[.ca] The Quest Tarot (ISBN 0738701955)

Wow:
I had no idea when I ordered these cards..... I basically ordered reading the reviews and cause it had rune features, but wow! I have been looking for a new deck and recently bought a few new ones cause my old deck was not giving me what i really want in answers. I had read "A Magical Course in Tarot" which suggests a new way to read card images and to look for a new deck to pick up on more imagery. That books suggests voyager tarot, but that deck really did not appeal to me and seemed too busy. This one I find even though there is a lot of each card, there is more flow and fluidity (there is a watery look to the images also). Very vibrant. Im not really much into computer generated art or collage styles but this art I really like. I've already tried it will a few clients and gave much more confident readings and tested out the yes/no feature. I have not even read the book yet and am going to do that now (its a big book). Its got crystals, letters (say your with a client and want to pick someone up from the other side you can ask for a letter - cards have a little letter on them), i-ching, astrology, runes, eye color, hair color and other stuff I have not read yet. One person I did a reading for this morning wants to buy the deck. I hightly recommend it.

Ground-breaking New Tarot Deck!:
This lovely deck is pure eye candy but it has definite nutritional substance. Visionary Joseph Ernest Martin had created a visual feast of color, astrological signs, I Ching, rune stones, rainbows, animals, Kabbala, crystals and gemstones, a yes/no feature and much more! At last---a user-friendly tarot deck that is gorgeous, as well. No wonder it was snatched up like hotcakes in its first printing! Joseph is an award-winning graphics and fine artist with gifted psychic abilities. Perfect combo for a near perfect tarot deck. The only tarot deck coming close to it in it's appeal to me is the Voyager deck. He has made it easier for the non-Tarot reader to actually be able to read a spread. My favorite cards are the Multiverse, and the blank card, which I understand are two new cards to be added to any deck. The more I play with this deck, the closer I get to actually wanting to learn the art of tarot reading. It is a most useful tool for delving into one's life in a multidimensional manner.

Ethereal And Gorgeous - Truly A Deck For The New Age:
When I first beheld online images of this deck earlier this year, I drooled. I've always been drawn to computer-generated images, and my two favorite archetype decks are both computer generated. I was dabbling in traditional Tarot, and although I liked the concept of the deck I was using, the readings felt forced and uninspiring. Maybe Tarot wasn't for me? Maybe I should just stick with archetype decks? Then I received The Quest Tarot. I was excited to finally get to see the entire deck and feel them in my hands, but my heart sank as I thought I wouldn't be able to use them. I guess I convinced myself I would never be able to understand or use traditional Tarot. I did a reading, not expecting them to "speak" to me. Boy, was I ever wrong--and wonderfully surprised! I have received eerily accurate readings every single time I've used this deck. I had a misgiving about this deck, I admit. The author and artist, Joseph Martin, has imbued the cards with additional divinatory elements such as astrological signs, runes, Hebrew letters from the Kabbalah, Roman letters, I Ching, gemstones, yes/no features, and the ability to discern hair and eye color. Absolutely daunting, I thought. I already felt like a Tarot failure--why would I want to add to it by mixing in things like the I Ching and Kabbalah?! When I saw the deck for myself, however, I realized these elements did not distract me in the least. If anything, they added a special dimension to the reading. If you know nothing about these other divinatory elements, don't worry--I'm pretty clueless about Kaballah, runes, and I Ching myself. The thorough explanations of these elements are clearly laid out in the book that accompanies this deck, so you can just look up their meaning and see how it adds to the reading. However, you don't need to use any of the additional divinatory elements if you don't want to. These symbols add to the beauty of the cards, but don't distract from the images and messages. The Book The book that comes with the deck, The Compass Guide to the Quest Tarot, is a hefty 296 pages. The first 107 pages are detailed instructions, with graphics, on how to interpret the astrological symbols, runes, gemstones, I Ching, and other divinatory features. There are 28 pages dedicated to Tarot games and spreads, including a special Quest Tarot spread. Included is a Celtic Cross record sheet that you can photocopy and enlarge to keep track of readings. For both the Majors and Minors, there are two pages dedicated to each card. The page on the left includes an image and the divinatory elements, and the page on the right includes card explanation, upright meaning, and reversed meaning. The author also addresses each of the four suits, and how they play out energetically in everyday life. The Cards This deck is a traditional tarot deck, but includes a special addition to the Major Arcana--The Multiverse card. Also included is one blank card that you can personalize however you see fit. My husband is an artist, so I can't wait for him to draw up personal totems and symbols that I hold dear. The cards dimensions are 2.22 x 9.42 x 6.54, and feel very sensual and smooth when handling and shuffling. The Minor Arcana contain astrological features found on the upper left of the card, where one circle contains a planet and the second circle contains the sign it is in. The Aces of each of the four suits do not have planetary connections; instead, they have time references. On the upper left is a circle containing a clock with 3 numbers highlighted. On the upper right, is a circle containing seasonal symbols: fallen leaves for Autumn, a setting sun for Summer, falling snow for Winter, and flowers for Spring. The I Ching symbols on the upper right hand corner are only found on the other Minor Arcana cards. All the suits follow traditional Tarot, except the Pentacles (Disks) suit has been re-named Stones. This deck has an Ouija-like yes/no feature that is in the form of a pair of swords found only on the Court cards. Also exclusive to the Court cards are hair and eye color indicators. Since the people featured on them are made of shiny metal or glass--deliberately vague as to be universal--this indicator helps to determine physical attributes. Another unique aspect of the Court cards: Martin feels that since we no longer lived in a social structure filled with Kings, Queens, Knights and Pages, that the Court cards should reflect a more familial structure. Giving a nod to entering feminine energy at this point in history, Mother leads the way, followed by Father, Daughter, and Son. The Major Arcana features runic symbols on the upper left hand side, as well as Hebrew letters. One astrological symbol (sign or planet) is on each of the Majors. On all cards, at the bottom, are small Roman letters and gemstones throughout the border in varying degrees. (The Multiverse card features Chiron and no Roman letter--being a "wild card".) In addition to the card name on the front, there is also a keyword below it. I've found this a great feature that makes the card meaning readily recognizable--even if I'm just reading intuitively as opposed to taking the description in the book at face value. Number 14, traditionally known as Temperance, is re-named Alchemy in this deck. Likewise, card number 20, Judgment, has been re-named Aeon. Conclusion I highly recommend this deck and book to the Tarot veteran, as well as the individual who has never used a Tarot deck. The ethereal, high-tech images speak of ancient mysteries and archetypal wisdom, and the extra divinatory elements add sacred and specific knowledge for insight, clarity and personal transformation. Review originally posted at http://NewAge.BellaOnline.com

Gorgeous artwork:
The artwork on this deck is just beautiful. The images are dreamlike and it's easy to fall into them. The Moon card is easily on of the most fascinating I have seen. Martin has an excellent sense of colour and drawing skills. The deck is very usable for actual readings and meditation, though personally I don't use the hair-colour, etc. indicators much. However they are well integrated into the decorative elements of the border and easily ignored if you don't want to use them. One caveat - The keywords are annoying and just take up space that could have been devoted to the art. The book was 296 pages and could have been twice as long. Martin was trying to give you all the info you would ever need, lol

Great Idea, Needs Work Though...:
I just got this book/deck set and I found it MUCH more complex than led to believe by it's outside cover touts. There is a LOT of stuff on each card from many diverse traditions, It does not remind me of "Ouija" at all and to get all you can a lot of book study is involved. The other thing I found as a let down was the suggested card meanings, even some pictures seem "taken" direct from the Crowley "Thoth" Deck itself. (i.e. 4 of Swords = Truce). I was more excited reading about it than I was after opening the box, as well as need a magnifying glass to read some of the "letters" that are supposed to "Spell Out" words & Messages. It has potential, but needs more "fine tuning" and in my opinion, was most likely prematurely released. Sorry.