January 06 - 12, 2018 ~ The Whispering Tarot

The Whispering Tarot
Elizabeth Hazel
Playing Cards R Us / 2008
EMH © www.kozmic-kitchen.com

I revisited The Whispering Tarot by Liz Hazel.  It was a great find and it is still a great deck.  The original blog post is here, if you'd like more detail. 

I have been sick all week, and I think that the deck reflected that quite well.  Rather than answer any of my requests for deep thoughts, it threw back my physical condition as well as the irrational bit of fear mongered up by the fear-mongering news regarding the flu.  I do not have the flu, but it was always a worry.  My favorite set of cards basically told me I was drowning in snot, over-reacting, and to take cold medications.  Seemed to help.

I am not sure if this deck is still available, but if you do happen to come upon one, buy it. 

January 01 - 07, 2018 ~ Cat's Eye Tarot

Cat's Eye Tarot

Debra M. Givin, DVM

U.S. Games Systems, Inc., 2011

Originally, I used this deck for the week of August 25 - 31, 2012.  I did not post that to the blog, but I did have the original notes in my spreadsheet.

Off to a bit of a rough start, but I think that as I got used to working with the cards again, things settled down.  The cards are absolutely lovely and really do mirror cat behaviour.  

I did use the deck this week and while I was off to a rough start (again!), it was due to not using tarot cards for several years!  But this is a simple deck with well chosen images.  For the most part, the symbolic imagery was apparent.  Two cards that I really enjoyed were the Three of Wands and the Fool.  In the Three of Wands, I really got that feeling of starting out with confidence and innocence (or naivete).  The journey was there and it was a big undertaking.  The ginger cats brought the "fire" to the wands as well!

The Fool really had that feeling of teetering on the brink! That kitty is looking towards an immediate "want" without regard to the bigger picture.  There is a great big world out there and it might be a real leap of faith to reach it.  Or - it might just be a lucky mistake.

The card stock is typical of mass produced decks:  sturdy and coated.  Given the number of wrinkled and stained non-coated tarot decks I own, this is not necessarily a bad thing!  Cards are too big for my hands (as usual), but I have small hands.

Deck Available at: U.S. Games Systems, Inc
Card images are © Copyright U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Rediscovering My Inner Squirrel

It has been a long couple of years.  Many changes.  Not important now, but what is important is that I am coming into this new year (2018) with a real desire to jump back into the tarot world.  I was so burned out and had withdrawn in so many different ways.

AEON ~ Thoth Tarot

To start out this new year, I drew a single card to kind of give me something to think about.  And what a card!  Of course, being who I am I figured I would just start right back after, what? four years, with the Thoth.  Not a problem at all, right? Should be easy!  But after the first couple of days, I realized that this was not a good idea.  It was overwhelming.  That little voice said, "NO! just quit.  It is too hard, too much, you'll fail!" but the louder voice said, "Just grab a different deck and ease into it.  No problem!"  This is one of those changes that I was speaking to.  That new and louder voice that says things like, "Go ahead! Try it!" and "Nothing wrong with starting small!"  and "Failure only happens when you don't try."  So, I switched to the first deck I saw that didn't give me the heeby-jeebies.  The Cat's Eye Tarot.  That tarot hasn't even been reviewed on this blog!  So that is good.  It will help me get back into the practice and we will see what comes in the future.

On January 1st, I drew my first card of the year.  The first card of my ridiculously ambitious (and over-achiever) plan of a deep and intellectual Thoth study.  The Lovers.  I just looked at that card and had feelings of dread.  Then, I decided that since I am here, I might as well as make a go of it.  The next day, I thought, why don't I do a three-card draw?  Like I was doing 6, 7 years ago when I was really deep into the tarot world?  Sure, let's dig that failure hole even larger!  Woohoo!!  So, I drew the cards.  And made that decision to find a different deck lest I just chuck all decks into the bin and call it a day!

As I did before, I will likely post a summary / review at the end of the week.  It will take some practice and I might change up everything, but for now, that is what I plan to do!  I have to reinstate the other pages of the blog (2011, 2012, and a list of my collection) so that I can keep track of the ones I have already used.

But first, some housekeeping.  In the process of transferring this blog from a defunct account, the images migrated but not the links! I will endeavour to fix those a little at a time.  <---- See!! Progress.  Before, I would sit up all night and make it all perfect.  Now, I will deal with it in chunks and no reason to overwhelm myself in the process!

Welcome to 2018 and Welcome Back, Squirrel!

Easing into Moving Forward

It has been years(!) since I have updated this blog.   I have deleted the original account, but did transfer the blog to my new account.  It is a serious bummer as I have had that gmail account since the 90s.  :(

Sadly, the photos of the decks are gone.  I will see what I can do to rebuild them, but until then, you are stuck with a boring blog with no images.

I am trying to move forward in my life.  I have become mired in situations and have lost track of who I am and what I mean.

Six of Cups
Mythic Tarot

As I ease myself back into the groove, I returned to my old favorite Mythic Tarot.  I bought this deck in the early 1990s at a shop called the Open Door in Spokane, WA.  I had recently separated from a very nasty boyfriend and was living in fear for my life.

When I look at this card, I see regret.  And it is true, I have been mourning a number of things that I have lost over the years.   However, one thing I do notice is that the cups aren't tipped over.  The contents are spilled.  They may be refilled.  There is always hope and there is always the chance that the empty cup can be filled with something new and different.  Life changes, people move on, people move in, attitudes shift.  But it is never the end of all.  It is just an opportunity to take a moment of reflection before starting over again.

More White Cats....

So, continuing on with yesterday's reading, I am trying to figure out this whole career thing.  I like what I do, but I think I can do better or different.  Maybe I am ready to make the big plunge.  Maybe not.  Anyway, 3 more cards...

The Knight of Cups tells me that perhaps this Air of Water would be a good place to start.  Have Air, can think.  Have Water, can care.  Bring that to Earth and you gotta pretty well rounded package.  Except Fire, though.  Something to think about, maybe.  And then sitting in the middle is a rather fat King of Wands.  I was a bit surprised that he is so fat.  Nothing wrong with being fat.  But it just struck me as odd that the Fire of Fire would be fat and lethargic.  And hmmm.....well, maybe that is the message.   Maybe this is what too much Fire can do.  Make a person greedy and wanting to consume everything around them - all the money, all the power, all the everything.  So, here we have the missing Air and Water in the Knight, but a surplus of Fire shown in the King.  These are things the Lovely Queen of Disks was missing - but the warning is clear.

What warning?  Why that little 2 of Disks!  He looks right out and says to beware going too far in any one direction.  I do think he is supporting Air and Water - seriously, look at all the Air and Water in that card!

November 17 - 23, 2012 ~ Tarot of the The White Cats

I have had this deck for some time.  I think it was the 'mini' part that made me interested.  That and the cat theme.  However, it is so very RWS and I am not enamoured of it at all.  I have tried to read with it and the cards are so small that I can't see them at all.  I have put this deck off for all this time, but now that I am down to the last few decks in the collection, I have to deal with it. 

A quick 3-card reading this evening netted:

Queen of Pentacles ~ Ace of Chalices ~ 2 of Pentacles

I used no spread, no positional meanings, and had no focus.  But the first thing is Career - TADA - Career.

That is what it looks like to me, anyway.  I am striving to be the QofP at my job. I want to be calm and confident.  I want to nurture as well as educate.  And yet, that isn't happening.  Or more realistically, it is tending to go all QofP to the extreme.  TOO nurturing.  I get mired down and can't answer questions without sounding stupid.  I end up doubting myself and my future.  But then again, this is what I want to do.  And that means something.  And given that, the Ace of Cups is telling me that there is a starting point, even for things that bring joy.  One doesn't just start out all perfect and ready to go! No, there is a bit of a maturation time.  So what's the trick?? The trick is in the 2 of P.  Finding that balance, being comfortable, and making the little changes that can allow for maturation into something more meaningful. The Q of P can happen - but it needs to find some balance with some other "stuff."  Air and Water would be good to add.  Get the emotions under control and focused and also allow the mind to be sharp.



I still wish I could see the cards! LOL

Tarot of Prague - Revisited - Again

November 3 - 16, 2012
Tarot of Prague, 2nd Edition
MRP

I have  eight decks left that need to be go through the "Deck of the Week" process, but they just don't enthuse me.  Sad, huh?

So I reached for the Tarot of Prague.   This is a true "comfort" deck.  I am constantly amazed at how easy it is to read.  Seriously, it shouldn't be.  It is a bunch of pictures of architecture and statuary from a city in Europe where I have never been.  And yet, it is always so clear in its messages.

Like all of my MRP decks, this one is read with a decidedly Golden Dawn / Thoth flavor.  I think this is one of the selling features of their decks for me - I am not forced into a RWS mind set.  One of the projects I have in mind is to go through the Bohemian Gothic (1st) as a study of finding the Thothiness within it.  I find it all the time, but I wanted to do a real study.  With notes.  And possibly pictures and diagrams.

I do need to overcome my current sloth though.

But until then, I will shuffle that dreamy feeling Tarot of Prague and dream about a city in Europe where I have never been.

October 28 - November 3, 2012 ~ Wormweird Tarot

Wormweird Tarot
George Higham
EOS, 2007

Well, this deck is so unique that I can't really do it justice.  I suggest you visit the website and click "START."  Take the tour and enjoy.

It is a fascinating deck and what is amazing about it is that each image is a real set up - it was set up, photographed and destroyed.  I think that is what gives it its charm.  Well, "charm" may not be the right term here?

One thing about the deck is that it is in the tradition where Swords are represented by fire and Wands by air.  It is a bit different at first, but like the other decks I have that are this way, it just takes a moment and then it makes perfect sense.  When I go back to a "normal" deck, it no longer makes sense.  That, in itself, makes no sense.  But there it is!

If you get an opportunity to get this deck, do.  It is deliciously dark and creepy, but reads quite well.  The only problem with it is that the cards are incredibly sturdy and large.  Of course, on the other hand, this is good because the deck is not easy to get, one doesn't have to worry about it disintegrating.  

October 20 - 27, 2012 Medival Cat Tarot

Medieval Cat Tarot
Laurence Teng, Gina Pace
US Games, 2004

I purchased this deck from a member at the Aeclectic Tarot Forum (link at the bottom of every page),  in 2005.  This was the first time I have used it.  Precisely the reason for having a "Deck of the Week" exercise!

For the most part, I enjoyed working with this deck this week.  However, as the week went on, I got the feeling that this deck would never be on my list of favorites.  It is nice for the occasional reading, but not for all the time.  The images are so tiny - the decorative border and backgrounds gets almost too distracting from the rest of the card.  The little image in the center of the card tended to be cute and the cats have great expression.  But they are just so tiny!

The card stock is typical for the time and publisher.  Heavily laminated, reeking of chemicals, and slick.  Plus the cards stick together.   The near monotone of the colors gets a bit much after awhile.  A little white space would be nice.

But overall, the artwork is well done, the kitties are cute and full of expression, and I like the tarot de Marseille representation with the little graphic in the middle. 

Tower Moments and Good Advice

 
Today's continuation started with Tower in the Situation place.  What? "Destruction of old values?"  Really?!  You think? After the conflagration of the Ace of Wands and the Knight of Swords I suppose it would make sense.  But the advice of the day before holds true - bring a little compassion. 


In the Outcome place the 7 of Wands warns about becoming too "fiery" during this time of change.  The Outcome calls for opposition, but with courage rather than aggression.

Advice:  Death.  Seriously.  Best advice for a Tower Situation. Ever.

On a side note, just look at that Death card.  It is one of my favorites.  The butterflies signify inevitable change - no matter what the caterpillar wants, it will change.  Deal with it. 

21 October 2012

I am thinking of trying something a bit different.  I am not really a deck reviewer.  I do have opinions, but I found during my blogging and tarot hiatus that my good 'reviews' are the ones that I did not post here in public.  Rather, the information that I put in my deck database is more concise and more relatable by me.  I record from whom I received the deck, why, and what I like / dislike.  I felt less pressure doing it that way.  So, I thought that instead, I will post the occasional reading from my week with the deck.  I might post them all.  I might not.  Right now, it is important that I don't feel obligation.

So my first reading with the Medieval Cat Tarot is in continuation of a running reading that I have been doing for the last 2 weeks.  It consists of a situation, an outcome, and an advice card.  As I have done these each day, I have found that as I act upon the advice (or not), the situation card changes, yet remains within the theme.  I want to keep doing this until it starts to fall apart.  I am not going to post the previous readings, but so far, the scenario is all about Air - getting more air into my life.  Trusting my intellect and my own mind.  That kind of stuff.  It relates mostly to my career, but also has repercussions in my daily life.

Situation: Ace of Wands (Fire)
The egg as the top of the wand speaks of potential, inspiration, and birth of fiery energy.  Starting to feel the spark of inspiration - starting to wake up and be involved once more.  I am finding creativity and losing apathy.


Outcome: Knight of Swords (Air of Air)
Clarity of mind and purpose.  Energy of inspiration will find a vehicle of manifestation in the Knight.  

Advice: Queen of Cups (Water of Water)
Temper the conflagration of the Ace of Wands / Knight of Swords with a little water.  Keep it from becoming all consuming by bringing an element of compassion and take time to test the waters before plunging forward.

Welcome Back!

I started feeling quite poorly over the summer.  Breathing issues were getting serious and a host of other issues were cropping up. I went to the doctor who put me on a course of Prednisone, did fasting blood work (it had been a LONG time since the last time), and referred me to a very good immunologist. Finally, I was able to get to the asthma and allergy specialist.  What a visit!  I found out I am very allergic to cats and have allergies to dogs, dust mites, walnut trees, and ash trees.  I was lectured thoroughly by the doctor about what steps I had to take, etc. etc.

That long and painful visit to the immunologist was also on the day after I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.  You see, there were some issues in all that blood work.  At first the doctor blamed it on the Prednisone, but retesting 2 weeks after ceasing, the issues were still there. 

On top of everything, work was getting very heavy.  So much to do! And so little time.  Work is still like that.

But I am happy to report that after just 2 1/2 months, I have lost 25 lbs, gained control of my blood sugars (fasting levels have been in "normal person" range for several weeks).  I feel better. 

During all this time, my desire to work with tarot just went out the door.  There was just too much going on.  Oh, I tried.  And I will admit that the decks in early August really did not get the attention they deserved.  But starting in October, I felt the urge to work with my decks.  I started with my favorites - my Magic Realist Press collection.  I used a different deck each day.  Then I moved on to the Mystical Lenormand.  Determined to get it figured out ONCE AND FOR ALL.  Well, I finally had my Lenormand Epiphany (thanks to Donnaleigh).  I love the deck and am so happy to be using it.

I am not going to try and add in the reviews that are not posted.  I have them in my data base, but I don't think I will put them out there.

So, life goes on after a brief hiccup.

June 16 - 22, 2012 ~ Intuitive Tarot

The Intuitive Tarot
Cilla Conway
Connections, 2004

I received this deck as part of what I refer to as "The Gift of Golden Dawn."  Not all of the decks are GD strictly, but most are either GD or Thoth in nature.  Even those with a slight RW flavor.

The cards are a nice size and have lovely purple backs with a simple oval in silver ink.   The use of colors is very interesting and I really find the artwork to be of good quality.  There is enough detail on the cards to allow for the intuitive juices to flow (so to speak), but not so much that one feels influenced.


I had a very long week at work, full of meetings and deadlines, and was not as alert and awake as I normally like to be when working with a deck.  But this deck still was "easy" to read.  I didn't feel coerced to use RWS meanings (this deck is labeled as RWS tradition).  And frankly, that is one of my major peeves with most RWS decks.  But that is a rant for a different day!

All in all, this is a good deck and one I will be reaching for on those days when I am just tired and want to get lost in the stories of the cards.

Rating: Keeper +

June 2, 2012 - 8, 2012 ~ Gill Tarot

Gill Tarot
Elizabeth Gill
US Games, 1991

This was a birthday gift from a dear, dear lady who sadly has been excluded (for now) from the world of tarot and her tarot friends.  Hopefully, she will be able to find her way back.  For now, much love and support are sent along the Universal Strand....

The Gill Tarot has been on my wishlist for some time.  I was very excited when I received this surprise gift.  First of all, it was brand new and sealed in cellophane.  Who cares if it recently sold for $65.00 on eBay!! I ripped off the cellophane and found that the squat deck was nearly the perfect size for me to shuffle comfortably!  It will need some serious shuffling to get it broken in...


It is GD/Thoth in nature and reads very well as such.  The use of colors and simple images make the pips remarkably expressive - given each has a rather large number on the card face!  Even in scans, I never felt the numbers were overbearing - they become part of the image, not interfere with it.  The majors are colorful and well executed, I think. 

As a reading deck, I found it easy to read.  It just has an easy style about it - relaxed and not full of itself! I recommend it to anybody lucky to find it. 

May 05 - 11, 2012 ~ Tarot of the III Millennium

Tarot of the III Millennium
Iassen Ghiuselev
Lo Scarabeo, 2000

This deck came to me in an Aeclectic Tarot Trade Train Side Trade.  I think I made a good trade with this one!  The deck is quite unique and intriguing.  Definitely one I'd recommend to others.

The format of the deck is quite unique.  There is a Marseilles style card inset on all the minors.  The courts have colored drawings and website titles on them, the Majors are monochromatic and, well, different looking.  The pips are line drawings with various electronic schematics or bar codes on them.  For fun, I did a search and found that the schematic on the back of the cards is from a 1960's vintage Italian made phonograph. 

One fun thing about this deck is the relationship between the inset card and the overall card image. Take the Page of Coins, for example.  In the larger image, we can see a card cheat!   The inset is like the ideal of the Page of Coins - but the larger image shows us what can happen when the page goes bad!  The pips are quite interesting and the relationship between the inset and the greater image seems to be more of an illustration in a story.  The cards already "fit together" into a larger image, but each little piece's "back story" is provided by the larger image.  Hard to explain, really.

Overall, this deck will be staying in the collection.  It is fun, yet really allows for a great deal of exploration. 

April 28 - May 4, 2012 ~ Bohemian Gothic, 2nd Edition

Bohemian Gothic, 2nd Edition
Karen Mahony, Alex Ukulov
Magic Realist Press, 2010

Another "repeat," as I visited the 1st Edition back in October of 2011.  

See, just like the Tarot of Prague, I kept passing on buying this deck.  It looked nice and all, but ...  Well, when Karen posted before/after pictures on the Baba Prague Facebook page, I was seriously hooked.  I prefer the 2nd Edition, though the 1st is lovely.  I liked the way the images were brought in closer and some of the extraneous backgrounds eliminated.  Another aspect that I liked was the brightening of some of the cards. The card stock was amazing and the clam shell box was perfect.  I pre-ordered from Amazon and got my deck quickly.  I also have the Pewter version - a beautiful copy with no blemishes.  It is just so shiny and pretty!

Working with this deck is pleasurable.  It feels nice in the hand and offers highly detailed scenes for exploration.  Each card encompasses both positive and challenging aspects of the "traditional" meanings.  One of the most intriguing cards is the Sun.  While creepy, it still brings that positive knowledge that the sun will rise and thing will become clear.  Or the challenging knowledge that the sun rise will bring an end to this fascinating tale of Gothic vampires and monsters.  Either way, good or bad, the sun is going to rise and everything will change. 

April 21 - 27, 2012 ~ Tarot of Prague, 1st Edition

Tarot of Prague, 1st Edition
Karen Mahoney, Alex Ukolov
Magic Realist Press

This is a revisit to the magical Tarot of Prague.  This time, to the 1st Edition.  Back on  July 9-15, 2011, I originally visited this tarot and was astounded.  Logically, I shouldn't like this deck at all.  I looked at it and sniffed disdainfully when it first appeared in shops.  Funny, how things change!

This deck came to me from the same person who gifted me the 2nd Edition.  Also, the book!  This time 'round, having the book to read about the images was a real treat.  I appreciate that they have included this information as well as historical information.  This brings depth to the cards that was missing without having the book at hand.

The card stock is much more firm in this deck than the 2nd Edition.  More like the Bohemian Gothic, 2nd Edition.  It is in a little portfolio which ties with golden ribbon.  Very fitting.  The colors seem richer than the new edition.

I could go on about how beautiful it is to work with - or you could just click the link above and visit the previous entry.  I enjoy the deck immensely, but this one has been put back into its portfolio, tied with care, and stored back in an antique cigar box with my other prized decks.  I will use the 2nd edition for every day use! 

Shown are my three favorite cards from the deck. 

Rating: Favorite (still)
 

April 14 - 20, 2012 ~ The Merlin Tarot

The Merlin Tarot
RJ Steward
Art by Miranda Gray
Element, 2002

In November 2011, I bought this deck from a member at AT.  It sat on my shelf, unused, until April 14, 2012.  What a loss.  So much time lost when I could have been enjoying the unique wonder of this deck.

Physically, it is a nicely constructed deck.  The cards are a nice size, easy to shuffle, and not terribly slippery.  The packaging is a bit excessive as it comes in a large box with a very small book.  The book is a watered down version of Mr Stewart's more complete book on this deck. 

After about 5 minutes with the book, I learned I was missing two cards.  Not a huge issue as the person from whom I purchased the deck happily emailed me scans with the pertinent information from another text by Mr Stewart.  This is a deceptive deck in appearance.  It looks so simple and plain.  But don't be fooled.  There is serious depth in these cards.

One thing that was a bit off-putting at first was the numbering on the majors.  The Priestess as XXI was causing the numerology processing part of my brain to over heat.  But after reading his disclaimer that numbering had no place in the majors and that the numbers on the cards were for convenience only, I calmed down.  Whew! I can accept that.  I just ignore them.  Really, if there were no titles on these cards, it wouldn't be a bad thing. 

The minors are unillustrated pips (a misnomer because they are very well illustrated!) and the suits are Beasts, Fish, Birds, Serpents.  They fit well as the suits.  Really, there was no problem using my personal system with these cards.  Mr Stewart has outlined a system in the book, but it requires more study than one week.  And truthfully, I am not sure that if I will ever really use it.  However, his insights do add depth to my own understanding.  For example, he divides the majors into groups of 3 cards each, with the Universe card existing outside any group as "One Manifest Destiny."   Makes alot of sense.

As a reading deck it was very nice.  I like the simplicity of the artwork and the way that so much can be learned from facial expression and body language.  I look forward to using this deck in the future.

Rating: Keeper +

April 07 - 13, 2012 ~ Baseball Tarot

Baseball Tarot
Mark Lerner, Laura Phillips, Dan Gardiner
Workman Publishing, 1999

If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be - Yogi Berra

I got this gem from a member at Aeclectic Tarot.  Got it cheap! In fact, it was my first purchase from an AT member!

It is a nice set that fits together with the book and the cards.  Unfortunately, the cards aren't secured well and they will fall out of the folder / box contraption!  The cards are large, thick, and heavily laminated.  Shuffles fairly well, though, but with a tendency to stick together.  The artwork is excellently done and the card is not ruined by borders and obnoxious titles.  The back is great - baseballs on a starry background.  A cosmic game of sorts.

The deck is set up a bit different.  It isn't just the suits, either, which are Mitts (Cups), Balls (Swords), Bats (Wands), and Bases (Coins).  The cards are numbered Ace through 12 and then Coach and MVP.  There really is no reason to have a traditional court.  The majors are well named and the baseball themes associated fit extremely well.  It is, really, one of the better decks out there. 

As a reading deck, it is remarkable.  Normal "tarot" methods work well as do intuition (or picture reading).  Because the card images very accurately reflect card meaning, it is a breeze to read.  If you know baseball.  If you don't, it will be challenging and possibly frustrating.  However, due to the high quality of the artwork, facial and body expression help to bring meaning.  The jargon, however, might be problematic. 

The accompanying book is well written and presents information in a clever manner.  Non-baseball enthusiasts will definitely find help within its pages.  Best, however, are the quotations that are included for every card.  Yogi Berra is often quoted and the chosen quotes are relevant to the card. 

Rating: Favorite

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