Dreaming Way Tarot
When I bought this deck midway through last year, I flicked through it, and then largely forgot about it. Fortunately, in response to a comment on another post, we became reacquainted. The timing couldn’t have been better. The Dreaming Way Tarot has its own way of delivering messages. As an added bonus, it’s a very chatty deck. I had forgotten about that. Why I’m not sure. My initial notes were four pages long which is double what I would normally produce on my first flick through. So, with such a talkative deck, this post could get long. I’ll try and keep it reined in. Let’s see how I go.
General information about the Dreaming Way Tarot
Rome Choi called the deck the Dreaming Way Tarot because the characters came to him in a dream. And, those characters steal the show. This is an up close and personal deck rather than a scenic one. But, that doesn’t mean you haven’t got much to work with. Take 7 The Chariot and the Knight of Wands pictured below as examples. The movement on The Chariot is clear, as is his need to control his direction. It is much more alive than many renderings.
The Knight of Wands imagery is just as forthcoming. Whenever I see a checkerboard pattern, (Anna K Tarot and Tarot in Wonderland come to mind here), I think of a game board and thus, that in some way, there is a game being played.
Here on the Knight of Wands he is dressed in checks giving me strong player vibes – not that he’s trying to hide that aspect of himself. But the fact that he is looking over his shoulder rather than where he is going suggests there is a recklessness about him as well.
But, I can’t see what he’s looking at or what’s in front of him. Nor can I work out what’s on his upper arm. I think it’s a pocket but for some reason the fact that I can’t clearly discern what it is bothers me. Why I don’t know. However, one thing is clear. Even though I can perceive a lot, I can’t actually see much. There is a warning in all of this. There’s also a sense of excitement. Further, the larger checks on his saddle make me think there is a bigger game at stake here.
Light and shade are readily apparent on every card. As I said earlier, this is such a chatty deck.
A few interesting differences
For the most part the imagery is similar to what you’d expect to find on any RWS clone but with some noteworthy artistic changes. For example, on this version of The World the man is taking a well-earned rest after finishing his book. But generally, no-one just reads one book and then stops. After a break, it is time to pick up the next and start again. I like this story. It feels relatable on multiple levels.
The Seven of Pentacles tells a straight forward story too but once again with many inferences. You can see that the girl has her hands full but what she’s thinking is open to interpretation. Even though she already has so much, she doesn’t seem happy. Is she questioning her choices or worrying that she still doesn’t have enough? Or is she wondering why she has all that she does and whether it’s worth the price she had, and potentially still has, to pay?
This final idea reminds me of something Chris Reck from Minnow Pond on You Tube often says about the Seven of Pentacles, “Is the juice worth the squeeze?” All those bags look heavy so in her case maybe not.
As I wrote that minimalism came to mind closely followed by the issue of trying to write too many stories. The coin behind her makes we wonder whether issues from her past are driving her actions? I’ll move on before more ideas present themselves.
Above are another couple of examples, but for the sake of brevity I won’t go into them because there is so much I want to say about this deck. If you’re curious about my take on these cards send me an email or comment below.
A message from the cards
In the deck interview, when I asked the cards to introduce themselves, they answered, “People might not see themselves in me but that’s not the point. It’s for them to see me in themselves. I help you to look to a side of yourself you’ve forgotten or didn’t realise existed. Don’t try to classify me. Work with what you see and what it brings to mind.”
The Dreaming Way Tarot is much deeper than it may initially appear.
For one, something strange happens when I work with the Dreaming Way Tarot. I see a card and I’m sure I’ve seen the particular outfit or the same background before so I go searching because I’m curious to see the connection. But, it’s not there. The other image I was sure I’d seen doesn’t exist. There’s a familiarity, a sense of recognition, a surety, but it’s all in my mind. I don’t think that’s a bad thing, but it is unusual. It’s like a dream state of sorts. Maybe these images come to many of us in our dreams, not just Rome Choi???
General card details
But, for now, let’s get back on to more solid ground. The Dreaming Way Tarot card stock is quite slippery but easy to work with. Measuring 7cm x 12cm the cards are a standard size, with slim white borders and a clear font. Standard nominations are used across the board with the Minor Arcana titles written out in full. Numbers are used on the Major Arcana which helps to differentiate them.
I really like the backs. When I see them fanned out they feel cellular to me. You can see what I mean at the end of this post. However, as can be seen above, they are not reversible. That becomes quite apparent when they are fanned but might not be as noticeable if you lay cards out from the top of the pack.
Discussions on some individual cards
20 Judgment & 10 of Wands
This is a very interesting Judgment card. My first reaction was to question whether it represented a false calling especially when positioned alongside the Ten of Wands. The message seemed clear. If you follow a false calling life will be more difficult, more challenging, or more burdensome in some way. It felt like a straight forward message.
Yet I also get the sense of trying to do the “right” thing – the expected thing. Is the other call, the one in the background, one that we feel we should hide or ignore? Is there a shadow issue involved that needs to be addressed? They have their back turned to the Ten of Wands so is it suggesting ignoring the work that needs to be done? Or not seeing it as a burden?
On the Ten of Wands his shirt is very white. Is that associated with pure intentions and doing what is right? That can be burdensome but maybe he has a vision that makes the load worthwhile. They all seem to be looking in the same direction. He is not looking at his bundle. Maybe his vision is becoming clearer as it comes into view. The feathers on the angel wings look more like leaves to me. They are present on some of the wands as well. Therefore, I feel that all his hard work is leading to growth. Hopefully that growth is in the right direction.
15 The Devil & 4 The Emperor
This is a powerful Devil because it captures multiple meanings. Unlike most versions, the shadow is artistically depicted which brings this aspect to the fore. But to see it only in this manner is too simplistic. The Devil herself catches my attention. Just like on the previous two cards, she is dressed in white albeit her dress shows some blemishes. Yet, seeing that her movement is restricted as well reminds that there is more to the story than is often considered when looking at this card.
She is looking at The Emperor but he seems to be looking at the restrictive garment she is wearing. Are her restrictions caused by her need to control and yet in doing so she loses freedom? In trying to hold everything in check, (maybe as with the cards above she’s trying to deny her shadow), she is bound to a particular version of herself that is not authentic. For this reason, this Devil hints that fear might be driving her need to control others. Seeing The Emperor brought to mind notions of jealousy leading to an attempt to control those we love, or to being controlled by them for the same reason.
That doesn’t diminish other potential stories though. Oftentimes I associate aspects of the Ten of Wands with The Devil. Considering it is sitting next to The Emperor, an example could be agreeing to take on more work to help out a struggling colleague. The additional workload, that was manageable for a short while, can quickly become overwhelming especially if what began with good intentions and was met with appreciation becomes an expectation. Nothing about this card is black and white.
I just glanced at the cards again and noted that the position of the white on the two cards is inversed which gives The Emperor an advisory feel. The positioning, coupled with the checker board pattern, suggests it’s time to decide your next move in order to take back control of your life.
12 The Hanged Man & Six of Pentacles
When I saw this Hanged Man for the first time I wrote, “Face looks like a mask. Coat hangers? Clothes as another mask?” This is quite different to the thoughts that would normally come to mind when looking at this card. So, in light of the previous cards and since the benefactor and the hanged man are looking at each other, it makes me question motivations. What is being done for appearances and what is genuine?
Sometimes, unfortunately probably more than I would like to acknowledge, I know I get caught up doing the things I feel I am supposed to do rather than what I would like to do. I know I am not alone in this. But, these cards, taken as a whole, serve as a potent reminder that it is important to weigh up the true cost of taking this approach. The question to ask is whether what we are giving our time, energy and resources to actually aligns with our vision. This is easier said than done but as the previous cards suggest, the consequences of not doing so aren’t that pleasant either.
If you’re wondering whether I consciously chose these cards, I didn’t. It’s just what the Dreaming Way Tarot had to say. I don’t believe there is such a thing as a random reading though.
The Dreaming Way Tarot Guide Book
The Dreaming Way Tarot comes with a 39-paged, little white book. A brief introduction covers Rome Choi’s tarot journey and wraps up with the philosophy driving this deck:
Rather than searching for happiness, just try to embrace the moments of happiness in your life.
Then the book launches straight into the Major Arcana card meanings. Each opens with a paragraph followed by keywords for both upright and reversed presentations. The Minor Arcana section opens with information about the characteristics of the suits and the characteristics of numbers. Therefore, when he moves on to the card meanings for the Minor Arcana he only provides keywords for both presentations. He also includes one spread designed to “help you confront issues that may have blocked contentment” which I found to be a simple, yet effective, spread.
There’s a lot of black and white interpretations in this book and yet I don’t find the cards read like that at all. So, I take what adds to my understanding and leave the ideas I don’t connect with. However, I don’t completely dismiss or discount them either. Many books, for example The Tarot Revealed link certain physical attributes to the court cards.
The Magician
On many of the card meanings Rome Choi mentions ages. In the case of The Magician he writes, “Usually the card refers to a person 20-40 years old.” I can’t pretend I’m a fan of this definitive approach to card meanings.
Yet, I like the card itself. In looking at a grey haired, young person I am reminded to regain youthful curiosity and an optimistic belief in what is possible without allowing “worldly” knowledge and experience to determine what dreams are believable.
However, overall I find the messages in the guide book pro-active. That is an aspect I am a fan of. I’ll share the write up for The Wheel of Fortune to show what I mean.
The Wheel of Fortune
It reads:
There is no pre-destined plan for us. What you do today will affect your future. If you are unsatisfied with your situation now, you need to make changes in your life. Expand your outlook by stepping back to see the larger cycles of events. Increased awareness can alter attitudes and outcomes.
Wow, I just realised how much that message aligns with the earlier card pairings. Plus as I look at her green wings I see leaves, and thus the idea of being responsible for our own growth. This deck just keeps delivering. Many interpretations of this card suggest “This too shall pass” whether in regards to a positive or a negative period. The Dreaming Way Tarot version shows she is unravelling, and thus sorting out, her own mess rather than waiting for someone or something else to come along and do it for her. I love this message.
Wrapping it all up
Sitting down to write about the Dreaming Way Tarot has been full of surprises. I don’t know why I hadn’t connected with it when I first bought it although I’m guessing that it just wasn’t the right time. Fortunately, in being asked to write about it, we reconnected at the perfect time. Personally, I find this deck has a muse-like quality, and so I will use it in that capacity.
However, that’s not to say that this deck is limited or limiting. The characters are personable and readily share their stories. If the artwork appeals to you I have no doubt you will quickly become drawn into their world. What happens once you’re there is up to you.
Because the people you meet are quick to strike up a conversation and the topics open for discussion are clear, I would consider the Dreaming Way Tarot suitable for all experience levels. It has taught me a lot in the short time I’ve been working with it.
Summaries
Dreaming Way Tarot cards
| Artist | Kwon Shina |
| Card Size | 7cm x 12cm |
| Card Stock | Flexible, low sheen |
| Shuffle | Easy to shuffle in any manner |
| Fan & Flip Through | Easy to fan and flip through |
| Suits | Pentacles, Swords, Cups and Wands |
| Court | King, Queen, Knight, Page |
| Strength / Justice | Strength 8; Justice 11 |
| Miscellaneous | Very tight fitting tuckbox. Difficult to get both the cards and guide book back into the box. |
Dreaming Way Tarot Guide book
| Written by | Rome Choi |
| Pages | 39 pp |
| Appearance | LWB |
| Spreads | Dreaming Way Five-card Spread |
Publishing Details
Created by:
Rome Choi with illustrations by Kwon Shina
Pictured Version:
Published in 2012 by US Games Systems Inc
ISBN 13: 978-1-57281-712-8
Websites:
You can find the Dreaming Way Tarot by
