Animal Guides Tarot Review

"The Animal Guides Tarot Deck: A Trusted Companion for Your Spiritual Journey"

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

This deck is perfect for both beginners and seasoned readers. It appeals to those who enjoy blending intuitive practices with the familiar structure of the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith framework.

Animal Guides Tarot Deck

What I Loved

Like the Morgan-Greer deck, the Animal Guides Tarot is new to my collection this year. It has quickly become a go-to deck for readings that emphasize the importance of considering all elements of a situation.

The animals truly shine in this deck. They convey their spiritual presence and grace, delivering messages with clarity and purpose.

Opportunities & Challenges

This deck offers a unique canvas within each card. It allows messages to unfold in a way that resonates with the client. The spirit of the animal kingdom beautifully embodies an intuitive, grounded, and deeply connective energy in every reading.

However, those who prefer the original Rider-Waite-Smith naming convention may find the ten variances in the Major Arcana a bit challenging at first.

Card Quality & Handling

Card Stock & Feel

The cards have a great feel. They are smooth, firm, and comfortable in your hand. ⭐⭐⭐

Print Quality & Colour

The print quality is excellent. The bold colours contribute to the narrative beautifully. ⭐⭐⭐

Card Size & Handling

The deck is closer to an oracle card size but remains manageable for shuffling and dealing. ⭐⭐

Notes on Card Quality

These cards are firmer than others in my collection. They 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 long. It offers clear terms and descriptions that relate to real-world situations and how they align with the depicted animals. ⭐⭐⭐

Writing Style

The writing style is engaging and easy to follow. ⭐⭐⭐

Notes on Guidebook

While the guidebook does not include artwork, it provides thorough explanations of both traditional tarot meanings and the symbolic significance of each animal. It also includes a selection of spreads, making it an excellent companion for those new to tarot while still offering depth for experienced readers.

Box / Packaging Quality

The packaging is high quality and sturdy, ensuring the deck's longevity through regular use. ⭐⭐⭐

My Review

The Animal Guides Tarot is one of my primary decks. It weaves 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 various forms. Some clients connect visually, while others resonate with theoretical or symbolic interpretations. Regardless, all seek clarity and deeper understanding.

One of the main reasons I purchased this beautiful tarot deck is its use of the four elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. This approach moves away from the traditional wands, cups, pentacles, and swords. It aligns beautifully with my charm casting cloth, as shown above. While I use Wind instead of Air as a personal choice, these cards add another dimension to the reading, connecting card and charm through a shared elemental language.

The unique canvas of each card allows messages to unfold in a way that resonates with the client. The spirit of the animal kingdom brings an intuitive, grounded, and deeply connective energy to every reading.

The animals themselves are evocative, and the beautiful artwork pairs well 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.

In terms of handling, the card size leans more toward that of an oracle deck. However, it 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 instead 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 instead of Hanged Man (12), Death has been replaced with Release (13), and Temperance is known as Balance (14). The Devil is represented as Ego (15), and The Tower is now Life Experience (16). 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.

This deck works as hard as you do. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned reader, the Animal Guides Tarot will support you every single time.