- Steel Wizard Tarot: The Language of the Soul
- Author & Artist: Pamela Steele
- Published: October 2023 by Schiffer Publishing-Red Feather.
- ISBN: 978-0764366215
- RRP $34.99 (Approx £26.99 GBP)
- Reviewed by Kirsty-Ann (Twisted Wicked)
The Steele Wizard Tarot is an 88-card deck, complete with an expanded and updated guidebook (third edition). The Steele Wizard Tarot was originally something that Pamela had envisioned for 20 years; it was suggested by her cousin Maya that she bought ‘the deck she carried in her head’ to life.
Pamela sold her house to self-published the 1st edition which launched in 2006, followed by a further second self-publication in 2010, and now a third edition by Schiffer Red-Feather in 2023. All 3 editions have the same artwork and the addition of an extra 10 cards designed by Pamela to provide further clarity or even provide further insight and advice on the situation at hand. The additional 10 cards include: 5 majors; The Weaver, The Universe, Truth, Soul Twins, Evolution and I am. Throughout the Minors there is the addition of the ‘Maiden’ court card for each suit, this adds a deeper feminine divine feel throughout the deck and brings in the energy and power of Mother Earth/Gaia. The over-arching system this deck is based on, is the Rider-Waite System.
The artwork has a very Celtic Norse vibe about it, with the Elder Futhark runes further deepening that theme and rooting that connection throughout the deck. Each card is a hand drawn depiction of what Pamela envisioned representing feminine divine, symbolising the current human situation and expressing a parallel reality of charm and magic.
Focusing on Pamelas journey of Shamanism and elemental magic. The Artwork was created using pencil crayons and impressively the whole deck was completed in 9 months. The artwork of each card truly is spectacular, you can identify each pencil stroke and the colours are vivid and vibrant, bringing each card to life clearly. The rear design of each card is simple and gives of a gothic vibe, with the golden dragons on a black background.
This deck is a fair size, the box is around A5 in size and quite a sturdy companion, suitable for keeping the deck and guidebook safe. It has a folding magnetic closure, so the cards are securely stored, with beautiful yet simple illustrations all round. The cards are of a suitable and medium thickness stock card, this however does make shuffling harder, especially with an additional 10 cards. The gloss finish does make table shuffling a lot smoother and the cards do glide against one another easier than some, which assists you with shuffling the deck a bit easier.
The guidebook certainly packs a lot of information inside, from information on what is tarot, tarot ethics and even how to keep a tarot journal, it’s a great resource. Pamela goes into great detail on Tarot Ethic’s and encourages journaling and self-reflection on each card, to ascertain a deeper meaning and personal connection.
The full colour guide book continues with spreads, how to read the cards and then goes into detail of each card. Included are reversals for each card, which I love, I read reversals and sometimes the guidebooks either barely touch on this or omit it altogether, whereas Pamela gives ample information for people to explore and understand these alternative interpretations. There is also included a space for you to include your own notes, additional meanings or interpretations into the guidebook, but only for the Majors, I would have liked that to continue throughout the minors, as I like to make notes on both arcana’s.
As I have previously mentioned the deck incorporates The Elder Futhark and the guidebook this is briefly mentioned, on half a page, I felt this was a bit lacking as I don’t know much about the Runic meanings, and so a bit more information would have been educational and interesting. The brief reference mentions the rune name, and one word to sum it up, however, I will look into this in more detail as it has sparked my interest.
In the guidebook Pamela has a spread called ‘Soul Quest’, I felt this spread may provide support and insight into a situation I am currently encountering, and boy was I right! The spread looks at 6 cards laid out in a cross formation. The information and symbolism behind each card that presented answered its intended question and really highlighted some areas for self-reflection. Definitely giving me a number of things to think about in order to help me find my path forward, and how I may go about it.
Throughout my time reviewing this deck I connected with each card individually, overall, my favourite card is the High Priestess (2), its imagery really connects with the Luna lover in me, and it is strangely a full moon in Aquarius as I write this review. My least favourite is the Lovers, unfortunately the male figures facial expression is ‘haunting’, the darkness in his eyes gives me rather ‘creepy’ vibes, they are so black there feels something sinister about him. However, each card has its own way of connecting with you and I will definitely be returning to it regularly.
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