I was just sent this absolutely gorgeous Tarot deck to review - The Ebony Tarot / Le Tarot Ebene. Nice stiff cardstock, good quality printing, matt finish. Rich colours, beautiful, dramatic designs.
Photographed in natural settings around Montreal, featuring Afro-Canadian models, local artists from various backgrounds. I have been reading a lot about African history and cultural exchange with the Americas so that may have biased my response to the deck to see it as more evocative of Africa than the creator intended. The booklet that comes with the deck gives typical basic interpretation tips, in both French and English, broadly similar to the Waite-Smith deck. I think it is really a pity that the interesting imagery here is not explored in some depth, perhaps with a companion book.
Her intention was to portray Black people within a contemporary Montreal setting—people who do not appear exoticized, exploited, or defined by a specific cultural or religious lens. To create a world in which everyone can see themselves, while filling a long-standing gap in representation.
Aside from the images shared here, I could just list cards that struck me on my first go-through as outstandingly lovely. The Hierophant, the Hanged Man, 6 Swords (the all-Canadian canoe!), Queen of Swords beautiful in white and blue in the snow, 8 Wands like Anansi the Spider-god trickster, 8 of Pentacles with a group of women braiding each other’s hair.
Such a lot of really beautiful and striking images, that I fear I will get distracted trying to distance myself enough to do a reading. The overall feel of the deck is very grounded and calmly confident. For meditation and inspiration, and just to have such a lovely thing around, absolutely! It will take pride of place on my Tarot shelf and should do the same for you.
~ review by Samuel Wagar
Author: Lissa Sévigné
Boucherville QC, 2026
$80 Canadian / $65 US
Available here: https://tarotarts.com/products/the-ebony-tarot
