Color Wisdom Cards Hardcover – Tarot, October 6, 2009

Got this as a hand-me-down from a friend, I probably would not have bought it on my own, unless I had seen it as a used books sale or something, as its not my usual style of what I like. I have had it a couple of years now and other than glancing through it I did nothing with it, until recently.I remember when I first got it I was reading something about how to use the cards to transform your life, so I decided to work with the cards and see what I could do.As for the cards, I love the imagery...very watercolory-folks-arty and I like that. They are also slightly smaller than traditional Tarot cards but still larger than playing cards but they are easy to shuffle. Being an oracle deck, there are no suits but the cards are divided into colors. The terms or names of the cards are also not what we traditionally see in oracle or Tarot decks, such as "Emaciated Periwinkle" and "Ivory Tower". But, once you read the explanation of the cards the names make sense. I don't know how easy it would be to "memorize" the meanings of the cards, but just in working with them briefly last night I was able to interpret before looking in the book just based on what I know about symbolism. Take Emaciated Periwinkle, for example, which shows a thin man with balances on his shoulders. Pretty easy to guess it is about balance. With angry friends in the foreground one can surmise he is not giving enough of himself to others.The book is interesting and goes into a story about how the author obtained these images and stories, fables as they are called, and while it seems a little far-fetched and too much in the realm of fantasy who am I to doubt another person's story? The story is just that anyway, but the heart of the book is using the cards to better your life. There are instructions to follow that guide you step-by step-into how to use these cards for empowerment and enlightenment. I started working with them last night and while I have not seen results yet (I have not finished the tasks set in the book) I am enjoying it because it is making me delve deeper inside myself to locate my true motivations for what I want and what is holding me back.These cards can be used in regular layouts and spreads, but within this set that doesn't seem to be the purpose but rather they are used for empowerment and not to answer a question, so it a unique way to learn and work with cards. There aren't a lot of layouts outlined in this spread, only a few basics the author has created as ways to get the cards to show you or help you with the other tasks described. For example, readers are to create goals in three areas of life: personal, financial, and artistic. With the artistic goals write what you want to achieve (be a famous movie star) and why (like attention) and then do a reading to see if your motive is authentic...for example, through a reading I might discover I want to be a movie star for attention because I was neglected as a child. Once you discover and move beyond those conceptions or barriers you can achieve what you want...or at least that is what I get out of the book.The book can be a little confusing and I have had to go over some things several times to fully understand what I am to do, but it is interesting and a neat challenge to undertake. For anyone wanting a new deck just to perform readings with, this is not really the set to get but if you are looking for a whole new way of using cards then check it out.

I have used the Color Wisdom Cards free version via Tori Hartman's web site for over a year now. Always insightful, they shed a very different kind of light and wisdom about my current situation at the time of my readings. I'm fascinated by that. I've not had the pleasure of having my own personal deck yet; possibly soon. If you are curious about using the cards then try the free version for awhile and see if they are a good match for you and the type of questions you typically want answers to.BTW, what's up with the prices at the two resellers I see here now (05/2011)? Their prices for used decks are twice the cost of a brand new deck and accompanying book from the Color Wisdom Card web site.

I am very glad with it!