Influence of the Angels is one of the most exquisite angel tarot decks. Although the artwork is digital collage, it doesn’t feel like it at all. Classic paintings of antiquity are expertly modified into the tarot architecture and bring to life the Christian perspective of angels. The technical work here is flawless.

Angeles, notes Barbessi, are celestial messengers between God and humankind. In Influence of the Angels, the Major Arcana feature named angels while the Minor Arcana feature nameless ones.

I love that the deck comes with a meaty 184-page guidebook that delves in to the chosen symbolism on the cards, angelic messages, and presents this deck as a comprehensive beginner’s deck where you can begin working with the cards right out of the box. The back of the book provides two spreads tailored for the deck that anyone, beginner-level to seasoned reader can use.

The 22 Majors are each identified with an angel, and rather than work with card reversals, each card bears the duality of a direct meaning and a shadow meaning.

Key 1: The Magician is Michael, whose angelic meaning to you when you draw this card is as follows: Pay attention to the difference between self-confidence and overconfidence. Key 5: The Hierophant is attributed to the angel Hasmal, a “fire-speaking angel whose name means primordial wisdom.” In Key 5, Hasmal manifests as a clergyman. Key 6: The Lovers is attributed to Chamuel, the angel who comforted Adam and Eve after they were cast out of Eden.

Key 17: The Star is Raphael, whose name means “God heals.” The Moon card is Elemiah, or “hidden God,” the angel of inward journeys. Elemiah watches over the oceans, protecting seafarers. When you draw The Moon card, your angelic message is this: Ignoring the cause of your anxiety will make the anxiety worse. Confront the darkness, so that you may see what parts are real, and what is delusion or fantasy. In Judgement, four angels are shown: Zachriel, Taharial, Colopatiron, and Valoel. Key 19 is not so much about featuring a named angel, but to depict God’s omnipotent presence.

After the Majors, the Minors are featured in the order of Cups, Swords, Pentacles, and finally Wands. The images are faithful to the Rider-Waite-System (earlier in the Majors, Key 8 is Strength and Key 11 is Justice).

In the Minors, angels are blessing or witnessing each of the scenes in the pip cards. Then the court cards depict real, historical figures chosen to exemplify the particular meaning of the card. The Page of Cups is Dante Alighieri portrayed as a boy. The Queen of Cups is Abigail Adams.

The Page of Swords is Denis Diderot shown as a boy while the Knight of Swords is Niccolo Machiavelli. Though several different historic time periods are brought together, the artists have done an amazing job at conveying a seamless quality. You intuit that all of these pieces were intended to fit together and a lovely glow of light emanates from the final production.

The cards read beautifully and make the most incredible, delightful spreads. Reading with Influence of the Angels is a heartwarming experience.

I had posted some of these photos on my Instagram and someone commented that the deck is reminiscent of Kat Black’s Golden Tarot. Yes! For sure! If you loved Kat Black’s Golden Tarot, then you are going to love Influence of the Angels Tarot.

Although not pictured here, the guidebook that accompanies this deck is impressive. It’s chock full of information, details, and how to read the cards. As a deck set, Influence of the Angels is a great introductory tarot deck for any beginner who might be feeling a bit of trepidation around the occult aspects of the tarot.

The deck also comes with two extra cards that offer correspondences for the Minors. Together, the two cards– one on numerology and the other on suit/elemental attributes– remind me of the way old 18th and 19th century tarot books were written about tarot divination. Plus, they make for a great quick reference tool!

I featured the Influence of the Angels Tarot in my last Sightsee the Tarot episode about using the tarot to rewrite painful memories, a journaling and reading exercise from Elford’s Tarot Inspired Life, so be sure to check that out. I found Influence to work perfectly in tarot journaling or self-reflection sessions. If you’ve been looking for an angel tarot deck, you can’t do better than Influennce of the Angels.

FTC Disclosure: In accordance with Title 16 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 255, “Guides Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising,” I received the Influence of the Angels Tarot from the publisher for prospective review. Everything I’ve said here is sincere and accurately reflects my opinion of the deck.