Comments and Answers
I prefer the V2 card backs. Having 4 crests just doesn't sit right with me.
I have to agree with you on that. I decided to change the side symbols to just the star/heart symbol instead of the full crests. I really like reversible backs. But my heart really loves the design of 2 more. It’s a difficult decision for me, but luckily I don’t have to decide just now. Let me know what you think of the updated back.
New Card Back
Sorry but I really like the design of version 2 better.
The partial circles in the upper left corner made a nice composition but in version 5 that is lost. I don't think the composition is improved by having the bars with the card name in two places it just looks a bit busy and random. I don't read these cards reversed but even if someone did use reversals they would quickly get familiar enough with the deck to know what card it is without having to see the name right side up.
I do like the coloring of version 5 better, it is still subdued but a bit brighter.
After so many versions, I found that I like two best as well. I was thinking about the busyness, and how the core image seems to get lost. I think I'll just continue on with version two. Version 6 is version two, on a lighter background. But after looking at a few, I just like two better. It is the original design, but with colors. The first version was the brown background with everything black. Those where a bit difficult to look at when they were all together.
I’ll have to see what v2 looks like with brighter colors. I’m not able to create cards as I’m on a laptop traveling and it’s unpleasant to do so, but I can update cards and colors. So we’ll see how that looks.
I don't know if this has been asked already but do you read with the cards?
I read with the Japanese Clow Card deck I got years ago. I love reading with them, and have had some of my best readings with them. It is often my go to deck. Unfortunately, they are really large, and a tad difficult to shuffle. I also travel up and down California, and they take up some room in my bag. They came in a sturdy cardboard book, but I had to put them in something else, as I was afraid of damaging it.
A person translated the Clow Card Fortune Book. It’s available
here at http://clowcard.wordpress.com, if you want to check it out. I started using them without meanings, long before the book was translated, so I've made up my own meanings based on their english name, and what that element means to me. I also combine the elements that show up in a spread, to imagine how theses elements interact.
An Example Reading:
Sample Spread Image
If I'm represented by The Water, and The Sand comes up in my future, I could think of quicksand. Based on this new element, it could be telling me that I am walking into a dangerous zone, and may not even see the danger until it's too late. If The Earthy came up as my advice, it could be saying that I need to ground myself, and let myself strengthen my roots before proceeding. If I do that, if I were to slip into the danger, I could pull myself back up again.
Anyways, that's how I read them. If I distribute this version, I think I'll leave some keywords, but I’m not sure if that’s a disservice. The ability to combine cards and meanings is the real power of these cards. They use nouns and words I'm familiar with, and I can combine what I know of these elements for a detailed reading.
Anyways, again, thank you for the feedback, it’s been great getting other perspectives.