Review by Mike Dales
The Celtic Tarot (Book by Julian de Burgh, Art by Mary Guinan, published by
Rider Books UK) is a deck/book set based on the great cycles of Irish
mythology. The drawings are watercolour representations of events from the
ancient sagas within a pale yellow frame. Even so, the artist has managed
to incorporate much familiar tarot symbolism. The Magician, for example,
depicts Mog Ruith who was said to be the most powerful druid in Ireland, but
shows him bearing the four suit symbols in traditional style.
The book is beautifully and clearly written and describes both the story
behind each card as well as the basic divinatory meaning, again very much in
traditional style. The approach is unashamedly psychological and not at all
"dark" in meaning. A nice touch is a short quote which sums up the meaning
of each major arcana card in affirmative style. For example - The Devil: "I
can untie the binds and set myself free", The Chariot: "Take the reins and
move forward with care".
I have only two quibbles with this deck. First, although beautifully
printed, the cards give the impression that they would become grubby and
dog-eared fairly quickly with regular use. Secondly, it might have been
easier to learn the system had each of the suits followed one saga right
through (as The Mythic Tarot does). Instead, with this deck each card
depicts an isolated "snapshot" from the legends with no connection to the
neighbouring cards.
Even so, it is an interesting deck and one for the fans of all things
Celtic.
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