Deck Review: Deviant Moon Tarot

Patrick Valenza, Deviant Moon Tarot. Stamford, CT: U.S. Games Systems, 2009.  (Link to publisher.)

Genre: Tarot deck

Subgenre: surrealism, art, lunar

Format: 78-card deck with little white book

Source: I own this one

 

I first used this deck in July 2022 for the July Deck Bond Challenge. This deck kit includes the 78-card deck, a little white book (LWB), and a poster showing the Lunatic Spread, a card spread for this deck. 

Nine of Cups

The LWB features acknowledgements and dedications, "The Creation of the Deviant Moon Tarot" (a brief artist statement about creating the deck), and card meanings for the Major and Minor Arcanas. It also includes the instructions for the Lunatic Spread, and it has a few blank pages at the end for writing notes. The "Creation" statement briefly describes how the deck was made, art influences, and symbolism. The card meaning entries include a small paragraph of text describing the card and symbols, one to three sentences. The entries also include a few keywords for upright and reversed meanings. The LWB is not much in terms of substance, but it is better than nothing. I'd suggest reading it at least once just for the author's insights, but for advanced Tarotistas that may be an optional step. For beginners, the LWB provides the minimal basics. 

The cards are beautiful in a dark fantasy and surrealist style. The figures have the distinctive moon-face style. The art draws from graveyard art and ancient Greek art according to the author. It's an original and unique art that is not always easy to describe, but as soon as you see it you know it's that author's art. Within this unique and dream-like art, the cards do fall mostly within the Rider Waite Smith (RWS) style, so if you read in that style you should be able to read with this deck. The cards are colorful and expressive, so they can work for the intuitive readers as well. 

Queen of Wands

I would classify this as a dark deck. I'd say it can work for things like dream work, shadow work, and when you want a deck that goes in a unique direction. In terms of using it to read for others, I would do so selectively; nice as it is the deck is it is not for everyone. 

Overall, I really like this deck. I like its unique quality and dreamy art. The cards measure about 5 inches by 2 3/4 inches, making them a bit on the longer side. They have a very light gloss finish that feels like it's barely there; this makes the cards easy to slide and shuffle. The card stock feels good, not too thick. The size could make the deck a bit hard to shuffle for some folks. However, the long cards are reminiscent of some antique card decks. The Major Arcana are identified by Roman numeral and name. Court cards are identified by name. The remaining Minor Arcana only have a Roman numeral, so  you need to look at the art to identify the cards; suit elements in the cards are pretty clear. The cards are all fully illustrated. 

 

The deck I have is the older edition with borders. I am considering getting the borderless edition down the road, but for now, this one is just fine. Note also the author has published a full coffee table style art book on the deck (available separately). That one is a bit more pricey, but I do hope to get it down the road too. If I do, I will review it here.

4 out of 5 stars. 

Note: photos are mine from my copy of the deck.