Ghosts and Spirits Tarot Review: Winter Mysticism in 78 Cards

I want to tell you about a deck that has become my trusted companion during the winter months — Ghosts and Spirits Tarot by Lisa Hunt. Sometimes decks come to us exactly when we’re ready for them, and this was one of those times.

First Impressions

You know what caught me right away? Despite the mystical theme, the cards aren’t frightening. Even the card backs feature friendly-looking ghosts, as if reminding us that not everything from the other side needs to be feared. This is a deck that enchants rather than unsettles.

When I first held it, I felt that deep winter stillness — profound but not empty. Like standing in a snow-covered forest, hearing nothing but snowflakes falling.

About the Deck

Ghosts and Spirits Tarot was created by artist Lisa Hunt, who also illustrated the Fantastical Creatures Tarot and several other decks. This deck contains 79 cards (including a bonus card), each infused with ghost and spirit stories from mythologies around the world.

The deck follows the Smith-Waite system, but card meanings take on an entirely unique depth through the mystical stories. The companion booklet, despite its compact size, includes brief myth references for each card — and it’s these stories that add a special layer of understanding.

My advice: don’t skip the ghost stories in the booklet! They give you far more insight into card meanings than the brief divinatory interpretations alone.

Visual Style

The artist predominantly used cool tones — deep blues, white, and brown, with rare bright accents. Bare trees, biting wind, glistening icicles, and mysterious caves create an unmistakable atmosphere of winter mysticism.

The illustration style is detailed line work with fantasy elements. Each card is a small painting with its own atmosphere and narrative. The lines are fine and elegant, the color palette restrained but expressive.

Core Themes

The deck perfectly reflects the energy of midwinter — the period between dormancy and awakening, a time when the veil between worlds grows especially thin:

• Transformation through shadow contact — ghosts here are teachers, not enemies
• The cycle of life and death — winter wisdom about endings and renewal
• Mythology and folklore — spirit stories from around the world
• Intuitive perception — the deck sharpens sensitivity to subtle energies
• The afterlife and the spirit world — questions particularly relevant during the dark season

What’s surprising is that despite the mystical subject matter, the deck is very straightforward in its messages. It won’t gently hint — it will directly point to where inner work is needed.

Favorite Cards

The High Priest (Apparition)

My absolute favorite in this deck. In the context of winter mysticism, the card gains new dimensions of meaning related to spiritual mentorship and connection to the other world. Here, the Hierophant isn’t just a keeper of traditions — he’s a true medium between worlds, a guide to ancestral wisdom.

Seven of Cups (Eldorado)

One of the most striking interpretations of this card I’ve ever encountered. The story tells of chasing illusions — those who pursue “magic beans” and quick fixes. The card reminds us: in the pursuit of instant wealth or success, you can spend years chasing a fairy tale. Especially resonant during the Imbolc period, when it’s crucial to separate real dreams from illusions.

Ace of Swords (Poltergeist)

This card depicts a poltergeist hurling objects around a distressed person. An interesting parallel with modern psychology — poltergeists are often viewed as manifestations of a troubled mind. The card speaks to the need to focus on what matters and not let the shadows of our minds throw us off course.

The Chariot (The Wild Hunt)

The Wild Hunt is one of the most powerful images in winter mythology. In this interpretation, the Chariot becomes not just a symbol of movement and victory, but an embodiment of untamed winter forces. The card reminds us that sometimes you need to let the storm carry you — not fight it, but merge with the flow.

Six of Cups

In the context of a ghost-themed deck, the card of memories and nostalgia takes on a special shade — it’s not just warm thoughts about the past, but genuine contact with spirits of times gone by. A beautiful metaphor for winter, when we naturally gravitate toward reminiscence and reevaluate the path we’ve walked.

How to Work with This Deck

Perfect for winter evenings. Light candles, create silence. This deck loves dim light and stillness — in a hectic environment, it “shuts down.”

Read the myths, not just the meanings. Each card is tied to a specific legend about a ghost or spirit. Knowing the story deepens your reading exponentially.

Keep a card journal. Since I started working with this deck, I’ve noticed a deepening of my intuitive perception. The cards seem to sharpen my sensitivity to subtle energies. Write down your observations — patterns will emerge faster than you expect.

Shadow work. The deck is especially powerful for shadow work — exploring the hidden aspects of personality. The ghosts here don’t frighten; they help you see what you’ve been hiding from yourself.

Who Is This Deck For?

I’d say the deck is “semi-beginner-friendly.” If you’re familiar with the Smith-Waite system, you’ll adapt the meanings easily. I especially recommend it for Scorpios and Pisces — the deck’s energy resonates remarkably with these signs.

This deck is for those who:

• Love mythology and folklore
• Aren’t afraid of “dark” themes in cards
• Seek a tool for deep intuitive work
• Prefer decks with character and narrative depth
• Work with winter season energies

If you’re looking for something light and sunny — this clearly isn’t it. But if you want a deck that won’t coddle you and will give honest answers, Ghosts and Spirits Tarot is an excellent choice.

Pairing with Other Decks

My most surprising discovery was the perfect pairing of Ghosts and Spirits Tarot with the Seasons of the Witch: Imbolc Oracle. The color palettes of both decks harmonize beautifully, and their energies complement each other wonderfully. I even use this combination for special seasonal spreads.

It also works well with:

• Dark Wood Tarot — for diving into forest mysticism
• Shadowscapes Tarot — for a softer but still enchanting approach

This deck is available in our Telegram bot — you can browse all the cards and try a reading to feel its energy for yourself!