Giacinto Gaudenzi, Saverio Tenuta
Lo Scarabeo, 2000
I bought this deck in 2004 from the local New Age shop. I tried. I really, really did. I read the myths to try and understand, but it never clicked.
This deck consists of what I feel are two separate incomplete decks. First, there are the majors. They are quite lovely and nicely done. They depict for the most part Irish gods and goddesses and and other major figures of Irish mythology. The minors are in the typical suits, but each represent a different race of characters in Irish Mythology. There are the Fomori, the Fianna, the Tuatha De Danann, and Ulaid. The artwork is a bit more dark and comic book (think old Conan comics).
I am sure this is a great deck. But for me, it just doesn't sit well. The minors irritate me - I can work outside the framework of RW and Golden Dawn and all the other systems. But these don't seem to have a system. Even if you research the stories and try to find the storyline in the suits, you just can't get any meanings to gel. The images and the stories depicted aren't in synch with the system the deck loosely follows (RW).The card stock is typical Los Scarabeo - the lamination is light, but still noticeable, making the cards stiff and unyielding. They have had essential oil dropped on them and suffered no wear. Amazing. The backs are horrible.
As a reading deck, it does nothing for me. My week spent with this deck was misery. It is in the trade pile. But then again, I feel like keeping it as an object lesson about impulse purchases. I paid 20$ for this deck. It has never done anything for me - not from day one.
Rating: Trade Bound
