The Wandering Star DE

The Wandering Star - retro cards with 1970s hippie aesthetic

This deck looks back to a time when things were allowed to be a little softer. Seventies colours, hand-drawn figures, a touch of nostalgia but not dated. Cat Pierce, singer and illustrator, has made something that feels like a vintage find but is produced recently.

The cards have keywords woven into the design. That is useful when you are just starting or want to work quickly. You see the card and have an immediate direction without picking up the guidebook.

What you see on the cards

The style is pop-art leaning, cheerful in colour. Figures with large eyes, soft lines, organic shapes. Nothing looks hard or digitally finished. It has a handmade character that shows in the print as well.

Alongside the usual 78 cards there are two extra major arcana cards: The Mother Star and The Creator. These expand the traditional set with archetypes around creation and cosmic mother energy. Whether you use them is up to you, but they do offer space for different questions than the classic set.

The cards are borderless. That means the image runs all the way to the edge, no white frame. Some people find that beautiful, others restless. It does give a fuller image.

How this deck works in practice

The keywords let you read quickly. You lay down a card, see the word, and have an anchor point for your interpretation. That is useful for beginners who do not yet know all the meanings by heart, but also for those who like to work more quickly.

The guidebook contains card meanings, quotes and spreads. It is not thick, but complete enough to begin with and grow through. The tone is hopeful, sometimes almost light, but not superficial.

Read the keyword on the card first and write down what comes to mind. Only then pick up the guidebook and see if anything can be added.

About Cat Pierce

Cat Pierce is one half of The Pierces, a sister band that was particularly active in the 2000s. Alongside music she draws and writes. This deck is her way of bringing those three things together: music, image and story.

Her background as a songwriter shows in the texts. There is rhythm and feeling in the way she describes cards. It is not dry, but also not floaty.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 80 (78 tarot cards + 2 extra major arcana cards)
• Size: 70 x 112 mm
• Finish: Matte card stock, borderless design, gently rounded corners
• Packaging: Hinged box with ribbon
• Language: English
• Author and illustrator: Cat Pierce
• Included: Guidebook with card meanings, quotes and spreads

Questions we often get

Why are there 80 cards instead of 78?
The two extra cards, The Mother Star and The Creator, are added to the major arcana. They offer archetypes that are not explicitly present in the classic tarot system. You can use them or leave them out, depending on your question.

Are the keywords not distracting if you already have experience with tarot?
That depends. They are subtly woven in, not large letters across the image. Some experienced readers find it pleasant, others simply ignore them. It is not a dominant element.