In return, they’ll return vivid imagery, new perspective, and to-the-point advice.Īnyone work with this deck? Your thoughts? I would recommend this deck for people who like Zen-flavored perspective, prefer straight talk and are willing to put in the time needed to get to know these cards. Some of the imagery packs a punch, and there are a number of cards that some may consider bleak. But not everybody feels the same, so bear in mind your own preferences when considering this deck. I also am a fan of Zen-I find freedom in detachment and see gifts in mindfulness. I don’t consider that a criticism, personally. I find this deck to be direct, very much on the blunt side. Suits are represented by the colors in the diamond icon at card’s bottom, and court cards are designated by their corresponding elemental symbols to make identification easier. Card interpretations are often similar to the Rider/Waite, but sometimes focus on specific aspects or angles of the traditional meanings. Once I got to know the cards a little better, I found I could indeed get sharp and helpful readings. I was concerned I’d have trouble interpreting it. I actually had the deck for several years before I learned to read with it. No particular attention is paid to astrological correspondences beyond that inherited by the semi-traditional card associations. Some of Osho’s selections may require extra consideration if you have little exposure to Zen philosophy. For each card, the companion book has black and white card images, a selection from Osho relating to the card’s meaning, and a less poetic suggested interpretation. The suits are Fire, Water, Clouds (Air), and Rainbows (Earth), represented by elemental icons. Y’kno? But it’s easy enough to nix that card if you don’t want to participate. This struck me as contrived and self-indulgent, considering the concepts within the deck and book should already be enough to introduce his perspective. Nonetheless, I was annoyed discovering an extra Major Arcana card for “The Master,” representative of transcending the cycle of life and death and illustrated by a painting of (the deceased) Osho. Osho himself was quite a colorful character, controversial but interesting.
The teachings espoused in the card interpretations are from Osho, a Zen master.