Talula...really lovely review, thank you! There are a few things I wanted to share that you might find interesting. First is Kim's book...the original text is almost 500 pages of Kim's brilliant insight, in order to keep the deck "affordable" for as many people as possible, we had to scale the companion book back "Drastically", hence the value of the ebook (which is now available in paper back). You mentioned Kim's Tarot 101, one of my favorite texts of all time, well the "Complete Guide to Tarot Illuminati" is just stuffed with the same Brilliant Insights Kim is so well known for. Also...you referenced the deck as an "RWS Knockoff"...a term I at first I took great aversion to...not so much anymore...I learned with the RWS and see it and Pamela Coleman Smith as very inspirational and truly classic. So my work is not meant to be a reproduction of RWS...but a tribute to it as a revered ancestor, pulled from the same "DNA" pool if you will. I do so very much appreciate your "thoughtful", "well rounded" and above all "Honest" approach to reviewing my work...Its refreshing to see a review where the reviewer really spent some time with the work before posting their opinions...THANK YOU! FYI...Kim and I are currently working on our second deck, which I believe you will be pleased to hear is quite far removed from the RWS in terms of Symbolism...quite original in fact pulling from ancient wisdoms from around the world...your going to love the Hierophant! Thanks Again! Erik
Thank you so much for replying Erik. I am very honored you took the time and space to watch this review. I love this deck of yours, I truly do, as months go by I grow closer and closer to her. RWS knockoff was an inappropriate term, one which I will correct. My viewers know how much I honor RWS decks but struggle with some of the symbology and dogma. Although I am truly grateful for Pamela Coleman Smith's use of color as an intuitive reader as I too learned with the original RWS deck. I am beyond thrilled and excited for the second deck from both you and Kim, and am so very ready to sink my teeth into it. I can tell you that I keep growing with Tarot Illuminati in new and provoking ways (to me, this is the mark of a deck that will be with you for life and prove to be a classic among aficionados) and for my clients, it proves to be a favorite again and again, as well. I am also purchasing the ebook as well, and am clearer now on why you both made the decision to offer it this way. I am looking forward to a Hierophant I can truly adore!! Thank you for creating a deck that is truly unique and timeless. -Raecine Ardis
Erik C Dunne ...hello....i just bought dis illuminati tarot kit frm Amazon...it was like love at first sight... but sadly sight isn't always enough for making rite decisions...n I m really feeling soon disappointed wid cards manufacturing inefficiency coz may b due dat gold gilded edges or material used in cards itself is nt up to d mark...its edges becomes so sticky n cards also get stick wid each other so badly dat it doesn't shuffle well...like it's really irritating dat cards r completely so non slippery....it has to b slippery to an extent so it can b shuffled well...i m so confused dat shud I return dis deck cuz I really love d imagery....
I got this deck 3 days ago. The images are very colorful and stunning. But I am not really into this deck. Maybe because it s new to me. I just used to Secret tarot. Now I have to learn more to have interpretion of this deck
I am not a reader, but I absolutely love the artwork on this deck, so I had to buy it. I was also “bitten” by the manufacturing flaws in the first issues, e.g. the gilding was sticky on all of them, etc., and I received refund(s) since all of them were bad. I waited until now to re-purchase the deck (the second re-printing) and I received one that I think is reasonably acceptable.
I think Kim and Erik would have loved to put all Kim's text into the companion book, but it was the publisher who said it was too much :) Great thorough review! I can't wait to see Erik & Kim's next project :D
I'd love to see a video of which decks you used most when doing reading for clients. I know that I can collect many decks...but in actuality, it is only a few special decks I bond with over time. Wondering if it is the same for you?
i just got this deck. its gorgeous. I love it. I do have cards image that I don't like, but very few. I am excited to learn this deck and push further my understanding of tarot.
Great review. I just got this deck yesterday and the only other thing I'd say about it is that the cards sort of stick together. It seems to be getting better as I work with them so I hope that continues to dissipate...
+Erdbeermund- I hated that about that deck too. I bought mine from Amazon Brand new, And it sucked pulling each one apart. I have had the deck for 2 months now and it is better now thank goodness..But that is my only complaint too!!. :(
I get the hate for the Heirophant. Most everyone has an aversion to his Christian imagery. I've always felt that the Heirophant represents that very same aversion to organized religion/philosophy/academia. I think his purpose is to bring out these feelings in us. He forces us to reflect on our rebellion against the 'establishment.' He is what he is, nothing more, nothing less; a principle... a law... a government, with the weight of time and common acceptance on his side. He questions the 'why' of our 'why?'... He's curious to know our reasons, even if it's just to tear them apart and label them as childish or naive; he's challenging us to be absolutely sure in ourselves and what we think and/or believe. He's the one card in the tarot that demands a reason for our need in using divination as an alternative means of knowledge and understanding outside of established, mainstream systems. For these reasons, I think he gets a bad rap. Anyway... Very good review, thank you for the upload. I find it very hard to tear myself away from Crowley's Thoth, but I know someone who would appreciate a visually stunning RWS deck.
UGH! I feel the same way about the Heirophant! I'll add NO MORE POPES to my chant of MORE BORDERLESS DECKS! lol Great review as always, I love hearing your perspective and opinions :D
owlmoon513 talking about borderless decks the Devient moon tarot has come out with a borderless edition. The images look a little extended too as they fit in better :)
fuyukazemi Right? It's frustrating. It frustrates me mainly because a Heirophant wasn't a pope like figure and had different responsibilities than a pope. So to me they're just not similar enough to make the connection.
Hello, I have a video request after watching a few reviews that you've done. I'd LOVE you to go through all of your decks and pull out your favorite cards that depict what you think each card should look like and represent and explain why. I am going to make a tarot deck (after I finish my current oracle deck) and I think it would just be a huge inspiration to see how you view each energy individually. Thank you so much for your time and I hope that I see it in the future! Blessed Be
I want to start a part time business with tarot and oracle, but I don't know where to start. How do u get your clients? How did u start. Love from Canada.
+Salvina Ciarleglio Just start with reading and reading more on everything Tarot. I also watch ton of video's. You can Google local to you Tarot Courses either online or in person. I have a place Local to me..I live in New York State in the suburbs and about 20 min from me there is a Metaphysical courses I can take taught by mediums. Then the best way is to make a faceBook or twitter and youtube channel to get known. Also do readings for yourself too for your significant other, parents, friends just to practice..My husband loves it when I do readings for him...lol. I am doing the same thing learning about Tarot..I have loved everything Tarot since I was 13..I am 33 years old now!!. :)
This deck is gorgeous but the heirophant.... I REALLY hate it. It is also my birth card, and I'm peeved. I have never liked it, again with my massive aversion to christianity. I find that the chariot speaks to me more so than that card ever will. I have only seen two decks where the heirophant didn't make me want to pitch the entire deck out the window and burn it. The Wizard's Tarot, and the Steampunk Tarot.
