The Star Tarot
Full Title: The Star Tarot – 2nd Edition
By: Cathy McClelland
Publisher: Red Feather Mind Body Spirit www.redfeathermbs.com Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
ISBN: 978-0-7643-5950-7
Book Size: 5 5/8″ x 8 5/8″
Book Pages: 272
Card Size: 3″ x 5 1/4″
Release Date: 2017 & 2020
Purchased or Gifted? : Purchased
Price: Package marked at $34.99 retail.
Favorite: I love that Cathy McClelland is both the Author and the Illustrator. That is so unusual for many Tarot decks and books.
Description of Deck:
The Star Tarot Deck – This is a large deck! It is almost too large for my hands, but this allows for the beautiful artwork to cover the cards. I like how there is no border around the sides of the cards competing with the artwork. Each card of The Star Tarot has an easy to read title that is on a solid background at the bottom.
The artwork is absolutely beautiful! The images follow the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, so it is easy to interpret. It is on a nice heavy card stock, too! The colors are very vibrant (this makes me happy!)
Layout of Book:
The Star Tarot Book – Cathy McClelland choose to separate the Major Arcana, then the Minor Arcana, and then the Court Cards. I personally do not care for this, because I think the Minor Arcana Court Cards should be in line with each suit and not separated out. But, of course, this is a personal opinion.
Each card page description has a small (size: ) color image accompanying it. With the Minor Arcana it may also included the Astrological sign, Lunar Cycle, Season, Keywords, Sacred Days, Elements, and other key facts. However, some include more information than others.
What I think is amazing is how Cathy McClelland describes all the Symbolism in each image from each card. There is so much information packed into the iconography. You don’t have to guess at why she choose a particular item, because she tells you!
There is also a small introduction into the Suits of the Minor Arcand.
What I find to be an added bonus to The Star Tarot is the section: Finding Your Lifetime Birth Personality and Soul Card, Under this section, she had How to Determine Your Yearly Growth Symbol. But, then there is an in-depth look into the Interpretations of each of the Growth Cards (Major Arcana)
The book is finished out with a section on Tarot Spreads (only three), along with a Bibliography
Packaging:
The Star Tarot comes in a large sturdy box (size) with a magnetic side closer to house the deck and book. The front highlights The Hermit card. There are four card images on the back to give the reader an insight into some of the stunning imagery.
Final Thoughts:
I will have to say that I am really impressed with The Star Tarot. The artwork blows me away. My only criticism is that some of the interpretations for each card is repeated – same description, just stated in a different way.
Would I recommend it? Yes, it is the perfect deck, particularly for someone who is new to reading Tarot.
(Please note that my deck is a couple of years old and is showing some wear from use. )
I used this deck for my 2023 Yearly Reading – to see more check out https://faceted-journey.com/happy-2023-my-yearly-reading/
