Review: The Transparent Tarot 2nd Edition

The Transparent Tarot 2nd Edition

Author: Emily Carding

Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing, 2020

Description: 78 Card Deck, 304 page companion book, Schiffer signature box with magnetic closure lid.

I'm very excited to have this deck. I own the original, but this second edition has so many improvements.

The new packaging is so much better. The original came in a big bulky box that didn't fit into my collection. Now it's in one of Schiffer's signature boxes with the magnetic closing lid.

The dull cloth has been replaced with a shiny layout cloth. The cards no longer stick together as in the original. And the companion book has added material. There's a new chapter on combining this deck with other decks and a new keyword table for quick reference. 

With all the improvements, I would definitely seek out the 2nd edition over the original.

Of course, if this is your first look at the Transparent Tarot, you may be wondering what this deck actually has to offer over other Tarot decks. This is a very unique deck that allows for layering your reading.

As single cards, the images are relatively simple. The Fool features a butterfly and a small white rose. Why a butterfly as the main feature of this card? The author says, "The butterfly and its incredible journey from caterpillar to chrysalis to winged beauty are a powerful symbol of transformation, and it is that potential for transformation that the Fool represents."

A look at some card combinations shows the complexity of this deck as a whole.

The layering of these four cards shows a very active creative project from the burst of ignition all the way to the final steps of creation. You have a team working toward the completion of this project.  

This layering shows a time of mental anguish. The fears and negativities of the situation is mostly in your head, but as the Ace of Swords slices through those fears, leaving you with the reality of the moment, you feel like the whole situation was a waste of time. Although this may seem dark, with every end, there is a new beginning. Getting through this moment is in itself an achievement.

I recommend this deck to anyone who wants to go a little deeper into the Tarot. The layering effect is sure to bring you a better understanding of the individual cards and more clarity to your overall readings.

Grab your copy from Red Feather/Schiffer Publishing.

(Review Product supplied by Schiffer Publishing)

See other posts on the original deck for more card images and thoughts on this amazing deck.

Review: The Transparent Tarot (originally published on The Examiner)

The Transparent Tarot by Emily Carding (a sample reading)

Do You Dare Succeed? (a sample reading)

Review: The Transparent Tarot

The Transparent Tarot is an original, unique deck with a new approach to the tarot. The deck follows the basis Rider-Waite system, yet brings to life a new understanding and a new view of tarot reading. 

Hesitant to obtain this deck when it first came out, my only regret is that I waited so long. The deck is truly amazing and will open your intuition and creativity to new levels. 

The cards are made of a sturdy plastic. At first, I thought I would have trouble, for they wanted to stick together. The simple solution was to flip through the cards one by one and mix them up extensively.  

The images are simple and are made for layering and overlapping. But, you can really use these cards in many different positions - creating collages and stories, sure to be different with every reading.

A companion book is included. Emily Carding covers the uses and meanings of the cards. She also emphasizes on making this deck your own, follow your intuition rather than the meanings in the book. What she gives you in this wonderful book is meant to be a jump off point for you to grow from.

A thick white cloth is also included and needed. The white background allows for the images to be easily displayed and enjoyed.  

I’d recommend this deck to just about anyone. From beginner to expert, you will find something wonderful within these cards. 

Originally published on the Examiner, October 2012

Do You Dare Succeed?

In 2012, I published both a review and a sample reading of The Transparent Tarot by Emily Carding. Since then, I haven’t used this deck much. As I contemplated what to do for this week’s posting, the deck caught my attention.

The Transparent Tarot, based on the Rider-Waite tradition, takes the reader to a new level, beyond the basic Tarot. When you combine these cards, building layer upon layer, you ultimately create a new picture all together. Within these cards is your own personal oracle deck. 

I decided to go with one of the suggested layouts in the companion book. This is a three card reading--the gift, challenge, and goal of the day. You are to pull three cards for each position. I've pulled the cards for the week, rather than one day. 

As in the past, the cards present a clear, insightful reading.

The Gift – 7 Chariot, 14 Temperance, 3 of Swords

In the 3 of Swords, a man prepares for a self-sacrifice—a mental sacrifice, a letting go of old thoughts and beliefs. Above him, The Temperance rainbow shows the blending of two elements and the opposing figures of the horses of The Chariot. The shift of mental clarity, opposing and blending, weighs upon him. The only way to survive is to adjust and surrender to the change taking place.

The Gift for the week is the ability to let go of the old ways of thinking and allow new thoughts, actions, and emotions into play—the gift is CHANGE.

The Challenge – 17 Star, 6 of Cups, 8 of Cups

The Star explodes with the light of hope and creativity. (6 of Cups)The older-self hands off the past, giving it back to the earlier version of self. As she does so, she reviews the memories, taking a moment to keep a precious few. (8 of Cups)Freed of the past, she climbs toward the sun, her future, and her success.

The Challenge for the week is to release the past and move toward the future. There’s a certain fear of moving forward, of finding success, of having such hope as represented by the Star and its exploding energies. Sometimes it’s easier to stay where you are. The challenge is MOVING FORWARD.

The Goal – 3 Empress, 6 of Wands, 21 World

(Empress)Surrounded by the wonders of nature, (6 of Wands)the man takes a victory stance. He followed his journey and achieved success. The swirl of the World represents the achievement and the new cycle of activity to follow such success.

The Goal of the week is not only to achieve success but accept it, review it, be it. Sometimes we find the day when we actually reach our goal, but instead of celebrating, we quickly turn to the next goal. Taking the time to be a success is just as important as the actual doing. The goal is SUCCESS.

Affirmations:

• I am willing and able to change. Like a butterfly, I shed the old cocoon and embrace my new wings.
• I release my past and step toward the light of my future.
• I recognize and celebrate my achievements.

The Transparent Tarot by Emily Carding

The Transparent Tarot
by Emily Carding

The Transparent Tarot is an original, unique deck with a new approach to the tarot. The deck follows the basis Rider-Waite system, yet brings to life a new understanding and a new view of tarot reading.

Read my complete review, previously published on the Examiner.

To give you an idea of what the cards look like and a view of a quick reading, here is a one card reading for the week. Now, with the Transparent Tarot, this is actually three cards layered to produce one.

Wow! Three Major Arcana cards - should be an interesting week. Below you see the image created by three cards layered - 6 Lovers, 2 High Priestess, 0 Fool. 

Notice how the images intertwine with each other. So, what do we see? The rose captures my attention. The heart flows up from it. In the center of the card, we see a butterfly, the Yin and Yang symbol, a sliver of moon. The open book also draws special attention. So we have a display of symbolism here.

The rose - growth, the heart - love, yin and yang - coming together, butterfly - growth, moon - the unknown. Without even considering the meanings of the tarot card, the symbolism creates its own message.

This week will be about growing, a loving union, and surprises.

Now let's look at the cards. The Lovers - a new relationship or finding balance through choice, The High Priestess - listening to your intuition, and the fool - taking a leap of faith.

Message - There will be a choice to make, listen to your intuition and don't hesitate to move forward.

Another way to look at the cards is through story mode. Below, you will see the cards spread apart, yet connected.

Notice how the yin and yang symbol touches the moon. The choice to be made will have everything to do with my intuition. Perhaps the choice will only be available on a higher level, rather than a physical one. This will be a personal, internal choice, not a action choice. The results will be the freedom to jump with no restraints.

Hope you enjoyed this preview of The Transparent Tarot. It is a deck which grabs both your creative mind and your intuitive mind.