Tarot Review # 4 Universal Rider-Waite-Smith

I had never liked the RWS (so called by a lot of tarotists to give credit to the artist, Pixie Smith) before I saw the Universal Deck.

Recolored by artist Mary Hansen-Roberts, the originally "flat" deck was given life. Depth, warmth, expression, with the pencil coloration. I've always liked colored pencil, and this version makes the details pop.
Illustrator Mary Hanson Roberts also has her own deck, a very nice RWS clone with a more pagan feel to it. She has also done cover art for books, and other illustrations. Her art is soft and warm.

If I were going to recommend a deck to an adult beginner, this would be number one on the list. There are many reasons - much of which is detailed in my previous review of the RWS deck. I would recommend this deck over the original RWS because I feel the original might put a beginner off due to the simplicity (some might even say ugliness) of the coloration.

I first saw this deck when we were in New Orleans, and I thought it was a rare deck. I was glad to find I was wrong. The card backs are stars on a dark blue background. The card stock is sturdy and slightly coated but not so much that shuffling is a problem. The size seems a bit taller and narrower than a standard playing card deck.

My favorite cards: the Ace of Cups, all the Queens (each one is interesting in her own way) the Knight of Wands, the eight of Swords, and the Moon. I have many favorites in this deck - they are familiar to me as the faces of people I know. I love the imagery and detail - shadings in the clouds and the coloring of faces.

This is a great deck for daily readings, and for readings for other people. The images are recognizable to most people, but a little more fresh.

This deck is recommended for any tarotist. I would definitely replace it if it strayed from my collection.

In print.
Recommended for beginners.