Spiritsong Tarot - animals embody the classic archetypes
What happens when you take the Rider-Waite structure and replace every human archetype with an animal. The Raven becomes the Magician, the Eagle takes the place of the Emperor. Each animal brings its own strength, its own energy, its own symbolism.
Spiritsong Tarot by Paulina Cassidy consists of 78 cards fully embedded in shamanic traditions. This is not a deck about human interactions. It is a deck about instinct, about the voice of nature, about what happens when you listen to what lies beyond yourself.
What you see on the cards
The imagery is soft. Pastels dominate. Blue, pink, lilac, green, with plenty of white and light. The style is dreamlike, almost fairy-tale, with an attention to detail that gives each animal its own personality.
Even the cards that feel heavy in a traditional deck are drawn here with gentleness. That does not make this an easy deck in the sense of superficial, but it is a deck that does not judge. It invites, it supports, it comforts.
The cards are printed on sturdy matte cardstock, 76 by 127 millimetres. They do not stick when shuffling and the colours are clear without being harsh.
How you work with it
The guidebook is comprehensive and in English. For each card it describes which animal it is, what its qualities are, and how that translates to the meaning of the archetype. There are spreads included, but many people use this deck specifically for single-card pulls.
Draw one card in the morning and ask which animal accompanies you that day. Focus on what that animal does, how it moves, what it stands for. That works better than trying to memorize a fixed meaning.
If you use this deck for meditation, choose one card and place it in front of you. Look at the animal. Let the colours and posture sink in. The symbolism unfolds on its own.
About Paulina Cassidy
Paulina Cassidy is an artist who focuses on dreamlike, esoteric imagery. Her style is instantly recognizable: soft lines, detailed textures, a sense of wonder. She works from a deep understanding of symbolism and translates that into illustrations that are both accessible and layered.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78 (Major and Minor Arcana)
- Size: 76 x 127 mm
- Finish: matte cardstock
- Language: English (cards and guidebook)
- Publisher: U.S. Games Systems Inc.
- ISBN: 9781572818231
- Artist: Paulina Cassidy
Questions we often get
How does this deck differ from a classic Rider-Waite deck?
The structure is the same, but the execution is not. Where Rider-Waite uses human figures, Spiritsong uses animals. The focus therefore shifts from social dynamics to instinct and natural energy.
How heavy is the tone of this deck?
Gentle. Even cards that are traditionally seen as confrontational are drawn here with softness. That does not make it a shallow deck, but it is a deck that does not shock.