Ask the Witch
By: Francesca Matteoni
Illustrated by: Simone Pace
Publisher: Red Wheel Books
ISBN: 978-1-59003-527-6
Book Size: 4.25″ x 6″
Book Pages: 127
Card Size: 3″ x 5″
Release Date: 2021
Purchased or Gifted : Purchased
Price: Package marked at $24.95 retail.
Favorite: This is from the Queen of Wands, ” She may be a bit egocentric, but she is always willing to come to the aid of the most fragile. After all, she is the one with magic mushrooms who sees through the eyes of cats.”
My second favorite: The Witches’ Messages (see below)
Description of Deck:
Ask the Witch Deck
I have to admit, when I first looked at these cards I thought there was no way that I would get through working with this deck. The illustrations are a bit scary and make me feel a little uncomfortable. The witches are more monster type.
The cards follow the Rider-Waite in order. The cards are brightly colored with outlined elements. There is a number at the top (which I like because it is easy to see in my Tarot card holder) and then the title at the bottom in banner. A small black border is around the edge of the cards. There is a labyrinth on the cover side of the cards.
Layout of Book:
Ask the Witch Tarot Guidebook
The Major Arcana is very interesting. Each of the Major Arcana corresponds to a particular Witch. As example: XIII Death is Baba Yaga.
Each page of the Major Arcana has a full page with a colored picture of the card.
The Major Arcana:
- Title
- Witch
- Story of the Witch (meaning)
- The Witch’s Spells – there are both Positive and Negative – these are key words under each.
Each page of the Minor Arcana has a color image of the card along side the text.
Minor Arcana
- Title
- Meaning
- The Witch’s Spells – there are both Positive and Negative – these are key words under each.
The Minor Arcana’s Suits order:
- Wands
- Cups
- Swords
- Pentacles
The Minor Arcana’s card order
- Ace – Ten
- Page
- Knight
- Queen
- King
Near the back of the book is a great section where all the cards have a condensed one paragraph Witches’ Message.
Packaging:
The book and cards are packed into a nice, heavy duty, one piece box that has a magnet side closure. It then also has an inner box for only the cards. The book is printed on matte heavy paper which I like.
Final Thoughts:
After having spent time with this deck, I actually really liked it. The writing was great and I loved how it associated the Major Arcana with the different witches. I absolutely love the condensed message section in the back of the book! I really think all Tarot guide books should do this!
Would I recommend this? Yes. Some may be put off by the artwork, but it was a great learning tool!
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