makes them easier to shuffle without creasing. I don’t like white borders on tarot decks, but with this one it is not such an eyesore because the design is so beautiful. If you’re wondering about the energy of this deck, I’ve noticed that for the one I received it was initially hesitant and a bit harsh in working with me at first, but I’ve yet to give it a good cleansing so that is probably why. All in all, a beautiful addition to anyone’s collection.