Customer Reviews

Paulina Tarot

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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

I bonded instantly with this deck. The beautiful figures and colors swirled around in a playful fantasy world. The colors are light, soothing and very positive. But this deck is no lightweight. Tarot symbolism is displayed on every card and is easily interpreted without having a book constantly by the side. There were some intuitive insights in the artwork as well. So many in fact that I'm hoping there will be a book to go with this deck someday. Hint!

This deck is full of stunning detail with black outlines and dreamy water coloured pallet. Even though the art is done this way it is not at all washed out and it is full of vibrant colour. The back features two birds on a cream background, which is classic and feminine.

It showcases many little creatures of the night, quiet gothic looking people and central figures, fae, fairy tale characters and pretty much anything else from a gifted imagination. This deck has a gothic like theme, which will definitely find an audience with young adults, as it is still quiet romantic and not too dark. It has some splashes of Tim Burton and Dr Susses hidden within her artwork, but it does not take away from her creation at all.

The artist and author of the booklet actually set out to create a Tarot Deck allowing the symbolism to draw her in, this incredibly detailed piece of work took her over a year and a half to complete.

There is a completely different feel to a deck that has been created this way, unlike some decks that are just thrown together from artwork done by well known fantasy artists, those decks feel messy and are terrible to read with.

The booklet has a small description of the card, the upright meaning and the reversal meaning; there is also a Celtic cross spread description in the back.

The Paulina Tarot is elegant, detailed and full of stunning imaginative artwork and I highly recommend it.

My friend and Tarot teacher introduced me to this deck, and I found it beautiful and stirring on both an emotional and energetic level. Not only were the images gorgeous, but there was something magical that tugged at me after using them for a reading. Two days later, during a healing session with a client, one of the 'characters' from the deck showed up, and an image of one of the cards showed up in a body scan! This was very specific as to what type of healing crisis the person was in, and allowed me to specifically suggest a course of energetic balancing. I ordered the deck immediately afterward, knowing that I'd found a brand new tool to utilize within my practice.

The way the images are portrayed is fairly traditional, but I love where the deck varies, and the tiny, fey creatures that seem to add their own symbolism. This is really what drew me to the deck, and I'm quite happy with the readings I've done with it so far. The price is also amazingly affordable (read: a steal!) considering all the work and artistry involved. I highly recommend the Paulina Tarot to any and all readers who are looking for traditional, magical, beautiful and something quite out of the ordinary all rolled into one deck.

Paulina Cassidy was born and raised in Ontario, Canada and has been very interested in fairies for most of her life. These cards are a task she set herself and are very beautiful, delicate and unique.

This is a delicate and romantic seventy-eight tarot deck with instruction book (LWB). The cards are packed with detail and every time you re-visit them you espy something new. It is charming, has a Victorian flair with a pinch of a gothic Mardi Gras for good measure. The deck contains much of the Rider-Waite-Smith symbolism. The artwork is in watercolour and is done in soft, muted shades and I like her use of colour and visual interest by using animals, birds and fish along with the fae.

I always feel I should be using a lace table cloth when I get out this deck as I have a feeling of stepping back into a time of whimsy and magic. It takes you to a place where Dragons and Pegasus fly and many other magical creatures live side by side, interacting with humans. She also liberally uses birds, butterflies, dragonflies, all in magical forest and woodland settings.

The deck is printed on a high quality cardstock and measure 4 '" tall x 2 '" wide, with a very narrow, white border. The backs are done in soft shades of beige and grey featuring beautiful birds in flight. They are reversible. The cards have the card number and title on the bottom of each. Strength is numbered 8 and Justice 11. The suits are standard: Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles.

The LWB contains forty-seven pages. The Majors are listed first and the Minors follow in suit order. There is a description for each card, as well as, traditional meanings for upright and reverse draws. There is a brief segment discussing the Art of Divination. The LWB also includes the traditional Celtic Cross Spread and two blank pages to write notes.

This deck would be a nice tool for beginners as well as for the professional readers, however, some of the imagery is not strictly Rider Waite. For example Judgement is not three people in coffins with an angel blowing a trumpet but a person suspended happily in nature, cocooned in a tree of white light, whilst still joined by a golden thread/root to the earth. I really adore this deck and the imagery in this deck and I would highly recommend to anyone who is happy with "busy" illustrations and wants something very original. There is a definite feel of light and dark in some of the cards and an intricate organic theme to most of the illustrations; almost as though the designs grew and evloved onto the paper. From sunlit fields with flowers and rabbits to a foggy cemetery every card is delightful and inspirational.

I feel this deck would be suitable for all ages unless you had a highly sensitive person who may not like the slight gothic tone to it. It is for this type of sensibility I use the Gummi Bear tarot.

The service from Amazon was extremely good I received the cards promptly and in perfect condition.


Paulina now lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee with her husband. She has a website and it still working on new decks. If your like her artwork some of the orginal drawings are for sale. She also does the Pixie Kins calendar.

I hope you enjoy :)

Sprightly delicate creatures dance upon branches, while festooned women celebrate around an unusual tree sprouting geometric boxes. Animals from both this earth and an otherworldly one dot the enchanting landscape of the Paulina Tarot, as do characters bedecked with colorful early Mardi Gras, Victorian-influenced costumes.

Reflecting artist Paulina Cassidy's affinity for the city of New Orleans, the Paulina Tarot reflects Rider-Waite-Smith structure, yet imparts a fresh, lighthearted perspective to the cards.

Delightfully detailed and gracefully rendered, the artistry of this deck invites users to come along for a magical ride that, while whimsical, captures the everyday situations, emotions and dilemmas faced in the ordinary world.

With cards measuring approximately 4 ¾ x 2 ¾ inches and featuring a subtle reversible pen-and-ink imagery on the back, the suits and courts of the Paulina Tarot follow the Rider-Waite-Smith array: Swords, Wands, Pentacles and Cups for the suits, with Page, Knight, Queen and King for the courts.

The Paulina Tarot is accompanied by a general 47-page L(ittle) W(hite) B(ook) that provides brief descriptions as well as upright and reversed meanings.

I've found the Paulina Tarot to be a playful deck, while still speaking to the inner world (and issues) that often brings us to do readings in the first place (especially when it comes to reminding me not to work so hard and expect so much of myself!).

Case in point: Last week, I felt that I was behind on reviews (so many products, so little time), but I wasn't feeling well. What I *really* wanted to do was play PS2 games with my son! I did a 3-card reading with the Paulina Tarot as I was debating on how to spend my evening and drew the Page of Cups, Fool, and The Sun. Play, play, play!, the cards encouraged.

And so I did, for hours, having a blast with my son. (Interestingly, The Sun card usually comes up in my personal readings when referring specifically to my "son"!) A few days later, I was feeling torn yet again by my desire to catch up on reviews but realizing my weakened physical condition. I shuffled for probably five minutes, just gazing nowhere in particular. My son asked "Doing a Tarot reading, Mom?"

"How did you know?" I replied. When I deal cards for any reading, I draw based on feel and a mental rhythm in my head. I couldn't seem to find the "right time" to draw, which is why I shuffled so long. Finally, two cards popped out of the deck, landing face up on the floor. Guess what they were? The Page of Cups and The Fool!

As you can probably tell, I love working with the Paulina Tarot, especially for personal readings and journaling! With intricate line work, fanciful characters, and muted watercolors, this deck pleases the eye and lifts the spirits. But, truly, it's not just a "pretty" deck; the Paulina Tarot imparts illuminating wisdom, emotional comfort and pointed answers for those who go beyond its lovely surface.

(To see 18 images from the Paulina Tarot, visit the Reviews--Decks section at JanetBoyer.com)

-- Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book

The service from Amazon was excellent as always and the tarot deck arrived in excellent condition. This tarot deck has a surreal feel to it, absolutely beautiful. I find myself studying the cards, always finding something new I didnt see before!

I just ordered these cards a few days ago and already received them. They are a great size and the images are gorgeous. This is the first tarot deck i've ever owned or worked with and i love it so far. I uploaded several photos of the cards in the photo gallery for this product so you can see the cards more closely. I've done a few reading with them so far and i'm still learning and getting used to them. They are very pretty and faery like.