Every month, Amazon, Etsy, crowd-funding platforms, and bookstores release numerous tarot and oracle decks. There are now thousands of decks available, ranging from new releases to out-of-print ones. Reviewing a deck helps readers decide whether to purchase it, focusing on factors like card quality, artwork, and guidebook usefulness. This month, I’ve chosen to critique the Karma Cards by Monte Farber.
Karma Cards Monte Farber is a unique deck that blends astrology and intuitive guidance.
The Cards
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From the Booklet
“My name is Monte Farber, also known as “The Celestial Mechanic”, and I am the inventor of Karma Cards. Celestial Mechanics is the branch of physics formulated, mainly by Sir Issac Newton, to enable us to describe and predict the forces influencing both the actions and gravitational attractions of the planets, stars and all other objects in space. As The Celestial Mechanic, I have invented Karma Cards to help everyone describe and predict the forces influencing both the actions and the attractions of people, the “stars” of all the dramas being played out her on earth.
A mechanic uses his set of specialized tools to tune your car so it may operate at peak performance. As the Celestial Mechanic, I have tried to give us all our own set of specialized tools – these thirty-six Karma Cards – so we may all ‘tune-up’ and ‘tune-in’ to the knowledge available to us from the blending of both Astrology and an equally ancient source that is currently being rediscovered; the knowledge possessed by what is termed our ‘Higher Self’.” (9)
The card stock is thick and high quality, with a semi-gloss finish and rounded corners. They are a bit challenging to shuffle because they are larger than standard tarot cards. If you have small hands, you may have to side shuffle them. The cards stick together when first removed from the box. So, the first few shuffles are challenging until the cards lose their newness.
Artwork and the Visual Accessibility of the Deck
The artwork for this deck is very good, capturing the meaning of each House, Sign, and Planet. Each card features bold, striking imagery that expresses both emotional depth and symbolic richness. The colors are vivid and inviting, evoking a sense of mystery and the mystical. Linda Garland’s artwork demonstrates clarity about the subject matter, creating a visually captivating and emotionally evocative images.
Venus
Meaning:
Venus is the planet of romantic love and the arts that are associated with them. Sociable Venus rules over parties and pleasurable meetings. She accomplishes her goals by attracting only what she wants and rejecting the rest, thus making taste and values two of her special talents. Diplomacy, tact, and gentleness are a few of the arts that are ruled by Venus. Her message is “Love is good in all things and observe how all good things will be attracted to you.” Her warning is “The beauty I seek is not merely that on the surface of things. What good is a beautiful fruit if it is rotten at the core?” (49)
Aries
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Meaning:
Aries the Ram (March 21 to April 20). The first day the Sun entered the first sign of the zodiac, Aries, marked, and still marks, the day when the whole Earth felt glad to be alive – the first day of Spring. Rams, as well as other creatures, began energetic mating battles, butting their heads against each other fiercely. Everyone and everything got busy, frantically preparing for the hunting and growing season ahead. People born during the time of Aries function best when they act on their first impulse. (33-34)
The First House is defined by the Rising Sign or Ascendant. The First House of an astrological horoscope is YOU. At the moment of birth, the degree and sign of the zodiac which is rising in the east, the personal ‘sunrise’, defines the eastern point of the horizontal line of the horoscope. The Ascendant symbolizes how we project ourselves into this world; the Rising Sign describes how we appear to others. (64-65)
Explanation of the Cards
This deck comes with a well-written booklet that provides detailed descriptions and explanations for each card. The booklet includes sections: Introduction, How to Use the Karma Cards, the Signs of the Zodiac, the Planets, and the Houses There are no reversed meanings to the cards because they have meanings on each end of the cards.
What makes these cards unique is the ability to use them individually, but also in a sequence: Planet + Sign + House. Each card contains action words or phrases on one side and outcomes on the other. And they have three expressions (S for Spiritual, M for Mental, and P for Physical). As you can see above for Venus, the action words/phrases are: S – Cherish, M – Enjoy, and P – Charm, Art and Beauty are the Way to. The outcomes are S – the Attraction of, M – Pleasure from, and P – Good Times.
The cards are a unique and accessible tool that blends astrology with intuitive oracle reading. Their usefulness lies in how they simplify complex astrological concepts into clear, actionable guidance. Each reading offers insights on spiritual, mental, and physical levels, making them versatile for both self-reflection and decision-making. Ideal for beginners and seasoned seekers alike, these cards help deepen self-awareness while fostering a stronger connection to one’s inner wisdom. They’re especially valuable for quick, meaningful insights without needing detailed astrological knowledge.
Rating
I would rate Karma Cards a solid 5 out of 5 for their artwork, concept, card quality, and overall function. The vibrant, symbolic illustrations are both visually engaging and spiritually evocative. The concept—merging astrology with intuitive oracle guidance—is original, clever, and easy to use. The cards themselves are high-quality and durable. Most importantly, they function beautifully as a practical tool for daily insight. This deck offers clear, layered messages that support both learning and inner guidance – an inspired and thoughtful deck.
Where to Buy this Deck
If you like this deck and wish to purchase a copy, you can do so online.
I am a spiritual adviser located in Cary, North Carolina. I earned my PhD in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1996 and had a career in academics until 2007, when I retired to become a stay-at-home father. In 2013 I “hung out my shingle” starting my business Black Unykorn Enterprises, LLC. I provide spiritual guidance using different tools: astrology, tarot/oracle cards, numerology, and past life regression (using muscle testing). With a home office, Zoom, WeChat, and WhatsApp, I work with local clients in person and distance clients from around the world. You can read about my practice and contact me through my website: https://www.blackunykorn.com.
