Welcome to the fantastical, the incredulous, the whimsical and delicate fairy land world of Paulina Tarot. Spent too much time in adult land? Life weighing on the serious side a bit much? Or perhaps you would just like to delight your eyes, to touch again upon childhood fantasies, to savour a unique and beautifully crafted work of art.
I’d say this deck is truly delightful and original, and reminds me a little of childhood story books, full of wonder, fairies, and magic. Each card is filled with incredible detail, one more striking than the other. There are creatures from lands one perhaps has dreamt of, snails with wings, flowers that speak, unicorns, penguins, and cats with spiral tails. The gardens are lush with imagination and dripping with fruits of wonder.
This is the creation of artist Paulina Cassidy, whose affinity with New Orleans is evident in the flair and costumes adorning each character. The deck follows the Rider Waite Smith tradition, with a few exceptions which are not that different in their overall message.
Published by US Games, it comes in the standard box and the cards measure 12cm by 7cm. Two notes about this publication: the little white book is very good, with both upright and reversed meanings given for all cards, and a Celtic Cross given at the back; and the cards are thicker than usual, and very sturdy/durable. There seems to be a very light laminate feel to them, but overall I’d say they have a more organic (almost cardboard) touch to them. A few people have noted they are difficult to “break in” and quite stiff, personally I don’t find this to be an issue. Hard to please everyone, eh?!!
So who wouldn’t like this deck? If you like a well-structured deck, this may not be the one for you. If you like definite colour blocks with boundaries and clear-cut, well-defined images, reading with this deck may be a challenge. There is a lot of detail in these cards, and for some it may just be too nice and pretty for readings. That aside, I hope readers try this deck, it certainly does have a voice and the messages come through in every reading – though one may spend quite some time daydreaming through each card and going for a wonder through its rich and colourful world.
Blessings to all,
Monica
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