The Paulina Tarot is one of those decks I had high hopes for but unfortunately for me, this one fell a bit short. Paulina Cassidy is a remarkable artist and her talent shines through in this deck - but that being said, I found this deck to be utterly impossible to read with. Let me break it down so you see how I came to my conclusion.
The deck is the standard 78 cards and printed on very quality stock paper. I am a high volume tarot reader so I need a sturdy deck – and US Games never skimps on quality. Like their other offerings, the Paulina tarot has a nice glossy finish that provides the right “slip” for shuffling. The back has a reversible image of two birds (they are kind of vintage looking, which I like).
The artist uses a pen and watercolor method that gives the cards a delicate and ethereal feel. Some of her inspirations for the deck were the Rider Waite and New Orleans. The Mardi Gras vibe can be seen clearly in the festive way some of the characters are outfitted (The Fool is a perfect example).
The colors are muted pastels and at first glance, they are quite pretty and detailed. However, many of the finer details are hard to see in these cards – I had to wear my glasses and look very closely to see some of the images clearly. If you have vision troubles like I do, this is a problem. Unlike some other decks (Rider Waite being an example), the images do not “pop” – nothing stands out and this forces me to have to look very carefully at these cards to find meaning. That may not be a problem to some readers but I need to feel “grabbed” and inspired when I read tarot – I did not get that from these cards.
While the Rider Waite influence is strong in this deck, sometimes the artist formed her own ideas for interpretation. This didn’t always work out so well – for example, the 6 of Swords had a muddy feeling to it, which seemed depressing to me. Normally, I interpret the card as moving away from troubles – but in this case, the image seemed mired in muck at the bottom of an ocean. Now that could be a new interpretation for this card, but as a traditionalist, I found this to be confusing and distracting.
Much like that 6 of Swords image, I started to feel like a stick in the mud with this deck. Was I being too harsh? The only way to figure that out is by doing a reading with it. I asked the tarot “How will this deck work for me?”. The cards I picked were Knight of Pentacles, The Hermit, The King of Wands. At first glance, the murky colors seemed to blend each card together in a jumbled and cloudy mess and it didn’t evoke any meaning for me. I felt frustrated and decided to turn to the little white book included with the deck.
Using some of the interpretations provided by the artist in the book, this combination suggests: reliable and steadfast, deep understanding and a time for self reflection, self-assertion and confidence. In other words, this should be a deck that I can rely on for deeper understanding and perhaps if I put more effort into it, I will develop more confidence in working with it. The lantern on the Hermit cards shines brightly, an indication that there is a message in these cards but I have to look a bit harder to find it.
I have no doubt that some will find this deck to be enchanting and whimsical. I would recommend the Paulina Tarot to tarot collectors for it’s beauty or to anyone who likes finely detailed art work. But as a workhorse deck, this is not one that I feel is useable. It’s too distracting and not much stands out clearly. A tarot reading needs to flow – and for me, I had to spend too much time squinting to make out the images and this lent to choppy readings. Perhaps spending more time with the deck will cure that problem but for now, it’s going back in the box and into my tarot drawer.
I’m giving this deck one sword up, one sword down.
Blessings!
Theresa
If you feel the same way or have a different opinion on this deck, please share it in the comments section below. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!
Hm … well that’s too bad. I’m so happy to have run into this review, because having seen her posts on FB and Twitter, and being a fan of her work, and her goth/witchy lifestyle, I was anxious to hear about it.
As an aside … I find myself going through a transition with decks. I’ve read from the Tarot Nouveau for a long time, but also have three other decks in boxes on my “wierd” shelf in the bedroom. Then, as I write definitions for my own deck, I find myself gravitating more and more to good old reliable Rider Waite, which as you said, grabs me in terms of visual symbolism. So, a new RW deck is under my mattress percolating now as we speak.
It’s interesting to me how these things go in cycles. But too bad about Paulina’s deck. I bet she worked very hard on it.
D~
Donna L. Faber recently posted..LIZA with a Z!
Hi Donna!
Thanks for stopping by and for your comment!
I felt very conflicted about this deck – I loved the art but found it VERY hard to work with. My vision issues compounded the problem – back in the day when I had bionic vision perhaps I would have loved this deck more. But the muddy colors and tiny details made it hard for me to enjoy it.
I do like the artist’s work – she’s amazing. Just wish this one made me happier.
Blessings!
Theresa
Hi Theresa,
I’ve been looking at this deck off and one for quite awhile, however I always seem to move it to the bottom of my list when I get ready to order a new deck. I can certainly see what you mean about possibly having trouble reading with it. I do like her art work and the over-all look of the deck. I still plan on getting it at least for my collection. One of these days.
Thanks for your honest and informative review.
Blessings,
Koneta
Koneta recently posted..An Interview with the AnnaK Tarot
Hi Koneta
Thanks for your comment. The artwork is stunning but again, very hard to read with. The details are so tiny – and the colors were depressing for me. I think that some people will fall in love with this deck but sadly, I was not one of them.
It is good to see all these options though – there are different strokes for different folks!
Blessings!
Theresa
Yes she is a wonderful artist not doubt about it. But I to, was underwhelmed with this deck. It is too muted for me, things just blend together too much for my taste. I find it hard to read with as well. It sends me into a dark and rather dreary place for some reason.
I look forward to some comments for those it does work for though. It will give me a new perspective on it and perhaps open my mind to something new I have noticed in this deck.
Hi Chanah
Thank you for your comment. I really wanted to like this deck as I also think the artist is talented – but I could not read with it. I agree with the “dreary” comment. It was hard for me to find light in this deck.
The deck got great reviews on Amazon – so there are many fans out there.
Blessings!
Theresa
You know, Theresa, I can certainly understand why you feel the way you do about the Paulina. I’ve had the same trouble with other decks–maybe not in terms of “muddiness”, but where the imagery and symbolism just don’t see to say much for some reason.
Funny how one deck can speak so much to one reader and not others! I had great experiences with the Paulina when I tried it (here’s my review of it if you want to take a look http://janetboyer.com/Paulina_Tarot.html), but you know, this isn’t a “workhorse” deck for me either.
Having said that, I do find the Paulina to be a wonderful deck when I need to see the lighthearted, whimsical side of life, or for creative writing (if not for actual divination).
Janet
Hi Janet
Thanks for stopping by and thank you for your comment. I also find it interesting that no two tarot reader will view a deck the same way. For example, I have a lot of issues reading with the Thoth deck – yet I know so many who love it and feel it is the best deck ever. What appeals to one may not appeal to the other. It shows how diverse we really are – there are no “cookie cutter” tarot readers!
The Paulina deck is gorgeous – just didn’t work for me as a “reading” deck.
Blessings!
Theresa
Thank you for your review, Theresa: perhaps you’ll prefer my second deck, called Joie de Vivre: still very much in the works. The progress can be found on my website.
- Paulina
Hello Paulina
Thank you for stopping by. I did indeed check out the samples for your new deck and I must say that I am delighted with the images so far. It has a very Alice in Wonderland feel to it! Wow! Can’t wait to see this one when it comes out!
Blessings!
Theresa
Hi Theresa,
Just stopping by to take a look at your reviews. I have to agree with you on this one, I’m not fond of the deck myself, but that is my personal opinion. It’s hard to say that about any decks that are out because you know how much work and effort was put into making the deck, definitely not an easy task and I give Kudos for that. But on the same note I have decks that I never touch because they simply do not appeal to me at all, yet there are tons of people who love those same decks.
I honestly can not say that I can give a total opinion on this deck because I have not used it, but simply by the images shown here, they do not appeal. I have had other decks that I wasn’t really into that turned out to read like a dream for me. I am also from the Rider Waite style of reading, my first deck was actually the Cannon Reed Witches tarot and I still love that deck to this day, I think the images are beautiful, but I never got a rally good read with it. I think this is perhaps due to the fact that the book was based on Kabalah and the Swords and Wands suits are reversed (Swords being fire, Wands being air in this deck.) I ended up learning from the RW system and I think I look at all decks and immediately associate them in that manner.
In all, I do have to say that this deck has a very soft, soothing tone to it from what I see, I do like that about it, but not the deck for me. Kudos to you also for starting this “Deck and Book Nook,” and taking on the task, and also having it set up for others to post their personal opinion on the Decks and Books. Some may not agree with my opinion on the deck, but it allows those who do feel a connection to get a deeper look, and different point of view before buying the deck…or even reason to go and buy the deck if it appeals to them.
Scott
HI Scott!
Thanks for stopping by and for your comment! I do hope that my reviews are helpful for my fellow tarot lovers. Not all will agree with my opinions and that is the beauty of reviews – we all have a different take on a deck or book and these diverse views ultimately help the consumer consider whether it is right (or not) for them!
I do think the artist did a remarkable job with the deck (can you imagine what goes in to creating a deck???). It just didn’t read well in my opinion – but it is sure nice to look at.
Blessings!
Theresa
I absolutely love the artwork of this deck. The deeper you look, the more you find. When I first got this deck, I had intentions of it being my main deck for personal readings. I don’t use it often, but when I do, it seems to bring out a dream-like quality to my reading. It seems to work best for very personal questions. Your right that the meanings don’t jump out at you the way RW does. There is a much softer approach and often requires more thought and introspection from me than standard decks. This deck may never be a workhorse deck, but will be used on special occasions when the deck fits my feelings. It definitely has a special place in my collection. I hope others will give it a chance because it is truely beautiful and I suspect Paulina poured her heart and soul into it’s creation.
Hi Shay
Thank you for your insights – I agree that this deck requires “more thought and introspection” than a standard deck. Perhaps I am just used to needing to give answers in rapid fire succession – therefore this deck was difficult for me to work with. I’ll certainly play with it more in my own personal readings. Maybe with time, I’ll find a way to use it properly.
I really appreciate your viewpoint!
Blessings!
Theresa
Some decks seem to unfold their nature, rather than “flash” the reader at once. Maybe a long striptease versus a, well, flasher! LOL I definitely think the Paulina falls into the latter category. Very good for dream work, as you say, Shay, as well as any creative application.
)
Janet,
I love your description of the long striptease versus the flasher – LOL!
Blessings!
Theresa
Teeheehee! ;o)
Janet
Fantastic open, but traditional reveiw.
You’re my kind of tarot person !!!