As the intersection of Christianity and witchcraft gains more attention, there is a growing recognition of individuals who identify as Christian witches. This unique spiritual path combines elements of both Christianity and witchcraft, creating a hybrid belief system. While traditionally, Christianity and witchcraft have been seen as opposing forces, Christian witches navigate a different track, blending traditions and finding their own spiritual balance. The journey of a Christian witch often begins with a deep connection to Christianity. Many Christian witches have a strong foundation in Christianity, drawn to the teachings of Jesus and a belief in the power of prayer. However, they also feel a pull towards witchcraft, finding value in the metaphysical practices and rituals associated with magic.
Since then Sterle’s tarot deck has become an incredibly inclusive fresh take on a tradition that’s been exclusionary to many folks. In the Modern Witch Tarot, more folks are able to see themselves in the cards, building deeper relationships with their practice. Sterle intended this deck to be a source of power for women and girls, clearly evident in the art choices she makes throughout the deck.
What sold this project to me was Sterle s amazing version of The Magician card featuring a young Black girl- something I d frankly never seen in before. What sold this project to me was Sterle s amazing version of The Magician card featuring a young Black girl- something I d frankly never seen in before.
However, they also feel a pull towards witchcraft, finding value in the metaphysical practices and rituals associated with magic. The main idea of the Christian witch track lies in the individual's belief in finding harmony between Christianity and witchcraft, incorporating both practices into their spiritual lives. They see no conflict between their Christian faith and their connection to witchcraft, viewing it as a complement rather than a contradiction.
Tarot of the QTPOC Deck Review: Modern Witch Tarot
The Modern Witch Tarot is a fresh take on an ancient tradition.
It all began with the creation of the Ten of Swords card which was posted to Twitter by Lisa Sterle and immediately sparked the interest of tarot readers everywhere. It was clear even then there was something special about this new relatable rendition of the tarot.
What sold this project to me was Sterle’s amazing version of The Magician card featuring a young Black girl- something I’d frankly never seen in before. This was just around the beginning of the indie tarot deck boom, and we were yet to be spoiled by an influx of inclusive decks that crowdsourcing made possible.
Since then Sterle’s tarot deck has become an incredibly inclusive fresh take on a tradition that’s been exclusionary to many folks. In the Modern Witch Tarot, more folks are able to see themselves in the cards, building deeper relationships with their practice. Sterle intended this deck to be a source of power for women and girls, clearly evident in the art choices she makes throughout the deck.
The idea that there’s this wealth of power within you, that you just need to trust yourself to tap into, is an inspiring thought that also definitely ties into feminism for me. — An Interview with Lisa Sterle (Liminal 11)
Aces, from the Modern Witch Tarot
Look & Feel:
The production quality of this deck is outstanding.
It comes with a gorgeous velvet tarot bag that would be almost unnecessary if it wasn’t embroidered so wonderfully because the box holding the deck is rock solid. The colorfully illustrated, two-piece box is blessedly easy to open and close and securely holds both the deck and guidebook with no issue. It’s got wonderful details, with the interior of both pieces covered in suit symbols- it’s details like this that charm, and you’ll find more attention to detail throughout the deck itself.
The deck’s guidebook is sized to fit in the box which y’all know by now is always a point of hallelujah for me. While the hardcover (yes, a hardcover LWB) is full color, the pages are black and white which doesn’t take away from the whole package in any way.
The card stock is #thicc.
When holding the deck in hand, you feel a substantial difference that usually only shows up in decks with larger-sized cards. I’ll note that it didn’t hinder me and my tiny hands from shuffling the deck because while the cardstock is hefty, the cards are standard sized and fit easily in my palms.
My one qualm with the card stock is that its glossy- but that is a teeny tiny qualm. Especially since that was probably an artistic choice to really bring out the pop art/comic book color palette and style Sterle uses throughout the deck. The gloss makes it so the cards sometimes stick together but because of the thickness of the card stock, they are easy to separate with little issue. Honestly, not enough of an issue to worry about it and with regular use, that stickiness should dissipate if not completely disappear.
All in all, the quality of this deck is undeniable and unquestionably intentional. You get the sense that there was thought in every little detail, which I can’t help but deeply appreciate.
a selection of favorite cards, from the Modern Witch Tarot
Imagery & Content:
The art speaks for itself.
It’s gorgeous, color rich, and modern with a touch of vintage charm. Mixed in with known tarot symbols are modern accoutrements like cellphones and laptops. These additions don’t take away from the card meanings, if anything I find they add to the cards.
I think it’s brilliant that a new generation of tarot readers will be able to access the tradition with symbology that looks like their reality, not just those of the past. That mix of modern and traditional makes this a unique deck to read with. I can’t help but wish that I had a deck like this when I first started tarot- honestly my resistance to the RWS might have been substantially eased had I been able to see more of myself in the cards.
And that’s really the core of the Modern Witch Tarot, for women and femmes to see themselves represented in the cards; a deck that looks like its readers- across ages, bodies, races, and gender expressions. Sterle makes an interesting choice with gender, I noted. This deck is an ode to the feminine- all expressions of it, including non-binary iterations. It is an intentional prioritization and I don’t think that Sterle ever makes that ambiguous in any part of this deck.
In the description of the court cards, Sterle only uses ‘she’ and ‘they’ form of pronouns with the Page & Queen referred to with ‘she’ and the Knight and King referred to as ‘they’. Not to say that non-women or non-femmes can’t read with the deck, not at all, just pointing out that there is a particular project in the Modern Witch Tarot: a spotlight on the power of women and femmes to reflect and affect both their destinies and that of the world.
art that asks questions, from the Modern Witch Tarot
I do have to admit that there were cards that I didn’t at all take to. Particularly the Strength card. Seeing Black or dark-skinned femmes of color in this card is very “florals for spring, how groundbreaking” for me. Devil Wears Prada references aside, it’s actually a pretty disturbing trend in tarot decks that I’ve painfully noticed.
In fact, I think I’ll have to write up a post examining this issue across decks more closely because it really is shocking how often this happens-look through your own collection and see- even with the best of intentions. The conflation of Black women and Strength (and also the suits of Wands and Pentacles) stemming from the “strong black woman” stereotype is harmful. It dehumanizes us, robs us of the space to be vulnerable and positions us as the world’s burden bearers.
I know it may sound like those of us asking for representation are constantly moving the finish line but is that really a bad thing?
How far is too far to ask for our humanity to be represented without harm? We’re slowly moving from whitewashing and tokenism, and now that we’re here it’s still imperative to improve. The work is not done until it’s done.
Despite my visceral reaction to the Strength card, I will say that Sterle does include cards that rarely if ever have Black or dark-skinned femmes like The Magician and Temperance, to name just a few. In fact, it was The Magician that first drew me to this deck- a version of Black girl magic that didn’t feel token or gimmicky. I’m glad that there are more decks working to be inclusive- I am also asking that creators continue to do better with nuances.
a selection of the Courts, from the Modern Witch Tarot
What sold this project to me was Sterle’s amazing version of The Magician card featuring a young Black girl- something I’d frankly never seen in before. This was just around the beginning of the indie tarot deck boom, and we were yet to be spoiled by an influx of inclusive decks that crowdsourcing made possible.
Christian witches often reinterpret biblical stories and teachings through a witchcraft lens. They may incorporate elements of spellwork, divination, and energy work into their Christian practices. Praying with intention, using herbs and crystals, and performing rituals are all ways in which Christian witches bridge the gap between their Christian beliefs and witchcraft practices. One of the challenges for Christian witches is navigating the reaction and judgment from both Christian and witchcraft communities. Some Christians view witchcraft as inherently evil and incompatible with Christian teachings. Likewise, some witches see Christianity as oppressive and the antithesis of witchcraft beliefs. This can lead to feelings of isolation and the need to keep their spiritual identity hidden. Despite these challenges, the main idea of the Christian witch track is the empowerment and spiritual fulfillment that comes from embracing this unique path. Christian witches find solace in their connection to both Christianity and witchcraft, finding a sense of wholeness and purpose in their spiritual journey. By embracing the magic and mystery of witchcraft while staying grounded in Christian faith, Christian witches forge a path that is truly their own..
Reviews for "Honoring Ancestors: Connecting with the Spiritual Lineage of a Christian Witch"
1. John - 2/5
I found "The Track of a Christian Witch" to be quite confusing and hard to follow. The story lacked a clear plot and the characters were poorly developed. The author seemed to jump between different ideas without connecting them, making it difficult for me to fully grasp the story's message. Additionally, the writing style felt disjointed and inconsistent. Overall, I couldn't connect with the book and it left me feeling disappointed.
2. Sarah - 1/5
"The Track of a Christian Witch" was a complete waste of my time. The story was incoherent and the characters made no sense. I couldn't form any emotional connection with them as they lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. The writing style was overly complex, filled with unnecessary descriptions that didn't add anything to the story. I found myself struggling to finish the book, hoping it would get better, but it never did. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Mark - 2/5
I was excited to read "The Track of a Christian Witch" based on the intriguing title, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The story was slow-paced and lacked any real excitement or suspense. The main character was supposed to be a Christian witch, but her actions and beliefs were never fully explained or explored, making it feel like an empty concept. The writing itself was average, but I couldn't find any redeeming qualities that would make me recommend this book. If you're looking for a captivating read, I suggest looking elsewhere.
4. Emily - 3/5
While "The Track of a Christian Witch" had an interesting premise, I found myself struggling to fully engage with the story. The pacing was uneven, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The characters were intriguing, but their development fell flat, leaving me wanting more depth. The writing style had its moments, but overall it lacked consistency. While the book had potential, it ultimately failed to deliver a satisfying experience for me.