Since it’s been almost a year since I started my blog, I feel like it’s time everybody met my decks, so here goes!

Ah, Tarot Mucha. This deck was my first real tarot “child,” the one that kickstarted my passion for tarot! I had another “first” deck way back when (I seem to remember it having a really ugly sort of gingham-chicken-theme), but no deck has ever resonated with me as deeply as Tarot Mucha does, at least not yet. When I decided to start really studying tarot again after drawing up my natal chart and finding all sorts of points that indicate a level of psychic power, I thought to myself, “what would be my absolute ideal tarot deck?” Well, if there was one based on Alphonse Mucha’s art, that would be perfect. Lo and behold, the perfect deck was just waiting for me! And since we connected there has been an incredible bond between us, to the point that I even had a “vision” during one of my first readings with the deck. Using Tarot Mucha and it’s Little White Book, I gave myself a crash course in tarot and managed to learn all of the cards meanings off the top of my head in a matter of weeks, basically by reading for myself every day, writing pages and pages of card and spread interpretations, and re-sorting the deck after every use while drilling myself on the meanings. It was fantastic!

 

Deck type: RWS-based

I have the Rider-Waite-Smith now, but I avoided it for a long time because it felt so “mainstream” (ew, stop trying to be cool). However I really think using a RWS-based deck to learn was helpful because the imagery agrees closely with most of the interpretations in books and on the internet, with just enough difference to allow educational mind-bending.

Cards:

Tarot Mucha is a standard deck with roman-numeral’d Major Arcana cards and regular numbered, illustrated pip cards. Strength is VIII and Justice is XI, and the suits are Cups, Discs, Staves, and Swords (although from the beginning I switched them in my head to Cups, Pentacles, Wands, and Swords). The court cards are Knave, Knight, Queen, and King. The cards have no words on them, which I love!

Male/Female representation:

This is a very feminine deck, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that male-female representation is totally equal! 32 cards feature women, 32 feature men, 10 depict both and 4 are neutral (the Aces, which just show hands).

Little White Book:

Tarot Mucha’s LWB is written in 6 different languages, and it’s really great! I love Lunaea Weatherstone’s card interpretations. They don’t include reversals, although I do use reversals with this deck. The LWB includes three to-the-point 4-card spreads that I use more often than any other spreads! The book is full-colour and bound and is an absolute gem.

Box:

Tarot Mucha spoiled me as my first deck, because not only is the LWB fantastic, so is the box! It’s thick and sturdy and has a lift-off top, decorated with images from the deck. It’s so, so beautiful! Even after a year of daily use and being carried around everywhere in my purse the corners are just starting to dog-ear. This is one satisfying deck to use!

Cardstock:

Good, now that I have many decks I’d say they’re a bit thick and rigid, but I’ve never had a problem shuffling them. Actually I’d say they’re super-durable, as they have made it through many Iris-shufflings! The Page of Pentacles is the only one with real battle scars (bent right in half in one of its first Iris encounters), although the 10 of Swords survived a pee-puddle with only slight water damage.

Borders:

The Major Arcana and each suit have different stylized borders that are very beautiful and enhancing to the cards.

 

Likes/Dislikes:

It’s hard to think of anything I “dislike” about this deck! The only thing that stands out to me is the Queen of Wands, she looks really intense and depressed. She’s slumped over her wand, staring off into a space with kind of a crazy look in her eyes! Now that I think of it that’s probably appropriate for one brooding about how to bring her passion to life, but anyway. What I love about this deck is how it feels for me to work with it – like, well, magic! Because it’s my all-day everyday deck, we have a close dialogue and I often picture Tarot Mucha’s cards in my head even when interpreting other decks.

 

I do deck interviews with all my decks, and Tarot Mucha’s confirmed that it’s a grounded deck that likes straightforward, no-nonsense answers. Its favourite themes are Love, emotions and relationships, and finding personal grounding.

 

Ultimately I’d give this deck a 10/10 for its beautiful art, impeccable presentation and general awesomeness. Every time I see a post asking “what’s a great deck for beginners?” I’m tempted to write “TAROT MUCHA!!” I’m biased because nothing makes me happier than Art Nouveau style, but this deck is also really well-received at the Farmer’s Market, so…can’t go wrong! 😉

Do you have this deck? I’d love to hear what you think of it! It can be ordered here.

xo Miriam

Deck used:

Tarot Mucha. LWB: Lunaea Weatherstone. Artwork: Giulia F. Massaglia. Torino, Italy: Lo Scarabeo, 2014. © Lo Scarabeo Italy.