The Hoodoo Tarot

Hoodoo Tarot - ancestral wisdom in tarot form

Not all tarot cards look the same. Some stick to the classic Rider-Waite imagery, others take that structure and fill it with completely different symbolism. The Hoodoo Tarot by Tayannah Lee McQuillar and Katelan V. Foisy does the latter.

This deck translates the tarot into the African-American Hoodoo tradition. The Major Arcana is called 'The Elders' here and shows not abstract archetypes but historical rootworkers and spiritual figures. The court cards and Minor Arcana are renamed 'The Family' and 'The Community'. The emphasis is on community, ancestors and nature magic.

What you see on the cards

The imagery is figurative and historical. You see portraits of people who play a role in the Hoodoo tradition, herbs used in the practice, and biblical quotes that are part of the spiritual context. The palette is earthy, with lots of brown, green and ochre.

The cards are large (89 x 127 mm), printed on sturdy cardstock with a matte finish. That makes them pleasant to hold and easy to read thanks to the detailed illustrations. The box has a magnetic closure and is sturdy enough for daily use.

How you work with it

The guidebook is not an appendix but a full book of 160 pages. It not only explains the card meanings but also goes into the history of the depicted figures and the magical properties of herbs central to Hoodoo practice. That makes this deck usable for both tarot readings and ancestral work.

This is not a beginner deck. You do not need prior knowledge of Hoodoo, but the symbolism asks for depth. The guidebook provides that background, including spreads and sample readings that align with the tradition.

Draw a card from 'The Elders' as a focal point for ancestral work. Read in the guidebook which historical figure is depicted and what lessons that person represents.

About Tayannah Lee McQuillar and Katelan V. Foisy

Tayannah Lee McQuillar is a spiritual researcher, tarot reader and author. Her work focuses on religion, mysticism and cultural traditions. Katelan V. Foisy is an artist and esoteric consultant, known for her magical-realist style. Together they have created a deck that is both artistically and spiritually considered.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78
• Card size: 89 x 127 mm
• Cardstock: sturdy cardstock with matte finish
• Guidebook: 160 pages, English
• Packaging: deluxe box with magnetic closure
• Publisher: Destiny Books / Inner Traditions
• ISBN: 9781620558737
• Author: Tayannah Lee McQuillar
• Illustrator: Katelan V. Foisy

Questions we often get

What makes 'The Elders' different from the classic Major Arcana?
Instead of abstract archetypes like The Magician or The Empress, you see here historical rootworkers and spiritual leaders from the Hoodoo tradition. Each card represents a theme from a cultural and biographical perspective.

Do I need to be familiar with the Hoodoo tradition to use this deck?
No, but it helps to use the guidebook. It explains not only the card meanings but also the history of the depicted figures and the role of herbs and biblical quotes in the practice. Without that context you miss part of the symbolism.