Review of the Biblical Tarot 2nd Edition ⋆ Angelorum Tarot

As much as I thought it wasn’t possible that I couldn’t love a deck more than I love the first edition of the Biblical Tarot (click link for the review), I have to admit that I love the Biblical Tarot 2nd Edition even more. It’s an upgrade from the first edition in more ways than one. It’s more inclusive of people of colour, for instance.

For full disclosure, the Biblical Tarot 2nd Edition (UK Amazon affiliate link) deck was gifted by Krasimir Kalin over at BiblicalTarot.com. It was a thank you gift, rather than a review copy. But naturally, I had to review it anyway! And thank you so much for this beautiful gift, Krasimir–I will treasure it, always!

Side-by-side Comparison of the 1st and 2nd Editions

In the video below, you can see some of the changes made. The second edition is on the right. Other than bringing in inclusivity in terms of more persons of colour in some of the card images, we also have changes to saturation levels and card stock. The card stock seems sturdier in the second edition and some of the heavy saturation (that I didn’t really mind) in the first edition has been toned back a bit.

Some Changes I noticed:

Less colour saturation in the 2nd edition
Thicker card stock
More inclusivity in a few of the cards that now depict people of colour (2 of Candles, 6 of Chalices, 8 of Chalices and Knight of Feathers, for instance)
The glyph is gone from the heart of Mother Mary in The Empress card
No text on the Hanged Man cross of St Peter
In the ‘after party’ upon crossing the Red Sea, Miriam dances with women rather than surrounded by men which is more accurate (Page of Candles)
Elisabeth and Zechariah are closer in age and closer to what age they would have been when Elisabeth gave birth to St John the Baptist (10 of Chalices)
Jonah’s fish in the 8 of Feathers (this is the only change where I prefer the more psychedelic-looking original)
A new gorgeous, melanated Queen of Grains, holding a child (see image at the top of the post)

But that’s not all… So let me know what other changes you notice in the comments!

The Continued Evolution of the Biblical Tarot

The creator of of the Biblical Tarot is committed to the evolution of the deck with each new edition:

“With each new edition of the deck, we will continue to incorporate more inclusive artwork, ensuring that everyone can see their own reflection in its symbology.” ~Krasimir Kalin

I love this statement and would also love to see an inclusion of some of the apocryphal stories depicted in the artwork in future editions. A Tarot version of Hal Tussig’s ‘A New New Testament’ that incorporates several of the Gnostic/Apocryphal works arranged alongside the traditional books of the New Testament would be awesome!

I don’t know what Krasimir has in mind but maybe the next step will be to depict Christ and Mother Mary with dark skin, brown eyes and black hair. It would be more realistic, I believe. That said, I love the way they look now. I guess ‘White Jesus’ imprinted on me.

I’m also delighted that David and Jonathan still feature on the 2 of Cups. Personally, I don’t care if the reader interprets that as a symbol of friendship or a romantic relationship; it’s just so lovely that it can symbolise both and provide some (albeit small) inclusivity for the LGBTQIA+ community.

One Further Suggestion for Future Editions

The only remaining suggestion I have is to change the Scripture reference on the Eight of Grains/8 of Pentacles. It’s not John 4:4 and should read:

“So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the LORD has commanded.”
– Exodus 36:1

I pointed this out in my review of the first edition but I guess the second edition had already gone to print by then.

Biblical Tarot 2nd Edition Deck Interview

1. Describe yourself in three words or less.

Eight of Candles (8 of Wands)

BT2: Swift messenger

2. How would your best friend describe you in three words or less?

Knight of Chalices (Knight of Cups)

BT2: An artistic healer

3. What gift do you bring?

Eight of Chalices (8 of Cups)

BT3: I’m a tool for transformation and transcendence that helps you release the past and embrace what lies ahead

4. What do you expect in return?

The Soul (The Fool)

BT2: That you retain a youthful, curious and adventurous spirit. Trust in God.

5. How can you help me serve?

Three of Feathers (3 of Swords)

BT2: I can help you with heart healing and feeling more connected with Source. Remember, ‘Blessed are those who mourn…’ If you ever struggle with making sense of suffering, I will be there and help you with that so that you can be a source of comfort to others.