Oracle of Shadow and Light

I don't usually go for "cutesy" type cards, but these fascinate me. Could someone tell me the status of this deck? It looks as though there is a pre-order on for a new version of this Oracle. Is it better in your opinion, or is the previous publication better from what is known now? I guess I'm simply asking what is going on with it. Thank you!

The Australian printing (1st edition) has been out for a while, but the US edition is coming out in April:
http://www.strangeling.com/oracleofshadowsandlight.html
I think they are the same cards, just different boxes.
Here's an older thread about this deck.
http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=138587&highlight=shadow
I used this deck last week on my blog (see profile) if you're interested.

The new version has a few different cards that replace some of the old ones. If I remember correctly, they replaced almost all the ones that didn't quite fit the card format (e.g. Carnivorous Greenhouse, Absinthe Fairy, Carousel Fairy) with a totally different new card (the meaning may be similar, though?). I also remember there was a complete repainting of Shallow Grave.

The new version also has all images fill the card completely, so there are no more backgrounds added to the sides. I can't explain it very well, so maybe an example will help: The "I am Kali" card has a wide red border on each side of the actual painting in the old edition. In the new edition, the painting is as wide as the card - which means the image is cut off at about the card character's waist.

ETA: You can see the old "I am Kali" in this image from the artist's website.

I know I found all images of both versions somewhere on the internet a while ago, but I don't have the link.

Thank you Cat for describing the cards for me, and Bodhiseed... I went to your blog and it's wonderful. I will be there often! All of your info was helpful.

Wow, I didn't know they had changed some of the cards. Thanks for that bit of info, Cat. I guess they used Oz for their test subjects. I'll be interested in seeing some of the new cards to compare them to the old.

By the way, welcome to the AT forum LadyDeborah!

Wow! I had no idea! I love this deck and use it for my own (not client) Readings. I always thought the size of the BOX was oddly large...the cards, which are larger format, SWIM inside...to read that they're REPLACING cards is crazy! I am curious about the replaced cards!

Six of the cards have been changed. The card back has also be re-designed with a key motif.

All of the new cards can be seen here: http://www.amazon.com/Oracle-Shadow...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326814283&sr=1-1

The list of re-designed cards is as follows:

Card No. 2 - Fairy of the Divine Hand
Card No. 13 - I am Kali --- image has been re-designed (effectively the same image as previously, but this time a magnified version)
Card No. 21 - Angel of Alchemy - a magnified version of the old, and dropping the 2 side images
Card No. 26 - The three fates - what comes around
Card No. 29 - Shallow Grave --- the image has been re-designed
Card No. 38 - Carnivorous Flower Fairy - a tempting offer has a high price

hmmm now I am a bit frustrated... I love the new re-designed more than the old ones...

So do I Tarot Fairy .... and I prefer the key motif on the card backs too.

I like the new ones too and traded away my last set but will probably get the new one