The Good Tarot
In the seemingly never-ending quest for a new main deck, I came across The Good Tarot by Colette Baron-Reid. Published in 2017 by Hay House, it’s currently one of the most popular decks over at Aeclectic.net. The artist is Jena DellaGrottaglia; they’ve produced at least half a dozen sets together, and I’d still like to get The Enchanted Map Oracle they worked on together. I struggled to get any decent photos because the glare coming off the laminate was a nightmare to avoid. The cards are on the large side and borderless. The deck is actually too bulky for me to use regularly; I’d soon get fed up of holding them and shuffling. The cards cling slightly, although they’re certainly not the worst deck in that department. The imagery is well-thought-out and wonderfully creative. Any of the cards would work well as a standalone piece of art. The booklet is marginally inadequate despite being chunky and substantial compared to the little white booklet that comes with a tarot deck, and I’ll give a few of the interpretations of the cards shown in this post.
If I’m going to be brutally honest, I’m disappointed. The cards are lovely, and the meanings are positive, but the lack of attention to detail in the construction renders it pretty much useless as a working deck for me personally. A smaller card on non-laminate and I’d have been in love for years to come. Considering the creators are old pros at this, I’d expect a more nuanced approach to the stuff being put out for sale. I can’t help feeling the author was a little bit lazy with this one. Compared to the descriptions given for the Wisdom of the Oracle, created some two years earlier, the booklet seems paltry and half-arsed. I have no issue with some commonly raised concerns of this deck — such as it only uses the good meanings and has removed any of the traditional darker aspects. With this in mind, I should probably mention it has strayed from the Rider-Waite and will take a little getting used to for those already familiar with a standard tarot deck. An image of Buddha has been used for the ten of cups and does seem an odd choice when the rest of the suit is water-based. Some of the cards have been renamed, such as the Lovers, which is now Love; Death has become Transformation, and Judgement is named Call. The Knights are named Messengers, but Pages, Queens, and Kings remain the same. All of the booklet interpretations are mostly focused on only the positive aspects of the traditional card meanings. Like I already mentioned, I don’t have an issue with this, but it does limit the use of the deck somewhat, and there is some deviation from traditional meanings in unexpected places, so the deck definitely needs to be learned if you’re a pro.
The first card is Love. Booklet interpretation: Love — Oneness. In all life, there is only the illusion of separation. In fact, we are all reflections of one another. When I make choices, I tend to see things as either/or. What if every choice I make is about an experience, a sharing, and an exploring? When I choose to see the unity in all things, magic abounds. Love is all around me, Spirit loves me unconditionally, and I can give and receive unconditional love. If we look closer at the card, we can see the sigil for Leo. The Lovers is traditionally associated with Gemini, so we have a clear departure from traditional meanings here. Leo is associated with Love because it rules the heart in the physical body, so I can understand the reference, but it doesn’t relate to the ‘choice’ aspect of the traditional meaning for the Lovers card. The lion reminds me too much of the traditional Strength card.
The author chose to rename the suits in accordance with their element, so the Ace of Fire correlates to the Ace of wands, and the booklet says Spirit-powered action, inspired transformation, access to co-creative power. When I feel my connection to Spirit, I see unlimited potential for transformation. There is no reason to fear because I am supported fully in imagining something new and daring to make it happen. This is a time to dream big. I can be bold and free because Spirit inspires me to turn my dreams into reality. Again, we see a departure from tradition with the interpretation — there is no such correlation to transformation nor dreaming in the original meaning. I do think the image and booklet interpretation grasp the element connection well and I love the fairy woman sitting on the lamp.
The 2 of water correlates to the 2 of cups. The booklet: Harmonious partnership, heart connection between two souls. I partner with one who is in harmony with me. Together, we explore what is and what might be, knowing we are there for each other. Two hearts beat as one as we take turns replenishing and encouraging the other. I have someone who can bring out the best in me, and I can do the same for another soul, for we are all expressions of divine love. The interpretation is in line with the cheesier interpretations of the two of cups, but the artwork has one fish following another, which kinda impacts the ability to see stuff like reciprocity. I tend to interpret goldfish in a rather limited way because they’re commonly associated with the fishbowl, which I tend to see as a restriction.
From the booklet: Moon — Illusion. I may not see the workings of Spirit in the invisible realms, but I know there is great activity “behind the scenes”. It’s important to trust the mystery and remember that the material realm is an illusion. Current conditions are not necessarily a reflection of the truth of what’s really going on in the present. Great opportunities lie in the shadows, awaiting the perfect time for illumination. I like the look of this card. The woman sitting on the moon suggests someone in touch with the divine feminine and therefore connected to her emotions and dreams. I find the imagery calming, and I like that the new moon has its eyes closed — there’s a suggestion of further germination of dreams and ideals.
The 3 of Air (3 of swords), and the booklet says: Silver linings, natural departures, “Rejection is God’s protection”. A third party helps me to see the truth of this situation. What is truly mine can never be withheld from me. Rejection is Spirit’s protection. It’s in my best interest to let go and allow for something better to take its place. It is my highest good to see the truth regardless of my temporary discomfort. This too shall pass. Experienced readers know this card as one of heartbreak and longing. The imagery on the card does convey a sense of sadness in the stance the angel assumes, but more so in how she is holding her head. We can see three birds; two sit together on a branch and one perches alone on the wing of the angel. It’s entirely possible to read infidelity from the position of the birds. Or maybe the angel just wants to be in a relationship because she sees others being happy together?
The last card I’ve chosen is the 8 of Earth (8 of pentacles). The booklet says: Apprenticeship, gaining knowledge, learning and employing a new craft or skill. Even masters of their craft have more to learn, and I eagerly embrace the opportunity to go deeper, develop a greater understanding, and find new ways to apply what I know. I acknowledge all I have learned and accomplished, the skills I have developed, and the goals I have reached. Now is the time to find new ways to apply what I know, to enhance my expertise. My beginner’s awkwardness has melted away, and I know what I am doing now. I have the confidence to become more intimate with the work areas of my life. This is a great image, and I really love how the instrument transforms into a tree. The booklet stayed close to the traditional meaning, and whilst the artwork strays a little, it’s easy enough to grasp the underlying concepts.
The deck and the booklet are out of sync in a few places, and I feel it makes the messages unreliable. I’d be happier to use the deck without any book at all and rely solely on interpretation through the artwork. Or, maybe ignore the artwork and use the booklet? If I had to sum up this deck, I’d describe it as a wasted opportunity. For a deck that has relied exclusively on positive interpretations, I feel surprisingly negative towards it. I don’t think it was thought through well enough because it doesn’t seem to come together as it could. I’m still looking forward to purchasing other projects that Baron-Reid and DellaGrottaglia have collaborated on together, but this isn’t going to be one of my favourites.
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I’ve been on a bit of a jaunt with tentacle-bearing monsters of late and figured I’d continue the theme here after being reminded of a particular pair of asteroids. These two don’t need to be looked at as a pair, although the midpoint between the two could be symbolic; I dunno. We’ll see. Scylla and Charybdis