Dark Wood Tarot is a shadow work deck that I’ve been excited to explore because my practice often focuses on soul work and deep inner reflection. This deck is known for its hauntingly beautiful artwork and ability to bring hidden truths to light, making it a strong companion for shadow work and introspective readings.
My First Impressions
Right from the moment I opened the deck, I felt its presence. The artwork draws you into an atmosphere that feels both mystical and raw, like a forest where light and shadow dance together. It feels intense in the best way — the kind of deck that pulls you in deeper with every pull.
The Artwork
All artwork in this deck is by Abigail Larson, whose dark, evocative style is what first drew me to this deck. If you’ve ever admired her versions of Beauty and the Beast, Edward Scissorhands, Penny Dreadful, or her take on Hades & Persephone, you already have a taste of the mood she brings here.
The imagery is rich, deep, and filled with symbolic shadows and light. There’s a fairytale-like quality but with an edge — like beauty and dread coexisting in the same breath. It’s haunting, enchanting, and perfect for digging into emotional and subconscious layers.
Box, Card & Finish
The cards feel sturdy and have a quality feel in the hands, though I personally could do without the oversized box. While Llewellyn’s signature massive box does protect the deck, it can feel like wasted space and makes storage a bit bulkier than necessary.
Guidebook
This deck comes with a 304‑page full‑color guidebook, which is beautifully designed and packed with depth. The guidebook not only explains the card meanings but also provides insight into the symbolism and emotional territory the deck touches.
And yes — bonus points for that good book smell that always makes flipping through a guidebook feel like a ritual in itself.
How the Deck Works
Dark Wood Tarot can be used like a traditional tarot deck, but it leans strongly into shadow work and introspection. It is especially suited for:
✔ Deep emotional exploration
✔ Inner healing and shadow work
✔ Journaling and reflective spreads
✔ Exploring unconscious patterns
✔ Healing cycles and transformation
Because the artwork is rich with symbolic nuance, this deck encourages you to go beyond surface meanings and really sit with what comes up.
Reading Style and Themes
This deck leans into:
✔ Shadows and hidden truths
✔ Transformation and cycles
✔ Emotional depth and complexity
✔ Mythic, fairytale, and archetypal symbolism
It’s not a light, breezy deck — it’s one that asks questions, invites reflection, and helps you uncover what’s waiting beneath the surface.
Who It’s For
Dark Wood Tarot is perfect for anyone who:
✔ Wants a deck that supports shadow work
✔ Is comfortable with deep inner exploration
✔ Appreciates dark, symbolic artwork
✔ Enjoys mythic and introspective readings
✔ Has some experience with tarot already
It’s not a beginner deck in the way a Rider‑Waite‑style deck might be, but if you’re ready to go deeper into emotional and psychological territory, it’s a stunning tool.
My Honest Thoughts
I’ve been a fan of Abigail Larson’s work for a long time — I’ve pinned so many of her pieces on Pinterest over the years. Getting to work with a full tarot deck that carries her style was truly something else.
This deck feels like an invitation to look at the parts of yourself that tend to hide in shadows. It doesn’t shy away from intense themes, but it doesn’t overwhelm you either. Instead, it escorts you there gently, like walking through a dark forest that’s also strangely beautiful.
The oversized box isn’t my favorite part — it takes up a lot of space — but everything else, from the artwork to the guidebook, makes it worth it.
I highly recommend Dark Wood Tarot for anyone who loves deep shadow work, emotional exploration, and beautifully haunting art.
Where to Find the Deck & Creator Info
✦ Deck Creator / Artist & Illustrator: Abigail Larson
✦ Publisher: Llewelyn
✦ Launch Date: June 8, 2020
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