by
~*~Velvet
Angel ~*~
Pearls
of Wisdom Tarot
(1st Edition)
This
deck is suitable for any question you wish to ask of the Tarot.
by
~*~Velvet
Angel ~*~
Pearls
of Wisdom Tarot
(1st Edition)
This
deck is suitable for any question you wish to ask of the Tarot.
Deck by Roxi Sim &
Caeli Fullbrite
© 2007 First Edition
/ © 2008 Second Edition
The Pearls of Wisdom Tarot is a visual delight of the senses! The cards are done in colorful, vivid, busy scenes that are full of life . . . and wisdom! It's like bringing the Tarot out into the world of three-dimensional design through a kaleidoscope of color. The artist calls this deck a "painted journey" through the tarot that allows the reader to find her own pearls of wisdom in the images. Although I normally don't take to "busy" decks so well, this was an exception! And indeed the cards are very, very busy with so much contained within the imagery. But this was the intention for this deck. Each time you use it, you are going to discover something new you didn't pay attention to before in a card. And each new find is like your very own "pearl of wisdom" that you were meant to see at that particular moment. The cards are rich in symbols, color, and imagery. You simply can't get bored working with this deck! I find it to be fun to work with, but most importantly, it's equally effective for me as traditional tarot decks are. I tend to be drawn to decks that are colorful . . . and well, this one is colorful -- and loud -- but in such a positive, vibrant way for me. It is indeed a "painted journey" through the Tarot. It's a deck that reminds me of vivid dreams, so it could also be an interesting deck for those who do dream work.
Interestingly, there are two versions of this deck at the time of this writing. I have the first edition version which has a white border around the cards. The second version, as I understand, has dark borders and an expanded companion book. The companion guide for the First Edition is 96 pages, and it is typical of many little white booklets that come with Tarot cards -- a bit brief, sometimes making you want for more. Apparently, the 2nd Edition of Pearls of Wisdom has a companion booklet that is about 50% larger than the first edition's booklet. I really like this deck, and if you have experience in the Tarot, you will find yourself relating to the cards on new levels -- with or without a companion booklet to guide you through the "Pearls of Wisdom" Tarot. The little booklet is useful in that it does indicate some of the symbols used through the cards or within a particular suit. Perhaps the 2nd Edition booklet expands upon this in the way I would have liked to see. But I'm perfectly happy with white borders around my cards, so I don't think I would be too quick to trade my 1st Edition for the 2nd one. And realistically, it's just not practical for me to buy the 2nd Edition when I have a fully functional 1st Edition in my hands. But for those who don't yet have the "Pearls of Wisdom" Tarot and are considering the purchase of this deck, you get a choice -- at least, for as long as the 1st Edition remains available. What I have heard is that the 1st Edition will not stay available for long . . . but if you happen to have the first edition, it could become valuable from a collector's point of view. (A Later Update -- it seems the 1st Edition is indeed out of print already, and some of the 1st Edition "Pearls of Wisdom" decks are already commanding prices of over $100! -- Wow! -- I'm glad I already had my 1st Edition!)
This is a deck that can bring out the child within! Some decks are great for that, while others hold a more serious tone in imagery and coloring. This deck is purely fun for me, but it's also effective to read with to attain enlightening answers in a reading experience. I am one who can read with almost any deck, but I am able to do that with a good solid background in tarot tradition. Having this experience allows me to take an interesting and unusual deck and glean further insights from that. So it's not truly a "secret" or gift to be able to read the Tarot from one deck to the next . . . it just comes with experience and an open mind.
The author, Roxi Sims, knew nothing about Tarot when she found the inspiration for this project, but through the guidance of her friends after the deaths of her mother and nine-year-old son, along with the loss of her health, she began a spiritual journey that turned into something amazing for herself and others. Wow, she went through a lot, to say the least, and my heart goes out to this amazing woman! Roxi Sims had studied art therapy and knew that it worked. She began her incredible healing journey through the painting of the Ace of Swords, which is her personal spiritual warrior. From that point, she was guided to her 7-year journey to paint all of these magnificent images in the "Pearls of Wisdom" Tarot. In her journey, her lesson was that "the only way out is through." Not only did this inspiring author learn valuable life lessons in a journey through healing with the Tarot, she did it in such an amazing way -- by painting her way through the process of all 78 cards! And along the way, I'm sure she was able to relate each card to a life experience of her own -- some of them more painful than others, but some happy ones, too . . . and I think there is no better way to learn the Tarot than to use past experiences in life to help us understand the meanings and concepts behind each card. In fact, it's what I teach in "The Tarot Journal of Wisdom Study Course."
The reasons for this deck's creation make it all the more special. We have an artist who has been through personal tragedy, illness, and deep sorrow . . . but she still managed to define the Tarot in one of the most optimistic and cheerful ways possible. I have to say that I am completely impressed and in awe of this amazing person!
Every little nook and cranny of the cards are filled with symbols, decorations, and interesting objects. You might not know what to look at first. But what I've found works best for me is to not try to focus on everything, but just let your eyes choose for you -- and what you see first may have the most significance for you at that time. Perhaps next time, you will see something else that you focus on more than anything else in a given card. But it's so much fun, and so fascinating to explore the "Pearls of Wisdom" Tarot cards! I find that using this deck for smaller readings, such as one, two, or three cards works so nicely! Of course, you can use this deck for any sized reading that you desire, but I do especially like this one for one-card draws or "mini" readings of just a few cards.
The cards are glossy-coated and measure approximately 4-3/4" x 3-1/2." They shuffle much more smoothly than I had expected with a laminated deck. The backs of the cards are not quite reversible, but it's close enough where you are not apt to notice at all whether the card is going to be reversed or upright. I almost always use reversals in my readings, so I don't pay a lot of attention anyway to whether the backs are showing that a reversed card is coming up or not -- I just let the cards come as they will (upright or reversed), as they are meant to fall into the reading. The backs of the cards feature the name, "Pearls of Wisdom," at the top and bottom in a green, red-bordered little banner. Bordering the cards are pearl necklaces and candles, and inside this border is a spiral on top of waving stripes of rainbow colors and a white dot in the very center.
The deck follows traditional structure with the suits being Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles . . . and the Court cards are Page, Knight, Queen, and King. The Major Arcana cards carry traditional names, with Strength being card VIII and Justice card XI. A title card is included as well as a message card that says "To spiritual seekers. May you find some of your answers herein."
This is a very nicely done deck -- very creative, colorful, and artistic -- and I would recommend it to experienced readers, collectors, and those who are looking for a special deck for spiritual, meditative, or journaling purposes.
I am so glad I didn't end up overlooking this deck because of it being so "busy." This is a "busyness" that feels absolutely right and is absolutely beautiful. A "busy" deck doesn't always work, but this is one that does for me! And after learning about the author's experience and the reasons for each card to be packed with lovely symbols and images, her story of healing and inspiration enriches this deck all the more.
Velvet
Angel
Email
Velvet Angel
Number of Cards in Deck: 78
Size of Cards: 3-1/4" x 4-3/4"
Included with deck: A 96-page instruction booklet
Major Arcana:
Fool, Magician, High
Priestess, Empress, Emperor, Hierophant, Lovers,
Chariot, Strength, Hermit,
Wheel of Fortune, Justice, Hanged Man,
Death, Temperance, Devil,
Tower, Star, Moon, Sun, Judgement, World
Suit Names: Cups, Wands, Swords, Pentacles
Court Cards: Page, Knight, Queen, King
Back Design of Cards:
 |
 PEARLS
OF WISDOM TAROT
(First Edition) |
PEARLS
OF WISDOM TAROT
(Second Edition) |
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