The Sufi Tarot by Ayeda Husain is published by Hay House Publishing and was released last week. I was fortunate enough to be sent a review copy by the deck creator. I must admit that I wasn’t aware of this deck release. Not following what is going on with new decks recently, I truly was lucky to learn about The Sufi Tarot from the creator herself because this deck is a gem.
The Sufi Tarot will appeal to anybody on a mystical or spiritual path. It is a deck that lends itself extremely well to spiritual and personal development. Can you still use it for divination? Yes, absolutely. The structure and imagery are true to a traditional Tarot deck. The fact that the Majors have been renamed according to the Sufi tradition does not make them irrecognisable.
The artwork is produced by a team that includes the art director Nazish Abbas and the artists Hassaan Aftab and Momina Khan. Together, they have realised the vision of Ayeda Husain beautifully. This is one of those decks that has a sense of warmth and immediacy. It feels relevant even if you are not part of the Sufi community because it depicts real people in a grounded way. Yet, in spite of the realism, you get a sense of magic, mysticism and wonder through the images.
Video Flip-through of the Sufi Tarot
Check out the video flip-through below and you will get a sense of just how magical this deck is:
Description
The Sufi Tarot comes in a sturdy cardboard box with a beautifully written 174-page guidebook. The guidebook provides insights into Sufism along with the card meanings and affirmations. It also gives you questions to contemplate for each card (which I love!).
From what I read so far, I am curious to learn more about Sufi beliefs. I asked Ayeda about the depiction of angelic beings in some of the cards. She says that angels are very much part of the Sufi faith and recommended the book Angels Unveiled, A Sufi Perspective by Muhammad Kabbani. I can’t wait to learn more!
There are 78 cards in this deck and they a printed on silky matte card stock. As with all of the Hay House Publishing decks, you get a slightly wider deck. I personally have no problem with shuffling larger decks and bigger is better as far as being able to see the images properly. The card stock is sturdy without being clunky and shuffles really well.
And the card backs are stunning! They look like intricately woven Persian rugs and are printed in heavenly shades of blue, reminiscent of my favourite crystal, celestite. (See the image at the top of the post.)
A Sufi Five-pointed Star Tarot Spread is included in the guidebook. I tried this spread yesterday and I’m still pondering the deep insights I received. This deck really can take you deep. Ayeda wasn’t dabbling when she created the Sufi Tarot. She also goes into the history of the Tarot in a way that really unites East and West. And what do we need now in the world? Unity!
The Court Cards have the following titles:
- Daughter (Page)
- Son (Knight)
- Malika (Queen)
- Shah (King)
The Suit names:
- Staffs (Wands)
- Cups
- Coins (Pentacles)
- Swords
Major Arcana titles:
- Salik (The Fool)
- Alchemist (The Magician)
- Murshida (The High Priestess)
- Shabanu (The Empress)
- Sultan (The Emperor)
- Pir (The Hierophant)
- Aashiqan (The Lovers)
- Waali (The Chariot)
- Quwwat (Strength)
- Dervish (The Hermit)
- Charkhe Falak (The Wheel of Fortune)
- Adal (Justice)
- Taslim (The Hanged Man)
- Maut (Death)
- Sabr (Temperance)
- Nafs (The Devil)
- Minaar (The Tower)
- Sitara (The Star)
- Qamar (The Moon)
- Shams (The Sun)
- Mizaan (Judgment)
- Duniya (The World)
Sufi Tarot Deck Interview
Describe yourself in three words or less. Murshida (The High Priestess)
ST: Revealer of Mystery
2. How would your best friend describe you in three words or less? Son of Cups (Knight of Cups)
ST: Lover
Me: Ohhh, how perfect for such a heart-centred path and deck!
3. What gift do you bring? 10 of Coins.
ST: I create a legacy of unity and help bridge the divide between tradition and modern life, East and West.
4. What do you expect in return? Temperance
ST: That you do the work and proceed to purge your heart from anything that disrupts compassion and unity consciousness.
Me: Ah yes, this card showed up for me in the reading I did with you yesterday. I guess I really need to engage fully in this work, huh?
ST: Yes, you do!
5. How can you help me serve? 10 of Staffs
ST: I can help you unburden yourself when you have taken on too much so that you can return to a more heart-centred approach and show yourself some compassion.
6. Is there anything else you would like to tell me about yourself? Seven of Coins
ST: Healing your heart is a marathon, not a sprint. I’m here for the long haul. I can help you be more patient with yourself and others.
Me: You know me so well–Little Ms Impatient! Well, I clearly need you in my life so thank you for being here. I have a feeling you and I will become the very best of friends. Thank you for coming into my life and guiding me with the ancient wisdom of the Sufis!
