Origami Zodiac: East and West (Perfectly Mindful Origami)

The models in this book are a good challenge and I found really thin paper to work well as some of the folds get quite thick. I don't like the paper it comes with because like most paper in Origami books it is not great for folding but maybe only the color and design. This is only my opinion only though. Everyone is different.

The instructions are absolutely awful. There is not enough detail on how to make the folds and in what order. It’s just confusing and the entire process is just frustrating. It was not relaxing or enjoyable. I found myself more sad by the end of making the Pisces fish because it was irritating to finally get there.Highly do not recommend this book. The only value is the origami paper that comes with it. I will use it with other origami instructions that actually make sense.This was worse than building Ikea furniture.Photo of the Pisces instructions below.

If you love a challenge and carefully follow the instructions in this book, you will be rewarded by the transformation of a two-dimensional piece of paper into a beautiful three-dimensional zodiac creature. Mark Bolitho has designed a terrific collection of Eastern and Western zodiac signs. The title "Perfectly Mindful Origami" really captures what origami is all about. When I fold origami paper into three-dimensional objects, I forget everything around me and I totally immerse myself into the process. The illustrated basic instructions at the beginning of the book and the patience to apply the step-by-step, fully illustrated instructions are all I need to tackle the different projects. Some items are quite elaborate, like Cancer, the crab, which requires 78 folding steps to finish. This should not deter you from buying this book. I love exactly this kind of challenge and am not afraid to have to start the project over in case I make a mistake. In the end the time spent folding and figuring out difficult folds has been worth it and I get an enormous satisfaction of completing a challenging object. I will be folding the zodiac to gift to family and friends and I am sure some will find a way into my glass showcase in the living room.