The Prisma Visions Tarot, created by James R. Eads and published independently, presents a distinct approach to tarot interpretation through its visual storytelling and thematic depth. The deck is characterized by colorful whorls and linking scenes within the Minor Arcana, inviting the reader to engage deeply with the imagery. Unlike traditional decks, the artwork in Prisma Visions encourages a slow contemplative process, allowing the viewer to wade into the symbolic waters rather than skimming the surface. The deck was first introduced through the creator's previous work, the Green Glyphs Lenormand, and is available in various editions, including the Fifth Edition. The artistic style is often described as having a melting, liquid quality, which serves as a metaphor for transformation and the necessity of accepting confusion to foster growth.
The Major Arcana and the Journey of the Psyche
In the context of the Prisma Visions deck, the Major Arcana follows the traditional structure of the Fool's Journey. This sequence consists of 21 cards that guide the mind through a path toward enlightenment. These cards explore the subconscious, the ego, and the heart, aiming to unfold the inner workings of the psyche. When Major Arcana cards appear in a reading, they are viewed as carrying strong messages that prompt a deeper connection with the subconscious mind. The imagery within the Prisma Visions Major Arcana is designed to flirt with these deeper realms, using abstraction and fantasy to unlock new perspectives.
The Suit of Wands: Creation and Ambition
The Suit of Wands in the Prisma Visions Tarot represents the suit of creation. It chronicles the journey of an idea from its inception to its final manifestation. To successfully safeguard a vision and turn it into self-sustaining vitality, one must possess ambition, determination, and the ability to harmonize with others. The core message of this suit is the importance of faith in oneself. It suggests using burning passion to forge something wonderful, thereby spreading one's influence into the universe.
The 8 of Wands and the Reversed State
A specific observation regarding the 8 of Wands highlights the impact of reversal. When the 8 of Wands appears reversed, it encourages slowness and a focus on detail. In the Prisma Visions imagery, this is represented by vortices behind the trees. The card suggests a need to step in and enjoy the beauty of the moment. There is a reflective, watery quality to this reversed state, likened to a "bath of flowers." This imagery evokes connections to deities of beauty such as Aphrodite or Venus, but also carries a caution against self-indulgence similar to the myth of Narcissus. The reversed 8 of Wands requires fine balance; one must avoid drowning in the waters or becoming stuck to the bank. The goal is to emerge newly formed, like Aphrodite, rather than becoming trapped in self-obsession.
The 6 of Swords and Transformation
The 6 of Swords is noted for its thematic connection to transformation. The imagery often includes a butterfly, symbolizing a necessary shift or a new way forward. This card suggests that at the end of a lesson or period of difficulty, one's relationship to their environment or current practice will be different. It promises a trip or journey, not necessarily physical, but one of internal change that moves things forward to reject the desire to wallow in despair or pain.
The Suit of Chalices: The Affairs of the Heart
The Suit of Chalices is dedicated to the affairs of the heart. It encompasses emotional connections and the flow of feelings.
The King of Chalices and the Hanged Man
The King of Chalices is depicted as a figure who balances head and heart. However, when this card appears reversed, it serves as a caution against becoming inundated and drowning in experience. This is likened to falling into the waters as autumnal leaves do, or becoming stuck to the banks like Narcissus. Interestingly, the Hanged Man in the Prisma Visions deck is depicted as a drowned man, reinforcing the watery theme of this suit. The court cards of the Wands and Chalices in this deck are viewed as energies rather than static figures, suggesting a focus on the principles of a person rather than surface details.
The Moon and the Pathway of Light
The Moon card in the Prisma Visions deck acts as a counterpoint to the deep emotional waters of the Chalices suit. Despite its watery appearance, the focus here is on the boat and the pathway made by the light of the Moon. This imagery serves as a reminder that the unconscious processing encouraged by earlier cards is meant to lead somewhere specific. However, the Moon also carries the threat of false surfaces and illusions. It asks the viewer to remember that the surface is rarely a useful way of understanding reality. The light reflects in the waters, and if one gets sidetracked, they may follow an illusion down into the depths. The Moon provides light, but it requires discernment to follow the true path rather than the reflection.
Holistic Approach to Tarot Reading
Taken together, the cards of the Prisma Visions Tarot encourage a specific mode of engagement: optimism combined with slow contemplation. The deck allows for abstraction and wishful thinking, yet it also demands determined thought processes that result in forward movement. The overarching goal of this deck is to help the reader reject any desire to wallow in despair or pain. It invites the reader to float and bathe in the beautiful, feeling waters of the imagery, but strictly warns against the act of wallowing. The deck challenges the reader to accept confusion and discomfort as necessary components of growth, moving past the initial disorientation to find a new way forward.
Practical Considerations for Reading
When utilizing the Prisma Visions Tarot, the reading process is heavily influenced by the deck's visual nature. The "melting, liquid quality" of the art suggests that interpretations should not be rigid. Instead, the reader is encouraged to let thoughts flow over each other like the colorful clouds or auroras seen in the background of some cards. This natural pace of thought is preferred over a "great clashing of swords," suggesting that the deck is best used for internal debates and personal processing rather than aggressive confrontation.
Furthermore, there is an appeal to fantasy within the readings. The deck encourages the reader not to worry about objective surroundings or what can be seen clearly. Instead, it invites the reader to get sidetracked by the beauty of the imagery, but to remain cautious of the "false surfaces" mentioned in the Moon card. This duality—enjoying the view while maintaining a critical eye—is essential for using the deck effectively.
The Creator and Publication
The Prisma Visions Tarot is the work of artist and creator James R. Eads, copyrighted in 2016. It is published independently by the creator, distinguishing it from mass-market decks. The deck has gained recognition through platforms like Kickstarter, where Eads has also launched other projects such as the Cosma Visions Oracle. The deck is available for purchase directly through James R. Eads's site, and the version often discussed in reviews is the Fifth Edition.
Summary of Symbolism
The symbolism within the deck is rich and interconnected. The recurring motif of water acts as a double-edged sword: it represents the flow of emotion and the subconscious (as seen in the Chalices suit and the Moon card), but it also represents the danger of drowning or becoming lost (as seen in the reversed King of Chalices and the Hanged Man). The suit of Wands counters this with the element of fire and creation, though even the Wands can become too reflective or slow when reversed. The Major Arcana ties these elements together, guiding the Fool through a journey that requires navigating both the burning passion of creation and the deep waters of the subconscious.
Conclusion
The Prisma Visions Tarot is a tool designed for deep introspection and the navigation of complex emotional and creative landscapes. Its unique artistic style and linking scenes require the reader to slow down and engage with the imagery on a level that goes beyond surface interpretation. By balancing the optimism of creation found in the Wands with the emotional depth of the Chalices, and by using the guidance of the Major Arcana to navigate the subconscious, the reader can find a path forward. The deck serves as a reminder that while it is beneficial to float in the waters of feeling and fantasy, one must always maintain the discernment to avoid drowning in the depths of illusion.