Modern Spellcasters tarot
The Modern Spellcaster's Tarot was published by Llewellyn Worldwide in 2016. The deck was conceived by Melanie Marquis, an author known for her works on modern witchcraft and Pagan practice, and illustrated by Scott Murphy, a professional illustrator whose vivid, narrative-driven style captures tarot archetypes with dramatic intensity. The deck comes with a comprehensive guidebook that doubles as a grimoire — beyond divinatory meanings, it provides magical and spell-crafting uses for each card. The Fools Dog also released a digital app version of the deck.
Official Website →Art Style & Visual Character
Scott Murphy's artwork is bold, vivid, and dramatic, blending modern, medieval, and fantasy illustration styles. The imagery features diverse ethnicities and ancient Pagan mythos in a cross-cultural, intersectional presentation. The palette leans toward intense, saturated colors with a storybook quality that emphasizes tragicomic narratives. The figures are expressive and emotionally charged, giving the deck a fast-paced, energetic feel. Reviewers note the imagery is "definitely intense" — some cards push boundaries and can feel edgy or unsettling. One common criticism is that the Llewellyn card stock is thin and flimsy compared to indie-published decks.
Core Concept & Symbolism
The deck is built on the Rider-Waite-Smith framework but diverges to incorporate practical Pagan spellwork and magical practice into every card. It is designed not just for divination but as an active tool for spellcasting, ritual, meditation, and daily magical practice. The guidebook reads like a grimoire, providing spells and magical applications for each card alongside traditional meanings. The imagery is balanced in masculine/feminine representation, and the cross-cultural approach draws from multiple Pagan and mythological traditions rather than a single esoteric lineage.
Reading Experience
Reviews are mixed to positive. "Vibrant, dramatic, and emotional" are the words most commonly used to describe the reading experience. Benebell Wen's in-depth review praises the deck's inclusivity and the grimoire-style guidebook. The Itinerant Librarian calls it "a superb deck built for those that use tarot in their daily magical practices." TABI's review highlights the cross-cultural depth. However, the thin card stock is a consistent complaint, and some readers find the intensity of certain images — particularly violent or unsettling scenes — off-putting. The deck is rated around 3.5-4 stars across major platforms, reflecting its polarizing nature.
Best Used For
- Practicing witches who integrate tarot into spellwork and ritual
- Readers who want a grimoire-style guidebook with magical applications
- Those who appreciate bold, dramatic, intensely emotional artwork
- Cross-cultural and inclusive Pagan-themed readings
- Visual meditation and daily magical affirmation
- Intermediate readers ready for edgier imagery
Not Ideal For
- Readers sensitive to intense, violent, or unsettling imagery
- Those who prefer gentle, light, or whimsical deck aesthetics
- Beginners who might find the edgy imagery overwhelming
- Collectors who prioritize premium card stock quality
Major Arcana (22 cards)
The 22 trump cards representing life's spiritual lessons and karmic influences
Minor Arcana (56 cards)
The 56 suit cards reflecting day-to-day events and practical influences
Wands
Fire element — passion, creativity, ambition, and spiritual growth
Cups
Water element — emotions, relationships, intuition, and inner feelings
Swords
Air element — intellect, conflict, truth, and mental clarity
Pentacles
Earth element — material world, finances, health, and practical matters
