Chrysalis Tarot
Chrysalis Tarot is a storyteller’s deck that took three and a half years to create. The time and effort taken to create it shows. Others agree. In 2014 it was awarded the Tarosophist Award for Best New Deck. I’m not sure how they decide the winner, but I didn’t read that this deck had won and think, “really??” because Chrysalis Tarot has a lot to offer. Covering a range of mythologies and focused on ‘alignment, mindfulness and attunement to the vibrations of life itself’ Chrysalis Tarot is a powerful self-reflective tool. And, I’m sure the stunning artwork and the well-researched and well-thought out book will appeal to many.
The Chrysalis Tarot Cards
This is a stand-alone, yet familiar, deck that makes you reconsider how you approach the cards. It moves you away from fixed knowledge in favour of tapping into what the card is trying to tell you. That is not to say you can only read intuitively with this deck. However, I would suggest the deck and book set so you can discover the thinking behind the choices made. For example why is XII The Hanged Man now the Celtic Owl pictured below?
At first glance, and indeed I’ve read reviews that say as much, this may seem like a strange choice. Yet, when you read the thought behind the choice it makes perfect sense. As my deck collection confirms, (Animal Wisdom Tarot, Animal Totem Tarot, The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit, The Ark Animal Tarot and Oracle Set, Oriens Animal Tarot, Animal Kin Oracle, Spirit Animal Oracle, The El Goliath Tarot Deck plus my three cat decks, and Crow Tarot), I love working with animal symbolism. The Owl here symbolises deep wisdom and the ability to see what others can’t. In looking beneath the surface you develop a better grasp of the situation which ultimately aids decision making. Therefore, this is not such a different approach after all.
The same applies when you consider The Poet for the King of Scrolls (King of Swords) also pictured above. Normally I would expect that to maybe appear as the choice for the King of Mirrors (King of Cups). Yet Toney Brooks explains that ‘The Poets gift of words assists you in developing metaphorical thinking.’ He quotes from William Wordsworth’s poem, The Tables Turned:
Sweet is the lore which Nature brings; Our meddling intellect Mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things:-- We murder to dissect. Enough of Science and of Art; Close up those barren leaves; Come forth, and bring with you a heart That watches and receives.
This King of Scrolls encourages contemplation and seeks to ‘remind you that thoughts, emotions and intentions compose the poetry of your reality.’
The Chrysalis Tarot isn’t a heavily peopled deck. In fact, around thirty cards feature no people at all. Some are purely scenic while others feature animals and mythological creatures. All are beautifully rendered and each has a clear story to tell. When I look at the Seven of Scrolls pictured below, my mind thinks 2 of Swords which, in a way, still aligns with the message. This card is inspired by Mr Tumnus from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.
In the image the faun has a tough decision to make. He is half animal and half human. Should instinct, intuition, logic, emotion or intellect prevail? Sometimes our decisions make little sense to others but that doesn’t make them wrong. Fortunately we can incorporate all aspects in our decision making process. Unfortunately all these choices can lead to indecision. I would add that sometimes more information isn’t going to help us. We just need to trust what we feel is the right decision and go with that.
Now, as you have no doubt noticed, this deck has changed the Suits and the Major Arcana titles. The suits are Stones (Pentacles), Spirals (Wands), Mirrors (Cups) and Scrolls (Swords) and the Majors in Chrysalis Tarot are as follows:
| Number | Traditional Nomination | Chrysalis Tarot Nomination |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | The Fool | Merlin |
| I | The Magician | Ravens |
| II | The High Priestess | Sorceress |
| III | The Empress | Gaia |
| IV | The Emperor | Green Man |
| V | The Hierophant | Divine Child |
| VI | The Lovers | Lovers |
| VII | The Chariot | Herne the Hunter |
| VIII | Justice | Ma’at |
| IX | The Hermit | Storyteller |
| X | The Wheel of Fortune | Wheel |
| XI | Strength | Papa Legba |
| XIII | Death | Ariadne |
| XIV | Temperance | Golden Flower |
| XV | The Devil | Bella Rosa |
| XVI | The Tower | Kali |
| XVII | The Star | Elpi |
| XIX | The Sun | Sun |
| XX | Judgment | Phoenix |
| XXI | The World | Psyche |
Chrysalis Tarot also reimagines the Court. Instead of the Court this deck has the Troupe. Those in the Troupe hold one of four roles: Mentor, Muse, Mystic or Messenger. Their role is to be considered alongside their personality traits and the animal familiar that accompanies them. Unsurprisingly, I’m sure, I love the inclusion of the animals.
Though I do find it a tad odd that on the card they are labelled with their Court association rather than their role. For example King of Stones – The Minstrel rather than Mentor of Stones (pictured below). Maybe that’s because the Queen of Spirals (pictured below) is called The Muse and therefore it has been done to avoid confusion. However the Queen of Mirrors (featured further down), is called The Watcher so maybe the Queen of Spirals could have been retitled??? The Inspiration?? Put simply though, the assignations are as follows: Kings are Mentors, Queens are Muses, Mystics are Knights, and Pages are Messengers. The book presents them in this way.
Often times I feel that name changes are done for no other reason than because they can be. I don’t feel that with this deck. Nevertheless, it does mean that there is a learning curve with Chrysalis Tarot. However, as Toney Brooks points out, ‘One great advantage tarot holds as a tool for personal transformation is that it does not depend on memorising correct beliefs, rather it relies on empowering personal experience.’ This deck wants to talk to you in ways that make sense to you.
I have trimmed the side and top borders from my cards so mine now measure approximately 6.5 x 11.5cm. Originally they were approximately 7.5 x 12cm. If there weren’t so many other decks I would love to add to my collection I would purchase another copy and completely trim the titles. Within reason, it wouldn’t be hard to recognise which card is which because the Spiral suit is predominantly orange/brown, the Stones are mainly green toned, Scrolls have a purple focus and the Mirrors are primarily blue. Without titles the emphasis is purely, “what is the card showing me.” I feel it may be possible to connect with the cards on an even deeper level without the distraction of the labels.
The Chrysalis Tarot Book
I have the deck and book set so I have both the LWB and the full 216 paged companion book. Both the deck and book are also available separately. Straight up I would say this is one book that is worth the additional cost. It’s great.
Divided into two parts, the first section has five chapters that focus on examining the magic and energy of the Otherworld that is said to guide you as you undertake the spiritual journey of self discovery and transformation that drives this deck.
Chapter 1 – Elpi’s Cosmic insights examines “New Physics” and various scientific discoveries that impacted our world view. Here you’ll discover interesting discussions on the energy of empty space and what they believe that means in regards to both tarot and ourselves. The Dead Universe world view is contrasted with the Living Universe world view in this section also. The former seeing the world as a place of objects, the latter as a place of relationships where everything is interconnected and interdependent. No prizes for guessing which is favoured.
Chapter 2 – Papa Legba’s Unseen Travels opens with a quote attributed to Albert Einstein:
One cannot help but be in awe when one contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvellous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries to comprehend only a little of this mystery everyday.
In this chapter Toney Brooks briefly discusses Collective Unconscious, Gaia Theory, and Morphic Resonance.
Chapter 3 – Merlin’s Great Matter explores the Holy Grail. The connection makes sense because ‘above all else, Grail legends provide compelling metaphors for human development and spiritual growth.’ Chapter 4 – Storyteller’s Vision Quest then discusses Shamanism before Chapter 5 – Morgan’s Cauldron of Rebirth moves on to discuss magic. Magic in the Chrysalis Tarot means synchronicity. ‘[This] meaningful coincidence of unrelated external and internal events is [said to be] spiritual energy that taps you on the shoulder for a particular purpose.’
Many a time I have selected cards from a well shuffled and fanned presentation, only to have several of the same cards appear after I have re-shuffled and once again freely chosen from a fanned deck. The same has happened with clients. I’m guessing it’s happened to you too. Regardless of how much we might not want to see and “hear” what is coming through when this occurs it should never be dismissed.
All of these chapters are written in simple, easy to understand language that seeks to explain what may be going on when we work with tarot cards. I have read many guidebooks. This is the first that takes away the vague assertions and presents what many of us feel in a way that is both explainable and feasible. In so doing, these cards seek to connect us with the aspects of ourselves that we may have forgotten about.
Part 2 covers card meanings and discusses the symbolism in the artwork. Each card is treated the same. Following a black and white rendering of the original artwork Holly Sierra shares her inspiration for the illustration. Toney Brooks then interprets the card by drawing from its mythological associations and by pointing out the relevance and meaning behind certain inclusions. This book can teach you a lot.
My only gripe about this set is the packaging. Trying to get the book and the cards back into the sleeve that contains them both is frustrating. Even though keeping the cards in a box or bag solves the issue, every time I pull the book out, ie to write this review, trying to return it to its position in the box is a fiddly process. A simple magnetic closing box or one with a lift off lid would solve everything.
Spreads
Only one spread is included:
- The Chrysalis Fairy Ring Spread (9 cards)
This is an unusual spread in that three cards (Storyteller, Sorceress and 9 of Mirrors) form the basis for the layout. You select another two from a list of cards associated with fairy energy to represent your query, and then you draw the four cards that form the answer as per normal. I wasn’t too taken with this idea initially but the insights that came to the fore were spot on and just what I needed to “hear”.
The unique approach, Holly Sierra’s artwork, and the thought behind each card makes the Chrysalis Tarot a worthy addition to any collection. Whilst I wouldn’t label it a beginner’s deck, with the inclusion of the guidebook and the way it encourages you to tap into the unseen it can definitely start beginners on a wonderful path. My husband bought me this deck so it holds a special place in my heart but putting that aside, I would still thoroughly recommend this deck.
Publishing Details
Deck Creators:
Toney Brooks and Holly Sierra (Artist)
Pictured Version:
Deck and Book set published by US Games Inc in 2016
