Tarot is a part of my life, whether I pull a card for me, or throw out a spread for someone else. I am always found with tarot cards close by or in my hand. Now I have my favourite decks, but now I wanted ones that resonated with me personally. So one deck I really wanted to show is the Housewives Tarot with a review.
Now, this deck is not your typical deck and I wanted to get into a deep dive about it, where it came from and why. There is so much to unwrap here and get stuck in with this deck and why it is now considered as one of my favourite decks.
I wanted to really get the whole appeal for this deck as this is certainly something else. Now I do think you will enjoy it, just as much as I do!
Here is my Housewives Tarot review!
The Housewives Tarot Review
More on why I love the Housewives tarot and why it is worthy of such a glorious review…
About the deck
Classed as a ‘Domestic Divination Kit’ this is exactly what it is. From the packaging to the cards, this is truly a 1950’s iconographic deck that anyone who enjoys the 1950’s aesthetic will really love this.
It was created with the fun 1950’s style artwork that can be seen in a lot of people’s homes. I know myself I have a lot of 1950’s style artwork around the home.
I’m a lover of all things 1950’s and the aesthetics are really pleasing to me. So after searching for ‘the’ deck, I came across this on a group and I knew I had to hunt this down. I was lucky that it was sold on Amazon.
The deck was created by Paul Kepple and Jude Buffum. Published by Quirk Books who is an independent American publisher. They publish quirky and fun books and tarot. Sold through Amazon in the UK.
Now they only publish 2 decks, The Housewives Tarot and The Zombie Tarot which has a similar aesthetic.
I wish there was more tarot decks published as I know these are the kinds of decks I would happily collect.
The retro look and packaging is wonderful, the layout of the old-style recipe cards makes it magnificent. Offering that personal touch.
Packaging and quality
Such iconic 1950’s packaging which gives it the look of a recipe box. Even with the little section dividers that you would imagine with the 1950’s style recipe cards.
The box is quite chunky, but it really like the aesthetic of it. It’s very 1950’s with the checked pattern, old
Do you remember the old Genko fortune-telling machines? The top of the box almost as that kind of aesthetic with the decoration of the machines. Fits really well with the 1950’s theme.
When you take the lid off the box, on one side there is a little ‘This deck belongs to’ which gives it such a cute personal touch, but also again, sticking with that 1950’s theme. Also, there is a coupon, we know coupons were a 1950’s thing. Although we use them today, they make you think of the 1950’s. Then little anecdotes on the side about the Housewives tarot, which made me laugh.
Inside is a black velvet holder to keep the cards from moving, the box is quite larger than the cards but the reason was to give the 1950’s aesthetic for the layout of the cards.
Nestled inside are 4 dividers labelled as: The Housewife Tarot, The Major Arcana, The Minor Arcana, and the Instruction booklet.
At the back of the box nestles a cute little booklet with all the information on the cards. Again has that beautiful 1950’s style with blue gingham and lace side detail.
A 1950’s toaster with two of the cards popping out is a cute aesthetic takes the centre stage of the booklet.
The quality of the cards is magnificent. Made from card, they have a matte feel to them which makes it easy to shuffle and use as needed.
Size-wise, the cards are easy to hold, about the size of a standard playing card, smaller than a general tarot card. But I like this as they are easy to hold and shuffle. They are 4 3/8 high x 2 3/4 inch and 1 and 1/8 thick.
The Housewives Tarot Review
I really wanted to get in-depth with this review so this is going to be quite long and I do apologise. Now the beauty of these cards can not be overlooked and I am so excited about them!
The tarot cards are based on your typical RWS style deck. But with a difference! The negative cards such as The Tower have a different meaning so it is a card deck you need to learn again, but the general gist is there.
Major Arcana has the same-named cards as typical RWS decks and some meanings are similar, but it has been more brought into the deck, rather than the typical RWS.
There are 4 suits in The Housewives Tarot which are as follows: Pentacles which are generally shown on dinner plates. Wands which are depicted with brooms, toothbrushes and various household items that are similar to a wand. Swords which are generally shown as knives and sharp kitchen implements. Finally, the cups are general household cups from wine glasses to tumblers.
Each card has a similar meaning, although the negative cards are less negative and more thought-provoking and giving life advice. Which is why I enjoy using these as advice cards. I have a many different ranges of decks for different things, these are finely tuned for giving advice and will work well with some oracle cards I have.
This isn’t your typical deck. It’s kitsch, it’s fun but also it’s 1950s style! But they would certainly work on yourself. My favourite deck is The Housewives Tarot just because of this!
The Design and illustrations!
The back of the cards has a red and cream gingham pattern than on the front is vastly different, with a similar theme.
For example, The Emperor has recipes faded in the background as the design is a chef made of condiments and cans. This is also shown on other designs with a food theme. Then we have the Fool for example, with a blue, green, yellow type background which seems to appear on the outside themes, like The Lovers. Then there is a faded yellow background on such designs as Justine and a snakeskin theme in yellow like on The High Priestess. There is also other themes on a yellow background, like newspaper articles faded out, writing in an advert style, faced outlines of pictures, faded instructions like on Temperance and so forth. This theme runs through the entire deck of cards! Death and the Moon have a green background which gives a stark contrast.
A hilarious array of illustrations on the cards, from the ‘Devil child’ on the 6 of Pentacles (Get it?) to a woman depicted as walking away in a funny ‘See ya!’ and 3 funny faces along with 6 knives.
It’s funny, kitschy and an absolute delight. Although you do need a sense of humour.
Regardless of the funny illustrations, you can still read really well with them. The illustrations just make it more fun to use.
Just incorporate your sense of humour in them to keep everything fun!
Divider cards!
Now for the divider cards! Obviously I had to do a little review of these.
On the front of each card, it has something different on each tab. Along with a different picture and then a recipe on the back.
The first one is: The Housewife tarot which has this on the tab, but also on the body of the card and on the back of the card. With details about the deck such as publisher, dates, etc. This I like the card you leave there, more for show.
Next, we have Major Arcana on the tab with a picture of a Kitchen Aid style mixer and a couple of cards inside. Then a recipe on the back for an Ice Box Fortune Cake. We all love cake so this is the perfect snack to make people when reading. It says you can use this with the Neapolitan spread too!
Minor Arcana on the tab with the next one, with a plate, knife and fork and spoon and a card in the middle. Turn it over and you have divinated eggs and a recipe for them. Another tasty snack and says to use with the Dinette spread.
Finally, instruction booklet on the tab and a picture of someone ironing with a martini and yes you got it, this is a Martini recipe on the back! It does state to use this with Martini spread.
It’s nice there is a couple of recipes you could use for your reading. I am sure your client would love a nice Martini! If not, enjoy one as you have a read of your own cards. (Yes, despite popular opinion, you can read for yourself! The perfect way to learn)
The Booklet!
I enjoyed the booklet inside, it is very different from other booklets across the cards I have. This booklet has a little story which encapsulates you and makes you feel like it resonates so well. ‘The Legend of the Mystical Housewives Tarot’ has you feeling like this is aimed at you. The person sat in the kitchen with a deck of tarot cards. Whipping them out amongst the gasps from your friends.
The booklet provides a couple of spreads you can try, called:
‘The Virgin’, ‘The Neapolitan’, The Dinette’, ‘The Clothesline of Life’ and ‘The Martini’. These really pair well with the deck and gives it a punch.
Each page has the design of the card, 3 keywords, and a quick description. There is no reversed so I would only use this deck as upright.
Now the back of the book is a 1950’s style design with a lady pushing a 1950’s vacuum hoovering up the cards. Quite funny actually.
Final Thoughts
This deck is quirky, fun and a must-have deck for anyone who loves kitschy things, like me!
It’s fun, out there and you can couple it with a really fun book I recently read called Kitchen Table Tarot. You know, for that kitschy fun we love so much!
From the packaging to the cards, I love every part of this tarot deck and will certainly be looking out more from this brand!
Check out my Top 5 Pretty Tarot Cards if you want other ideas!
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This deck was not sent to me to review, rather I purchased this with my own money and the review is of my own wording.
