* Creak* ... If you're not familiar with that sound - that is the sound of yours truly coming out the closet - the tarot closet that is ... I've found Tarot Cards to be such a helpful tool to provide guidance and clarity concerning advice/self-care, that I would be doing a great disservice to this readership to not feature this mystical/psychological and ancient (dates around the 14th century) tool in my discussions on self-development.
In today's post, I will be showcasing a new deck in my (yes) collection. "The Good Karma Tarot" written by Kerry Ward - who just so happens to be Cosmopolitans, go-to cosmic-life coach!
What made me purchase this deck? After seeing this deck on pre-order a couple of times, I decided to take a leap of faith (The Fool) and order it without really seeing a preview of the cards - call me brave or foolish - I just had a feeling I would like them, and luckily my hunch (and one card pull about whether I'd like the deck) was right!
In this post, I will be showcasing all the cards in the deck. I was a bit worried about showing them all since I couldn't find any previews online, so I thought that maybe the author didn't want to show any of them due to copyright issues or something (?!). However, after getting in contact with her (Instagram is a wonderful place + she's was so very kind to reply) it turns out she's only too happy for them to be seen!
Note - I have tried my best to show them on an overcast grey March morning ... I do hope this may help you to make up your mind if you have been considering purchasing them (go-on) ... Lastly, I'd like to give my greatest thanks to the creators for making such an awesome deck! Hopefully, you'll be able to see this now for yourselves!
The Good Karma Tarot
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| The Good Karma Tarot by Kerry Ward |
Publisher: OH!
Let's face it, the box is pretty - call it what you will *cough shallow* but, seeing such an inclusive/diverse picture of the star card gave me a great conviction that this deck was going to filled with good feels and I am right *puffs chest*. Yet, this deck isn't only pretty *deflates* it's a well thought out masterpiece that expertly captures Kerry Ward's 25+ years worth of Tarot experience succintly in its guidebook. Yes, guidebook.
The Guidebook
... No, not a flimsy sheet of little white paper with generic and confusing explanations - Lo Sacrebao I am looking at you - this guidebook is the real deal. It's practically worth its weight in papery gold because it is jam-packed with easy to read, enjoyable and humorous information that will debunk major Tarot myths and get you eager and rearing to go on your awesome-tarot-reading merrily way in no time.
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| Little White Book (LWB) - who dat? |
The whole premise of "The Good Karma Tarot - a beginners guide to reading the cards" is that it has novices in mind. That means it's not here to outsmart you and thump you on the head for theorising wrong, it's here to uplift, and I quote - "be a source of light in a shady world" (how cool is that!).
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| awesome |
That means the guidebook is informative, helpful and uplifting. I guess we're just lucky it's pretty too - the guidebook has complete coloured pictures of both the Major and Minor cards (I know many Tarot fans bemoan non-colourful pictures in guidebooks of the cards and heaven forbid - just text!) with explanations about each suit, and what the Major and Minor cards represent. Needless to say, all bases have been covered, and then some (you even get tips to what Zodiac sign each card in the deck represents).
Now, when it comes to the cards set up - The Good Karma Tarot does not come in its own tuck box (the first of its kind in my collection) which presents its own problems when it comes to storage (the box needed to be big to house the awesome guidebook), and whilst I'd like to say that it didn't feel strange splitting my deck in two after first experimenting with it - it did - I am slowing getting used to it.
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| The Star + King of Coins |
Yet, I do envision creating a self-made tuck box or Tarot bag to make it more accessible in the long run - just in case.
Cardstock
The cards are light, laminated, and slippery. Whilst the backs are super shiny the fronts are a smidge less slippery (but still oh-so-shiny). This means that the deck is very easy to shuffle, with plenty of opportunities for card jumpers (cards that almost "jump" out when you shuffle them - which are often said to be very important cards in readings). There's no fancy gilding on the edge of the cards but, many will appreciate that the artwork is borderless, which makes the images stand out, and gives a light free feel to the deck.
The cards aren't flimsy per se (they do have some substance) but, let's face it - the card stock is not creme de la creme but that's okay. This deck is designed for beginners - who usually are more eager about learning the ropes - than wondering if their cards are 18pt and if it comes in a linen /matte finish with a buttery feel. Ultimately, this cardstock is fit for purpose - shuffling - and if you really want some fancy gilding - Tarot mods (modifiers) know where their Sharpies are. Also, there's no Tarot/deck "scent" (yeah its a thing).
Major Arcana Cards
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| Major Arcana (1-10) |
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| Major Arcana (11-20) |
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| Major Arcana (21-22) |
The Suit of Cups Cups/Chalices
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| The Suit of Cups (1-10) |
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| Cups Court Cards |
The Suit of Wands
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| The Suit of Wands (1-10) |
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| Wands Court Cards |
The Suit of Swords
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| The Suit of Swords |
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| Swords Court Cards |
The Suit of Coins/Pentacles
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| The Suit of Coins |
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| Court Coins Cards |
Hopefully, after seeing ALL the cards - your fears are laid to rest. This is not a PIP deck. Depending on your preference you may like PIP decks (usually
Marseille fans), but if you're a traditional R.W.S (Raider-Waite-Smith) ride or die reader then you're in luck because "The Good Karma Tarot" follows that hallowed system. Although, it does offer its own modern and colourful interpretations of the traditional symbology in a modern and arty way.
If you like your decks full of light-hearted energy without overly fluffy/censoring images of the guts and bones of Tarot - aka omitting the more controversial imagery/wording - this deck still contains the gut wrenches without completely making you squeal. It's soft and feminine without omitting a masculine presence - there's a nice balance.
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| The Card Backs |
Okay, fancy pictures aside ... I know why you're really here - to see the card backs! Yes, the card backs can be just as important as the pictures on the front! The Good Karma Tarot card backs are a mustard yellow with a fully reversible 60s floral leaf motif. They are shiny (see the glare?) but, they can photograph without shine - especially on a grey March morning.
Okay ... so that's about it really - I'm impressed.
Price: RRP £19.99 (I bought mine pre-order for £14.99)
Any Thoughts?
What are your views about "The Good Karma Tarot"
or
Tarot Cards in general?
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