Deck Review-The Jolanda Witch Tarot: The Healing Art of Magic by Rosie Björkman & Hans Arnold
Cover Photo Credits: Stock photo of The Jolanda Witch Tarot from publisher
The Jolanda Witch Tarot: The Healing Art of Magic by Rosie Björkman & Hans Arnold is a traditional 78 card Tarot Deck, in a sturdy box with a magnetic enclosure, and a 400 page guidebook published by Findhorn Press, an imprint of Inner Traditions Publishing. This kit was originally printed in Sweden in 1997, and has now come to the US via Inner Traditions and Findhorn Press. This Tarot Kit is the real deal, packed with beautiful illustrations, meaningful symbols and artwork for each card, in-depth explanations for each card, including correspondences with Gods and Goddesses, Zodiac Signs and Planets, as well as little rituals or spells for each card. The Guidebook also comes with a few specially designed Tarot spreads that I personally found useful while working with this deck. The deck’s structure itself mimics the Crowley Thoth Tarot and others using that format of correspondences, meanings and even qabalistic qualities. It’s a beautiful deck, and one I’ve come to rely on. Read on for my personal thoughts and a more in-depth look at this beautiful deck!
Personal Thoughts on The Jolanda Witch Tarot
The Jolanda Witch Tarot is simply stunning! The artwork conveys a simplicity with profound depth, and the color palettes used are stunning as well. The deep, and sometimes even hidden, symbolism within each card leaves a lot of divine breadcrumbs that have taken me to topics and research that has revealed even more about what the card or reading was implying or saying, without saying it directly. Not to say that this deck isn’t blunt; it definitely is, but it also leaves more clues to take you deeper, if that’s what you feel you need or are looking for. The guidebook will be found helpful by beginners, and this deck delivers tenfold, giving meanings for multiple interpretations, from general, to love, reversed, followed by a ritual, spell or meditation afterwards for the card. The card spreads found in the beginning of the guidebook have each been used personally by myself multiple times, with great accuracy, and have even helped me work through some issues that presented themselves at the time of each reading. This deck can shed light when you only see darkness. The Star Maiden concept/archetype comes up a lot in this deck for me, and she even has a spread in the guidebook!
I personally can’t give this deck enough praise, and the author and illustrator as well. I found that The Jolanda Witch Tarot became a favorite, and fast, too. I use it for daily readings for myself, readings for others, readings for world events, spiritual insight, and just about anything else you can think of. It’s an extremely versatile deck, ranging with use and accuracy from everyday life problems, to the more obscure, spiritual questions. I couldn’t recommend this deck enough; it’s perfect for beginners and advanced or professional Tarot readers like myself, with an ease of use, interpretation (even without the guidebook and imagery and symbolism alone) that is intuitive and appealing, even conveying more difficult cards like Death, The Devil, Nine of Swords, etc., with a relative ease on the eyes, conveying the message in a more soft tone, yet getting the message across. Because of all this praise, I have to give The Jolanda Witch Tarot a 5 on a scale of 1-5. If you read Tarot, you need this deck!
Rosie Björkman is an expert in Tarot and the Occult in her homeland of Sweden, and has studied various shamanic traditions. She has trained in Sweet Medicine with the Deer Tribe Metis Medicine Society in North America. She lives in Solna, Sweden.
Hans Arnol (1947-2010) was a well known illustrator recognized for his whimsical fairytale and horror illustrations, as well as interesting and quirky cover art for ABBA’s Greates Hits album.
About the Author:
Hello there! I’m the Modern Merlin, and I’ve been a Polytheist and Animist Pagan, Witch, Sorcerer, Wizard, Druid, Mystic, Ceremonial Magician and Soothsayer for 15 years, worshipping and casting magick with deities and spirits from many cultures, including Ancient Greece, Rome, Norse & Germanic, Celtic, Egyptian, Sumerian, as well as many Faeries, Nymphs, Dryads, Ancestors and other nature and land spirits and spirits of place. I practice Necromancy and Deathwalking, as well as Traditional Witchcraft and Ceremonial Magick. I study and practice Astrology as well as Tarot and other forms of divination. I give readings and spiritual services on my Facebook Page, The Modern Merlin, as well other free informational posts for everyone to see!
