Deck Review: The Prismatic Tarot

I’ve had this deck for over a year now, but I decided it was a good time to finally review it as the creator has launched a Kickstarter campaign for the second edition. This is a chance to get hold of a copy of this deck, which has been OOP for a while, so if you like it, now is your opportunity! I have the now sold-out first edition (which I am reviewing here), but the creator, Kelsey Showalter, has confirmed that there will be no major changes to the second edition, just some minor touch-ups, and a swap to more slippery cardstock to aid shuffling.

The Prismatic Tarot is a pretty straightforward, no frills deck that relies on its bold, brave, striking imagery over any associated bumf. It comes in a simple (but attractive) tuckbox and there’s no guidebook. My box is a bit battered these days, but that’s just the nature of tuckboxes – it isn’t particularly flimsy or anything, like some are. The card back design is stark and striking, and I actually like the current cardstock (lol). It’s mat finish, yes, but slimline and shuffles just fine for me.

I love this wise old Hierophant. He’s got a lot of the traditional symbols – the keys, the triple staff (representing the rites of passage we must go through to achieve spiritual wisdom; body/mind/soul; father/son/holy spirit); the “bridging” gesture etc., but wrapped up in a way that eschews the ideas of power and authority present in the traditional ‘Pope’ style images. The ‘man in the moon’ is really stunning, and I like the clever way that the RWS images of the wolf and the dog have been incoporated into the banners on the towers.

I like the Queen of Wands to always have her black cat present (kitties!), so I’m glad it (and its third eye) have made the cut in this – otherwise very different – take on the card. The Page of Wands captures the playful, slightly mischevous air of this card. The Five of Wands is a card that traditionally emphasises a kind of ‘painless’ conflict, all bravado and posturing, with no real blows exchanged. Instead the card is meant to show disharmony, discord, conflict leading to confusion and lack of progress – a hot mess, basically. I like The Prismatic Tarot’s take on it. Firstly, I don’t think conflict is ever without some pain, so I think the blooded bandage you can see bottom of frame is a nice touch. Secondly, I would say my overall take on the Five of Wands is more positive than the general perceived wisdom. I see a little ‘friendly’ competition as vital to success. If we don’t hone our skills by testing them against others in ‘practice bouts’, then they won’t necessarily pass muster when we need to use them in a ‘real’ fight (literally or metaphorically!) So, I like the idea of two warriors training with staffs (as opposed to more deadly weapons) to perfect their skillset.

The Nine of Pents is a constant favourite of mine, and this bad ass boss queen and her well-trained falcon are very pleasing! The way the artist has transformed the traditional ‘broken’ heart shape of the Three of Swords into someone trying desperately to self-comfort with a tight, anxious hug is so smart. And I like the fact that the ‘you better werk bitch’ message of the 7 of Pents shows the pentacles etched onto the tool itself.

Just one perfect moment of hope, and love, and potential, that blots out every bad thing and, just for one second, reminds you that it is all worth it. I really love how the Prismatic Tarot captures this idea of hope, peace, and nurture by calling to mind the way the baby floats in the womb. The Star offers us the rebirth of hope after trauma and loss, and that is exactly what this card expresses to me. Sublimely serene.

The lack of guidebook might mean The Prismatic Tarot is not ideal for a beginner, but the images are clear and easy to interpret, so anyone who already has experience with the RWS system won’t miss having a LWB. ( EDIT TO ADD: my bad, it looks like this second edition comes with a pdf guidebook to download. I don’t remember having that option via Etsy when I bought my first edition, but I could just be being a fool!) I really recommend it – it’s super striking and I haven’t seen many other decks approximate anything close to this bold, brave style.

You can back the second edition on Kickstarter here.

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