The Cosmic Tribe Tarot

The Cosmic Tribe Deck is just gorgeous!Steve Postman has to be commended for creating such a beautiful, striking and meaningful elaboration on the Tarot.The art for each card was composed digitally, but it's so fluid and beautiful, that the images truly transcend the technology that created them.What I mean by that is that, when looking at the images, i am so drawn into their lush beauty, variated colors, and dancing arabesques, that I cant believe that computer equipment could ever provide the kind of richly textured, seamless, and fantastic painterly quality that graces every card in this remarkable deck. The images have far too much natural beauty to give the sense of being digital.The visual experience is trans-dimensional, colorful, deep and very engaging.There is nudity, but it is very tasteful, and and quite reminiscent of classical art. The images are sensuous and alluring, but very reverential, and totally true to their accepted tarot meanings.I notice some of the reviewers in this comment section had been put off by the naked people in this deck... but really, there is no more nudity than one might find in, say, the Thoth deck (my all time favorite Tarot,) or the Alchemical Deck (another ground breaking and gorgeous ensemble,) The main difference is that in this deck, the nudes are photographed and digitally manipulated, rather than painted.However, the aesthetic treatment of those nude images is just astounding, and I cant help but feel that each card is almost like a crystalline window overlooking a wonderfully magickal vista. Each is almost like a hand-held painting by Pierre et Gilles (for those familiar with contemporary art.)What's even more wonderful about this deck is that the artist has chosen to use a variety of body types, and not just those which might be considered conventionally "attractive" by magazine standards. In so doing, the artist highlights the true sensuous beauty and erotic appeal of a variety of different body shapes and sizes.Additionally, the deck includes extra cards for "the Lovers." One card shows a gay female couple, one a gay male couple, and another a heterosexual couple. This allows the reader to pick the card most appropriate for the query. I really love this feature, since it shows how the artist took the time to understand and incorporate a diversity of loving relationships into the narratives of the deck.To me, as a gay man, this latter fact is most significant.I collect tarot cards because I just love the different approaches that different artists bring to the format. I don't use them for divination, but more for meditation and path working.Both of those applications require that one develop an emotional response to the cards... and, especially with cards like "the Lovers" or the "The Sun," that emotional response should include, to some degree or another, the erotic.And this deck, since it's imagery is versatile enough to appeal to a number of sexual identities, really triggers some strong emotional responses for me.I love it!I often consider the Thoth deck to be my absolute favorite tarot deck of all time... but Steve Postman's wonderful deck is, IMHO, a very close tie for all its beauty, magick and mystery.

I enjoy collecting Tarot decks and happened on this by accident. . .I'd surfed onto a wicca web page and it was the featured deck of the week or something. I bought it with no great expectation--I just thought the "Techno Pagan" theme was different than any of the themes in my collection. My first impression of the Cosmic Tribe was that the colors are extremely vibrant and beautiful, and that the art is simply phenomenal and unique. Very psychedelic. My reaction to the nudity and the use of photographs of real people was mixed. I don't mind the nudity, but at first the use of real people as opposed to drawn or painted people sort put me off. Initially this technique seemed to make the images less archtypal and more personal. Ultimately though, it's this very personalization of the deck that lends it much of its charm and power. Postman's selection of models are so apt for each particular card that they bring to life the meaning and personality of the cards in a way I've not experienced with any other decks. I'm a typical media influenced American male with certain preconceived notions of physical beauty, but despite this, Postmans choice of setting, use of light and color and choice of models makes the whole gamut of body shapes beautiful--I don't think I've ever so appreciated the nude human form. The inclusion of three Lover's cards--gay,lesbian, and hetero is a big plus. Judging on aesthetics alone, this deck is a must have--it must be seen to be appreciated. It is so beautiful you can be lost in it for hours. Above and beyond the superficial though, this deck's symbolism is so apt, so meaningful, so instantly intuitive that it has become my favorite for actual use in readings. It is very similar to Crowley's Thoth deck, but with more relevant and modern symbolism. Postman's deck is both deep AND easy to use. My only criticism is that the accompanying book is some what of the fluffy new-age self help feel good type, as opposed to Crowley's more scholarly "Book of Thoth". However, as far as fluffy new-age tarot books go, its actually pretty good, and anyway, there is nothing wrong with the occasionally fluffy sap in one's life. In the books favor, it does offer some interesting ideas for readings and meditations. All in all, this is a must have deck.

Even though it’s listed as a paperback, this does come with the cards as well, but only if you order straight from Amazon (shipped and sold by Amazon). I’m assuming that the people that complain about not receiving the cards ordered from third-party sellers? If all else fails, you can always order it straight from the publisher since this deck is still in print.Now to the cards themselves. They’re great! Some of my favorites include: Emperor, Hierophant, Hermit, 3 of Wands, 5 of Swords, 2 of Cups, 10 of Disks, and a lot more. The only complaint I have is the card stock. It really isn’t the greatest. It’s one of those cardboardy decks where the corners weren't cut evenly. It’s very much like the card stock for the Neo Tarot, if anyone is familiar with that one.Anyway, I’ve had this deck in my sights for a while and I’m glad I finally got it. It’s definitely a different sort of deck, and that’s not a bad thing. And best of all, it comes with three Lovers cards (male/female, male/male, female/female)! I wish all decks were so inclusive!

BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY GETTING!I bought this second hand - I have given one star because I can't review this product as a set of cards because all I received was a rather poorly illustrated paper back book. (which I assume originally accompanied a set of cards). I would advise anyone else buying what they think is a set of cards to make sure they confirm that is what they are getting before buying!

still learning how to use them, the handbook is informative. A suggestion would be to offer reading the deck in alternative ways..

It is a striking and powerful deck. The companion book is excellent too.

Diese Karten sind unglaublich. Die Bilder zeigen eine Tiefe die ich bisher bei keinem Tarot vorfinden konnte, wenn man von den symbolischen Interpretationen absieht. Somit ist das Cosmic Tribe-Tarot das optimale Tarot für Anfänger und Kartenleger die nicht auf eine hermetisch-esoterische Symbolik zurückgreifen wollen. Nur eines hat mich enttäuscht, doch ist dieses Problem nicht wirklich den Verlust eines Sternes wert, denn die in China gedruckten Karten weisen doch einige verarbeitungstechnische Schwächen auf. So ist der Kartenschnitt nicht sauber durchgeführt und das Papier minderwertig. Doch das ist für das Arbeiten mit dem Tarot nicht hinderlich.

Per chi ama la provocazione e la nudità maschile, per il mondo queer e per chi vede la vita in modo più "elaborato" rispetto alla media, il mazzo ha un senso e andrebbe preso