Gaining Perspective With the RWS Wide Angle & Panorama Tarot

First published in 1909, the Rider-Waite- Smith Tarot is a Worldwide popular Tarot deck produced on the instructions of A.E Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. This deck has been published in numerous editions and has since inspired countless variants and alternative versions.

Whilst standard Tarot cards are printed and published in a portrait fashion usually measuring 70 x 120 mm, Deckstiny has decided to create their own take on the traditional Tarot, altering both size and perspective; the RWS Wide Angle and Panorama Tarot decks have quite literally turned the traditional Tarot on its side and are sure to become collectables due to their originality.

Deckstiny

Based in Thailand, Deckstiny first became established in 2020 when they released their first indy Tarot Deck – The Shuffle Tarot A & B. Formerly known as ‘Shuffle Tarot’, Deckstiny is a team collaboration of Mate Horonumber, Oomsin Phumphat, and numerous additional artists and contributors including BigSho and Hpn Boo.

Over time Deckstiny, alongside their contributing artists, has designed and produced a wide selection of divination decks, all of which are available to purchase Worldwide via their Etsy shop.

Perfecting Packaging

Whilst Deckstiny have always published high-quality Tarot decks featuring luxurious paperweights, prints, and stocks, they weren’t always so good when it came to packaging. Once upon a time, Deckstiny would pack their stunning decks in thin, paper-based tuck boxes – thankfully this has now changed as Deckstiny have upped their game, packaging almost all their Tarot and divination decks in sturdy, cardboard display-style boxes ideal for storage and presentation purposes.

The RWS Wide Angle & Panorama Tarot both arrive in sturdy, simply decorated cardboard display/ storage boxes featuring thumb slots for easy access.

Let’s Take A Look At The Cards

Measuring a whopping 140 x 140mm, The RWS Wide Angle Tarot is printed on a heavyweight, high-quality 350 GSM Arts card stock with matt protection and no edging. This deck is also available to purchase as a ‘compact version’ measuring 70 x 70mm – this might be a little easier to handle for some!

Featuring traditional blue tiled card backs (just like the original RWS decks), the RWS Wide Angle Tarot is bulky thus heavy on the hands and therefore awkward to shuffle.

Measuring a standard 120 x 70mm, the RWS Panorama is a landscape Tarot deck printed on luxurious 330 GSM Arts card stock with a matt protection featuring no edging and a brown, tiled card back inspired by traditional RWS decks.

What, No Guidebook?

Though Deckstiny has included the odd guidebook with their decks from time to time, there aren’t many of their publications that have done so. Both the RWS Wide Angle & Panorama Tarot come without a guidebook. First-time readers may wish to consider this before buying.

Additional Certification & Art Cards

Additional packing, art, certification, and packing cards are included with both the RWS Wide Angle & Panorama Tarot. The RWS Wide Angle Tarot also includes two view finding cards (printed in both black and white).

Wide Angle VS Panorama

Both the RWS Wide Angle and Panorama Tarot decks have been created purely to extend the reader’s viewpoint. Images aren’t stretched (such as a wide-angle television), they have instead been extended and added to in order to offer readers a fuller picture if you will.

The RWS Wide Angle Tarot arrives with two viewfinders so that readers can see what the more traditional card would appear like and then remove the viewfinder to see the additional information and imagery featured within the RWS Wide Angle deck.

It is certainly interesting to place viewfinders (whether that be black or white) over each card as it makes it all the more obvious just how much thought and detail has been added to each card by Deckstiny.

This deck is no doubt a collector’s dream come true and an ideal tool for displaying and educating others on the art of Tarot.

The RWS Panorama is almost identical to the RWS Wide Angle, only the images have been shortened in height to fit a panoramic viewpoint and the cards themselves are a standard size therefore much easier to handle, shuffle, and work with.

I personally found using Tarot cards placed horizontally rather peculiar, especially so for reversed readings. However, I appreciate the novelty value of these decks and deem them both to be collector’s editions rather than decks that may be used on a day-to-day basis.

A Walkthrough Guide

In order to further explain both the RWS Wide Angle and Panorama Tarot decks I have put together a detailed walkthrough of each deck including comparisons with the standard RWS Tarot.

Reading & Working With the RWS Wide Angle & Panorama Tarot

I’ve always worked intuitionally when reading Tarot and often find myself looking closely at the artwork featured on particular cards to help convey messages and information. The RWS Wide Angle and Panorama Tarot include far more than the average and traditional RWS decks as the imagery has been extended; this is a useful and interesting tool for intuitive readers.

Though I’ve enjoyed working with both the RWS Wide Angle & Panorama Tarot decks, I just cannot get into the rhythm of working horizontally, especially when it comes to reading reversed cards. I also found myself feeling a little unsure how to shuffle the cards, especially with the larger RWS Wide Angle Tarot as the cards are far bigger than my hands can handle.

Whilst I completely appreciate the alternative take on the traditional RWS Tarot and I adore the idea of extending imagery where possible, I think I’ll stick to the traditional RWS Tarot for day-to-day readings. However, I will be holding onto these two decks as collector’s items – which is exactly what they are! The RWS Wide Angle & Panorama Tarot are ideal for those who read, collect, and enjoy Tarot whilst also having a love for photography and the Arts.

Purchasing & Pricing Information

Available to purchase directly via Deckstiny’s Etsy page, the RWS Wide Angle Tarot (measuring 140 x 140mm retails at £82.60, whereas its smaller ‘sister deck’ which is a more compact 70 x 70mm retails from £58.01. The RWS Panorama Tarot is priced at £67.85, however it is worth noting that purchasing Deckstiny decks within the UK requires an additional shipping/ delivery cost of £31.96.

To Summarise

Ideal for any avid Tarot collector, the RWS Wide Angle & Panorama Tarot from Deckstiny is a modern take on the traditional Tarot featuring stunning scenery with added detail. Whilst these decks come without any form of guidebooks, the cards are unique in their layout (being landscape rather than portrait) and thus are ideal for those wishing to expand their Tarot collection with something a little different.

For further information on the RWS Wide Angle and Panorama Tarot cards or alternative Deckstiny publications visit www.etsy.com/uk/market/deckstiny