Stephanie Pui-Mun Law’s Shadowscapes Tarot has always been on my wishlist for artistic tarot decks, and I am so glad that I got the deck that comes with a guidebook when I finally took the plunge and purchased it. The cards themselves are wonderful pieces of artwork that bring the tarot to life using Law’s signature whimsical watercolour style, but the guidebook gives readers a much more in depth view of the stories that are hidden in the cards. When I started reading the guidebook, I thought that it would be a good idea to do a short reading each night to get more familiar with the deck itself alongside the stories, since it doesn’t make much sense to separate the two mediums. Low and behold, the first reading revealed the 8 of cups as the finale, which promises a deep dive in the spiritual side of life by entering into a period of self reflection and isolation. Well played, Shadowscapes tarot, well played. As I was reading the book alongside the cards, I found that even though I drew on some of the traditional interpretations of the tarot Law’s cards revealed different messages and pathways due to their unique imagery. Most decks I see the cards as separate entities that occasionally play together in readings, but with Law’s deck a more intensive story is revealed, spurred on by imagery that brings the tarot’s characters to life and themes which spiral among the various suits. Some of these stories are revealed in the pages of the guidebook, but few are complete narratives, giving us instead small snapshots into a fantastical world populated by magical creatures and fey courts that characterise the traditional qualities of the tarot - and of humanity. Law’s stories are such short pieces that we are inevitably left wanting more, but the tarot cannot reveal all; instead we must take its wisdom in glimpses and bring its knowledge into the real world. After all, magic isn’t just contained in the pages of stories (or tarot cards, in this case); it can be all around us, if we just choose to see it. ( )

Shadowscapes is a tarot deck of 78 cards with exquisite fantasy-based artwork. This particular edition does not come with the companion book, but does have a booklet. I work around this by using an app that contains the full text of the companion book.

While I don't often do in-depth readings with this deck, partially because of the heavy detail and small size of the cards, but I find it amazing for one-card draws and journaling sessions. ( )

beautiful softly done art work ( )

Supplied in a 'sideways opening' giftbox type cover, the deck comes with the traditional little-white-booklet. I like the box type - so much less likely to damage card edges than trying to slot them back into the top opening format.

And the card - the cards are gorgeous. They look like they were done with a mixture of watercoliur/watercolour pencils - floating colours and smudged backgrounds, with finely empahasised highlights and definitions. Scrumptious. ( )

The Art work is breathe takingly beautiful... Ms. Law magically combines many culture paths, cues, and totems in this marvelous book. I throughly enjoyed viewing the larger prints and reading not only Ms. Bararbra Moores clinical explinations but also Ms. Law's interpetation as the creative force and direction as the artist views her work.

There is much room left in both explinations to allow well versed Tarot readers room to expand on their own personal explinations and journey whole hearted through this amazing world of Shadowscape Ms. Law has created. From the Fool to King of Pentacles... you will not be disappointed.

*Please note I do not see this as a beginners deck...intermediate to advanced would do better (but note to beginners pick this up now so later you'll have it on hand) ( )