Animal Guides Tarot Review

The Animal Guides Tarot deck by Radleigh Valentine was Illustrated by Dan Craig

Animal Guides Tarot Deck

Trusted Companion: Animal Guides Tarot Rating

Jenuine Treasure A great companion

The Tarot Deck

Deck Name	Animal Guides Tarot
Creator / Author	Radleigh Valentine Illustrated by Dan Craig
In My Collection Since	January 2026
Date Reviewed	April 2026

Who Would Benefit

It is well suited to both beginners and experienced readers alike, especially those who enjoy blending intuitive practices while still retaining the familiarity of the traditional Rider–Waite–Smith framework.

Animal Guides Tarot Deck

What I Loved

Like the Morgan-Greer deck, the Animal Guides is new to my shelf this year and has already taken a prominent position in readiness for a reading that underpins the importance of looking at all elements to the situation.

The animals are the stars of this read - performing with their spiritual presence and grace whilst sending the message clearly and with purpose.

Opportunities & Challenges

This deck offers a unique canvas within each card, allowing messages to unfold in a way that meets the client where they are. The presence of spirit is beautifully embodied through the animal kingdom, bringing an intuitive, grounded and deeply connective energy to every reading.

The only challenge I can predict is for those who prefer the original RWS naming convention and numbering of the Major Arcana may find the 10 Major Arcana variances take a little adjustment.

Card Quality & Handling

Card Stock & Feel

Great feel, smooth, firm and comfortable in your hand ⭐⭐⭐

Print Quality & Colour

The print quality is excellent and the bold colours are part of the narrative ⭐⭐⭐

Card Size & Handling

The deck is measured more towards an oracle card size but remains manageable for the shuffle and deal ⭐⭐

Notes on Card Quality

The cards are firmer than the other tarot in my library and show no signs of wear and tear after many readings

The Guidebook

Animal Guides Tarot Guide Book

Depth & Clarity of Meaning

The guidebook is a generous 190 pages and offers clear terms and descriptions of scenarios to real world situations and how they align with the animal depicted ⭐⭐⭐

Writing Style

The writing style is on point and easy to follow ⭐⭐⭐

Notes on Guidebook

The guidebook is generously sized and well detailed. While it does not include artwork, it offers thorough explanations of both the traditional tarot meanings and the symbolic significance of each animal. It also includes a selection of spreads, making it an excellent companion for those newer to tarot, while still offering depth for more experienced readers.

Box / Packaging Quality

The packaging is of high quality and notably sturdy, supporting the longevity of the deck through regular and reliable use ⭐⭐⭐

My Review

The Animal Guides Tarot is one of my primary decks, weaving together the layers of a reading through the integration of traditional card elements and charm casting.

A key aspect of any reading is the ability to communicate in multiple forms of expression. Some clients connect visually; others resonate with more theoretical or symbolic interpretations - but all seek clarity and deeper understanding.

One key driver in purchasing this beautiful tarot deck is its use of the four elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water, moving away from the traditional wands, cups, pentacles and swords. This aligns beautifully with my charm casting cloth - as shown above. Whilst my cloth uses Wind in place of Air as a deliberate personal choice, these cards offer another dimension to the reading, threading card and charm through a shared elemental language.

This deck offers a unique canvas within each card, allowing messages to unfold in a way that meets the client where they are. The presence of spirit is beautifully embodied through the animal kingdom, bringing an intuitive, grounded and deeply connective energy to every reading.

The animals themselves are deeply evocative and the beautiful artwork is paired with concise, descriptive messages. This allows the querent to connect not only with the imagery, but also with the creator’s intended perspective. As a reader, I find this textual element incredibly valuable. It introduces a subtle “third voice” into the reading, enriching the interpretation and adding another layer of insight and confirmation.

In terms of handling, the card size leans more toward that of an oracle deck yet remains comfortable to shuffle and work with - never feeling awkward or oversized. The colour shading and bright imagery sit beautifully against my charm casting cloth, naturally enhancing and reflecting the four elements within the Minor Arcana.

The Major Arcana follows the familiar structure of the Fool’s Journey, with thoughtful adaptations in naming. The Dreamer replaces the Fool, and Unity appears as the fifth card in lieu of the Hierophant. Justice and Strength return to their original numerical placements (8 and 11), prior to the Rider-Waite-Smith adjustments.

Other renaming includes Awakening rather than Hanged Man (12), Death has been replaced with Release (13), Temperance is known as Balance (14), the Devil is represented as Ego (15). The Tower is now Life Experience (16), before returning to the familiar Star at 17. The journey continues with Renewal (20) in place of Judgment and concludes with The World at 21, bringing a sense of both completion and continuity.

A deck that works as hard as you do. Beginner or seasoned reader, the Animal Guides will show up for you every single time.