A 'Wild Reflections Tarot' Commentary.

Publisher: WYSPELL

Box Style: Pull Apart Lid & Bottom

Number of Cards: The traditional 78

Had I written this cartomancy review at the time I initially intended, my comments on the artwork chosen would have likely been much more critical. This tarot deck was recommended to me in an Amazon search based on other decks I had bought, and since it was offered at a particularly good price, I decided to give it a try.

When the package arrived at my doorstep, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the cardstock and the box's design, having anticipated just a basic tuck box. I have a weakness for gilded edges, so that was an added bonus, especially since the deck cost less than $20.

The primary factor in my hitting 'add to cart' was its Bohemian style, but what truly caught my attention upon opening it and seeing more than just the few cards shown in the listing was how similar it was to another deck I own, which had gained significant popularity a few years prior. 

Anyone who has worked with me for any period will quickly realize that I am a fan of modern decks. I love when a tarot deck draws on the Rider-Waite Smith system and incorporates its foundational imagery in an original way. The mainstays of my professional tarot career for quite some time have been the 'Wild Unknown' and later the 'Light Seer's' Tarot. I remember when the Light Seer's Tarot was being developed, how disappointed I was that I couldn't participate in the Kickstarter, and how much I hoped it would be released to the mass market. That seems a bit amusing now, given how widely available it is. However, 'Wild Reflections' takes many liberties as a sister to it, to the extent that I would be interested in sitting down with Chris-Anne to hear her thoughts on the closeness of some of its cards to her own.

Cards that come almost too close for comfort....

During my initial flip through of this deck, four cards stood out particularly close to her re-envisioning. In this review, I've chose not to do a direct comparison but if you have the Light Seer's Tarot, I invite you to take it out and do a side by side... The Eight of Swords, Knight of Swords, The Chariot, and Justice's imagery will likely make it clear quickly why I feel the artist drew significant inspiration from Chris-Anne. From the reflection in the Eight of Swords to the Knight riding a motorcycle, and with the Justice card's samurai influence, these were distinct choices Chris-Anne made that hadn't been seen until her release. Replicating them is essentially replicating someone else's unique interpretation of Pamela Coleman Smith's artwork...

That being said, these are just four cards out of the 78, and there are many other cards in this tarot deck I found to be entirely original in their design and quite striking....

Cards I adore!!!

The Magician/ The Fool...

The Major Arcana starts off powerfully with The Fool and The Magician. I appreciate that both of these energies were depicted as feminine rather than the conventional male. The Magician carries a strong Seer energy, even though a few cards later, the High Priestess offers another take on what an intuitive goddess might look like. 

I especially appreciated that The Fool was accompanied by a fox instead of a white dog, as the fox is renowned for its adaptability. This trait is essential when starting something new. The ability to remain flexible in the face of unexpected challenges is crucial. Additionally, the fox is intelligent, capable of quick thinking, and adept at making the best of any situation.

Death/Queen of Swords...

The Death card struck me with how it exuded a consuming energy that seemed to draw the air out of you. Much like an impending tornado or cyclone does, it captured not only the stilling of the air that happens but also how one's senses might go into fight or flight. The horses run around in dismay, sensing something significant is approaching much like our nervous systems register when there are indicators the near future will never be the same. This was an exceptionally unique way to describe the cyclical energy associated with the Death card, suggesting not an absence of tomorrow, but a very different tomorrow.

I have a long had a fondness for the Queens within the Tarot, but none captivate me like the Queen of Swords. This particular depiction feels incredibly magickal to me... It literally illustrates her beating her own drum. She seems calm and stoic, yet almost hopeful about what she's observing, perhaps envisioning how it may unfold in the future through her empathy and intuition. However, she remains cautious, understanding that wishful thinking alone isn't enough to achieve results... We see her telltale arrows in the image, symbolizing the air element she embodies, and her drumming sends her determined energy out into the world in vibrations.

The Empress... The Empress card reminds us to engage in self-care and acknowledge the fertility present within our lives. As such, it's generally a well-liked presence in any reading, and I think because of that, it's difficult to find fault with its inherently positive energy. What I particularly appreciate about this depiction is the beacon of light emanating from the center. The sun appears to glow from what would be her Solar Plexus and Sacral chakras. To me, this symbolizes not only the center of a woman's body holding space for magic but also the beginning of life and its significance. Like the queen above she appears composed with a sense of knowledge and hopefulness... This complemented by what seems to be wildflowers at her feet, evoking the feeling of late spring/early summer—a time when the world is teeming with new life.

The Hermit... As a Virgo, my tarot card is officially The Hermit. Seeing a feminine energy on that card is atypical but very comforting to me. It's not something I encounter often, the visual appearance of this card being something I appreciate... The message is fine, but its usual depiction with an old man on a hill I've always felt somewhat detached from. Likely because it wasn't a mirror to my personal journey in life. However, I love that it's portrayed here as a contemplative Bohemian feminine figure... Her seated deep in the forest and in meditation calls to my introspective nature... She receives genuine insights, connecting with her Spirit guides and ancestral lineage for the wisdom she seeks while there seems to be a magical essence surrounding her as she engages in this deeply personal ritual.

The Hanged Man...  I doubt anyone could flip through this deck without appreciating how The Hanged Man is depicted. Both innovative and thoughtful, the artist chose, rather than showing the traditional representation of hanging from a tree or post, to illustrate him in an inverted yoga pose. I immediately felt it added a layer of depth to the card's symbolism. This artistic choice not only reflects the concept of suspension but also emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and balance when in a liminal state. The position he finds himself in reminds us of the importance of seeing life from a different perspective, rather than merely interpreting the card's meaning simply as 'needed sacrifice.' The ambiguity of the horizon also offers symbolism as it speaks to the cyclical nature of life. Is it sunset or sunrise? Given his pose, the perception he has of the world around him would be different from how you or I see things. Thus, The Hanged Man serves not only as a reminder of the importance of perspective but also as an invitation to delve deeper into the idea that we all have our own journeys of self-reflection to undertake.

Two of Swords... Perhaps it's the mixture of Norse and Celtic heritage in me that makes me appreciate the firm energy of this Two of Swords, but the fact that this woman exudes a sense of strength in womanhood brings a smile to my face every time I see it. Although the card's message of indecision or stalemate isn't always welcome, in this depiction, she seems to be in control of the situation nonetheless. She holds herself in a way that makes you feel as though she understands it's not yet time to release the arrow she has drawn, as she's still waiting for more information. Her vision isn't completely clear to make the decision at hand but I find this empowering compared to the usual portrayal of the card, where it seems no action or preparation is being taken.

Three of Swords...  Another card that is often unwelcome is the one that follows in suit: the Three of Swords. This card carries a deeply heartbreaking energy that can resonate with many individuals on various levels. Although it is not technically associated with emotions in the traditional sense, I have repeatedly stated in readings with clients that despite being classified as an air elemental card, it evokes a profound essence of mental anguish that goes as far as to affect the heart. This mental strain often manifests as an emotional ache within the body, creating a complex interplay between thoughts and feelings that can be difficult to navigate. The imagery depicted in the card is particularly poignant; I appreciate that the artist has chosen to illustrate the woman literally in a body of water, which serves as a powerful symbol of the emotional turmoil that often accompanies the battleground playing out in one's psyche when this card appears.

Three of Pentacles...  The free spirit in me is naturally drawn to anything with a VW Van which embodies a sense of adventure, nostalgia, and a carefree lifestyle. I appreciate that in a card meant to symbolize partnership or mentorship, a group of friends are collaborating to achieve something that might not have been possible alone. It reflects the essence of teamwork and the beauty of shared experiences. Each individual in the group brings a unique set of skills and perspectives to the collective effort. The camaraderie between the individuals here illustrates how support and creativity can flourish when people come together, each adding their own flair to what's at hand. But what I especially love is that it's the woman pictured serving as the protagonist, driving the efforts and contributing the most creativly to their chosen canvas.

Five of Pentacles...  The card that most closely resembles its traditional tarot counterpart, yet stands out with its differences, is the Five of Pentacles. This card often evokes a sense of struggle and hardship, reflecting themes of financial loss, emotional isolation, or a feeling of being left out in the cold, both literally and metaphorically... The glow emanating from the window and stoop suggests safety, belonging, and the promise of support that lies just beyond his reach. The rejection of this inviting promise highlights the emotional and psychological barriers which often keeps an individual from seeking help...

The figure in the card appears to be in a state of resignation, choosing to walk by rather than enter... He neither seeks an invitation nor looks for relief from his situation, indicating a complex interplay of emotions that can accompany feelings of despair. The choice to remain outside, despite the evident warmth within, raises profound questions about the nature of vulnerability and the human condition. It makes me wonder how much different his story could be if he simply decided to step through the door and take the chance on fellowship.

Three of Wands...  When the Three of Wands appears in a reading, it often serves as a powerful affirmation to my clients that they possess the necessary vision to manifest what their mind's eye has been nurturing... The gentleman depicted gazes out over a vast expanse, suggesting that the world is full of possibilities waiting to be explored. Although he isn't actively engaged in creating the scene outside his window, his mind is undoubtedly alive with creativity and inspiration. It is as if he is channeling his thoughts and dreams into the universe, bringing them to life through the sheer power of his imagination and vision.... And much like the Queen and Empress cards above, he embodies a serene confidence that is both calming and empowering. This tranquility suggests a deep understanding of one's own capabilities and the patience to wait for the right moment to act.

Four of Wands...  The final card I feel called to celebrate holds the essence and jovial strength of womanhood.. Featuring four women, each representing a unique cultural background, differing in not only their appeared ethnicities but also age, is a significant departure from the common imagery found in many Four of Wands cards, which typically focuses on youth engaged in playful and carefree activities. The emphasis on older women enjoying themselves serves as a powerful reminder that joy, vitality, and celebration is not confined to the younger generations. Instead, it highlights that every stage of life holds its own unique beauty and opportunities for celebration. It furthers in encapsulates not only the beauty of diversity among women but also the importance of honoring the journeys that shape each of us into who we are today.

Things that don't quite resonate. 

I'll preface this part of my reviews in reminding us all of what a commentary is, ultimately a rhetoric filled personal opinion. Therefore, the lack of resonation is entirely a personal perspective. Some of what I say in this part of my reviews may highly contradict how you feel when you hold the deck and that is the wonderful part of connecting with our cards on an individual level... 

My intent is not to nitpick the following cards, but illustrate which ones fell flat for me.... It's not that these cards aren't beautiful. It's not that you couldn't derive an intuitive message from them. It's just there's something about these cards that don't quite fit for me what I expect their energy to hold...

Much like the Three of Swords above, I consider the Six of Swords a card that ties both air and water energy together... If you're transitioning somewhere, typically you're going to have an emotional buy-in to that and whether it's a happy one or a sad one depends on the circumstances... Like many depictions of this Six, we see a boat over water, symbolic of the emotional vastness experienced; however, the smirky energy of what, a guardian angel (?) is what I don't really understand. What exactly was the artist trying to get across by that? And sadly, the guidebook was no help at uncovering the intention.

The Seven of Cups, again, a beautiful card, yet I'm used to seeing chalices with multiple options. Their differences being the hard call, but in this case, I don't really understand what the point of the different shells is. Is it that they all will supposedly make a different tone? And if so, okay, but that isn't the first thing that really jumps out at me whenever I see the art.

The King of Wands, who is typically known to be highly charismatic, doesn't appear to have a good personality whatsoever, and I don't know why you would want to follow him into anything, be it a project or battle...

And the Six of Wands, which often denotes some type of recognition or celebration, often a parade through the streets for your accomplishments, seems to have taken the idea of a man on a horse but fails to put him around anybody who would celebrate his accolades with him.

I can't seem to decide if the woman on The World card is in a trance-like dance or taking a nap... Especially considering it kind of looks like she's lying in a bed of lily leaves. I know the meaning of the card, but in this case, I kind of just use it as a pip card because I don't personally get anything out of this graphic that ties to the understanding of something ending and beginning again.

I actually love the Wheel of Fortune art on its own and the fact that she has some type of compass, obviously, is relevant. But why is she skinny dipping? I don't quite get it. Is that to symbolize the vulnerability that we all have to accept and deal with change? Okay. But again, it's not what immediately jumps off the card. Instead I'm left thinking, "She's prolly cold!"

I would unfortunately have to say that the High Priestess was my least favorite card in the deck, which is not something I can typically ever say. She does definitely look like some type of Priestess or Seer; a 'wise woman.' But I do feel like with a deck that was so beautifully illustrated elsewhere, there could have been a much better representation of her than to just basically float her in the air instead of seated on a throne which is traditional...

And then there's the Judgment card....  I really wished that when I looked at the guidebook there would have been some type of understanding as to what was happening here. Who is this woman supposed to be? Why is she either being judged or judgmental herself. Is there any type of ancestral work going on with this card I don't understand? Why is there a mountain in the background, but yet no other real clue to her location other than the small glimpse of beachfront behind her.... Again, it's a beautiful card, but to me doesn't hold the essence of what Judgment is supposed to portray....

Where you can purchase...

All in all, I really do like the deck and a lot more than I wanted to at first glance... Having read with it several times for many clients, as well as using it in Mystic Mondays, it's definitely a deck that reads well, especially if you have a solid grasp of the tarot already...

It is a fairly new tarot, so the easiest place to locate it seems to be Wyspell's Amazon storefront. You may be able to find it in your local bookstore if they are up to date on new tarots that have hit the media market; otherwise, Amazon's probably the way to go, as this deck does not look to be available on Wyspell's official website at the time of publishing this commentary.

The process of understanding the happenings of life alongside our psyche becomes a sacred form of divination when we invite in artistic expression to shine a light for us. To assist us in walking forward with more confidence than before we casted cards. And for that, a love of cartomancy will forever be a lifelong affair for me. Until next shuffle...

Blessings unto thee, and so it is.

Tiffany