Through the Veil — My Favorite Halloween Tarot & Oracle Decks
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Every October, when the veil begins to thin and the air hums with that familiar electric stillness, my decks start calling to me. Some whisper, some wail, and some practically dance off the shelf demanding attention. Halloween is when I let them all come out to play — the eerie, the poetic, the ancestral, and the unapologetically witchy.
Each deck has its own spirit. Some speak in riddles and rhymes, others in whispers and warnings. Together, they create a language of the season — one that honors both the living and the dead, the seen and unseen.
So, I gathered my collection of shadowed beauties to share with you — the ones that speak loudest under candlelight. Whether you’re a seasoned witch, a curious beginner, or just looking for something to match your inner gothic heart this Samhain, here are my top Halloween Tarot & Oracle picks (and honest thoughts) for the season.
🕸 The Shadowland Tarot & Shadowland Lenormand — Monica Bodirsky
Energy: This deck speaks straight to the spooky kid inside me. It’s playful and a little twisted, but it still carries real depth. It has that “laugh while facing your shadow” vibe — perfect for self-reflection that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Likes:
🖤 The quirky, Tim Burton–style artwork that balances whimsy with wisdom.
🖤 The guidebook goes beyond surface meanings — it even includes physical alignments for each card, which I’ve never seen in another deck.
🖤 Reads beautifully for shadow work, self-inquiry, and calling yourself out with humor and compassion.
Dislikes:
👻 None so far — though the energy is very specific. It’s not an everyday deck, but it shines during introspective or seasonal readings.
Use: I love pairing it with the Shadowland Lenormand for clear, honest clarification. It’s the first Lenormand I’ve ever paired with a tarot deck, and I’m still learning the system — but so far, they speak the same eerie, honest language.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (7/10 — delightfully spooky and surprisingly profound)
🕯️ Seasons of the Witch: Samhain Oracle — Juliet Diaz & Lorriane Anderson, illustrated by Giada Rose
Energy:
This deck is a gothic poem come to life — haunting, elegant, and emotionally rich. It feels like sitting at a candlelit window, whispering your heart to the storm. The cards speak in riddles and verse, each one a spell of remembrance and release.
Likes:
🖤 Absolutely stunning artwork — soft, shadowy, and drenched in symbolism.
🖤 The poetic guidebook adds layers of reflection and makes every pull feel like a small ritual.
🖤 Beautiful for introspection, rainy days, or when your inner goth goddess wants to write poetry with the moon.
Dislikes:
👻 None, though it’s a mood deck — not for quick, blunt answers, but for those who like to wander through meaning.
Best For:
Shadow work, emotional release, Samhain rituals, grief integration, and self-reflection through poetic symbolism.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (9/10 — dreamy, gothic, and deeply moving)
🦇 The Bohemian Gothic Tarot — Alex Ukolov & Karen Mahony
Energy:
This deck feels like stepping into a haunted mansion where the ghosts still remember how to waltz. Every time I open the box, I hear the music — a phantom melody only my Scorpio heart could love. It’s sensual, eerie, and beautifully tragic all at once. The art pulls you into another realm, one that flirts with shadow and seduction in equal measure.
Likes:
🖤 Deeply atmospheric and cinematic — every card tells a full story.
🖤 Perfect for channeling gothic romance, mystery, and ancestral whispers.
🖤 Unique energy — it almost plays its own soundtrack when handled.
Dislikes:
👻 The little white book is pretty basic; if you crave rich guidebook content, this one’s not it.
Best For:
Shadow play, spirit communication, or anyone who wants to feel like they’re reading cards in a candlelit ballroom with lace curtains fluttering.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (9/10 — a haunted masterpiece, even without the music)
👻 Unfinished Business: A Ghostly Tarot — MJ Cullinane
Energy:
This deck comes with a quiet warning — it walks hand-in-hand with death, grief, and remembrance. The artwork feels like a whisper from another realm: raw, emotional, and heavy with memory. It’s perfect for connecting with those who have crossed or for navigating your own transitions between life chapters.
Likes:
🖤 The imagery holds deep emotional storytelling — every card feels like a spirit captured mid-farewell.
🖤 Excellent for mediumship, ancestral work, or honoring the past through gentle reflection.
🖤 The guidebook weaves stories that evoke feeling and presence.
Dislikes:
👻 The book focuses more on narrative than straightforward meanings, so it’s not ideal for quick or analytical readings.
Best For:
Grief processing, ancestral communication, soul transitions, and shadow healing rituals.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (8/10 — hauntingly heartfelt and perfect for deep emotional readings)
⚰️ The Macabre Tarot — Samantha Rook
Energy:
This deck hums with Hecate’s frequency — dark, maternal, and guiding. It’s not officially connected to her, yet her presence lingers in every card. The art is striking in its simplicity: black, white, and gold, embodying both shadow and sacred wisdom. It feels like a whisper from the underworld paired with the warmth of a mother’s hand.
Likes:
🖤 Stunning coffin-shaped box that actually creaks when opened — talk about atmosphere.
🖤 Clean, minimal imagery that leaves room for intuition and interpretation.
🖤 Perfect for direct answers or reflective shadow readings; it’s adaptable depending on your mood.
Dislikes:
👻 It’s a pip-style deck, so beginners may find it less expressive at first glance.
Best For:
Shadow and underworld work, connecting with Hecate or darker divine feminine energy, minimalistic readers, or those seeking clarity through simplicity.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (6/10 — visually powerful, energetically deep, and uniquely sacred)
💀 The Marigold Tarot & The Mirror Oracle — Amrit Brar
Energy:
The Marigold Tarot holds the pulse of ancestry. It’s sacred, grounded, and reverent — like stepping into an altar woven from marigolds, bones, and memory. The gold detailing glows like candlelight, and every card feels like it carries the breath of those who came before. This is a deck that says, “I’m here, I’m present, and I care.”
The Mirror Oracle, while beautifully designed, feels like the quieter sibling of the pair — conceptually interesting, but energetically hollow beside the Marigold.
Likes:
🖤 The Marigold’s gold-and-black design is breathtaking — regal and ancestral.
🖤 Perfect for ancestor work, spirit connection, and sacred remembrance.
🖤 The pairing creates a visual balance between shadow and reflection.
Dislikes:
👻 The Marigold Tarot doesn’t include a guidebook, and being a pip deck, it’s not ideal for beginners.
👻 The Mirror Oracle, while beautiful, feels incomplete — it’s one I keep purely for the aesthetic pairing.
Best For:
The Marigold — ancestor veneration, sacred rituals, offerings, and meditative connection.
The Mirror — visual companion only.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (10/10 — The Marigold Tarot: pure ancestral gold)
⭐️ (1/10 — The Mirror Oracle: pretty but empty)
🌺 Día de los Muertos Oracle — Kelly Sullivan Walden, artwork by Emily K. Grieves de Reyes Contla
Energy:
This deck bursts with color and heart. Rooted in the traditions of Día de los Muertos, it honors the dead through celebration rather than sorrow. The art is joyful, rich, and symbolic — but the true magic lies in the book, which reads like a bridge between worlds. The guidebook channels heartfelt messages from loved ones who’ve crossed over, making it ideal for quiet evenings of remembrance or ancestor altar work.
Likes:
🖤 Vivid artwork full of life, marigolds, and ancestral energy.
🖤 The guidebook’s direct, loving tone — like hearing from someone you miss.
🖤 A wonderful deck for honoring the departed or finding peace through remembrance.
Dislikes:
👻 The cards themselves don’t speak as strongly as the book — the imagery is beautiful, but it’s the words that carry the spirit.
Best For:
Ancestor connection, altar offerings, remembrance rituals, and moments of reflection during Samhain or Día de los Muertos.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/10 — visually stunning, but the book is the true gem)
🎃 The Halloween Oracle — Stacey Demarco
Energy:
This deck is the season itself — vibrant, witchy, and filled with that crisp October feeling. It’s a go-to every Halloween because it effortlessly captures the spirit of the veil thinning. The imagery is stunning, rich in autumn tones and classic witchcraft symbols. It doesn’t dive too deep into heavy themes but offers reliable daily or overarching guidance when you just want to tap into the season’s magic.
Likes:
🖤 Gorgeous artwork that embodies Halloween’s energy without feeling cliché.
🖤 Accessible and clear — perfect for both beginners and intuitive readers.
🖤 Great balance between mystical and practical messages.
Dislikes:
👻 The guidebook is short; enough substance for meaning but not much for story lovers.
Best For:
Daily pulls during October, seasonal energy readings, beginner witches, and anyone who wants to lift the veil every night.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (7/10 — reliable, festive, and always hits the seasonal sweet spot)
🎭 The Halloween Tarot — Kipling West
Energy:
This deck is pure Halloween fun — bright, cheeky, and full of nostalgic charm. It ties beautifully into the Rider–Waite system, making it approachable for readers of all levels. It’s my go-to for events and public readings because it reads clearly, brings smiles, and still manages to land accurate messages beneath all that playful energy. Think of it as your candy-coated truth teller.
Likes:
🖤 Cartoonish yet clever — the art style keeps things light while still delivering insight.🖤 Extremely user-friendly and accurate for both beginners and seasoned readers.
🖤 Perfect for parties, community readings, and seasonal spreads.
Dislikes:
👻 The guidebook is a simple white booklet — enough for meanings but not much depth.
Best For:
Public readings, beginners learning the Rider–Waite structure, or anyone who wants a deck that feels like Halloween in motion.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (6/10 — fun, approachable, and endlessly reliable)
🩸 Oracle of the Witch: Reclaim Your Birthright — Barbara Meiklejohn-Free, Flavia Kate Peters, illustrated by Mieke Janssens
Energy:
Not just a Halloween deck — this one’s year-round witchcraft in motion. Bold, alchemical, and unapologetically powerful, it captures the essence of living magic rather than seasonal novelty. The red and black design feels primal and commanding, reminding you of your own sovereignty and ritual lineage.
Likes:
🖤 Gorgeous red-and-black aesthetic that channels fire, blood, and spellcraft.
🖤 Deeply tied to witchery and magical practice without being dependent on any single tradition.
🖤 The guidebook offers strong magical context and inspiration without forcing a fixed path — perfect for those who craft their own way.
Dislikes:
👻 Some rituals are written in another’s voice; for me, they’re more inspiration than instruction.
Best For:
Everyday witchcraft, empowerment work, elemental connection, and reclaiming your personal magic.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (8/10 — fiery, versatile, and pure witch’s power all year long)
🌿 Deadly Apothecary Oracle — Priestess Moon
Energy:
Every witch wants this deck in their cabinet, and for good reason—it’s visually dark, botanical, and brimming with the spirit of old-world apothecaries. The concept is brilliant: poisonous plants as guides and teachers. Yet for me, the execution leaned more into fae energy than plant realism. While enchanting, it left me craving actual botanical depictions to ground the magic.
Likes:
🖤 Excellent herbal references—great for learning about poisonous and medicinal plant lore.
🖤 A moody and beautiful design that feels like a stroll through a witch’s garden at dusk
🖤 The concept of plants as both healers and tricksters is spot-on for shadow and self-awareness work.
Dislikes:
👻 The fae-style characters pull focus from the herbs themselves; I’d prefer realism here.
👻 The guidebook can come off as judgmental in tone—like being scolded by a stern garden spirit.
Best For:
Herbal study, shadow integration, and self-accountability readings.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/10 — gorgeous idea, but better as a reference companion than a working oracle)
Closing:
Halloween readings aren’t just about the spooky — they’re about remembrance, release, and renewal. Each of these decks carries a piece of that magic, from playful ghosts to ancestral gold, gothic romance to witch’s fire.
If one (or a few) caught your eye, trust that nudge. The right deck will always find you when you’re ready to hear what it has to say.
And for my members — stay tuned. I’ll be sharing some exclusive Halloween & Samhain-inspired spreads next. These will help you work with your favorite decks to explore the shadow, honor your ancestors, and summon your own magic through the veil.
Until then — light a candle, shuffle slow, and let the spirits speak. 🕯️✨
