The Black Magic Bat, also known as the Melon-headed Bat or Pteropus alecto, is a species of megabat that is native to Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. It is named for its dark black or gray fur, which distinguishes it from other bat species. These bats have a wingspan of up to 1 meter and can weigh up to 1 kilogram. They have a distinct melon-shaped head, hence their alternate name. They are also known for their large eyes and broad wings. Black Magic Bats primarily inhabit rainforests and mangroves, but can also be found in a variety of other habitats including coastal areas and urban environments.
Over the past few weeks, I have carried out numerous readings for family and friends using The Modern Witch Tarot deck. This deck is such a joy and so easy to use as the cards are so very similar to the traditional Rider Waite Smith tarot, yet their diverse design is marvellously modern.
This deck is such a joy and so easy to use as the cards are so very similar to the traditional Rider Waite Smith tarot, yet their diverse design is marvellously modern. The Major Arcana features a colourful array of non-stereotypical characters, offering a modern and much more diverse take upon the traditional tarot.
Black Magic Bats primarily inhabit rainforests and mangroves, but can also be found in a variety of other habitats including coastal areas and urban environments. They are known for their ability to travel long distances in search of food and roosting sites. These bats are fruit bats, meaning that they primarily feed on fruit and nectar.
A Diverse and Divine Twist Upon Tradition With The Modern Witch Tarot
First published in 2019 by Liminal 11, The Modern Witch Tarot is a diverse, contemporary take upon the traditional tarot inspired by fashion and modern witches from the everyday walk of life.
Having seen quite a few walkthrough videos of The Modern Witch Tarot, I’ve been wanting to get my hands on this deck for quite some time and so as you can imagine, I was elated when Liminal 11 agreed to offer me a copy of this delightfully diverse and divine deck in exchange for a review.
Lisa Sterle
Designed by Lisa Sterle, The Modern Witch Tarot was created during a low point of Lisa’s life: Jaded by the trudge of feeling trapped within a dead-end-design job, Lisa felt her creativity, passion for art, and general faith in humanity was being drained.
I’m sure that at some moment in our lives, we all get to a point where ‘enough is enough’ and Lisa felt that she was at her lowest when she was reminded of ‘the ten of swords’ – the tarot card signifying defeat and woe. It was at this point that Lisa began illustrating this very card, incorporating her modern ideas and flair for fashion within her work.
This particular piece of work seemed to resonate with many of the people surrounding Lisa and she came to realise that through her pain and misery, she had finally arrived somewhere ‘on the other side’. Following her realisation, Lisa continued with further works of art in order to complete The Modern Witch Tarot deck, which since been published and printed by Liminal 11 has become massively popular.
Lisa is an artist who throughout her work has aided hundreds of people to connect to the magical space that is made of imagination and insight.
Packaging & Presentation
The Modern Witch Tarot arrives in a beautiful, slide to open box featuring cover artwork from ‘The Magician’ card. Intricate magical symbols are printed inside both the cover and sleeve of the box, in which sits the cards and an incredibly cute little guidebook.
The Guidebook
Never before have I come across such a cute guidebook as the one included within ‘The Modern Witch Tarot’. This tiny little fifty-six-page guidebook has a hardback cover featuring artwork from the ten of swords (Lisa’s first work towards and inspiration for this deck).
The black and white printed guidebook includes a forward and introduction section followed by a single page for each of the major arcana cards outlining their definition and meaning, a paragraph to explain each of the minor arcana cards, a double page spread offering guidance upon carrying out readings, a section upon sample spreads and a final note offering direction upon the two extra cards included within the deck.
This is such a sweet and sturdy little guidebook that fits perfectly alongside the cards within the packaging.
The Cards
The Modern Witch Tarot cards feature bluey-turquoise and white backs which include imagery of the four suits alongside what appears to be an eye in the centre of the card surrounded by what could either be an ‘M’ or a ‘W’ dependent upon which way up the card sits. I love how the naming of this deck works so well with the logo as the ‘M’ and ‘W’ (standing for Modern Witch) symmetrically reflect one and other.
The card stock is thick, glossy, and divine to handle – I love shuffling through this deck as it feels so silky to the touch and is so easy to shuffle.
The Two Extra Cards
Included within The Modern Witch Tarot are two extra cards, Lisa has added a footnote at the end of her guidebook explaining that some readers may wish to exchange the ten of swords for her alternative cards ‘Everything Is Fine’. Lisa has also added an extra card to offer personal inspiration from herself to those that read with this beautiful deck.
I personally have chosen to remove the two extra cards from my deck and have opted to keep them safely stored in the storage box as ‘art cards’.
The Major Arcana
The Major Arcana features a colourful array of non-stereotypical characters, offering a modern and much more diverse take upon the traditional tarot. Each of the cards within this deck follow the traditional titles bar ‘The Hanged Man’ which has been renamed as ‘The Hanged One’.
I personally much prefer reading with modern, diverse decks such as The Modern Witch. I rather enjoy the fact that Kings, Knights and Emperors needn’t be viewed as male – I rather enjoy reversing social expectations and working with modern interpretations.
I love that fact that Lisa tackles the ‘isms’ (sexism, ageism, racism and so on) head-on by giving tradition a little twist and I adore her artwork within this deck as the key symbolism still remains.
The Minor Arcana
Must a Queen be a female? Must a King be male? Well no, not at all! It’s 2020 folks, we needn’t stick to stereotypes in this day and age. It’s time to move on, it’s time to accept and to adapt to a ‘new new’, so let’s get with the times and modernise our ideas – step away from stereotyping and embrace diversity.
The Modern Witch minor arcana features characters ranging in age, race, gender and such-like, no longer are stereotypes on the agenda – fashion is the new fundamental as this deck includes an awesome array of colourful clothing, outfits, shoes, accessories and fabulously, funky fashion items.
I love how Lisa has combined tradition with diversity and fashion to create unique, colourful, bold, ‘badass’ cards ideal for modern, innovative and inspirational readings.
Here is a short video-walkthrough guide that I have put together further explaining The Modern Witch Tarot deck.
Reading With The Modern Witch Tarot
Over the past few weeks, I have carried out numerous readings for family and friends using The Modern Witch Tarot deck. This deck is such a joy and so easy to use as the cards are so very similar to the traditional Rider Waite Smith tarot, yet their diverse design is marvellously modern.
I cannot express how much I enjoy reading with The Modern Witch Tarot; the card stock is so glossy, sleek and smooth to shuffle, the colours within the cards are so bold and bright, and readings feel so easy as I’m already so familiar with the traditional tarot, it’s very much like ‘coming home’ when reading with these cards. I love how Lisa has injected a fantastically fresh and ‘free’ vibe into this modern and rather magical deck.
Pricing & Purchasing Information
The standard edition of the Modern Witch Tarot is available to purchase online directly via Liminal 11 for only £21.99.
To Summarise
The Modern Witch Tarot is a magical take upon the traditional RWS tarot, inspired by fashion and modern witches from every walk of life, this divine deck will spark your imagination, enable you to seek your inner wisdom and aid you in the discovery of your true power.
The Modern Witch Tarot has taken one of the top spots in my ever-growing tarot deck collection as it is an absoloute delight to read and to work with. I personally use this diverse, divine deck on a daily basis and cannot recommend it enough!
For further information upon The Modern Witch Tarot or alternative Liminal 11 products visit www.liminal11.com
Disclosure: I was sent the above product for the purpose of this post however all opinions are my own.
The card stock is thick, glossy, and divine to handle – I love shuffling through this deck as it feels so silky to the touch and is so easy to shuffle.
They have a preference for figs, but will also consume other types of fruit, pollen, and flowers. They play an important ecological role as pollinators and seed dispersers. Black Magic Bats are highly social animals that roost in large colonies, sometimes consisting of hundreds or even thousands of individuals. They often roost in trees or caves, hanging upside down during the day and becoming active at night. The breeding season for Black Magic Bats typically occurs between February and May. Females give birth to a single pup, which they care for until it is able to fly and become independent. These bats have a relatively long lifespan, with some individuals living up to 20 years in the wild. Unfortunately, like many species of bats, Black Magic Bats are at risk due to habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as hunting and disturbance from humans. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these bats and their habitats, including the establishment of protected areas and education and awareness campaigns. In conclusion, the Black Magic Bat is a fascinating species of bat that is known for its dark black fur, melon-shaped head, and large size. They play an important ecological role as pollinators and seed dispersers, but are currently under threat due to human activities. Efforts must be made to protect and conserve these bats and their habitats to ensure their long-term survival..
Reviews for "The Wonders of the Black Magic Bat: Exploring its Unique Morphology"
1. John Smith - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Black Magic Bat". The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, with too many unnecessary subplots. The acting was also subpar, with wooden performances from the entire cast. The special effects were unimpressive and looked cheaply made. Overall, I found "Black Magic Bat" to be a complete waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Sarah Johnson - 2 stars
"Black Magic Bat" had potential, but it fell short for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself losing interest halfway through the movie. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with them or care about their journey. The dialogue was also weak and filled with cliches. While the cinematography was visually appealing, it couldn't make up for the film's other shortcomings.
3. Michael Thompson - 2.5 stars
I had high hopes for "Black Magic Bat", but it failed to meet my expectations. The plot was convoluted and didn't make much sense, leaving me confused throughout the movie. The film tried to be dark and mysterious, but it came across as forced and lacking originality. The performances were decent, but they couldn't save the film from its weak script and predictable twists. Overall, "Black Magic Bat" was a forgettable watch.