For many, the allure of tarot lies in its novelty and mass media’s portrayal of it as a tool of witchcraft and magic. For some of us, it’s the promise of self-discovery that draws us in. But for French tarot reader and self-proclaimed tarot goblin Marine, it became a lifeline during one of the darkest chapters of her life. A long-time admirer of astrology and crystals, her first encounter with tarot during a teenage reading left an indelible mark. Years later, amid a debilitating illness that left her bedridden and dependent, tarot called out to her once more.
“I needed something exciting for my brain to focus on,” she recalls. “Tarot became a passion—a lighthouse in the dark.” Her first deck, the French edition of The Hidden Realm Tarot, was an intuitive purchase that felt like destiny. “Opening the box, I just knew my life would never be the same,” she says, likening the experience to Harry Potter finding his wand. This profound connection ignited a journey that turned her personal solace into a shared passion with a global audience.
The transition from personal practice to public sharing came naturally. After years of watching tarot and “Tarotube” videos in silence, Marine launched her channel, The Waves of Your Soul, in 2020. Fueled by a desire to connect with like-minded individuals beyond the confines of her home on Réunion Island, she made the deliberate choice to create English-language content. “It was the best decision I could make,” she reflects. “I’ve made meaningful friendships and connected with amazing people from all over the world.”
With over 5,000 subscribers, the channel quickly became a space for sharing reviews, insights, and rankings—a unique blend of creativity and community engagement. For Marine, sharing her passion became a healing and empowering experience.
I discovered Marine through her Instagram account and learned that she does an annual Top 10 Tarot and Oracle Decks video series, which has become a highlight for her and her audience. The 2024 list was topped by The Dreams within Dreams Tarot, a collaborative indie deck created by BIPOC and queer artists. “It’s everything I love—fantasy, magic, and a world you can escape to,” she gushes. The deck’s ability to evoke emotion and inspire imagination secured its spot as a favorite.
When evaluating decks, Marine prioritizes artwork above all else. “I’m not a card stock snob,” she admits with a laugh. “If I love the artwork, I’ll get the deck even if it’s printed on toilet paper.” However, guidebooks also play a significant role. “A good guidebook can offer a creator’s unique perspective or teach you something new,” she explains, emphasizing the importance of pairing intuition with learned knowledge.
Every deck tells a story, but not all resonate. The Corrupted Tarot—a shadowy indie deck—proved to be an unexpected favorite, while others fell flat despite initial enthusiasm. “It’s not the deck’s fault,” she explains. “Sometimes you just don’t speak the same language.” I can definitely relate to that.
As a collector with eclectic tastes, her rankings reflect deeply personal connections rather than universal appeal. “I’m a fantasy lover, so that’s always going to influence my choices,” she says. Yet her open-minded approach ensures a wide variety of decks are celebrated, from traditional to modern, and from cute to dark.
Since she creates content primarily from crowdfunded tarot and oracle decks, I asked Marine about common pitfalls in newer releases. “It’s brave to share your creation with the world,” she acknowledges. However, she expresses concern over trends like AI-generated decks and hastily produced pop culture-themed cards. “When the focus is more on speed than honoring the craft or fandom, it shows,” she notes.
As we wrapped up our conversation, Marine’s passion for discovering hidden gems in the tarot world was undeniable. When asked about her favorite underrated decks, she exclaimed, “Omg, SO MANY.” She shared how the sheer volume of new releases each month can make it hard for some treasures to shine. Among her favorites are the fantastical Tarot of the Sweet Twilight by Lo Scarabeo, which she describes as perfect for exploring the subconscious, and the hybrid Dame Fortune’s Wheel Tarot, celebrated for its unique classical spin and stellar guidebook.
She also highlighted her love for reimagining oracle decks, such as using Dixit cards from the popular board game as a creative tool for readings. For Marine, tarot is more than a deck—it’s a call to uncover the underappreciated.
Follow Marine on her Instagram page and YouTube – her Tarot Readings channel and Tarot Lovers channel to join her journey of exploring the magic of tarot.
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