In an attempt to get myself through this period of the blahs, I did what any red-blooded American woman would do: I went shopping. Well, just a little. I treated myself to a new and fabulous Tarot deck, the new Touchstone Tarot by Kat Black. I’d seen the main Web site for it, along with 78Friends site that shows each card, and I have to say they are more beautiful in person. I’ve never seen gilt edging quite like this, it’s almost a mirror finish. I tried to get a photo of the side so you can see how reflective the gilt is. You can also see in this picture how thick the companion book is. (click to enlarge)
The cards measure 5″x3″, larger than many decks. They come in a sturdy hinged box covered in decorative paper. The little book that comes with the deck is nearly as tall as the deck, and is half an inch thick. It’s all black and white, but lists the source paintings for the collage images used in the deck, as listed on the 78Friends site. It’s really gorgeous, the colors are rich and the cardstock is good. It’s not quite as thick as that used in playing cards, but not paper thin either.
I’ll definitely be spending some time working with this deck over the next few weeks.
D.D. SYRDAL 
There’s nothing like the gift you give yourself. I’ll bet you’ll see something remarkable and extraordinary in that deck of cards.
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Let me know if you feel like you need another reading. You know I’d read for you anytime. I also splurged on a Joshua Bell CD, Voice of the Violin.
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Those cards are beautiful! My grandmother left me an antique deck that I’ve never learned to use. I’ve had several readings over the years, but I’ve never felt like I would be good at it myself. Good job treating yourself. 🙂
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I have the Golden Tarot by Kat Black and I love that deck. I didn’t know she had a new one. I’ll have to save up my nickels and dimes to get this one. It’s gorgeous.
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Ooo, Sam, I’d love to see scans of the cards if you ever get a chance. I love looking at older decks. I’m something of a collector, I think this deck put my collection at 51 decks now although not all are, strictly speaking, Tarot (Gypsy Witch cards, Angel Blessings, Mlle. Le Normand, Oracle of the Radiant Sun, etc.).
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Jenna, yeah, I found out about this one kind of late, there was a Limited Edition released earlier that sold out before I knew it existed. I hate it when that happens. But that was smaller from what I’ve read, and I like the larger cards to see the images better. I just love the little box these came in, it’s really nicely done. I’m glad she went through a good publisher, Kunati did a nice job with it.
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No problem! They are buried in the back of my closet from our last move, and I’ve been meaning to dig them out and display them for months. As soon as I locate them, I’ll scan them and either e-mail them to you or post them on my blog.
51 decks is a lot! Are you good at readings?
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I’m an amateur when it comes to being a collector, some people have HUNDREDS of decks!
I don’t know how to say if I’m good at readings or not. I don’t do it professionally, and don’t really read for many people, but people I have read for think I do well. I have toyed with the idea of doing it professionally (I actually was a reader for Keen.com briefly, but wasn’t able to be online enough to make it worthwhile) to supplement my income, but I don’t know if I ever will. Tarot just fascinates me, I’ve got bunches of books on it, too.
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Hey Astro Sis,
I love how you own 51 decks, and are “something of a collector”. That made me giggle. 🙂
Enjoy the new cards and let us know how they work for you.
I will look lovingly now at my 4 decks. 🙂
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Hello, my name is Digital Dame, and I’m a Tarot-holic. 😉
I know, it’s ridiculous, and I have some I really don’t like and never use, and should probably sell or something. I’m trying to find out if the deck/book kit for the Bohemian Gothic Tarot will be available again. The deck by itself is readily available, but the book and kit are sold out everywhere. Some days you just need to work with the shadow, and that seems like a good deck for those days.
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The Bohemian Gothic Tarot Kit is sold out? I purchased the deck/book kit last year. Have you tried contacting the artists? I did last year when I wound up with a missing card from that deck. They were very nice and sent me my missing card right away.
As for working with the Shadow, you’re right, it’s a great deck for doing that of if you’re planning to write something dark and gothic.
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Yes, I e-mailed them but haven’t heard back yet. I checked the Baba store (Magic Realist Press Web site), Amazon, Tarot Garden, etc. No one seems to have the kit, or the book by itself. Hopefully they are getting more printed.
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Greetings DD! Even though you didn’t buy any apparel as part of your “retail therapy” I heartily endorse your purchase. That deck is a work of art and the person who lovingly handles it imparts their own divine energy to the cards. Enjoy them and all they tell you.
PS — Can it predict an imminent baby boom? I’m asking all my associates to do their part for the Kids’ apparel business.
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Hiya Rosie! 🙂
Haha! I shall consult them later and see what they say. I tried a spread for Maryj last night, but a crisis at work prevented me from being able to actually do the reading. However, even just laid out on the table they are just so incredibly beautiful to look at, I think this may become my “work horse” deck.
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Didge has only read for me once, but I found her skills to be awesome: she sensed concerns I had barely admitted to myself! I was so impressed with her reading that I shared it with another dear friend, one of my academic/professional mentors, who has known me for years but has never met Didge, and she was just dazzled with the perceptiveness.
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