Sprightly delicate creatures dance upon branches, while festooned women celebrate around an unusual tree sprouting geometric boxes. Animals from both this earth and an otherworldly one dot the enchanting landscape of the Paulina Tarot, as do characters bedecked with colorful early Mardi Gras, Victorian-influenced costumes.
Reflecting artist Paulina Cassidy’s affinity for the city of New Orleans, the Paulina Tarot reflects Rider-Waite-Smith structure, yet imparts a fresh, lighthearted perspective to the cards.
Delightfully detailed and gracefully rendered, the artistry of this deck invites users to come along for a magical ride that, while whimsical, captures the everyday situations, emotions and dilemmas faced in the ordinary world.
With cards measuring approximately 4 ¾ x 2 ¾ inches and featuring a subtle reversible pen-and-ink imagery on the back, the suits and courts of the Paulina Tarot follow the Rider-Waite-Smith array: Swords, Wands, Pentacles and Cups for the suits, with Page, Knight, Queen and King for the courts.
The Paulina Tarot is accompanied by a general 47-page L(ittle) W(hite) B(ook) that provides brief descriptions as well as upright and reversed meanings.
I've found the Paulina Tarot to be a playful deck, while still speaking to the inner world (and issues) that often brings us to do readings in the first place (especially when it comes to reminding me not to work so hard and expect so much of myself!).
Case in point: Last week, I felt that I was behind on reviews (so many products, so little time), but I wasn't feeling well. What I *really* wanted to do was play PS2 games with my son! I did a 3-card reading with the Paulina Tarot as I was debating on how to spend my evening and drew the Page of Cups, Fool, and The Sun. Play, play, play!, the cards encouraged.
And so I did, for hours, having a blast with my son. (Interestingly, The Sun card usually comes up in my personal readings when referring specifically to my "son"!) A few days later, I was feeling torn yet again by my desire to catch up on reviews but realizing my weakened physical condition. I shuffled for probably five minutes, just gazing nowhere in particular. My son asked "Doing a Tarot reading, Mom?"
"How did you know?" I replied. When I deal cards for any reading, I draw based on feel and a mental rhythm in my head. I couldn't seem to find the "right time" to draw, which is why I shuffled so long. Finally, two cards popped out of the deck, landing face up on the floor. Guess what they were? The Page of Cups and The Fool!
As you can probably tell, I love working with the Paulina Tarot, especially for personal readings and journaling! With intricate line work, fanciful characters, and muted watercolors, this deck pleases the eye and lifts the spirits. But, truly, it's not just a "pretty" deck; the Paulina Tarot imparts illuminating wisdom, emotional comfort and pointed answers for those who go beyond its lovely surface.
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