I’ll sheepishly admit that I had some reservations about the Gaian Tarot.  Rumor was that it was very feminine ala The Motherpeace Deck. I’m actually kind of masculine in nature so that concerned me. Would I be able to relate to this deck?

I also heard that some of the traditional names for the cards had been changed.  And since I consider myself a traditionalist that troubled me as well.  Would the changes water the deck down?

It was with great apprehension that I approached this deck.  I worried that I would not be able to connect at all.  (Funny how hearsay makes you uber-cautious about something as innocuous as a tarot deck.)

I’m happy to report that those assumptions were delightfully misguided.

The author, Joanna Powell Colbert, originally self published the deck – I am writing here about the recently mass published version from Llewellyn.  This new version comes in a bright yellow box with the Sun card on the front.  The deck consists of 78 cards and comes with a companion book, “Journey Through The Gaian Tarot”.

The book is well written, very meaty with a lot of information to absorb.  The author starts out talking about how the deck came into being and how to use the deck and book. She then gives the meaning for each card but also adds an interpretation for the “shadow side” of the card (one could use this for reversals or for an overall negatively slanted reading).  The interpretations provided are not cut and dried “predictions” – these are focused more on the energy surrounding the situation and has a more empowering and therapeutic vibration to it which allows the querent to have a feeling of being in control of their destiny.

She then provides meanings behind the symbols on each card, which adds further depth to readings.  In the Majors, Powell Colbert offers “Journal Questions” which I found to be extremely valuable. This allowed me to use the deck for internal processing which made the Gaian Tarot a powerful tool for healing or therapy.  All cards came with an affirmation.  I happen to love affirmations so this was an added plus.

Although the overall tone of the deck seemed to be positive, the author did not shy away from the negative. That being said, the interpretations were always geared towards facing the dark side and healing it.  This makes the deck appropriate for anyone, especially those who may have a negative view of the tarot.

The deck itself is beautiful.  It’s colorful and stunning with clear pictures and symbols.  Animals and nature figure prominently in every card.  The people look realistic and expressive (the author used real people she knew as some of the models – you can see her granddaughter in the Child of Water – and the author herself in the 9 of Earth). Each card evokes the feeling that the author intended – you can see the despair in the face of the figure in the 9 of Air and the expression of sheer joy in the Sun.  To illustrate another example, the Two of Water (in a traditional deck this is the 2 of Cups) shows a woman embracing a dog with an expression of happiness.  The interpretation provided is: “You have a caring, compassionate response to another.  You choose to begin or continue a relationship based on a deep heart connection.”  Wow.  If you are new to tarot this deck would be a great starter as the interpretations are so clearly depicted on the cards that you can really “feel” the meaning behind it.

Two of Water

Although the names have been changed, it did not hamper my ability to read with these cards.  For example, in the Major Arcana, The Devil became Bindweed and The Tower became Lightning.  This still keeps in line with the traditional meanings of bondage and sudden change – so the deck lost nothing with those differences.

Bindweed

Lightning

In the Minors we have Water, Earth, Fire and Air instead of Cups, Pentacles, Wands and Swords.  Court cards became Children, Explorers, Guardians and Elders.  This did change the meaning slightly and I only say slightly because the traditional Courts are Pages, Knights, Queens and Kings – all nobility.  In all actuality, the Gaian figures are more relatable to modern life.  Also, Powell Colbert mixes it up further by adding two males and two females to each category.  In a traditional deck, Queens are always female and Kings are always male – this shifts the vibration and reminds us that we all have male and female energy within us.  I really liked that – especially because as I stated above, I’m actually a pretty “masculine” female and never identified whole heartedly with typical female imagery.

The cards are slightly larger than standard decks but not hard to handle. I have very small hands and they fit very nicely.  The backs have an image of a wreath with a starlit sky behind it.  Gorgeous.

The back of the Gaian Tarot cards

At the end of the book, the author offers suggestions for working with the cards as well as spreads by tarot notables such as James Wells, Beth Owl’s Daughter and Carolyn Cushing.  The spreads worked great and I think I found a few that I may add to my tarot tool box.

The overall tone of the Gaian is “healing” rather than predicting.  The earthy images, the sensitive interpretations, and even the spreads lend to healing your future and past rather than simply divining what may come.

As an example, I recently have been working through a situation and decided to consult the Gaian for guidance. The card I picked was the 10 of Fire.  The interpretation said: “Does it feel like your dreams have gone up in smoke?  Are you overwhelmed or burdened by loss?  Remember that new seedlings grow and flourish in the ashes of a spent fire.  You must release your passions and your energies, whether or not you want to, whether or not you think you’re ready.  It’s time.”  This was very profound to my situation and gave me a peaceful feeling (and the impetus to do a burning ceremony).  It was the advice I needed to hear (not necessarily what I wanted to hear).

My only complaint with this deck is the card stock.  I wish it were made on more sturdy material.  The deck feels a wee bit fragile and it may not be one that I use on a regular basis because I fear it would be wrecked quickly in the hands of an aggressive shuffler.  (I am a high volume tarot reader so this poses a problem and makes unsuitable for a workhorse deck.)

I will need to be gentle with this deck. But considering the heart centered and sensitive nature of the Gaian tarot, perhaps it makes sense that I treat it with tenderness.  The message is to “handle with care” – a message that we need to also apply to ourselves, each other and the earth.

I give this deck Two Swords Up!

Blessings,

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com 

Years ago I used to visit the (now closed) Magickal Childe occult shop in New York.  I would spend lots of time browsing the herbs, oils, candles and books – and fantasizing about what things I would conjure up.  One day, I came to the store after a friend of a friend stole money from me and one of the people who worked there recommended that I get a “seal” for protection.  That was my first introduction to the Seals of Solomon.

Since that time, I have on occasion come across them and always found them fascinating.  The story goes that King Solomon received a magical signet ring that gave him power over the demons.  This ring inspired talismans also called “seals”. Each seal has a different vibration and can give magickal powers to the user: the gift of sight, protection, prosperity and more.

The King Solomon Oracle Deck (US Games; ISBN 978-1-57281-666-4) is inspired by these ancient seals.  Created by author Itzhak Mizrahi and artist Orna Ben-Shoshan, this little deck provides powerful spiritual insights and wisdom to help the reader in any situation.  Although I usually do not play around with Oracle cards, I was pleasantly surprised by the profoundness and beauty of this deck.

The King Solomon Oracle consists of 40 cards – 36 Oracle cards and 4 Amulet cards.  The Amulet cards are not to be used in readings but instead carried with you for protection and blessings.  Each of these cards have blank space on the back for you to write your name and your mother’s name, which connects the card to you.  After about 21 days the effects of the amulet cards should be felt by the user.  The deck creators recommend carrying at least two of these cards with you at all time.  Each Amulet card focuses on a different area of your life: Livelihood, Relationships, Health and Security/Protection.

Amulet Card

Back of the Amulet Card

The other 36 cards are used for readings.  The little white book not only provides spreads you can use for readings but also different interpretations depending on what you are asking: situation, person, or advice. A meaning for inverted cards is also included.  Recently I consulted the cards for advice about a situation and pulled Card #28 – the advice portion said: “Your battle has already been lost/ wait for the situation to be rid of negative influences/ don’t proceed until you can see the situation clearly/ seek outside help in order to be freed from the problem.”  (This advice did indeed serve me well.)

The cards are standard sized and fit nicely in your hands.  The finish is smooth but with a light texture that makes this deck easy to shuffle and not too slippery.  And the art work is simply gorgeous.  Vibrant colors, whimsical yet magickal images and clear images of the Seals make this deck a wonder to behold.  Some of the cards have a Goatic symbol while others have the “72 Names of God”, the Kabbalistic names. (These are not written in Hebrew letters but in angel writing.)  The backs of the cards are a pale greyish blue with a Seal in the middle.

The authors state that the King Solomon Oracle Cards “were created as a personal deck for your daily use.”  While that may be the intention, I find them to be uncanny when I need simple advice.  They have been accurate and wise in that use.

I would highly recommend this deck to anyone who is looking for a simple oracle deck or who is drawn to the Seals.  This deck is great for beginners and would be a lovely addition to any deck collection.

I give it Two Swords Up!

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

I’m a sucker for anything cool.  And in my mind, tarot is extremely cool.  So is New York.  Put them together and it’s like peanut butter and chocolate combined  – irresistible! Being that this is my mindset, you are probably not surprised to hear that I love the “Tarot of the Boroughs” by tarotist Courtney Weber and photographer George Courtney, a contemporary tarot deck based on the heartbeat and imagery of New York City.

This vibrant deck is a visual masterpiece comprised of stunning original photography.  The deck stays true to the traditional Rider Waite format but don’t be fooled as this deck is anything but traditional. The pictures are a fresh, hip take on the usual tarot images making this deck absolutely unique and a good antidote to the accepted standard.  Many of the people featured in the deck are well known artists and writers (techno musician Moby!) as well as typical native New Yorkers.  This captures the spirit of  modern New York better than any painted deck could.

Moby as the King Of Coins!

The titles for the Majors are the norm with the exception of the Fool who becomes the Seeker.  Suits are Cups, Wands, Swords and Coins.  The Court cards remain as King, Queen, Knight and Page.  The cards are printed on a glossy card stock that seems to be pretty sturdy.  Borders are black all the way around and the back is black as well with a reversible image of the city in a little circle (sweet!).  They shuffle well and feel good in my hands – another plus.  It is obvious that the authors took pains to make this a quality deck.

It comes with a small book but there isn’t much in there.  They give short, pithy explanations for the cards but encourage the reader to come up with their own meanings.  The interpretations provided are sometimes hilarious and I found myself laughing out loud over a few:

5 of Cups: Country music required

Queen of Swords: Don’t piss her off

Knight of Swords: Asses will be kicked

Some of the images are simply amazing  (Be sure to visit the website for bios on each of the models – I loved this clever feature.):

The High Priestess becomes a Santeria goddess in full regalia, lighting her cigar on a votive:

The Hermit is a homeless man sitting by candlelight outdoors (this card reminded me of a homeless man that my husband befriended in San Francisco named Zeus who would sometimes be given to brilliant and deep spiritual babbling – a wise hermit indeed):

The 3 of Swords shows a purse snatching in progress and the look on the victim’s face suggests pain and fear clearly (My favorite suit is the Swords in this deck, by the way.):

The 5 of Cups shows a man bowing his head sadly towards a half finished glass of liquid:

The details are eye catching and I found myself developing whole new concepts for the cards.  It definitely will inspire you to get creative with the meanings – making this deck a good one if you are in a “tarot rut”.  This deck will also appeal to deck collectors, photography fans, New Yorkers and anyone who is looking for a more modern twist on tarot tradition.  This is not your mama’s tarot!

I asked tarot what I need to know about this deck – I pulled the Queen of Wands.  The book gives this interpretation: Creative power; enterprise.  I think that perfectly sums up the energy of Tarot Of The Boroughs as it is one of the most creative decks I have seen in a long time.

I give this deck an enthusiastic Two Swords Up!

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady

http://www.tarotmentor.com

© Theresa Reed 2011 | The Tarot Lady

I’ll admit to being one of those people who likes to stick with what I consider to be tried and true.  For example, if I need a pair of shoes, I will usually hit Birkenstocks and purchase the same clogs that I have worn for years.  I know what fits and what works for me – and I have the philosophy that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.  I’m the same with Tarot.  I prefer using the Rider Waite.  I’ll deviate from time to time but inevitably, I will always go right back to RWS.

While I like the consistently good readings the RWS delivers, I have to admit that on occasion, I get into a safe comfort zone.  It’s not necessarily a bad thing but my Gemini brain demands a mental challenge.  I recently gave myself a very good tarot workout when I got my hands on a new deck by US Games, the Brotherhood of Light Egyptian Tarot.

To say that this deck is out of my comfort zone is no small exaggeration.  Nothing about this deck is the standard or ordinary for me!  There are no familiar figures, symbols or words to guide my intuition.  I had to really THINK when I worked with this deck.

The Brotherhood of the Light Egyptian Tarot is based on the book “The Sacred Tarot” by CC Zain.  (You may want to purchase that book to go with this deck for the full scope of information contained within these cards.)  This deck was originally designed by Gloria Beresford in 1936 – and were black and white. Vicki Brewer redesigned the cards and made them full color in 2009.

There are 78 cards like a standard tarot deck with 22 Majors, 40 Minors (Pip cards, not illustrated) and 16 Court Cards.  But this deck has a few stark differences: instead of Wands, the suit is Scepters; some of the Majors have different names such as Veiled Isis for the High Priestess; the Fool is numbered 22 instead of Zero (he’s also called The Materialist); and Pages and Knights are renamed Youths and Horsemen.  This takes some getting used to and I found myself relying on the little white book often to find my way.

The deck is smaller than a regular tarot deck and fit nicely in my hands.  Once again, US Games never sacrifices quality – this is a well made deck and shuffles very smoothly.  The back has a reversible image that was inspired by the tradition of the “carpet page”, pages of geometric designs that are part of  insular illuminated manuscripts.

Each card is rich in color and symbolism.  Kabbala, Astrology and Numerology symbols are on every card – but even with all the imagery, the cards remain stark and uncluttered, leaving the reader plenty of room to form their own interpretations. I found myself poring carefully and methodically over the cards with each reading.  Between reading the interpretations provided by the little white book and adding my own insights, I ended up spending more time with each reading than usual.  I was unable to just drop an interpretation as I normally do – I had to really work!  While this may sound frustrating (and it times I’ll admit it was), it was also a good challenge and I feel that ultimately this made me slow down and really study those cards – I could not rely on rote meanings nor could I just allow my instincts to take over.  For a long time reader like myself, this was the kick in the pants I needed!

Here’s an example:  I asked the cards “what can I learn from this deck”?  I pulled the Queen of Cups, 5 of Cups and King of Scepters (water, water, fire).  The Queen sits serenely and regal on a throned with a moon base.  Two eagles reside below her and Eyes of Horus (a symbol of protection) surround her. On the other hand, the image of the King shows a man driving a chariot with a fierce focus.  He seems to be in full control, leading the horses with a forceful blow.  The little white book interprets these three cards as: a person ruled by the sign of Scorpio, reserved and thoughtful; good fortune in love, responsibility; a person ruled by Aries, fiery, headstrong, ambitious.  The abundance of water makes the King card weakened – this combination suggests that this deck will put a damper on my normally rapid fire method of reading.  It will force me to be more reserved in my interpretations.  In other words, it will bring RESTRAINT.

This deck will be especially appealing to fans of Egyptian art or magick as well as those who want a unique tarot deck to add to their collection.  I would suggest this deck for advanced readers.  Beginners may find it too difficult to work with.  And to be honest, this is not a deck I would use regularly.  This is the kind I would drag out when I feel stale and need a new perspective.

I give this deck One Sword Up, One Sword down because it will not appeal to everyone.

Blessings!

Theresa

What deck do you like to use when you need a challenge?  Post your opinions in the comment section below:

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!

I have to admit, I am a sucker for kits.  I like anything that is smartly packaged with lots of parts and frills.  Naturally, any sort of tarot set makes me a very happy camper and I was giddy as could be when I recently acquired the Pamela Colman Smith Commemorative Set.  This gorgeous box set is well done and any tarot lover will want to add this to their collection.

The contents are packaged in a sturdy double sided box that folds out to reveal many lovely treasures inside.  There are lots of tarot goodies including:

A Smith Waite Centennial Edition Tarot Deck with a baby blue organza bag for storage

Two books: The Artwork And Times of Pamela Colman Smith by Stuart R. Kaplan and The Pictorial Key To The Tarot by Arthur Edward Waite

Three 5×7 pictures of Smith’s art, suitable for framing

1 black and white photo of Pamela Colman Smith

A supplemental fold out with a few tarot spreads

6 postcards picturing Smith’s art work

The deck is a reprint of the original 1909 deck, with dreamy muted colors and a “vintage” finish that adds an authentic retro feel.  There are many versions of the Rider Waite deck with different color schemes (Radiant Rider Waite comes to mind with its bright, energetic colors) but there is something about this version that grabs my attention and pulls me in like no other.  Perhaps it is because the turn of the century is one of my favorite eras or maybe the softer color scheme is simply easier on the eye.  Either way, I really find this faithful reproduction quite appealing.  I especially liked the reversible image on the back of the deck  – a white rose framed by Colman Smith’s signature.  There is a little blue organza bag included for storing the deck – another nice little touch that made this set very special.

“The Pictorial Key To The Tarot” by Arthur Edward Waite is a familiar book on many tarot lover’s shelves – in fact, this was one of the first tarot books that I owned when I began my own journey with the tarot. I had lost my copy and was happy to be reunited with this classic!  Even more exciting was the other book, “The Artwork and Times of Pamela Colman Smith” by Stuart R. Kaplan.  This biography was small but did not lack details.  Her life and family history are thoroughly covered and many images of Colman-Smith’s work are lovingly displayed throughout the book with notes that help the reader learn about the mediums that Colman-Smith worked with throughout her life (watercolor, ink, pencil, etc.) as well as all the different places where her work was featured (book illustrations, sheet music, magazines, and more). I was saddened to learn that even though she had great talent, she still struggled financially throughout her life and died penniless due to bad business decisions.  I found myself wondering if her work would have been forgotten if not for the tarot.  How grateful I am to know that at least one aspect of her artwork is still revered, recognized and treasured!

Lastly, U.S. Games included a fold out with tarot spreads as well as some postcards and pictures, making this kit a treasure trove and well worth the $35.00 price tag!  This is a bargain considering all that you get.  I highly recommend this set for any tarot lover or fan of Colman-Smith’s work. This would also be a lovely gift for any of the tarot fiends in your life.

I give this boxed set an enthusiastic 2 Swords Up!

Blessings!

Theresa

PS Do you have this set?  I’d love to hear what you think about it!

Illustrator Vanessa Decort has created a stunning yet simple deck with her Sun And Moon Tarot.  This latest offering from U.S. Games looks rather plain at first glance but on close inspection, there is a richness and complexity that draws you in and lends new, subtle nuances to your tarot readings.  Decort describes the deck this way: “The Sun And Moon Tarot considers universal archetypes and cultural symbols, and also incorporates the artist’s own personal symbols.”

The deck is comprised of the standard 78 cards, with Majors, Minors and Courts.  Based on the Thoth deck, it stays true to the titles that Aleister Crowley used (ex: 7 of Pentacles – Failure; Art – Temperance; Princes and Princes rather than Knights and Pages).  I’ve always been somewhat intimidated by the Thoth deck but Decort has taken that influence and infused it with an almost playful, childlike essence.  This could be because she has a background as an illustrator for children’s books or perhaps she simply wanted to deliver the wisdom of the Thoth deck in a more whimsical and  accessible manner.  I’m not sure which reason guided her work but the result is an inviting, fun deck that never loses its Thoth roots.

This is a well made deck on sturdy card stock with a somewhat matte finish.  It felt great in my hands, shuffled well and seemed built to last. This is very important to me as I tend to be hard on my decks through constant use. The back of the deck is a gorgeous black and white mandala – and it’s reversible, another small detail that I like.

Each image is framed by white borders with titles (in English) and numbers clearly printed.  The typeface is easy to read, no squinting required.  Colors are bold yet muted.    I especially liked the choices for the Minors suits – neutral, earthy tones for Earth; dark grey, burnt sienna and orange flames for Fire; rich midnight blue for Water; and light sky blue for Air.  These color schemes make sense and allow the reader to instantly know which suit they are working with before they even glance at the title.

There are strong Kabbalah and alchemy influences throughout the deck – each Major has a Hebrew letter and the elemental symbols appear on every minor.  Yogic images are scattered about – from the OM symbol in the Hermit to the dancing Shiva as the Universe (World)!  Of course, being a yogi, this is personally very appealing to me!

The Major arcana is especially rich with symbols – the yin and yang in the Temperance and the Phoenix in the Death card convey the meanings clearly.  Astrological symbols are featured throughout the Majors – for example, the Cancer symbol on the chest of the driver in The Chariot or the ram’s heads and lamb (Aries) in the Emperor.

One of the things I liked the best about this deck was the multicultural imagery.  Rather than “standard” RWS people, there are all races represented here – black, white, dark haired, redheads and more.  This gives the deck a “modern” appeal and I happen to like that as my own personal life is diverse – so seeing this detail made me feel more connected to the deck.

Despite the Thoth influence, the standard Rider Waite interpretations show up in the Minors.  Rather than pip cards, the Minors are fully illustrated with people in various postures and actions – and this makes the Minors easier to grasp.  I especially liked the image of the 10 of Wands, which shows an African woman delicately balancing a bunch of sticks on top of her head as she travels across a desert landscape.  This lends a more hopeful feel to the standard interpretation (Decort interprets it as: “Ability to adapt when overwhelmed, like reeds bending with the wind.”)

I found it odd at first that none of the images had faces.  In fact, they were blank like an Amish doll.  I am a visual person and I thought this would inhibit my ability to read these cards.  Surprisingly though I found that the symbols and the body language of the people allowed me to understand the cards easily.  And without any facial expressions to guide me, I started to find that I was less limited in my own interpretations.  For example, the 3 of Swords has an image of three swords going through a cloud which forms a thought bubble above the head of a woman who is resting her hand on her knee.  Normally I interpret this card as heartbreak or loss – but this image spoke of perhaps reflecting on a disappointment.  In a weird way, the lack of facial expressions is a bit liberating.

The Sun and Moon Tarot comes with a standard little white book but I think this deck needs a companion book as I felt there was not enough information to really grasp the possibilities that are present in this deck.  For example, I read reversals and there were no interpretations for them.  I’d like to see how the artist would interpret these.  I’d also like more information on how this deck relates to the Thoth as I feel that it could help to shed light on the Thoth and make it more approachable to those of us who shy away from it.  But these are very small, niggling requests.

After going over all those details, I always find the best way to really see if a deck is useable is by doing a reading. So I asked the deck this question: how will the Sun and Moon Tarot work for me?  I pulled the Ace of Wands.  One of the interpretations in the book was “Spiritual enlightenment and intuition”.  I feel this is an appropriate description as for me, this deck does not have any of the “same old same old” stuff that I tend to rely on – I have to really pay attention to the symbols and energy and let the faces come alive without my preconceived notions. This IS intuition in action.

I’m giving this deck two Swords up.  It is a unique and interesting deck for any tarot lover’s collection.

Blessings!

Theresa

all images used with permission from US Games Tarot

I’m excited to reveal a new feature that I’ve been working on: The Deck And Book Nook.  This will be a bimonthly post with reviews of different tarot books and decks.  I’ve got a huge appetite for books and you’ll usually find me at home with my nose in one.  I’m more choosy with tarot decks but always open to new perspectives that each unique deck offers .  I aim to offer an honest, unbiased, and detailed description of each deck and/or book that will guide you, the consumer, in making informed choices.

I’ll be posting images to illustrate and will also include links to the authors websites if available.  I also have a “grading” system that will further define my viewpoint (a tongue and cheek nod to Siskel and Ebert):

Two Swords Up – This is an enthusiastic YES!  Buy the product!

One Sword Down/One Sword Up – This is a neutral response – some praise, some criticisms.  May only appeal to some.

Two Swords Down – A big NO.  Too many issues to make it a worthwhile investment. Pass.

I hope that you will find these reviews to be a trusted resource before you open up your pocketbook.  Look for the first review tomorrow!

Blessings!

Theresa

PS If there are any decks or books you’d like to see featured here – please email me your requests and I will try to honor them.  If you are a deck or book author and would like to have me review your creation, please email me to discuss.  I may already have it in my collection!  You can reach me at tarotlady@wi.rr.com.

images courtesy of TaoXproductions