Mythos Tarot Review: Greek Gods Meet the Tarot

Review by Leela J. Williams

I spent a morning with this deck, and while its charms are still fresh in my aura, here are my thoughts on Mythos Tarot by Helena Elias.

It made sense when I read that the creator of Mythos Tarot was a fashion designer. If you think about the artwork as costumes for the tarot concepts, it really brings the lavish nature of the ensembles into the spotlight. I can imagine carefully planned “looks,” with Elias hunting down the perfect accessories and stepping in with final touches to create nuanced visions that are true both to the Greek pantheon and to Pamela Colman Smith’s tarot imagery. You don’t need to relearn tarot, because the familiar elements are all there. If you’re new to tarot, that’s okay too—the guidebook has everything you need to begin.

Each of the 78 cards depicts a different god, goddess, or figure from Greek myth. Alongside well-known names like Apollo, Poseidon and Medusa, the deck introduces lesser-known deities such as Plutus, Pontos and Phobos. The guidebook provides information on each figure, so you don’t need any prior knowledge of mythology. I enjoy decks that invite me into story and myth while expanding my understanding of a theme, and Mythos Tarot does exactly that with the Greek pantheon.

While some readers dislike flimsy cardstock, a 78-card deck can’t be too thick or it becomes difficult to shuffle. To me, this strikes the perfect balance. I’m not usually a fan of gloss, but I can see why the publishers chose it—it really sets off the gold borders and complements the metallic edges, which I love.

Instead of upright and reversed meanings, the guidebook offers “Risen” and “Fallen” interpretations. This kind of delicious detail excites me, as it shows the creator’s commitment to the theme. The full-colour, 172-page guidebook delivers strong messages that don’t simply repeat Rider-Waite meanings but tie each card beautifully to its deity. Because every card is linked to a deity, the Minor Arcana imagery and energy feel as powerful as the Majors. I did wonder whether that might make it harder to spot supporting roles in a larger spread, but for single or three-card draws it was rich and clear. The shorter spreads gave so much that I didn’t feel the need to try longer ones—though the included 12-card Olympian spread looks tempting.

One of my favourite aspects of working with new decks is the way they change how I see familiar cards. The skeletal hand holding the staff on the Eight of Cups, for instance, gave me a whole new perspective.

I suspect I’ll use this deck mostly for two- or three-card readings, often with an oracle card as a clarifier. I tested how it played with others and wasn’t disappointed. Mythos Tarot paired beautifully with Maxine Gadd’s Zoologica: The Steampunk Oracle, while Sharina Star’s Fortune Cookies offered a fun contrast that worked surprisingly well. Curious about pairing it with another deity deck, I gave it a try—only to be blown away when I pulled a clarifier from the Dream Goddess Empowerment Deck. Wow!

So there you have it—my five minutes on Mythos Tarot. Thanks to Rebecca at Tarotopia for the invitation. If you have this deck and have tried it in longer spreads, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Leela J. Williams is a writer, editor and deck creator with decades of experience in the world of tarot and oracles. She delights in exploring the stories and symbols that help people connect with wisdom in everyday life.