Celtictarot
Thank you very much for posting the video link! I believe the author of the video is the same person who also did the video on the differences of the Oracle of Shadows and Light?
I'm so happy that I've got the Australian version on the way. For example, I didn't know about the card backs of the US version before this video. I think they're okay (winged frogs, why not), but they simply don't fit in with the energy of the deck.
For some reason, a lot of the new US cards seem to have girls with rather broad faces, probably to make them look cuter, whereas the Australian version looks more natural to me - see the Golden Phoenix, for example, or The Delicate Faery And Her Ferret(s). The author of the video says that she feels that the US version is more coherent in terms of artwork, but I disagree. For me, not all, but several of the changed cards really stick out. And although I'm happy with my version of the Oracle of Shadows and Light, I'm still struggling with some of the cards that were changed. And it's a pity that they took the darker cards out of the deck.
And another good reason for the Australian version: I don't care about the increased animal variety, I want more wolves and phoenixes!
Yeah it is the exact same person for the difference with the Shadows and light oracle.
I agree with you with the backs of the US deck, it just doesn't seem to sit right. I prefer the art of the Oz deck as pat and parcel of "Shapeshifting" is that it is slightly more darker when you take in account warewolves. I have a person animal totem of the wolf, so this deck was right up my street. I am so glad I got the Australian versions of both decks.
Also I am noticing that with the US deck of shapeshifters, whereas the border is smaller on that deck, you can see it on the backs. Plus it doesn't suit the energy of the deck's purpose to deal with the more darker aspects of life, which to me is the deck's charm!
