The Cosmic Tribe Tarot

Rating:
Summary: This has become my favorite deck.
Review: I enjoy collecting Tarot decks and happened on this by accident. . .I'd surfed onto a wicca web page and it was the featured deck of the week or something. I bought it with no great expectation--I just thought the "Techno Pagan" theme was different than any of the themes in my collection. My first impression of the Cosmic Tribe was that the colors are extremely vibrant and beautiful, and that the art is simply phenomenal and unique. Very psychedelic. My reaction to the nudity and the use of photographs of real people was mixed. I don't mind the nudity, but at first the use of real people as opposed to drawn or painted people sort put me off. Initially this technique seemed to make the images less archtypal and more personal. Ultimately though, it's this very personalization of the deck that lends it much of its charm and power. Postman's selection of models are so apt for each particular card that they bring to life the meaning and personality of the cards in a way I've not experienced with any other decks. I'm a typical media influenced American male with certain preconceived notions of physical beauty, but despite this, Postmans choice of setting, use of light and color and choice of models makes the whole gamut of body shapes beautiful--I don't think I've ever so appreciated the nude human form. The inclusion of three Lover's cards--gay,lesbian, and hetero is a big plus. Judging on aesthetics alone, this deck is a must have--it must be seen to be appreciated. It is so beautiful you can be lost in it for hours. Above and beyond the superficial though, this deck's symbolism is so apt, so meaningful, so instantly intuitive that it has become my favorite for actual use in readings. It is very similar to Crowley's Thoth deck, but with more relevant and modern symbolism. Postman's deck is both deep AND easy to use. My only criticism is that the accompanying book is some what of the fluffy new-age self help feel good type, as opposed to Crowley's more scholarly "Book of Thoth". However, as far as fluffy new-age tarot books go, its actually pretty good, and anyway, there is nothing wrong with the occasionally fluffy sap in one's life. In the books favor, it does offer some interesting ideas for readings and meditations. All in all, this is a must have deck.

Rating:
Summary: The Treasure is The Cards
Review: Personally, I really enjoy this deck. The colors are bright, the images are interesting and very evokotive. Some images are surreal, some psychodelic, some simply beautiful. In my eye, a few of these cards are downright breath taking! That said, it's also one of the most nude decks I've ever seen. This didn't bother me, but there are certain people I'd never read for using this deck, and anyone who is skittish or particular about the nudity they find acceptable should definitely avoid this deck! Like many (if not most) tarot decks, it appears as though a little more thought went into the design of the major arcana cards than some of the minor cards, however the minor cards are far from cookie-cutter or bland! A good portion of them are just as rich as the major cards, though not all. In general, they are more pips than scene cards, though I would say some have enough imagery on them that I think they would be best described as somewhere between a pip card and a scene card. As for the book that comes along with this deck, in my opinion, it's not as valuable as the cards themselves. I would prefer more substance to the information provided, and for that reason, I also would not recommend this deck to beginners. Something like the Rider Waite or the Instant Tarot Reader would be a better choice for the novice. The book does have enough information to make this a completely usuable system for those with some experience though. And to be fair, the book does have some information I found quite worthwhile, including a few unique spreads and a couple suggestions for theraputic and meditative use of the cards. If I could rate the book and the deck separately, I would give the deck 5 stars and the book would get 3.

Rating:
Summary: All prudes and repressed look elsewhere
Review: This is the most beautiful tarot deck I've ever seen. The photo collages and art are exquisite. The models are all real and beautiful in natural bodies of all shapes and sizes. The 10 of disks embodies all that is wonderful and orgasmic about living fully in your natural body as a woman in a patriarchal, sexist, ageist, and plastic obssessed society. Complementing Rob Brezsney's Televisionary Oracle novel perfectly, this composite of images, symbols, and the human form has something for anyone interested in creating a progressive vision for the planet that does not involve those who only see the surface of things. Thank you Stevee for your vision.