Dark Daughter: First Impressions

Featuring goddesses from around the world, this deck promises to dive deep into any questions it's asked.

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At a Glance

• Publisher: Schiffer/redFeather
• Art Style: Stylised, blocky colours
• Size: Standard tarot size
• Theme: Goddesses from around the world

First Impressions

The artwork immediately stands out thanks to its bright, blocky colour palette. Each illustration takes inspiration from the culture the goddess belongs to, which gives the deck a strong sense of place rather than feeling generic. The longer I looked, the more small symbolic details I noticed tucked into the images, rewarding a slower reading style.

First Draw

The first card I pulled was the Emperor, represented by the Sumerian goddess Nisaba. As the goddess credited with the creation of writing and record-keeping, she reframes the Emperor’s authority into organisation, structure, and the act of documenting knowledge. Instead of control through force, this card speaks about stability through systems - a very promising introduction to working with the deck.

Who It’s For

This deck will likely appeal to readers who enjoy learning alongside reading, especially those interested in mythology, folklore, or cultural symbolism. Because it stays recognisable to traditional tarot while offering thoughtful reinterpretations, it works well for readers familiar with Rider–Waite–Smith meanings who want something fresh. Absolute beginners could still use it, but they may rely more on the guidebook at first.

Closing Thoughts

Folklore-inspired decks always feel like an invitation to learn something new, and this one definitely encourages curiosity. The art is distinctive without straying too far from recognisable tarot meanings, making it approachable while still offering new interpretations. I’m especially excited to see how different cultural figures reshape familiar cards as I continue working with it.