I came across the Santa Muerte Colors Tarot (Amazon affiliate link) a few weeks ago and immediately checked to see if it was available in the UK. The spelling of “Colors” gave the game away: this is an American publication. Sure enough, it wasn’t stocked here. I had a tenner left from Amazon affiliate earnings on my US account, which covered the postage, so I decided to order it anyway, despite already owning (and loving) the vibrant Tarot de la Santa Muerte.
What drew me to the Santa Muerte Colors Tarot, beyond the bright palette and the robe-colour correspondences, was the art style. Unlike my other Santa Muerte deck, this one isn’t cartoonish. The imagery reads as fantasy realism—likely AI-assisted, but executed with atmosphere and detail. One thing I particularly like is the absence of human figures. No hypersexualised women, no macho archetypes. That lack of human presence keeps the focus squarely on the symbols of transformation and the work the deck seeks to do.
Make no mistake: this is a dark deck. It’s darker in tone and intent than the Tarot de la Santa Muerte, even with the playful red-heart whimsy found in the suit of Cups.
Deck Specs
- Title: Santa Muerte Colors Tarot
- Creator / Artist: Not credited (likely self-published / AI-assisted artwork)
- Publisher: Magic Publishers
- Year: c. 2024 (Amazon listing)
- Cards: 78 — guidebook included
- Size: Approximately 2.75″ × 4.75″
- Cardstock: Thin yet flexible — very easy to shuffle
- Finish: Smooth satin / semi-gloss
- Card backs: Reversible, featuring a vivid multicoloured owl design
- Packaging: Simple, rather flimsy tuck box
As several reviewers have noted, the cardstock is on the thin side. Personally, I like that—it shuffles effortlessly and sits neatly in the hand. The finish is smooth and lightly reflective, while the owl design on the backs is genuinely beautiful, adding a touch of mystery and colour.
Mechanically, the deck handles well. Those seeking ultra-durable professional cardstock might find it light, but for personal and spiritual practice, it’s ideal.
The “Guidebook,” as is so often the case with a LWB (Little White Book) that comes with a tuck box, is nothing to write home about. Sadly, the pages weren’t even put together in the right order in the copy I received. But who cares, right? I don’t really use the LWB, anyway.
Tone and Use
This is a deck for shadow work, transformation, and communion with darker spiritual forces. Its colours are bright, but the emotional register is sombre and alchemical. Even the more decorative imagery carries an undercurrent of mortality and rebirth. It’s a perfect companion for readers who work with Santa Muerte, ancestral healing, or any form of deep inner excavation.
Where I Used It
Today happens to be the 11/11 portal, and I was guided by Archangel Samael to create a portal spread on my Adulrunes blog while completing a three-day rune journey with Algiz. The deck I intuitively reached for was the Santa Muerte Colours Tarot.
You can read that piece here:
My Three-Day Uthark Journey with Algiz — The Elk Rune
To show all 78 cards in the deck, I’ve recorded a full silent flip-through video:
Flip-through of the Santa Muerte Colors Tarot
Santa Muerte Colours Tarot — Deck Interview
1. Describe yourself in three words or less. Queen of Swords
SMCT: I am clear, uncompromising, and true. I cut through sentiment to reveal what endures. I do not flatter; I clarify.
2. How would your best friend describe you in three words or less? 3 of Swords
SMCT: Honest, severe, necessary. I bring the wound into the light so it can heal rather than fester.
3. What gift do you bring? The Fool
SMCT: I offer the freedom to begin again. I open the gate to renewal, even when the ground still smoulders.
4. What do you expect in return? 7 of Swords
SMCT: I expect discretion and integrity. I work with those who can walk between worlds without boasting about the journey.
5. How can you help me serve? 6 of Cups
SMCT: I help you redeem the past without romanticising it. Through memory, I bring reconciliation and purpose.
6. Is there anything else you would like to tell me about yourself? Queen of Cups
SMCT: Beneath my sharp edges lies deep compassion. I will not drown you in sentiment; I will hold space for your transformation.
Final Thoughts
While not ideal for beginners, this deck is perfect for the intermediate or advanced reader looking to delve deeper into self-development and shadow work. If you’re looking for a visually striking deck that embraces the transformative current of Santa Muerte without relying on human figures or clichés, this is an intriguing choice. It’s accessible, affordable, and ideal for personal readings. The Santa Muerte Colors Tarot reads with directness, depth, and a kind of austere tenderness that invites honesty.
Check out my other Tarot and Oracle Deck Reviews!
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