March 31 - April 06, 2012 ~ Tarocchi della Corte di Merlino

Tarocchi della Corte di Merlino 
Gloria Ricci
Museo dei Tarocchi,
#256/500

This is one of those decks that I secretly wanted, but couldn't really justify paying the money for.  Until one of those Reverse Auctions that The Tarot Garden is so good at!   I have a big soft spot for tarots put out by the Museo dei Tarocchi.  I have several on my lust wish, and most of them are on my want list. 

This is a majors only deck and is based on the story of Merlin.  The main characters are represented, though I can really attest to them being represented as well as they could be.  The colors used by the artist are rich and deep, giving the cards a very lovely look.  The cardstock is heavy and uncoated.  The backs are hideous, but it seems to be the emblem of the Museo dei Tarocchi and is found on several of their decks. 

I wasn't sure it would be useful as a reading deck, but it has such good artwork and the associations to the Merlin legends are adequate enough to make it readable.  The biggest problem is that the cards are not coated, varnished, laminated or otherwise protected.  One must ensure a clean work surface, clean and dry hands, and NO beverages.  Being wet would ruin this deck.

Rating: Collectible

February 04 - 10, 2012 ~ Tarot Classic

Tarot Classic
Stuart Kaplan
US Games, 1974

I bought this deck on eBay.  I was looking for a nice TdM to use and the price was right.  Very right.  And when it got here, I found that it was not exactly what I expected.  In a good way.  First, it was sealed.  Well, not completely sealed.  Somebody has removed the bottom 1/2 of cellophane - to count the cards perhaps?  It also came in a gorgeous two-part box of deep blue and gold.  Found out this was the 1971 edition.  Lucky me!


After a search to get one I could actually use...I ended up with another just like it.  Sadly, it looked (and smelled) as if it had been kept in the well house for the last 40 years.  The seller returned my money and took the deck away.  I have allergies and asthma and mildew set them off.  Once again...a search! I found a nice cheap copy, no box, nice little bag.  It is great.  I have my collector version and I have my usable version!

TdM decks are pretty standard.  There are variations in coloring and presentation, but basically, they are standard.  I am not a TdM purist, but I have this quirk about the titles being in French.  It is a must.  One thing that bugs me about this deck is that the titles are not only in English, they are "Rider-Waite-d."  Pentacles? Seriously??  They are coins.  Really.  Not disks, but coins.  Wands? I will accept Rods, but not Wands.  These are Batons.  And it is a Bateleur or Juggler - not a Magician.  Those are just my little quirks, though.

Some people have commented on the color scheme.  It is, unique.  I don't mind it - it is at least colorful and cheerful!  A pink Tower might irritate some people the way I am irritated by it NOT being called La Maison Dieu.  For some reason, this artwork and color scheme appeal to me. 

As a reading deck, I had a great week with it.  I love to delve more into the TdM style of reading - it makes sense and offers more flexibility than the Rider-Waite system.  I try to stick to Pythagorean numerology (of which I know very little, but I do try!).  I have an easier time with the court cards in this system and tend to just carry that over to other decks.

Last year, I was a bit unfair with the Tarots of Marseille from Lo Scarabeo.  It is really a nice deck - it was more me than the deck.  I still search for a Grimaud of the late 70s (my first deck).  Haven't found it yet.

Rating: Keeper; Collectible

January 14 - 20, 2012 ~ Le Petit Cartomancien

Le Petit Cartomancien
(c) Grimaud, 1968

I bought these on eBay.  I thought that it would be nice to have an older, used deck like this.  I won the auction with a bid of $7.00.  With shipping, the total was $10.00.  I was pleased!  I got the deck and found out that the deck was unused.  Not what I expected.  I expected a deck that had been used since 1968.  I hoped it would be all creased and broken in.  Not so.  Cards were stiff and shiny.  The LWB slightly yellowed with age - and bound with string.  Not complaining, mind you.  As a collector, I should have left them pristine.  But I decided to give them a whirl.

The card stock is similar to cardboard, so I don't think they will ever be creased and supple.  They are quite small and easy to handle, though. The corners are not rounded at all and it makes handling them a bit, well, sharp.  The backs are glossy and the fronts are matte.  Nicely done, I must say.  The artwork is by JJ Grandville, so that is a serious plus I would say.  An amazing artist who can portray depth of expression.  The backs are fun to stare at....

The style of the deck is Petit Etteilla, but simplified in a way.  There is only upright and reverse meanings on the cards instead of all directions and whether it is next to Etteilla (1) or not, etc.  Complicated system and I am still working through Etteilla, ou La Seule Manier de tirer les cartes, Revue, corrigée et augmentée par l'auteur; sur son premier manuscrit, written by Alliette in 1772. 

Because these are not technically "Lenormand," they slid through my moratorium on Lenormand decks.  I am waiting until I can get some additional information before I dive back into the world of Lenormand.  Of the European cartomancy systems, so far I am familiar with Lenormand, Petit Etteilla, and Biedermeier.  Of the three, I much prefer Biedermeier.   I do think that these are much easier to use than the Petit Etteilla and use imagery such as found on Lenormand style decks.  But after a few days of utter frustration, I found that one cannot assume Lenormand interpretations.  Very different, and also very specific.  Rather than have a "Fishes" card to possibly represent money, there are several cards dealing specifically with money, or "l'argent." Towards the end of the week, I was feeling more comfortable with the cards, but still felt I was missing something.  I have used tarot for over 20 years and I think because I do not use tarot for predictive or other highly specific queries, I have find it difficult to work with a system that is made for predictive and highly specific queries.

As a reading deck, after I worked out some kinks, I found it gave quite detailed answers.  My limit for daily spreads is 3-cards, but I feel that these cards would do better with additional cards - 9 at least.  This is in order to get a broader view of the situation at hand.  I am still not sure I should have used this 44 year old pristine deck, but then again, it was bought with the express intention of being used.

Rating: Collectible

November 19 - 25, 2011 ~ Jeu Lenormand, Carta Mundi

Jeu Lenormand
Carta Mundi, 1970

This is one of those old, cheap decks I purchased off of eBay hoping for a nice, broken in deck.  Instead, I received an old deck that was unused.  I wasn't sure about using this deck (or the others), but they were purchased to be used.  I didn't pay very much for them and I am not a real collector anyway.  I want to use what I have, not preserve it.

This particular deck is absolutely beautiful.  The cards are nice and shiny from not being used.  The box is similar to the 1970 Carta Mundi box shown at the World Playing Card Museum, but not quite.  It is blue, with the astrological symbols, but not exactly the same.  The cards are in French, with playing card inset (oval) and verses.  I have found that my French is not as rusty as I thought.  Could I hold a conversation? No.  But could I read a Lenormand card? Oui!

Lenormand decks are a bit of an enigma for me.  There are several systems (Treppner, Sylvie Steinbach, Melissa, etc. ) and I am not sure of any of them! I don't have any books and the information on the Internet is all over the place.  I try to read them intuitively, but sometimes that doesn't work well.  I spent the week being alternatively frustrated and inspired.  I do not care for the roller coaster and have decided that until I can get some sort of instruction / background with these cards that I am going to shelve them.


As a reading deck, I am not sure that they are suitable for daily readings.  They seem to be better suited to readings with a definite question that needs a definite answer.   They also are quite fun for "Lessons of the Day."  These readings are usually not related to the day at all, but are lessons that can be taken from just looking at the cards.  This is an exercise I turn to when I don't care to know anything about my day.  It is fun and helps me to learn new systems.

Rating these is a bit difficult.  I can compare them to the Biedermeier styled Czech deck from a few weeks ago:  I prefer the Biedermeier system!   But really, it isn't fair to rate something about which I am completely clueless. The cards themselves are collectible, so for now, that will be the rating!

Rating: Collectible

November 12 - 18, 2011 ~ The Erotic Tarot

The Erotic Tarot
Rene Marcel Riviere
Adam McLean

This is a majors only deck I received in trade. I doubt I would have ever purchased an erotic deck.  I never thought that an erotic themed deck would be readable.  I figured it would be a nice addition to the collection.  I was partly right.

This deck is a limited edition publication from Adam McLean.  According to his website, this is the last deck he published.  I recommend visiting his website and having a look around - it is definitely worth the time.  The artist is Rene Marcel Riviere and he also has a website worth visiting.  The cards are there on his website.  I think that due to the erotic nature of the cards, I won't post images here.  But please do take a moment to visit his website and have a look at the cards.  Perhaps it would be prudent to say that I am not responsible for anybody being offended or for visiting the site if it is considered unlawful where you live.  Don't you love our modern world?

The cards are a nice size - about 3.5 x 5.5 and are beautifully packaged in a two part black box.  There is actually two versions of the deck - the first is the finished colored cards and the second is made up of the pencil sketches.  The title card is signed by the artists in gold ink and is numbered #21 of 100.   The cards, according to Mr. McLean's website are hand laminated.  I am concerned about scratching the lamination and am very careful to ensure the cards do not get too rough a handling.

The artwork is very detailed.  The Magician card will hold your attention as you discover more and more details.  The Death card will make you hold your breath as you ponder how that image could be interpreted.  It is a painful card to look at.   I did have some difficulty with The Chariot and the Wheel, but for the most part, the artist was able to capture the tarot.

As a reading deck it was very good.  It was expressive and really added depth to the readings.  The only problem I had was that it was a bit too much for a daily reading.  Perhaps being a majors only deck made it so serious and deep, but by the end of the week, I was dreading the readings! Not because the deck was boring or tedious, but because I was tired of exploring deep and meaningful issues.  I like to save those kinds of readings for monthly or as needed.  Not every single day!

It is definitely a keeper and a prized collector's piece as well.

Rating: Keeper, Collectible

August 6 - 12, 2011 ~ The Universal Tarot

The Universal Tarot
Maxwell Miller
Samuel Weiser, Inc., 1996

Another treasure from an Estate Sale through Tarot Garden.  It came in a green velveteen bag reeking of cigarette smoke.

This deck has only 74 cards.  Mr. Miller felt that for the tarot court to accurately reflect the Zodiac that it should have only 12 members instead of 16.  The Pages were tossed.  I haven't missed them really and I can dig his reasoning.

The card stock is slippery and supple and easy to handle.  It isn't bad - just different!  The cards are slightly larger than normal and a bit hard to handle for my smaller hands.  The backs are remarkably plain compared to what is going on on the face on nearly every one of those 74 cards.

The deck follows a Golden Dawn system.  And this brings me to the thought I had not too long ago.  Somewhere, I think I read that Golden Dawn members were eventually tasked with creating their own interpretation of the Tarot (using Golden Dawn criteria, of course).   I ask because each Golden Dawn deck I get is vastly different from the others.  Not that I have a huge collection of these (not for lack of trying, BTW).  But it is just something I noticed.

The esoteric symbolism used in this deck is from all over the planet (and possibly beyond).  There is just so much! Too much, really, for me.  I am just getting a handle on regular Golden Dawn symbolism and Thoth symbolism and here this deck tosses in everything else. For the most part, systems are restricted to one per card - there isn't a Tantric/Native American/Egyptian mixture on any cards.  And I thank all that is holy for that.

As a reading deck it is a mixed review.  On one hand, using it in purely intuitive (no systems, no esoterica, no religion) exercises is magical.  It is easy to just try to intuit meaning from the images because for the most part, I have NO clue what the symbolism is!  Yet, when I try to use it as a tarot deck, adhering to some sort of structure and system, I fall on my face.  I just don't understand what I am seeing.  The astrology is very heavy in this deck and important as well.

I am ambivalent about this deck, but I won't pass it on.  It is part of my set and I will keep it for doing intuitive exercises at Aclectic Tarot.  Please.  Don't ask for a reading using this deck.  I will refuse.

Rating: Collectible (Golden Dawn)

July 9 - 15, 2011 ~ Tarot of Prague

Tarot of Prague, 2nd Edition
Karen Mahoney, Alex Ukolov
Magic Realist Press

This deck came to me from a kind-hearted friend who is also a member of the Aeclectic Tarot community.  It was a selfless act of generosity that means a great deal to me.  It is hope infused into 79 tarot cards depicting images from the most magical city on Earth.

The cardstock is typical for MRP.  It is sturdy and flexible.  The cards are a nice size - even if they seem large.  They found the perfect size for tarot cards and they have stuck with it.  This deck was slightly used, but still in excellent condition.  It shuffles like a dream and just has the "aaahhh" feeling that an MRP deck gets after use.

As a reading deck it is intensely personal.  I used it ONCE for a reading for another person and it was all wrong.  It focused on ME instead of the sitter.  I scrapped the reading and got a different deck.  It is amazing the way this deck is so incredibly focused on ME.  Almost scary.  I don't

have the book and have no clue about any of the images on the cards.  It is okay as it reads well.  It would be very nice to have the book as their books are always so informative about the subject matter.

When I feel like life couldn't get any worse, I turn to this deck for advice.  It seems to know what to say and it always leaves me feeling a little less frightened about the future and a little more able to deal with what may come.  I think that is because of the intent with which it was give and from the strong and loving woman who gave it to me.

Rating: Favorite / Collectible

June 11 - 17, 2011 ~ Thoth (Purple Box)

Thoth (Purple Box)
Aleister Crowley, Lady Freida Harris
US Games


Thoth.  What can I say, really?  I love this deck a great deal.  I have no clue what most of the symbolism is all about, no experience with Thelema or the Golden Dawn.  And yet, the deck sings to me. 



 When I use Thoth for any length of time, I ask myself why I have other decks.  None of them, not even my Favorites, can compare to the utter depth of this deck.   I have a hard time not looking shocked when people describe the "pips" as non-illustrated.  To me, Lady Harris was able to convey a great deal of meaning in the "pips."  They are so detailed and expressive.

I have six Thoth decks currently, and always looking to add more.  I am “completionist” with this deck for some reason.  I want to have each possible edition of this deck.  I have 2 US Games “Greenies,” 1 modern US Games Large Thoth, 1 modern US Games Small “Purple Box” Thoth, and 2 US Games “Small Card Size” decks (in white boxes - cards (c) 1986 AGMuller).   As you can tell, I need quite a few decks to fill in my collection. 

Card stock does vary - I have to say that the Greenies have a nice feel to them.  The colors are the most impressive in the “Small Card Size” White Box.  The Greenies are a bit, well, sea sick, but it just adds character.

I recommend everybody have one.  Really.  And read the Book of Thoth.  But buy Lon Milo DuQuette’s book, too.  That way you won’t go stark raving mad when you read The Book of Thoth.

And don't be afraid to "bling your Thoth," or add sparklies to the box.  Its okay.   My reading deck has sparkly kitty stickers on the box.


Rating: Favorite, Collectible




Current Thoth Collection
US Games White Box "C",  1983 w/Samuel Weiser LWB

US Games White Box "C", 1983, This is my "Reading deck"
US Games Small Card, 1987
US Games Small Card, 1997
US Games Purple Box, 2006
US Games Green Box, 2006

April 02 - 08, 2011 ~ Baroque Bohemian Cats

Baroque Bohemian Cats, 1st Edition
Karen Mahony, Alex Ukolov
Magic Realist Press, 2004

A case of Christmas money burning a hole in my pocket.  I bought this deck from an Aeclectic Tarot Forum member for too much money.  Do I regret it? No. Am I going to get the 3rd Edition when it comes out in mini & regular forms? You betcha!  I like what I like and that is pretty much the end of that question.

Why?  Because I like the kitties.  I can see a great deal of personality in their faces and the poses and clothing really conveys a great deal of meaning.  They are colorful and bright cards.  The card stock is nice and supple.  Mine was a used deck, so it was just slightly broken in.  I love to shuffle these decks-they are large, but they still feel nice in the hand.  The backs look a bit dingy because of the stark white of the white parts.  But it isn't terribly noticeable.

Like most MRP decks, it has an extra card.  In this deck it is the "Hermes" card.  I really enjoy the extra cards and find that they provide an interesting plot twist for readings. 

As a reading deck it is expressive.  I have the book, but haven't read it all the way through yet.  I do like the way the cat's point of view is included.  Brings a whole new level of meaning.  I haven't used it as much as I'd like for others - I seem to get flustered using it for other people.  For myself, the readings just flow.  Strange.  I need to use it for exchanges and see if I can get over that.

Rating: Keeper+, Collectible

February 26 – March 4, 2011 ~ Victorian Romantic Russian.

Victorian Romantic
Magic Realist Press
Russian Edition printed by Pryha 2010

Okay.  Yes, I know.  I stalked the store waiting for the deck to come up for sale in those little batches.  Finally! On the third try, I was in the right place at the right time.    The deck is absolutely beautiful.  One of the things I have noticed over the years is that my tastes in tarot decks is starting to get stabilized.  I do love all things Victorian and as such, this deck makes my heart go all a-flutter.

I really like the way the artwork fits to the card.  Like most of their decks, the imagery is enough RW to make sense on that level, but still have a freedom about them for intuitive interpretation and story telling.  It is easy to fall into making a "backstory" for the cards that fit into a broad RW (or even Thoth) definition.


The card stock is unbelievable.  I will say that this deck has the best card stock I have ever felt.  It is more like a high quality playing card - supple and strong - than a typical tarot card.  The publishers in Finland did a good job.  Bonus Emperor with this deck.  I like them both - but they each wear their power differently.  The Russian Czar is a very masculine power - strong, martial, unyielding.  A conqueror who will maintain his power with an iron fist.  The regular Emperor is more effeminate.  His power is in being confident that his authority will be backed up by gods.  He is more about pleasure than martial concerns.  He is languidly relaxing on his throne, being admired.  I like the contrast and I leave them both in.

As a reading deck, it is quite vocal.  It wrings out details that were overlooked.  For some reason, it just goes into detail - this is probably due to the depth of the images.   This Tower is one of the most intriguing cards in the deck.  The details that catch your eye during a reading can change the outcome of this card in subtle ways.  


Rating: Favorite / Collectable

February 5 - 11, 2011 ~ Fantastic Menagerie

Fantastic Menagerie
Karen Mahoney, Alex Ukolov, Sophie Nussle
Magic Realist Press
2006

Seriously, I saw this deck in 2006 at the local New Age shop and I kept looking at it, but putting it back.  Every time I went in, I looked at it, but put it back.  Why?  The artwork really appealed to me, but just 5 years ago, I was still unsure of my reading abilities.  I thought this would just be too difficult as it didn't *look* like a RW deck.  And that is funny because I had even SEEN an actual RW deck at that time.  But my education had been based on books that used those images.   I think if it had been the kit version, I would have purchased it.  But, in 2010, I took the plunge and bought it on Amazon.


 And....I can’t believe I waited so long to get this deck!!  Perhaps, though, in 2006, I just wasn't ready to really appreciate how it stretched my intuition and really opened up the world of "picture reading" to me.  The images made sense to me.  I could see the stories in each picture.  The book by Sophie Nussle is possibly the best companion book I have ever read.  It is clever and well written. I appreciated the background on Grandville, and the stories that accompanied each card.

The 3 of Swords is one of my favorite cards from this deck.  It illustrates what I meant about seeing the stories behind the card's traditional meaning.  So often, this card comes up in a situation denoting communication issues.  And while PCS's image of the heart with 3 swords is quite dramatic, this conveys the meaning much better.


The size of the deck is nice, the card stock is very good and has just gotten better.  There was some very minor damage on a couple of cards - just little creases that I don't notice at all. As a reading deck it is one of my favorites and really forces me to slow down and really look at what the cards are saying.   I can use it well for myself and others and for any sort of reading.

Rating: Favorite, Collectible

(okay, I have two - I bought a back up copy just in case....)

January 29 – February 4, 2011 ~ William Blake Tarot

The William Blake Tarot of the Creative Imagination (revised)
Ed Buryn
Tools and Rites of Transformation, Nevada City, CA
2010

I bought this directly from Ed Buryn in January of 2011.  It had been on my wish list forever, but the collector value of the 1st edition of this deck made it unlikely that I'd ever get one.  I was quite excited when the revised edition became available.

From discussions at Aeclectic Tarot, it seems that there were some printing issues (off center, etc.), however, I was fortunate in that my deck didn't seem afflicted with that.  There was some damage, a medium sized triangular crease, in the 2 of Poetry, but Mr. Buryn replaced the card immediately.  The card stock is extremely flimsy and for riffle shuffling it requires some care and consideration!

For a beginner, this deck might pose some problems.  The suits are completely different, there is an extra card (00 Eternity), and the courts are renamed.  The LWB does not have a list of equivalences, but I was able to find them on the Internet.  Mr. Buryn has promised his larger writings about this deck will be made available on line, but to date I have not seen it.  The LWB is okay, but unless you are a scholar of William Blake's work,  you may find it difficult to understand what is going on in these cards.  That being said, if you do have some understanding of Mr. Blake's work and his world view, the cards take on a whole new dimension.

As a reading deck, I found it to be easily read from an intuitive picture reading aspect.   It doesn't really follow the RWS system, at least not to my eye.  It is a fascinating art deck and a in interesting look into the artwork of Wm. Blake.


Rating: Keeper+/ Collectible