Though I own and work with a significant number of divination decks, the Linescape Tarot is one of my all-time favourite decks thus I was delighted earlier this week to receive the latest, brand new, shiny edition of the Linescape Tarot Evolution Gold.
Looking Back At The Linescape Tarot
I first came about the Linescape Tarot in 2021 when Deckstiny sent me the original version featuring pretty pastel card backs, sleek silver edging and beautiful backdrops etched with white, stylised line scape sketches outlining each of the cards. I was however slightly disappointed to find the original version of the Linescape Tarot packaged in a rather flimsy cardboard tuck box as I felt this deck deserved a far superior, much higher quality casing than what I have been provided with.
Deckstiny
Based in Thailand, Deckstiny is a team collaboration of Mate Horonumber, Oomsin Phumphat, and a number of other artists and contributors. Over the past few years Deckstiny, alongside their contributing artists, has designed, developed, and produced a range of modern, cutesy, divination decks, all of which are available to purchase Worldwide via their Etsy shop.
Packaging & Presentation
The Linescape Tarot Evolution Gold arrives packaged and presented in a sturdy and stylish chunky cardboard box featuring thumb slots for easy access. The new packaging features a luscious green and golden landscape accented with gorgeous gold-foil, shimmery titling.
Deckstiny Don’t Do Guidebooks
It is worth noting that Deckstiny does not provide a guidebook with the majority of their divination decks, this includes the Golden Journey Tarot. For beginner/ amateur readers it may, therefore, be worthwhile purchasing a separate guide to the traditional Rider Waite Smith Tarot in order to gain an understanding of the possible spreads, and the individual card meanings.
The Cards
Measuring a standard 70 x 120mm, the Linescape Tarot Evolution Gold card backs feature stylish, symmetrical, golden leaves (with gold-foil finishing) against a neutral taupe beige/ brown symmetrical backing ideal for upright and reversed readings.
Printed on matte-coated 350 GSM cardstock, the Linescape Tarot Evolution Gold is super smooth to shuffle and I love how it shimmers and shines with its stunning 3D glitter gold gilded edging and matching gold-foil finishing/ detailing.
The Linescape Tarot Evolution Gold is a borderless deck featuring a range of colourful backdrops against stunning line drawings. Whilst some of the backdrops used throughout the new edition (the Evolution Gold edition) of the Linescape Tarot remain identical to those within the original edition, quite a few of the backdrops/ scenes have been changed, modified, altered and essentially upgraded for the newer Evolution Gold edition.
The once-white titling and line-scape drawings/ sketches have now evolved into glitzy gold etchings which you can physically feel if you run your finger along the cards, it is certainly a far superior deck to its predecessor!
Limited Luxuries & Certification
Deckstiny prints a limited number of each of their Tarot decks, certification of precisely which number deck you have received is usually always included on a signed certification card, as well as being printed/stamped on the side of the packaging.
Bonus Cards
The Linescape Tarot Evolution Gold comes with two art/ packaging cards and a signed certification card to prove authenticity.
The Major Arcana
As mentioned above, some of the backing images and scenes have been altered, some only subtly whilst others have been entirely changed including the etchings/ sketches featured on the cards. Still, the Linescape Tarot Evolution Gold has retained its surreal, serene, dreamy, divine vibe which is apparent throughout the entirety of the deck.
The Linescape Tarot Evolution Gold follows the setup and structure of the traditional Rider Waite Smith Tarot, thus making for a modern deck with a familiar feel.
Alternative Cards
The Linescape Tarot Evolution Gold comes with an additional Fool card (numbered 22) for those wishing to perhaps switch between the two options of to select their favoured scene when setting up their deck.
As with each Deckstiny divination deck, the Linescape Tarot Evolution Gold comes with a Happy Squirrel card, this is now far brighter and bolder than the previous copy of the Linescape Tarot as Deckstiny has modified the backing imagery used.
Just like the original Linescape Tarot, the newest copy of the Linescape Tarot Evolution Gold comes with a meditation card, and four seasonal cards (Spring, Sumner, Autumn, and Winter). I personally find these seasonal cards really useful in readings as they can aid the depictation of time.
The Minor Arcana
The Linescape Tarot Gold Evolution makes use of the traditional RWS suits; Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles alongside the conventional court cards (Pages, Knights, Queens, and Kings).
Once again, some of the scenery/ backdrops have been modified, upgraded, or entirely changed within the newest version of the Linescape Tarot. A few of the cards have also had their line drawings/ sketches altered or in some cases completely changed.
The Suit of Wands
The Suit of Cups
The Suit of Swords
The Suit of Pentacles
Delving Deeper Into The Cards
In order to further illustrate and explain the Linescape Evolution Gold Tarot, I have put together a detailed walkthrough of this deck alongside a comparison against a previous copy of the Linescape Tarot.
Reading & Working With The Linescape Evolution Gold Tarot
Being a huge fan of the original Linescape Tarot, I couldn’t wait to start working with the newest edition of this deck, the Linescape Tarot Evolution Gold. Having shuffled through the cards I became aware that some of the imagery and sketch work had been altered and changed from that of the original deck and whilst some of the cards I prefer, others I found that I preferred previous designs but that’s all down to personal preference and didn’t really affect the overall feel of this deck.
I was really pleased to find that the newest edition of the Linescape Tarot (Evolution Gold) had now been packaged in a sturdier, more stylised box ideal for display, storage, and overall protection purposes. I was also pleased to find that the card stock was still matt though slightly higher quality as I loved how the original Linescape was so smooth to shuffle and the Evolution Gold edition is possibly even better…
I’ve spent the past week or so working with the Linescape Tarot Evolution Gold and whilst I’m aware it comes without a guidebook I feel it would be suited for Tarot readers of all ages and abilities, though I would always suggest beginners/amateurs to acquire some form of written guidance where possible.
Though I appreciate bright and bold divination decks I really like how the Linescape Tarot makes use of muted, neutral tones. Though Deckstiny is well known for its cutesy cartoon-themed Tarot decks, the Linescape Tarot feels much more adult and provides a really calming, relaxing read.
Purchasing & Pricing Information
The Linescape Tarot Evolution Gold is available to purchase directly via Deckstiny’s Etsy Store and currently (as of April 2023) retails at £60.09. This isn’t a cheap deck to acquire, especially as there are additional packaging and postage fees (currently £33.10 to the UK) to consider. As Deckstiny are based in Thailand, postage and packaging are often costly thus I would suggest buying in bulk/ batches to reduce outgoing costs.
To Summarise
Suitable for all ages and abilities of readers, the Linescape Tarot Evolution Gold is a stunning, stylish, luxurious divination deck with a difference. These beautiful, borderless cards feature simple but attractive line-scape imagery that is easy to interpret and understand whilst providing a pacifying, peaceful read. Though the Linescape Tarot Evolution Gold has indeed evolved from previous editions of this deck, I still deem this as one of my all-time most favoured decks.
For further information on the Linescape Tarot Evolution Gold or alternative Deckstiny publications visit www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ShuffleTarot
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Product Rating
Disclosure: I was sent the above product for the purpose of this post however all opinions are my own.