Reviewing The Tarot of Bones created by Lupa has been an intriguing journey that offers what I have been missing from most animal-related tarot decks. This Tarot deck is very beautifully thought out; the significance of the cards was planned carefully and creatively to reflect the complex story of Tarot using bones. The idea of Tarot of Bones is well overdue and I am ecstatic that a deck of this kind has been brought to us.

The weight of the power of the bones is transmitted through Lupa’s art, arranging the bones of various animals among a variety of natural backgrounds. Each card is an altar to the symbolism and the animal’s characteristics. Lupa brings a very natural and organic depth to tarot, asking us to feel the story and observe a relationship between animals, to allow the reflection of our lives to rise to the surface of our consciousness and guide us to clarity.

When I began this review I did not look at the book first, but dove right into the cards. I found the images intriguing and the layers of meaning found especially in the major arcana cards captivated me. I pulled Justice - the alligator skull and the metal heart hearkens to the Egyptian Goddess of justice, Ma’at and the weighing of the heart after death. Ammit is an Egyptian Goddess with an alligator head, lion torso and hippopotamus bottom half. If your soul is too heavy, Ammit will devour the heart, returning the soul back to the great cycle, removing all possibility of reincarnation. The rusty heart in the card image represents a heart that has lived life - so too has the reader who has pulled the card of justice. The intentional contrast of the rusted heart next to the white, almost glowing, skull implies the sacred persistence and dependability of justice, a powerful image for a powerful card to pull.

The significance flowed easily for me and my message further developed when I looked over the book. The book is the perfect companion for this energy Lupa has conjured. She explains perfectly the symbolism in the cards as well as addresses the common confusion between justice and judgement. She intends Justice to recognize the moment of realization, the weighing of the heart, the threat of what is next but not yet experiencing the karma and atonement that judgment speaks of. How better to portray this than with Ma’at and Ammit?

I appreciate the author’s clear communication without being overly preachy or vocatious. True to her words, and true to the desires of the bones, she provides a guide to the symbolism but steps away so the reader can freely interpret and interact with the cards.

This deck is searching for those of us who want the deep earth and bones vibration in our craft, who resonate with animals and are looking for more than a retelling of animal totem medicine. I found the complex interweaving of natural history, art, bone magic, and sacred animal energy told through myth to be more complex and organic than I have found before.

This deck wants to be known, it wants to be held close, to be intimate with its keeper and used for great magic. It has stories and messages to be told; the bones are calling to us. Tarot of Bones is going to be a must for my tarot repertoire.

Simone Mack is a dedicant of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church. She is a student of Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary and a graduate of Western Washington University, passionate about witchcraft and all things in nature.​ Click here to get your own copy of The Tarot of Bones.