• Author/Artist: Nicola McIntosh
• Publisher: Rockpool Publishing
• Publication Date: 28-Oct-2025
• RRP: (AUD) $32.99 / UK £30.00 / US $39.95
• ISBN13: 9781922786326
• Country of publication: Australia
• Reviewed by: Kim Goldsmith Cosmic Snail Tarot
   

The Celtic Spirit Tarot is a unique 92 card deck that blends the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot system with nature-based healing and Celtic folklore. The deck includes the additional suit of ‘Spirit’ which embodies the life force of all things – representing the fifth point of the pentagram. Nicola McIntosh is of Celtic ancestry, and practices a wide range of spiritual traditions from her culture and others, including Shamanism. Underpinning all her work is a firm belief in engaging with nature to connect to self, spirit and the universe. Nicola has previously published a book titled Celtic Cauldron in which she shares her knowledge of plants, herbs and crystals, providing recipes and suggestions for spells and rituals to improve yourself and assist in manifestation. Her website Spirit Stone includes some short courses and information on a variety of topics, including how to use oracle decks.

Nicola McIntosh is an artist and has illustrated this deck with her ink and watercolour artwork. The drawings of people and elemental deities in the deck are drawn in a simple and naive way, and show some inconsistencies in style which initially bothered me. At times the figures look out of proportion, stiff, or the perspective is a bit off (e.g. the Knight of Wands). There are some cards that look unfinished or unresolved in terms of composition and details such as The Hanged Man and the Five of Stones. Other cards look more sophisticated and highly dense and detailed like The Tower, or my favourite card, Strength, which features a Scottish thistle encircling a Scottish wild cat poised to pounce. The Spirit suit are almost exclusively Celtic Knot designs and are minimal with muted light grey backgrounds.

It is interesting, however, how some decks can be perfectly drawn and stagnant when used in a reading, whereas other decks can be imperfect artistically but absolutely communicate well in a reading. The latter is true for the Celtic Spirit Tarot. I really didn’t think I would enjoy reading with this deck, but it has slowly grown on me and I will definitely use it for practical and honest answers to life questions. The artwork at first looks sparse, as you read with the deck, the detection of Runic or Ogham alphabets, or Celtic Knot symbols adds a deceptive layer of complexity. For instance, Major 6 The Lovers is designed to look like the Claddagh symbol that is often used on ‘Irish wedding rings’, a design said to have originated from Galway in Ireland. So you can read this card with the traditional RWS meaning, but then add in friendship (hands), loyalty (crown) and love (heart) from the Celtic symbolism. The 7 of Wands includes the Ogham symbol for protection and defence on the Rowan tree branch (pictured in the Celtic Cross Spread) which complements the RWS meaning of this card about defending your ideas or energy and standing your ground. I received the 10 of swords as the obstacle card in my Celtic Cross reading too, and the runes encircling the impaled figure translate to ‘Keep Going’ which is a positive spin on the often negative and challenging card. Speaking of which, I find that all of the guidebook meanings, even in the reverse card descriptions, end with a comment on how to turn any situation to your advantage, or a lesson that can be learnt. I generally like to operate this way when reading to clients, so even if it is a hard message in the cards, I offer a constructive way to move forward. So, this deck would be excellent for professional readers helping people navigate roadblocks in their life in a clear and pragmatic way.

I appreciate that the guidebook has a comprehensive list of spread options, including several for 4 cards which are really handy for doing short readings for clients or yourself. The pentagram spread is specific to this deck as it represents the 5 elements. The box is cleverly designed to look like it is made of wood. It has a removable satin box inside which has the reading cloth in it featuring the Celtic Cross Spread – a rather handy and beautiful addition. The card stock is thin which is a blessing because with an extra suit it is a big pile of cards to shuffle! I suggest breaking up the deck into piles and riffling or overhand shuffling. I have been using my deck daily and notice that there is already some wear and tear so they will start to look aged and worn quickly which I don’t mind. The card back designs are reversible, and the green and gold Celtic symbols beautifully signify nature and the Celtic spirit that the artist intends for her deck.

Initially, I did wonder if the extra ‘Spirit’ suit was necessary, especially since the artwork is so spartan and mostly features black and white Celtic line work and symbols. In readings, I either refer to the Wands suit or the Major Arcana cards to fulfil explorations of spiritual purpose in my readings. However, after using this deck for a while I think it really does add another dimension to your readings where majors can represent life lessons, and the spirit minors open up advice on how to find your purpose and goals in day to day life.  For example, in my Celtic Cross Reading I received the 5 of Spirit card in reverse as my final outcome or direction if I continue on my current path of feeling a little purposeless. The meaning in the guidebook for reverse is ‘imbalance’, ‘stagnation’ and ‘resistance to change’ which is on point. ‘The card advises you to examine where the imbalance exists and to embrace transformation with trust’. I love that it both hit the nail on the head but then gave me some wise guidance on how to concentrate my energy to move forward out of a rut. This suit really does unpack aspects of spiritual discovery that may not always come up in the standard minor arcana suits.

Although the overall aesthetic of the drawings is not my ideal, all the readings from this deck have been so helpful and specific that I think the strength of the Celtic Sprit Deck lies in its practicality and the guidebook messages. There is a real life and energy contained within it that I think any practitioner will enjoy. Nicola McIntosh has done well to go deep and consistently into the Celtic symbols, folklore and culture of her heritage in the design and guidebook for the Celtic Spirit Tarot. Readers who are focused on nature worship, faery tales, and Celtic Folklore will particularly want to incorporate this deck into their collection. It would work well alongside rune rituals or herbal medicine too. But I think that this is a deck for anyone, as the guidebook, instructions on how to use the deck and the history behind its creation are clear, accurate and useful for beginners and seasoned readers alike.

To purchase the deck, please visit: https://www.rockpoolpublishing.com/en-us/products/celtic-spirit-tarot?_pos=1&_sid=c32f35ab7&_ss=r

Or your regional online bookstore.