The Modern Witch Tarot deck, created by Lisa Sterle, represents a significant evolution within the Tarot tradition by reimagining the classic Rider–Waite–Smith (RWS) system through a contemporary lens. Released in 2019, this deck is designed to bridge ancient divination practices with the realities of modern life. It serves as a tool for spiritual guidance, self-reflection, and intuitive development, specifically tailored for the "modern witch"—a term that encompasses anyone engaging in spiritual practice within the current era. The deck’s primary function is to allow readers to tap into their inner wisdom and gain spiritual understanding through imagery that reflects current lifestyles, fashion, and technology.
Unlike traditional decks that rely on archaic symbolism, the Modern Witch Tarot integrates smartphones, denim jackets, streetwear, and urban landscapes into its visual language. This approach aims to make the Tarot more accessible and relatable, particularly for beginners who may struggle to connect with historical or mythological imagery. By maintaining the core RWS structure and symbolism while updating the aesthetic, the deck ensures that established meanings remain intact while offering a fresh perspective that resonates with diverse, present-day readers.
Core Philosophy and Lineage
The Modern Witch Tarot is firmly rooted in the Rider–Waite–Smith lineage. This lineage is critical because it ensures that the deck is fully illustrated in the Minor Arcana, providing visual cues for every card’s meaning. The creator, Lisa Sterle, has meticulously preserved the traditional RWS symbolism while adapting the characters and settings to reflect modern life. This allows the deck to be used seamlessly with existing RWS-based resources and guidebooks, although the deck includes its own guidebook.
The philosophy behind the deck is one of inclusivity and representation. It seeks to validate the spiritual experiences of a wide range of individuals by depicting a diverse cast of characters. The imagery is designed to be "readable," meaning that the poses, props, and actions in the cards track closely with traditional meanings. For example, the inclusion of laptops and phones serves as a visual shorthand for questions regarding work, identity, and relationships in the digital age. This fusion of the old and the new allows readers to anchor abstract Tarot concepts in tangible, contemporary situations.
Artistic Style and Symbolism
The artistic direction of the Modern Witch Tarot is distinctively fashion-forward and urban. The cards depict witches who look like "ourselves, our friends, and our acquaintances." They are shown riding motorbikes, listening to music on phones, and wearing streetwear. This aesthetic choice is not merely decorative; it serves a functional purpose in intuitive reading. By seeing characters that mirror their own reality, readers can connect with the cards on a deeper, more personal level.
A standout feature of the deck is its commitment to inclusivity. The cards showcase a wide range of skin tones, body types, and styles. Notably, the deck includes representations of same-sex relationships, such as in the Ten of Cups, which depicts two women and two children. This visual representation is vital for many users, particularly those within the queer community, as it allows them to see themselves reflected in the magical world of Tarot. The deck also includes a bonus card in many editions: the "Everything Is Fine" card, a humorous variant of the Ten of Swords, which can be kept as a wild card or removed before shuffling.
Readability and Suitability for Beginners
The Modern Witch Tarot is widely regarded as an excellent choice for beginners. Several factors contribute to this suitability:
- Intuitive Connection: The contemporary imagery makes it easier for new readers to interpret the cards intuitively. When a card depicts a scene that mirrors modern reality, the meaning often feels more immediate and less abstract.
- Visual Cues: The deck includes the name of each card written at the bottom, which aids in memorization and identification.
- Physical Quality: The cards are physically sturdy and shuffle well out of the box, which is an important practical consideration for frequent use.
- RWS Compatibility: Because it follows the RWS system, beginners can easily find a wealth of resources, keywords, and tutorials online that apply to this deck.
However, a noted limitation is the guidebook. While the deck itself is beginner-friendly, the included guidebook has been described as underwhelming or lacking depth compared to other decks. Beginners may need to supplement it with general RWS resources or other Tarot literature.
Key Card Interpretations
To understand how the Modern Witch Tarot translates traditional meanings into modern contexts, it is helpful to look at specific key cards. These examples illustrate how the deck maintains spiritual depth while utilizing contemporary symbols.
The Hermit
In the Modern Witch Tarot, The Hermit is depicted as a woman in robes closing a laptop. This imagery perfectly captures the essence of the card—solitude, introspection, and soul-searching—within the digital age. The laptop represents the external noise and connectivity of modern life. By closing it, the figure symbolizes the act of turning away from social media and the internet to listen to one’s inner voice. It suggests that true wisdom is found not in scrolling through feeds, but in intentional disconnection and internal reflection.
The Six of Wands
The Six of Wands represents victory, success, and public recognition. In this deck, the card depicts a woman on a horse wearing a leopard print coat and ripped jeans. She wears a V-shaped earring that reflects the card’s message of victory. This depiction replaces the traditional military or knightly imagery with a style that feels like a modern fashion statement or a confident urban commuter. It suggests that success and validation can be found in everyday contemporary pursuits and personal style.
The Fool
The Fool is a card of new beginnings, stepping into the unknown, and taking a leap of faith. The Modern Witch Tarot depicts The Fool as a person walking around town with earphones in, oblivious to their surroundings. They are about to step off a cliff, but are too busy listening to music and dreaming to notice. This resonates strongly with the experience of modern distraction and the innocence of being lost in one's own world. It asks the reader to consider where in their life they are moving forward without seeing the potential risks, and whether that blind faith is a necessary step toward growth or a warning to pay attention.
Pros and Cons of the Deck
Based on user reviews and analysis of the source material, the Modern Witch Tarot offers a distinct set of advantages and disadvantages that potential users should consider.
Pros: * High Relatability: The deck allows readers to see themselves and their lives in the cards, fostering a deeper connection. * RWS-Based: It retains the reliable and widely studied symbolism of the Rider–Waite–Smith system. * Diversity: It celebrates inclusivity regarding race, body type, and sexual orientation. * Durability: The physical quality of the cards is high, making them practical for regular use. * Beginner-Friendly: The clear scenes and modern context make it easy to learn intuitive reading.
Cons: * Temporal Specificity: The heavy use of modern technology and fashion (laptops, motorbikes, specific clothing styles) may cause the deck to feel dated in the future. It is a snapshot of the 2010s/2020s rather than a timeless artifact. * Guidebook Quality: The accompanying guidebook is often considered insufficient for those seeking deep, structured learning. * Aesthetic Preference: Some readers who prefer the traditional, classical aesthetic of Tarot may find the modern styling distracting or superficial.
Alternatives for Diverse Needs
The source material suggests that for users who find the Modern Witch Tarot not quite right for their needs, there are several alternative decks that also focus on inclusivity and modern perspectives.
- The True Heart Intuitive Tarot: Created by Rachel True (known for her role in the movie The Craft), this deck blends new ideas with traditional imagery. It is noted for its incredibly in-depth guidebook, which includes personal essays and deep reflections on each card. It is a strong choice for those who value a substantial written companion to their deck.
- The Queer Tarot: Created by queer and trans artists, this deck updates traditional imagery to explicitly showcase and explore gender and sexual identity. It is a celebration of color and queerness, ideal for those seeking a deck centered entirely on LGBTQ+ experiences.
- Hip Chick Tarot: This deck features colorful illustrations of diverse women. It takes a more radical departure from tradition by changing the names of the suits to Feel, Create, Think, and Earth. This is an excellent option for those looking for a highly intuitive, non-traditional framework that still maintains a feminine focus.
Practical Applications
The Modern Witch Tarot is designed for various applications in personal and spiritual life. It is suitable for:
- Journaling: The visual nature of the deck makes it an excellent prompt for daily journaling, helping users reflect on their emotions and daily events through the lens of Tarot archetypes.
- Teaching: Because it aligns with RWS keywords, it is a useful tool for teaching Tarot concepts to students who might find traditional decks intimidating.
- Spiritual Guidance: The deck is used to gain guidance on modern dilemmas, such as career choices, relationship dynamics in the digital age, and identity exploration.
- Self-Reflection: By seeing "modern witches" in the cards, users are encouraged to recognize their own power and magic in everyday life.
Conclusion
The Modern Witch Tarot deck by Lisa Sterle stands as a vital update to the Tarot tradition, successfully merging the foundational structure of the Rider–Waite–Smith system with the aesthetics and realities of contemporary life. It addresses the need for representation and relatability in spiritual tools, offering a mirror in which a diverse range of readers can see themselves. While it may be tied to the specific trappings of the current era—potentially limiting its timelessness—and while its guidebook may require supplementation, its core utility remains strong. It serves as an accessible, intuitive, and inclusive gateway for beginners and a refreshing perspective for experienced readers. Ultimately, the deck fulfills its mission of celebrating the witches of today, validating their experiences, and providing a tool for inner guidance that feels immediate and real.