- Deck Title: Visionary Woman Tarot
- Author/Artist/Creator: Kristine Gorman – Instagram / Threads
- Publisher: Red Wheel / Weiser Books
- Publication Date: August 2025
- RRP: US $29.95 / GB £26.99
- ISBN: 978-1-57863-869-7
- Reviewed by: Dareema Rehman (aka Maya)
First Impressions
Receiving this deck during Navratri—the Hindu festival that honors Goddess Durga—felt incredibly symbolic. The timing reflected the spirit of the Visionary Woman Tarot perfectly: empowerment, intuition, and transformation. The deck arrives in a sturdy, beautifully illustrated box featuring the High Priestess on the cover, representing wisdom and introspection. The cards, though initially a little stuck together, soon separated smoothly and shuffled easily. The dull gold edging feels refined, giving the cards a quiet shimmer under light. The card backs display radiant yellow rays bordered by imagery from the Death card and a red central square framing the Two of Coins motif—a nod to Gorman’s Calabrian heritage. The imagery evokes balance and the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth.
The Guidebook
The 160-page guidebook is compact yet thorough, printed on glossy paper with a high-quality finish. Each card receives one or two dedicated pages featuring full-color artwork, upright and reversed meanings, and reflective commentary. Gorman’s writing is personable and grounded, offering wisdom without pretension. Her style feels conversational, creating the sense of a one-on-one dialogue. The introduction and acknowledgments shed light on her artistic process, expressing her gratitude and creative philosophy. A memorable line from her interpretation of The Empress reads: ‘She has the ability to manifest what she wants, when she wants. She lives in a constant state of creativity.’ That statement beautifully summarizes the energy that runs throughout the entire deck.
The Major Arcana
I began, as always, by laying out the twenty-two Major Arcana cards together. The result was breath-taking—an art gallery of archetypes, each one alive with color and emotion. The Rider–Waite–Smith structure is present but expanded upon through expressive symbolism. The cards have strong black borders that enhance their vivid reds, blues, yellows, and greens. Each face—especially the eyes—seems to speak directly to the reader. The World features a portrait of Rachel Pollack, Gorman’s mentor and friend, a touching nod to tarot lineage and mentorship.
The Fool is carefree yet grounded, representing curiosity over naivety. The Magician stands within red light, drawing cosmic energy into his palms, a representation of channelled creation. The High Priestess radiates quiet confidence, her expression that of a woman deeply connected to intuition. The Emperor sits in solitude, his companion eagle symbolizing clarity of vision. The deck doesn’t idealize gender—it celebrates the unity of dual energies. The Lovers, rendered with warmth, explores choice and connection. The Lay Figure (Hanged Man) recalls Il Meneghello’s ‘Painter’s Mannequin’ deck, while The Devil reappears as the ‘King of Doubt,’ capturing how inaction and self-sabotage can trap us. Judgment features an antique record player—its music representing divine calling—and The Sun shines brilliantly, a reminder of balance in joy.
The Minor Arcana
The Minors mirror the Majors’ vibrancy and depth. Each suit carries its elemental tone and emotional weight. The Aces set the tone: radiant red and black rays illuminate their symbols—the Ace of Cups overflows with emotional renewal, the Ace of Wands pulses with fiery intention, the Ace of Swords gleams with clarity, and the Ace of Pentacles roots itself in fertile ground. These cards radiate creation, purpose, and potential.
The Cups flow with deep blues, teals and yellows, reflecting empathy and self-awareness. The Two of Cups shows two faces gazing skyward—a tender illustration of communication and trust. The Four of Cups, all vessels upright, reframes stagnation as patience and divine timing. Gorman reminds us that awareness matures like fruit; there’s no rush for ripeness. The Seven of Cups, surrounded by seven keys, evokes choice and discernment. The Nine of Cups envelops a small figure in golden abundance, revealing gratitude as true fulfilment and calling us to visit to a deeper place of wisdom.
In the Swords, mental struggle transforms into insight. The Two of Swords, with a single glowing bulb, captures suspended thought before decision. The Three of Swords portrays emotional overwhelm—two blades in hand, one at the throat—transforming pain into catharsis rather than heartbreak. The Five of Swords, marked by a tiger, warns of competing intentions. The Six replaces the boat with a hot-air balloon, inviting perspective and mindful transition. The Nine and Ten of Swords use crimson backgrounds to depict anxiety, overthinking, and eventual release.
The Wands burst with warmth and creative force. The Two of Wands omits human figures entirely, capturing contemplation before action. The Four of Wands displays harmony in celestial and earthly balance—the sun, moon, and ripened fruit in rhythm. The Six of Wands, with koi fish leaping upward, symbolizes earned success and momentum. The Nine of Wands presents endurance; the figure stands alert but weary, surrounded by both green and barren rods—growth and fatigue entwined.
The Pentacles ground the reading in tangible energy. The Three of Pentacles celebrates craftsmanship and cooperation through sacred artifacts. The Four of Pentacles shifts from greed to gratitude, showing a lively market scene of sharing and abundance. The Eight of Pentacles captures Kristine Gorman in her studio—focused, serene, immersed in her creative flow. Each Pentacle card feels anchored in the real world while reminding us of the sacred in everyday labor.
Court Cards
The court cards follow the deck’s established palette—browns for Pentacles, reds and golds for Wands, blues and greens for Cups, and silver tones for Swords. The figures are expressive, their gazes magnetic. The Knights embody transition and motion, the Kings and Queens stand in mastery, and the Pages represent curiosity and youthful beginnings. The King of Wands is a highlight: dressed in yellow and red robes trimmed with ermine, he radiates calm confidence. Yellow brings vitality and optimism; red signifies passion and courage. He rests, wise and patient, yet fully capable of decisive action. Collectively, the court cards mirror our own stages of growth—learning, expressing, mastering, and sharing wisdom.
Overall Impression
Visionary Woman Tarot is both visually striking and spiritually resonant. Kristine Gorman’s paintings breathe life into timeless archetypes, giving each card emotional depth and accessibility. The deck honours divine feminine energy without excluding the masculine, creating a dialogue of balance and integration. Its high production quality, expressive art, and insightful guidebook make it a rewarding choice for both seasoned readers and newcomers.
Unlike many modern, highly conceptual decks, this one is easy to use and instantly welcoming to both beginners and intuitive readers. The system is loosely based on the Rider–Waite–Smith tradition, free from the complexities of the Golden Dawn and the minimalism of the Tarot de Marseille. This makes it a wonderful companion for readers who are visually attuned and can connect deeply through colour, imagery, and appreciation of artistic expression.
The guidebook enriches the experience with several creative spreads—such as the Nine-Card “Month Ahead” spread, the “Incubation Station,” “Zoe’s Spread,” and the thought-provoking “Anti-Inflammatory Spread.” An interesting feature is Gorman’s suggestion to explore her interpretation of Strength alongside other definitions to gain a broader understanding of the card’s meaning. Her view on the dual nature of ego—the good and the bad—is insightful and approachable. She includes a special five-card spread ‘Anti-Inflammatory’ beginning with “What is the opportunity presenting itself?” and ending with “What do I need to feed the lion to bring down an inflamed ego?” It’s a beautifully reflective framework that encourages healing, courage, and self-awareness.
Ultimately, this is a deck that doesn’t dictate answers but encourages self-reflection and conversation with one’s inner voice. Mystical, modern, and deeply human, Visionary Woman Tarot is a testament to creativity, balance, and intuitive power.
Verdict: ★★★★★ — A luminous celebration of intuition, creativity, and divine balance.
About the Author
Kristine Gorman is a professional artist and intuitive painter whose work bridges the mystical and the human. Her art has been widely exhibited across the United States and internationally. Visionary Woman Tarot is her artistic and spiritual homage to the feminine principle and creative intuition. Through her paintings, Gorman explores the intersection between the mystical and the everyday, inviting readers to engage with tarot as both an intuitive tool and a deeply personal art form.
0 Comments