The Blood Moon Tarot is a fully illustrated 78-card deck created by artist Sam Guay, designed to serve as a companion for introspection and emotional navigation. Unlike traditional tarot structures, this deck reinterprets the Minor Arcana through four unique suits: Dreams, Songs, Skins, and Honey. The Major Arcana is presented as a series of enchanting, dream-like visions. The imagery is described as lush with details from personal mythologies, inviting users to sit with their struggles and learn how to navigate the emotional landscapes within themselves while connecting with the mystery of the world around them.
The deck is characterized by an earthy, muted palette and an aesthetic that feels "lived-in, deep, and a little haunted in the best way." It resonates with a mood of transition, making it a suitable tool for those experiencing emotional or spiritual shifts. The artwork is often described as looking into someone’s imagination or a world of potential and chaos, existing somewhat outside of standard time and space. It is particularly recommended for readers who are in a season of transition and seek a deck that meets them where they are without coddling, reflecting the truth of what they are holding, even when that truth involves anxiety or spiraling thoughts.
The Symbolism of the Major Arcana in the Blood Moon Tarot
The Major Arcana in the Blood Moon Tarot offers specific nuances on traditional archetypes, emphasizing vulnerability, resonance, and grounded strength.
The Lovers
The Lovers card in this deck moves beyond the simple concept of romance to focus on resonance and the recognition of one's destined path or connection. The imagery features an overripe apple with a keyhole wound, lush greenery, and moths circling like gentle omens. The figures depicted are on the verge of a kiss, creating an intimate and romantic atmosphere.
Sam Guay explains that the card represents finding something so perfect that one is willing to trust their gut over facts and deviate from well-made plans. This is illustrated by the story of the Morgan’s sphinx moth, a creature predicted to exist to pollinate a specific flower with an impossibly deep nectar chamber. The eventual discovery of the moth, with a proboscis perfectly matched to the flower, serves as a metaphor for the improbable and illogical things meant for us. The Blood Moon Tarot’s Lovers card suggests that sometimes, something within recognizes a connection or path before the mind can catch up. It is about finding the thing, person, or path one was built to meet.
Strength
The Strength card in this deck is depicted as an image of Strength melting the blade of a sword with their hands, while their hands still bleed. This visual emphasizes a form of inner strength that is not about brute force, but about fierce, vulnerable will. The creator writes that this figure "bravely bares her heart" where others might hide behind suits of armor.
This interpretation aligns with the concept of the Vestal Virgin tending a sacred flame. Fire is naturally terrifying—destructive and all-consuming—but through will and intelligence, humans learned to respect and direct it as a tool. Similarly, the Blood Moon’s Strength card suggests that we can direct and make good use of our passions only if we acknowledge them as a natural, sacred part of us. It is a strength that is open-hearted and brave, rather than armored and defensive.
The Emperor
The Emperor card in this deck is noted for presenting a version of masculine energy that is grounded and sheltering rather than controlling. In a deck filled with emotional and mythic nuance, this interpretation of holding space rather than exerting control is described as refreshing and fitting.
The Spiritual Significance of the Blood Moon
While the deck itself draws on the imagery and mystery of the Blood Moon, the astronomical and spiritual event of a Blood Moon carries its own potent meaning that complements the deck's themes.
Astronomical Definition
A Blood Moon is the term given to a total lunar eclipse. It occurs when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that causes the Moon to appear in shades of red, copper, or burnt orange. This event happens every one to three years and is considered an eerie and awe-inspiring lunar occurrence.
Spiritual Meaning and Energy
Spiritually, the Blood Moon is a time of endings, deep transformation, and rebirth. It is distinct from the apocalypse or "end times," despite historical superstitions. The energy of a lunar eclipse magnifies the magic of a Full Moon but adds an undercurrent of release and shadow work. It is likened to the Black Moon, which is the intensified version of the New Moon, making the Blood Moon the amplified version of the Full Moon.
During this time, hidden truths often rise to the surface, and shadows are revealed. Cycles may come to a sudden close. While the energy can feel intense or unsettling, it is viewed as an invitation to release what no longer serves and to step boldly into a next chapter. Modern witches may embrace this time for shadow work and transformation, while others may choose to rest and observe, viewing the energy as chaotic or disruptive.
Historically, eclipses were often viewed with fear or awe, interpreted as omens of death, upheaval, or the fall of rulers. Various cultures developed myths to explain these celestial events: * Norse Mythology: Eclipses were explained as the wolves Sköll and Hati chasing the Sun and Moon. An eclipse occurred when they caught their prey. * Inca Civilization: It was believed that a lunar eclipse meant a jaguar was attacking and trying to eat the Moon.
Using the Blood Moon Tarot for Navigation and Growth
The Blood Moon Tarot is designed to be a companion deck for those navigating complex emotional states. It is not a tool for "neon optimism" but rather for those seeking something that feels deep, organic, and resonant with their internal landscape.
A Companion for Transition
The deck is frequently described as being for the reader in a season of transition—emotionally, spiritually, or generally within the mess of being human. It reflects the truth of what the user is holding, even if that truth involves "shaky hands and worst-case-scenario spirals." If the mind is racing or emotions feel overwhelming, the imagery and energy of the Blood Moon Tarot are said to know that territory well.
Deck Combinations and Energy
When used in practice, the Blood Moon Tarot exhibits a "dreamy, organic, flowy energy." While its aesthetic (earthy, muted tones) might not immediately seem to match other decks, it can pair well with decks that bring a grounded quality. For example, the Herbana Witch Oracle has been noted as a companion deck. Despite differences in aesthetic and theme, both decks share a dreamy quality. The Blood Moon Tarot brings an ethereal quality, while the Herbana Witch Oracle provides groundedness, preventing the energy from becoming too mundane. This combination allows for a balance between the ethereal and the practical.
The Creative Process
The creator, Sam Guay, notes that the deck is a reflection of personal mythologies. The process of creating the deck was about trusting intuition over logic. As Guay explains, "sometimes, what’s meant for you is improbable. Illogical. But real. Something within you recognises it before your mind can catch up." This philosophy is woven into the deck's DNA, encouraging users to trust their own recognition of what is right for them, even when it defies logic.
The Saturnine Oracle
For those who find value in the Blood Moon Tarot, there is a related project: The Saturnine Oracle. While specific details of this oracle are not provided in the source data, it is presented as the creator's current work and a logical next step for those who appreciate the depth and mythology of the Blood Moon Tarot.
Conclusion
The Blood Moon Tarot offers a unique and introspective tool for those navigating the complexities of the human experience. Through its reimagined suits and dream-like Major Arcana imagery, it encourages users to embrace vulnerability, trust their resonance with the world, and find strength in baring their hearts. The deck's earthy and "lived-in" aesthetic serves as a mirror for those in seasons of transition, providing a space to sit with difficult emotions and uncover hidden truths. Coupled with the potent spiritual symbolism of the Blood Moon itself—a time of transformation, release, and rebirth—this deck acts as a guide for moving through shadow work and stepping into new chapters of life. Whether used alone or in combination with grounded oracle decks, it remains a profound resource for connecting with the mystery within and around us.