Ghosts and Spirits Tarot [Cards]

The deck that so many, including myself had been waiting for was released while I was in New York attending the Reader's Studio held by Wald and Ruth Ann Amberstone. I fought the urge to not rush over and add this deck to my growing pile of purchases. I kept feeling that I needed to remain patient; I'm glad I did. A week or so later when I arrived home from dinner there was a package at my door from U.S. Games. Could it be Ghosts and Spirits Tarot for me to review? It seemed to take forever to get the packing tape undone; then finally it was opened and to my delight it was in fact Lisa Hunt's newest deck. Ghosts and Spirits Tarot arrived and my patience paid off; not only did I have this review deck; a few hours later Lisa announced a limited edition set she was selling which of course I had to have.

Anyone familiar with Lisa's artwork knows the amount of detail that is immediately seen and all the additional hidden details; all done in a blended and flowing natural way. Knowing this makes you want to just go immediately to the cards in anxious excitement to see what she has created this time. What she has somehow managed to do with Ghosts and Spirits Tarot is outdo herself with this amazing deck. For the most part I would consider this a "darker" deck; however Lisa Hunt has the most astonishing way of making even the darkest of the cards not be horrifying.

This deck is different in so many ways; one of them being the little white book which is 61 pages. At first appearance it looks like it will be just like every other lwb, consisting of the cards and their meanings, but it's not and you need to refer to it with this deck. Lisa has gone above and beyond by including the individual spirit/ghost that is depicted in each card and has given brief background for each one. She has a way of writing about them that gives the important information needed while at the same time keeping it simple. This book is an exception to my rule of putting the the lwb aside. You will want to read it with this deck because in lies deeper meaning and understanding for each card and it's Ghost or Spirit.

The first card is of course The Fool; Lisa's wooded detail depicted in it had me think of the book "Where The Wild Things Are". Since I have an attraction to fairies and angels it is no wonder that The Empress was the first of the majors that I paused at in my rush to see them all. The Empress is an angel who is standing in front of a little girl who has her back to us. The pastel colors used have a very soothing and peaceful feel. You immediately get a "you are protected" feeling coming off The Empress, which as explained in the lwb, The Empress is in fact the Guardian Spirit. The Lovers was the next major that made me pause, with it's different than the norm portrayal. The Lovers is depicted as a "darker" card, not as a lighter, happier relationship that we tend to see in other decks. In this image you see a black cloaked figure that made me think, " this is the grim reaper riding on a horse with a female behind him holding onto him." This was the first card that made me have a look at the lwb and see what it had to say. The Lovers depicts the tragedy of love through it's spirit name that it is based on, Specter Bridegroom, "Joyful reunions dissolve into tragedy as the real identity of the lover-turned-ghost is discovered", is a sentence taken from the lwb. This is just one example of the different view depicted in the cards of Ghosts and Spirits Tarot.

The differences of this deck do not stop at the images. Two of the Major Arcana names have been changed. The Hierophant is The High Priest, and The Devil is titled Chains; Strength remains 8 and Justice 11 like the Rider Waite. The suits are also the traditional wands, swords, cups and pentacles.

Court Cards tend to be the hardest cards for beginners to learn, because of the simple fact they are sitting or standing still; except for the Knights which are traditionally riding a horse. Lisa gives the Court Cards life and they are not doing the traditional standing or sitting on thrones. In fact the King of Swords is the only one that is on a horse and the Page of Swords is not even the spirit of a person. The Page of Swords appears to be a wolf or coyote; when you look it up in the lwb it is in fact Black Dogs. Another example of why you do not want to toss aside and ignore the little white book with this deck.

There is also one last and final additional card, making this deck 79 cards. Lisa states in the lwb that this bonus card is "for questions that require deeper reflection." She mentions it in the Introduction and leaves it for each person to reflect deeper for themselves whenever it comes out in a reading.

This deck is for anyone to use whether they are beginners or are experienced readers. I can't emphasis enough that you'll want to use the little white book to familiarize yourself with the Ghosts and Spirits; not only who they are but what personal story they each tell. I can't wait to use this deck and it came just in time for my upcoming nine day fund raising event.

Few tarot artists have created as many tarot decks as the incomparable Lisa Hunt. I often credit Hunt, as well as tarot artists Kris Walderr and Julie Cuccia-Watts, with bringing to life a new tarot tradition, one I refer to as "archetypal assignment."

Hunt has worked on joint projects with famed Pagan writer D.J. Conway. Hunt's new deck, Ghosts & Spirits Tarot, from U.S. Games Systems, Inc., is another of her solo projects. As much as I love her Celtic Dragon Tarot, I have to say I enjoy Hunt's solo projects better than her collaborations. The reason is this. Lisa Hunt seems to be a relentless perfectionist. Few people have her stamina, dedication and talent. Hunt is multi-talented. She is an accomplished musician, hard-working parent and even excels at martial arts. While those talents don't specifically translate into the creation of a tarot deck, they are a testament to her dedication to excellence. I think that excellence shines through best when she is allowed to take a project and run with it on her own.

One talent that does translate to the creation of a tarot deck is Hunt's skill as a writer. Ghosts & Spirits Tarot comes with a standard "Little White Book" that is anything but standard. In the introduction, Hunt writes about her beliefs about the spirit world, her motivation to create this deck and her hopes for its use, in a way that is nothing short of inspiring.
Her card descriptions are equally evocative, and evidence of another of Hunt's talents. Hunt is a phenomenal researcher. She has illustrated each card of Ghosts & Spirits Tarot with a myth, story or legend about the spirit word. These stories come from all over the world. The Little White Book gives us enough detail of each story to understand not only the interpretation of the card, but also why Hunt chose a particular story to illustrate a particular card.

Archetypal assignment tarot decks offer a great opportunity for tarot education. While the card images of this deck, and decks like it, do not follow traditional tarot images, they help us to understand the archetype of each card, and the archetypal nature of tarot. In this deck, we see how those archetypes are expressed by the stories told around the world about death, the afterlife, and how spirits might interact with the world of the living.

Some of the stories used in this deck are obviously fiction, such as Edgar Allen Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" used skillfully to depict Major Arcana 16, The Tower. Others come from ancient spiritual beliefs, such as the Egyptian Judgment of the Dead, used to illustrate Major Arcana 20, Judgment.

One of my favorites is Major Arcana 19, The Sun, which is illustrated by the story of the Grateful Dead. Yes, I love this myth because it lent its name to my favorite band of all time. But I also love it because of the spiritual truth it tells; a truth appropriate for both the cultural phenomenon of the Grateful Dead band, and the traditional meaning of the Sun card.

Ghosts & Spirits Tarot is standard sized. The Minor Arcana suit and Court designations are traditional. The Minor Arcana is as brilliantly detailed as the Major. The suit icons appear in their correct number in each Minor Arcana card, but you might have to hunt to see them. The elemental associations of the Minor Arcana are not a focus.

The Devil card has been renamed "Chains," as it is in some others of Hunt's decks. It is ironic that Hunt did not choose to use the Christian myth of Hell to illustrate the Devil card, but overall I am comfortable with the new tradition of the "Chains" card.

There is a 79th card. This is becoming a new tarot tradition, one of which I don't entirely approve. The 79th card of Ghosts & Spirits Tarot has no name, and seemingly no place in the deck. In her introduction, Hunt tells us this card "is for questions that require deeper reflection. Let the ghosts and spirits talk to you and help you dissolve the barrier between conscious constraint and objective inner reflection." Hmmm...I thought that was what all the tarot cards were supposed to do.

However, in defense of the 79th card tradition, I will say this. I have chosen to leave the "Unknown Card" in my Crystal Visions Tarot deck, and it does come up in amazingly appropriate ways. I am sure the 79th card in Ghosts and Spirit Tarot will do the same. Beyond that, if you don't like the 79th card, you can always leave it in the box.

Artists such as Lisa Hunt have elevated tarot art to a completely new level. Let's face it; quite a number of symbolic and useful tarot decks are not as skillfully illustrated as the decks produced by Lisa Hunt and some of her contemporaries.

How we should use Ghosts & Spirits Tarot is an interesting question. It is not a great deck for a beginner looking to learn basic tarot tradition. It will be a fine oracle for a tarot reader of any level of experience willing to read the Little White Book and learn the cards as Hunt has created them. For a serious student of tarot, an advanced reader or a collector, this deck is a must-have.

Here's what I am thinking, though. I often use tarot as a way of communicating with those who have passed on. For me, tarot is a true tool of mediumship. I also often use tarot to bring comfort and understanding to the bereaved. Sometimes I am called to "read a house" whose owner is disturbed by the suspicion of a ghostly presence. Dealing with death, dying, and the spirit world is certainly a job for traditional tarot. Is it possible that, because of its subject matter, Ghosts & Spirits Tarot could be an even more potent tool for these pursuits? Could this deck be a specific fit to aid in ghost-hunting, house-clearing and spirit communication?

As with all my decks, only time will tell how this one wants to be used. I am stunned by the possibilities.

Lisa Hunt ("The Fairy Tale Tarot", "Fantastical Creatures Tarot", "Animals Divine Tarot", "Shapeshifter Tarot", "Celtic Dragon Tarot", "Celestial Goddesses"), has another slam dunk with the "Ghosts & Spirits Tarot"! I have followed this deck since day one, and no one could have been happier when the lovely deck appeared on my doorstep!

This is a 79 card deck, with accompanying 61 page LWB (Little White Book). Excuse me ... 79 card deck? Yes, 79 card deck. The additional card is meant to be a special bonus card for those questions that require deeper reflection. Lisa suggests that the reader allow the ghosts and spirits to talk to them, to help dissolve the barriers between conscious constraint and objective inner reflection. She goes on to say that ghosts and spirits are often messengers that are trying to tell us something, and that it is her hope that the "Ghosts and Spirits Tarot" provides a conduit for further communication and understanding. I love the extra card - very reminiscent of the Happy Squirrel in the "Touchstone Tarot" (Kat Black), and the Artist in the "Sakki Sakki Tarot" (Monica Cleo Sakki).

The deck follows a traditional structure, with Strength at VIII and Justice at XI. The Hierophant becomes the High Priest, and the Devil becomes Chains. The suits are entitled Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. The Court Cards are entitled King, Queen, Knight, and Page.

In her introduction in the LWB, Lisa talks about growing up in a wooded New England town, where she played in the woods, never doubting that they contained supernatural energy. She saw faces in the trees, and "little people" in the garden. It is a blessing for all of us that she was allowed these beliefs, as many children are strongly encourage to "forget" this type of connection in their early years.

She notes that many types of ghosts appear in various guises throughout the world. Included in this deck are ghosts and spirits from legend and lore. They represent an array of ethereal beings found throughout the world. Some are friendly, some are terrifying ... all are part of the anthropological landscape, reflecting a relevant aspect of our humanity.

The LWB presents the cards through text - no scans. Each card includes a description of the ghost or spirit represented, along with the divinatory meaning. From the book:

The Hermit (Dryads)

Dryads were ancient Greek nymphs that dwelled in forests and lived in trees. Although they were gentle woodland spirits, they were fierce guardians of the environment. The dryads are one with the trees and elements. They participate in the mysteries of the forest and feel connected to the organic matter that is swirling with magical energy. The spirits in the trees mingle with the dryads and exemplify the sacred nature of the isolated ofrest.

Divinatory Meaning: Seek out a sacred space to relieve the mind of external noise. It is important to unplug and release all the mental debris that may be rendering you fatigued and uninspired. Sometimes a time-out is just what you may need!

At the end of the LWB is a five card spread entitled "Realm of the Spirits" that Lisa developed specifically for this deck. This is followed by two lined pages meant for note taking.

The deck and LWB come in a standard sized box, with the image from the card of Justice on it. The front of the LWB carries the image from the Six of Cups. The cards themselves are 2 " by 4 " - a good size for small hands. The backs show a " white border, followed by a thin b lack border. The background is predominately blue, with a swirling yellow circle of energy in the middle of it. Three white ghosts flow in the center of the swirling energy. The card backs are versible.

The card faces are a beautiful beige color, with a thin black border " in from the deck sides. For the Major Arcana, the card number and title are printed in black across the bottom of the card. For the Minor Arcana Pips (numbered cards), the number and suit, in text, rare printed in black across the bottom of the card. For the Court Cards, the title and suit name are printed in black across the bottom of the card.

The artwork immediately draws the reader in - it is the most extremely detailed, in depth fantasy work that I have ever seen. Anyone who has ever seen Lisa's work knows what I am talking about. Her work is haunting, to say the least!

Let's start out by talking about the bonus card. It shows the head of a figure that appears to be behind bars. Look closer ... another face appears to the right of the central face (I didn't even notice this at first!) More faces are below, and one gets the impression of water. Not a scary card, but a very deep one. Remember - this card is meant to take you beyond your reading! I may include this card in the deck for all of my readings - allowing it to become, in effect. a "Wild Card".

Each card brings exciting energy of its own. The Magician is represented by Psychopomp, an energy form that assists those transitioning between death and the afterlife. Psycopomps also offer comfort to the living and the dead. They are a bridge between the conscious and the unconscious.

Justice is represented by a Japanese Snow Ghost, whirling through snow gusts and appearing to mortals as an ethereal spirit of the cold. (Personal note: A feeling of cold is often associated with ghosts and apparitions.) The King of Swords is represented y the Headless Horseman (who I actually like!). Thought to be a Hessian soldier, he used his own head as a lethal instrument.

The Page of Cups is represented by Encantado - Dolphin Shapeshifters, energy beings with the ability to shift into human form. If properly respected, they can also be healing spirits.

Note: The descriptions of the cards are directly from the LWB. Lisa is an excellent writer!

This is a very special deck, that could easily be used by anyone, from any background. It is perhaps best not used with children, due to the graphic nature of the cards. However, it may also be that children, who generally do not judge, would find it easier to accept the cards than some adults would. It works well as a reading deck on its own, and could easily be used in comparative reading, or for meditation, ritual or journeying purposes. I don't think I have to say that I highly recommend this deck!