Gaian Tarot: Healing the Earth, Healing Ourselves

I bought the first edition of the deck as soon as it was released five years ago, after eagerly following Joanna's updates for several years. I loved the deck immensely but gave it away to a sibling last year because I was moving, it showed some wear and tear, I was paring down tarot decks, I knew she would love it...and I thought I could instantly replace it whenever I wanted. Unfortunately, the first edition went out of print, so I had to wait for the new edition to come out. In the meantime, I turned to my Tao Oracle deck and finally got to know it better.But finally, I got my hands on this new set. In many ways, I'm quite happy with it. The box is crisp and serviceable, with a magnetic closure, a ribbon pull, and ribbons to hold the lid when open (but it still opens wide). The cards easily come out of the box; half are stored on each side with the book on top of them. The reusable storage box is absolutely fantastic and one of the clearest improvements from the old edition to this, though I could do without the busyness of including Joanna's bio on the inside cover of the box. The cover of the box and book are arresting, a clear improvement from the first edition, as The Wheel better represents the deck as a whole. Furthermore, the full-color book is gorgeous, and I'm quite happy with it. Overall, the set has a fresh face and there is a lot to like here. I don't at all mind the small font in the book - for me, it's very readable - and the content appears to be the same or very similar, although I don't have the original for a direct comparison.I'm sure lots of people will love these cards. They're bigger, they're edged in silver, and they are likely more durable (I had gotten a few cards of the first edition wet and thereby damaged them, but these seem water-resistant). It was probably unreasonable of me to expect the cards to look and feel the same. But I just don't think this deck will do what the first edition did for me, and now I wish I'd invested in one of Joanna's limited-edition original runs - since this is, after all, a deck for a lifetime, one that I know I will always want to use. And I will certainly use this edition. I hope that, with time, these cards will speak to me like the old ones did. But they're not the same. The names are written in green, all caps in a sans serif font, and distract and detract from the images by commanding an outsize presence. The text contributes to a modern, informal feel that is simply different from the old version. This is further reflected in the blue borders around the image side of the cards, with sharp angles at each corner (as well as white borders around the card backing, which I don't like either, and which is uneven on many cards, indicating an inconsistent printing process). The image border is acceptable on cards that already have blues in the image, but incongruous and strange for many of the cards. The cards are large and glossy, so I've lost the sense of connection I had to the paper as well. They aren't terribly stiff or heavy.For me, the upside of having a larger card is the potential to use the image on my altar space, but the text and border make the cards feel a bit out of place there. I'm sure I'll get used to these, and since the book and box are excellent, I'm still happy with my purchase. I suppose I'm just in mourning for the cards I don't have anymore and will probably never have again, unless Joanna once again chooses a different publisher for another edition...which seems unlikely. These cards are still beautiful in many ways and Joanna's incredible artwork will never get old. They can certainly be used in readings and in any other way you might use tarot cards. Many decks are too large to be shuffled, and I really don't have a problem with the size. The tone of the deck seems to have shifted slightly with this edition, probably because it was intended as a modern update, which has its upsides and downsides. If you never had the old deck, ignore all this - you will probably love it and think I'm crazy. Again, the glossiness of the cards likely means that they will hold up better. It's just going to take me a while to let go of my expectations and build a new relationship with this deck.

I simply adore this deck!!!

I hesitated a bit about buying this Tarot deck; from the reviews here and elsewhere, I was instantly drawn to parts of it, and I was not really sure about other parts. But I started obsessing about it, and that meant I had to buy it. :)I have had a chance to spend some time with this deck now, and I feel a really warm and almost nostalgic connection to it. It very much reminds me of my early-adulthood involvement with all things Pagan, from festivals to Wiccan circles and all the lovely Earth-centred people whom I've been blessed to know over the years. There is a natural and open feeling to this deck that is lovely and different from the other decks I own. I'm finding the artwork extremely refreshing...although Joanna Powell Colbert started with photographs, it's not "Photoshopped" as some decks are. The people portrayed throughout the deck are culturally different and inclusive (Caucasian, African-American, Asian, etc.) AND are not all chiselled models and Barbie-dolls - these are wonderful people you'd see in everyday life. I love it. LOVE it! These cards portray inclusive and thoughtful human interaction at its best. A hundred stars for this component of the deck!Physically, the deck comes in a beautiful magnetic box, as per the usual quality from Schiffer Publishing. It is rather large, so some may have trouble shuffling, but I love large cards because details are easier to see in the artwork. The borders will be hit or miss for some...I've noticed and forgiven that the blue border is a bit misaligned (that was one of my qualms from the outset). The back is a gorgeous leafy/floral wreath, reversible. Card stock is excellent - not too stiff, but not flimsy, and glossy. The silver gilding is very nice, too: I had some tiny sparkles on my fingers when I first separated the cards, but it otherwise does not flake off or intrude with the shuffling in any way (as opposed to another deck I own that has TERRIBLE gilding).As a Tarot system: the Gaian Tarot follows RWS to an extent, but it's definitely not a clone. Many of the Majors have been renamed to reflect the Earth-centric views expressed within, and cards like XV The Devil and XX Judgement have had their overtly Christian associations removed (they are 15 Bindweed and 20 Awakening, respectively). Colbert has also deviated by using standard numbers instead of Roman numerals in the Majors. In the beautifully illustrated Minors, Colbert has used Elemental suits in lieu of the traditional Cups, Wands, etc. The meanings tend to follow the RWS system, but the depictions for those meanings are sometimes very different (Eight of Water and Nine of Fire come instantly to mind). The Court cards have been changed to Child (Page), Explorer (Knight), Guardian (Queen) and Elder (King), and as such are gender-inclusive. The guidebook shines in every way: colour-coded, full-colour throughout, explains the cards themselves and includes interpretations both upright and reversed (Shadow). There are also affirmations for each card and, in the Majors, journal questions (I love those!) At the back, we have a number of spreads devised specifically for this deck and an extensive bibliography.Overall, this Tarot has exceeded my expectations, and I wanted to give it a thorough review to do it justice. While it might not be the very best for a beginner trying to learn the RWS system, it is excellent as a tool of self-exploration or for those walking an Earth-centred spiritual path. It is also a very non-threatening deck, and even the Pagan elements wouldn't be confronting to those following a more traditional religious path because there are no pentagrams or "witchy" things and nearly no nudity (Six of Water shows a circle of nude women in silhouette, but if someone's offended by this depiction, I think they shouldn't be consulting the Tarot at all!). So much love and energy went into this deck, and it really shows. Outstanding!!

I can't do justice in a review for how wonderful these cards are. Joanna has created a masterpiece with this deck. I watched her online progress as she created the original deck. As each edition became available I greedily snatched them up! have every incarnation of this tarot deck, each one is a work of art: the original limited edition majors only, both sizes of the limited edition full decks, the original mass produced version from Llewellyn and now this version. These are my go to cards for self work and journaling, to help me find answers for life issues.The imagery is beautiful, there is diversity in he people, the scenery is from the Pacific Northwest, which is gorgeous. Not only are the cards beautiful, but the companion book is full of insight and careful explanations of the card meanings.When the 1st mass produced edition went out of print I panicked. I knew I would be using these for the rest of my life, so I got another limited edition. Then I lucked out and found one last set of the mass produced version at a local book store that I could save until my 1st deck wore out. When I found out Joanna found a new printer I was ecstatic and couldn't wait to order it. I pre-ordered it and waited a long time, but it was well worth the wait.In this new edition the cards are larger, the colors are so vivid and each is edged in silver. The book has more info than the previous companion books and in the book each card is shown in color, a huge plus. It comes in a sturdy box with a hinged lid which stores the the cards and book quite nicely.For those who love nature and tarot, this deck is perfect.

This is my second round with this deck.The first set was used with a damaged box and at least 1 card had a hole in it.Amazon sent me a replacement that is new thank you, however once again the box came damaged see photos, probably in transit. The cards are large but absolutely beautiful. I am not worried about the size of the cards I purchase them because of the art. The pictures are beautiful and you could truly get lost in them.

Gilded is bad, and it's more big than the jumbo version of a Thoth Deck.It can't be shuffled right. It can be a problem for people who don't have tools to trim this deck without defects.

Qualidade e bom gosto

Cartas están preciosas. Están muy grandes, pero a mí me gusta. Y hablan ...🤭😜. Recomiendo

With all the decks I own, this has taken top spot for a month already. The cards are very large - like Oracle large, however I can still riffle shuffle by the corners. Card stock is glossy but good. Excess gilding came off for the first few shuffles, then stopped. The book is very good. There are some good spreads at the back, the majors have a list of the numerous points and what they represent as in an animal ally, river etc. There are journal prompts as well as affirmations. Suits are elemental (air, fire etc), the courts are Child, Explorer, Guardian and Elder. Genders are mixed ie 2 male Guardians, 2 female, body types vary. I am seriously considering getting a back up copy - something I never do.