The Wayhome Tarot represents a significant development in contemporary cartomancy, emerging from a collaborative effort between Bakara Wintner, an established tarot reader and author, and Autumn Whitehurst, a veteran illustrator. This deck is described as a user-friendly tool intended for all levels of experience, characterized by its luminous and sunny aesthetic despite the profound depth of its subject matter. The core philosophy of the Wayhome Tarot is the meeting place of the mystical and the quotidian. It utilizes symbols found in everyday life to re-contextualize the human experience, asking readers to look a bit harder at the magic woven into the mundane. By grounding esoteric concepts in accessible imagery, the deck aims to facilitate a deeper connection to the self and the surrounding energy.
The Creation and Philosophy of the Wayhome Tarot
The genesis of the Wayhome Tarot was a deliberate and transformative process. The creators, Bakara Wintner and Autumn Whitehurst, are both described as having a long-standing attraction to esotericism and the occult. Wintner, author of WTF is Tarot? ...and How Do I Do It?, brought a deep affinity for the messages of Tarot and an ability to make difficult concepts straightforward. Whitehurst contributed her extensive experience in illustration, having worked with high-profile clients such as Vogue, Rolling Stone, and Coca Cola. Their collaboration was a dynamic one, involving a careful balance of creative instincts. Whitehurst, who is sixteen years Wintner’s senior, often tempered Wintner’s trendy inclinations, while Wintner guided Whitehurst away from overly obscure representations, such as a shrimp for The Chariot card, ensuring the imagery would resonate with a wider audience.
The process took place in Whitehurst’s sunlit Gowanus studio, where they went card by card, wrestling with each archetype’s meaning and visual representation until the "perfect image alchemized." This endeavor was described as a slow course, akin to "chewing the cud," driven by a guiding principle of integrity and a sense of rightness for each image. The result is a deck that feels cohesive and resonant. The philosophy extends beyond the cards themselves; the creators view the project as having produced intangible bi-products, such as a detox from technology and a deep psychological exploration. The Wayhome Tarot is presented not just as a set of images, but as a map formed through collaboration, deep laughter, and tense days, ultimately serving as a tool for personal transformation.
Analyzing Specific Card Imagery and Meanings
The Wayhome Tarot distinguishes itself through clever and evocative imagery that reinterprets traditional Tarot archetypes. The deck’s strength lies in its ability to capture the central message of a card through familiar, yet profound, visual metaphors. The guidebook, WTF is Tarot?, is noted as an essential companion, providing in-depth explanations that mirror the card imagery.
The Chariot
In the Wayhome Tarot, The Chariot is represented by a salmon swimming upstream. This imagery powerfully captures the card’s central message of sheer force of will overcoming all obstacles. The creators offer a nuanced interpretation of this card's energy, noting that staying too long in the Chariot’s energy "takes a toll on the body, enables workaholic, and threatens burnout." They describe it as "jet fuel in a lawnmower engine," advising that it should be used sparingly for triumph and success, highlighting the importance of balancing intense effort with self-preservation.
The Emperor and The Empress
These two cards are highlighted for their complementary nature. The Emperor is described as one of the "favourite all-time Emperor cards," particularly when paired with the Empress. The imagery suggests a duality in nurturing: the Empress nurtures through love, while the Emperor nurtures through logic. Together, they bring stability and growth, representing a harmonious balance of heart and mind, intuition and structure.
The Wheel of Fortune
This card is rendered as a ferris wheel, a clever visual pun that encapsulates the cycles of fate. The ferris wheel illustrates that life involves ups and downs; one moment a person may be on top, and the next on the descent. However, the imagery reminds the user that the "big wheel keeps turning." The design also incorporates the idea of answering to one’s higher self, with elements "written in the stars," blending the concepts of cyclical destiny with spiritual accountability.
The 9 of Wands
A notable departure from traditional depictions, the 9 of Wands in the Wayhome Tarot is imbued with hopefulness. Instead of the usual "exhausted but hanging on" energy, this card is a "gorgeous change," serving as a beautiful reminder that resilience does not have to be grim. It portrays perseverance as quiet, luminous, and even joyful—a signal in the dark and a wish still burning. This interpretation encourages a more positive and empowered view of endurance.
The 7 of Pentacles
The imagery for the 7 of Pentacles focuses on the act of planting seeds. A close-up image emphasizes the necessity of patience and waiting to see if the seeds bear fruit. This visual reinforces the card’s traditional meaning of hard work, investment, and the uncertainty of future rewards, grounding the concept in a tangible, agricultural metaphor.
The 8 of Cups
Through a deck interview, the 8 of Cups is identified as representing the deck’s ability to help the user let things go. It advises leaving situations that cannot be fixed or repaired. This card embodies the wisdom of walking away from what is no longer serving the user, emphasizing emotional release and the courage to move forward.
The 5 of Wands
Identified as a strength of the deck, the 5 of Wands helps the user re-evaluate conflict in their life and question the value of furthering it. It suggests that the deck is a tool for navigating disagreements and competition by encouraging a reassessment of the underlying reasons for conflict.
The 3 of Pentacles
When asked what the deck requires from its user, the 3 of Pentacles appears. This card signifies collaboration. To best work with the Wayhome Tarot, the user must be open to working closely with the deck and listening to its guidance. It frames the relationship between reader and deck as a partnership built on mutual respect and effort.
The Wayhome Tarot as a Holistic Tool
The Wayhome Tarot is designed to be a user-friendly entry point into cartomancy, suitable for beginners and experienced readers alike. Its accessibility is enhanced by the companion guidebook, WTF is Tarot?, which is described as funny, poignant, and approachable. The book serves as an in-depth guide that helps users understand the cards and their meanings, making the practice less intimidating.
The deck’s philosophy encourages users to "dance with the cards" and "let something else take the lead." It promotes a soft, open approach to divination, suggesting that the cards are a reflection of the self. The core message is one of empowerment, asserting that the use of magic and intuition is a birthright. By using symbols from everyday life, the Wayhome Tarot bridges the gap between the spiritual and the physical, allowing users to find mystical insights within their own familiar surroundings. This approach supports personal growth and energy harmonization by encouraging a deeper awareness of the patterns and symbols that govern daily existence.
Conclusion
The Wayhome Tarot stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the alchemy of art and meaning. Through the combined efforts of Bakara Wintner and Autumn Whitehurst, it offers a luminous and accessible approach to Tarot that finds the mystical within the mundane. By grounding its interpretations in relatable imagery—from a salmon swimming upstream to a ferris wheel of fate—it provides a unique tool for introspection and guidance. The deck emphasizes a balanced approach to life’s challenges, encouraging resilience, strategic release of conflict, and collaborative effort. As a holistic tool, it invites users to explore their own energy and intuition, offering a path to clarity and personal growth through the symbols of their everyday world.