Product Review: The Zombie Tarot

by: Paul Kepple and Stacey Graham

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
You’ve never seen tarot cards quite like these. Imagine the celebrated “Rider Deck” infused with the horrors of Night of the Living Dead, and the result is The Zombie Tarot—a crazy, campy interpretation of a classic divination system.

In this zombified parallel universe, wands become limbs, pentacles are biohazard symbols, and the Major Arcana is full of shambling corpses. Along with the 78-card deck, readers will receive instructions in a 96-page full-color book; its contents explain how to survive the zombie apocalypse and forecast your future using one of three different card layouts.

The secrets of The Zombie Tarot await you!

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I know Zombie's are all the rage right now, so a Zombie Tarot isn't too surprising. But this is such a unique spin. The art has a 1950s post-atomic-bomb-apocalyptic feel. It was perfect right after the Housewives Tarot. They balance each other.

It comes in a pretty heavy-duty cardboard box similar to the Housewives Tarot. The cards are made from a thick cardstock that seems like it will last forever!

I adore the artwork but the numbered cards didn't always make logical sense. Look at the Seven of Swords above, there are no swords or knives, there are 8 zombies...see, there's no number tie-in. I'm not enough of an expert to know if this is a problem or not, after all the cards are clearly labeled. And from what I've read in the booklet, the pictures can pull you toward their meaning.

It's a little gory without being too off-putting. These are so kitschy, you just gotta love them even if you don't read the tarot. But what better deck to learn from than one that makes you laugh and you enjoy looking through. In one tarot book I've read, the author says you should play with your cards to learn them better. This deck encourages much play, even my children keep digging into it, and they have their very own tarot deck.

Tarot Review: The Housewives Tarot

by: Paul Kepple and Jude Buffum

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Within This Box Lie The Secrets of Domestic Empowerment

Begin your journey by lifting the lid, dealing out your fate, and understanding the hidden messages of The Housewives Tarot. Through images of dinnerware (Pentacles), martini glasses (Cups), mops and brooms (Wands), and much more, these tarot cards can answer all of life’s most challenging questions. The enclosed instruction book will show you how to interpret all 78 cards and provides useful advice on giving a reading.

Includes:

• 78-card Tarot Deck
  
• Instruction Book

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I have to say this Tarot comes across as more kitsch than anything else. But I loved seeing the pictures on Mrs. B's Facebook page. So when the opportunity came up to review the deck for Quirk, I jumped at the chance. Ok, I begged. lol I have to say, it's the most accurate Tarot deck I've used. I think part of it is the imaging. Look at the Devil card - Devil's Food Cake. Every image screams 1950s-1960s household...not just housewives. It's loaded with vintage pop culture that many of us will understand more easily than the images that are more...how do I put this..artsy-fartsy? ;-)
I'm saying, in this modern world, this deck is fun and it works. I've done simple readings, just past-present-future, and each one has been accurate and eye opening. I also adore the recipe box the cards come in. There are actual recipes, and separators for the deck between the Major and Minor Arcana and of course the instruction booklet. There are real recipes included, and the layouts included in the booklet are housewife style. Remember the 3 card reading I just mentioned? It calls to place the cards sideways and renamed it "The Neapolitan." There's also "The Dinette" which looks like a place setting at your dinner table. If nothing else, it's the most unique deck and set of instructions that I've ever seen in the world of Tarot. And I'm one to spend ages in that section at my local pagan store.