The Transparent Tarot

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.

Previous reviewers have done a great job in describing the physical aspects of the deck so I won't go into that in too much detail.Emily has broken new ground in the tradition of tarot, and has possibly played a key part in taking it well and truly into the 21st century with this deck. The idea when it was first discussed on a tarot forum did not really inspire me. The cards looked too plain and I could not see what the fuss was about. Eventually discussions led me to at least give it a try, and I am pleased I did. When the cards arrived I was struck by the heftiness and solid feel of them. There is a sense they will stand the test of time and fairly heavy use. The white cloth is an asset, as the images would not leap out and input on the senses otherwise. The accompanying book is well written and insightful, but it is clear Emily sees the process as only now beginning. The experiences of each of us who use this deck really do add to that sense of learning and also wonderment, which she is very willing to share in. This deck is not intended to be used in the same way as traditional decks, so in that respect it does take a leap of faith, and a willingness to open the mind and just experiment. It was this aspect I thought I would struggle with (being incredibly set in my ways having read cards for 12 years), yet it is that aspect I am finding the most enjoyable.The cards on their own do look bland for sure. It is possible to read them in a film strip formation, similar to how a lot of traditional decks are, but it is when they are used on top of each other they really come alive. As soon as one card is overlayed another, there is a sense of a story unfolding. By laying 3 or 4 cards in this way, an issue can be examined in quite a bit of detail. As an aside, the cards do not have to be overlayed neatly on top of each other to get any great effect. I have layered them corner over corner and also mirror imaged cards at times. This alone may show the issue is forthcoming or could lay in the past.So, are there any negatives?Well, some of the images are quite small, but in fairness I understand the reasoning for this. If all were the same size, when overlayed it would just look a mess. However they can sometimes give the impression of having a lesser energy due to being overshadowed by larger images and it will take a bit of experience or adaptability to bring that energy to the fore if that makes sense.Also, some of the courts do look a little similar, and if you are one of those who finds court cards a little difficult to get to grips with, this deck will not make that process any easier. Having said that, I still have no hesitation in giving this deck a star rating of 5, and would highly recommend it to anyone. The readings I have done with it to date have been incredibly accurate and detailed. Some of that detail would not have been apparent with traditional decks.If you are willing to take risk on something very different, you will reap the rewards for sure.