Plant themed decks

[TheFeeLion]

I've been quietly searching for a plant themed tarot deck (or even maybe a substantial oracle ie more than 40 or so cards) for a while now. So far I've been unsuccessful. Maybe I've been looking in the wrong place... 

 

I'd really like to find something with the old botanical print style of image and a decent guidebook with information about each plant. I'd maybe be open to something else as long as the guidebook is up to scratch though. 

 

Any suggestions? 

[Decan]

Below 2 links! 🙂

Here Flower Tarot Decks: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/flower.shtml

Here Herb & Plant Tarot Decks: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/herb-plant.shtml

 

ETA: this one? http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/botanical-inspirations/

Apparently it isn't out of print.

Edited May 4, 2020 by Decan

[gregory]

Majors only, and not exactly Victorian, but:

 

https://littleredtarot.com/product/botanica-tarot-deck/

 

OOP just now but available on amazon:

 

https://www.waterstones.com/product/hedgewitch-botanical-oracle/siolo-thompson//9780738757537?

 

Edited May 4, 2020 by gregory

[Grace]

This one is on my wish list... http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/herbal/

 

@stephanelli started a discussion on it in the deck section of the forum if you want to know more about the cards and the kind of information you might find in the companion book.

[TheFeeLion]

@Decan AT was my first port of call! Of all of them on there I liked the look of the Language of Flowers Tarot but apparently it was never made or is OOP? The Druid Plant Oracle would be good, but ugh! 39 cards!! And Botanica Inspirations looks like it could be OK but I get the feeling from reviews I've seen about it that it just wouldn't be quite enough for me.

 

@gregory ooo I saw that Botanica Tarot shame they only did the the majors though. I like the look of the Hedgewitch too... I always feel I'm being short changed with 40 card oracles...

 

@Grace I keep seeing that Herbal Tarot (usually jsut a pic of the box), then I go and look at more pictures of it and the artwork puts me off every time

 

 

ETA: Ugh I just realised how fussy I'm sounding! Maybe I just need to suck it up and choose something or forget it as a lost cause... 

Edited May 4, 2020 by TheFeeLion

[Grace]

8 minutes ago, TheFeeLion said:

I keep seeing that Herbal Tarot (usually jsut a pic of the box), then I go and look at more pictures of it and the artwork puts me off every time

🤣 I know what you mean, I'm not a huge fan of the RWS from an aesthetic point of view - but it reads so we'll, that I don't notice it anymore. I'm hoping the Herbal will read just as well. 

[PathWalker]

I don't think Language of Flowers was ever made. I was in friendly discussion with the artist for a while, really nice lady, but it was in the days were few people self-published, but looked for a publisher, andit never seemed to get taken up.

 

Perhaps she would self publish now?

[TheFeeLion]

15 minutes ago, Grace said:

🤣 I know what you mean, I'm not a huge fan of the RWS from an aesthetic point of view - but it reads so we'll, that I don't notice it anymore. I'm hoping the Herbal will read just as well. 

Lol tell me about it! I'm only just starting to get used to it because I have the Galaxy Tarot app so I see it every time I use my phone 😂 

 

14 minutes ago, PathWalker said:

Perhaps she would self publish now?

Ooo that would be so good if she did! And made a lovely thick guidebook to go with it 😀

[gregory]

Not Victorian, then, but with more cards :rofl;

 

https://littleredtarot.com/product/pythia-botanica-oracle/ 

 

Though Hedgewitch was quite cheap, so maybe only 40 cards isn't so bad !

[gregory]

1 hour ago, PathWalker said:

I don't think Language of Flowers was ever made. I was in friendly discussion with the artist for a while, really nice lady, but it was in the days were few people self-published, but looked for a publisher, andit never seemed to get taken up.

 

Perhaps she would self publish now?

Maybe you could show her printerstudio etc !

[gregory]

I need to google BEFORE I post:

 

https://www.bowerbirdatelier.com/ritual-products/fleurot-deck-guidebook 

https://www.holisticshop.co.uk/mini-language-flowers-cards?

https://www.herbcrafterstarot.com

(and that last is CHEAP.)

[gregory]

ALSO Kerri has another deck listed as to be published here; you could ask:

 

http://www.inheritage.org/witchhazelemporium/tarot-cards-tarot-decks/

[Decan]

My choice here would be The Victorian Flower Oracle (Baba), but it is probably now an expensive OOP!

I just checked on eBay, and oops, yes, it is a very expensive OOP!! 🥶

[RavenOfSummer]

4 hours ago, gregory said:

Majors only, and not exactly Victorian, but:

 

https://littleredtarot.com/product/botanica-tar

 

ot-deck/

This has been expanded to a full deck and is currently live on Kickstarter!

 

Attaching pics of a few of my own favorite plant decks. (I have a few more but don't think they would fit the criteria you're looking for.)

 

The Flora Oracle:

 

 

The Soulflower Oracle:

 

 

Wild Medicine Herbal Deck:

 

 

Flowers of the Night Oracle (I have the indie version which is OOP, but there is a mass market edition which I believe is in print):

 

 

Illustrated Herbiary:

 

 

The Herbcrafter's Tarot and the Hedgewitch Botanical Oracle have been on my lists as decks I want to try. Thanks @gregory for the news that the Hedgewitch has gone OOP- in that case may see if I can pick up a copy before it's too late!

 

 

[RavenOfSummer]

Whoops, I took a pic of this one but neglected to add it...Wisdom of the Trees Oracle:

 

[kate]

1 hour ago, RavenOfSummer said:

This has been expanded to a full deck and is currently live on Kickstarter!

 

 

I just finally gave in and joined this kickstarter last night, lol. I was about to post mentioning it in this thread. Here's the link!

[TheFeeLion]

OK, long post time, so I can reply to everyone. Even wrote myself notes so I don't get lost 😂 but before I get started, you guys are awesome! Thanks so much ❤️

 

@gregory

Fleurot Deck (ha! Just clicked on the name!) - I love that this is a tarot deck! But however pretty it is in all its glorious minimalism it doesn't quite do it for my colour loving self. 

Mini Language of Flowers Cards - that artwork it beautiful. Needs more deck and less text on the cards though. 

Herbcrafters Tarot - I've seen great things about both the deck and book. It's not my ideal artwork but I could definitely see it growing on me (excuse the pun 😂). And the price! Yay! I won't have to break the bank! Definitely a bonus 😁 so far this one's in the running. 

The last one (couldn't see the name - cremetarot?) - not my cup of tea at all unfortunately. The statuary puts me off and the fact that the plants don't take centre stage. 

 

@Decan

The Victoria Flower Deck - Those Baba decks are always so rich looking. I do eventually want to aquire one someday but it'll more likely be the Alice deck if they ever reprint it (unless they come up with something I love more!) For now it's definitely too rich for my blood! 

 

@RavenOfSummer

Ooo I love seeing all those pretty pictures! Nice choice of cloth too 😁

Botanica Tarot - Oh yay! A full deck! 😁This one's definitely going on the shortlist! I'll have to see if my wallet will allow it, because obviously I'll want the compendium to go with it lol. 

Flora Oracle - looks gorgeous but that price hurts, especially when you all shipping to NZ! I like that you can choose the background? 

Soulflower Oracle - why do so many Oracle creators insist on putting so many words on their cards *rolls eyes*

Wild Medicine Herbal - now this as a tarot deck with a book like the Hedgewitch or Herbcrafters would be PERFECT. But alas, I have once again found an "almost" deck... 

Flowers of the Night - this one caught my eye a while ago but that's as far as it got. 

Illustrated Herbiary - I could grow to enjoy this deck, again if it had more cards

Wisdom of the Trees - nice little addition on the end there but not really what I'm after. I'd like a deck with more plant diversity. 

 

*pants* Did I miss any? You guys are amazing! Iive discovered through this endeavour that a good book is really what makes the difference for me. I can possibly get past a lack of cards if the book makes up for it.

 

So I have 3 on my shortlist of possibilities:

 

Botanica Tarot - oh that art! Price is a bit iffy though... 

Herbcrafters - oh that book! Undecided on the art but that price definitely helps.. 

Hedgewitch Botanical Oracle - oh that art and book! So few cards though... 

 

So looks like I've got 2ish days to decide (Botanica kickstarter ends) unless something better comes along... 

 

[TheFeeLion]

9 hours ago, kate said:

I just finally gave in and joined this kickstarter last night, lol. I was about to post mentioning it in this thread. Here's the link!

Oh I almost forgot! Thanks so much for the link! 😁

[Niobium]

I don't think I've seen anyone mention these plant themed decks:

 

Bottanical Deck - Combined Tarot and Oracle card set, pretty much my favorite of this sort. 

 

It's a bit pricey, but it's also an ENORMOUS set of cards, so I didn't mind.

 

Although it's not strictly just a plant deck, the Antique Anatomy Tarot has botanical symbolism throughout.

Edited May 5, 2020 by Niobium

[gregory]

5 hours ago, TheFeeLion said:

The last one (couldn't see the name - cremetarot?) - not my cup of tea at all unfortunately. The statuary puts me off and the fact that the plants don't take centre stage. 

 

No, it's horrid - but it's the same artist as Language of Flowers , so I thought it could get you in contact.

[TheFeeLion]

1 hour ago, gregory said:

No, it's horrid - but it's the same artist as Language of Flowers , so I thought it could get you in contact.

😂 I'm glad I'm not the only one! 

 

@Niobium I do like the look of Antique Anatomy but the guidebook is virtually nonexistent. The Bottanica Deck I've been spying for a while! Not sure if I can justify spending just shy of NZ$140 for one deck though. Do you have it yourself? What's it like to use? Is the book any good? 

[kate]

@TheFeeLion I waffled and canceled my pledge for Botanica, but it should be available to order after the kickstarter as well.

[Niobium]

@TheFeeLion I'd noticed that; it's part of what's held me back from snagging one. Maybe, though...

 

As for The Bottanical Deck, I'm a big fan of art decks and esoteric/off-theme decks, so with that in mind:

 

The cards are smooth silky matte, which is a feeling I //love//. Thick stock, so shuffling them requires some creativity.

 

It's a...sharp deck, I want to say. I have some decks which are very random, and some which beat around the bush, and some which try to gently tell you to fish or cut bait. But when people talk about a deck whose art feels like it's calling you out? That's this deck for sure. Maybe this is just because of how austere and bold the art is to me, though.

 

The guidebook, I must note, only covers uprights. I'm okay with that in general--it's a huge deck, I won't blame someone for shying from writing well over 200 meanings and keywords--but it would have been nice to read the creator's interpretations of reversals. I'm always open to new views on the card meanings, especially when the deck isn't squarely in RWS/Thoth/etc. For example, The Fool--which in such decks is so often a seed--isn't in this case. So a little more covering both ends would have been nice. The guidebook does fully describe each plant type and its card relationship, so if you're at all wondering why yucca or why willow or why dandelion, that's covered. It's a spare book given the deck's sheer size, but that's okay for me.

 

 

[TheFeeLion]

@Niobium thanks for the mini review! 😁 That card stock/finish sounds like it could be similar to True Black (very thick and feels like petals). Its doesn't worry me too much that the book doesn't cover reversals. I like that the artists reasoning for plant choice is included and I kinda like that the Fool isn't the obvious (cop-out?) seed choice. I might have to add it to my shortlist list and save up for it... 

[Mi-Shell]

These days I am getting more and more into Animal and Plant based decks - the ones, where no humans are in the images.

  So I again went through this thread 🙂

Thank you all that helped to set it up ♥

A few of the links went the way of the internet Dodo Bird, but that sadly is almost expected.  

Further search however let me find this deck - 

... and I fell for it!

Botanica Oculta Tarot 🌻 🌷🌿🍂