Steampunk Tarot

This month the Steampunk Tarot by Barbara Moore has rolled into my growing collection of Tarot decks.  If you are unfamiliar with Steampunk, think Wild, Wild West starring Will Smith.  Here the Victorian era combines with the future with a distinctly Victorian perspective.  Goth discovers brown.  Still confused?  Google it.  Steampunk is a highly visual genre.  

There is a military energy in many of
the cards, but the deck still manages
to retain an air of romance.

The Steampunk Tarot is brilliantly illustrated by Aly Fell.  The images are charming and compelling, remaining both true to the genre & to traditional Tarot symbolism.  The Pages and Knights are female in all of the suits, except for the Knight of Pentacles, who cuts a dashing figure as a mature soldier.  Very few animals appear in the deck.  Of all the court cards, only the Queen of Wands is mounted.  The Chariot is pulled by mechanical beasts that have no equine resemblance whatsoever.  Here and there a hawk, a dog or a horse can be seen, but other than these there is little relating to Nature to be found. 

The images range from whimsical to powerful.  This is a deck that illicits deep feelings and stirs the emotions.   It would take some practice for me to be able to read well with it, but I think that it has a great deal of potential to be an amazing divinitory tool for many readers.  This deck would appeal to younger clients more so than older people who may not be familiar with the genre.   Pairing the deck to the client is an essential consideration for readers and Steampunk's wilder, more rebellious nature would strengthen the connection with youth well.  

The World and The Hermit
Powerful images that invoke strong feelings make this deck interesting.

There is a somewhat military flavour to some of the cards.  At times a war-like energy tends to seep through, but it somehow manages to retain a romantic and soft side in spite of the gleaming metal and roaring engines.  

The companion book is nicely illuminated with decorative corners on each page.  There is a brief explanation of Steampunk, an introduction to Tarot basics, a comprehensive section with the meaning for each card and the obligatory section with options for spreads that can be used in readings.  What is different about this book is that pip cards for each suit are presented numerically, but there is a separate section just for the court cards.  Pages, Knights, Queens and Kings are defined first as a position in the hierarchy and then individually.  I love that!   

The High Priestess is a whimsical image.
She dares you to take a chance!

Altogether a pleasing deck.  I'm very happy to have added it to my collection.  I doubt that I will use it much for readings, but I will certainly enjoy looking at the gorgeous artwork and reading the author's interpretations.