If you've read my previous blogs on tarot cards you'll know how much I love them for inner work and shadow work, given how they can be a mirror for the parts of us we either may not be aware of or simply don't want to look at due to how uncomfortable or painful it can be.
So as you can imagine I was pretty excited to get this deck by Stanislaw Reshetnikov to review, as this is exactly what they have be designed with in mind.
At first glance this deck comes in a large box with a magnetic closure, the 176 page guide book is roughly a5 sized and covers everything you need to use the deck for this purpose, even if you haven't use Tarot cards before.
On the page after the introduction I was greeted by a lovely little verse, which I feel reflects perfectly the inner journey to see the lessons and strengths life is showing us, that we can sometimes miss when in pain or struggle.
"I have always been a mirror,
always reflected right what came with.
When they'd come with fortunes,
I was a magnifying glass, when they'd come with sorrows,
I was a shrinking one.
I was able to enlarge what feeds life, and decrease what drains it.
But now I know that the truth is different.
I shall reflect fortune that is hidden beneath sorrow."
The card meanings include reverse meanings for each card and the artwork has a beautifully other worldly feel to them, what I find most striking about this deck is the additional card that has been included called The White Card. Making this a 79 card deck in total, instead of the traditional 78 card decks that you may be used to seeing.
This additional White Card symbolises divine energy, a tipping point in life, a reminder that you are writing your own history right now and it adds weight to the surrounding cards in a reading amongst other things.
Given the purpose of this deck I really like this touch to the cards, as it brings a ponente reminder to pay closer attention to what the cards are saying during a reading, regardless of whether the reading is for yourself or someone else.
The cards themselves have gold gilding on the edges and are of good quality, they are a little hard to get out of the box as there isn't a ribbon to help lift them out. This obviously wouldn't be an issue if you are inclined to keep your decks in a cloth or drawstring bag.
The imagery is quite different from other tarot decks I've reviewed so far, the frame present on each card has a futuristic feel to it. With details that remind me of a compass, which is quite fitting, as they are designed as a compass for inner discovery.
The pictures themselves have been beautifully designed and the minor arcana designs remind me somewhat of the Ridder Waite deck.
Although they aren't something that I've found an instant connection with on this occasion, this is only my experience with them and obviously everyone is different. But I will be continuing to use this deck for journaling purposes and hope that the connection will come in time as I continue to get to know them better.
On the whole this is a lovely deck for home or professional use, although I wouldn't class this particular deck as handbag friendly unless you have a larger bag, due to the size of the cards and guidebook.
There are no tarot spreads included in the guidebook, however it does offer 17 tips on working with tarot to help build confidence in giving readings for yourself and others. As with any deck, you can pull a card a day as part of your tarot journal exercise to gain insight for the day or what you need to know right now for guidance.
I imagine this will be a great deck to use around the waning moon and just before the new moon when shadow work is most prominent in our lives.
I'd like to also touch on the meanings of the cards, as while they hold similarities to that of other tarot. They illuminate and give insight into the inner world and emotions held there in way that acts as a mirror to the subconscious.
Making them a great tool for anyone interested in self help and inner work, or as a monthly tool when working with the moons cycle as well as other cyclical living aspects.
Stanislaw Reshetnikov is a seasoned tarot reader and student of C. G. Jung. Originating from Moscow, Russia.
The below exert taken from Red Feather MBS website, a part of Schiffer Publishing.
"My name is Stanislav Reshetnikov. I was born and live in Moscow, Russia. A graduate of Moscow Medical Academy, and after years working for big pharma companies, my focus shifted to psychology and the surrounding disciplines, especially the Jungian school. This way led me to complete the Moscow Association of Analytical Psychology (Jungian analysis). Now I am a tarologist, psychotherapist, trainer, leader of several thematic seminars, and creator of the Insight Tarot (both the deck and training course)."
In conclusion, this is a lovely deck that has a lot to offer. I hope that you will get many years of enjoyment and healing enlightenment should you purchase the Insight Tarot my Stanislaw Reshetnikov
I would also like to thank Schiffer Publishing for the opportunity to review this tarot deck, if you would like to purchase a copy you can do so by clicking the link above, which will take you directly to their website or it can be purchased from most reputable bookshops and online retailers.
If you enjoyed this, you can sign up to have these sent directly to your inbox or you may also like my blog post on working with the full moon energy...
You can read more of my reviews on titles such as The Healthy Witch, The Soul's Twins and other informative pieces in my back catalogue.
Until next time..
Love & Light
Georgie
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