Halloween Decks for Darker Days
Today, to usher in the beginning of Fall on this side of the world, I’m rehashing an old blog post from 2018! September and October are mine and Tim’s favourite months. They have such a unique feeling, not to mention the weather and natural landscapes are so beautiful.
Around this time, I also engage with my practice a little differently, and as such, tend to use different decks. In this post, I’ll be sharing decks from our personal collection that I love to use this time of year; ones that have a bit of a dark, spooky or shadowy vibe.
I will include Amazon links for each, but of course you can find them places other than Amazon.
The Halloween Oracle by Stacey Demarco
I adore the Halloween oracle. It’s got beautiful, story book imagery and speaks to themes that are perfectly apt for October. It’s specificity, while perfect for this time of year, does make it a little less versatile for myself during other months.
The Zombie Tarot by Paul Kepple & Stacey Graham
I bought this one because I loved it on an aesthetic level, but I was happily surprised to find that it also reads incredibly well. I hear this from lots of people actually. Don’t be fooled by its campiness - this is no novelty deck. It is cheeky, smart and plays on the zombie theme while incorporating the tarot symbolism we’ve come to recognize, remarkably well. And while it’s perfect for these darker months, I don’t hesitate to turn to it anytime that I need a kick in the butt.
Read my fuller review of it here
Darkness of the Light Tarot by Tony DiMauro
Just like its name, this tarot deck is definitely dark - but in a really beautiful, moody way. It’s a perfect companion for shadow work or just like, if if you’re feeling a bit more pensive and introspective.
This deck is not on Amazon and at the time of me publishing this, it appears to be out of stock on the creator’s website as well.
Pagan Otherworlds Tarot by Uusi
This deck isn’t dark, per say, but it has a real sort of primal vibe. The imagery is stark and the use of skulls and other natural elements lend it well to these colder days. We think it would be a wonderful companion for ritual or shadow work.
Antique Anatomy Tarot by Claire Goodchild
I am such a fan of Claire’s body of work, and no Halloween list would be complete without at least one of her decks. I mean…just look at those examples…I think they speak for themselves. Equal parts dark and beautiful, the Antique Anatomy tarot is a total mood and always on point as a reading tool.
Archetypes Oracle by Kim Krans
The idea of archetypes invites communion with the subconscious and other aspects of the psyche, so for this reason, we think it completely resonates with the season. This deck also cuts deep and encourages a lot of contemplation, and inevitably, that can involve looking at more difficult parts of life and self. We use it all year round, but it feels particularly apt for end of year reflections.
Alchemy Oracle by Kim Krans
Tim and I are such enthusiasts of the Wild Unknown series, and it is more than fit that the Alchemy oracle also find a place on this list. Alchemy is a deep dive into self-transformation, exploring the light and dark in equal parts, while offering lots of direct and tangible guidance.
Read our fuller review of it here
Now this is where my personal list ends, but there hundreds more out there to explore. I hope you enjoyed this overview and that it’s helped to get you into the Halloween/Fall spirit! If you have any suggestions or go-to decks for this time of year, please let me know in the comments.
Julia