Angel Tarot Cards

Angel Tarot Cards - 78-card angel tarot with keywords on every card

Most tarot decks keep the shadow side of the cards intact. This one takes a different path: all names, descriptions and illustrations are framed positively, without the heavier symbolism that comes with classical tarot. That is a deliberate choice by author Radleigh Valentine, not an oversight.

The deck is published by Hay House and illustrated by Steve A. Roberts. The cards are large, glossy and edged in silver. Keywords and short key phrases are printed directly on each card.

What you see on the cards

The imagery centres on angels, archangels, unicorns, fairies and mermaids. The palette is bright and the tone is light, a long way from the denser symbolism of classical decks like Rider-Waite-Smith. Several of the Major Arcana carry new names: the Tower, for instance, becomes 'Life Experience', described as a powerful revelation that leads to change.

The four suits are replaced by elements, each colour-coded. This gives a fast visual read of what dominates across a spread. The Major Arcana share almost the same colour as the Air element, which can occasionally cause confusion.

Keywords on the cards: useful or distracting

The printed keywords and phrases make the cards accessible to anyone still learning tarot. Those who read intuitively, or who are used to working without printed text, may find those words get in the way. That is not a quality issue; it is a matter of working style.

The guidebook explains each card and describes how to lay a spread for yourself or others. Valentine also points to the separately available 'Big Book of Angel Tarot' for those who want to go further.

A note on size

The cards are large. With smaller hands they are difficult to shuffle, and even with larger hands it takes some adjustment. The glossy finish means they can stick slightly. Worth knowing before you buy.

The colour-coding by element works best when you lay several cards side by side: you can see at a glance which element dominates the spread.

About Radleigh Valentine

Radleigh Valentine is a spiritual teacher and author. Since 2012 he has spoken at more than seventy events in ten countries, including multiple Hay House 'I Can Do It' events and the Angel World Summit in London. He hosts a radio show on Hay House Radio and a weekly video show on Facebook and Instagram.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9781401955960
• Publisher: Hay House Inc
• Author: Radleigh Valentine
• Illustrator: Steve A. Roberts
• Finish: glossy, silver edges
• Packaging: boxset

Questions we often get

How different are the card names from standard Rider-Waite-Smith tarot?
Several Major Arcana have been renamed. The Minor Arcana sometimes follow RWS closely and at other times diverge, most noticeably within the Air suit. If you are already familiar with RWS, some cards will feel familiar and others will need to be relearned.

Is the guidebook enough to learn to read with this deck?
The guidebook covers the meaning of each card and explains how to do spreads. For more depth, Valentine points to the separately available 'Big Book of Angel Tarot'.