The Transparent Tarot: (2nd Edition, Tarot Kit Box Set with 78 Cards and Guide Book)

The Transparent Tarot, by introducing a new medium to tarot, has created a true shift in the ways a card spread can be interpreted. As far as I am concerned, the most amazing thing about these cards is what happens when you overlay them: POSITION becomes a huge factor in the reading. Figures face toward or away from each other; some are "stuck" in a lower corner; some move across the space; some readings form a closed pattern while others show space and a sense of options for movement. I have always tried to understand the ways cards in a reading relate to one another, but when the cards are opaque, there is always a sense of sequence to a reading. Transparency allows for a visual representation of that sense that "all times are one time" that many of us try to keep in mind. Overlaying also allows a visual sense of the "progression" of energetic or mundane motion that has occurred or is occurring in situation. I was interested to see that the more negative reviews mentioned the difficulties of reading for a client with these cards -- my clients are very apt to give a stunned gasp of recognition when, after we've gone through the cards one at a time, I sweep them together to form a single dynamic picture. Seeing may not always be believing, but the overlay creates so strong an image that it moves the querent to a whole new level of understanding. Conversely, when the "picture" is disjointed or lacking a focal point that, too, is obvious and allows us to think of what would be better questions to ask. If you do tarot counseling, it's a fairly simple matter to have the client pick a card that would "improve" the picture and look at what that card signifies.Yes, you do have to read these cards a bit differently. Very seldom will the cards in a Celtic Cross reading form one strong picture -- there are just too many bits. What you CAN do is overlay sections to see those relationships. But on the whole, I prefer 3 -- or occasionally, 5 -- card readings with this deck. (Of course, I'm finding that the longer I read, the more I pare down the number of cards anyway.) This allows for a reading format that includes dialogue with the cards -- if one picture clearly doesn't "work," it is easy to ask, "What would be a better path?" or "What should I be asking about?" I think it is fair to say that these cards are a bit more "work," as you really need the white cloth or a light box to get the most from a reading. And because you can flip them over from side to side -- or they GET flipped in the shuffling process -- there is a second kind of "reversal" in the reading process. I use many different tarot and oracle decks for different purposes, and I prefer doing that, so I don't feel it's a detriment that this deck requires a little more time and energy -- particularly because what I get from it is so much greater than the extra bit I put into it.I think some readers are feeling uncomfortable precisely because this deck wipes out what they may most like about their other cards: very solid, warm images with highly saturated color. I love those decks, too -- and I use them! But this deck, to me, is a very excellent visual representation of "energy" which is, after all, what we're trying to get at in many situations.From a purely practical perspective, the cards are amazingly sturdy, and the box is very solid. I understand the reasoning behind the clear plastic top, and I would recommend keeping it but in future editions making it just a bit heavier; I had to tape the corners almost immediately. Since then, though, it has help up very well. I'm thankful the white cloth was included, as it's impossible to read these cards without it, but once unfolded, it has never quite folded back up neatly to fit in its little compartment with out an extra doubling over. I look forward to the day when I can have a space to read where I can leave the cloth laid out so I don't have to wrinkle it all the time. This is, however, a very minor issue. Redesigning the box so that the cloth could be stored rolled up might work, too.I am all kinds of entranced by the "Big White Book." First of all , by explaining the images that she chose, Carding provides considerable insight into interpretation. She also show very penetrating views of the shades of meaning a card can represent. The book provides a rich background for truly intuition-based readings. I think it is fair to say, though, that a beginning reader might want a little more background in the range of traditional meanings and symbols. That is easily done, either by working with meanings from another deck the reader is comfortable with or by using a "general" book of tarot meanings. These cards are also wonderful to read with by overlaying them on other tarot or oracular decks, so you can gain more information in that way.I'm inclined to say that this is perhaps not the easiest deck for a beginner, but I can't be too sure about that because I wasn't a beginner when I started using it. It might be that some first-time readers would find this far easier than some traditional decks. I will say that readings with this deck seem to me to access a very deep energetic level and repay thoughtful attention and concentration.

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.