Such a positive card, signifying success and happiness. The Sun illuminates our path and fills us with playful energy and the ability to manifest our goals. It throws light on future opportunities as well as success in the present. 

This is the first of two mermaid cards  that are favourites. I have surprised myself choosing two watery cards for the sun but this card in particular depicts the radiation and warmth of the sun so well and how far reaching that can be. The water creatures are bright and playful, another aspect of the message of this card.

This whole deck is filled with minimalist images and this one is no exception. The single sunflower tilting its head to the Sun basking in the warmth and light makes me want to lie down in the field beside it and enjoy the beautiful summers day. Lightness, brightness and energy all shine out of this card. 

Some of the landscape in this image looks like it's had a little too much sun, giving the shadow message of this card. However, it's the green trees flourishing in the valley and leading the readers eye along the path to enlightenment that really stands out as the positive message. The Sun in this image is so bright it's almost glowing white. 

So here's our second mermaid and she's backlit by a beaming yellow sun. She's fun, playful and what says success better than owning your very own seahorse and riding around on the surf all day? The soft colouring in this image is even better in real life and it's a delightful soft touch finish card stock. 

It seems like the end of the Major Arcana in this deck is far more attractive to me than the beginning. Especially this golden sun. This card packs in such a lot. In addition to the glorious sun, there's the bright sunflowers, the established homesteads in the distance and the welcoming pathway through the fields of corn giving you a clear route to where you want to go. It's got everything you need plus lots of space to 'enter' the image if you want to. 

It may be hard to see things clearly under the moonight. Things are obscured by shadows and unseen forces may be at play. Hidden, deep-seated fears may surface. Things will look differently in the light of the day.

The simplicity of this image really appealed to me, just clouds, sky and the illuminated full moon. Sometimes less is more. Is there a smiling face in this Moon? Is it pareidolia or is it the man in the moon? 

Beware the moon. The night is when monsters and werewolves come out to play. The raw power of the moon's influence is shown beautifully in this card through the lycanthrope and contrasted perfectly with the doll-like passivity  of the wolf's victim. Which role is being played out in your reading? 

All of the traditional symbolism is in this card, the dog, the wolf and the crustation but the stunningly delicate pale pink rose lifts the feeling from unsettling and blue to bright and promising. This is a glass is half full moon. 

The duality of the moon's message is the focus of this card. The domestic dog howling at the moon is contrasted with the shadow wolf and his controlled glare. The crayfish reaching out of the water representing the deeper fears that only just reach the surface but will never fully emerge.

This deck is a recent purchase and there are lots of beautiful animals throughout but the energy of the Moon card really stood out. This card focuses on the message of things not being fully formed in this light and although the pathway is clear and well-defined it looks like its appearing just as the hare takes a step forward. Is the path only just appearing as we need it to or is it really there all the time, we just can't see it till we take that step forward?  

The calm after the storm, the road to recovery. The star inspires you to find the way to go now that external restrictions have been removed by the Tower card. Or you can just make a wish upon the Star. 

This makes me think the 6 of Swords has landed on the opposite shore and is resting by the water, starting her recovery. There's no obvious big star in the sky but lots of little stars both shining down and reflected in the dark waters (and in the fabric of her coat). It looks like she's made it and it's her intuition thats guided her to this place (see the little owl in the tree). Now she just has to muster up enough strength to make her way toward those twin peaks. The tiny hint of colour in this card with the nurturing green of the cup sends the strongest message, she will heal. 

This is not a deck I've ever bonded strongly with but there are a few cards that really stand out and this Star is one of them. This is a true North Star and a beautiful image showing the card will inspire the correct direction to take. The strength is in the colour, the Star really does shine brightly against the midnight sky grabbing your attention while at the same time leaving you feeling calm and reassured that everything will be okay. 

If you want to make a wish, why not make it on a shooting star? Again it's the colours in this card that make it stand out, the beautiful pinks on the horizon and the shades of blue, purple, grey and black of the forest, water and sky. This card feels like something magical is happening in it. It's an interesting energy, not the usual calm and quiet, more a direct opposition of positivity against the previous destruction of the Tower. It's reminiscent of the 8 of Wands on the traditional RWS with it's flying wands. 

Another strong North Star lighting the way through the trees, just follow the path of the river. The forest looks like it's been wrecked by the Tower with its damaged and broken trees but if you look closely the signs of recovery are there. The tiny white shoots peeking out from behind rocks and from the scorched earth and there in the distance is a pale lilac sky and just the tip of a bright moon. This is a card you can easily step into. 

It was hard to pick a favourite amongst the Star cards. However, when all is said and done, this card shows what we need to know. This panda is called Celia (after the artist perhaps?). We can follow her gaze as she wishes upon the bright yellow star and allows her bowl of water to replenish the ground beneath her tree. We don't even need to see the expression on Celia's face, we can tell just by her posture that she's comforted by the gazing at the stars. There's no signs of destruction, showing that rest and recovery are sometimes necessary even though there's been no big upheaval.

Chaos, destruction, the breaking down of limitations and structures. Losing control over the situation. Extreme discomfort leading to liberation. A period of violent upheaval. A release of intolerable pressure. 

This deck is a recent purchase but I love this card in particular. The Tower is about having the rug pulled from under your feet and this depiction shows that and the whole rest of the house going with it. One man clings to a branch but it won't be long before the whole thing comes crashing to the ground. This expands the meaning of this card for me to prompt the querent to think about the foundations of the issue and how secure things really were before they started to disintegrate. 

Another Tower card without a tower. Here they've lashed themselves to the mast of a sinking ship. The wild seas represent the situation that has impacted the querent. It's something they have no control over and the storm could start and end at any time. It will carry them along and they may survive, they may not. The small glimmer of hope is that there is something for them to cling to, something that just might help them through till the waves subside. 

You can almost feel the blistering heat as you watch its destructive powers destroying this Tower. It appears to have spontaneously combusted. And while the supportive structure is disintegrating the birds of prey circle above, waiting to feast on anyone left unprotected. This card shows the result of excess of anything, even something natural like the sun's heat, can have negative consequences and when that happens, there will be those waiting to take advantage of the situation and compound the misery.  

When your whole deck is made up of images of people, how do you depict a crumbling Tower? Well Arthur Wang has done an amazing job showing the body as a structure that is as much at risk from external or internal forces of destruction. The loss of a home or a structure that has supported us seems like the most awful thing but this card shows that the disruption of the body is as distressing as losing any material possession. The figure holds what looks like a crystal ball, reminding us that insight can be gained from this cataclysmic event. 

There are so many beautiful cards in this deck but this one is the image that drew me in initially. It's an old guard tower from a POW camp the creators grandmother was held in. The RWS Tower often strikes fear into any querent who sees it turn in their reading but in this deck, the old structure very much needed to be destroyed to release those captured and enable them to live freely. When I see this card, my spirits lift. A card of both destruction and hope. 

The adversary. It's the inner devil who is the cause of most of our problems. We are bound by our fears and must question our beliefs. Are you attracted by the temptations of materialism or power or bound by guilt or obligation? Are you being controlled by someone or something else? 

This is a real evil looking Devil card. With blood dripping from his jaws, the ram confronts us with his direct stare. It reminds us that no ties are necessary to bind if the power lies within the mind. He almost doesn't need his slithering little snake of a friend to back him up but his presence brings to our attention that evil will always welcome company. 

A naughty little Red Devil with a forked tail. It seems like this could be a cartoon image of the Devil but Patrick Valenza's art brings him to life in a crazy and scary way. The metallic wings remind us that the Devil is a fallen angel but there is nothing else of his previous heavenly existence left. The hot geysers behind him spit out burning steam. There's no doubt the situation you find yourself in when you're in this guy's company will not be comfortable. 

Now this little green Devil looks like he's turned up in the Garden of Eden to encourage Eve to tempt Adam. She's ashamed and hides her face with her hair but makes no real effort to repel his gentle touch on her arm. Because of the beauty of this deck, this Devil presents a respectable face of gentle temptation. Everything around her looks good, so the future consequences of her actions appear minimised. How bad can things really be with all these beautiful trees and flowers surrounding us? A dangerous illusion. 

This is the closest to the traditional RWS layout with our wicked Devil flanked by her two submissive little skeletons. She tempts us with the wine and shows her power over her prisoners with the unbound chains they could easily escape from. She demonstrates her wide scope of influence with those impressive wings. And that red dress says, "I'm in charge. Surrender to my will." However, her church looks dark and cold and just as unwelcoming as the burning planet in the Deviant Moon.  

Here we have a handsome Devil holding someone in a gentle embrace. The Devil is evil, scary, biblical and powerful but he is at his worst when we can't see him. When he blends into the background, when he looks good and makes us feel good. The Lili Black version of this card is even more effective than the Lili White counterpart due to the clear contrast between the pale blue shading of this modern image and the crisp clear background. It reminds us that the Devil can be found anywhere and at anytime. 

The Angel of Temperance encourages balance and moderation. They blend the elements of fire and water to achieve a settled state following the upheaval of change from the Death card that goes before. Our Fool will be comforted by this angel but also perhaps challenged to compromise and even things up. 

The blending of fire with water and a backdrop of colourful clouds really helps this angel stand out. The magical gravity-defying flow between the two cups is present and this manages not to look too like a 2 of cups minor, which can be a challenge for the Temperance card. She has such a compassionate expression, perhaps she understands that the middle ground can be difficult for some to walk. 

This little monster angel shows us that balance can be achieved by juggling and having fun. Again there's the beautiful blend of pink with the most vibrant blue skies giving us the intellectual and emotional elements. It's amazing how Joanna Nelson has managed to get such a serene expression on the face of a little monster. 

This whole deck is weird and wonderful but I think of the Temperance card as ugly beautiful. There's less contrast between the fire and water elements, the complementary tones and the earth element is very present in this deck. However, the flow of water from jug to cup manages to feel dynamic even in this 2D world. A calm colour scheme. 

Striking red against ivory white highlighting passion within peace. The contrasting colours show a more dynamic Angel of Temperance with the most beautifully soft feathered wings of any angel in tarot. The spot gloss above her head shows an imprint of the ying yang symbol, perfect for the message of this card.  

This is a deck in the Thoth system and as such, this card is renamed, Art. The theme is itself blends very nicely with its title showing an artist at work and has placed the traditional RWS Angel of Temperance within the modern day urban setting. There's the blend of fire and water with a grounding of earth as this setting feels enclosed, as expected within the urban landscape. Stunningly beautiful and clever. 

If the Fool is arguably the most important card in a deck, the Death card is undoubtedly the most feared. Of course, it does not predict death but change. Change affects all, hence the group of figures beneath the horse in the RWS. Something old must 'die away' in order for something new to come into being. 

The elegant True Black shows Death as the gatekeeper standing before a door to the "afterlife". The letters that can be seen on the door are from Tao Te Ching. Arthur Wang's excellent guidebook states he likens life to flexibility and death to rigidness. The ability to be flexible and change is therefore essential to being alive. 

I love how humorous this card is. It looks like Death is bored in his lonely graveyard and will only be cheered up by some new company. A great deck for the gothic horror lovers, the ornate gates depicted in the background give that nod to the transformative nature of change. Step this way and change our Grim Reaper's grimace to a grin. 

Here we have the tradition of the Death card having no name and only a number.  This might soothe some of your more nervous clients but the scull reflected in the butterflies wings retains that sinister quality. The process of change from a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly has taken place in this card but the memory of what is lost is still there. Taken forward on those delicate wings. 

A beautiful, strong moon-gazing hare surrounded by transformative butterflies sitting in the dark forest. He is a symbol of good luck, in some traditions, reminding us that when a situation is tough, change is good news. No matter how difficult the process, represented by those spiky thorns, once change has taken place, the outcome will see you stronger. 

Now this is as much a surprise to me as it may be to you. An old-fashioned mass market deck, how can this be my favourite Death card? Well, multiple languages bordering the image aside, this Death card really tugs on the heart strings. What's happening here? Death is carrying her soul across the barren desert, step by step till he can gently lay her down to rest. The process of change, of transformation, of dying, can be soothing and tender. Death can be our friend supporting us and transporting us from the cold of the dark moon to the warmth of the sun. 

Our Fool is suspended, waiting for something to happen. Sacrifice something in order to move onto something new. This is a transition period. Let go. The more you give up wanting, the quicker it will happen. 

This Hanged Man isn't upside down unlike the traditional RWS version. However, the height the image achieves still gives us the feeling of seeing things from a different angle. The stunning blues in this card enhance a feeling of calmness and the importance of the pause, the withdrawal from the day to day and taking a moment to breathe. Also the image on this card is very well lit, it's worth checking out in person if you get the chance.

So here we find ourselves at the opposite end of the spectrum to the Hanged Man in 5th place. In the depths of the ocean, the beautiful greens lend themselves just as well to a feeling of tranquility and the bondage ropes give the message of surrender. Here, the artist, Charlie Claire Burgess, has kept the glowing halo around the persons head. Enlightenment can be achieved through pause, discomfort or surrender. Or through a rush of blood to the head. This deck renames the card the Hanged One to allow for an appropriate pronoun to be chosen. 

So, I suppose we're all just hanging around in space waiting for the next thing to happen. The Spacious Tarot guidebook tells us this card is inspired by the NASA photo Earthrise and enables us to reframe and get a perspective from the moon! The card also encourages us to examine the liminal spaces. What can happen in the pauses in between? I have to give this one ten out of ten for originality. 

The swinging motion of this trapeze artist really lends a weightlessness to this Hanged Man. Although the pull of gravity still applies, its application in a different direction means the weight can be lifted from our shoulders while keeping us anchored within the earths atmosphere. The golden blonde hair replaces the glowing halo. The inevitable feel-good endorphins that come with this form of exercise will lead us to enlightenment. 

There are so many cards from the Way of the Panda deck among my top 5's but this is the one card that stands out head and shoulders above all the other cuties. The glow is provided by the fireflies and this panda is hanging upside down by his own choice but perhaps wondering why he got into this position. This reminds us that we can all have doubts when we pause long enough to give ourselves time to think. Hank, the Panda, says "Don't give up. Nobody is ever truly stuck in life." A Hanged Panda is a wise Panda. 

Justice, fairness, balance. Events have worked out the way they were meant to regardless of whether it is the outcome you want. Logic and detachment. What has happened has come from situations in the past. 

Justice looks like a harsh card in the traditional RWS. This version is softer and lighter and shows the scales of Justice weighing the heart against a feather. Balance is achieved. If our Fool came across this Justice card I'm sure he'd be less frightened than if he came across the RWS with her sword drawn. 

A court room drama played out with these fantastic creatures. The authoritarian figure shows anger or passion while the creature brought before the court stands passively. All eyes are on her though even though the authorities are the ones 'on stage'. The scales may be empty but they are still balanced. Can she achieve a moral victory, if not fair justice? 

Isn't that the cutest thing, pushing the littler panda away with his toes? At first I didn't see the message in this card but when you look closely you can see the two sides are different, one bright and colourful and the other dark and grey. This represents the light of the sword preventing the darkness from entering the Panda kingdom. Boundaries can be protected with the justice system. Also, sometimes your enemies appear to look like your friends. 

When I see this card, I see Joan of Arc. She's down in battle but not defeated, just pausing before taking up her sword once more. This shows the ongoing nature of Justice and that it may be a continuous effort not just a single battle to be won. She kneels not just because she is tired but also for those who seek justice and have yet to find it. 

Justice is generally not one of my favourite cards in the tarot but when I saw this version in the True Black it stopped me in my tracks. The use of light in this deck is unsurpassed and in this card in particular, the light of truth, justice and fairness literally shines out. The person embodying justice is veiled showing blind justice and wears the crown of impartiality. The spot gloss shows the constellation of Libra supporting the balanced scales. The sword is drawn but neither up nor down, showing the outcome will be not a win or a loss, but the right one. 

Where are you on the Wheel of Fortune? Are you on the way up, sitting at the top or on the way down. Worst of all, are you right at the bottom. Or is that the worst place? Maybe because the only way is up, this is the best place to be. This card tells our Fool to deal with the ups and downs of life and whatever fate throws at us with grace and positivity. 

The Wheel of Fortune is often noted as the least favourite card that people have in a Tarot deck. So it's a bit strange that a deck that I don't favour, the Anna K, has one of my favourite Wheel of Fortune cards. It shows the stages of the wheel so clearly while also showing the influence of the wisdom of age. 

This deck shows a Tarot reader reflecting the common misperception that a reading will show you your fate and that you have no influence over it. However, many believe this card reveals information about potential, enabling you to choose to work with the knowledge while at the same time being aware that not everything in life can be fully controlled.   

A panda with a lolly, a fun-fair big wheel and the fun and playful side of this card. Learn how to enjoy the ride while you can with a panda called Philip keeping you company! The beautiful pastel colours reflect the different fates awaiting you both. Doesn't he look happy? 

This card shows the story of the Fates. In Greek mythology the Moirai preside over  all, Gods and humanity. They are the daughters of the Goddess of Night and each plays a role in predetermining events. Clotho spins the thread of life over the present. Lachesis measures the length of each thread and therefore presides over the future. Atropos cuts the thread of the past. Luck, karma, destiny and fate bring an unexpected twist but somehow they follow a cohesive pattern. 

The rainbow colours, the stages of the moon, the tattooed hand and even the perfect mushroom colour nails, this image really stood out for me as my favourite Wheel of Fortune. You can delve into the symbolism of the Dharma wheel or the snake or you can choose the message that first comes to you when you see this striking image. Luck will be on your side.