Ring Cycle Tarot by Allegra Printz

I will admit the two-tone border was a bit distracting at first, but after focusing on the intricacy of the images, I didn't notice the borders as much. I can see how it might really stick with some and be a deal breaker - it seems more prominent when you fan the deck (IMO) than when cards are laid out. One *could* possibly trim all the way past the lines of the inner border, but would lose titles and the edge of parts of the images.

This deck is also a bit removed from traditional RWS imagery, and would require a good understanding of the storyline, a thorough reading of the accompanying book, or intuitive-only reading. The book has B/W photos of each card, a description of the background and characters in the card, and divinatory meanings (reversed also).

I have some more photos, I think my favorite of all is the Devil

http://i.imgur.com/XBK8VnJ.jpg (flash)

A few other majors laid out, then some fanned:

http://i.imgur.com/x2JmApG.jpg (flash)
http://i.imgur.com/g02tAux.jpg (no flash)

There is predominantly a sepia tone to the cards, but splashes of brighter color grace some cards:

http://i.imgur.com/nUpm3GQ.jpg (no flash)

Same characters make up numerous cards, depending on their role. Such as Siegfried as three of the pages:

http://i.imgur.com/RQ3b3S7.jpg (flash)

Aces:

http://i.imgur.com/q0imDZO.jpg (flash)

ETA: A few more cards, and the back, which I think much prettier than the inner border.

http://i.imgur.com/vIOR2gD.jpg (flash)

A million thanks for posting these and for your comments on the borders. I'm still on the fence, but it really helps to have a sense of what they are like!

Thank you SO much for these pictures. I'm even more in love. This looks to be such a meaty deck and removed enough from the RWS to excite my thinking.

There is something about the images that sort of veers into abstract. There is the action and then a partial abstraction, clouds, water, mistiness. It looks like it will get my intuitive juices flowing.

I LOVE that Devil card - the most desired, the things we lust after and revere.

Interesting that repeated use of the same character. I remember once in a reading a Knight and Page appeared as the same person (someone's ex) - at different stages. that is what it reminded me of. Siegfried goes through many transformations and I like how he reappears. That might be a deal breaker for some - as might the two tone edges. I really appreciate your posting these - it allows me to get more of a sense of the deck before it arrives.

I do get the feeling that it is quite a cerebral deck. It feels almost like another system, although I do recognise the changed suits, I think.

thank you Phenix, much appreciated!

Glad to help!

Haven't had the time to read with it yet, I think I want to get down and dirty with the companion book first for this one, which has a wealth of information. The author even states "I have made some card choices that are admittedly puzzling at first glance", lol.

For those of you who have it, I'd like to ask for your impressions of the box/packaging. I received mine today, and before I opened the mailer I could hear rattling around inside, suggesting that the cards were loose and sloshing all about. This proved to be the case. As far as I can surmise, the cards were "contained" under a long, rectangular covering of cardboard--not within it, under it. The cards themselves had no shrinkwrapping or any kind of binding to keep them together. The box itself appears to be 3 inches wider than it needs to be. That is, there are 3 inches of completely empty space inside the box. That's why the rectangular cardboard covering for the cards has so much room to move around.

Having said all this, the cards appeared unharmed. Same with the book, which was similarly able to slide around inside the box. So I'm grateful for that, but still--I can't fathom the thinking that went into the design of this product. I have other Schiffer products, and none of them is as poorly designed as this one. Did I get a lemon, or does anyone have similar experiences?

they probably took their box making class from Llewellyn

there is an even worse one, the book back is part of the box

Mine arrive today. Cards totally fine. No rattling around. Cards were secured by a little plastic slip. Everything perfectly slotted in place within the box. Will post more impressions later. It's a beautiful deck - dense and richly symbolic. Will require a lot of familiarity with the Myths and libretto. Study required, but I relish that. Posting on my phone so no time for more but I'm impressed. Definitely NOT your standard high-gloss and stuff Schiffer stock. I really like it!