Review of The Moon Baby Tarot (second edition)
Moon Baby Tarot (2nd Edition)
Creator: Brant Palazzo
Independently published
A reworking of the forever popular, but sadly Out-Of-Print, Hoi Polloi Tarot, the Moon Baby Tarot is an indie deck that takes you on a trip back to the 1970s. The avocado-green edges, plus the pastel purple, green and orange colour palette will add groove to any reading. Using the linework from the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck, the Moon Baby Tarot is a clear and easy reader which will suit any level of reading experience.
The Cardstock
The cardstock has a matte finish with gorgeous matte edges in an avocado-green colour. The cards are slightly larger than the Hoi Polloi Tarot and the corners are less rounded (as can be seen in the photo below).
The cardstock can be riffle shuffled fairly well, but it is a bit stiff due to the thickness of the cards, although they do feel like they will loosen up over time. The thicker cardstock does, however, mean that the cards will be a lot more durable than the Hoi Polloi which has thin cardstock and is prone to damage.
Backs of the Moon Baby Tarot (Left) and the Hoi Polloi Tarot (Right)
The Artwork
The artwork in this deck makes it so much fun to read with. It has a soft, 70s-inspired, colour palette, using mostly pastel greens, purples, blues and oranges. The colours are much more muted than the vibrant Hoi Polloi Tarot, but I like the different colour choices as it gives the Moon Baby a unique feel (see images below: Moon Baby [left] and Hoi Polloi [right]). I find that the Hoi Polloi gives readings that are a bit more blunt than the Moon Baby. The Moon Baby feels like a friend who will always tell you the truth but is still patient with you. The Hoi Polloi, on the other hand, is sharp and straight to the point. The Hoi Polloi feels like a Wands deck, whilst I find the Moon Baby to be more of a Pentacles/Cups combination. Whether it’s the contrasting colour palettes, or the fact that my copy of the Hoi Polloi was printed in 1972 whilst the Moon Baby was printed in 2022, these two decks have their own unique energies and each has a distinct place in my collection.
One of my favourite things about the Moon Baby Tarot is that the creator has given you the option to choose the order you want for Strength and Justice. The Hoi Polloi has Justice numbered VIII and Strength numbered X1 in accordance with the tradition of Tarot de Marseille (which I am not a fan of in RWS-based decks), so I really appreciate that the creator has given readers two extra cards so they can choose the order that works best for them.
Whilst the backs are not reversible on either the Moon Baby or the Hoi Polloi, I much prefer the colours of the backs on the Moon Baby. I also prefer the updated font for the Moon Baby as it feels like it fits the aesthetic of the deck better and is easier to read. In both decks, all the characters have brown skin tones, which is a welcomed change from the traditional RWS decks. I will also note that the Moon Baby is one of my favourite decks to use when reading for other people. It reads well for everyone and it is an absolute crowd pleaser.
The Guidebook
The booklet that comes with this deck is the least impressive aspect of the deck. It folds out accordion-style and contains a couple of upright and reversed keywords for each card. It offers a few general tips for reading the cards and also includes a daily three-card spread with an explanation of the spread positions (written in very tiny font).
I don’t see the lack of information in the guide booklet as an issue since the artwork uses the traditional RWS linework. Any RWS book (or a simple Google search) will give you all the information you need for any of the cards. I also can’t compare the Moon Baby Tarot booklet with the Hoi Polloi because I purchased a second-hand copy of the Hoi Polloi that did not come with the guidebook.
The Box
The Moon Baby Tarot comes in a high-quality two-piece box that keeps the deck secure. With a matte finish, it is smooth to touch and the lid glides on and off nicely. The deck is compact with no wasted space, and it can be stored easily.
Availability
Like all indie decks, there is always potential for a deck to go out of print.
At the time of writing this review (February 2024), the limited second edition of The Moon Baby Tarot is still available from the creator’s Etsy shop.
For anyone located in Australia, I have a few copies of the second edition of this deck available for purchase through my shop.
Summary
So, what do I reckon?
Absolute Cracker. 5/5 stars.
The Moon Baby Tarot is a little ripper of a deck. The soft, 70s-inspired colour palette not only adds a bit of fun to a reading but also gives it a distinct personality that feels like it creates a safe space. It is clear and straightforward to read with, but it is still friendly and nice in its delivery, making it a great all-rounder of a deck. I love the green edges, the matte cardstock is lovely and durable, and it uses Pamela Colman Smith’s linework whilst featuring brown skin tones, which is a nice change from the traditional RWS. Although the guide booklet is not the best, the fact that it is a recolouring of the RWS artwork means that it isn’t hard to find information on each card, making it a great deck for every experience level - beginner to advanced.
I love the Moon Baby Tarot and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves the Hoi Polloi or who wants a traditional RWS with a bit of added fun and flavour.
