• Deck Title: Hip Chick Tarot
• Author:                       Maria Strom
• Publisher:                   RED Feather / Schiffer Publishing
• Publication Date        28^th May 2018
• ISBN:                           978-0-7643-5492-2
• RRP:                            £31.99
• Reviewed by:             Jennifer

I tentatively agreed to do this review for TABI, as this isn’t a deck I would normally choose based on the art style.  However, as I studied each image in order, I began to feel a connection to them.  I immediately noticed the suit names had been changed, and normally that’s a big no-no for me, but these actually work!  Wands are now Create (paint brushes), Pentacles are Earth (little earths), Swords are Think (light bulbs), and Cups are Feel (hearts). They all make sense!  Result!

Not all the majors are named after the ones we are familiar with though, and they have no numbers on them which is a shame.  Also note the Court cards, or Family Cards as they are known as in the Hip Chick Tarot.  As the Hip Chick Tarot is all female, there are no Kings, only Bosses, so we have: Child, Teen, Boss and Queen, again these changes are easy to understand.

The artwork is bright, vibrant and not too busy, and has a Mexican influence which reflects that part of Maria’s heritage.  The imagery bursts off the cards with such energy and effervescence that it makes the cards fun to use.  And let’s not forget the backs, which are a stunning turquoise blue with a large daisy in the centre.

The deck shuffles nicely and is very smooth, which makes the process a pleasure, and the cards are just the right size to hold without over-stretching, or having to turn the cards around to their narrow side.  The cards are firm with a slight flex too.

The deck and accompanying 112 page guidebook are presented in a sturdy box with a hinging lid, plus a little ribbon tab to ease the opening of the lid.

The guidebook is introduced with a message from Maria, followed by a single page for each of the Major, Family and Minor cards.  The font is fun too, all very Hip Chick!

If you’re familiar with the Rider-Waite-Smith style of tarot, you’ll appreciate the unique changes this deck offers. The only card that initially puzzled me was “Bound,” which is the renamed Devil card. I shared this deck with some tarot friends and received mixed feedback; one friend instantly disliked it, while the other was drawn in, just like I was.

Not all decks are for everyone, but this one is enjoyable to work with. It has provided me with insightful answers to my questions. While it may not be packed with symbolism, it allows for intuition to engage nicely, which I find appealing.

I think this will be my go-to deck for sunny vibes, whether it’s a bright day or if I need to sit quietly and soak in those positive emotions.

If you want to embrace your girl power, your feminist side or the inner Hip Chick lurking just below the surface, this is a fantastic deck that deserves further exploration.

About the author:

Living in the city of Athens, Georgia, Maria is a cat mama and supporter of feline welfare, with a dislike of pumpkin spice!  Her spiritual practice is all about recognising the Divine in everyday moments. She’s captivated by the synchronicity and spiritual epiphanies that the Divine sends our way, but she believes the real magic happens in our daily lives; how we connect with ourselves, others, and everything around us.

Maria has crafted a unique, modern tarot deck for women that’s both spiritual and practical. Hip Chick Tarot is designed to help women tap into their inner wisdom with images and messages that resonate with their experiences. The messages are written in clear, contemporary language, encouraging women to explore their inner world and trust themselves as their own guides on their spiritual journey.

You can follow Maria’s journey on Instagram: @mariahipchicktarot