Radiant vs Illuminated

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 28 Nov 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Kissa	28 Nov 2003
Ok, Xmas is coming and you know how it is, I HAVE to put a tarot deck on my list to Santa ;-) ... I was wondering: is the Radiant a cheap version of the Illuminated tarot by Carol Herzer ? Here's the aeclectic link for the Illuminated: http://www.aeclectic.net/illuminated/index.html and Tarot Passages for the Radiant: http://www.tarotpassages.com/radiant-mmc.htm Thanks very much for your opinions! Kissa

Lee	28 Nov 2003
Hi, Kissa -- Both the Radiant and the Illuminated are based on the RWS, but the resemblance ends there. They are really two very different animals. The Radiant is basically a recolorizing, and is otherwise very faithful to the RWS, and is actually very similar to the Universal Waite by Hanson-Roberts, except the colors are a little bolder, rather than Hanson-Roberts's soft colored pencils. The Illuminated are paintings which, while based on the RWS, are very different. The figures and faces don't have quite as much detail as the RWS, and the backgrounds and skies in the Illuminated are composed of abstract swirls of color and light which give the deck a completely unique feeling. These cosmic swirls seem to act as a spiritual commentary and counterpoint to the familiar RWS images, and result in a deck which is deeply contemplative. I would say go with the Radiant if you want a straightforward, colorful RWS deck. If you want something more, something deeper and more spiritual, but still maintaining the RWS content, then you might prefer the Illuminated. Of course there is a vast difference in price. The Radiant is available at standard US Games deck prices, while the Illuminated decks are each handcrafted by the deck's artist, Carol Herzer, to order, and you can have your choice of various sizes, backing color and pattern, and deck bag pattern. In case you haven't seen it, here is an excellent review of the Illuminated, by Paula Gibby: http://www.tarotpassages.com/illum-pg.htm -- Lee

Moonbow*	28 Nov 2003
Going off subject for a moment Question for Lee - or anyone who can help I would like a RW deck. I have looked at images on the net and I think I like either the Universal or Albano. Lee, I would very much like your opinion of these or any other RW decks. Moonbow*

Lee	28 Nov 2003
Hi Moonbow*, between the Universal and the Albano, it's really simply a matter of which coloring appeals to you more. The Universal is faithful in its color scheme to the original Rider-Waite-Smith deck, and the Albano uses the same drawings but completely original colors. The only reason I can think of to pick one over the other, besides what's esthetically pleasing to you, is if you prefer to have something more faithful to what the original deck looked like color-wise. I find that the Universal colors have more depth to them, because differing shades of similar colors are used in each colored area. There's also more of a feeling of light in the Universal. The Albano is more bold and dramatic and dark. They're both fairly inexpensive. If it were me, I'd get them both... :) -- Lee

Moonbow*	28 Nov 2003
Thanks Lee, I do value your opinion. They're both on my christmas list, so who knows maybe I will get them both. I'm angling towards the Universal Waite I think. Sorry to go on a private detour Kissa - back to you Moonbow*

Voodoo_Shaman	28 Nov 2003
The Illuminated Tarot is nice in a psychedelic way, would distract me and give me a headache. I am faithful and really love my Radiant Rider. Before the Radiant it was the Universal Rider, but know its all about the Radiant. Just wish that strong dog gone smell of them would go away.

lark	29 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Kissa Ok, Xmas is coming and you know how it is, I HAVE to put a tarot deck on my list to Santa ;-) ... I was wondering: is the Radiant a cheap version of the Illuminated tarot by Carol Herzer ? Here's the aeclectic link for the Illuminated: http://www.aeclectic.net/illuminated/index.html and Tarot Passages for the Radiant: http://www.tarotpassages.com/radiant-mmc.htm Thanks very much for your opinions! Kissa Kissa, I emailed Carol and she was kind enough to send me 2 sample cards of her Illuminated Tarot.

Le_Corsair	29 Nov 2003
From what I've read in threads in the past, the Illuminated Tarot is a complete package, with a deck of cards and a custom-made bag to hold it. It apparently comes in three sizes, and you have your choice of backs, and even a choice of the titles shown on the cards. I've heard mostly good about the package, and will probably break down and buy a set myself sometime in the future. Bob :THERM:

The Radiant vs Illuminated thread was originally posted on 28 Nov 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.