Real Talk Tarot - A Review

 Today I'm reviewing Real Talk Tarot illustrated by Juanita Londono Gaviria.

Deck Link

Illustrator Link

Release Date: October 5, 2021

I'll start with a physical review of the deck and accompanying book.  The set comes boxed and is of average size. It could easily be tossed in a tote bag or backpack.  The book is a small soft cover book with some pretty small fonts.  Even with my reading glasses on, it was a struggle to read the thin, tiny font. The book has no index but it does offer a short introduction in the front as well as a few spreads for those beginning their reading adventures.  

It also offers a quick reference guide. This is a list of all the cards in the deck (which are the traditional Rider/Waite deck) with a couple of keywords for each. For example, the Fool has the words risk and beginnings.  The magician has the words action, manifestation and ambition. The 10 of cups has family and happiness. I found this to be extremely useful addition to a tarot book. Not many think about this aspect and I believe it can help guide a beginner on how to work with the Tarot.  The card description section has the traditional upright and reversed meanings just as a typical deck with the addition of a short phrase before each section. On the chariot card the words are "you're going places, baby" and the emperor card has "father knows best".  Again I thought this was a cute way to update the deck and provide a fresh look at a familiar topic.

The main changes here in this deck are the illustrations. This is a completely modern take on the Tarot and our illustrator has taken the liberty of changing what we would expect in a traditional deck and flipped it on its head. For example, our death card (one of the most popular in the Rider/Waite deck) is riding a bus about town! Some of my favorite cards were the Justice card which feature a woman of color blindfolded with the scales of justice just to her left and right. The chariot card which again features a woman of color, this time with earbuds and a road running from top to bottom with cards, a bicycle and an airplane around her. 

Over all a cute whimsical deck that brings a bit of creativity and modernization to our traditional tarot. This is a great set for the novice and advanced reader alike. It offers a fresh look and a fun way to explore the mysteries of divination. 

I hope you have enjoyed this look at the Real Talk Tarot. If you use this deck or have any feedback feel free to contact the page.  Leave a comment or reachout over chat/email.

Namaste

Sosanna

Conscious Creativity - A Review

 Today's review is Conscious Creativity - Cards for thinking outside the box, by Philippa Stanton.

• Book Link
• Author Link
• Release Date - November 2, 2021

This was an interesting review. I've been asked to review many media types. From short stories, to novels to oracle and tarot cards to now this. I' don't really know how to categorize it. As you sit down with this deck, don't expect it to be like any other deck you've ever had. At least I have not found it to be like any other. The box is colorful and the small book included seem to be much the same as any other boxed set of cards.  However that's where the similarity ends.

Under the first few pages, the author tells us that there isn't a definitive way to use the cards. The author recommends taking cards at random from the deck and connecting with the image or the words. The interesting thing about this deck, is that the imagery doesn't appear to have any real connection to the message on the back or the other cards in the deck.  When we think about the Angels and Ancestors Oracle deck, for example, these cards are all related to the ancestors of human kind and the assorted angelic beings from the heavens. In the case of this deck, the images are more random.

In the booklet the author tells use that the suits are - Circles, Squares, Triangles, Lines, Textures, Nature, Reflections and Shadows. Each suit then contains thirteen colors: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Purple, Pink, Aqua, Brown, Black, White and Metallic. 

In the final pages of the book,  each of the suits are listed with pictures. There are 104 cards in this deck with 2 jokers. To me, it's a pretty big deck. Without the connection of what they are all based on I felt it to be a bit cumbersome to work with.

I spent some time reviewing the card images and working with the messages on the back and that too was a bit disconnected. I can see why this author told us that this was a way to think outside of the box. These cards are not on the same table as the box.  (laughs)

Overall a great new take on working with the randomness that is our life in general. I personally, found these cards a bit of a challenge to work with. If this is something that you have experience with or if you have other feedback feel free to leave your message and I'd love to have some engaging dialog on this.

Namaste

Sosanna

Astrology Embroidery - A Review

 This is a review of Astrology Embroidery by Maya Hanisch. 

• Book Link
• Author Link
• Release Date November 9, 2021

Very different from my standard reviews, today I have a book on a craft. This book has been created to teach the magic of embroidery using the signs of the zodiac as inspiration. First I'll review the physical book.  The books is a large soft cover book with easy to read fonts and great graphics. I wouldn't expect anything different with the author being an illustrator. There is no index but this book really doesn't need one.

The artist/author takes the time to help the reader learning the individual stitches that are used in the book. The layout of the book begins with the teaching section with each stitch outlined and then goes into showing how they are used with a set of pages for each sign.

The book doesn't stop there! There is a section for smaller creations that I simply adored!  The cat and the knowing hands were my absolute favorites!  I plan on putting these on one of my jean jackets!

The back of the book even has templates that can be used with tracing paper or a photocopier to make the job easier!  

   

Over all, simple book with brilliant designs and a great introduction for witchy folks into the journey of embroidery. I could see using the knowing hands on a gris gris bag and chanting your incantations with each stitch!

If you try this out, let me know! I'd love to see your creations!

Namaste

Sosanna