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48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A flowing, mythical, magical and emotional Tarot....., January 8, 2009
This review is from: Paulina Tarot (Cards)
I've been a long fan of Paulina Cassidy, I have many of her works. Prints, cards. Such amazing and erethral pieces and fantastically affordable! When I heard in her newsletter she was drawing a full Tarot deck, I was over the moon!
Then the looong wait ensued. It was more than worth it in this case. The images are an almost perfect replica of her images scanned online. USG had these cards printed in China and I love the cardstock! For the past few years they have been having all their cards printed in Italy and they have been heavily laminated. Many have complained about this. I myself didn't mind them at all, and even liked some aspects. But the cardstock on The Paulina is more reminescent of AGM decks. A light matte lamination and quality paper.
I've been using, studying and reading with this deck for about a week, and it's been a sumptious and eye-opening journey. This is so far to me a very intuitive deck with gorgeous delicate detail. There is so many layers to each image. I catch sight of something absolutely enchanting everytime I look! The deck as a whole is very coherent and gives one the impression of entering a fairyland world.....a very specific one with it's own population, style of dress, habitats, rituals and traditions. Paulina Tarot is strongly RWS based. But the artist has used a large amount of creative twists and imagination. It's not a slavish clone.
Paulina obviously knows her Tarot well and put much love, thought and amazing energy into each image.
The Paulina Tarot certainly isn't for everyone (which deck is?). It's colours and tone is soft and gentle. More muted and dreamy. There are many vibrant and striking hues though throughout the deck. But on the whole it has a misty and dream-like energy to them. Those that prefer strong colours and distinct lines or bold images won't be taken with this deck. But there are a few friends who prefer the things I mentioned above but on seeing my deck have been captivated and infatuated and wanted their own copies right off!
Just something about this Tarot's aura and exquisite energy. It really draws you in.
The cards measure the average size of most USG decks.....2 3/4" x 4 3/4". The backs are lovely and serene. I wish I had a scanner or camera, but alas none of those to show the backs. They are reversible with 2 soaring birds, flowers, plants. Muted and soft colouring. They happily "fit" the images and style of the cards themselves. We all know way to many decks where the backs of the cards leave you with WTF were they thinking?!
The LWB (little white book) is pretty well-done as far as LWB's are. She describes the cards lyrically and shares her ideas about some of the symbolism on each card. Per usual though the Majors get a little longer treatment. The interpertations are fairly standard with some interesting twists. No interesting spreads, just the yawn inducing Celtic Cross. Wish more different and interesting spreads would find their way into LWBs. I won't hold my breath though!
If you love and enjoy all things faerie, magical, fantasy, victorian and otherworldy.....you will really enjoy this deck, you will NOT be disappointed!
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb Classic, March 9, 2009
This review is from: Paulina Tarot (Cards)
Where can I start? I have been watching this Tarot develope on the artists website for the past few years. Now I hold the finished product in my hand. This is a masterpiece as far as Tarot decks go. It takes the traditonal images to a new and very, very, detailed level that should your tastes favor this interpretation, you will find a new favorite.
In the endless Rider Waite clones that get stamped out each year, Paulina Tarot rises above the heard. I generally prefer a very boldly colored deck for easier interpretation. It is true, the colors are subtle and easy on the eye. Yet, they are no less vivid. I adore the delicate lines and layers of every card. This is not my first deck, and will not be my last. I collect decks, most are locked away as art decks. This one is very useable as well as aesthetically pleasing. Your clients get a visual treat, as well as very accurate advice.
Whimsical, dreamy and nostalgic, I cannot stop singing the praises of this labor of love. I followed Paulina's plight in New Orleans, after Hurricane Katrina. Indeed, the frailty of life is reflected in this deck. It will remain near & dear to my heart! If you feel there are too many decks published annually, treat yourself to this one. It is the new pinnacle as far as other Tarots are concerned. Good luck topping this one.
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23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful, whimsical but not so useable, August 24, 2010
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
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