Tarot of Transformation - Help

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Jan 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Star Spirit	10 Jan 2004
Hey all. Yeah that's right I'm already strongly thinking of buying another tarot deck. This one speaks to me, quite loudly actually. I searched for threads on it and found two, both very similar. Many people seem to not like this deck because it is "feminist", so to say. But it's not something I'll be focussing on and will look at it from an artist's point of view. I have also found that people find the card meanings to be very different from traditional tarot and find it to be difficult to use for normal readings. I love it so much though that I'm just going to use my own meanings, for the most part. The only dilemma I'm really having is with the card stock. There seems to be something fishy going on here. Some reviews I have read on the deck state that the card stock is very thin and poor quality, someone stated that their deck even had jagged edges and they returned it! Other reviewers totally disagree with this, and state that the cards are printed on excellent card stock! So I'm confused, and wondering what is going on. I've been finding an equal number of both kinds of reviews, perhaps more votes for the good quality. But I find it odd and am wondering if there were not two editions of this deck released, if at first the card stock was so terrible that they re-released the deck on better card stock. Because this doesn't make any sense to me. If anyone has any information on this, please let me know. And if anyone who owns the deck can give me the card dimensions, it would help me out a lot (I need to make a bag)! I've read that they are large. Thanks!

Lee	10 Jan 2004
Hi Dead Star, I had this deck and traded it away fast as lightning to truthsayer. All I can tell you is the cards seemed very thin to me, especially given the rather high price of the set. -- Lee

Strange2	10 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Dead Star Some reviews I have read on the deck state that the card stock is very thin and poor quality, someone stated that their deck even had jagged edges and they returned it! And if anyone who owns the deck can give me the card dimensions, it would help me out a lot (I need to make a bag)! I've read that they are large. The Transformation deck I have does have thin stock, and could be bent pretty easily if you were not careful in handling or shuffling them. The edges were smooth. I do not know if a second printing was made on more durable stock. So I use this deck as a comparative deck, first performing a reading from a primary deck, then pulling the same cards from Transformation for additional insights. The artwork on many of the cards is very spiritual and cosmic. The size of the cards are 5 1/4 x 3 1/2 (inches), or 133 x 89 (millimeters). Hope this helps...

EarthAngel2911	10 Jan 2004
I do have this deck, and I think the images are absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately, it hasn't gotten high enough on the list of "decks to get to know." Too many decks, not enough hours in the day! (One of these days I'll stop buying so that I can actually look at the ones I have! :) ) The deck definitely does not have traditional tarot meanings. It almost seems like a deck that you would use specifically for self development. I don't think I would use this deck for readings for others, unless it was specifically for that purpose. As far as card stock goes, the cards themselves seem very nice, glossy but not too slippery. Mine don't have ragged edges at all. However, they are incredibly thin! That was the first thing I noticed when I took them out of the box. If not for the thinness, this would be excellent card stock. The dimensions are 3 1/2 x 5 1/4 inches. In metric, 8.9 x 13.2 cm. My style of shuffling is a poker-riffle, and they riffle very well. They are a little larger than is comfortable for my small hands, but because they're so thin, they're flexible and they bend enough so that I can riffle them easily. However, I don't know how durable they'll be in the long run, as I haven't used them a lot. It does seem that if you're not careful you could bend them. Well, I hope this helps. Good luck with your decision! Blessings, Karen

Star Spirit	10 Jan 2004
Thank you for the dimensions guys... Doesn't anyone have these cards on good quality cardstock?? :( I was hoping someone could tell me about that, some of the reviews say it's great. I'm e-mailing the artist so maybe that will help..

Star Spirit	10 Jan 2004
I got my reply already: "There is only one deck out. In my opinion, it is not a strong card stock, but obviously many find it passable. All I can say is that it's a deck I am careful with (but then I wouldn't be rough with any set of cards). I do think it has something powerful to offer and hope that if you buy it, you find it a good ally. Best of luck, Jasmin" I suppose some people find it better than others do. I'm a little weary but still considering! Because I think it's beautiful.

Lee	10 Jan 2004
I know that to some people things like card stock, card size, coating, etc. is very important. Personally I feel that if you think you would like the deck because of the images on the cards, then you should buy it. You can always get used to card stock, etc., but it's not so easy to find a deck whose images you really like. -- Lee

Nevada	10 Jan 2004
Dead Star, I too love the Tarot of Transformation and have it on my wish list. There's a lot to be said for images that attract you. One way I determine whether I should acquire something is if I notice that I continue to repeatedly feel drawn to it no matter how many times I see it. (I've found some of my favorite clothes and cards this way. ;) ) Everytime I look at images of this deck I feel drawn to it, in fact it takes my breath away; so it remains high on my wish list. I have one deck that is printed on thin stock, and while it worried me at first, it doesn't show that much wear after quite a bit of use. If you tend to take good care of your cards, IMO you shouldn't let the thin card stock hold you back. Nevada

Star Spirit	11 Jan 2004
Thanks guys :D

Namaste	31 Mar 2004
I just bought my deck this past Saturday, and although it was very expensive, I rather like the fact that the cards are not on thick card stock. They are pliable, but coated on both sides. What can I say? I have enjoyed touching them. I am always very careful with all of my cards and the images on these are so beautiful that I think this deck is worth the having at any cost. :)

dolphingirl	31 Mar 2004
I special ordered this deck at my local bookstore and it took a bit to get there. When I took it home I opened it up and a couple of the cards were bent (the card stock is really thin, nice coating but kind if like plastic coated laser paper). Well I emailed the company and explained my problem and offered to sent them the defective cards back if I could just get the two cards I needed. Well they told me that they wouldn't and to take the deck back to the store as they wouldn't do anything. For $40 I really expected more. I will never buy another deck by this company again that is for sure. The images are really lovely but even if my deck has been complete I don't think this is a deck I could shuffle every day without fear of bending the cards to he** and back.

dolphinprincess	31 Mar 2004
I was one of the people who returned the deck... Card stock just happens to be my "pet peeve"... and everytime I used the deck, that was all I could think about.. . It was a real shame bc I LOVED the artwork. On hindsight, I could have just had the deck relaminated.. maybe in the future, that could be an option.. But I find it really awful that a company would charge $40 for a set and then do such a shoddy job publishing it. I can't see spending that much only to shell out more to re-laminate... I feel badly for the artist / author.. They deserved better of their time / talent!

Star Spirit	01 Apr 2004
Thanks for reviving my old thread guys-- Namaste, I'm glad you like it, and I agree with you. Dolphingirl, I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with the company! Personally I was lucky--the deck shipped fast and intact, the cardstock doesn't bother me at all really, and I'm completely happy with this deck. I love it, I'm very glad I went for it and I have no regrets whatsoever. I don't even mind shuffling them sideways :D

The Tarot of Transformation - Help thread was originally posted on 10 Jan 2004 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.