Review of the Summer Holiday Tarot
Summer Holiday Tarot (Second Edition)
Author: Mate Horonumber
Artwork: Oomsin Phumphat
Artist: JUJIIR
Indie Publisher: Deckstiny
Part of Deckstiny’s “4 Seasons Set”, the Summer Holiday Tarot is the perfect escape when you are craving a tropical getaway. A cheeky deck that doesn’t take itself too seriously, the Summer Holiday Tarot is the ideal companion when you want to add some lighthearted fun to your Tarot practice. Based on the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) system, this deck is an easy reader no matter your level of Tarot experience.
The Cardstock
This deck uses high-quality, matte cardstock that is easy to riffle shuffle, and the cards slide nicely for anyone who likes to fan out their cards. But my favourite feature of this deck is the green, glittery edging. Not only are the edges vibrant and eye-catching, but I think the glitter adds a magical quality to this deck. I’ve used this deck quite a lot over the summer period, and the edging has not chipped or shown any signs of wear. This is a very well-made deck.
The Artwork
I adore the artwork in this deck. As someone who is lucky enough to have grown up on the east coast of Australia, I think this deck perfectly reflects the energy and vibrancy of the Australian summer. January is my absolute favourite time of year, and this deck screams January summer holidays to me. The artwork in this deck is so much fun to read with. Even the “scary” cards are tame, so it’s a great deck for younger readers or anyone who generally feels intimated by the darker cards such as The Devil, the Ten of Swords or the Death card.
The backs are reversible and the images are borderless, two elements that I always appreciate. There is some diversity with skin colours and body shapes of the characters, but it is certainly not the most diverse deck I’ve seen. They get some points for trying to be inclusive, but there is definitely room for improvement.
The lighthearted nature of this deck is part of its appeal, but this playful energy also narrows the types of readings that this deck suits. The sunny disposition of this deck means that it isn’t much of a heavy hitter in my opinion, but who wants to be bummed out when they are on holidays anyway. I tend to hibernate during the colder months, so I love to take this deck away with me when the weather warms up to add a bit of fun and adventure to my travels. This deck is a great reminder not to take life so seriously and to spend more time doing the things that bring you happiness. Like a little ray of sunshine, this deck is a mood booster whenever you are seeking a shot of optimism and positivity, and it reminds us to always try and see the good within the present moment.
The Guidebook
This deck does not have a guidebook. That said, it follows the RWS system pretty closely, so it will be an easy reader for anyone with a base knowledge of the RWS. And for anyone not familiar with the RWS, the artwork is straightforward and can easily be read intuitively based on the illustrated scenes.
The Box
The Summer Holiday Tarot comes in a two-piece box that holds the cards nicely. There is no wasted space, the box is compact, 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 (March 2024), the Summer Holiday Tarot is still available from a few different indie deck suppliers internationally. But please be aware that there are counterfeit copies of this deck floating around. A fake deck will be significantly cheaper than the real thing, and usually comes in a tuck box, so if you are looking to purchase this deck, please do your due diligence and show support to the indie creator by purchasing the real thing.
For anyone located in Australia, I have a few copies of the second edition of the Summer Holiday Tarot available for purchase through my shop.
Summary
So, what do I reckon?
Not bad. 3/5 stars.
There is no deck that captures the essence of a coastal summer quite like the Summer Holiday Tarot. It makes me nostalgic of family holidays and tropical adventures, and it occupies a special place in my collection for that reason. It’s positive vibes and playful energy make it a fun and easy reader, even if you aren’t familiar with the Tarot or the RWS system. This deck keeps things light and cheery and is more suited to surface level or day-to-day readings than unpacking the hard questions of life. I always prefer when a deck comes with a guidebook that explains the artist’s interpretation of the cards, but that is by no means a deal breaker when a deck follows the RWS so closely, as this one does. The quality of the cardstock is excellent, and the glittery green edging is one of my favourite features of this deck. I recognise that not everyone is as obsessed with the summertime as I am, so this deck will not be for everyone. But if you are looking for a deck that will add some vibrancy and encourage you to look on the bright side of life, then this is a great choice.
