DID YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A TAROT TYPE?

So many decks, so little time! How to choose? Discover your tarot type, and start casting spreads that speak straight to your spirit, says Haley ED Houseman.

 

tarot type The Numinous

With the explosion of new and evolved tarot decks, it’s easy to fall down a rabbit hole of gorgeous artwork and Insta-worthy spreads. But because the tarot works with your intuition, it’s important to work with designs that truly inspire, fascinate, and draw you in. Whether you’re a novice reader or a devoted collector, there’s a perfect deck (or decks!) for everyone.

Discover your tarot type below and start casting spreads that speak straight to your spirit… 

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THE CLASSIC QUEEN
Tried and true, you’re drawn to sophisticated silhouettes, the timeless scent of Chanel No. 5, and upholding treasured traditions.

Your Dream Decks: Try the Rider-Waite Smith Deck’s foundational classicism, Morgan Greer Tarot’s visually expressive riff on the Rider, or best-selling Aquarian Tarot’s angular medieval imagery and muted hues.

rider-waite tarot rider waite smith tarot morgan greer tarot aquarian tarot tarot type ruby warrington the numinous haley ed houseman haley houseman
L—R: The Rider-Waite, Morgan Greer, and Aquarian Decks

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THE EARTH MAMA
You’re a rooted revolutionary with your hands in the dirt and your head in the stars. You love 60s & 70s bohemian looks, loads of crystals and, of course, all things herbalism.

Your Dream Decks: Try the plant lore of Leila + Olive’s Pythia Botantica Oracle, the organic, rounded shapes and holistic understanding of feminist classic The Motherpeace Tarot, and Mountain Dream Tarot’s vintage 70s vibes.

Leila + Olive bea nettles motherpeace tarot pythia botanical tarot mountain dream tarot ruby warrington haley ed houseman haley houseman tarot type
L—R: The Pythia Botanica, Motherpeace, and Mountain Dream Decks

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THE NOW AGE MAVEN
On the cutting-edge of cosmic cool, you’re equally comfortable rocking up-to-the-minute fashions and getting deeply mystical, and your Now Age lifestyle demands a buzz-worthy deck.

Your Dream Decks: The “new wave” of tarot design focuses on pastels, geometrics, the fiercely feminine, and light work. Try the lush Fountain Tarot’s gentle geometrics and additional arcana, the goddess iconography and Art Nouveau revival style of the Serpentfire Deck, or The Starchild Tarot’s ethereal, Akashic imagery, and dreamy pastel palette.

fountain tarot serpentfire tarot starchild tarot danielle noel haley ed houseman haley houseman ruby warrington the numinous tarot type
L—R: The Fountain, Serpentfire, and Starchild Decks

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THE MINIMALISTA
You’re a stripped-down boss lady on-the-go who loves blazers and heels, and takes her cosmic inspiration with a shot of espresso.

Try Small Spells‘ black and white line drawings, The Dreslyn Deck’s clean aesthetic, or even Edward Gorey’s monochromatic Fantod Pack for a bit of macabre whimsy.

small spells tarot dreslyn deck dreslyn tarot fantod tarot edward gorey ruby warrington haley houseman haley ed houseman tarot type
L—R: The Small Spells, Dreslyn, and Fantod Decks

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THE HISTORIAN HONEY
You’re a slightly introverted intellectual who loves button-down blouses, the smell of old books, and binge watching “The Crown.”

Your Dream Decks: Try the romantic neoclassicism of The Tarot of Lombardy,  Kanzanlar Tarot’s kaleidoscopic historical inspo, or the deeply decorative Byzantine Tarot’s ancient mosaic stylings.

tarot of lombardy kanzanlar tarot byzantine tarot haley houseman haley ed houseman ruby warrington the numinous tarot type
L—R: The Lombardy, Kanzanlar, and Byzantine Decks

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THE GLAMOUR PUSS
You’re an over-the-top, Old Hollywood siren who loves hedonistic glitz, and all things glittering and gold.

Your Dream Decks: Sample the languorous seduction of the Chelsea Lenormand oracle deck, the heavily-gilded Golden Thread Tarot, or Linestrider Tarot’s slightly more understated elegance.

siolo thompson chelsea lenormand golden thread tarot linestrider tarot ruby warrington the numinous tarot type haley houseman haley ed houseman
L—R: The Chelsea Lenormand, Golden Thread, and Linestrider Decks

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THE COLOR ADDICT
You’re a wild child, interstellar explorer drawn to psychedelic patterns and mind-altering experiences.

Your Dream Decks: Try the hyper-saturated rainbowed vision of the Oliver Hibert Deck, the wild animals and mythical beasts of the Ellis Deck, and the soon-to-launch Yoshi Yoshitani’s Fairytale Deck, which draws on magical stories from around the world.

oliver hibert tarot ellis tarot yoshi yoshitani tarot fairytale tarot tarot type ruby warrington the numinous haley houseman haley ed houseman
L—R: The Oliver Hibert, Ellis, and Yoshi Yoshitani Decks

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THE COSMIC CREATIVE 
An artistic intuitive with iconoclastic impulses, you turn to the tarot to fuel your passion projects and might already be hard at work creating a deck of your own.

Your Dream Decks: Try Stretch Tarot’s mélange of vintage collage and mixed media, awaken the muses with the fantastical oil paintings of the Mary-El Tarot, and power up with Dust II Onyx’s latest, infused with modern black experiences, ancestor work, and African traditional art. 

stretch tarot mary-el tarot mary el tarot dust II onyx tarot dust2onyx tarot haley houseman haley ed houseman the numinous ruby warrington tarot type
L—R: The Stretch, Mary-El, and Dust II Onyx Decks

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THE WITCHY WOMAN
You’re a gothic guru who dives deep into the occult, revels in ritual, and isn’t afraid of blending her darkness with the light.

Your Dream Decks: Try the Iona Tarot’s complex intaglio printing style and high ceremony, the rich Haitian occult history of Alice Smeets’ Ghetto Tarot, and the elemental powers and ancient alchemy of The Order of the Golden Dawn- inspired Hermetic Tarot.

ghetto tarot alice smeets iona tarot atis rezistans tarot hermetic tarot ruby warrington the numinous tarot type haley houseman haley ed houseman giona fiochi
L—R: The Iona, Ghetto, and Hermetic Decks

Haley ED Houseman is a freelance writer, illustrator, and tarot reader. Her focus is on the modern mystical, as well as art, fashion, and the natural world. She’s also the host of Occulture Talks, a monthly panel with occult experts in NYC. Sign up for her newsletter and follow her on Twitter for more musings. 

 

MOON TAROT: A CUSTOM SPREAD FOR EVERY PHASE

Just in time for Eclipse Season 2017, we’ve got your Moon Tarot guide to navigating each Moon phase—with customized card spreads. By Tina Gong.

Labyrinthos Academy Online Tarot School Luminous Spirit Tarot Tina Gong The Numinous Moon Tarot Golden Thread Tarot
Tina’s Luminous Spirit Tarot Deck

As a lifetime student of tarot, and a newer student of lunar cycles, I’ve started exploring the moon’s teachings by casting cards for each Moon phase. I call it Moon Tarot. For this workaholic Capricorn, connecting to the phases of the Moon has taught me that there are times to push forward and times to just chill out a little bit, and I seek the cards’ assistance in figuring out exactly how.

The Moon’s magical cycles invite us to sync our lives to universal rhythms. Through her expansions and contractions, each phase offers us a lesson to incorporate. Likewise, Tarot’s ability to tell stories, ask questions, illuminate answers, and bring fresh perspectives to challenges provides a concrete channel for adjusting to the moon’s timing.

Each spread below offers you the chance to explore challenges and lunar lessons and, like the moon, to incorporate times to push forward and times to reflect. Feel free to infuse your own rituals into these readings to create truly customized Moon Tarot magic!

*Editor’s note: Unsure when each Moon phase begins? We love the Luna Solaria app

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New Moons :: New Beginnings

This phase is all about gathering our energy, strength, and willpower, and finding ways to recharge as we prepare for the coming cycle. It’s a moment to think carefully about what we’d like to accomplish. Use this simple 3-card spread to kickstart your lunar month!

Card 1: Where you have been
Card 2: Where you are
Card 3: Where you want to be

Labyrinthos Academy Online Tarot School Luminous Spirit Tarot Tina Gong The Numinous Moon Tarot Golden Thread Tarot New Moon Tarot Spread
New Moon Spread

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Waxing Crescent :: Setting Foundations

During this phase, we’re ready to develop clear foundations. To break out our notebooks, markers, and post-its as we sketch outlines and create strategies for achieving our dreams. This spread is built to help you identify and utilize all your resources.

Card 1: Your source of energy & willpower
Card 2: Your talents
Card 3: The environment
Card 4: Your resources

Labyrinthos Academy Online Tarot School Luminous Spirit Tarot Tina Gong The Numinous Moon Tarot Golden Thread Tarot Waxing Crescent Tarot Spread
Waxing Crescent Spread

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First Quarter :: Actions & Obstacles

Armed with a vision, we’re ready to act with decisiveness and drive. This time is perfect for pushing forward with our plans and setting things in motion. As we shoot into the future, the First Quarter spread identifies any lingering doubts that might be holding us back.

Card 1: Your self-perception
Card 2: Your obstacle
Card 3: What will help you overcome
Card 4: What holds you back

Labyrinthos Academy Online Tarot School Luminous Spirit Tarot Tina Gong The Numinous Moon Tarot Golden Thread Tarot First Quarter Tarot Spread
First Quarter Spread

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Waxing Gibbous :: Pivot Point

To flow is to survive, to stay rigid is to break. After we’ve worked on our goals, this phase is a perfect time to take a more detailed look at our approach and to assess alternative pathways.

Card 1: The problem
Card 2: Our expectation
Card 3: The reality
Card 4: Guidance

Labyrinthos Academy Online Tarot School Luminous Spirit Tarot Tina Gong The Numinous Moon Tarot Golden Thread Tarot Waxing Gibbous Tarot Spread
Waxing Gibbous Spread

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The Full Moon :: Celebration!

The Full Moon is a time of harvest, self-love, and appreciation for all the things we’ve been given and have earned. Go hang with the people that make you happy and celebrate the joy with this spread!

Card 1: What gives you joy
Card 2: Your gifts to world
Card 3: Your unrecognized potential

Labyrinthos Academy Online Tarot School Luminous Spirit Tarot Tina Gong The Numinous Moon Tarot Golden Thread Tarot Full Moon Tarot Spread
Full Moon Spread

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Waning Gibbous :: Turning Inward

The world is a reflection of our inner selves and so sometimes, our greatest challenge is ourselves. This phase of the lunar cycle asks us to look at our shadows, and challenge our beliefs about who we are. This spread is perfect for drawing at night, complete with an altar of mirrors and candles.

Card 1: Fears
Card 2: Secrets
Card 3: Lies
Card 4: Regrets

Labyrinthos Academy Online Tarot School Luminous Spirit Tarot Tina Gong The Numinous Moon Tarot Golden Thread Tarot Waning Gibbous Tarot Spread
Waning Gibbous Spread

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Last Quarter :: Letting Go

After we acknowledge the shadow self, we must also learn to confront it, embrace it, and let it go. Break out the smudge sticks, and imagine yourself banishing all that burdens you. Each puff of smoke that vanishes in the air represents a piece of your suffering that’s dissolving.

Card 1: What to accept
Card 2: What to forgive
Card 3: What to learn

Labyrinthos Academy Online Tarot School Luminous Spirit Tarot Tina Gong The Numinous Moon Tarot Golden Thread Tarot Last Quarter Tarot Spread
Last Quarter Spread

 

Tina Gong is a self-taught illustrator, developer, and designer of both physical and digital things. She is also the creator of Labyrinthos Academy, an online tarot school taught by monsters and mythical creatures, as well as Golden Thread Tarot and Luminous Spirit Tarot. She resides in Bushwick, and in her own bizarre imagination, with her partner and several sassy stuffed alpacas.

Labyrinthos Academy Online Tarot School Luminous Spirit Tarot Tina Gong The Numinous Moon Tarot Golden Thread Tarot
Nina the Alpaca—Tina’s Alter Ego