Customer Reviews

The Transparent Tarot

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

There are many new tarot decks that come out each year, but THE new deck that people will be taking about for a while is The Transparent Tarot. This deck breaths new life into the 78 cards with its unique layering of the artwork that is achievable by the clear cells that it's printed on. Stripped down of the heavy weights of having every symbol known to mankind shoved onto a card the minimalist artwork is surprisingly deep and helps to bring the cards into a sharp focus that many other decks with their multiple systems of symbolism seem to somehow loose in their quest to become the most esoteric-y or witch-y out there. Seeing the way the cards interact with each other is a marvel of artistic vision. Each reading can become, in a sense, its own unique single image.
The cards themselves are very sturdy made of a good grade plastic and will not tear or snap easily but shuffle very nicely. The presentation box is very sturdy and not like the flimsy cardboard that most decks come in. Packaged with a book that is more of a guide to how the artist arrived at the images she did rather then a standard LWB the set is rounded off with a sturdy white cotton reading cloth. My only complaint is that the clear acetate cover is a bit flimsy if one wants to use the box for storage, but it's not a big deal.
Back to the book, it is clearly written by one that understands that the meanings of tarot cards are very personal things. She starts off as any real good teacher would tell you by having you go through the deck before reading any more of the book. Each card is them broken out and given a few pages telling you not just what the meaning is, but more interestingly how she came to the essence of the card to create the image. That alone is a fascinating read.
The set is well made, well thought out. Not you're run of the mill art deck or RWS clone this is truly a unique deck that will change the way you see the cards fluidness. Don't be put off by the high price, it costs are very much apparent in the sturdy acetate cards, heavy cloth, almost wooden feel to the box and a nice thick book. The set is also published by a smaller publishing house and thus is going to be harder to find and might not be out as long as we all hope. Treat yourself to this deck, because it will be the most surprising and unique deck you will see for quite some time.

Too bad there is a 5 star limit. It deserves way more than that. I just received my Transparent Tarot deck set yesterday after waiting for months for the finished product. I watched and read patiently the artist's blog as she was creating the deck. It was definitely worth the wait. I highly recommend this deck for anyone interested in deepening their knowledge of tarot or for those just getting started. Along with the deck, the set comes with a very indepth book and a cloth for laying out the cards. The cards are a good size and shuffle really well. They have a good, sturdy yet flexible feel. This could easily become my FAVORITE deck of all time. The best thing about these cards is the transparent quality which creates the ability to layer cards on top of each other to deepen the meaning of each position in the spread. When I first read about this concept, I thought it was an awesome idea. Now that I have the set in my hands to actually work with, I KNOW my readings will be so much more...everything. My hat's off to Emily Carding! Thank you!

Like some of my fellow reviewers, I have been watching the conception of this deck, and did the agonising wait after pre-order (5 mths) for it's release, and folks, let me tell you - IT'S EVEN BETTER THAN YOU IMAGINED!!!!

The packaging is extremly sturdy, and includes - the deck, a far from standard book with details on EVERY SINGLE CARD and a white reading cloth which is an awesome bonus!

This deck is the first deck to come out in ages, that actually represents a GIANT LEAP FORWARD for Tarot on the whole.. finally a tarot deck worthy of the 21st Century - it's minimal, yet profound images in combination with it's layered possibilities makes it easier for it's reader to be more perceptive and by extension allows the reader more freedom to be able to read intuitevly.

This deck would be of great use to novices and enthusiasts alike, as well as a phenomenal training tool for those who teach tarot. Even in writting this review my mind is in overload with all of the possibilities of different ways to read the cards ie. layered (Composite Image), Film Reel or Mirrored - not to mention all the different combinations that one could arrive at...

I have no hesitation in recommending this to anyone who has a love of Tarot (I ordered 2 for myself, with 1 as a back-up), in a matter of days this has become one of my all time favourites!! And will be on the lips of Tarot Enthusiasts for years to come!

Well done Ms. Carding!! And thank you for sharing this with the world...

Previous reviewers have done a great job in describing the physical aspects of the deck so I won't go into that in too much detail.

Emily has broken new ground in the tradition of tarot, and has possibly played a key part in taking it well and truly into the 21st century with this deck. The idea when it was first discussed on a tarot forum did not really inspire me. The cards looked too plain and I could not see what the fuss was about. Eventually discussions led me to at least give it a try, and I am pleased I did. When the cards arrived I was struck by the heftiness and solid feel of them. There is a sense they will stand the test of time and fairly heavy use. The white cloth is an asset, as the images would not leap out and input on the senses otherwise. The accompanying book is well written and insightful, but it is clear Emily sees the process as only now beginning. The experiences of each of us who use this deck really do add to that sense of learning and also wonderment, which she is very willing to share in. This deck is not intended to be used in the same way as traditional decks, so in that respect it does take a leap of faith, and a willingness to open the mind and just experiment. It was this aspect I thought I would struggle with (being incredibly set in my ways having read cards for 12 years), yet it is that aspect I am finding the most enjoyable.

The cards on their own do look bland for sure. It is possible to read them in a film strip formation, similar to how a lot of traditional decks are, but it is when they are used on top of each other they really come alive. As soon as one card is overlayed another, there is a sense of a story unfolding. By laying 3 or 4 cards in this way, an issue can be examined in quite a bit of detail. As an aside, the cards do not have to be overlayed neatly on top of each other to get any great effect. I have layered them corner over corner and also mirror imaged cards at times. This alone may show the issue is forthcoming or could lay in the past.

So, are there any negatives?

Well, some of the images are quite small, but in fairness I understand the reasoning for this. If all were the same size, when overlayed it would just look a mess. However they can sometimes give the impression of having a lesser energy due to being overshadowed by larger images and it will take a bit of experience or adaptability to bring that energy to the fore if that makes sense.

Also, some of the courts do look a little similar, and if you are one of those who finds court cards a little difficult to get to grips with, this deck will not make that process any easier. Having said that, I still have no hesitation in giving this deck a star rating of 5, and would highly recommend it to anyone. The readings I have done with it to date have been incredibly accurate and detailed. Some of that detail would not have been apparent with traditional decks.

If you are willing to take risk on something very different, you will reap the rewards for sure.

"Personally, I believe that whatever the earthly origins of Tarot may be, they are a gift to us which can aid us in our search for self-knowledge, understanding, and universal truth. And though it is interesting and rewarding to study the roots of where Tarot has come from and where and what it has been, with The Transparent Tarot I am far more interested in looking at where Tarot is *going*." - Emily Carding

Finally, a truly visionary deck arrives in the Tarot landscape that not only allows beginners to grasp the archetypal import of the cards, but also rewards advanced students/experts with a fresh, visual, and utterly intuitive tool for probing, uncovering and decoding the complexities of any situation.

The Transparent Tarot, the "art child" of U.K. artist Emily Carding, captures the unifying symbol of each of the 78 cards and places them on an actual transparent card. This innovative format allows users to overlap cards, to "see through" the myriad suggestions and nuances that arise when the characters and symbols interact through layering.

Measuring 4-5/8 x 3-3/8 inches, these cards provide a seemingly infinite array of images, especially when lain one upon another. For example, the familiar Celtic Cross Spread becomes the Triple Layered Celtic Cross when three cards, instead of one, fills each position.

Alternatively, the Transparent Tarot cards can be read side by side in a filmstrip type of pattern, or they can be turned sideways, upside down, vertically--whatever your mind and playful nature can imagine!

The 280-page guide, also by Emily, is truly beyond the typical deck companion book. She not only provides a thorough and refreshing perspective for each of the cards, but also gives a three-card combination example reading after each of the Major Arcana descriptions.

For example, after The Hierophant interpretation (cleverly depicted in the Transparent Tarot as an ancient oak tree), Emily merges the Hierophant, Seven of Cups and Nine of Wands cards (which is illustrated for the reader), and explains how these three cards might interact in this particular combination.

In less skillful hands, this unusual design risks muddled messiness, but in the artist's foresight, the symbols are painted on varying spots from card to card, resulting in an intriguing montage when layered together.

For right-brained, visually oriented individuals, The Transparent Tarot offers rampant freedom for brainstorming, intuitive deduction and storytelling. I've been using this deck daily for the last few weeks and find my Tarot practices and personal readings reinvigorated with the anticipation of discovery. The three-card layered readings I perform daily have been deeply insightful, inspiring me to begin a daily journaling practice using The Transparent Tarot; it's been an exciting and fun process so far!

In addition to the 78 transparent cards and companion book, the Transparent Tarot box set also comes with a large white linen reading cloth (just shy of two feet square), affording a stark background to see the cards easily. However, if you happen to have a table or desk made of light colored wood, you could forgo the reading cloth altogether.

One of the touches that I particularly like is how each of the Pages, represented by a little girl, wear skirts of varying lengths denoting level of maturity (Page of Wands wears the shortest, while the garment lengthens through Cups, Swords and Pentacles).

It's truly thrilling to see where visionary thinkers and artists are taking Tarot these days, and I feel that Emily Carding's Transparent Tarot signifies a watershed moment for cartomancy. I count it a privilege to own and use such an inventive tool, and I feel those comfortable (and brave) enough to trust their intuitive ability and the power of visual archetypal symbols would feel the same.

(To see 15 images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at JanetBoyer.com)

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

I have about 20 decks and have read all the books that came with them plus a library of others on Tarot. Been doing readings for about 7 years now.

Yet for the first time, after reading this amazing book and playing with these "stained glass" cards, I feel I "get" the nuances of the ancient symbolism and how the cards all connect as one. When seeing the images layered - a whole new world of interpretation unfolds

I love this deck so much I purchased 2 - and a light table to enhance my work with them.

The possibilities are now endless - the light table allows stacks of 5 to 7 cards deep to easily show.

Thanks Emily for such a divine gift to the world of Tarot. The Tarot will never be the same.

Blessed Be and Joy Heals
Ed O Author "Unstoppable Joy - A Happier You in 12 Simple Steps"
[...]

For anyone who loves working with the Tarot as a personal tool of self discovery, for anyone who wants to understand or study the meanings in the Cards deeper, this will be a profound addition to your Tarot collection. The cards are clear plastic and the images that Ms Carding choose for each are simple, beautiful and dive to the essence of the cards meaning. Because of this you can combine them, one on top of the other, 3, 4 and even 5 deep to get a new picture each time. In the companion book, you are encouraged to make this deck your very own. Ideas to do so are clear but so is the explanatory content. I am still exploring my deck and am very glad I purchased it!

I see that I am in the minority with this review being somewhat sour grapes.

My first complaint was that my deck was covered in something that looked like dried up solvent. The cards were stuck all together with this material and static electricity. I first tried wiping off the cards with a cloth, but the stickiness remained. I had to wipe each card with a damp towel and a dry cloth to fully clean them. Because the deck is plastic with clear lamination, plain water and rubbing them dry didn't damage the artwork. Probably the only deck I would ever try to do this with.

The cards have simple artwork and narrow definitions and can be somewhat difficult to read with. The book suggests to try turning the card different ways to better understand the meaning. I don't like doing that. The backs are missing from these cards so there is no mystery which cards were drawn. Since the cards hold static electricity, drawing while not looking means you can grab extra cards.

The more I use the cards, the more comfortable I am with them. You need to change how you use tarot cards in order to make the most of Transparent tarot. A beginner may have a better experience with this deck than the other reviewers lead on. These cards are versatile if mastered. With intuition and imagination they are easy to put together to make composite cards that can be used to tell a story by looking at the image the combination creates.

I'm an experienced Tarot reader, and I was excited about the idea of these cards, but I actually found them much harder to read than I expected. The idea is a good one, but I think I'll need to play with them for a long time before I become familiar enough to read them easily... I have to confess I was a bit disappointed, I was hoping for more immediate access, but at first glance I couldn't read with them at all.

Edited Feb 2010 - to add that I never really got the hang of them, and they went into a drawer. Given the choice, I wouldn't buy them, they are good for collectors but not for daily readings, and certainly not for readings for strangers, at least I haven't found them so...

There are a handful of excellent new decks released in the last 18 months -- but this one is by far the most unique, and the most flexible in its ability to inspire creativity.

It's been many years since I've sat down and read the "accompanying book" that so often fills out a box of new cards, but this one has been fascinating. Many of the cards do not appear, on first glance, to correspond to so many familiar and traditional decks. The images are much more simple and streamlined (a necessity since so many of the possible layouts would require them to be stacked, staggered, or otherwise overlapped.) Images are placed in various locations on the cards' geography -- one or more corners, centered, lower-middle-or-top portion of the card -- human figures face left or right, fill the card, or occupy a tiny portion of the surface. This wide distribution allows overlaped lay-outs to create 3D images with a foreground, and middle ground and a background.

It is precisely this fore-middle-background phenomenon which offers the most unusual a satisfying potential when using the Transparent Tarot -- the potential of a truly layered meaning turing up in any position of any layout -- even a temporally layered meaning.

On top of everything else, the images are simple, graceful, and enchanting.

Here's my only caveat. I like natural-fiber cards. Cotton fiber. Linen. wood. hemp. Bone. :) You know. So. like any other petroleum by-product (which we assume the transparent cards to be) they are not destined for a long life. Like all other plastics, they will become brittle, yellowed or otherwise discolored etc. If constantly protected from sunlight and heat, they've probably got a 15 year life. The images themselves may not last as long since there is the potential for scratching, and for muddying the images with the oil that naturally exists on our hands. If this is somehow, miraculously NOT a petroleum by-product (cellulose? really aged Jello? transparent aluminum? ) then I'll be pleasantly surprised, and happy to hear it. Otherwise, in bio-degradeable terms, these cards are like and 80count stack of compressed disposable diapers & non-recycleable water bottles. But since transparancy is highly unlikely in any other form (how tall would a stack of pane-glass cards actually be?) -- we once again sacrifice the planet for the useful and the clever. Besides -- nearly all cards are plastic coated by 1mm or another -- that's the only way they stand up to years and years of use.

The cards come with a nearly transparent micro-fine powder between them which wipes away with very few touches. I'm not yet sure what happens when the powder is all gone -- static electricity is bound to be a big problem. We'll see.