Fifth Spirit tarot

Art Style & Visual Character

All 78 cards are hand-illustrated and hand-lettered by Burgess in a modern, warm, and accessible style. The artwork lovingly features people of different races, body shapes, abilities, ages, and gender expressions. The deck is "fully integrated" — meaning any five-card spread pulled will be representational of diverse human experiences. The illustrations are inviting and grounded, with a contemporary sensibility that feels personal and intimate rather than abstract or heavily stylized. The hand-lettering on each card adds a handmade, artisanal quality.

Core Concept & Symbolism

Subtitled "Tarot Beyond Binaries," the deck's defining innovation is its approach to gender. Rather than renaming court cards for gender neutrality (as some inclusive decks do), Fifth Spirit retains traditional titles like King and Queen but queers the imagery — a nonbinary femme can be King, a cisgender man can be Queen, and everyone in between can defy or expand any gender expression they wish. This juxtaposition of traditional title and queered imagery deliberately challenges the gender binary while honoring tarot tradition. The "fifth spirit" refers to the element of spirit or aether, the fifth element that transcends the four classical elements represented by the tarot suits.

Reading Experience

The deck has swiftly become one of the most beloved queer and inclusive tarot decks on the market. Readers praise how the artwork "gives you the space and the time to find your way," creating a gentle, exploratory reading experience. The representation is praised as genuine and integrated rather than tokenistic. The expanded Hay House guidebook provides thoughtful, queered interpretations that honor both traditional tarot wisdom and the lived experiences of marginalized communities. The deck resonates strongly with LGBTQ+ readers, nonbinary practitioners, and anyone seeking tarot that reflects a wider spectrum of human experience.

Best Used For

• LGBTQ+ readers seeking genuine representation in tarot
• Exploring gender identity, queerness, and non-binary experiences through tarot
• Inclusive group readings and teaching settings
• Readers who value social justice and community-oriented spirituality
• Personal identity exploration and self-discovery
• Those wanting a modern, progressive take on traditional tarot structure

Not Ideal For

• Readers seeking traditional, unmodified RWS imagery and gendered archetypes
• Those who prefer classical esoteric or historical tarot aesthetics
• Readers uncomfortable with gender-expansive representation