Finally caved and bought Deviant Moon Tarot after staring at it online for months. Those twisted carnival faces and stretched-out bodies are genuinely disturbing - like someone illustrated their fever dreams. I do creepy photography, and I was even hesitant about bringing this energy into my house.
But damn, this deck reads HARD.
Week in and it’s already calling me out on stuff my other decks tiptoe around. Something about those unsettling images makes you drop your defenses and face reality. If you’re feeling drawn to Deviant Moon Tarot despite the creep factor, get it. That discomfort might be exactly what your practice needs. Does anyone else find that their scariest deck reads the most accurately?
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Completely obsessed by it, but I have a thing for dark Tarot decks, really.
I got this borderless edition:
This is the deck I think I use most often. It’s the deck that lets me go surreal and get interesting results without scaring away the querent with some strange Oracle deck that they’re completely unfamiliar with.
It’s the perfect combination or unique imagery and familiarity.
I told myself I was just browsing when I saw Deviant Moon on the shelf. Should’ve known better, I have no self control with tarot decks. The artwork on this one is strange. All these carnival-looking characters staring back at you. But maybe that’s why people like it. Sometimes you need a deck that’s a bit different from the usual stuff.
That push-pull feeling you’re describing sounds exactly like The Moon card, something’s lurking in those shadows that your intuition picked up on. Makes sense your psyche keeps dealing you this particular deck.
I’m torn on it too. The gothic aesthetic clashes so hard with those moon-shaped faces. Like someone mashed up The Tower and The Sun and called it a day. Every time I use it, I feel like the universe is messing with me.
Yeah, Deviant Moon needs special treatment for storage. Mine’s wrapped in black silk with obsidian chips because it stays so active between readings.
I gave up on regular cleansing methods. Tried selenite and salt circles, even moonlight, but this deck just wants to keep its edge. Guess some decks are just like that.
The uncomfortable decks really do seem to pull at you somehow.
I remember seeing Deviant Moon at the shop and feeling both repelled and curious at the same time. I’m still getting used to reading with it honestly. Some cards I can barely look at.
I totally get that initial shock, Deviant Moon hits different because it strips away all the pretty spiritual bypassing we’re used to! What helped me was starting with single-card pulls instead of full spreads, letting myself adjust to that raw energy gradually. Maybe talk with the unsettling imagery first, asking what each grotesque detail wants to show you before even looking at traditional meanings. Give it a try, embracing the creepiness instead of fighting it makes those harsh truths land softer somehow.
I often go for shadowy, gothic decks, but this one didn’t really vibe with me for whatever reason.
Others have mentioned it’s good for exploring hidden aspects due to the imagery. The art is unique, and it cleverly includes reversed meanings in the card designs.
Made a mistake bringing my Deviant Moon deck to a party once. This woman from accounting wanted a reading about her love life and pulled the Three of Swords. The heart imagery on that card is pretty grotesque and she was not prepared.
She pushed the cards away and looked genuinely upset. I keep a friendlier deck for public readings now. Some people just want a fun reading, not nightmare fuel.
I think it’s a fantastic deck personally 
but you just need to be careful.
Those muted colors really change how a reading feels.
The yellows look sickly, the purples look bruised. I’m used to decks with bright colors that pump up the energy during readings. Deviant Moon does the opposite, everything looks faded and drained. Makes the cards feel more honest somehow, less sugar-coated.
Those moon-headed figures made me start drinking mugwort tea during nighttime readings. The lunar faces and graveyard vibes just seem to go with dream herbs. When I pull the Emperor, I make ginger tea. That card has such intense energy, love the demon under his foot though.
I was put off by the bordered version at first. Those black frames made the already weird imagery feel harsh. But the borderless edition? Much better.
The images blend into each other without those hard edges boxing everything in. Makes the deck feel more like a continuous story instead of separate trapped moments. It’s become one of my regular decks now.
the cardstock feels kinda cheap compared to normal playing cards.
It’s thinner and probably won’t hold up well with heavy use. if you’re gonna use them regularly you might want a case or protective pouch. i learned that the hard way with other decks that got worn out pretty quick.
I had my doubts about this deck initially because the artwork is intense and not my usual style.
The readings have turned out to be quite smooth. It’s now my preferred choice for exploring hidden motives or shadow work. The cards seem to have a knack for picking up on little energies. When working with clients, I always mention the dramatic imagery so they know what to expect.
When a deck makes me uncomfortable, there’s usually a reason.
The creepy imagery gets under your skin in a way that prettier decks don’t. That push-pull feeling you had, being drawn to it but also creeped out - happens a lot with shadow work decks. Your gut was probably picking up on something.
Yeah mine talks to me when I’m trying to sleep 
Worth it tho
Heads up if you’re new to tarot - Deviant Moon isn’t the easiest deck to start with.
The art is really intense and can be confusing when you’re still learning what all the cards mean. Maybe grab a Rider-Waite or something similar first? Those have clearer symbols that match most tarot books.
Those distorted faces and stretched bodies, they mess with your head in a way regular cards don’t. It’s like that uncanny valley thing where something looks almost human but wrong enough to make you uncomfortable. I think it works because it’s too weird for your brain to filter properly. By the time you’re trying to make sense of those grotesque figures, the message has already gotten through.
My sister thought it would be funny to get me horror movie tarot cards last Halloween. She knows I hate scary movies, so yeah, great gift.
Ended up finding Deviant Moon at a yard sale though. Five bucks and basically brand new. The artwork is definitely grotesque, but there’s something about it that doesn’t bother me the same way. Now that horror deck she gave me is just collecting dust.
