Cardstock is one of the most important things. I like durability. I've passed decks on with thin cardstock. I'm probably a cardstock snob, but decks aren't cheap, nice to have something worthwhile. Not sure about this deck yet 🤔 😃enjoy your copy! ♥️
Simon, you're a good background music picker. You're often able to find background accompaniment that feels almost tailored to the art. Love that the volume is subtle and never competes with your dialogue. I completely agree that while this is a nice deck offering, it stands to raise the bar for mass market deck pricing across the board.
That’s my concern, but then it’s always about sales and so if the masses don’t pay a high price then they’ll produce cheaper decks. Another concern I have is with everything rising exponentially, if people don’t pay a higher price then decks could start to be made to a poorer quality.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, Simon. For comparison, I have the Kickstarter version of this deck and pledged $65 at the time, which was February of 2020. It has a smaller two-part box and a text-only LWB style guide with a soft cover. The cardstock appears nearly identical to what you have shown and is not gilded. I have fallen very much in love with this deck and you are spot-on when you describe it as “fresh and new” but “with a timeless quality”. I feel like the creator really nailed the element of diversity without it feeling forced. Easily one of my favorites.
Just watching this in Feb 2024 as has hoped maybe price would have come down over time! I’ve wanted this deck since it came out.. partly because I love anything Russian ( studied language and literature for many years). I love the Russky vibe in clothes and settings. From traditional peasant and Cossacks to the pre revolutionary royal garb. Also love how ‘coins’ look like loaves of bread . Lenin promised ‘bread and circuses’ ( хлеб ицирк’) to the people When campaigning for the revolution. And both are present in the imagery. Having seen the whole deck though I’m not sure now.. apart from a few in major arcana I do prefer the minors. So Thankyou for this. I’ll have another think. It’s obviously a work of art but not sure it’s for me ..
Look, there are lots of MM tarot decks created by illustrators with varying degrees of talent. Fyodor Pavlov is an extremely talented artist who created one of the most beautiful tarot decks around. If you were interested in an art book for your coffee table you might pay as much or more for it. Everything about this deck is precious. I value his talent and I think his deck is well worth the money. It's gorgeous.
This is really beautiful. It is quite expensive for a MM deck, but I'm going to put it on my wishlist anyway. It's too lovely to pass up. Thank you for the walkthrough.
Would hope at that price the cardstock would be exquisite. Glad you thought more of it as time went on. Beautiful artwork! So many gorgeous cards. Thank you Simon 🤍
I really love the artwork in this deck and also that amazing description in the book of The Empress. The presentation of everything is lovely too, I am just not sure about paying the higher price for cardstock that is on the thin side. I will have to think about it. Fab walkthrough, thank you for showing it my friend 😍❤️
And Pavlov wins over another one! When I first saw this deck I wondered why on earth I would need another iteration of RWS. I feel the same way about people covering well-known songs--if you can't bring something new to the conversation, don't do it. Then I watched a flip-through and the art style appealed to me. It has a distinctly Art Nouveau vibe, which is my favorite art style. But it was the diverse representation that really sold me. In my unboxing and test drive, I said that I feel this deck is a marker in the evolution of the craft, as our deepending understanding is dissolving artificial gender norms. My son is trans, and the gender fluidity felt like the deck was welcoming us with open arms. I especially LOVE the intersex representation in the Lovers card! I've only ever seen this in the Devil, and possibly the World, before so it was a welcome surprise. And the juicy sexuality of the Empress--YEAH BABY!!! As you said, everybody has their peeves. My biggest one is card stock. I want to scream when there is a gorgeous deck that absolutely defies shuffling (Hay House is notorious!). I use riffle for the initial randomization, and then cut shuffle to install the question. I have decks that are too big and thick for riffling, too matte for cutting, too sticky to spread and pull (fanning powder helps, but I resent having to do it). It feels to me like the author and publisher have lost sight of how people use the product. Inexcusable. Linen stock is my very favorite. It works on all counts, and is very durable. A lot of gilded decks have thick stock so the edge is wide enough to apply the gilding. Some cards have edges so sharp it's uncomfortable to handle. One thing I've noticed with this one is that after lots and lots of shuffling, the gilding doesn't budge! For all of these reasons, this deck instantly became one of my top favorites (in a collection of nearly 370)! Sorry for writing an epistle, but that's how much I love this deck!
Have strictly limited my purchases this year but saw this deck in a video and then found your review. I’ve instantly ordered it. Thanks for your video! Its stunning ! The cost of Indie decks has become ridiculous because of the cost of postage to Australia. I’m prepared to buy this for myself as a Christmas treat and benefit from free delivery.
I’m glad you finally got the deck 🥰 this is one of my favorite decks. I prefer the indie deck card-stock as it’s thicker, but it doesn’t have the gilding, and the mass market has better color saturation. Hope you enjoy the deck Simon!
I fell in love with this deck the instant I saw it last year on a flip through. Once I'd seen the Lovers card, I'd decided to purchase, before I'd even seen the rest of the cards. I pre-ordered straight away and paid a snip of the current price, and recieved it just after Christmas, last year... I'm in the UK so I felt rather smug at having recieved a US Games deck so quickly. I totally stand by your decision to purchase from an independent business Simon, and I salute you for it! I do this when and where I can, but this was one deck I couldn't wait for. I'm super keen to try pairing it with the Magickal Botanical Oracle. I love all of the images in this tarot, but its gotta be said that the 9 of Swords reminds me of something from Harry Potter 😂 Thank you for sharing! 🙏❤️
BEAUTIFUL Art work! My favourite cards - strengh, moon, hermit, 10 and Knight of coins- love the backs and like thinner card stock when good quality with good core which this clearly is- great walk through- thank you!
What a lovely deck. Love the Hermit image. I agree, though Simon, that amount for an MM deck is a lot. Hope this isn't a new precedence for pricing points.
I am so glad you've done this video... This deck has been in and out of my cart for months with the question.... worth it? These days my choices are so important because of RV space and this now will be the first deck I've added since we left in November. Thank you my friend! 🙏🏻
You’re welcome, lovely. It has been on my list for the longest time as well, and to be honest if I hadn’t have seen it in the shop the other day, it would probably be still there and for how long I just don’t know. Mainly because of the issue with the price. However, I’m really pleased to have it in my collection now 😍
I hope US games isn’t slacking on the card stock. I have noticed, when it comes to MM decks it seems like the nicer the box, the crappier the card 😂 I don’t know if that’s true. I’ve resisted this one so far. I may get it sone day but right now I’m ok with not having it. Hope you are staying well. You and Sandra must have had a nice time out. Stay well my friend
It has been on my list for a long time, but the price in Europe is ridiculous. I am a compulsive collector, and saying No to this is difficult, but I do say No.
Absolutely beautiful! I ordered a deck. Perfect cardstock, US Games has the best cardstock for those of us with arthritis. As for the price, this is a bargain compared with Ritual, which every one seems to be crazy about. The artwork reminds me of the children's books my grandparents had that were produced in the early 1900's. This deck has the same peaceful feel I get from 5th Spirit. My only complaint is the guilding. I hate guilding, it hurts my hands and interferes with a smooth shuffle. We'll see how flexible it is.. 😊❤️❤️
@@the_hermits_cave 🤣🤣🤣 It's expensive $95 + Too rich for me. The second edition just came out. It's not my cup of tea, and the cards are too big for me, but that's just me. Tarot Tubers seem to love it. 😊❤️
I bought it yesterday and its on its way to my house! I stopped watching after the Death card because i want to keep some an supprise. Absolutely love this deck!
Oh my for one of my fav tarot deck loved it but in india Amazon it’s expensive am waiting till it will affordable hope soon thanks simon for sharing am waiting desperately to have it ❤️
I have the independent version. The only reason I’d get the mm version is for the lovely little book. I edged my Indy in a pale gold. I’m impressed that the art wasn’t censored by USGames, but I remember when it was being shopped and the biggest deal for the creator was the art had to be unchanged. I keep mine in a Kelly Bear maroon and gold bag. Ps they should have knocked it out of the park on the cardstock…key is what you said it’s a texture not linen which is a bummer because they could have especially for the price. Overall? It looks lovely. I think Fyodor is extremely talented and captured the tarot well. Their thought process I jive with. The use of pops of color make me very happy in this deck. Luscious is what I call it. Oh and it is exactly like the independent version.
wow!!! this is an absolutely stunning deck. Very powerful images, I love the artwork and I love the way he has kept to the traditional RWS yet somehow made it his own but in a super good way!!! Another deck to go on the wish list!!! Thank you for sharing 😆
I think that US Games upped their game on this, better cardstock, box, and hardcover book, and it still benefits the creator in royalties. Do we want to pay $45 or so for a really nicely produced mass market deck or $65 for an indy deck? The indy deck will get the creator a bit more profit but at the cost of a lot of effort. Maybe the two are just beginning to grow closer as the market recognizes the value of good quality, and that may not be a bad thing! Thanks, Simon!
I love this deck. Currently on my top 3. the card stock is lovely actually its thin but its linen and very flexible its like the cardstock of the tarot of the divine but a bit thinner. 😊
Thanks for this video, Simon! Beautiful deck but not within my budget for the time being. Would love to see your walk-through of Kat Black's Golden Tarot. Thanks again! Also, the music that you choose for your videos is great. Greetings from Argentina
So worth the money, in my opinion. I don’t have the KS or indie versions bec I kept missing his Etsy drops, but I’m glad US Games knocked this out of the park. The linen cardstock’s a dream to riffle-shuffle and bridge. Also appreciate Fyodor’s artist notes on inspiration and imagery in the chunky hardback guidebook. Will you keep the box or put the cards in a bag? 😊
It's a lovely deck but the price is out of my reach and I don't think I am the only one who thinks that.I just hope all the publisher's don't put there prices up to that level
I literally received this deck yesterday, and have been floored by the imagery. It's amazing how beautiful a deck can be, and then when you get it in hand, it's even MORE incredible. I've never been one to sleep with any decks to bond with them, but I simply love this so much, I didn't want to be apart from it last night...so I actually did sleep with it. Haha! This one was simply love at first sight.
Cardstock is one of the most important things. I like durability. I've passed decks on with thin cardstock. I'm probably a cardstock snob, but decks aren't cheap, nice to have something worthwhile. Not sure about this deck yet 🤔 😃enjoy your copy! ♥️
It grew on me as time went on, it seems to have a nice core 😍
Thanks for the full flip-through. I'm excited that this deck is available in a mass market edition! The book sounds wonderful, too!
It really is! 😍
That is gorgeous! The deck has a nice feel to it as well.
This deck is my favorite deck so far, please more like this!
Simon, you're a good background music picker. You're often able to find background accompaniment that feels almost tailored to the art. Love that the volume is subtle and never competes with your dialogue.
I completely agree that while this is a nice deck offering, it stands to raise the bar for mass market deck pricing across the board.
That’s my concern, but then it’s always about sales and so if the masses don’t pay a high price then they’ll produce cheaper decks. Another concern I have is with everything rising exponentially, if people don’t pay a higher price then decks could start to be made to a poorer quality.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, Simon. For comparison, I have the Kickstarter version of this deck and pledged $65 at the time, which was February of 2020. It has a smaller two-part box and a text-only LWB style guide with a soft cover. The cardstock appears nearly identical to what you have shown and is not gilded. I have fallen very much in love with this deck and you are spot-on when you describe it as “fresh and new” but “with a timeless quality”. I feel like the creator really nailed the element of diversity without it feeling forced. Easily one of my favorites.
Couldn’t agree more 😍
Oh my!! Love this art style and the color of the cards!!
Me too!! 😍
Just watching this in Feb 2024 as has hoped maybe price would have come down over time! I’ve wanted this deck since it came out.. partly because I love anything Russian ( studied language and literature for many years). I love the Russky vibe in clothes and settings. From traditional peasant and Cossacks to the pre revolutionary royal garb. Also love how ‘coins’ look like loaves of bread . Lenin promised ‘bread and circuses’ ( хлеб ицирк’) to the people When campaigning for the revolution. And both are present in the imagery. Having seen the whole deck though I’m not sure now.. apart from a few in major arcana I do prefer the minors. So Thankyou for this. I’ll have another think. It’s obviously a work of art but not sure it’s for me ..
Look, there are lots of MM tarot decks created by illustrators with varying degrees of talent. Fyodor Pavlov is an extremely talented artist who created one of the most beautiful tarot decks around. If you were interested in an art book for your coffee table you might pay as much or more for it. Everything about this deck is precious. I value his talent and I think his deck is well worth the money. It's gorgeous.
This is really beautiful. It is quite expensive for a MM deck, but I'm going to put it on my wishlist anyway. It's too lovely to pass up. Thank you for the walkthrough.
ugh i freaking love it❤
Looks like a self-portrait on the 6 of cups (does the book say so?) I think I prefer this notion of art nouveau over the Ethereal Visions Tarot.
Would hope at that price the cardstock would be exquisite. Glad you thought more of it as time went on. Beautiful artwork! So many gorgeous cards. Thank you Simon 🤍
You’re welcome, lovely 🥰
I really love the artwork in this deck and also that amazing description in the book of The Empress. The presentation of everything is lovely too, I am just not sure about paying the higher price for cardstock that is on the thin side. I will have to think about it. Fab walkthrough, thank you for showing it my friend 😍❤️
You are so welcome! 😍
And Pavlov wins over another one! When I first saw this deck I wondered why on earth I would need another iteration of RWS. I feel the same way about people covering well-known songs--if you can't bring something new to the conversation, don't do it. Then I watched a flip-through and the art style appealed to me. It has a distinctly Art Nouveau vibe, which is my favorite art style. But it was the diverse representation that really sold me. In my unboxing and test drive, I said that I feel this deck is a marker in the evolution of the craft, as our deepending understanding is dissolving artificial gender norms. My son is trans, and the gender fluidity felt like the deck was welcoming us with open arms. I especially LOVE the intersex representation in the Lovers card! I've only ever seen this in the Devil, and possibly the World, before so it was a welcome surprise. And the juicy sexuality of the Empress--YEAH BABY!!! As you said, everybody has their peeves. My biggest one is card stock. I want to scream when there is a gorgeous deck that absolutely defies shuffling (Hay House is notorious!). I use riffle for the initial randomization, and then cut shuffle to install the question. I have decks that are too big and thick for riffling, too matte for cutting, too sticky to spread and pull (fanning powder helps, but I resent having to do it). It feels to me like the author and publisher have lost sight of how people use the product. Inexcusable. Linen stock is my very favorite. It works on all counts, and is very durable. A lot of gilded decks have thick stock so the edge is wide enough to apply the gilding. Some cards have edges so sharp it's uncomfortable to handle. One thing I've noticed with this one is that after lots and lots of shuffling, the gilding doesn't budge! For all of these reasons, this deck instantly became one of my top favorites (in a collection of nearly 370)! Sorry for writing an epistle, but that's how much I love this deck!
Have strictly limited my purchases this year but saw this deck in a video and then found your review. I’ve instantly ordered it. Thanks for your video! Its stunning ! The cost of Indie decks has become ridiculous because of the cost of postage to Australia. I’m prepared to buy this for myself as a Christmas treat and benefit from free delivery.
You’re welcome and enjoy ☺️
I’m glad you finally got the deck 🥰 this is one of my favorite decks.
I prefer the indie deck card-stock as it’s thicker, but it doesn’t have the gilding, and the mass market has better color saturation.
Hope you enjoy the deck Simon!
Oh! And you should look at the 6 of Cups… both figures are Fyodor 🥰
Good to know, thanks Jonathan 😍
I fell in love with this deck the instant I saw it last year on a flip through. Once I'd seen the Lovers card, I'd decided to purchase, before I'd even seen the rest of the cards. I pre-ordered straight away and paid a snip of the current price, and recieved it just after Christmas, last year... I'm in the UK so I felt rather smug at having recieved a US Games deck so quickly. I totally stand by your decision to purchase from an independent business Simon, and I salute you for it! I do this when and where I can, but this was one deck I couldn't wait for. I'm super keen to try pairing it with the Magickal Botanical Oracle.
I love all of the images in this tarot, but its gotta be said that the 9 of Swords reminds me of something from Harry Potter 😂 Thank you for sharing! 🙏❤️
Pleased you love it too! 😍
BEAUTIFUL Art work! My favourite cards - strengh, moon, hermit, 10 and Knight of coins- love the backs and like thinner card stock when good quality with good core which this clearly is- great walk through- thank you!
Thanks so much! 😍
I love this deck...absolutely beautiful! I agree that as a mm deck it's a little expensive but the quality is wonderful & I don't regret buying it.
I totally agree! 😍
Lovely deck. So glad I have got it my collection.
Hope you enjoy it!
I love this deck it's my go to right now. So pretty
It really is 😍
What a lovely deck. Love the Hermit image. I agree, though Simon, that amount for an MM deck is a lot. Hope this isn't a new precedence for pricing points.
That’s my concern 😍
I am so glad you've done this video... This deck has been in and out of my cart for months with the question.... worth it? These days my choices are so important because of RV space and this now will be the first deck I've added since we left in November. Thank you my friend! 🙏🏻
Are you in the RV now??
@@tamipie yes we are!! ☺️
You’re welcome, lovely. It has been on my list for the longest time as well, and to be honest if I hadn’t have seen it in the shop the other day, it would probably be still there and for how long I just don’t know. Mainly because of the issue with the price. However, I’m really pleased to have it in my collection now 😍
I hope US games isn’t slacking on the card stock. I have noticed, when it comes to MM decks it seems like the nicer the box, the crappier the card 😂 I don’t know if that’s true.
I’ve resisted this one so far. I may get it sone day but right now I’m ok with not having it. Hope you are staying well. You and Sandra must have had a nice time out. Stay well my friend
I’m hoping not too! Yes, lovely weekend with Sandra, thank you 🙏🏼
It has been on my list for a long time, but the price in Europe is ridiculous.
I am a compulsive collector, and saying No to this is difficult, but I do say No.
Absolutely beautiful! I ordered a deck. Perfect cardstock, US Games has the best cardstock for those of us with arthritis. As for the price, this is a bargain compared with Ritual, which every one seems to be crazy about. The artwork reminds me of the children's books my grandparents had that were produced in the early 1900's. This deck has the same peaceful feel I get from 5th Spirit. My only complaint is the guilding. I hate guilding, it hurts my hands and interferes with a smooth shuffle. We'll see how flexible it is.. 😊❤️❤️
Ritual? Oh no, I’d that another I need to check out? 🙄
@@the_hermits_cave 🤣🤣🤣 It's expensive $95 + Too rich for me. The second edition just came out. It's not my cup of tea, and the cards are too big for me, but that's just me. Tarot Tubers seem to love it. 😊❤️
I bought it yesterday and its on its way to my house! I stopped watching after the Death card because i want to keep some an supprise. Absolutely love this deck!
Enjoy ☺️
Oh my for one of my fav tarot deck loved it but in india Amazon it’s expensive am waiting till it will affordable hope soon thanks simon for sharing am waiting desperately to have it ❤️
I hope so too!
I also purchased this deck. It is amazing, even if costs like a wing of a plane 😉😁
It really is! 😍
I'm thrilled with this walkthrough. I KNEW this deck would get picked up. I am getting it.
Enjoy! And do let me know what you think to it when you get it 😍
9 of swords sealed the deal 😃 I've to get it 😃
Enjoy 😉
I have the independent version. The only reason I’d get the mm version is for the lovely little book. I edged my Indy in a pale gold. I’m impressed that the art wasn’t censored by USGames, but I remember when it was being shopped and the biggest deal for the creator was the art had to be unchanged. I keep mine in a Kelly Bear maroon and gold bag. Ps they should have knocked it out of the park on the cardstock…key is what you said it’s a texture not linen which is a bummer because they could have especially for the price. Overall? It looks lovely. I think Fyodor is extremely talented and captured the tarot well. Their thought process I jive with. The use of pops of color make me very happy in this deck. Luscious is what I call it. Oh and it is exactly like the independent version.
Good to know
I just bought my copy last week from a shop in Salem. I had planned it that way, as I like to support mom n’ pop shops too 😊
Beautiful walkthrough 😊
That is awesome! 😍
The Hanged Man looks inspired by paintings of St Sebastian, the unofficial saint of gay love.
Great review as usual ❤️🌹🙏.... I enjoyed every minute... Thank you lovely Simon 🤩
Glad you enjoyed it 😍
wow!!! this is an absolutely stunning deck. Very powerful images, I love the artwork and I love the way he has kept to the traditional RWS yet somehow made it his own but in a super good way!!! Another deck to go on the wish list!!! Thank you for sharing 😆
I totally agree! 😍
Nice video sir, if you have to make a choice between this and lo scarabeo's tarot original 1909 kit then which one woul you prefer?
Oh they are not comparable at all 🙏🏼
@@the_hermits_cave yes, both are amazing. I bought both as choice was never an option given the awesomeness of both the products.
Absolutely love the art but not crazy about the back somehow doesn't match the style of the cards. Still considering buying it. Thanks for sharing. 😊
Fair enough! 😍
Stunning deck. Thank you for sharing!
You are so welcome! 😍
I wish I had the indie version. Really nice walk through. So nice to see it through your eyes.
Thank you 😊
It’s a gorgeous deck. But I would never pay that much for a MM deck ❤
I can understand that, I’m not sure I would’ve had I not seen it in the shop, and I ummed and ahhed and even put it back on the shelf at one point.
@@the_hermits_cave it is beautiful though. I wonder why it’s so expensive?
I think that US Games upped their game on this, better cardstock, box, and hardcover book, and it still benefits the creator in royalties. Do we want to pay $45 or so for a really nicely produced mass market deck or $65 for an indy deck? The indy deck will get the creator a bit more profit but at the cost of a lot of effort. Maybe the two are just beginning to grow closer as the market recognizes the value of good quality, and that may not be a bad thing! Thanks, Simon!
Very probable 😍
They don’t sell to Canada on us games :(
I love this deck. Currently on my top 3. the card stock is lovely actually its thin but its linen and very flexible its like the cardstock of the tarot of the divine but a bit thinner. 😊
Thanks for this video, Simon! Beautiful deck but not within my budget for the time being.
Would love to see your walk-through of Kat Black's Golden Tarot.
Thanks again! Also, the music that you choose for your videos is great.
Greetings from Argentina
Aaaw thank you, I appreciate your feedback 😍
So worth the money, in my opinion. I don’t have the KS or indie versions bec I kept missing his Etsy drops, but I’m glad US Games knocked this out of the park. The linen cardstock’s a dream to riffle-shuffle and bridge. Also appreciate Fyodor’s artist notes on inspiration and imagery in the chunky hardback guidebook. Will you keep the box or put the cards in a bag? 😊
I’m thinking a bag for this one 😍
It's a lovely deck but the price is out of my reach and I don't think I am the only one who thinks that.I just hope all the publisher's don't put there prices up to that level
I literally received this deck yesterday, and have been floored by the imagery. It's amazing how beautiful a deck can be, and then when you get it in hand, it's even MORE incredible. I've never been one to sleep with any decks to bond with them, but I simply love this so much, I didn't want to be apart from it last night...so I actually did sleep with it. Haha! This one was simply love at first sight.
It really is a beautiful deck 😍
Love the box , but the cards images are not that special, a bit thin that gilding won’t last long
Thanks for sharing. I'm not a fan.
No worries! 😍