Tarot decks act as a conduit to the other side. From exploring one’s unconscious fears and insecurities to communing with ancestors and departed spirits, tarot cards can take you to the edge of the unknown and back.
Looking to the future might be scary, but sometimes the dark tidings can help you prepare for the worst or avoid a tragic fate by taking swift action.
While some tarot cards such as “The Sun” or the “Nine of Cups” can be pretty optimistic, there are others that ask the querent to sit with their discomfort and face what they’re avoiding, be it the “Ten of Swords,” “The Tower,” or the “Five of Cups.”
Sometimes, a seemingly negative card like “Death” might actually have a positive connotation, signaling a new beginning or chapter in your life. Similarly, a reversed card might point to darker meanings behind the symbols and imagery.
A horror-themed tarot deck taps into universal archetypes and presents evocative images that may help you reconnect with your shadow self.
Whether you’re planning to embark on shadow work or you’re a seasoned reader looking to add some spooky cards to your collection, these horror-themed tarot decks will surely set the mood.
Plus, if you already have a soft spot for horror movies, you might find these eerily-illustrated cards easier to work with than traditional decks!
The Macabre Tarot
Photo Credit: Amazon.comLike all things spooky, The Macabre Tarot, designed and illustrated by Sam Rook, comes in a gorgeous coffin-shaped box with a matte finish that even creaks when it opens!
The Gothic artwork heavily features symbols associated with death, and the cards have gold edges, giving it a regal tone. Several of the cards have been appropriately retitled to go with the spooky mood.
Whether you’re struggling with intrusive thoughts or you’re looking for a last-minute holiday gift, this deck acts as a vital tool for personal growth.
Horror Tarot Deck
Photo Credit: Amazon.comIf you’ve used traditional decks and found them wanting, this horror-themed deck might unlock your dark powers.
Most of the cards retain their original meanings and symbols, but there’s a supernatural twist to their designs, with vampires, werewolves, and other spooky creatures all making an appearance.
Gorgeous and gothic, this deck is perfect for beginners as well.
Universal Monsters Tarot Deck
Photo Credit: Amazon.comIf you enjoy classic horror and grew up with Universal Pictures’ monster movies, this Universal Monsters tarot deck is the ideal gift for you.
Be it Frankenstein, Dracula, or the Creature from the Blue Lagoon, the entire deck has been breathtakingly designed as a homage to classic horror films. It also comes with a lovely guidebook filled with themed spreads to get you started on your horror journey.
The Halloween Tarot
Photo Credit: Amazon.comFor witches, fortune tellers, and other occult practitioners, Halloween is perhaps the most important night of the year, when the veil between the mundane and spirit worlds is at its thinnest.
This pocket-sized deck that comes in a tin box perfectly captures the spirit of Halloween in 78 vibrantly-illustrated cards.
Filled with black cats, grinning pumpkins, brooding ghosts, and creepy bats, this spooky deck is a valuable keepsake, delightful and mischievous in equal measure.
Necronomicon Tarot Deck
Photo Credit: Amazon.comIf you’re drawn to cosmic horror, particularly H.P. Lovecraft’s sprawling Cthulhu mythos, get this Necronomicon tarot deck to tap into your psychic abilities.
The artwork is full of references to Lovecraft’s works, with some truly unique layouts and spreads to help you commune with the Great Old Ones directly.
Grotesque and full of mystery, this deck isn’t for the faint of heart.
Tarot del Toro
Photo Credit: Amazon.comThe morbid imagination of film-maker Guillermo del Toro is like a Victorian cabinet of curiosities filled with misshapen skulls, creepy dolls, and other spooky oddities.
Several of his films—Pan’s Labyrinth, Crimson Peak, The Shape of Water, and his latest, Frankenstein—speak directly to our inner demons and repressed horrors. This lavishly illustrated phantasmagorical tarot deck beautifully brings it all to life.
Whether you’re trying to channel del Toro’s influences in your creative projects or you’re fascinated by creepy folklore, this deck can illuminate your path to the other side.
The Zombie Tarot
Photo Credit: Amazon.comSome of us end up spending our whole lives preparing for the zombie apocalypse. In the event of a zombie attack—or if you just need to commune with the undead—this zombie-themed tarot deck will surely come in handy.
The packaging is top-notch and the striking artwork has a humorous, vintage vibe.
The guidebook, too, is wittily written, making this deck perfect for Halloween parties or as a gift to a friend who has watched way too many zombie movies.
Featured image: Annie Spratt/Unsplash
