Deck Review: The Ink Witch Tarot

The Ink Witch Tarot by Eric Maille was on my wishlist for a while, but never made the “ok, I’ll buy it” cut. I knew it was a deck that got a lot of love in the Tarot community, and I thought the art was very accomplished, but I’m not really in to (largely) monochrome decks, and so always felt a bit luke-warm about it. Then I saw the Two of Wands card on someone’s Insta and was like “huh, that’s such a smart interpretation”. I looked at a whole deck flip through on YouTube and thought a lot of the artwork was super interesting in its take on the card meanings. So I decided to go for it, even though I wasn’t sure it was really that “me”.

The first time I looked through it in the flesh: literal goosebumps. I’m not sure I’ve ever responded as physically to a deck before since my first trusty Morgan Greer. I BLOODY LOVE THIS DECK! Card, after card, after card is just so on the nose. I’m very glad I took the plunge.

I also then backed the second edition on Kickstarter. There aren’t a huge amount of differences between the decks (a couple of cards have been replaced/re-worked, the colour palette is a bit brighter) asides from the upgrade to a clamshell box, but I mainly wanted two decks so I could use the first edition as a jobbing reading deck without stressing unduly about card loss or damage. Because, boy, does this deck read like a dream!

The (second edition) deck comes with a very minimal guide leaflet, but there is a full guidebook available to buy, or you can consult the online pdf version for free.

And now on to some of my favourite cards (this was very hard, as this deck is so smart and interesting, I basically ended up with two thirds of the deck on my ‘to analyse’ pile initially, so I’ve had to be strict wih myself!) I still find it weird how much I connect with this deck when it’s so different from my “preferred” style. There really is something special in these interpretations.

Love the High Priestess as a chess board. Part of the High Priestess’s mystery is her ability to think 10 moves ahead. If we stop and wait with her, and listen to what our inner voice is saying, we might be able to too.

I really love the recurring motif of pomegranates that can be found in many interpretations of Tarot cards (The High Priestess, The Empress), so I like the creator’s decision to depict Persephone in the Death card of the Ink Witch Tarot. Maille describes how Persephone becomes Queen of the Underworld after eating pomegranate seeds in Hades’ court, and points out that, while bound to the realm of Death, she continues to be a symbol of life. In mythology she is associated with Spring time, and the idea of Winter ending to make way for new life. Persephone has to go to the underworld for Winter each year, has to die, to bring us Spring. The dead winter earth germinates the seeds, brings the sweetness of the fruits. The creator writes that while this card is “visually one of the darkest cards in the deck, in terms of artistic design, it’s also one of the brightest as a result of the striking red pomegranate”. The Death card is an ending, yes. But an ending we need to experience, so that life may begin afresh.

Eric Maille‘s Tower card is super powerful, though nuclear war scares me so much with its all-out devastation that I find it hard to see how you come back from this image (where is the Star in a nuclear winter?) However, as the creator himself reminds us, “some things in the world must be destroyed. This card could well indicate the destruction of something that oppresses or harms you. Some forces are meant to be toppled”.

Both the Strength (see below) and Justice cards are pretty “modern” in a way I’m usually leery of (especially because Justice for me is much more about natural justice than the law per se), but I’m an activist and a Criminologist, so I can’t help it: I FUCKING LOVE THESE REPRESENTATIONS! I can’t even look at the more traditional renditions of Justice in other decks now without hearing “no justice, no peace” reverbing in my head thanks to this depiction. Maille loosely based his Justice card on Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People” (above), and I love how this kind of callback shows how timeless and deeply vested in human experience(s) the Tarot is. It reminds me of the Eric Holder riff on the famous MLK Jr quotation: “the arc [of the moral universe] bends toward justice, but it only bends toward justice because people pull it towards justice. It doesn’t happen on its own”. For me this card show clearly shows that Justice may be a natural law, but it’s also a very human struggle. If we want a fairer world we have to get out there and make it happen.

The Ace of Cups as a warm, steaming cup of coffee just waiting to pick you up and comfort you is lovely.

Maille based the deck’s Strength card off Bernie Boston’s famous ‘ Flower Power’ photograph, which ironically shows a young man placing carnations into the barrels of guns to call for a demand for the end of the Vietnam War. The creator says in the guidebook that he admires the calm fearlessness in the man’s manner, and I think he really captures this here.

There are many kinds of strength. This card represents the need for all of them. Most importantly, however, it is a reminder that physical brute strength pales in comparison to the inner strength or things like courage, compassion, patience, and control. Brute power, this card tells us, can never be stronger than strength of heart

The fusion of science and magic in Two of Wands is 👌🏼. The Four of Wands captures the simple joy of friends and family celebrating shared success beautifully. The Nine of Wands reminds me of my favourite ever music video (Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode: Stargate remix – seriously, watch this music video, it is GOOD!) It’s so moody and evocative. Maille explains, “even though though your task is nearly complete, there are still dangers to confront… This card warns us that while we will make it out of this, we may be tired and even wounded when we do so”.

The Eight of Swords is such a clever way of depicting being in a seemingly hopeless situation that’s in many ways about not letting yourself see the way out, of closing your mind off to hope and “magic”. The Two of Swords bringing such a fresh take to what it means to be caught on the horns of a dilemma. And bees are always a favourite symbol of mine, and I love them here on the Three of Pents, representing communal labour. Having the Pents as well as the honey filling the honeycomb itself is so well done.

Deck interview spread with the Ink Witch Tarot

1. Tell me about yourself? What is your most important characteristic as a deck?

Queen of Swords – This deck is going to tell it to me like it is. Straight talking, no bullshit. It’s going to offer clear, intellectual, strategic approaches to problems, not emotional support. The artist’s LWB isn’t available yet, but she looks like Joan of Arc to me here. So even though this deck won’t mince its words, it’s still pure hearted. And it’s telling me don’t expect victory without sacrifice.

2. What are your strengths as a deck?

VI of wands – if I follow the advice of this deck I can achieve my goals. Its guidance will lead me to victory (but remember the queen’s warning from above: victory often requires sacrifice)

3. What are your limits as a deck?

The Magician – Although this card is upright, I kinda see it’s meaning as reversed/shadow here. This deck is not about ways to trick or charm my way out of a situation. It’s straight up, face value, tell it as you see it. It’s strengths lie in the realms of communication, not “magic” or manifestation.

4. What do you require from me in return? How can I best collaborate with you?

IX of Swords – I have tendency towards over thinking & catastrophising. I always jump to the worst case scenario & take on the worries of the world. This deck, with its no nonsense approach, will help me cut through all of that, & give me clear, practical advice. But I have to be in a place where I’m receptive to that kind of advice, or we won’t work well together.

5. What is the potential quality of our relationship?

Ace of Pentacles – Reiterating its clear guidance and its practicality: this deck will give me the resources I need to get things done.

6. In what space / with what type of query will you best communicate?

Page of Swords – I feel this interview has come full circle. I’m the young knight kneeling before the queen to receive her blessing & her wisdom. I should come to this deck when I’m looking for new perspectives & new ways of thinking.

.

.

.

* Sometimes I need a little break from all the pain, misery, and death of Criminology and Forensic Psychology research!