The Bohemian Gothic Tarot Deck Review

​Deck Title – The Bohemian Gothic Tarot
Creator – Karen Mahoney
Artist - Alex Ukolov
Publisher - Baba Studios & Magic Realist Press
​

Introduction

Could there be a better deck to kick off the spooky season? The Bohemian Gothic Tarot is everything you could want from a dark deck, it's weird, scary, creepy and  traditional. There's all the favourites in there from headless horsemen to ghosts and even Frankenstein's monster but it's the lesser known characters that play their supporting roles so well that make this deck what it is. If you haven't come across a Baba deck yet, the quality is outstanding and that's what they're known for. But as with all decks it's the images that need to speak to you. So, here's what we think you'll like about the Bohemian Gothic Tarot.  

What's Good?

• These are collage images but you won't be able to see the joins, they are so well done. There is lots of symbolism and the gothic theme is well maintained throughout the deck
• The card stock is thin, robust and super easy to shuffle. The cards have a satin sheen finish and the intricate design on the card backs is reversible
• Packaging is a clam shell box with one of the Lovers card images on the front (there are two Lovers cards to choose from)
• There's a LWB with the deck but the best news is that the companion book has just been re-released for sale and it is well worth purchasing. It includes lots of great content and also shows the postcards or portraits the images on the cards have been inspired by

What's bad?

• This is a dark deck, quite literally so if you have any eyesight problems you may want to consider good lighting to accompany its use 
• If you're reading for a nervous client, the expressions on the faces of some of the people in the cards can be quite frightening, so this may not be the best deck for them. On the other hand, if your client is a Hammer-horror loving goth, it'll be right up their street
• The unusual thing about Baba decks is that although the quality is fantastic, they're not edged. Having said that, as the quality is so fantastic, you don't really notice 

Favourite/Stand Out Cards

Here we have the traditional cast of scary characters, Nosferatu, the werewolf and the headless horseman. The use of these well-known foes makes connecting with the cards easy and quick. The use of the blue toned lighting enhances the edgy atmosphere.

The pops of red in many of the cards really stands out against the blue/grey background. Malleus Maleficarum was the 15th century guidebook on how to catch and try witches (just one of the gems of information in the companion book). 

Even when the images are not obviously frightening, there is an unsettling atmosphere. The newly reprinted companion book is well worth investing in. The cover image is from the Strength card and the glare from the dark-winged creature warns you that she's in control. 

Summary

This is the best deck for...anyone looking for seriously scary. The ghosts, ghouls and skeletons are all so well depicted that, in the right circumstances, this could be used in a professional capacity. I've heard many times that this is a great deck for shadow work (exploring the darker or negative sides of ourselves) but it can be used just as well for any reading as the images allow for clear messages albeit with a gothic tint. 

Where to Buy?

Currently, you can purchase the mini deck and companion book from Baba Studios uk.baba-store.com. The full size deck is sold out but you might find some on the secondary market.