Customer Reviews

Transformational Tarot [With Instruction Booklet]

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Before Transformational Tarot came out, the only really well-known collage deck was the Voyager, which depicts cards with a plethora of different images. I thought I didn't like collage decks based on my response to that one--too busy for me.

Ando's self-published version of Transformational was totally different--filled with exquisite and cohesive images that allowed you to enter each card wholly. As a lover of Pre-Raphaelite art, I was delighted with the beauty of the deck and bought it for that reason.

But the evocative imagery took my readings to a new level--I was constantly seeing something new, an insight-filled detail, that held just the right message for querents--and myself. Within a month, this deck became my favorite of the hundreds that I owned.

Sadly, it went out of print quickly and went for obscene sums on eBay. US Games has finally come to the rescue and reprinted it. Several of the cards have been completely re-done, and the once-playing-card-sized deck has grown to standard dimensions. There is a more cohesive feel to the deck, and the new cards are even more beautiful in some ways, because you can see them more clearly and Ando re-did each one in Photoshop in order for us to receive that clarity.

While this is definitely not a beginner's deck, I recommend it to those with an eye for beauty and anyone whose vision is fluid enough to move beyond simplistic, mundane regurgitations of traditional iconography. I know this is judgmental of me, but I believe those who can't read with this deck are lacking something pivotal that I personally require in an experienced reader--flexibility, depth, and a willingness to see beyond the rote.

Of course, I say that because this, along with the Blue Rose Tarot by Paula Gibby, are the two mainstays in my 600+ tarot collection. Transformational Tarot opened me up to collage decks and they are now my favorite kind to work with--I love fresh perspectives and the best collage decks--like this one--offer them in abundance.

I even like the Voyager Tarot more now! Transformational Tarot will open the world for you--if you let it.

A deeper appreciation of the essential spirit of this deck may very well begin with a comprehension of the defining contribution it has made toward the development of Tarot deck artistry. Arnell Ando is among a group of creatively inspired people who have taken familiar iconography, from art history to present society, and combined it in ways that manage to mainline our subconsciousness. If that weren't impressive enough, keep in mind that these collage decks were created using tangible images, cut with a sharp eye and a steady hand prior to the emerging availability and affordability of digital technology.

Openly sharing such individually personal explorations of the Tarot arcana and establishing internet presence through self-publication and various collaborative contributions, the Tarot collage work of artists such as Ando, Alexandra Genetti, Lunaea Weatherstone and Michele Jackson continues to pave the way for others to connect with the cards via an accessible means of artistic self expression.

In bringing the Transformational Tarot to a larger audience through a second and more mass-market publication, US Games has given those who missed out on the first round a great opportunity to sing along with the Tarot community's equivalent of an "Indie Alt-Rock Classic". Arnell's art dances a cool groove - confident enough to balance the pretty with the gritty and wise enough to present it's viewpoint in such a manner that consistently compels the reader to reach into their own collective experience for further interpretation of the cards.

I have discovered though my extended personal use of the first edition, the Transformational Tarot has become a special friend who never presumes to tell me what to think yet offers her invaluable support in the trust that I will learn the answer by arriving at it on my own terms. This new edition gives you a slightly bigger, slightly bolder chance to realize the Transformational power of being at peace within your own piece of mind.

The many facets of Arnell's Tarot art have long been of great inspiration for my own journey of creating Tarot imagery.

Finally, the Transformational Tarot is back in print, re-mastered by Arnell Ando and re-printed by U.S. Games. I am thrilled to have this hauntingly beautiful deck in my possession. The cards elicit uncanny synchronicities for me, I just enjoy holding them in my hands and viewing them one by one - picking up fresh details each time and marveling at the interplay of color, darkness and light in the compositions.

No `run of the mill' symbology here. Three of my favorites? If I `simply `had to' pick: `The Dreamer' (Fool) I love the movement in this card: floating bubble, circling owl, the child's soft steps in the swaying ferns. Another is `The World, this card makes me want to get out of just my `head' and into my whole body, which is often not an easy task. The golden goddess open and peaceful against the night sky - signifies for me that `all is well'. And also, one of my personal cards, `Introspection' (The Hermit). This version more than many others comes close to echoing my hermit tendencies. I especially love the white bear on this card - a hermit familiar and (synchronicity again) one of my dream totem animals! This is an altogether gorgeous and thought provoking deck.

"Integrating abstract dream imagery with archetypal symbolism, Transformational Tarot draws upon a diverse collection of cultural images to present a universal mythology for our time." - From the deck

Using the medium of collage, Expressive Arts Therapist Arnell Ando has created Transformational Tarot, a deck with abstract imagery, familiar symbols, and layered metaphors conveying the time-honored themes of Tarot.

In the Major Arcana, Justice is card 8, while Strength is 11. Ms. Ando has re-named several of the Majors thusly:

* Sorceress (High Priestess)
* The Sage (Hierophant)
* Challenge (The Chariot)
* Introspection (Hermit)
* Karma (Wheel of Fortune)
* Reflection (Hanged Man)
* Kali (The Tower)
* Liberation (Judgment)

The Minors are Swords, Cups, Wands and Coins in this deck, with Swords associated with Air and Wands associated with Fire. The cards measure approximately 4 ¾ x 2 ¾, inches and shuffle easily with their slick, glossy surface. Colored with mostly light brown hues, an attractive fractal-like mosaic graces the card backings, which are fully reversible.

As with most decks by U.S. Games, a 47-page booklet accompanies Transformational Tarot, providing a brief overview of each card, upright and reversed meanings, and one spread-The Celtic Cross.

Some of the images in Transformational Tarot are delightfully funky, such as The Magus. Of this card, Ms. Ando writes, "...The magus's court jester hat suggests instruction through humor and playful trickery...Heart-shaped glasses compassionately hide what one is not yet ready to see." Although Ms. Ando's descriptions are necessarily brief, they provide readers with canny psychological "meat" to couple with their own intuitive insights.

I love the Van Gogh-esque Star card with its intricate web woven by the Spider Goddess and glowing stars representing a "guiding star to wish upon" and our unique "place on the universal map of existence." The Liberation (Judgment) card is likewise captivating with an endless corridor, a glimpse into cloud-filled sky, and the words "attaining spiritual and perceptual freedom". A remarkable element of both the Empress and Emperor is respective tree trunks fashioned in the shape of female and male anatomy, hearkening back to the Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. I also like the 5 of Cups which shows a little girl crying over spilt milk, and the 8 of Coins showing a creative Spider Woman working on a silver strand at the spinning wheel.

However, despite enjoying some of the collages, the cartoonish green dragon of the Strength card, as well as several bland, washed-out images, was off-putting.

While some of the cards depict striking imagery, Transformational Tarot seems to lack a unifying artistic theme. Granted, the cartoon-like snake shadow appears in several cards, such as the 3 of Swords, Empress, Emperor, Introspection, and Death, but most of the images appear to fall into two categories: classical mythological montages with recognizable characters (Neptune, Psyche, Narcissus, Persephone, etc.) or potentially interesting modern images (such as a man riding a motorcycle for the Prince of Wands). I say "potential", because some added elements are flat and monochromatic, lacking any defined borders (e.g., the blue hat on the Magus, the fuzzy hair on the Prince of Wands, orange paint on cards XII, XV, XVI, etc.) These noticeable elements are distracting, lessening the impact of the card.

At times, the cards portray disconcerting elements. This isn't unusual in the Tarot, of course. Yet, Kali, with blood dripping from her mouth, makes for a macabre Tower. Although Ms. Ando acknowledges the "bloodthirsty goddess of destruction can burn away illusions"-which is often necessary for growth-the image itself doesn't hint at the potential illumination of a Tower experience. Also, Ms. Ando employs a liberal use of skulls, with this motif showing up in such cards as 2 of Wands, 4 of Coins, 8 of Cups, and 10 of Coins.

I tried several spreads with the Transformational Tarot but didn't glean any relevant insights from the cards. But this is how it goes with Tarot decks: some decks inexplicably (and surprisingly) click, while others do not. Unfortunately, this deck falls into the latter category. Still, I very much enjoyed Ms. Ando's observations in the LWB, and would love to read a Tarot book authored by her, if she would ever decide to write one.

(To see 9 card images from Transformational Tarot, visit the Reviews--Decks section at JanetBoyer.com)

The Transformational Tarot is a masterful and compelling tarot deck for both tarot enthusiasts and art collectors. The artist, Arnell Ando, created a deck that take's the querent on a fascinating journey of self-knowledge. As an experienced tarot enthusiasts and art collector, I was drawn to the earthy colors and mysterious imagery of the cards. The compositions are very unique and provoke even greater self-inquiry. I believe this is because the card imagery is very soulful yet the artist also remained attentive to small and important symbolic details that are so important when using a tarot deck for self-inquiry or a full reading.

Ando is a Jungian-based, Certified Expressive Arts Therapist and has a Masters Degree in Psychology which has definitely infused this deck with great symbolic meaningfulness and depth. I feel lucky to have had the good fortune of discovering this deck. As an art collector and a self-published Tarot artist, I believe Transformational Tarot reveals a whole spectrum of enchanted images inspired from a higher place. This deck is special in that it is a labor of love and can be enjoyed by anyone. An explanatory booklet is included with the complete deck set. For those who collect the tarot or love transformational art work, check out Ando's latest self-published deck the "Lucky Pack Tarot".

Affirmations for the Everyday Goddess Spiritual Guidebook & 22 Wisdom Cards for Contemplation & Prayer (based on the 22 major arcana of the tarot)