This weeks Tarot Dynamics Unleashed Newsletter is all about the New Moon, a time when anything is possible.  Tarot Dynamics author Anna Cook, has this to say about the Eight of Cups, the COTW (card of the week).

“Like you, the Eight of Cups is also an individualist.  So by administering a personal reality check or two this week, you can recapture or simply refresh and maintain your inner balance and the clarity of purpose, that you need to keep moving forward or tackle matters more realistically.”

Using the Eight of Cups as your significator (the card that represents you and the general mood or tone of the week ahead), shuffle and place a card covering “you”.

Card 2:  will signal whether it’s likely to prove a little easier or a bit more challenging for you to deal with people and matters this week.  So now, turn over and discover what you need to know.

 

My card 2, is the Three of Wands, which tells me it’s more likely going to be a little easier when dealing with people and matters this week.

I am using the Golden Tarot by Kat Black as my deck of choice for this reading.  Let’s take a closer look at this Eight of Cups and Three of Wands .  LWB- Eight of Cups: Abandonment of materialism.  Putting aside financial security in the pursuit of spiritual fulfillment.   Three of Wands:  Anticipation and good timing.  Vigilance and dedication shall be rewarded.

There is an option to add more cards, Cook says perhaps Card 3 might represent What More You  Need To Know, while Card 4 could represent this week’s most likely outcome.

Card 3, Eight of Coins:  New skills learned and applied with success.  Creativity used to overcome financial hardship.  Making do with little by acquiring new knowledge and skills.  Apprenticeship and hard work will lead to a better future.  Card 4, The Tower:  All Man’s Material success cannot protect us from ill fortune.  The Gods can be jealous, and even the strongest fortress can fall to the ground.  This is a warning against complacency and smugness.  All that we achieve is as fragile as a house of cards, and may collapse at the slightest breath.  Appreciate the important things in life-health, love and happiness-and be thankful for them as long as they last.

Now, what did I learn here?

Blue-Light special, get your reality check in aisle 3.  Even though I think I pretty much keep my feet on the ground most of the time I have been guilty of wearing Rose-Colored-Glasses now and again.  Which in itself isn’t a bad thing necessarily, if I don’t wear them too often.

If I look at this a bit backwards, The Tower pretty much sums it up.  Don’t take anything for granted, which is something I think I need to be reminded of pretty often.  For anything to be successful it requires work, dedication, diligence,  and most importantly attention to detail.  In being an individualist, its easy to get complacent and distracted in my own pursuits allowing important details to be neglected.

Bottom line:  This New Moon reading is about all the possibilities that I may be missing out on and what I have to lose.  Time to take the rose-colored-glasses off, and pay attention to what is really most important.  If not, I take the risk of losing it.  Timing is everything, and there is no time like the present.

Today I am using a Daily Reading spread from the companion book of The Mary-El Tarot, Landscapes of the Abyss by Marie White.  It’s a three card spread used to take a look at your day.  Her instructions are to ask this question, “What will my day be like?”, while shuffling.  Below see the cards I drew with my interpretation.

The 2 of Disks reversed, the 10 of Swords, and the 3 of Disks.

Card 1:  Within – This is what is going on inside you today; your thoughts, feelings, desires.  This card will generally show you your over all internal experience of the day with particular attention to any especially sore or good spots. 

2 of Disks Rx:  The keywords for the reversed meanings are, Imbalance, unnatural, ill-content, inability to see both sides.  No surprises here.   Notice the eyes are covered with coins.  One representing the sun and the other the moon, showing the ability to look both within and without.  The moon is for looking within, where it is dark.  How appropriate is this card in this position of the spread? Yikes!

Card 2: Without – This is what is going on around you in the external world; people, work, situations, environment.  Again, an overall trend or theme of the day.

10 of Swords:  The keywords listed for this card are, freedom from mental prisons.  Death of ego.  Death of ignorance.  Let go of the origin of things, or truth being somewhere outside yourself.  Leap of faith.  Removal of impurities.  A constant battle it seems as I am reminded (quite loudly too) to broaden my circle of perception removing myself from the equation for a more objective and less judgmental perspective.  To practice what I preach.

Card 3:  Advice – This is the advice you need to get through the day especially in regards to any difficulties or challenges in Cards 1 and/or 2.

3 of Disks:  The keywords for this card are, Creating something with your own hard work, your own body, your own flesh.  The actions to bring something to life.  Grounded with action, craftsmanship, artistry.  Birth, creation, art, manifestation, genesis.  Gold. Grounding, anchoring.  There are both difficulties and challenges in cards 1 and 2 to deal with.  Of the 3 of Disks, White compares the journey of the soul to that of mining for rare and precious gold.  “The 3 of disks is the journey of the soul into flesh.  The mother and father take the spark of life and cover it with layer after layer of bone, blood, muscle, and flesh.  This is symbolized as layers upon layers of gold fabric.” (pg. 88)

Certainly a powerful message for me today, most of which I will leave unsaid to protect the ‘innocent’.  But, I think you would agree with me that the Mary-El Tarot packs quite a punch.  And, I mean that in the nicest way!

*images are from The Mary-El Tarot, and can be purchased here.

(For your listening pleasure, Optional Mood Music at bottom of page.)

Pirate Tarot

Design- Carrie and Lucas Amodio

Illustrations – Liz “Galindorf” Harper

Publisher – Schiffer Publishing Ltd. 2009

ISBN – 978-0-7643-3182-4

From the beginning of time, sailors have been a superstitious lot and they used any method available to bring good luck and protection their way.  One technique dealt with fortune telling using the Tarot.  Meet here, a colorful cast of fantasy pirates, from elegant lady captains and playful cabin boys to crusty old sailors.  Two fun and exciting games will bring the buccaneer out in you! (printed on back of box)

The Pirate Tarot is a 78 card deck that replicates wood carvings of pirate life.  Each card does in fact look as if it could have been etched into wood.  If you have ever seen a “wooden nickle” this is how I imagine them to look and feel.   The deck is actually available in wood carving form, from Dragonfire Laser Crafts.

The card back are reversible, decorated with a skull and cross bones.  Each card has three keywords listed and some of the names have been changed to adapt to the pirate theme.  The cards are over sized, approximately measuring 3 5/8 x 5 5/16, with a white border.  As you can see in these scans, the border is very wide on the left side.  There is a great review on the Tarot Wisdom Readings site by Velvet Angel, and she shows scans after she trimmed the border off her deck.

The High Priestess has been renamed The Figurehead, and Judgement is titled The Plank.  Both are still easily identifiable with their more traditional counterparts. A few other of the Major Arcana are also changed, such as The Magician.  In this deck it is renamed The Chirurgeon (pronounced kī-ˈrər-jən). Who was he, you might ask?  The ship’s surgeon, who many times was also the ship’s barber.  More interesting information can be found here.

The court consists of Cabin Boy, First Mate, Lady Captain, and Captain.  There are four suits, Swords, Cups, Coins, and Pistols.

It was most disappointing to open the box and find there was no LWB (little white book).  There is an 8.5 x 11 insert which show examples of a three card spread and the Celtic Cross as well as instructions for a game that can be played (Tarochi?).

The deck comes in a standard box with a flap-close top, that is suitable for storage.  This past New Years Eve my son offered me the velvet sack that his bottle of Crown Royal had come in.  As it happens it made a perfect bag for this deck, and it all fits into it nicely.  Ha!ha!

If  you like unique themed decks, this is one I highly recommend.  It’s playful and fun to work with.  You may even learn something new about the life of a pirate.  I know I did.  Interestingly, there is a good bit of information on the web concerning pirates and the culture (as well as the myths) of living on-board a pirate ship.

Get your Pirate on and get your Pirate Tarot today!  Available on Amazon.com

Twilight Realm – A Tarot of Faery

Author/Illustrator – Beth Wilder

Publisher – Schiffer Publishing Ltd. 2010

ISBN – 978-0-7643-3393-4

Specifications:

• 78 art card deck with an illustrated 176 page companion book that includes both upright and reversed definitions, keywords, and description.
• Four suits; Wands, Cups, Swords, and Rings
• Court consists of King, Queen, Page, Princess, Prince.  There are still only four positions in the court of each suit, the difference being The Prince’s belong to the suits of Wands and Swords.  The Princess to Cups and Rings.
• Strength is 8 and Justice is 11
• The cards are printed on sturdy cardstock and have a black border.  They measure 3.5 x 5.0 giving ample room to see the entire  image clearly.
• The backs are reversible showing a Faery ring painted in shades of lavender on a black background.
• The Major Arcana have retained the traditional names normally associated with a RWS clone deck.

In the Introduction, author and artist Beth Wilder talks of her experience and background with the Tarot and the Twilight Realm of Faery.

“Now this deck has taken on a different meaning for me.  I have not made it for my use alone.  I have made it as a way for the fairies to communicate with other people because that is what they asked of me.  So this deck is a gift from the world of Faery to those individuals wise enough to understand that fairies are all around us.  They help us in sometimes baffling or confounding ways, but their true intent is to impart lessons that encourage our growth.”

Won’t you travel to the Twilight Realm of Faery with me to meet them?  To break the ice, I’ll begin asking a few questions and we will see who decides to step forward in answer.   I’ll be using FireRaven’s deck interview spread, posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum, for this part.

1.  Tell me about yourself.  What is you most important characteristic? – Princess of Rings:  My most important characteristics are patience, trustworthiness,  and my love of nature. 

2.  What are your strengths as a deck? – The Wheel of Fortune:  My strengths are the assurances of growth.  Growth can only happen with changes (s) and with this assurance, know that your luck is about to change for the better.

3.  What are your limits as a deck? – Three of Wands: My limits lie in daydreaming and being easily distracted when I am left on my own.  I need to partner with others to stay on track.

4.  What do you bring to the table — what are you hear to teach me? -Ace of Wands:  I am here to teach you how to get started, to get the ball rolling and to go for it!

5.  How can I best learn from and collaborate with you? – Four of Wands:  I will teach you to trust in your own natural abilities and celebrate the peace and happiness  that come from a job well done.

6.  What is the potential outcome of our working relationship? – Three of Cups:  The potential outcome is we can forge a great friendship that will bring good fortune and happiness.

These are a few of my favorites I met while in the Twilight Realm.

A beautifully illustrated Tarot that I found easy to read with as well.  If you are a fan of Faery and fantasy art, this is a must have deck.

I hope you have enjoyed your peek into the Faery Realm and that you will return soon for a visit. It’s an Enchanted Journey you don’t want to miss!

You can get your deck today at Amazon.com or direct from the publisher.

This weeks (week beginning February 12, 2012) Oracle Guidance is a card entitled, Drifting.  It’s from The Journey Oracle by Adrienne Tafford and published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd.

lwb- Sit still and take a look around: Are you in the place you hoped to be today?  This week, take stock and see if you are where you want to be, or if you need to make some changes.

So I thought about this and decided to take it a step further today with a three card Bridge reading.

•  Where I am:  Knight of Swords
•  Where I’m headed:  Nine of  Coins
•  How to get there gracefully:  Two of Cups

Where I am with the Knight of Swords is a cautionary note.  I do tend to get tunnel vision when it comes to a subject or project I am very interested in.  The Knight has the tendency to be all gung-ho when he has a mission or quest, rushing head long after his goal and missing the scenery along the way.   Once he completes his quest, he will immediately look for another and be off again.

Where I’m headed is in the Nine of Coins in creating MY space.  The space where I live, entertain, attune, and grow.  An ideal space created where everyone and everything flourishes.  One of the draw backs sometimes seen in the Nine of Coins, is one of solitude.  I don’t usually see this in a negative way though.  For me this is a space that is created as a sanctuary for myself as well as those I wish to share it with.

And what better way to bring this all together gracefully, than with love?

Here’s wishing you an Enchanted week!

*images used are from The Journey Oracle and Simply Deep Tarot both are available from Amazon and Schiffer Publishing Ltd.

What better way to review/interview a new deck, but to take it out for a spin?   One of the newest decks to hit the market, and one I have personally anxiously awaited, the Simply Deep Tarot by Chanel Bayless and James Battersby, has been released this month by Schiffer Publishing Ltd.

So, what is “Simply Deep Tarot“, you might ask.

“A Rider Waite-style, 78-card Tarot deck designed to help a reader immediately connect with traditional meanings of the cards.  Using a basic viewpoint, these vibrantly painted cards implore you to delve deeper on an emotional level, yet still supply interesting little nuances to everyday life.  The booklet includes exercises allowing you to bond with your personal story through each card and describes the benefits of achieving emotional detachment energetically.  Each card is defined in both upright and reversed meanings with keywords included.  Find out how simple it is to read the Tarot and explore you own personal story!”

In the booklet, Chanel answers the question, “So How Do I Go in Deep?” with a one card technique that I hope to demonstrate here.  First, think of the question you would like to have answered as you shuffle the cards.  Next, draw a card that represents the answer to your question.  You can use the booklet to help you identify the base meaning to give you a starting point.

Now, look at your card studying any details that you notice.  What grabs your attention?  Is it an image, a color, a feeling, or maybe a symbol?  How does that symbol relate to your question?  Does it have any personal meaning to you? Does it remind you of anything?  Once you have determined its significance to you, write it down.  Continue to do this until you are satisfied there is nothing else you can pull from the card.  Once you are satisfied with this step, take a look at your list and read the story you created.  As you do this, don’t be surprised when more ideas or phrases pop up to help answer your question.  There is an excellent example in the booklet for this exercise,  but I will try a reading for myself using the example given as a template.

My question:  “What are the most important things I will learn from working with the Simply Deep Tarot?” and I drew The Empress.  My list:

• Butterflies – transformation, metamorphosis
• Swan – grace, beauty, transformation
• Water – depths, emotions, surface,
• Veil – See-thru, transparent
• Green garland – Smell of flowers & growing things
• Red Roses – Love
• Red cushion – Comfort

Already you can see how the story is practically writing itself in answer to my question.

Butterflies go through a metamorphosis to change from a caterpillar into a butterfly.  Everything and everyone is in a constant state of change and evolving into something new.  The Simply Deep Tarot will evolve with me as I transform and grow.  The grace and beauty I see in the Swan as she floats serenely across the water goes hand in hand with qualities I see in the archetype, Empress.  Effortlessly she makes her journey with hardly a ripple in her passing.  The transformation involved in her journey is slow and steady (i.e. from the ugly duckling to the beautiful swan) but, ever growing with proper care, patience, and nurturing, as most assuredly the garland flowers and roses received.  The water is a vast well of emotions where only the surface can easily be seen and yet I know there are many varied depths to travel through and across.   The almost transparent veil, will allow me to see deeper into those depths.  One thing I didn’t include in my list is the color green.  Not only is it my favorite color, but I also associate it with growth.  Without change and transformation, there is no growth.  The butterflies and roses remind me also of Death, one of my birth cards, which as we know is all about transformation.

What seemed to be a fairly simplistic question gave me a lot of layers and insight by using this technique.    What a fun and informative exercise!

Now, let’s take a look at the Aces, the Ace of Swords first.  One of the aspects to the suit of swords is clear communication.  The main idea (as I see it) behind this Ace is that the pen is mightier than the sword.  The advice given is to be honest about your thoughts so you can see with great clarity the decision you need to make.   In the open-awed expression on the child’s face in the Ace of Wands, we can see that first spark of imagination, energy, and excitement, associated with the suit in general and this Ace in particular.  Elemental correspondences for the suits are easily identifiable.  Swords/Air, Coins/Earth, Cups/Water, and Wands/Fire.

I’ve picked some of the cards from the deck that I was really drawn to.  The booklet that accompanies the deck is a step up from what we would normally call a lwb (little white book).  Each card is represented with a black and white image, keywords, and meanings, both upright and reversed.  For example, the keywords listed for the Sun – Happy; Spontaneous; Playful.  Four of Wands – Graduated; Celebration; Accomplishment.  Three of Swords – Jealousy; Regret; Separation.  The Star – Hope; Optimism; Inner beauty.  The booklet is 96 pages and includes a short bio for both Chanel and James.

The court consists of King, Queen, Knight, and Princess.  Strength is at 8 and Justice at 11.  The 22 Major Arcana have retained the traditional names most of us are used to seeing in RWS clone decks.   The palette runs from pale soft pastel to bright and vivid.  The card stock is sturdy with a gloss finish and they measure 2.75 x 4.5 inches, which make them shuffle nicely.  The backs are reversible.

The Chariot is the one card that stumped me though.  So I asked Chanel to give me a little insight into the  meaning of the image.  This was her reply.  

“I was trying to capture the idea of the Urim and Thummim.  Basically, the idea is that we have a right to choose our path. This time, our ‘Chariot Driver’ is actually standing with this sacred vest, just as a high priest would. Normally, the high priest would ‘decide a sinner via divination’. However, here.. it is more the path of the lesser evil. This breastplate has also been known as the Tablet of Destiny. In this, we can see the chariot driver as being in control of his destiny with Divine insight. Thus, mind over matter concept taken to a different level. He is not running blind, he is taking the insights from outside of him, using divination (Divine Guidance) in order to make a choice that will ultimately change your destiny in life.“

Thanks Chanel!  For more information on this concept and it’s origins, follow the link above.

The deck and booklet come beautifully packaged in a self-contained box that is perfect for storage when the cards are not in use.  Ribbon hinges hold the metallic close lid, making it very functional.  This, I believe will quickly become a workhorse deck and can be used with ease by novice as well as master, right out of the box.

In closing I would like to share a few more images, especially my  favorite, The World.  I fell in love with this version of the World from the first time I saw it.

Completion; Success; Protection.  Each time you reach another phase of completion, another root firmly plants in the ground to support your core. 

You can get your copy today from Amazon and Schiffer Publishing Ltd.  ISBN:  789-0-7643-3984-4.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy these added images from the Simply Deep Tarot.

I have been so busy lately that I have been remiss in getting posts up on this blog.  There are several that I have started, only to get derailed and they never get finished.   Which I hate, because I enjoy blogging about Tarot and doing reviews on books and decks.  So, I’m determined to remedy that.

I received the Golden Tarot by Kat Black, for Christmas (2011) and I am loving it.  For anyone not familiar with this deck, it is a collage from artwork of the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance.

Today’s draw is the Four of Cups, King of Wands, and Ten of Coins.  The first thing that I saw with this combo was, Dream it, Act on it, Get help with it.   A project that needs a support system, getting others involved in some way.   Aha!  There is a project in the works around here that will hopefully generate some extra income.  It’s been on the back burner for about a year, but still in a planning process.  Now seems to be the time to go onto the next step and start things in motion-to move on with the research that has been ongoing.   From the conception phase, (Four of Cups) add to that the motivation, talent, and skills, (King of Wands) and the need in getting everyone involved, (Ten of Coins).  The Ten of Coins shows several people who are busy with their separate tasks, but as a group they compliment each other.  This project needs to be a family endeavor.  Everyone involved participating and contributing where they can.

This looks terrific doesn’t it?  So I wondered, what (if anything) could hold it up?  What obstacles might pop up to throw a wrench into the works?  And turned over the Five of Wands.  Now the first thing I thought of was an inner struggle.  True, there has been a lot of discussion on the best direction(s) to take this project.  Only natural.  The biggest thing here though will be to avoid what I call the Too many Chiefs and  not enough Indians syndrome.  Respect, communication, cooperation, and negotiation are key to any project such as this.  Leave ego at the door.  Common sense, right?

Of the Five of Wands, Kat Black has this to say:  That which bends is less likely to break.  Forces may oppose you, and confusion and conflict arise.  You may need to compromise-calming an angry mob cannot always be done with reason. Take care to identify your true obstacles and opposition, and avoid battles that none shall benefit from.

Don’t sweat the little stuff.  If there must be a battle, pick it carefully and make sure its really necessary.

*images are from the Golden Tarot (2003) by Kat Black and U.S. Games Inc. and can be purchased here.  Get your copy today!

Author(s) / Richard & Jennifer ShadowFox

Illustrator / Richard ShadowFox

Publisher / Schiffer Publishing Ltd. 2010

ISBN / 978-0-7643-3487-0

The ShadowFox Tarot is a 78 card deck based on traditional Tarot imagery.  The images are in grayscale to help evoke intuitive interpretations.  The kit comes complete with a comprehensive 224 page companion book, Tarot – Book of Shadows, and covers a myriad of topics ranging from Astrology to Runes, Herbology, Gemstones, and Color Correspondences.   The cards are 3″ x 4.75″ of sturdy card stock with a gloss coating.  Each image is surrounded by a gray weave border, with this same pattern repeated on the backs.  They are reversible.  The suits include Wands-Fire, Swords-Air, Cups-Water, and Pentacles-Earth.  The court consists of Page, Knight, Queen, and King.  Strength is number 8, which makes Justice number 11.

 The companion book is a treasure trove of information, depending on how in depth you wish to explore any particular card.  For instance, The Sun (19) shows correspondences for Alchemical Quality; Alchemical Symbol; Animal Energy; Area of the Body; Associated Illness; Astrological Correspondence; Astrological Quadruplicity; Attribute; Blood Type; Celtic Tree Month; Character Trait; Colors; Direction; Element; Elemental; Elemental King; Esoteric Title; Fundamental Force; Gematria Value, Gender; Hebrew Letter; Herb; Holy Creature; I-Ching; Keyword; Key Phrase; Lunar Phase; Magical Organ; Magical Phrase; Matter; Meanings: Upright and Reversed; Musical Mood; Musical Note; Mythological Creatures; Numerology; Path on the Tree of Life; Phase of Life; Physical Property; Plane; Plant; Playing Card Suit; Possibility; Possible Influence Cards; Psychological Function; Quality; regent; Royal Star; Runes; Sabbat; Season; Stone; Suit; Temperament; Tetragrammaton; Time of Day.

Keyword for the Sun is Happiness, Musical Mood is “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley, Time of day, noon.  The correspondences have been created and listed for each card in the deck.  To help navigate there is a Legend with definitions and illustrated charts that are easy to access and understand.

More juicy goodness found in The Book of Shadows:  A section on the Celtic Cross spread that we see appearing time and again in most Tarot related material, comes this time with a very detailed discussion and example for each position and practical usage.  A brief history of the Tarot;  A section of frequently asked questions; Herbs and Fragrances; Gemstones; Color correspondences; and a list of recommended reading.  All of this, and more, bundled in a “signature” Schiffer storage box with magnetic close lid and ribbon hinges.

The images are poignant in their simplicity.  The Six of Swords conveys a feeling of a quiet, resigned journey;  The Empress – unconditional love, and the Page of Wands – the need to venture out.

The Five of Pentacles – physical and mental impoverishment; The Devil – hurtful associations; King of Cups – a kind and trusted friend.

These are just a few examples of the card images and the information that can be found in the companion book.  Yes, there is quite a lot packed into this kit, but it is arranged and written in a manner that is easy to understand and use.  Any level of experience can benefit from using this deck, and with all added correspondences, there is room for your knowledge to grow and expand with use.  The book itself  is stand alone and would make a very nice addition to any Tarot library.

RichardShadowFox.net is the official site, be sure to check there for information on this and any upcoming projects from Richard & Jennifer ShadowFox.

Author/Illustrator – Jennifer Galasso

Publisher – U.S. Games Systems, Inc. 2011

ISBN -13:  978-1-57281-702-9

ISBN -10:  1-57281-702-X

Fantasy artist Jennifer Galasso renders traditional tarot symbolism in a unique style with ethereal faerie imagery and a vibrant color scheme inspired by the four seasons and the four elements.  The Crystal Visions deck includes an Unknown Card for gazing  into the future, or exploring issues with deeper insight. 

If you like fantasy art, (and who doesn’t?) this deck is a must have for all Tarot deck collectors and readers.  It’s beautifully illustrated, full of symbology, and  evocative.  Based on the traditional structure of the RWS (Rider-Waite-Smith) system of a 78 card deck, you will find the familiar names of the Major Arcana, the Court, and the suits: Wands, Cups, Pentacles, Swords.  Included is an added bonus, The Unknown Card.

LWB-The figure in the card beckons the querent to take a look into her crystal ball, however the image in the ball is cloudy and unclear.  With time, patience, and introspection, the picture will soon be revealed. 

It can signify something from the past that one may not fully understand, or something that will happen soon.  An answer that’s not yet meant to be revealed.  

Images of Crystal balls, another interest for Jennifer, appear in many of the cards throughout the deck.

The Unknown Card is the only card that does not include a reversed meaning.

The cards are of quality card stock with a slick finish which allow them to shuffle easily.  Of a typical U.S. Games size, 2.75″ x 4.75″ and comes with a 59 page little-white-book, where you will find the Celtic Cross spread with instructions.  Strength is no. Eight and Justice Eleven.  The images are clear in their detail and of sufficient size to see them clearly, and surrounded by a narrow white border.  The backs are reversible with a large opalescent sphere in the center which is surrounded by a filigree of rose vines and gems.  A pentacle rests in each corner, while a chalice sits in the center at top and bottom.

The four suits are represented here and the deck uses the following symbols representative of  each as follows:

Cups – different phases of the moon, enchanted coves, water lilies, and dragonflies.

Swords – birds, in particular, ravens, butterflies, and winged and armored characters, and roses.

Pentacles – earth spirits, dryads, lush and fruitful trees and plants, wildlife, crystals and gems.

Wands – candles, sprites, dragons, lions, unicorns, horses, crystal balls, and snapdragons.

An example of these symbols as shown in the Aces.

The courts are made up of Page, Knight, Queen and King.

A beautiful deck as you can see, that would be appropriate for beginners to more advanced readers.  I believe I will be spending many delighted hours now and in the future, working with this deck.  I’m sure clients will find it as pleasing, if not more so, as I do.  If you happen to be on the fence about purchasing this deck, I would recommend it for either yourself or as a gift.  It’s a win-win!

Be sure to visit the official website of Crystal Visions Tarot where you can see images of the complete deck, and find out what new projects Jennifer Galasso might be up to.

In the meantime, Happy Tarot’ing and may your journey be an enchanted one.

As promised, here is the “Spreading the Joy” spread that is included in the lwb for use with the Joie de Vivre Tarot.

Card 0 asks, “What is joy to me?” It seeks to help the querent discover some aspect in their life they may not be paying attention to.

Card 1 asks, “Where do I find joy the easiest?” This is to remind the querent that joy exists every day if you only know where to look.

Card 2 asks, “Where must I work to find joy?”  We all have to focus on digging joy out from under the rocks at times.

Card 3 asks, “What do I allow to block my joy?”  This is the card that forces us to face how we stand in our own way as we try to achieve joy.

Card 4 asks, Who should I watch to learn more about finding joy?”  Here is where we can find our joy mentor, someone or something to teach us how to find joy by emulation.

Card 5 asks, “What joy is the Universe gifting to me at this time?”  This is the Universe picking something up and handing it to you.  You just have to reach out.  Accept it for the gift that it is.

My cards for this spread:

The Nine of Cups expresses what “Joy” is to me.

The Queen of Swords expresses where I find Joy the easiest.  (seems odd at first glance)

The Three of Swords expresses where I must work to find joy.  (hmmm)

The Page of Swords  expresses what I allow to block my joy.  (Interesting that the only swords in the spread are exactly opposite each other)

The Three of Wands expresses what or who needs to be watched to learn more about finding joy.

And The Sun is the gift from the Universe.

Who couldn’t do with a little more Joy in their world?  Where do you find your “Joy”?

*Images and the spread are from the Joie de Vivre Tarot by Paulina Cassidy and U.S. Games Inc.