By Terri C.
The Halloween Tarot by Kipling West
Published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
ISBN: 9781572816213 (tin)
ISBN: 0-88079-965-X (deck only)
ISBN: 1-57281-034-3 (deck and book set)
For those that delight in the thinning veil of the fall season, treasure the time of All Hallows Eve and adore Tarot. The Halloween Tarot by Kipling West might just be the perfect deck for you.
Kipling has captured the feel of “Old Halloween” with her 78 images. According to the artist, the images come from old horror movies, combined with circus images.
This deck conjures up so many different images that we all have come to know as representations for fall and Halloween such as: Fall leaves, the full moon in starry night skies, haunted houses and dripping candles. As well as, werewolves, ghosts, mummies, witches and jack-o-lanterns. The main color scheme of this deck is black and orange.
There are some very familiar feeling characters throughout the deck as well such as: The Page of Pumpkins and Wednesday from the Addams Family share a striking resemblance, as does the Empress and the Bride of Frankenstein’s Monster, and the Emperor and Frankenstein’s Monster, just to name a few.
One of my favorite images from the deck is the Six of Pumpkins. It features a green haired, but pretty witch, in her black pointed hat and dress, with a purple scarf tied around her shoulders. She is standing at a door of a Halloween decorated house, doling out candy to trick-or-treaters, while the black cat watches inquisitively from the window.
An interesting idea to try with this deck, especially if you are working with children, would be to examine the cards from the perspective of the black cat that weaves his way through the entire deck.
While the Major Arcana bear their tradition titles, the suits are made up of Ghosts (Cups), Imps (Wands), Bats (Swords), and Pumpkins (Coins). Strength is number VIII and Justice is XI. The Courts are titled, Page, Knight, Queen and King.
The deck measures 2 ¾” wide x 4 ¾” tall. The images are printed on thin cardstock but it shuffles well and has held up very well, through countless readings. The backs of the cards are reversible friendly. They feature an orange border filled with bats, skulls, branches and stars on a black back ground. In the center of the card there are mirrored images of the black Halloween cat, looking over his shoulder at a spider which is hanging above him.
The Little White Book that comes with the deck is very easy to read and gives a brief overview of the entire deck. It also gives an easy to use 3-card spread and the Celtic Cross.
I find that this is an excellent deck to use when reading for children, at fund-raising events, where people have never been exposed to the Tarot or just when I want to have a little fun.
There is also a book available with the same title written by Karin Lee. The deck is sold as a stand alone deck as well as a deck/book set and has recently been released in a tin.
The Halloween Tarot can easily be used right out of the box, even by someone with no prior Tarot experience. It would also make a fun addition to any professional reader’s table, especially during the Halloween events and would be welcomed into just about any collection.