Modern Witch Tarot Review: Quick Take
Modern Witch Tarot by Lisa Sterle is one of the most recognizable modern Rider-Waite-Smith decks. It keeps the classic tarot structure, but updates the characters, clothing, colors, and attitude for today. The result feels bright, confident, inclusive, and very easy to read.
This is a great deck if you want traditional meanings without an old-fashioned visual world. The cards still show familiar scenes like The Fool stepping forward, The Magician focusing power, and the Ten of Swords reaching a hard ending. But the people look contemporary, the styling is bold, and the emotional tone feels like a friend telling you the truth with style.
My quick take: Modern Witch Tarot is beginner-friendly, expressive, and excellent for everyday readings. It is especially strong for self-worth, love, friendship, creative confidence, identity, and “what do I do next?” questions. It is not the quietest deck on the shelf, but that is part of its magic.
Browse Modern Witch Tarot card images in a local TarotFans gallery. Tap any card to open a larger carousel view.Modern Witch Tarot Cards
What Makes Modern Witch Tarot Different?
Modern Witch Tarot works because it does not throw away the Rider-Waite-Smith system. Instead, it refreshes it. If you already know classic tarot, you will recognize the scenes quickly. If you are new, the cards are still clear enough to learn from.
The difference is the vibe. This deck feels younger, louder, and more personal than many traditional decks. It has laptops, motorcycles, modern outfits, expressive poses, and a strong sense of individuality. The artwork makes tarot feel less like something locked in the past and more like a living language for real people.
It also carries a strong message of agency. Many cards seem to ask: What choice are you making? Where are you giving away your power? What would happen if you trusted your voice?
CARD CASE STUDY
The Magician: modern confidence in action
The Magician is a perfect example of how this deck updates classic symbolism without losing the meaning. The card still speaks about focus, skill, tools, and personal power. But here, the energy feels like someone choosing to take up space in their own life.
In a reading, I would ask: “What resources are already in front of me, and what am I ready to make with them?” This keeps the card practical, empowering, and easy to apply.
Artwork and First Impression
The art style is bold, graphic, colorful, and fashion-forward. The deck uses clean lines, high-contrast color, and expressive modern characters. It feels polished without becoming cold. Many cards have a poster-like quality, which makes them memorable during readings.
Because the imagery is so direct, the cards are easy to recognize on the table. The color palette gives the deck energy, while the familiar tarot scenes keep it grounded. It is a strong choice for readers who want something modern but not abstract.
If you prefer antique, muted, or very mystical artwork, this may feel too pop-bright. But if you want tarot that feels alive, current, and emotionally readable, Modern Witch Tarot does that beautifully.
FIRST IMPRESSION: POWER, STYLE, AND VOICE
The opening cards show the deck’s strongest gift: classic tarot meanings translated into a confident, current visual voice.
How Modern Witch Tarot Reads in Practice
In real readings, Modern Witch Tarot is clear and emotionally direct. It does not hide behind heavy symbolism. Instead, it gives you scenes and expressions that are easy to connect with quickly.
For personal growth readings, it can be very motivating. It is good at asking where you are underestimating yourself, where you need boundaries, and where you already have more power than you think. For relationship readings, it feels honest and conversational. For career and creative readings, it brings strong “take action” energy.
The deck can be gentle, but it is not passive. Even the softer cards tend to encourage movement, voice, and self-trust.
CARD CASE STUDY
Two of Cups: mutual energy, not fantasy
The Two of Cups in this deck reads as connection that feels equal. It can be romantic, but it can also point to friendship, trust, repair, and the choice to meet someone honestly.
For a love reading, I would read it as mutual care and emotional presence. For a self-reading, it can ask you to make peace with a part of yourself you have been judging.
Beginner Friendliness
Modern Witch Tarot is one of the easier modern decks for beginners because it keeps the Rider-Waite-Smith meanings close. You can use most beginner tarot books with it, and the scenes will still make sense.
The deck is also emotionally accessible. The people in the cards feel like people you might actually know. That makes it easier to remember what each card means, especially if you learn by story and image instead of memorizing keywords.
One note: the deck includes an extra card, Everything Is Fine, which echoes the Ten of Swords with a modern emotional twist. You can keep it in the deck if you like its message, or remove it if you want a traditional 78-card structure.
Best Questions to Ask This Deck
- Where am I ready to trust myself more?
- What action would help me feel empowered?
- What story about myself am I outgrowing?
- What does this relationship need from me now?
- Where do I need clearer boundaries?
- What is the next practical step in my creative life?
READING MOOD: TRUTH WITH A BACKBONE
The hard cards are still honest, but the deck frames healing as something active: feel it, name it, then choose what comes next.
Love, Friendship, and Relationship Readings
Modern Witch Tarot is excellent for relationship readings because the cards feel human and current. It can show attraction and romance, but it is just as good at showing communication patterns, power balance, chosen family, friendship, and self-respect.
The deck does not romanticize everything. It can be very clear about red flags, avoidance, emotional burnout, or the need for boundaries. That makes it useful for honest love readings, not just dreamy ones.
Career, Money, and Creative Readings
For work and creative questions, this deck has a strong motivational current. Wands feel active, Swords feel mentally sharp, Cups feel emotionally real, and Pentacles feel grounded in everyday effort.
It is especially good for questions about confidence, visibility, side projects, burnout, social media pressure, money habits, and creative self-trust. If you want a deck that helps you move from “I should” into “I can,” Modern Witch Tarot fits that role.
CARD CASE STUDY
Nine of Pentacles: independence with style
The Nine of Pentacles captures one of the deck’s best themes: self-respect that is visible in daily life. This card is not only about comfort or success. It is about enjoying what you have built and knowing you are allowed to take up space.
In a reading, I would connect it to financial care, personal standards, creative confidence, and the quiet power of choosing your own rhythm.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very beginner-friendly while staying close to Rider-Waite-Smith meanings. | The bright graphic style may not suit readers who prefer antique or muted decks. |
| Bold modern artwork with a strong sense of personality. | Some readers may remove the extra Everything Is Fine card for traditional readings. |
| Excellent for self-worth, love, friendship, creativity, and everyday decisions. | The deck is popular and widely discussed, so it may feel less “hidden gem” than niche indie decks. |
| Memorable card scenes that are easy to read intuitively. | |
| Inclusive, stylish, and emotionally direct without feeling cold. |
EVERYDAY MAGIC: WORK, MONEY, AND SELF-TRUST
The Pentacles cards make the deck feel useful for real life: money, work, home, health, and the small choices that build confidence over time.
Who Will Love Modern Witch Tarot?
You may love this deck if you want a modern tarot deck that still reads like classic tarot. It is a strong fit for beginners, journal readers, self-growth spreads, friendship readings, creative planning, and anyone who wants tarot to feel current and personal.
It is also a good gift deck because the artwork is easy to connect with quickly. The visuals are stylish, but the meanings are not hard to access.
Who May Not Connect With It?
You may not connect with Modern Witch Tarot if you prefer quiet, medieval, occult, antique, or very soft watercolor decks. This deck has personality. It wants to be seen. If you like subtle symbolism and muted colors, it may feel too bright or direct.
Final Thoughts
Modern Witch Tarot is popular for a reason. It gives readers the familiar structure of Rider-Waite-Smith while making the deck feel present, expressive, and emotionally relevant. It is stylish, readable, and full of confidence.
If you want a tarot deck that helps you learn traditional meanings while still feeling modern and personal, this is one of the strongest choices. It is especially good for readers who want tarot to feel empowering, honest, and alive in everyday life.
Modern Witch Tarot FAQ
Is Modern Witch Tarot good for beginners?
Yes. Modern Witch Tarot is very beginner-friendly because it follows the Rider-Waite-Smith system closely while using modern, expressive artwork that is easy to remember.
Does Modern Witch Tarot follow Rider-Waite-Smith?
Yes. Most cards closely follow Rider-Waite-Smith meanings and scenes, but the characters, clothing, colors, and mood are updated for a modern audience.
What is the extra Everything Is Fine card?
Everything Is Fine is an extra card that echoes the Ten of Swords with a modern emotional message. Some readers keep it in the deck, while others remove it for a traditional structure.
What kinds of readings is this deck best for?
It is especially good for self-worth, love, friendship, creative confidence, boundaries, everyday decisions, and personal growth readings.
Is the artwork dark or gentle?
The artwork is bright, bold, and modern. It can handle serious cards, but the overall feeling is empowering rather than gloomy.
Who created Modern Witch Tarot?
Modern Witch Tarot was created by artist Lisa Sterle and published by Sterling Ethos. It is known for its modern, inclusive update of classic tarot imagery.
