Radiant RWS--First Impressions.

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Oct 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Le_Corsair	10 Oct 2003
Ok, the shock of receiving the deck so quickly has worn off, and I've had a chance to look at it closely. I'm already fond of it, but not for the reasons that US Games published it, I'll bet. Here with some first impressions: For those of you that love the smell of a new deck, US Games seems to have used a different coating formula on the Radiant, so it doesn't smell as wonderful as it should. It has an unpleasant chemical smell. The cards are slick and glossy, and shuffle easily. The backs of the cards, a sticking point with me (as many of you know) are a variation of the backs from the Universal Waite deck: navy blue with stars, in this case gold stars instead of silver. The stars are equal-ended and 8-pointed. It reminds me of fabric rather than a sky starfield. The images on the cards can be compared more with the Universal Waite than the RWS. Clear and delicate rather than thick and heavy. Very handsome. The colors are the main selling point of the deck, and where I begin to be really amused. Let us start with Key 0, The Fool. The sky behind the fool is citrus orange; because of the way that the sun is drawn, looking rather like the area of a citrus fruit where the stem adheres, the impression I get is that The Fool is about to be attacked by a Gigantic Tangerine. This is even more apparent in Key 6, The Lovers; you see the angel just about to be devoured by the Gigantic Tangerine. The Gigantic Tangerine appears in a total of 16 different cards; Justice tries to hide behind a curtain, but the Gigantic Tangerine finds her just the same. :laugh: Colors in the other parts of the deck are rich and vibrant. Key 19, The Sun, is actually not a Tangerine attack, and is lovely. The water at the feet of the King and Queen of Cups has the appearance of malachite. My soul card, Key 9, The Hermit, is very well done, also, especially the details of the light from the lamp. This is a beautiful deck, but I fear that I am always going to think of it as the Gigantic Tangerine Deck. That may or may not be a bad thing! :joke: Just my first impressions; yours may be different. I like the deck so far. I hope that as more of you receive the deck, you'll add your own impressions. Bob :THERM

Asher	10 Oct 2003
I echo Bob's sentiments. It is very soothing to the eye, but so is the Universal Waite. The colors are quite bright, the deck does shuffle very easily, and the backs are attractive. My only thought is...why? We have the Universal, and it's beautiful. Seems to me, US Games is trying milk their "cash cow" of the R-W-S (after issuing the psychadelic Diamond and the Glow in the Dark Majors, the Albano-Waite, the Golden Rider, etc., etc.) Kaplan's pockets are a bit more full thanks to me... Do we need one more? Guess I was hoping for ...something more. Asher

WolfSpirit	11 Oct 2003
I don't use my RWS much, but I want to use it some day for comparative readings, and I want to do it with a RWS I like to look at (at the moment I have an original rws and I don't like it). I think this will be my favourite because of the vibrant colours. I like the purple background on the hanged man. But now I will have to have another look if the Gigantic Tangerines might bother me. I will not collect variations of the rws, I will probably only buy one and I prefer the radiant over the universal at the moment. Maybe it is because I like tangerines ;) But I am sorry the smell of the deck is not good...bad news for taroholics following their nose :joke:

Xarokys	13 Oct 2003
Well, I have to agree with Bob about the odor. It doesn't have that fresh ink aroma, it's an unpleasant chemically smell. Very disappointing to a tarot addict who must inhale the aroma of a new deck on a regular basis or else go through withdrawal. They feel very plasticy, I think it's some sort of new coating that accounts for the smell. I've had them two days and the smell is fading, thank goodness. I do like the colors. Much more intense than the Universal waite or the Original Rider-Waite, but not as mind-blowing as the Diamond. I think I've got a RWS for every mood now. :D

wavebreaker	13 Oct 2003
When I first heard about the Radiant RWS and saw the first (tiny) pictures, I liked it and put it on my wish list. Now that I've seen bigger, clearer pictures I took it off my list because I just don't like it. I think the colours are too bright, which makes it too artificial for my taste.

Demonesse	13 Oct 2003
Where were the bigger pics? The only pics I've seen of them were on the ebay link in the other thread. :)

Le_Corsair	13 Oct 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Demonesse Where were the bigger pics? The only pics I've seen of them were on the ebay link in the other thread. :) I don't have a scanner myself; maybe someone with the deck and a scanner would give us images of the Fool, the Lovers and a few of the other cards. One of the things that I notice is missing from the cards is Pamela Coleman Smith's signature; apparently the changes made were significant enough that US Games felt secure in leaving Pixie's signature off of the cards. Pity. Perhaps they planned to put Stuart Kaplan's signature, instead? :joke: Bob :THERM

Hedera	14 Oct 2003
I voted 'Yes, I like it'. I just got it in the mail today and my first impressions are mostly good. I LOVE the colours! Nice, rich, saturated blues, yellows, purples, oranges, tangerines....;) The faces etc are re-drawn, as they seem to be with all variants I've seen(Golden RWS, Illuminated and Universal by Hanson). I like the results, the facial expressions are interesting and subtle. The backs are lovely, a deep blue with small orange/yellow 8-pointed stars. The smell on my deck isn't that bad. It's not as nice as that of the Halloween deck, for instance, but it was very faint and seems to have faded already. It may have helped that I put a drop of madarin oil on the bag I put them in. I have one problem with the deck, however (as always....): the coating! It is incredibly slick and shiny. The cards don't stick together at all, but the deck looks very, very glossy and plasticy. In fact, I wonder if the deck IS made out of plastic? It does seem incredibly durable: water-proof, acid-proof, molten-lava-proof..... It put some talcum powder on them, which made them a little less slick and seemed to give the cards a bit more volume. The next couple of weeks, I'll just shuffle them as much as I can; hopefully, they'll get a bit more 'real' looking soon! I hope this isn't going to be US-Games' standard coating from now on. It's just way too shiny and artificial looking.

truthsayer	14 Oct 2003
i really like the deck a lot. one thing that stands out to me is the eyes. in the other rws decks, the eyes don't stand out that much but this one the whites of the eyes really catch my eye! ;) the eyes are the mirror of the soul. i like being able to look into the eyes of the people and animals b/c it gives me extra insights. i feel that this is a deck i will use.

oceanpoetry	15 Oct 2003
I am still waiting for this deck in the mail...I hope I like it, I know I really love the color scheme. But I am concerned about the lamination, that doesn't good. :(

WolfyJames	16 Oct 2003
Until now, I preferred the Universal Waite version of Rider-Waite for it's cold and vibrant colors. But I just saw a few scans of the Radiant Rider-Waite on TarotGarden and I was awe: the colors are even more saturated and the details are more evident than before. I'm going to toss the Universal Waite out of my wishlist and put the Radiant Rider-Waite instead.

raeanne	17 Oct 2003
Hi all, Well, I had to vote ‘no’. I haven’t seen the cards in person yet so I would have preferred to vote ‘no opinion’ but that wasn’t an option. I am basing my vote on the fact that I am very sensitive to bright colors, loud noises, strong smells, etc. Decks like the Inner Child are just too much and they can make me feel like I have ants crawling all over my body. Bad, bad, bad feeling! I will probably buy this deck just because I like Tarot, but from what I have seen online and from the comments of others, the colors are going to be too intense for me to be comfortable with.

angelwhispers	17 Oct 2003
I just picked my deck up today and have to say I really love the vivid colors of the deck. The backs are simple and I think pleasing to the eye. I don't like the smell but I'm sure it will fade quickly. The coating of the cards as Hedera pointed out is very glossy and slick and I had a hard time keeping the cards together while shuffling, hopefully after I get them broken in it won't be so bad.

matfav	17 Oct 2003
is it available in Australia yet ?????

Jen	18 Oct 2003
I'll probably be ordering this deck soon. I was wondering - when you all speak of the glossiness and lamintaion, is it like the Universal by Roberts? Or does the coating seem different than that? The Universal has that "ultra-durable" feel to me.

VGimlet	18 Oct 2003
I like them. Sometimes I like bold colors that pop. I'm sure I'll still get a lot of use out of my Universal, but I like this deck - it seems like a deck I might use when I want a shout, and not a whisper, lol. To me the cards feel even a little more plastic/sturdy than the Universal. I may be doing readings for a small get together soon, and if so, I think I will take this deck. It seems like it would survive if something got spilled on it. :D However, I do admit that Led Zepplin song is going through my head right now ("Tangerine, Tangerine.....")

oceanpoetry	22 Oct 2003
I really like it, the cards are smooth and shiny, so I don't know what they will be to work with. I may try putting a little cornstarch in my hands before I shuffle them. The pictures are vibrant and colorful, which I really like! I often use my cards for meditation and "spiritual reminders" - on my desk or altar space - and these will work fantastically for that! I am happy with the deck. (yes, they are extra-durable! I think it would be hard to wear this deck out, LOL)

Voodoo_Shaman	25 Oct 2003
I love this deck, and am very pleased with it. Although these cards are really shinny, and if you ever put the cards to the light, you will notice the white border sparkle, just a hint. The images are what seem to be redrawing, as I have compared it to the Universal Waite, and many of the Facial Expressions and landscapes have changed a tad, for the better. Like the Queen of Wands in the Universal looks like a drag Queen, in the Radiant it looks like a Woman. The cards are really slippery, and slide all over the place, which is a bit annoying, but with in time they will break in nicely. Hopefully. The smell, and feel of the cards reminds me of those DC Comics and Marvels Trading cards that usto be so popular. This deck is vibrant and feels really good, comfortable and familiar to those who love the RWT, and all it’s clones.

Emily	26 Oct 2003
I'm still on the shelf about this deck - I had it on order at Amazon then took it off again - I like bright decks but the scans I've seen of this, well it looks overbright - I have the Diamond tarot, now I know the Diamond is vibrant but if it was as large as the Radiant it would give me a headache to use so if the Radiant is as its name suggests then I don't think it would be for me. Also I like the muted colouring of the Universal Waite and also the Pocket Rider Waite. (Not buying anymore decks for a while (if ever) anyway lol - need to concentrate on just one the Morgan Greer) Edited to add:- I can see what Voodoo_Shaman means about the facial expressions, they are more refined than the Universal - just been looking at Tarotgarden, and must say those sample cards don't look as vibrant as some examples I've seen, maybe this deck will go back on the Christmas Wishlist afterall (looks around whispering so the Morgan Greer won't hear me :D )

Voodoo_Shaman	26 Oct 2003
Hi Emily, if you love the Morgan Greer, and trust me I love that deck more than all those New Age Junk coming out these days. Then trust me you will like the Radiant Rider. They are not a s Super-Centric-Vibrant, (??) As people are saying. Sure the colors are better, and compared to a regular Rider Waite, they are vibrant. But trust me the colors works. And it is not that LOUD color that gives headaches. But I am with you, and I am kinda out of the fad of collecting, every little Tarot that had legs. I started reading Tarot because my Mother and my Grandmother. They read with one deck of cards all there life. And it always amazed everyone when they always had their trusted companion fortune telling/divination tool with them. And here I was with about 18 different decks. And to be honest with you,, none of those decks feel as good, as my eldest deck. Anyway I am of the point, as I usually do. I am at the same point you are Emily, after receiving my Morgan Greer, and My Radiant Rider, I do not see the need to keep purchasing decks, just so they can go collect dust in a bookshelf. Hey maybe know I will have the money to save up and buy that 30 pound Crystal Ball!!! :-) Take care. Voodoo Shaman

Emily	26 Oct 2003
Hi Voodoo_Shaman, I have added this deck back onto my wishlist lol, I must admit I like decks that have nicely drawn faces and expressions and as much as I love the Universal Waite some of the facial expressions haven't been changed from the Rider Waite just coloured over. I think this is why I've took to the Morgan Greer so quickly, the faces are lovely. But I am going to use self-restraint :D and not order until I'm sure its a deck I'm going to use. (My bookshelf won't take anymore decks anyway lol )

Lee	04 Nov 2003
I just got this deck. It's well-colored, and the faces are drawn with skill, they actually have some character to them. I prefer this deck over the Rider-Waite or the Universal Waite. However, I was actually a little disappointed in the colors. They're rich, but I wouldn't call them "radiant" or "vibrant," at least not nearly as much as, say, the Inner Child deck. Many of the Radiant RW cards seem like they're taking place at dusk, the blue sky is deep, dark and rather muted, not what I would call "vibrant." There are only a few cards which use significantly different colors than the RW or Universal decks. I would have preferred some more originality in the colors. Still, when I want a RWS deck, I'll reach for this one. I agree about the smell. It's vile. I hope it goes away. -- Lee

Majecot	04 Nov 2003
I just bought this deck last night actually, so I haven't really examined them but I do like what I have seen so far. I only thumbed through them. Your right tho they do not have that new deck smell, but they do seem durable.

nocturnaldreamr	04 Nov 2003
they are pretty exciting. they are a little too stiff and "new".. but with some work.. i can make them worn in. i don't like the new, crisp feeling of new things. when my sketch book starting to fall apart i thought that was the greatest thing, while people told me to get another one. it takes work and time to make something new look well used and loved.

Logiatrix	06 Nov 2003
It's that whole "new" thing that lead me to vote NO. I just can't get past the shiny, glossy, plasticky feel of these cards. It's a texture thing, I guess. Be that as it may, I can still understand why they appeal to many (according to the poll, they appeal to MOST), and I actually DO lke the coloring and details unique to this deck. *sigh* Oh, well, another one for the trade bag... ;)

Emily	06 Nov 2003
I've just caved in and ordered this deck. I do like the colours and if they are not as vibrant and bright as I first thought then this deck should make as good a reading deck as my Universal and even if they do come bright, I'm sure my eyes will adjust lol As for the smell, I'm sure a couple of days in my incense bag will sort out any lingering smells. :)

Emily	12 Dec 2003
Well my Radiant Rider Waite came , after I had cancelled then re-ordered it. My first impressions are that its not as bright as I thought it was going to be. The cards were a little sticky when I first unwrapped the plastic and they actually stuck together but after the first couple of shufflings they were ok. The unpleasant smell also faded after the deck was opened. I can see what people mean about the laminate coating, its very thick - the cards once shuffled go very slippery. I do like this deck though, the colours are very nice and complement the cards. Its different from the Universal which is very pastel this is like acrylic paint, bright but without losing the detail on the cards, but I still don't think its actually 'radiant'. This could very well turn into my favourite Rider Waite version. But its still not as nice as the Morgan Greer but close. :)

firestorm	12 Dec 2003
I can't decide if I will buy this one or not. I like it, but I just bought the Universal a few weeks ago and I'd hate to buy another deck just to have it. The amassing of decks is getting real old. What to do......what to do.......

Lee	12 Dec 2003
IMHO, if you have the Universal, you don't need the Radiant, they're different but not that different. -- Lee

Thea Lynx	12 Dec 2003
Just got my Radiant this week and I love it. Colors are a big selling point with me - don't like harsh, garish types or overly bright. The colors on the Radiant are richer than the Universal and it does seem to add dimension to the pictures. Seems like I am seeing more detail in the Radiant than I ever did in the Universal, which was a big step up from the Rider. I also like the feel of the cards - very sturdy and a finish that stands up to shuffling very well. I have had probelms with both my Morgan Greer and New Century being too frail and starting to peel. (Since they are the only two decks out of all that I have that have done this, I don't think I'm being too rough with the cards.) I really is a shame because I like the Morgan Greer and the New Century very much. I'm having a year reading for 2004 done on 12/30 and I think I'll use my Radiant for it. Thea

firestorm	12 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Lee IMHO, if you have the Universal, you don't need the Radiant, they're different but not that different. -- Lee Thanks, Lee. I appreciate your input. I think I'll just stick with the Universal for now.

silverwitchi	13 Dec 2003
Hi everyone, I have the Radiant RWS on order and it's suppose to arrive around December 12th, I'll let you know what I think then. I'm not to happy about the discussion of the coating.I was so excited about this deck with the colors, and the brightness, The Rider Tarot deck is so bland and all the images seem faded. I sure hope I'm not disappointed. I'll see how it goes when I have them in my hot little hands.

WalesWoman	13 Dec 2003
I found a Radiant R-W a week ago and love it. I think the facial features are more expressive than in other R-W decks even though they are so similar it is hard to tell at first glance. There is depth and perspective to these cards also, they aren't flat. The colors are rich, not garish or loud, but nice. I think it's pretty slippery compared to Morgan-Greer, but they feel nice in my hands. I haven't had any problems with M-G peeling. There are things I'm noticing different with this deck that pictures I've seen of the others. In the seven of swords the man sneaking off with the swords has shadows under his feet, but I haven't seen them on other cards. It almost looks as if he is on a stage, with the tents and desert as a backdrop, rather than crossing a line. So it reminds me of a ballerina curtsy-bow after a performance, with a bouquet of swords instead of roses. I'm also wondering if the person with their back to us in the 3 of cups is a man or a woman, it's really ambiguous and I'd never noticed that in other decks, but then I haven't seen any other RWS other than in books or on line until now.

Emily	13 Dec 2003
Hi Silverwitchi, The coating maybe a little thick but these cards feel wonderful to shuffle. Its not an unattractive glaze just feels different. I think this deck may become a rival for the Universal, its probably a good job they are both released by US Games. The colours are not as radiant as the box suggests, just rich. I've just got both the Universal and the Radiant next to each other and there is more detail in the Radiant but it would be hard to say which of them I prefer, both are good versions of the Rider Waite and true to the original details of the RWS.

lark	13 Dec 2003
My clients have really taken a shine to the Radiant. I offer a choice of decks on my table usually five or so. In the past few weeks the Radiant has been picked 9 out of 10 times. My other decks are starting to get jealous! Thats ok though, it's easy to read, wonderful detail, and a dream to shuffle once you get the newness out of the cards. And no one has complained about the smell. Must be gone by now. And that incense I put in with it helped. I use a black crushed velvet throw with purple beads on the edge as a spread cloth. And they look stunning against the black fabric. Really captures the clients attention. Very nice deck. Very happy with it. :)

silverwitchi	13 Dec 2003
That makes me feel a lot better, I know I won't be disappointed with the colors since the Rider Deck is not to appealing to work with. Color and detail was what i was hoping for with The Radiant deck. I feel so much better now. Thanks emily

silverwitchi	16 Dec 2003
I got my Radiant RWS Deck yesterday. Yipee!!! The deck had no odor that I noticed. The glossy coating was not as bad as I thought. It is actually a nice change as compared to Rider-Waite Deck. I also love the bright colos, and the details. When yu compare the decks, it's a big difference. I can see their eyes and facial expressions Does any one know of a good book to go along with The Radiant RWS? I have The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, but it isn't much help and Tarot made Easy it's okay. I was wondering if there was a better book? Thanks for listening I really think me and The Radiant RWS are going to like each others company.

WalesWoman	16 Dec 2003
Silverwitchi, Almost any RWS based book will work, you already know how stuck I am on Rachel Pollack and Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom, but there are tons and tons of books out there. Juliet Sharman-Burke, the Complete Book of Tarot, is ok but only has upright meanings, nothing negative what so ever, which is nice I suppose for not freaking yourself out when first learning how to read Tarot, but sort of limiting. Learn Tarot by Joan Bunning, I don't have the book, but I do look at the web site and the DM's here at Aeclectic are good resources too. Go down and check out the RWS study group, there is a lot of discussion about the symbology that has really helped me a lot and look at the symbols and meanings of the cards with a new light. Glad you got your cards and weren't disappointed.

Tarot Sparrow	17 Dec 2003
I'm not a big RWS fan, but I am pleased with this deck. I don't have it yet, but I plan to get it. No collection seems complete without a Rider-Waite, so I'm glad they've published a version that I can actually be drawn to. I don't find the colours too bright at all--they're just right. This deck takes the original and beautifies it. I like that.

silverwitchi	17 Dec 2003
Yes I know how much you like Rachel Pollack and Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom, I will check out RWS study group, I've been there before, but with the Radiant Deck i hope I can look at the cards in a new light. I was well pleased with my cards, I enjoy the facial expressions, it's like you can see what they really mean. It gives you a whole new perspective with the RWS cards. Thanks for your help.

Jimilyn	18 Dec 2003
I had ordered this deck and was looking forward to it. I do like the RWS deck a great deal, and was eager to use one that was a bit more "zippy". ;) I looked at the cards online and decided that this deck would be a great candidate. However, when I got the cards, I was heartily disappointed. Many of the things that most of you site as positive features in this deck, are the negative features to me. I wasn't moved one way or the other by the colors in this deck. They're OK, but not worth a whole new deck...at least to me. I also was totally turned off by the different facial features given to the people in the cards. There were some "old friends" in the deck that seem to have gone and had plastic surgery without telling me. They don't look right and give off a different feeling to me. I have used my RWS since I started learning tarot 2 1/2 years ago. I have come to depend on looking at what is there in the artwork to interpret the spreads. The Radiant just isn't going to give me what I need. It's like looking at a bunch of people who say one thing and mean another. :( The smell didn't bother me; the slickness didn't bother me. But I just couldn't resonate with the redrawings. I still have this deck...for the time being. I'm not quite sure what I'll end up doing with it. But I sincerely doubt that I'll do any reading, studying, or meditating with it. As far as RW decks go, I'll stick with my regular RWS, my Diamond, or my small Universal. I love all of those and can relate easily to them. Jimilyn

Aure	25 Feb 2004
I got the deck today and I like it! The coating doesn't bother me, the cards actually feel like I'm not afraid to use them! Usually I treat my cards very gently and I'm worried I might wear them out soon but these seem really sturdy! At first they stuck together when I removed the plastic wrap and didn't shuffle well, but I guess they'll shuffle better once I break them in. I had trouble trying to wrap them inside a silk scarf 8they are inside a silk bag), since the scarf seemed to slip off. I'm not going to keep them in the box though since it looked like it will wear off easily. Nice deck, hope it will turn out to be a trustworthy friend I can always rely on!

Centaur	25 Feb 2004
Correct me if i'm wrong, because I do not actually own this deck... but it looks like the Universal-Waite, just a wee bit more colourful (and not by much!). Thoughts? C

Lee	25 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Centaur Correct me if i'm wrong, because I do not actually own this deck... but it looks like the Universal-Waite, just a wee bit more colourful (and not by much!). I think this is true. The Universal is done with colored pencil and so has a more airy, lighter feel, while the Radiant looks like it was done with paint, and the colors are bolder. Also, I think the Radiant artist felt a bit more free to change some of the colors than the Universal, which is very faithful to the RWS colors. If you own the Universal and are happy with it, I wouldn't say the Radiant is a necessary purchase. I like it 'cause I like nice bright colors. -- Lee

Centaur	25 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Lee I think this is true. The Universal is done with colored pencil and so has a more airy, lighter feel, while the Radiant looks like it was done with paint, and the colors are bolder. Also, I think the Radiant artist felt a bit more free to change some of the colors than the Universal, which is very faithful to the RWS colors. If you own the Universal and are happy with it, I wouldn't say the Radiant is a necessary purchase. I like it 'cause I like nice bright colors. -- Lee I see. When I saw the Radiant, I thought it looked a little deeper in colour than in the Universal. I am colour-deficient so have difficulty distinguishing various shades so perhaps this explains why I see very little difference. I will stick to my Universal, unless someone wants to donate the Radiant in my direction. LOL. C

The 78th Fool	17 Aug 2004
I love this deck and where it really scores over the Universal for me is in the colour reproduction. Present editions of the Universal are really abysmal in terms of doing justice to Mary Hanson Robert's re - coloured images. I picked up a copy of Jane Lyle's 'Tarot for Life and Love' recently, which is wholly illustrated by the Universal Waite. I was really shocked to see just how rich and colourful the images were in comparison to the washed out appearance of my deck. I've seen the images elsewhere since, especially on the Quick and Easy Tarot and the same applies. I hear the new pocket edition rectifies this problem, but the sooner US Games sort out a new set of print plates for the regular deck the better ! The Radiant by contrast is really rich and has great depth. I think it was Lee who said that there's a dusky quality to a lot of the images and I agree with this. The colours are almost mouthwatering - I think this deck is a real success. Chris. xx PS. Have edited to include attachment of scans - someone asked much earlier in the thread. Attachment below

The 78th Fool	17 Aug 2004
Radiant RW attachment - 3majors, 1 court, 1 ace, 1 minor. Chris. xx

The Radiant RWS--First Impressions. thread was originally posted on 10 Oct 2003 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.