The Buffy the Vampire Slayer Tarot Deck and Guidebook Is a MUST for Witchy Fans of the Series

When I was very little, I had a massive crush on Seth Green, which eventually led me hesitantly check out Buffy the Vampire Slayer to swoon over him as the guitar-playing werewolf, Oz.

Little did I know it, but this would be a major turning point in my life. I planned to simply tolerate the series for the sake of seeing him, but quickly fell in love with its compelling storytelling, supernatural scenarios and witty dialogue—and the fact it took young women seriously in a way that felt groundbreaking at the time. It helped me throw away a "not like other girls" mentality in a big way, and even when Oz exited the show, I continued as an avid (and maybe slightly obsessed) viewer until the series ended in 2003—before also tuning in for the final season of the spin-off, Angel. I'd probably be a very different person today if not for binge-watching the show repeatedly in my formative years.

So, when I saw that Insight Editions had released a Buffy the Vampire Slayer Tarot Deck and Guidebook earlier this year, I was eager to get my hands on it. Following in Willow and Tara's footsteps, I've also acquired an interest in all things witchy and metaphysical, and it couldn't feel like a better fit. The team at Insight Editions was kind enough to send me the deck and guidebook for review, and it's even better than I'd hoped.

The Deck

Insight Editions' Buffy the Vampire Slayer Tarot Deck and Guidebook dropped on March 14 in celebration of the show's 25th anniversary (which makes me feel positively ancient). It takes the classic 78-card Rider-Waite Tarot deck but adds a twist by associating the well-known cards with pivotal characters and moments from the Buffyverse, brought to life with illustrations by Karl James Mountford and a thorough and insightful guidebook written by Casey Gilly. It all comes packaged up in a sturdy box, including a ribbon for easy card removal.

The deck and guidebook are available now for $27.99.

(via Insight Editions)

 

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The Cards

I couldn't have been more excited when my Buffy tarot deck arrived at my door on June 22. As soon as it showed up, I freed it from its plastic shrink wrap and opened the boxy purple and red case. The illustrated cards looked even better in person than they had in the images I'd seen online, and there was so much more to them than I'd imagined. I was super distracted the rest of the workday as I'd occasionally open the deck back up for another peek at the cards.

(via Insight Editions)

Finally, when the workday ended, I was able to examine the deck in earnest, as well as start reading the accompanying guidebook, and I fell even further in love with it. The prints on the cards were immaculate, and each one had a thick, sturdy feel. As with most tarot decks, the cards at first felt a bit stiff and awkward (and had a tendency to cling to each other), but with enough shuffling and movement over the next weeks, they've been broken in perfectly.

(via Insight Editions)

But the thing I was most excited about was the cards themselves. It quickly became apparent that the Buffy characters on each one weren't assigned willy-nilly but thoughtfully paired to meaningfully bring out the truth within each card. Every one is a treat, not just because of the incredible illustrations by Karl James Mountford, but because writer Casey Gilly (who's authored multiple tarot decks, as well as official Buffy comic books) clearly knows the series inside and out.

While a lot of pop culture-themed tarot decks have great Major Arcana cards featuring well-known characters (think The Magician, The Lovers and The Hanged Man), their Minor Arcana cards of number and court cards for the four suits can be a major letdown. That is not the case with this deck, with real care and attention paid to the scenes or characters assigned to every last card. The only cards that aren't fully tied to the series are the aces, but they're beautiful enough that I don't mind, and with the suits of swords replaced with scythes and wands replaced with stakes, even those feel appropriately Buffy-fied.

Just perusing through all of the cards in the deck for the first time took me ages since each piece of art made me want to linger as I oohed and aahed. I'm also currently rewatching the series with my husband as he sees it for the first time, so I had to stop a dozen or so times to show him the cards representing his favorite moments and characters, from the Principal Snyder and Cordelia cards to teen Giles and Joyce and Buffy's "Class Protector" award cards. The powerful card representing  The Tower gave me chills and made me both anticipate and dread our upcoming watch of the Season 5 finale. I also love that my favorite card, the Knight of Chalices, features the meek and hopeless poet William Pratt, before he becomes Spike. His card is pretty effulgent, if you ask me.

The creators of the deck also weren't afraid to include more obscure moments and characters. I'm guessing that many viewers barely remember the character Amanda, but as an Amanda myself, I couldn't be happier that she has her own card—the Page of Pentacles, representing being inexperienced but ready and willing to take on major challenges.

This is also one of the rare tarot decks that's twice as special because of its wonderfully written guidebook. It's definitely more detailed and effective than most, and written with wit and humor appropriate that feels ripped right out of the Buffyverse to make readings ridiculously simple. Writer Casey Gilly has an obvious love and knowledge for the series, and it shines through in every aspect, from the great descriptions for each card to the picks for the cards themselves. It helps that the descriptions are also sprinkled liberally with lyrics from the musical episode "Once More, With Feeling," which endlessly puts a smile on my face.

(via Insight Editions)

The art communicates the meaning of each card beautifully, so that even a beginner might not need to look up the card to understand its meaning, and truly, connecting these cards with these characters and events has made tarot make more sense to me than it ever has, since I can draw on the insights of a series I've loved for more than 20 years.

 

Also read about: How to Remember the Meanings of the Major Arcana in Tarot

 

The Readings

Of course, admiring and reading up on the cards was just the beginning. Before I did any readings, I did a basic cleansing of the cards to rid them of any negative energies with the help of some incense and a selenite wand—but what I really wanted was a cleanse under the light of the full moon. That wasn't until July 3, so until that opportunity arose, I focused on single-card readings for insight and guidance.

During this time, I noticed a couple of interesting things about the deck. For one, I appreciated that the backs of the cards were symmetrical across the diagonal, meaning I couldn't subconsciously tweak whether a card appeared upright or reversed at a glance.

Secondly, I've always read that choosing the right tarot deck for you is all about feeling a special connection with it, and I've felt that with this deck over any other deck I've touched. When I'm asking big questions, it always deals me big-picture Major Arcana cards, and for daily readings for everyday things, I almost always get Minor Arcana. Plus, usually, I only get reversed cards in a positive light.

And while my cards were cleansing on the night of the full moon, we happened to watch "Wild at Heart"—the episode where Oz the werewolf leaves Sunnydale in search of command over his animal side. Not only did this feel highly appropriate, but afterward, I could finally dive into the deck's special spreads (though I still haven't explored the "A World Without Shrimp" one).

 

Also read about: This Adorable Buffy the Vampire Slayer Picture Book Just Might Teach You to Face Your Fears

 

The Spreads

Nice to Meet You

The Nice to Meet You spread is all about getting acquainted with your new deck, so it felt like a great place to start. For this, I pulled The Hermit (there's Oz, again!), The Star, the X of Scythes and the XI of Chalices. The first card relates to the deck's strengths, which I've interpreted as being a tool for introspection and adjusting my priorities on my own. The second card represents this deck's strengths, and with The Star symbolizing capability and self-belief, perhaps this deck can do it all. The third card has to do with the deck's difficulties, with the X of Scythes maybe suggesting that I'm on my own when it comes to dealing with pain from the past. Finally, the fourth card is about getting the most out of this deck, with the IX of Chalices telling me that I can manifest the reality I seek and should express gratitude for it through this deck.

 

Five by Five

Later in the week, I did the Five by Five spread to get more of a readout on my current situation. While The Fool in the first position suggested that I'm currently naive about what's going on, it also lets me know that the risks I take will be worth the rewards. The second card represents an obstacle, with the Wheel of Fortune telling me to stop stressing about the things I can't control and to focus on the things I can. The V of Scythes recommends how to overcome this obstacle—by apologizing for anyone I've wronged and making things right. Meanwhile, the Ace of Scythes stands for something I'm working toward—in this case, beginning a new journey and wielding the power I have for the greater good. Lastly, the card I could look to for motivation was Death. This may seem strange on the surface, but with the card actually symbolizing letting go of pain and what doesn't serve you in order to find yourself, it actually felt just right for the path I'm on.

 

Prophecy Girl

Lastly, this week I took a look at the deck's most involved spread, Prophecy Girl, to anticipate what the next six months might have in store for me. I couldn't be happy that my "Watcher" card taking care of me during this time is the X of Pentacles, essentially bringing abundance, wealth and joy. I pulled The Star again for the second card, showing me that my overall theme will be capability and self-belief. The third card has to do with the Big Bad I'll be facing, and pulling Justice suggests that I have to avoid becoming my own worst enemy. The fourth card is what I'll need to slay this monster, and for this, I pulled my only reversed card across these spreads, The Sun. This might mean that I'll need to strive harder to see the bright side of things, but that I'll find success in doing so. The fifth card, a positive force coming into my life, was the III of Stakes, recommending a delay, pausing to reflect, before I move forward. Finally, my key to learning at the end of this period will be The World, letting me know I'm in for a well-deserved moment in the spotlight.

 

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