Welcome to Dark Reads, Today I am bringing you a review of the Cosmic Visions Tarot, as always I want to start by saying a huge thank you to Jessica for sending me a copy of this beautiful deck for review,
The Cosmic Visions Tarot is a 79 card deck based off the traditional Tarot but beautifully interpreted by Jessica. The deck includes 1 bonus card.
The cards are standard Tarot size (7 x 12cm -2.75 x 4.75 inches) on 350GSM matte soft touch card stock.
Each card has been traditionally painted using watercolour and pigment liners.
Packaging
The cards come in a 2 piece box which is fully illustrated in Jessica’s amazing art style. The Box is really good quality and very sturdy. The lid is a little looser than some other boxes but in all fairness I prefer that than having a battle with the box to get the cards out.
The Guidebook
Included in the box is a 100 page (7 x 12cm) perfect bound guidebook. There is a foreword from Jessica then some information on getting to know the deck, shuffling and cutting the deck, spreads and cleansing the deck.
Each card has a full page in the book with some key words and a description of the meaning of the card. I just want to note, I love, love, love the way the meanings are worded. As I said previously that the deck is based on the the RWS system but done with Jessica’s unique interpretation of the cards. The language is very conversational and relatable, I found myself looking at cards with a totally different perspective and I felt I had a deeper understanding. Love the book!
The Cards
These cards are SO beautiful, Jessica is a wonderful artist. I absolutely love the stark contrast of the black and white and the super bright colour used. The art is so detailed, I hope my pictures can do them justice.
The card stock is is great, the cards are so tactile. They have a velvet, rose petal finish. They are sturdy but really flexible, I found overhand shuffling the cards did tend to stick a little due to the finish but the more I use them the less they are sticking. They Riffle perfectly.
The Deck is black edged and my deck has black borders, the original Kickstarter gave the option for white borders but I love the black, it makes them feel almost border-less.
The backs are black and white and reversible.
I’m going to share a few of my favorite cards from the Major and Minor Arcana, then a couple I want to talk about specifically. As Always I won’t show you all of the cards because I know you will want to discover them yourself.
I adore this interpretation of the four of pentacles. One pentacle on the third eye, one on the throat Chakra and 2 over the eyes. Material things/money is all they can think about, all they talk about and it’s blinding them to the important things. Love it.
Again here, I think this depicts the seven of swords perfectly. I love that we have a fox often characterised as sly and then the two faces. It’s perfect.
With this card I love the fact that they are faceless, so many choices but don’t just rely on what you see, look within for the answers, trust your intuition and trust that although you may have a tough decision you will make the right choice.
The Courts are Daughter, Son Mother and Father. I’ve just chosen one of each to share with you
Finally The Bonus card, I won’t give the full meaning so no spoilers, but it talks about Connection and alignment
Where To Order
Understandably Jessica has completely sold of out this first print but she will have more stock towards september, perfect timing to put some money away and treat yourself!
Orders can be made through Jessica’s Etsy Shop or via Cosmic Visions Website the deck retails at $78 AUD and is worth every single bit of that.
About Jessica Shackelton
From Jessica’s Website
Hello, my name is Jessica
I have been illustrating since the day I developed motor skills. As a kid I would draw every moment I could, and everywhere I could – paper, walls, tables, even my siblings. Creating has always been a part of my life, driven by passion and a need to bring my visions into the world. I have always struggled to express myself with words, through creating I have found a way to do just that.
I personally believe that we as humans are the guardians of this planet. Nature doesn’t belong to us, we are part of it.
I am a self taught artist from a rural town on the outskirts of Sydney, Australia where I live with my husband, Lewis and our two cats, Harold and Matilda. My Sun is in Sagittarius, Moon in Gemini and Ascendant in Aries.
My work is heavily influenced by the wonderful and strange things in life. I tend to focus on subjects that are saturated with colour, found in nature, and stumbled upon on journeys through the cosmos. I use art as a way to escape the mundane, illustrating things that are unusual in search of a greater purpose in life. I am never as happy as I am when I have a pen in my hand and a creation that is asking to be finished.
you can follow Jessica on Instagram and Facebook too
Overall I really do think this is such a beautiful deck, It’s detailed, vibrant and mysterious. It really is a Cosmic awakening!
I really enjoy Jessica’s interpretation of the Tarot and although some cards don’t have traditional imagery I feel their message is very clear. There were a couple of cards I didn’t click with intuitively but as soon as I referred to the guidebook everything was very clear.
For that reason I would say that this deck is suitable for beginners and experienced readers alike.
Deck Interview
- 1 – Describe yourself – Ace of Pentacles – A deck full of love and positive energy, with offers of growth and abundance
- 2 – What is your strength as a deck? – Mother Of Wands – Straight talking and confident. maybe a little spicy haha. Self assured and I also think this will be a really good deck for shadow work, the Mother of Wands is very in tune with her shadow self.
- 3 – What is your Weakness as a deck? – The Tower – This is really interesting. I think again this is alluding to the fact that I won’t get any sugar coated answers here and to expect the unexpected.
- 4 – Describe me – Seven of Pentacles – I’m getting generosity vibes here, in an emotional sense, also elements of self doubt.
- 5 – What can you teach me? – The Chariot – Wow, the Chariot, Keep going and you can achieve it. Trust yourself to make the right decisions.
- 6 – How can I best learn from and collaborate with you? – Five Of Wands – Don’t be defensive, let my guard down and listen.
- 7 – What is the potential of our Relationship? – The Hermit – I love this, Self reflection, spending time alone for me. listen to my own inner voice – Enlightenment.
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