Review and Deck Interview with the Borderless Smith-Waite Tarot

The borderless Smith-Waite Tarot arrived in the post today. As a huge fan of the artwork of Pamela Coleman Smith, I hastily unpacked this much longed-for deck. Essentially, this is the US Games Centennial Smith-Waite Tarot but with the borders trimmed. However, there are some other small differences as you will see if you read on. I will say this right off the bat though – Borderless is definitely better!

As you can see in the picture at the top of the page some extra artwork has been included with the borderless Smith-Waite Tarot. The other three extras can be seen below. Unfortunately, these extra images have borders. I’m not sure why since it seems fairly obvious to me that many of us will want to use these extra cards in the deck for at least some of the readings we do… right?

Never mind, I’ll still use these in my readings when the mode strikes me! 🙂

Another unfortunate use of borders is on the backs of the cards. The ‘borderless’ edition is on the left and the Centennial is on the right. As you can see, the ‘borderless’ does in fact have bordered backs… Again, I’m wondering… Why? The backs are very similar but the borderless (lol) edition is about one or two millimetres wider. US Games have opted for a green (or is it teal) colour for the borderless Smith-Waite backs rather than the dusty baby blue of the Centennial Tarot.

So are the actual deck images any different? Well, yes… It seems that at least some of the colours have been boosted in the borderless edition. If you look carefully, you will notice that the cap on the chap’s head in the 9 of Cups is a slightly more vivid red, for instance. The images obviously pop more because they are slightly larger and the reader’s attention isn’t distracted by the white border. Oh yes, this is so good!

Deck Interview with the Borderless Smith-Waite Tarot

I’m using the deck interview spread I created for the Enchanted Tarot of Dreams for this interview with the borderless Smith-Waite Tarot deck.

1. Show yourself – 3 of Pentacles: I’m going to be your most trusted workhorse… But you already knew that, right? We’ll make a great team!
2. What is your mission in the world? 9 of Wands: To help people move forward from past ‘mistakes’ (lessons, really) without any trust issues.
3. What is your most deeply held dream? The High Priestess: For the world to see the Tarot as the sacred, mystical and magical tool for transformation that it is.
4. How can we work together? – Page of Swords: You keep asking the relevant questions and I’ll provide the right answers.
5. What do you need from me? – The Hierophant:  I need you to teach the ancient mysteries.
6. How do you inspire hope? – King of Wands: Through expanding people’s vision of what is possible and helping them to believe in themselves and their gifts. I show them that whatever they dream of is possible if they only decide to take charge and become the boss of their own lives. I help you teach in a way that lights a fire under the feet of the Seekers that come to you.
7. What is your magick? – 5 of Pentacles: A friend in need is a friend indeed. You know you can trust me to always be there for you. I will never let you down, no matter how burdensome things are for you or the Seeker you wish to help. I will be there to comfort and uplift.