Review by Peter Cowen
On the Tree of Life, where the pure intellect of Briah intertwines with the etheric framework of Yetzirah, there in the beauteous and unifying Sun of Tifaret, Chalices may contain the mercies and severity of Air, and Swords be as sharp and sweet as Water. The Crystal Tarot by Elisabetta Trevisan boldly dares to take the true spirit of the Four Worlds in hand, and she has created with her vision what, in and of itself, surpasses the sublime.
Working with tempera paints on glass, the original major arcana has been expanded to a complete Tarot of 78 cards. Printed on good cardstock, at 2 5/8 by 4 3/4 inches, these cards are easy to handle and shuffle, plastic-coated and durable. The back design is reversible, featuring twin peacocks in the style of the deck. There is, as of 2000, now a fold-out style LWB, with introductory background information, divinatory meanings, and suggested layouts. Lo Scarabeo's packaging is that very nice tuck-bottom style that doesn't catch the cards, and is printed with Temperance on the front of the box and the Knight of Wands on the back.
XIV Temperance is a natural to feature on the packaging of this Tarot, which blends elements and consciousness like Yin and Yang as one. The pips, cards 2 thru 10, should not be thought of as unillustrated , though they do not depict storyline activities. The forces of sacred geometry are brought to bear, and this works very well with the stained glass effect which is a special feature of these cards. Wands are Fire and Coins are Earth, but Cups are Air and Swords are Water, which though unusual is not out of keeping with the eternal variety found in modern Tarot themes. The Aces and Court Cards are powerfully presented, with stunning eloquence.
All of which is merely academic when one comes to behold the 22 images of the Major arcana. Here is where we find the heart and soul of Il Tarocchi di Vetro, Elisabetta Trevisan's splendid masterpiece. To attempt a further description of these illustrations would require the literary talents of a contemporary Dante Alighieri, so I will leave such as there is of Paradise to be found therein, divinely to your imaginations.
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