Unboxings and First Impressions

[Emilija]

I got ahold of the White Sage Tarot, and it's a charming little deck. The images have animals and natural elements and pastel watercolor like images. It's small, smaller than playing cards. It comes in a little tin and it shuffles well.

[Emilija]

Okay, I don't know why that image uploaded upside down. :bugeyed:

[queenofwans]

queenofwans[/member] those cards are SO big! I wonder how they are to handle? They're very pretty!

 

I'm just reporting back to note that my Dark Mansion deck finally came 2 days ago and it is gorgeous!! Love the gilding and the design of the box and of course the cards themselves are stunners.

 

This was a great unboxing week for me as my Burdel TdM also came and it has a fantastically lovely box with the signature 2 of pentacles emblazoned on the bottom and the insignia for the swedish tarot makers on the top and sides. really gorgeous. and the deck itself is of course just fantastic. Also had a nice note from Yves Reynaud inside, too, noting the limited edition #.

 

Also on the same day, I got my Brady tarot order, and i was so so so overwhelmed at how hefty and pretty and well-made the wooden box it comes in is! It's really lovely, and of course the deck is perfect. I was just fascinated looking through the cards — I feel like i've seen this deck all over the internet for ages, but there were so many cards I had somehow missed. When I got to the 10 of swords and saw it's a possum playing dead I gasped and then giggled. it's such a brilliantly done card! not at all what i was expecting given how bleak that suit is in this deck, but absolutely perfect. :)

 

bookshop[/member] Looks like you had quite the mail week! Those are all beautiful decks!

 

I'm surprised to find that I have been able to riffle shuffle them from the sides since their width is about the length of the average-sized tarot deck.

[Raggydoll]

This was a great unboxing week for me as my Burdel TdM also came and it has a fantastically lovely box with the signature 2 of pentacles emblazoned on the bottom and the insignia for the swedish tarot makers on the top and sides. really gorgeous. and the deck itself is of course just fantastic. Also had a nice note from Yves Reynaud inside, too, noting the limited edition #.

 

You mean Swiss tarot makers  ;) We sadly have no tarot tradition here in Sweden (I wish!). We only have some fortune telling cards that were mostly remakes of Lenormand cards. (I also have the Burdel tarot, by the way. It’s lovely  <3)

[bookshop]

Oh my very deepest apologies Raggydoll[/member], of course! I watch a lot of Bergman and own a lot of Ikea, I guess I just have Swedish art on the brain. ;)  (I even tried to learn Swedish a few years ago but I'm pretty sure the only thing i remember now is "I only speak English" haha.

[Raggydoll]

Oh my very deepest apologies Raggydoll[/member], of course! I watch a lot of Bergman and own a lot of Ikea, I guess I just have Swedish art on the brain. ;)  (I even tried to learn Swedish a few years ago but I'm pretty sure the only thing i remember now is "I only speak English" haha.

 

;D :heartz: Kul! Jag lär dig gärna lite svenska om du vill  <3 (How fun! I’ll gladly teach you some Swedish if you like to  :) ) Just start a thread in the chatter room if you want to brush up on your skills ^-^

[Emilija]

Oh my gosh, I just got my new Ancestral Path in yesterday, and it's HUUUUUUGE! O:-) The box is almost the size of my hand. I've shown it in the picture to show how big they are. I don't think I can shuffle these!

 

In addition, I got a smaller deck called Practical Tarot Wisdom. It has Radiant RW images with little advice/affirmation snippets on each card.

[Raggydoll]

So, I received the Crow Tarot (mass produced version) and I am really appreciating it. The quality is excellent. I love the sturdy box, it really feels like it could have been an independently published deck. The cardstock is thick and more on the matte side (though not completely matte, if that makes sense). It shuffles so well. These cards are slightly larger than your average deck but they work fine for my hands and I believe that is due to the great cardstock. The art is a digital collage style. I tend to not like digital artwork but this is really unique and well executed. I'm really drawn to this style. It is based on RWS traditions so its an easy deck to dive right into. But I must say that the guidebook is surprisingly good. No images in it, but its fairly thick and contains a lot of information about every card, including a specially designed spread that I am eager to try out.

 

I did a reading with this deck and I posted it here: https://www.thetarotforum.com/30-days-working-with-the-moon-spreads/raggydolls-30-days-of-working-with-the-moon/msg79880/#msg79880 (The image below is from that reading).

 

I want to work more with it before I am prepared to say anything about how it reads though.

 

If anyone wants to see more pictures then let me know! 

[bookshop]

thanks Raggydoll[/member] ! I've been seeing this deck all over the place and these are the first images that have really made me feel like the deck might be worth investing in. Can you tell us a little about the special spread?

 

And Emilija[/member] thank you to all of you who are trying out the Ancestral Path tarot, it looks really neat and i'm happy to see it 'in action.'

[Raggydoll]

thanks Raggydoll[/member] ! I've been seeing this deck all over the place and these are the first images that have really made me feel like the deck might be worth investing in. Can you tell us a little about the special spread?

 

And Emilija[/member] thank you to all of you who are trying out the Ancestral Path tarot, it looks really neat and i'm happy to see it 'in action.'

 

That spread is part of the free resource that I created for this forum, it’s called ‘30 days of working with the moon’. That particular spread was designed for the waxing phase of the moon. You can access the entire collection of 34 spreads plus the information that goes with them here: https://www.thetarotforum.com/30-days-working-with-the-moon-spreads/30-days-of-working-with-the-moon-a-spread-for-each-day-of-the-lunar-cycle/ (only members can access that page though, so you need to be logged in to see it). I am currently going through them and doing the 30 days myself so you can check my thread to see them in action. I plan on featuring as many of my decks as possible, both tarot and oracle decks  :thumbsup:  :heartz:

[TheLittleJackal]

I got the Children of Litha Tarot recently and wowza. It's beautiful! And opinionated, I did an interview spread where it laid down the Law which I'll post in my journal thread in a bit.

 

It came so beautifully packaged, right down to the packing tape on the outside of the shipping box. And the deck itself is incredible. It's matte without being textured, although it does make noise when it shuffles, and the cards are on the thicker side. And the art. The art!

 

The full unboxing (plus the interview spread) is on my (shiny new) blog.

[Day Soleil]

Wow, TheLittleJackal[/member] that's a gorgeous deck and the packaging looked magical. Wonderful blog post, I enjoyed it immensely. Congrats on your new deck and blog!

[stephanelli]

I did a swap in my local esoteric shop today and came home with an unloved but pristine condition tarot deck.  It is the Triple Goddess Tarot by Jaymi Elford.  The artwork is by Franco Rivolli and is absolutely stunning!  I was flicking through it and almost immediately possible interpretations just jumped out at me.  <3  I also love that it has two versions of the Fool.  Currently I've just shuffled the one I like most into the deck, but if I were reading for someone else it would be very interesting to get them to choose which they like most and shuffle it in.  Kinda adds a personal touch.

 

Aside from the Fool, the major arcana is split into 3 and tells of the story from Maiden to Crone.  The first 7 cards explore the Maiden's journey, the middle 7 explore the Mother's journey and the final 7 explore the Crone's.  There are a few that differ from the norm:

1 The Maiden (but looks very much like a Magician card to me)

5 The Teacher (instead of Hierophant, this card looks awesome!)

8 The Mother (in place of Strength)

15 The Crone (aka The Devil according to the LWB, this might be one of the challenging card of the deck for me!)

21 Reunion (instead of the World)

 

The minor arcana is equally good.  Some cards that immediately jumped out as being awesome:

Knight of Wands

Three of Pentacles

Four of Pentacles

Knight of Pentacles

The entire Swords suite

Two of Cups

Three of Cups

Five of Cups

Student (aka Page) of Cups

 

I'm a bit in love.  Can't wait to start using it!

[bookshop]

TheLittleJackal[/member] i was so very much on the fence about that deck and these images are SO lovely, thank you for sharing!! It's gorgeous!

 

Raggydoll[/member] oh i knew about your moon spread, it's so interesting and i've been following all the readings from afar! I thought you meant that the Crow Tarot booklet came with a specially designed spread specifically for the deck, and was wondering if you had more info on that. (I expect the spread in my head would look like a crow, but i have no idea what the cards would signify!)

 

MEANWHILE in inverse unboxing news, I mentioned weeks ago that I had ordered the Claude Burdel from Yves Reynaut, and it was only last night while staring at it for a long time that it slowly dawned on me that I had........ ordered the Claude Rochias deck by mistake. OH NO, ahaha, my first TdM deck and I was so painstaking about it and then I screwed up the order! From France!

 

So now I'm torn on whether to make my peace with having a limited edition Swiss tarot deck that hails from 1754 instead of a limited edition Swiss tarot deck that hails from 1751, or whether to just try again. It's a LOVELY deck, but I spent so much time looking at the images from the Burdel that I feel a weird bond with it now. Is that dumb?

 

Helpppp!

[Raggydoll]

TheLittleJackal[/member] i was so very much on the fence about that deck and these images are SO lovely, thank you for sharing!! It's gorgeous!

 

Raggydoll[/member] oh i knew about your moon spread, it's so interesting and i've been following all the readings from afar! I thought you meant that the Crow Tarot booklet came with a specially designed spread specifically for the deck, and was wondering if you had more info on that. (I expect the spread in my head would look like a crow, but i have no idea what the cards would signify!)

 

MEANWHILE in inverse unboxing news, I mentioned weeks ago that I had ordered the Claude Burdel from Yves Reynaut, and it was only last night while staring at it for a long time that it slowly dawned on me that I had........ ordered the Claude Rochias deck by mistake. OH NO, ahaha, my first TdM deck and I was so painstaking about it and then I screwed up the order! From France!

 

So now I'm torn on whether to make my peace with having a limited edition Swiss tarot deck that hails from 1754 instead of a limited edition Swiss tarot deck that hails from 1751, or whether to just try again. It's a LOVELY deck, but I spent so much time looking at the images from the Burdel that I feel a weird bond with it now. Is that dumb?

 

Helpppp!

 

Oh, how slow I am! I totally forgot that I mentioned that spread from the book! :biggrin: Sorry for the confusion!! Yes there IS a raven shaped spread in the guidebook. It’s quite elaborate (8 cards). I just checked and the creator has shared it on her website: https://crowtarotshop.com/blogs/crow-tarot-blog/crow-spread-for-monday-jan-22 If you’re into crow shaped spreads then you can also google “Crow’s flight tarot spread”. It looks cool too.

[Shade]

Hello,

 

I do have a question.

 

Is it allowed to post a link of a video from my FB-page where I am reviewing the FMA-Tarot?

 

Greetings

 

Shade

[Raggydoll]

Hello,

 

I do have a question.

 

Is it allowed to post a link of a video from my FB-page where I am reviewing the FMA-Tarot?

 

Greetings

 

Shade

 

Thank you for asking before posting, I appreciate that! I feel that such a post would be better suited in our Promotions area. I know that you run a tarot-related business and that you’re writing on a book so presumably your private Facebook page would reflect that - hence it is promotion in a certain sense. Also, my original intent with this thread was to provide a place for people to talk about their new purchases and showcase them with pictures if they like. So I feel that the information and discussions should be kept here. But please feel free to repeat yourself here with what you said in that video though  :heartz:

[queenofwans]

The Dark Mansion Tarot is here, and it is a STUNNER! It is gorgeously brooding, spectacular, whimsical, and fantastical -- all of my favorite elements in one tarot deck! The card stock is silky matte but not very flexible or slippery.

 

For those who have been waiting on theirs or those who are contemplating getting the deck: the extra $5 for expedited shipping is WORTH IT! I got my deck in two weeks vs. two months for many folks.

 

It arrived in a black plastic wrapped box and required signature confirmation of some sort. It was very exciting because I knew it had to be it since it came from Poland, and I don't know anyone else from Poland!

 

[Raggydoll]

My Alice tarot arrived! I shared pictures in the original thread: https://www.thetarotforum.com/tarot-decks/alice-tarot-2nd-edition-pre-orders-now-open!/msg85730/?topicseen#new

 

I’ll provide my initial impressions as soon as I have had the chance to go through the deck and test it out!

[Jewel]

The Dark Mansion Tarot is here, and it is a STUNNER! It is gorgeously brooding, spectacular, whimsical, and fantastical -- all of my favorite elements in one tarot deck! The card stock is silky matte but not very flexible or slippery.

 

For those who have been waiting on theirs or those who are contemplating getting the deck: the extra $5 for expedited shipping is WORTH IT! I got my deck in two weeks vs. two months for many folks.

 

It arrived in a black plastic wrapped box and required signature confirmation of some sort. It was very exciting because I knew it had to be it since it came from Poland, and I don't know anyone else from Poland!

It is gorgeous!  I am putting that on my wishlist!

[ilweran]

Spirit Cats and the mini Moon Cards by Liz Challinor both arrived today.

 

The cats are so adorable, Lucy, keyword Freedom, came up in the reading in the picture attached, I took it to be emphasising the positive of the releasing of bonds suggested by the Blasted Oak.

 

(Drew another card separately and got one that just described my beloved and very sadly missed ginger fluffball cat, will have to check which card it was)

 

The mini moon cards are also beautiful and were lovely to unbox. A very sturdy box had a lovely postcard and dried lavender as well as the little deck itself which was in a very sturdy smaller box that was wrapped in tissue with a matching ribbon. In the box were the deck, instructions, a couple of stickers, a cloth bag for the deck and a small tumblestone crystal. It really was lovely to open.

 

Got the Stag Moon, so the influences in this reading are waxing. Do like that I got the Stag while using it with a deck full of antlered beings.

 

I liked the combination of the three decks though I suspect it's a slightly odd one!

[queenofwans]

I just got the Augenblick Tarot in the mail yesterday, and I'm in love! I was lucky enough to snag this copy of a very limited reprinting of this deck. I love the beautiful vintage images curated by the creator, Shannon Loftis, which come from the Library of Congress's collection of photolithographs. I'm currently just obsessed with vintage wares and images. The deck comes with a full-color guidebook with a full-page description for each card, plus writing prompts, questions and things to consider. It's my first square deck, and it shuffles surprisingly well.

 

[McFaire]

The Brady came today. It is the finest piece of Tarot art and craft I've laid hands on. The art is breathtaking. The card stock is superb. With the custom bamboo box, attractive book by R. Pollack, and the gilt edging on the cards, it is a magnificent set.

 

I wish the Mary-El could have been on this wonderful card stock.

 

I have the 1998 Mayer Sola Busca deluxe set and it is a stunning heirloom deck, but not really made to handle. 

 

Other than that, I don't have any decks that rival this quality of workmanship.

 

The card stock is similar to the first edition of the Wild Unknown, but heavier.

 

ETA the edging on the Brady is copper, not gilt

Edited May 10, 2019 by McFaire

[McFaire]

deleted, wrong place

Edited May 10, 2019 by McFaire

[AJ-ish/Sharyn]

two posts here on the Children of Litha 1st edition, but I just received the 2nd edition so thought I'd remark on it. The basic differences I 'think' are my edition doesn't have the two extra cards or gilding. It did come with a sticker. 

 

I've owned a zillion decks and this is the thickest, even thicker than a minchie or etteilla! It doesn't fit in the deck holder (napkin holder) I've used for 20+ years, a first. 

The cards are like the Brady, a bit of a greasy feel, but not in a bad way, just different. 

Litha is the midsummer sabbat, but the deck has seasons, at least there is snow in the swords suit. 

I can't find that 'children of litha' is a thing, so think the idea is unique to this deck. 

 

The adults in the  majors are part human. ish. there are some odd things poking off them here or there. 

the minors are non-human and lovely. The courts are humans with familiars, evocative. 

I think this will be a good deck for making us think beyond the RWS box of keywords. 

 

I've included some favorite cards, with the exception of the Emperor, I'm not quite getting him and his sword. But I always have issues with an Emperor so it is all good. I've included the Sun card for our Little Fang...that 8 of Coins, I just want to hug it to my chest. Yes I'm stubborn. But I'm a burro and many civilizations have been built on my back, so there. 

 

The box is sturdy magnetic closure, on brief examination the book is well laid out and printed. 

I asked for #27 and had forgotten all about it...and there it is signed and numbered #27 😉 I love small pleasures, and am well pleased with my investment. 

Edited June 11, 2019 by AJ-ish/Sharyn