Warning: Side effects include random urges to learn ancient Hebrew, staying up til 3 AM trying to figure out if that symbol is a phoenix or just a really fancy chicken, and forgetting that The Lovers card can just mean… love.
This deck will drag reasonable tarot readers down rabbit holes so deep, Alice would need GPS. Next thing you know, you’re buried in hermetic symbolism and your intuition is outside waiting in the car, wondering if you still know what a gut feeling is.
When I first used the Hermetic Tarot, the alchemical and astrological symbols really stood out. Each card has so much detail, they’re basically like little spell books that give you exact meanings instead of being all vague and mysterious.
Every tarot deck is its own way of showing the same universal energies.
Some say certain decks are ‘dark’ or have bad vibes, but people can get superstitious about anything. I’ve seen people avoid decks because of the back color, who gifted it, or even if they seem too cheerful. Go with what feels right to you. If a deck is calling your name, there’s probably a reason behind it.
The cards tend to find the right person when the time is right. Just follow your gut and not what others might fear.
The Hermetic Tarot can be pretty intimidating at first. Maybe try starting with Rider-Waite, Smith?
It’s way more beginner-friendly. After you’ve got the basics down and feel confident with readings, the Hermetic deck becomes much more approachable. Then you can really dig into all those complex symbols and meanings.