January 8 – 14, 2011 ~ The Harmonious Tarot

The Harmonious Tarot
Ernest Fitzpatrick, based on the art of Walter Crane
Lo Scarabeo, Italy
2005

This deck was purchased from an Aeclectic Tarot member in December of 2010.  It is a beautiful deck with gorgeous backs.  It has excessive borders, but trimming has shown that the symmetry of the backs is affected - and for me the lack of symmetry is an issue, though it isn't for others.

The artwork is beautiful, the LWB is clever.  The only issue I have is the addition of the suit emblems to the cards - such as wands.  The Swords and Cups aren't too bad, but the Disks get a bit excessive  - and the higher the card number, the greater the intrusion.  The cardstock is typical Lo Scarabeo - sturdy, satiny and will last a life time.

As a reading deck, it is not terribly complicated to use.  It is a pretty deck and evokes feelings of quaint Victorian flower gardens full of heroes and ladies to be rescued.  It follows a RWS standard, though some cards may require a stretch to make the image fit.  For intuitive picture readers, the deck is very nice to use.  There is a great deal of detail in the images and the characters.

Rating:  Keeper