Deck by Paul Kepple and Jude Buffum
© 2004 by Headcase Design
Published by Quirk Books

Although I wasn't around yet during the era of the 1950's, I remember seeing old posters and signs from that time period that I was fascinated with -- especially some of those old Coca-Cola signs.  The Housewives Tarot is a charming and clever little deck set housed in a mock recipe box.  I think this is a Tarot deck that my mother could have really appreciated to find the fun side of Tarot.  Fans of the June Cleaver era (Leave it to Beaver) will likely enjoy this deck -- and I do remember watching those old black and white shows every day when I was a kid.  Although the scenes in the cards are often humorous and whimsical in a way that many would be inclined to categorize this as a novelty deck for collection purposes . . . it's actually a readable deck if one knows the meanings of the cards.

There is an instruction booklet that comes with the set, however, the meanings for upright versus reversed cards are not clearly defined . . . so for a beginner, this could get really confusing.  The meanings are a lot of fun to read.  For example, the Justice card (image above) is defined as follows on page 29 of the Instruction book:

Justice:  Fairness * Rewards * Punishments
Justice is best served by a fair and impartial judgment.  It is about weighing both sides and finding the proper balance.  The time has come to get what you deserve.  Justice is as much about rewarding with sweets as it is chastising with the wooden spoon.  It's up to you whether you end up licking a lollipop or rubbing a sore behind.  Like mother always says, "What goes around, comes around."

The back of the cards are designed in a red gingham type print -- something that reminds me of an old-time picnic tablecloth.  The cards of the Major Arcana are trimmed in a black and red border, while the Minor Arcana trim are bordered as follows:

• Pentacles -- Pea Green
• Swords -- Red
• Wands -- Tan
• Cups -- Blue

Be sure to visit the Housewives Tarot website as well.  There are some cute desktop downloads and other fun stuff for you to enjoy . . . including a free automated reading.

Velvet Angel

Number of Cards in Deck: 78 cards (22 Major/56 Minor)

Size of Cards:  4  3/8" x 2  3/4"

Included with deck:  Deck comes as a kit with cards and instruction book and is housed in a blue gingham colored mock recipe box.

Major Arcana:  (Traditional Titles)
Fool, Magician, Empress, Emperor, High Priestess, Hierophant, Lovers, Chariot,
Strength, Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Justice, Hanged Man, Death, Temperance,
Devil, Tower, Star, Moon, Sun, Judgment, World

Suit Names: Cups, Wands, Swords, Pentacles

Court Cards: King, Queen, Knight, Page
 

Back Design of Cards:

THE HOUSEWIVES TAROT