Concept/Authorship: Jolynn Kottke; Illustrator: Rachel Ritter; Graphic Design: Dave Morrow; Editor: Katy Allen (Redway, California: Infinite Tarot, 2000) [No ISBN]

www.infinitetarot.com

Infinite Tarot
P.O. Box 1055
Redway, CA  95560

The Infinite Tarot, subtitled "Rooted in the Earth...Penetrating the Cosmos," is a warmly appealing collection of 76 lively images set in a not-quite-tarot structure.  In the substantial (62 pages of text with very little white space) Little White Book accompanying the deck, the author describes the cards as "a portrait of experience, born of elements that create the perceptions of our lives.  The message of these cards speaks to the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual nature of the moment.  This deck is a humble tool for reflecting upon who we are, our desires, hopes, requirements, and encounters along the way.  It tells the story of human beings interacting with each other and with the Earth, our Mother.  Infinite Tarot addresses the challenges, rewards, trials, and victories that we experience in our walk upon Her."

The 2 3/4" by 4 1/4" cards are printed on a flexible, glossy cardstock with even edges and rounded corners.  The fronts have a narrow beige border, with the card classification (e.g., "Queen of Earth") printed in the top border and a one-word descriptive title (not a keyword) printed in the bottom border.  The card image itself is set off by a very narrow colored border (more of a thick line, actually).  Each of the four suits of cards (Earth, Sky, Water, and Fire) uses a different color (green, pale violet, deep purple, and red, respectively) for the card classification, title, and "inside" border.  The back design (which has no border) is a lotus-like flower in shades of purple and white that, as the deck's subtitle indicates, is both "rooted in the earth" and "penetrating the cosmos."  The back design is non-reversible, but the author does not use reversals.  (She notes, though, that "you may feel that it is correct to interpret an upside down image as a topsy-turvy version of the upright.")  The cards and LWB (Little White Book) come packaged in the standard colorful cardboard box.

The cards are not divided into the traditional tarot's major and minor arcana.  Instead, four suits of cards are expanded to 19 cards each to make up the 76-card total as follows:

SUIT OF EARTH
High Ace of Earth...Self
King of Earth...Dog
Queen of Earth...Treasure
Gift of Earth...Foundation
Joker of Earth...Telephone
1 Earth...Bounty
2 Earth...Death
3 Earth...Home
4 Earth...Bird
5 Earth...Power
6 Earth...Child
7 Earth...Compass
8 Earth...Trade
9 Earth...Mountain
10 Earth...Solar System
Earth Family...Earth Matter
Earth Family...Mother Earth
Earth Family...Earth Son
Earth Family...Sister Earth

SUIT OF SKY
High Ace of Sky...Savior
King of Sky...Challenge
Queen of Sky...Unity
Gift of Sky...ESP
Joker of Sky...Time
1 Sky...Tree
2 Sky...Sunrise
3 Sky...Mourner
4 Sky...Dreamer
5 Sky...Angel
6 Sky...Prayer
7 Sky...Sharing
8 Sky...Breath
9 Sky...Lightning
10 Sky...Rainbow
Sky Family...Father Sky
Sky Family...Sky Daughter
Sky Family...Brother Sky
Sky Family...Sky Spirit
 
SUIT OF WATER
High Ace of Water...Love
King of Water...Mask
Queen of Water...Flower
Gift of Water...Mirror
Joker of Water...Knot
1 Water...Sprout
2 Water...River
3 Water...Songs
4 Water...Waterfall
5 Water...Vision
6 Water...Fantasy
7 Water...Poetry
8 Water...Bridge
9 Water...Tear
10 Water...Rain
Water Family...Mother Water
Water Family...Water Spirit
Water Family...Sister Water
Water Family...Water Son

SUIT OF FIRE
High Ace of Fire...Source
King of Fire...Path
Queen of Fire...Yoni
Gift of Fire...Door
Joker of Fire...Cross
1 Fire...Heart
2 Fire...Passion
3 Fire...Light
4 Fire...Firewood
5 Fire...Skeleton
6 Fire...Athlete
7 Fire...Wheel
8 Fire...Sunset
9 Fire...Torch
10 Fire...Sun
Fire Family...Fire Matter
Fire Family...Brother Fire
Fire Family...Fire Daughter
Fire Family...Father Fire

The deck's overall structure is decidedly and deliberately non-numerical and nonhierarchical.  You might go quietly, but completely, 'round the bend if you try too hard (as, for awhile, I did) to impose a rigid framework on these cards.  The upper trump cards (High Ace, King, Queen, Gift, and Joker) somewhat resemble the tarot major arcana in their depth and resonance, but are otherwise entities unto themselves.  The numbered suit cards are, as far as I can tell, numbered solely as an aid to finding the corresponding interpretation in the LWB.  The family cards, which "portray basic male, female, and elemental energies in our lives," appear to correspond to the tarot court cards only in that there are four of them in each suit.  The deck's first lesson for me was to stop trying to find a pattern or structure for the cards, and instead to relax and accept each card for what it has to offer.

The concept of Gift and Joker cards is particularly enjoyable.  I see both the gifts and the jokers as mixed blessings.  Earth's gift is the Foundation of all that you are (but the foundation might be a little cracked...), while Earth's joker is the ringing-off-the-hook Telephone with an unwanted caller on the other end (or perhaps it's your best friend, or your own true love).  Sky's gift is ESP (but do you REALLY want to know EXACTLY what everyone else is thinking?), and Sky's joker is the Time that we have too little of (even though we're given all the time there is).  Water's gift is a Mirror (which reflects what we are, but not necessarily what we want to see), and Water's joker is a Knot (which ties us up, but also keeps things from falling apart).  Finally, Fire's gift is a Door (which can lead to joy or sorrow), while Fire's joker is a Cross (which burdens us, but makes us stronger).  (Note:  These brief Gift and Joker interpretations are my casual view of the cards, and not necessarily the author's.)
 
The card illustrations are vibrant, clear, sometimes childlike (but not childish), and well-suited for contemplation (although they are not, for the most part, highly complex images.)  Some are cheerful, while others (as befitting the challenging concepts being illustrated) are somber.  The cards exhibit a variety of compatible artistic styles and design formats.  Some of the most powerful images are:
 
5 Earth (Power):  A bright light bulb, with sunlike rays and streamers, in a socket attached to a coiled cord with an electric plug on the end.  The plug is not plugged in (not to anything visible, at any rate!).  7 Sky (Sharing):  An adult's hand held under a glowing light source and transferring the light to a pair of child's hands, while at the same time shielding the child's hands from the full intensity of the light. 8 Water (Bridge):  A burning bridge, stretched over a dark expanse of water to an inviting landscape on the other side.  Gift of Fire (Door):  A partially-open door set in the midst of flames, with a hint of rainbow light showing through the door.

But perhaps the most beautiful and moving cards are the artist's human images:  the portraits on the Family cards (Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, Son, and Daughter) and the figures on the 2 Earth (Death), Gift of Sky (ESP), Joker of Sky (Time), 3 Sky (Mourner), King of Water (Mask), Gift of Water (Mirror), 9 Water (Tear), and 5 Fire (Skeleton).  I do wish, though, that the Family cards could be expanded from four to eight per suit, so we could see images of Matter AND Spirit, Father AND Mother, Sister AND Brother, and Son AND Daughter for EACH suit.

The LWB's card interpretations are far more than just a few lines of obvious text.  Each one is a lyrical mini-essay, providing an array of fresh and compassionate perspectives on the card image.  Here are two sample interpretations in their entirety [brackets set off my description of the image]:

9 WATER -- TEAR  [The image, in cloudy shades of green and purple, is a sorrowful face shaped into a mirror-like design and covered with teardrops.
When you look at the face, you look into a mirror -- or into your soul.]  (Keywords:  Hiding, Bitter, Closed, Resistant, Despairing, Protective)  Within Tear is a quiet, despairing place.  In a vision blurred by overflowing emotions, Tear serves as a place of hiding.  Feeling the loss of all that has passed away, you may be resistant to facing the challenges before you.  Lacking the surrender necessary for success or even progress, you may be feeling unreceptive, unwilling, and certainly unmoving.  Tear is closed to the notion that any worth may abide in the circumstance.  If faced with longstanding angst, you could be outright bitter.  The weariness of your disappointment is showing.  A feeling of despair may greet you when considering the situation.  Accept the protection offered by Tear.  Wounds need time and space to heal.  Cradled in the comfort of better days to come, the saving grace of Tear is this protection.  If feeling drowned by the intensity of the emotion, consider that you may be at the depth of the experience, and your tears will dry as time goes by.

KING OF EARTH -- DOG  [The image is a sweet beagle-y sort of a dog, standing at your feet and looking up at you with trusting eyes.  A stick lies in the bright green grass at his feet and yours, waiting for the game to begin!]  (Keywords:  Loyalty, Friends, Nurturing, Companionship, Unconditional Love, Exercise, Dependence)  The friendly spirit of Dog speaks of affection, play, and loyalty.  You are reminded now to consider how Dog freely gives unconditional love to the souls encountered.  This is a time in your life when you need to examine your own loyalties and friendships, viewing them through the eyes of unrestrained love as shared so freely by Dog.  Your own requirement for companionship may be deserving of attention as well.  Be open to bonding deeply with another.  Interdependence can be seen as it is, accepted, and appreciated.  Make time to romp and run with your own Dog friends.  Like Dog, live as a "King on Earth."  Seek out the waters and hills of your home that you may live fully.  Run, pant, eat heartily, and sleep sweet and long.

(Note:  The author's beloved dog, Barney, was the inspiration (and model) for the King of Earth card.  The deck was in the early stages of its creation, with the King of Earth card already fashioned, when Barney died accidentally.  The author drew strength from the Infinite Tarot project as she struggled with her grief.

I was puzzled by only one of the card essays:  the interpretation of the 7 Earth (Compass) card.  The card's illustration is a hand holding a compass, which is pointing "up" towards North.  I expected the LWB to focus on concepts such as losing one's way or focus, having a direction or goal, etc.  Instead, the LWB lists the keywords as "Overly discerning Mind, Lost in the Petty, Oblivious to the Big Picture, Lacking Faith, Stingy, Serious, and Self-Righteous," and interprets the card as "You've counted and recounted and it still seems you're coming up short.  There is not a bit to share.  Indeed it may feel as if there's barely enough for you.  Holding tight and keeping a myopic view of the situation causes you to appear overly serious and shortsighted.  Remember, the bigger picture does exist even if we fail to notice it.  Mindlessly muddled in the mire of smallest details, our respect for others may fade in the blinding eye of our criticisms.  With thoughts of suspicion and comparisons, a quiet mind is probably impossible.  Self absorbed and intent on victory, arguments are likely and not easily resolved.  You may be involved in repetitious circling, each minor complaint precariously balanced on the petty issue before it.  This madly spiraling temperament is born of a lack of faith, and only through a change of heart can this journey be brought back on course.  Until then, hold on!  The ride may be a turbulent one."  I can see some compass-like elements in the essay, such as "repetitious circling," "back on course," and perhaps even indirect allusions to being "lost in a forest" where one "can't see the forest for the trees."  However, the overall connection between the LWB's words and the Compass image just isn't as clear to me as the enlightening word/image connection provided for the other cards.
 
In addition to keywords and card essays, the LWB includes instructions for an interactive game and six spreads.  The interactive game (for two or more players) involves using the cards to learn more about each player's Unconscious Self, Internal Consciousness, and how the player is seen by others.  The spreads include the usual one- and three-card readings, a five-card East-West Dance, a nine-card Relationship Reading, a ten-card Money/Prosperity Reading, and (my favorite) the Whole Soul Reading.  This reading is laid out in an infinity sign and "addresses the infinite nature of the soul."  The ten card positions are Cosmic Origins, Birth, Childhood, Life Challenge/Issue, Family/Friendship, Vocation, Hopes/Wishes, Eternal Now, Transitions/Change, and Cosmic Future.  The author suggests using the Whole Soul Reading "for especially important or significant times such as the celebration of a landmark birthday, or times of major life changes like birth, death, marriage, divorce, career changes, or changes of residence."

I mentioned above my wish for eight Family cards (instead of four) in each suit.  I have one other wish for the deck:  a wish that its LWB could be turned into a larger-format guidebook for the cards.  It wouldn't be at all unreasonable to allocate a page for each card, with a B&W illustration to accompany the keywords and interpretation.  The card essays deserve a more substantial home!

Images of 16 of the Infinite Tarot cards (4 from each suit) can be viewed on the Infinite Tarot website.  The link to the website's home page is www.infinitetarot.com.  Click on "Reviews" to see the images.  (Note:  A couple of the online images have "Infinite Tarot" overprinted in a corner of the image area.  The cards themselves are "pure" -- no overprinting!)  Click on "Info" to read the author's commentary on the deck.  Click on "Order" for online and mail ordering information.  The website includes a page for a free online reading using the Infinite Tarot, but at the time of this review the reading page was still under construction.
 
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Guest Review Copyright 2000 by Laura Jackson
used with permission