Having worked numerous times throughout the past year with Deckstiny, a Thai based Tarot publication company, and their delightful decks, I was honoured to be sent a limited edition ‘prototype’ aka sample copy of their upcoming Location ‘The Spirit of Place’ Tarot deck to read with and to review.
The Location ‘Spirit of Place’ Tarot
Most people tend to learn how to read the Tarot using the traditional Rider Waite Smith (RWS) Tarot system as the cards as clearly labelled and feature clear, well-known figures that are easy to understand and to depict. What if those figures were to be removed from the cards? How would we view the cards at that point? Would the meanings differ? The Location Tarot focuses entirely upon the backdrop, the setting, and the location rather than those figures by removing the figures entirely.
The Location ‘The Spirit of Place’ Tarot is currently a Kick Starter project which should be completed by mid-November 2021 as it has reached above its original goal of £7390 with more than 199 backers at present.
Basic Boxing
Housed in a snug, slim, cardboard tuck box, The Location ‘Spirit of Place’ Tarot packaging has a dark green and black cover image featuring a golden arch, deep green leaves, and a faint, low-profile outline of the imagery from the Ace of Cups at the centre of the image.
I’ll be honest, I found this box really tricky to open and ended up having to bend the cardboard in order to access the cards. Whilst I appreciate that tuck boxes are lightweight and relatively cheap packaging, I’d much prefer a sturdy, cardboard case in which to keep these cards. Perhaps this is something Deckstiny may wish to consider when they publish this upcoming deck.
The Cards
Location ‘The Spirit of Place’ Tarot is a standard-sized Tarot deck (measuring 70mm x 120mm) printed on matt-coated 310 GSM card stock featuring beautiful black and green reversible cards featuring glorious golden gilding with black edging and borderless images throughout
Designed and created by author Mate Horonumber and artist Oomsin Phumphat The Location ‘The Spirit of Place’ Tarot focuses entirely upon the setting, the scene, and the location to convey meaning and messages to subjects and readers. When looking closely at the cards readers will be able to make out transparent, glossy lines that compose a picture of a character/ figure in your mind.
The Location ‘The Spirit of Place’ Tarot has not only removed the figures from the images but this deck lacks any numbering or titling making reading quite awkward at times. This is definitely a deck for more advanced Tarot readers who are familiar with each and every one of the cards throughout the deck minus the titles and the numbering.
The Major Arcana
The Location ‘The Spirit of Place’ Tarot major arcana features stunning landscapes, scenes and settings which are instantly recognisable from the traditional Rider Waite Smith (RWS) Tarot. However, the figures have been removed leaving empty spaces where transparent figures may be viewed if the card is held in the light at the correct angle.
The Minor Arcana
Just like the major arcana, the minor arcana continue to feature stunning scenes, settings, and imagery minus the familiar figures, titles, and numbering which readers often refer to when reading the traditional RWS Tarot deck. Whilst I understand the concept of this deck, I feel the minor arcana is particularly difficult to depict and to understand even with the transparent lines which may be viewed when held at a particular angle. Without the titles, the numbering and such-like the minor arcana cards can easily become mistaken.
The Suit of Wands
The Suit of Cups
The Suit of Swords
The Suit of Pentacles
Bonus Cards
The Location ‘The Spirit of Place’ Tarot arrives with eleven bonus/ additional cards including two art cards, a welcome card, a thank you card, and seven alternative cards which may be swapped with other major and minor arcana cards throughout the deck, though identifying specifically which cards these are for was somewhat difficult.
Looking Closely At The Location ‘Spirit of Place Tarot
I have created a short video walkthrough demonstrating, displaying, and detailing The Location ‘The Spirit of Place’ Tarot.
I’ve spent the past few years working and reading with a wide variety of Tarot decks, including two decks that I feel would be a fair comparison to The Location ‘The Spirit of Place’ Tarot as each of them focus upon the setting and the scene rather than the figures.
Both the Spacious Tarot and the Linescape Tarot place the reader directly into the card. The reader becomes the figure if you will as they themselves step into the card and consider what the setting, the location, and the imagery within the card offer them in terms of messages and meaning. The Location ‘The Spirit of Place’ Tarot is much the same as these two decks only it lacks both the titling and the numbering which make the Spacious Tarot and the Linescape Tarot easier and more enjoyable to read and to work with.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the endeavours of Mate Horonumber and Oomsin Phumphat as I understand that location, setting, and scenery can often convey more meaning than the traditional figures. However, even as an experienced Tarot reader, I have found The Location ‘The Spirit of Place’ Tarot deck rather problematic to work with at times due to the labeling. Whilst I am able to make out the transparent imagery, it’s quite tough to tell which cards are which, wands and swords for example are often easily mistaken for one and another.
Purchasing & Pricing Information
Whilst Deckstiny Tarot decks are usually available to purchase online via their Etsy store, The Location ‘The Spirit of Place’ Tarot is currently a Kickstarter project with a starting pledge of $85 should you fancy being in with a chance of getting hold of a copy of this deck.
To Summarise
Whilst I adore Deckstinys marvellous matt-coated, smooth shuffling, beautifully edged cards and I love the concept of a location-based Tarot deck, I just cannot cope without having any titles or numbering to work and to read with. As I have said above, The Location ‘The Spirit of Place’ Tarot is most definitely a deck for advanced readers and collectors, especially as it lacks not only a guidebook but labels of any kind.
Though The Location ‘The Spirit of Place’ Tarot is stunningly scenic and it’s certainly something different for collectors and Tarot fans it’s incredibly expensive for what it is and I’ve got to be honest, I’m not really sure as to whether I’d recommend this deck as its just a little too awkward to read.
For further information on The Location ‘The Spirit of Place’ Tarot visit www.kickstarter.com/projects/locationtarot/location-tarot or for alternative Deckstiny publications go to 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.