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I normally wouldn't have even encountered this deck as it's not available on Prime but for some reason this time I was browsing all decks, not just Prime available. I guess it was fate. ?So let's start this off like I do all my deck reviews... the box. Sadly the box is a normal tuck box. I didn't expect it to be different, and it's not a deal breaker, just always prefer hard sided boxes as they keep the cards protected longer. Still, the box isn't as flimsy as some tuck boxes I've seen so it's not so bad.The deck comes with a small booklet, which is the norm when the deck is packaged in a tuck box. This booklet is unique in how it categorizes the cards though. After the major arcana is listed it puts all the court cards together. I've seen that before so that didn't seem strange, but when it got to the pip cards it counts them down. That seemed odd to me as all the books and booklets I can recall seeing before count up. Ace, 2, 3, 4... and so on. This booklet is backwards in that... 10, 9, 8, 7... and so on. Nothing wrong with that, just caught me off guard. The book is all in English so it has a little more room per card for explanations, and I liked that.Now, the cards themselves. The cardstock is pretty basic. Not overly flimsy, not overly thick, pretty standard stuff. The cards aren't glossy, nor are they matte. I'm not really sure how to describe their finish, but I will say it doesn't feel weird to my hands, and they shuffle really nicely. The size is close to 'standard' tarot decks but maybe slightly wider. I admit, I haven't actually compared them directly to my other 'standard' cards. They aren't really small and they aren't really large. Nice size for shuffling. Have I mentioned I like how they shuffle? It's a pretty important part of a deck for me.The deck also comes with a card that has a poem on it about the deck and it's meaning. I loved this! Something about seeing that little touch just grabbed on to me.The artwork on the cards is not a normal style I would care for and when I saw some pictures of the cards online I almost passed by this deck because of it but something kept drawing me back to it. Something in this art just connects to a piece of my spirit and fulfills what I've been looking for. I don't know how else to describe it really. I am not an 'art person' so I don't even know what style art this is considered. It's very bold. In some ways it feels modern to me, but it feels ancient in some ways as well. Yeah, not an 'art person', I don't know the right terminology for it. In the end all that matters to me is that I connected with the art right away.I love how each card gives a key word on the top border. Some of the key words I never would have considered for that particular card but when I really stop and think about it, it makes sense. Most of the major arcana has been renamed but that is not a problem for me, just be aware of that if it's something you don't like.There is one thing that may be a 'flaw' in the deck. The Magician is titled Magian. Is it a misspelling, or is it intentional? All the other titles, even when renamed, are in recognizable English terms. Magian is, in my understanding, a title for the magi of ancient times in Persia. I suppose I could see it being a title for a magus though, but it just seemed out of place when all other titles were easily recognizable. Again, not a problem for me, but something to keep in mind if you are considering this deck.I am amazed at how instantly I connected with this deck. The readings I have done with it are remarkably accurate and have brought things to the surface that I may not have considered with other decks. I received the deck yesterday and I don't want to put it down. Last night, after I was finished with my readings for the day I put all my decks away, but I kept thinking about this one. I just wanted to be near it, touch it, even if I didn't use it for a reading. It even appeared in one of my dreams. I can say honestly, despite my connection and love for many other decks, I have never connected so quickly and strongly to any other deck. I can not recommend this deck enough!in terms of sheer beauty an absolutely top deck. vibrant, beautifully composed and colored, surreally intricate art with so much symbolic depth. i would not hesitate to call it a true 21st century masterpiece not only in the genre of tarot but considered as painting or graphic art, right up there and perhaps even surpassing the best of dali's work. of course, i love this deck. i find it works very well for intuitive, visual storytelling style readings because the cards clearly express narrative and emotional themes that offer a lot to work with. some of the major arcana imagery has so much going on relating it to a seeker's question requires some imaginative effort, but all part of the art of cartomancy. one of my all time favorite decks, unequivocally and highly recommended.I'm kind of surprised by how much I like this deck. The cards aren't the "new standard" size, but are instead shorter and wider making it MUCH easier to shuffle. The colors are intense, the imagery is not lacking in interest, and the cardstock is solid like good poker cards. I'm slightly confused about the name of the deck, but whatever - this one is going into heavy rotation immediately. Cards aren't numbered and some of the imagery doesn't correspond directly with the numbers or suits, but the text is clear and each card comes with a key word. Highly recommend for collectors, but these cards will also work really well for readings.Say what you will about the aesthetic choices made in this deck, but the fresh imagery offers a unique perspective on the esoteric traditions on which tarot is based. The card stock is plastic-coated, not unlike regular playing cards, and the size is right around that of the latest standard edition of the Crowley deck. It feels made for shuffling.A few words of opinion: This deck is near supreme in its depictions of the major arcana and court cards. The pips will challenge you to lock into Julia Turk's perspective. which produces a deceptively complex rendition of the RWS interpretations. I think this is valuable, as it injects some humanity into the tarot, balancing the practical and spiritual values in the cards. This almost feels like an artistic choice, but one which begs engagement.I have had this deck for over two years but was unable to use it immediately. However, as soon as I did, I found it great to work with. It is pretty straightforward in answering questions with great accuracy and timeliness. I am currently using the deck for my "TAROT card of the day." This deck is fast becoming one of my very favourites.For beginners, the images and colours in each deck can really help draw out one's intuition. You can explore each card by drawing out your initial thoughts about the imagery. The little white book (LWB) is concise and helpful.It will also be a delight for those experienced in the TAROT because of the Hermetic and Qabbalistic associations. Collectors must have one. Each card is truly a work of art!This deck really makes me wonder about the history of the Tarot. For example, what groups in history, and even perhaps prehistory, has led to the formation of various Tarot Decks, over and above others. More specifically, even not the decks themselves, but the interpretation and ways of using them. I really can't comment because there may be no way of knowing but, this is all associated with historical influences; CJ Jung, the Order of the Golden Dawn, etc. All Tarot cards help, don't get me wrong, but it is impossible to not ponder about their entire history.Given the individuality of the art, I'd say this is a must for any collection, if you like to have representations of differing styles, as I doThis is a more Thoth based deck and one that really triggers my imagination. I cannot comment on how accurate the Thoth elements are but these cards read really nicely. I did not put 5 stars because I find the cards just a bit too small to plenty appreciate all the amazing details on the cards.Lovely cards, good value. These add different insights to readings, especially if using a spread involving multiple decks. A valuable addition.Loved it,fast shippingA weird and interesting deck. Full of strange artwork that makes one wonder. If you like different approaches to Tarot this is a good option."The "Navigators of the Mystic SEA" deck is descended from the Golden Dawn decks developed in the early part of this century - Aleister Crowley's deck and that of the New Order of the Golden Dawn are the two best-known decks of this type. This deck is very modern in feel and composition, while utilizing the card titles of NOGD; in some cases its minor arcana differ radically from Pamela Colman-Smith's designs for the Rider-Waite Tarot. The Trumps are more consistent with other decks, although NotMS' major difference is that it reverses the order of the Major Arcana cards, starting with the World and working backward to the Fool." (Lin Barrett)
