I haven't logged in for a while, and I think it's time for an update, chronicling my latest and proudest purchases!!
The Mesquite Tarot, which I wrote about in an earlier blogpost, has arrived and I've worked with it A LOT. It wasn't quite on time, and not cheap ($44 for deck and guidebook plus $12 shipping to Germany), but so completely worth it!
Mesquite Tarot with bag and guidebook (source: Kickstarter)
The cards are approx. Poker size, so rather small, which I LOVE. I have small hands, and limited space, and I like to shuffle cards extensively, which is a hassle with bigger cards. I love the format, which make the cards seem sturdier than they actually are. Which isn't to say that they are thin, per se. Just not as thick as some other self-published decks.
The cards have a matte finish and roll over nicely. However, I fear that the edges will wear out quickly.
When the cards arrived, I immediately threw away the comlimentary box. It was flimsy garbage and not very pretty. The bag, though useful and preferred (by me) is rather thin and doesn't feature the mesquite tree design, but instead a self eating snake. I don't love the bag, but it's a lot better than a box. I will possibly make my own bag for this deck.
I also purchased 2 new decks off Kickstarter.
The Cartomancer Poker Deck
source: Kickstarter
I found this deck on Kickstarter when surfing for new Tarot decks (of course), and was immediately taken. This is basically a sort of Lenormand/Etteila/Kipper deck, only with JUNGIAN THEORIES APPLIED TO CARTOMANCY. Yes, you read this right! It's Jung's psychological theories and concepts transformed into a working, deep analysis poker deck that does double duty as a divination and playing card deck. If that isn't enough reason to buy the deck instantly, it was also cheap ($12 early bird or $15 regular for one deck) AND produced by U.S. playing card company (famous for their bicycle decks!). I love USPCC decks, as they have the nice air cushion finish that makes them so fantastic for shuffling. Obviously there are no Cartomancy decks in casino quality out there, so this is completely new, and appreciated. I'm really excited to get my grubby hands on this deck and shuffle the cards for the first time.
Source: Kickstarter
The 4 suits are linked in this Poker deck to four spheres of perception inked by Jung: Diamonds - Sensation; Spades - Thinking; Hearts -Intuition; Clubs - Feeling
Diamonds, Spades, Hearts and Clubs also work as the continuum of human life, portraying Childhood, Young Adulthood, Midlife and Old Age.
I have high hopes that this concept will work when used in practice and give accurate, special, deeply intuitive yet analytical readings.
The Last Unicorn Tarot deck
Let's say I'm a TLU super fan. I read the book, I watched the movie (a million times), and I pretty much know the dialogues by heart. The book by Peter S. Beagle has one of the most thoughtful and beautiful opening paragraphs I ever read. In short, I was subconsciously waiting for a bunch of people that would do a SERIOUS TLU tarot deck. And it happened! And I had some money on my hands to buy it! Yey!
The deck was pricey during the Kickstarter campaign ($65) and will be pricier after ($75) and the art isn't even finished yet. I have no doubt that most backers simply threw their money at the makers because of their love for TLU and its grand, dreamy character design and also maybe the fact that the author Peter S. Beagle, gets some money from the project as well. (This might not be known to many, but Beagle is famously being left out of the money pot that is being rattled by the film makers.)
The Hanged Man. Source: Kickstarter
A TLU tarot would have been amazing even with shitty, thoughtless art and an inexperienced Tarot reader for an author. But this is not the case here: the cards proposed until now feel thought-out, meticulously planned and drawn, and flawlessly colored. If the print quality isn't complete garbage (which it shouldn't be, as the campaign overfunded by 1200%, which resulted in front and back-foiling, guilded edges and a nice, sturdy box), these cards should be a treasure to behold. I am beyond excited for this perfect deck of my dreams which will of course be tried out in a TLU movie and tarot party with all my friends!!
These were my latest purchases. I am excited!
