The Herbcrafter's Tarot Review and Deck Interview ⋆ Angelorum Tarot

The Herbcrafter’s Tarot Review

Yay, finally – The Herbcrafter’s Tarot is available for purchase in the UK! It’s been a long wait, watching my American friends unbox and review this stunningly beautiful deck with artwork by Joanna Powell Colbert, creatrix of the Gaian Tarot.

My expectations were high already based on what I had seen. Those expectations were not only met, they were exceeded as soon as I started reading the companion guidebook by Latisha Guthrie. This deck and book set is a true work of love and every page in the guidebook is a gem of information for anybody wanting to connect to the magick of Flora.

The quality of the box and card stock also exceeded my expectations. This set feels expensive. The production value is very high. I reckon US Games realised that this set deserved only the best. The texture of the cards has a lush, buttery feel and they are not glossy (yay!). These are cards that beg to be handled and will photograph well as the finish is non-reflective but feels dirt repellent.

The Major Arcana has retained the traditional card names, with two exceptions: XII Hanged One and XX Awakening. The Majors feature a woman’s spiritual journey of connecting with the world plants and the process of getting to know herself better in the process.

The Majors show altars or mandalas which I feel really help me connect to the essence of each plant. All the Majors are breathtakingly beautiful and will serve well as focal points for meditation.

The Court Cards have all been renamed: Hijas (daughters) for Pages, Adelitas (warriors) for Knights, Madres (mothers) for Queens and Curanderas (healers) for Kings.

The suit names have been renamed to reflect the Element they represent:
Water – Cups
Fire – Wands
Air – Swords
Earth – Pentacles

There is an interesting structure for the pips and they arrive sorted and grouped by number to reflect this:

Aces – Dooryard herbs and weeds
Twos – Plants that attract pollinators or feed animal friends
Threes – Plants that are easy to grow
Fours – Plants used for borders or hedges
Fives – Plants listed as endangered
Sixes – Abundantly producing plants
Sevens – Ancient trees
Eights – Root medicine plants
Nines – Fruit trees
Tens – Cover crops and composting plants

For each of the cards, the companion book provides information on how the plant medicine ties in with the the traditional card meanings. There is also a section on how to use each herb listed for herbcrafting.

As someone who is by no means a gardener, botanist or herbalist, I’m very much looking forward to trying some of these tips out as many of them are very accessible even to those of us who lack a green thumb.

Last night, I looked through the cards of this deck a second time before falling asleep… Lo and behold, I had a dream about talking to someone about this deck while holding it in my hands! That has literally never happened to me before, so I can tell this is going to be a special deck for me to work with.

Let’s see what The Herbcrafter’s Tarot has to say about itself!

The Herbcrafter’s Tarot Deck Interview

1. Describe yourself in one sentence.

HT: I bring ancient wisdom into the world, so that the Seeker may reconnect to the natural world and find replenishment. (Ten of Air – ALFALFA)

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

HT: Someone celebrating life. (Nine of Water – PEACH)

3. What gift do you bring?

HT: I help you support and nourish those in need of healing. I contribute to community building. (Madre of Earth – CREOSOTE BUSH)

4. What do you expect in return?

HT: That you learn to use the gifts of the plant world to revitalise and replenish yourself. Stop pushing against the flow of natural forces and learn to flow with the tides and seasons. (Eight of Water – VALERIAN)

5. How can you help me serve?

HT: By showing that even the deepest, oldest wounds can heal and there are always resources for the process of healing for those with eyes to see. (Five of Earth – SLIPPERY ELM)

6. Is there anything else you would like to tell me about yourself?

HT: I connect those who work with the medicine in this deck with their natural enthusiasm and passion for life and creativity. (Hija of Fire – CALIFORNIA POPPY)

Me: Wow, that’s so awesome!! I really look forward to working with you – Thank you, Herbcrafter’s Tarot!