The Hilda Tarot Burlap Edition is one wholesome and joyful deck! I was instantly charmed by its pin‑up theme and sense of fun. This isn’t your typical tarot deck — it brings humor, body positivity, and a playful attitude to readings in a way that feels refreshing and empowering. 

Unboxing & Flipthrough

My First Impressions

Right out of the box, I felt light‑hearted and curious. The imagery immediately makes you smile, and there’s an almost nostalgic warmth to the aesthetic. It feels like stepping into a mid‑20th‑century calendar with a funky tarot twist, and that playful energy sets the tone for intuitive readings that feel both grounding and uplifting.

The Artwork

The artwork features illustrations by Duane Bryers, best known for creating the plump‑bodied pin‑up girl Hilda, who appeared in calendars from the mid‑1950s to the 1980s. Bryers’ style gives the deck a vintage vibe that’s both funny and heartening — Hilda isn’t a “perfect” pin‑up model, she’s real, confident, expressive, and joyfully alive.

Esther curated and designed this deck around Bryers’ original art, giving it a tarot format that keeps each card easy to read while maintaining the charm of the pin‑up scenes. The deck celebrates femininity, confidence, and personal presence in a fresh way.

Box, Card & Finish

The cards are a standard tarot size and printed on stock with a linen finish, which gives them a nice, slightly textured feel in the hands. They shuffle well and have a familiar, collectible vibe.

The Burlap Edition comes with a rigid box style like some other decks.

One annoying detail on my copy was that The Chariot card wasn’t cut properly, which is a minor quality issue but noticeable when you’re handling the deck. Otherwise, the cardstock quality feels typical for a production deck of this type.

Guidebook

This edition does not include a guidebook, so you’ll either want to work intuitively or pair the deck with a standard tarot reference. Given the playful nature of the deck and its reliance on classic RWS symbolism, it’s easy to lean into your own understanding or create meanings based on how the images resonate with you.

How the Deck Works

Even though The Hilda Tarot doesn’t have a guidebook, it’s structured like a traditional tarot deck, so you can use it in any tarot spread you’re comfortable with. The imagery lends itself well to intuitive reading because it’s expressive, human, and laden with personality.

It’s especially good for:

✔ Self‑confidence and body image reflections
✔ Daily pulls with a light, empowering tone
✔ Journaling prompts about self‑worth and identity
✔ Integrating humor into readings without losing depth

Reading Style and Themes

This deck leans into themes of:

✔ Body positivity and self‑acceptance
✔ Confidence and feminine energy
✔ Playfulness and emotional honesty
✔ Relatable scenarios and personal empowerment

While it still follows traditional tarot structure, the Hilda artwork makes it feel deeply personal and emotional rather than mystically distant. The images bring everyday life into tarot symbolism in a way that feels accessible and real.

Who It’s For

This deck is perfect for anyone who:

✔ Loves vintage aesthetics and quirky art
✔ Needs a deck that feels grounding and empowering
✔ Enjoys intuitive or reflective tarot reading
✔ Connects with themes of body positivity and self‑love

My Honest Thoughts

One of the things I love about this deck is how uncannily it represents bodies like mine and mirrors the kind of unconditional acceptance I want to feel. Hilda herself just exists without apology — and that’s incredibly healing and empowering to sit with during a reading.

Sometimes we forget to honor our own beauty and strength because of social conditioning. This deck reminds you that confidence, passion, and creativity are not reserved for one body type or one “perfect” image.

The lack of a guidebook doesn’t bother me much because the cards speak clearly — and their expressive scenes make it easy to connect intuitively. The miscut on The Chariot is a bummer, but it doesn’t take away from the deck’s overall charm and purpose.

If you’re into shadow work, intuitive reflection, or just want a deck that lifts you up while still delivering meaningful messages, The Hilda Tarot is a delightful and affirming choice.

Where to Find the Deck & Creator Info

✦ Deck Creator / Artist & Illustrator: Esther / Ettie

✦ Published: Self-published

✦ Launch Date: No viable information online

✦ Where to Get The Deck: Esther’s MPC Storefront