Review by Bonnie Cehovet
I definitely responded well to this deck, which was influenced by medieval art and the symbolic nature of mythology. The lovely, deep colors in this water-color collage is gentle, and very easy to work with. It uses a traditional 78 card format, with traditional suits and titles. To that extent, this could be seen as a Rider-Waite clone. However, there are enough differences to make this an enchanting deck that could be used comfortably in any venue.
I found especially interesting the people in this deck. They are very life-like, but the faces appear shuttered. There is emotion there, but you feel as if you are looking at them through a window - a window of time, and a window of place.
The Fool faces the reader, with his green-garbed arms reaching out towards a butterfly that is flying over his head. Of special note here is the detail that has gone into the symbols on his shirt and belt. If you don't want to pay attention to them, you don't have to. They are not screaming to be recognized. But, if you do pay attention to them, you learn a lot about this Fool.
The Magician is just as entrancing, seated at his table, globe in one hand, calipers in the other. A sword, cup, and open book reside on the table, with an ancient illustration on the wall behind him. Over his head we see the traditional lemnescate.
Attention to detail appears again in the High Priestess - note that her garb is made of parchment with writing on it. Look behind the Empress, at the kaleidoscope of earthy colors, and at the graphic on the shield in her left hand. Behind the Emperor we see a map of the world, in fine detail. A large wheel appears behind the Charioteer, while on the front of his chariot we see a face. The Hermit appears in a dark cloak, holding his staff in both hands. In the sky behind him we see a crescent moon.
The Wheel of Fortune is another of my favorites, with glyphs in the four corners, and a center circle, around which are curved a male and female figure. Look closely at the tree the Hanged Man is hanging from - there are depicted the faces of the people in his life.
The Death card in this deck is one of the most non-threatening that I have ever seen - a smiling skeleton with a beautiful butterfly superimposed over his pelvic area. Temperance is quite an evocative card, as a winged female stares into the cistern that she is pouring water into, seeing her own reflection. The World is a true card of grace - two hands, open and cupped towards each other, with a map of the world in the background. Above and beneath the hands we see two green leaves.
The Aces in this deck are done in a very interesting manner - each carries a background appropriate for their suit, and each carries glyphs of flowers. For the Ace of Wands, we see four yellow flowers; for the Ace of Cups, we see two white roses; for the Ace of Swords we see four red flowers; for the Ace of Pentacles we see five purple flowers.
The Ten of Cups is done in a distinctively different manner than traditional decks. Ten golden cups reside in a rainbow that arches gracefully over a white bird (Dove, or perhaps Seagull?) that is flying over a green landscape.
I was very drawn to the fine detail shown in this deck, as well as the use of medieval charts and maps. The scenery is uncluttered, with the focus on the people in the cards, and the suit representations. Much of the Rider-Waite symbolism is not present in this deck, leaving the cards simpler in nature, and perhaps somewhat easier to work with (although some would say harder to work with, as there are less symbols to work with).
The LWB (little white book) that comes with this deck give a short background for the deck, along with upright and reversed meanings for each of the cards. The spread that is included is the traditional ten card Celtic Cross. From the book:
VII The Chariot
A conqueror rides through the night in his triumphal chariot. The starry sky is full of constellations. He wears a suit of armor with moon shaped epaulets. The horses, one dark and one light, represent opposing universal forces.
Divinatory Meanings: Adversity, possibly already overcome. Conflicting influences. Turmoil. Vengeance. Success. Possibly, a voyage or journey. Escape. Rushing to a decision. Urgency to gain control of one's emotions.
Reversed Meanings: Failure. To lose at the last minute something otherwise in your grasp. Sudden collapse of plans. Overwhelmed. Failure to face reality.
The deck and LWB come in a sturdy, flip-top box. The cards themselves are 2 3/4" by 4 3/4", on good quality, glossy cardstock. The backs have a 1/4" white border, surrounding a marbled background. In the middle of the card is a graphic somewhat resembling a Celtic knot. Small faces show at either end of the card - one face surrounded by a light background, one face surrounded by a golden background. yes, it would be obvious if a card was drawn reversed!
The card faces show the same 1/4" white border, followed by a smaller border of fine vines. The Trumps have their number on the top of the card, in the center, with the title across the bottom. The Pips show the card number, in text, and the suit across the bottom of the card. The Court Cards show the title and suit across the bottom of the card.
I found this deck very easy to work with, and feel that it would be a good option to offer a Seeker, if you are setting out two or three decks for them to choose from. It is also a deck that could be used to read for children (yes, reading for children is fine, with their parents permission!).
© October 2005
Bonnie Cehovet is a professional Tarot reader with over ten years experience, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and is certified as a Tarot Educator with the American Board For Tarot Certification. Bonnie has served in various capacities with the American Tarot Association, is co-founder of the World Tarot Network, and Vice President (as well as Director of Certification) for the American Board For Tarot Certification. She has had articles appear in the 2004 and 2005 Llewellyn Tarot Reader.
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