Mr. La-luna's Tarot Blog

Stolen Child is Re-launched!

2012-02-08T08:56:00.002+01:00

Last year (here) I mentioned that artiste Monica Knighton (known for her Tarot of the Dead) was launching a fund-raiser to get the means to finish and self publish her new deck the Stolen Child Tarot - a Major Arcana Deck, this was unsuccessfully sadly enough.

But rejoice, Monica is back with a new go at it, so perhaps this time it will work out just fine (and it looks out it will be) you can see more about it, and fund it here and on her Facebook.

Tarot de Marsella Robledo

2012-01-18T12:05:00.001+01:00

Some time ago I posted about a TdM restoration made by Pablo Robledo, well good news the good man is back with a new deck, an original TdM deck of his very own creation this time.This child of his love for the Marseilles pattern is worthy of getting all the attention it can, and yes, being included in the collection of all TdM lovers.

Created to look like a traditional deck as if it where created by a contemporary of the great card makers of the past.All the strengths of the tradition, but made to fit modern quality standards in printing and card stock (and both are as high quality as the previous Robledo deck and worthy of any professional printing, worthy of the master card makers of yore). The whole feels right, there are no concessions made to modern times, if you don't know any better the deck could have come from any era, the colors are rich but not in your face and what I particularly love is that unlike many 'modern' TdM renditions is that the backgrounds aren't disturbingly white but rather a creamy beige a wonderful touch that gives it an instant classical appearance.

Watcher Angel Tarot by Jacqueline Williams & Michelle Belanger

2012-01-03T12:53:00.000+01:00

There are quite a few angel themed decks out there, mostly very sugary sweet or with detached absent looking beings, not so for this one here is drama, action, emotion, both good and bad.

The Watcher Angels to whom the decks title referred are the angels who chose to fall to earth for the love of human women, and learned them the arts of prophecy, root-cutting, cosmetics, and metal-smiting. Briefly mentioned in the bible book genesis, the angels story is told at large in the the first section of the "Book of Enoch",a non-canonical Jewish text.

Each major arcana is linked to one of these angels, whose name appear at the bottom of the card, the minors portray both humans and angels and the impact those had on our world, this linked to a keyword under the image.

78 cards + one extra card the 'Seeker', available as deck alone or as set with the companion book.

The homepage for the deck is here
The deck can be ordered here

Abiding in the Sanctuary: The Waite-Trinick Tarot

2011-12-23T11:52:00.001+01:00

The Waite-Colman Smith is probably one of the most famous decks in the world, printed in many different era's versions and editions since it first saw the light in 1909, but very few people know Arthur Edward Waite also created an other deck this time with the artists John Trinick and Wilfrid Pippet, all images from that deck are now published in a limited edition book by Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin and available here.

The 23 cards, the 22 Major Arcana + Da’ath, portrayed here are in shown in colour and B&W; in different versions (the finished B&W versions as well as many original variant illustrations and sketches of the same in both colour and B&W)

Subtitled "A Christian Mystical Tarot (1917-1923)" where to be used in Waite's own mystical order the 'Fellowship of the Rosy Cross' in rituals as meditations on the 22 paths of the Tree of Life, correspondences who differer significantly from the 'Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn' ones.

The following details come from the publishers page: "80 colour and b&w plates, extensive commentary and biographies, with a preface by Mary K. Greer.
250 copies only limited edition (186pp, hardback, dustcover).
In this book you will be introduced to these mystical and sublime images, and given ways of using them for your own contemplation in an ancient technique termed "Lectio Divina". You will be shown how they correspond to the Tree of Life and discover Waite's hidden mystical system for spiritual development illustrated by the Tarot.The book contains original sketches and paintings by J. B. Trinick, forgotten for over thirty years in the British Museum, a full set of the b&w plates produced from the images, in addition to extensive research, family background and artistic context for the images." If that doesn't sound mouthwatering to every tarot lover and student.

Les 22 Portes by Nadine et Michel Auzas-Mille

2011-12-14T13:18:00.000+01:00

Some tarot pearls are not published as decks but appear as illustrations inside a book, as are these 22 wonderful cards do. They appeared in the French book with the looooong title and subtitle: 'Les 22 Portes - essai pour une approche spirituelle, au seuil du 3ème millénaire, à partir de la symbolique des arcanes de Tarot' (The Doors 22 - an essay for a spiritual approach, at the threshold of the third millennium, to the symbolism and the mysteries of Tarot) published in 2007 by Editions Cosmogone.

These big one page sized images follow the TdM tradition (in this case the artist took it's inspiration from the Grimaud deck) but interpreted and redrawn into 22 detailed works of art.

CBD Tarot de Marseille by Yoav Ben-Dov

2011-12-08T13:28:00.000+01:00

I'm back and this time with a new Marseilles deck coming to us from Israel, a country which produces very very few deck (this is only my second deck I know of and own from there).Mister Yoav Ben-Dov, has been a tarot reader and teacher for 32 years, so he knows his tarot.

The deck he worked on, aided by 2 professionals, is one of the most popular TdM decks around, to know the Conver deck from 1760, but rather than making a historically correct restoration his version is one for our modern time, for a modern public (with al the advantages and weaknesses that goes with that).The CBD is an artistic remake, bringing the Conver up to date to contemporary printing techniques and visual tastes and sensitivities, what is especially noticeable in the face expressions and the color shades that differ from the original.

It is a high quality production self-published but printed in Belgium by Carta Mundy (still a guarantee for great card stock and high end printing)

The artists site, with images of the deck is here and here you can order the deck from him.

The tarot design coloring book by Caren Caraway

2011-11-29T13:01:00.000+01:00

There are many formats in which a tarot can be published, but this is as far as I know this is the only one in colouring book form. Published in 1980 by Stemmer House Publishers, a publisher specialised in children books and Designs from different era's, countries and cultures printed in black and white, as this work is.

Miss Caraway has rendered the arcana's in 78 flowing images with a 'cosmic' end of the 70ies feeling, especially pronounced in the majors, the minors are more adaptations of the familiar WCS-images to her personal style giving them all a soft and non threatening feel, an elegant child of it's time! Each major and court-card are printed on a full (approximately) A4 pages sized, the Ace's and twos are put together and the remaining 8 cards are distributed on 2 pages.

Some cards have been renamed, so Strength became Vigor, Justice Equilibrium, and Judgement is Transformation.

The Rosetta Tarot - Book of Seshet by Melissa M Meleen

2011-11-23T12:43:00.000+01:00

There is a new Thoth-remake out, and knowing how few there are (especially when compared to the amount of Waite-Colman-Smith and TdM-style ones) this is always a good news! Among those children of the Thoth this one is for sure one with the brightest and most vivid colours around so if you like a Thoth using a vibrant palette this might be one to look out for.

The artist wanted her deck to be a lovechild between the Thoth yet somehow during the elaboration of it the Thoth took over. In the portray of the archetypes and in structure it's a true Thoth with only here and there some stylistic WCS hints and traces, particularly in the minor arcana.

One interesting technique used by the artist is the fact that for each suit and the majors she used the techniques that where closest to the meaning and spirit of that suit, for example for the Cups connected to the element water she used a mixed media technique of watercolor, water-based ink and acrylic, the acrylic comes back in all cards to create an unifying force throughout the deck.

The tarot is independently yet professionally printed in a limited edition of only 777 deck and comes in a well-constructed box together with an informative LWB that gives more info about the cards and the structure they are build on - in addition the artist also wrote a companion book for those wanting more.

The artist's site is here, to find more about the deck and if you like it even buy it!

Tarot Collectors Forum 2011 Collaborative Deck

2011-11-18T12:46:00.002+01:00

Le nouveau Tarot Collectors Forum tarot has arrived! Yes it's that moment of the year again, for it's 4th consecutive year members of the Tarot Collectors Forum have put together their efforts, creativity and love of tarot to create a 78 card deck - and once more the harvest from all that labour of love has been a good one.

As with the 3 previous decks style and materials used where up to the participants what resulted in a wide array of possible variations in result; mix that in with a background of people who have and know literally hundreds of decks and or even created at least one (some among us are even artist with deck that are self published or published by a big company). My personal contributions this year where The Chariot, the Page of Swords and shown below the Page of Pentacles (and I think I may be proud of my creations)

A big project like this one brings its problems with it, many persons working together on the same project but in their own manner, their own speed and personality means there is need for a good organisation with some strong personalities to keep the reigns, but we reached the finish all together and even faster than previous years. Bravo for us all!

It is a very exclusive deck, not meant for sale, there is one deck for each participant + one deck for the forums host Adam McLean and one fro the "Museo dei Tarocchi".

The Tarot Cards Of Francesco Clemente

2011-11-11T23:41:00.002+01:00

End of August I blogged about the New-York artist Francesco Clementes exhibition in the Uffizi museum in Florence, about the 78 tarot paintings he created.

This month a book was published showcasing all 78 paintings + some background about tarot in general, the artist and the creation of the tarot series. An second part of the book is about an other series he maid portraying him as the 12 apostles.

You can find my original blog entry here

The ISBN of the book is: 9783777445212 available at bookshops, Amazon and Bookdepository among others

Glass Tarot No. 2

2011-11-10T13:00:00.002+01:00

The artist behind this deck, Krzysztof Glass (1944-2000) was a busy, engaged and creative person: painter , graphic artist , poet , journalist and political analyst where the fields where he was active in. As artist he began exhibiting his paintings, drawings and lithographs from 1970 onwards in Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Germany and Austria. His main interests and concerns in his artistic expression where concerned with both the working class and social themes, but he also created 2 tarots.

The second of his 2 tarots came recently into my possession by pure chance and to my great joy of course (all interesting decks always are, and this one is both interesting and extremely difficult to find). This deck was published in 1977 in a limited edition of only 99 decks, and made in a very time and work intensively manner: hand-pulled, with the (very bold) colors added in separate steps a true work of art and great craftsmanship. The only part of the deck that is a bit less are the simplistic pip cards (only the number of suit emblems they represent) but the majors and court cards are stunning and worth every attention they can get, being both very in your face as well as mysterious because of they are shown with dual or split profiles .

Triomphes De Paris by Bertrand Saint-Guillain

2011-10-25T13:41:00.002+02:00

This deck is the result of a grand love affair, passion even the artist, Bertrand Saint-Guillain, has for the craftsmanship and art of the 17th & 18th century French cardmakers. Published this year, in a first edition run of only 6 (I have number 5 and I adore it, it feels like a paper made treasure, an ancient manuscript in card form) if you wouldn't know what date it was published it could have come from any era (well 20th century that is, otherwise there would have been deterioration)

The artist told there could be 50 decks made if the molds can take the printings and if there is enough demand.

Inspired by the Jacques Viéville tarot as a lead, a source without following it slavishly.The black & white trumps are small sized, printed on heavy unlaminated stock, red backs are glued onto them. Worth of the great artisans this decks execution has been entirely traditional, excepted only for the substitution of linoleum for printing, in stead of woodblocks, and also for use of modern papers and a light powered heat source.

You can see them all and even contact through his website

Stolen Child Tarot - a Major Arcana Deck, by Monica Knighton

2011-10-05T12:35:00.001+02:00

I'm back with a new deck that seeks the means to be finished and get published through the use of a fund-raising site (this time that site is Kickstarter). And yes I'd love to see it published!

The artist of this deck in the making is Monica Knighton, who we know as the creator of the Tarot Of The Dead, someone who knows about tarot and self-publishing (she published the first edition of her deck herself).

The name and inspiration for this deck came from one of her favourite poems, the Stolen Child, by William Butler Yeats -- in particular the refrain:
“Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand.”

There are more images on Monica's Facebook page
The KicksSarter page for it is here

Tarot of the Holy Light by Christine Payne-Towler and Michael Dowers

2011-10-03T14:15:00.001+02:00

If there is one deck I'd advise to get it would be this one (in my humble opinion worthy of the title deck of the year, decennium or even bigger...)

It is an, as they artist state (and strongly emphasize), a traditional Continental-style deck, nothing modern, nothing (post) Golden Dawn to be found, not in images nor in the underlying system. Here the images project us in the world of the 16- and 1700's science and magic, the images used in alchemical, gnostic & hermetic texts...all the esoteric knowledge of the time - the art itself is consistent throughout the deck and what i would call in equilibrium, between the positive and negative energies represented by each arcanum. The framework these images where build upon, as by a skilled architect (or would I in this context use mason), by Michael is from that same period and world view, forming an alchemical marriage of flesh and mind. To know more about the correspondences uses Christine advises to get a copy of The Occult Power of Numbers, by W. Wynn Westcott, but i think Agrippa's three books of occult philosophy could also provide a wealth of information.

So indeed an impressive work deep mysterious and powerful, BUT you do not need to get your study books out and spend hours immersing in the esoteric systems, the deck can be used right out of the box.

The cards are printed upon nice quality textured (linnen-like) card-stock, sturdy yet not stiff supple without being bendy, so they will stay looking good for a very long time!

You may notice the art upon the box is completely different from those in the cards, the reason is simple, box and cards where made by 2 different artists - Michael found it important his brother made the art for the box, and that he did his own thing to it.

The deck can be obtained through here and there is a lot more of information to be found about it there also.

IL Diavolo & l'AcquaSanta Tarocchi Fantastici - Various artists

2011-09-20T16:43:00.003+02:00

Some decks, like this one, seem to have a slow-moving effect with me, getting into my collection quite some time after their publication and being blogged about even later. This effect is in no way a negative judgment on it from my part – far from it even, it’s just one of those things that happen without any specific reason.

The IL Diavolo & l'AcquaSanta Tarocchi Fantastici was part of a grand event celebrating the Millennium of the Cattedrale di San Vicinio (housing the tomb of St. Vicinio a Bishop miracle worker) and was held in Archaeological Museum of Sarsina from November 15, 2008 till May 31, 2009, date of completion of the Jubilee Year.

22 contemporary artists, some emerging and some already established, were invited to create a work, of art , interpreting each one of the majors and using techniques as varied a painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography and even and processed X-rays. The exhibition was curated by Antonio Paolucci who is also director of the Vatican Museums, and architect Marisa Zattini, a well know art director and curator of significant exhibitions in that region of Italy.

For those who like names (and what they did in this project) here are the participating artist: Adriano Bimbi (Fool), Stefano Mazzotti (Magician),Richard Hess (High Priestess), Andrea Guastavino (Empress), Enrico Lombardi (Emperor), Moreno Bondi (Pope), Luke Piovaccari (Love), Francis Bombard (Chariot), Silvano D'Ambrosio (Justice) Nicholas Samorì (Hermit), Black (aka Alexander Neretti) (Fortune), Brutus Tomato (Strength), Ana Hill (Hanged Man), Mark Kostabi (Death), Pablo Echaurren (Temperance), Ugo Nespolo (Devil), Maximum Pulini (Tower), Aldo Rontini (Star), Daniele Masini (Moon), Alberto Mingotti (Sun), Gesine Arps (Angel), Paola Campidelli (World)

Winnipeg Tarot created by Lorri Millan & Shawna Dempsey and illustrated by Bonnie Marin

2011-09-16T11:03:00.002+02:00

There are not many decks that came out of Canada, despite it's size there where, to my knowledge, less than 40 decks published these last 40 years, so every one I can find is received with great interest and curiosity.

The project this deck came out of was a part of the Winnipeg Cultural Capital of Canada 2010 ARTS FOR ALL initiative. So indeed once more artistic and/or cultural events and tarot join forces, a trend that has been asserting itself these last few years, and through their interaction bring forth something new worth discovering.

As the title suggest the theme of the deck is the city of Winnipeg and its region, and with a city that size and diverse there is a lot to showcase! The style used here is a distorted mix between playful, caricature and semi 50 & 60ies-vintage. The characters histories and mythologies depicted are a mix of pure local elements and global, multicultural influences (how many decks do you know depicting among others a Gay Pride and a wholesale event?).

If you’re wondering yes the do have a site (and yes the deck is still available it seems – but for how long more as it was created for an event last year…)

78 cards

Renamed suits: Blizzards, Floods, Drought and Lightning

Eroteme Fashion Tarot Cards by Oleg Mitrofanov

2011-09-09T14:00:00.002+02:00

This deck fits the category 'when art meets tarot', and what for an art: the world of opera with all its stories filled with passion and drama, THE perfect backdrop for a deck.

Each major arcana and court card has been linked to a personage from an opera, some very famous, others less, the minors are non-scenic but portray arms and hands, decorated and with accessories and jewelry in various combinations, a fascinating view to look at. Each person/character is portrayed by not so standard yet impressing models draped in striking theatrical dresses, each card is both a work of art and a whole story in itself.

The deck was published in 2 super limited editions: one big sized (13x20 cm) of only 5 decks, and a regular (7.5x13 cm) edition of 30 decks, so if you're interested you need to be very quick.... More info, and images of the deck can be found here

Francesco Clemente's New York City tarot

2011-08-24T12:16:00.003+02:00

There is an interesting exhibition at the Uffizi in Florence from September 9th to November 6th 2011 by the Italian born New York based artist Francesco Clemente. Born out of an interest in the tarot started only 3 years ago we are confronted here by a modern artist and his view upon the 78 images we all know.

All the figures in the Major Arcana and quite a few of the minors feature the artists New York friends (who are well known artists) as well as his 4 children and his wife who appears as The Star. The artist himself appears twice in the deck once as the fool and as the Ace of Swords. some of the cards do not feature any personality, like for example the Ten of Swords.

You can see some of the cards here
Here below you can see Francesco Clemente as The Fool, Diane von Furstenberg as The Force, Salman Rushdie as King of Swords and the Ace of Cups.

There is an article by Calvin Tompkins in The New Yorker.

Bohemian Cats Tarot third edition

2011-08-18T09:01:00.001+02:00

Good news for all lovers of the Bohemian Cats Tarot after being OOP for some time Alex Ukolov and Karen Mahony of Baba-store are about to release a third edition of it! Off course they did some adjustments to the cards, to make them look even better than the first editions.

Pre-orders will open at the end of August/beginning of September.
Details will be published on the Bohemian Cats Facebook page, the Baba Studio Facebook page, and also sent out on their newsletter.

Disegnare non stanca - Tarocchi ed altre Figure

2011-08-17T14:02:00.002+02:00

Some wonderful tarot creations get little or no attention by many tarotlovers because they are not printed in card format but inside a book, this is one of these treasures that merits to be noticed.

The book is perhaps a bit difficult to find/obtain but is sure worthy of making an effort! This work, published in 2001 by Sellerio is an overview of the work of Nicolo d'Alessandro, not only his tarot, all his prints are black and white very detailed images that kind of draw you inside their specific slightly bizarre universe.

The Incidental Tarot

2011-08-09T09:16:00.001+02:00

Yesterday I told you about the fund raising for the Alchemical Tarot on the IndieGoGo site, well i did some searching on that site and I found an other deck that attracted my attention and I hope will find the needed budget to be able to get printed.

The artist Holly DeFount has set as goal to her self to create a piece of art every day of 2011 - and among the art created is this deck. The incidental does not refers to the art or symbolism, cause it is good, well executed original and not always following the classical imagery or symbols, yet it stays a true tarot.

You can find her fund-raisersite here
She is also on facebook, ond Deviantart on Etsy and has her own website a busy bee indeed

Some decks published in 2011

2011-08-08T14:01:00.003+02:00

Cat's Eye Tarot
Publisher: US Games Inc.
From the artist's website: "Traditional Tarot from a Cat's Eye Point of View!"

The Gaian Tarot - Mass Marked edition
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; Crds edition (September 8, 2011)
From the artist's website: "It (the deck) speaks directly to the hearts of you who practice an earth-centered spirituality. It's a powerful tool for accessing the voice of Spirit and your own inner guidance. "

Kingdom Within Tarot - Mass Marked edition
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.; Pap/Crds edition (February 28, 2011)
From the artist's website:"The Kingdom Within Tarot, an innovative system of divination and spiritual transformation that uses tarot to unite Astrology, Qabalah (also spelled “Kabbalah” and “Cabalah”), Mythological Archetypes, the Hero's Journey, the Cyclical Seasons and Elements of the Year, and the sacred story of the Sacrificial Savior."

Law of Attraction tarot
Publisher: Lo Scarabeo (May 8, 2011)

Ludy Lescot Tarot
Publisher: Lo Scarabeo (May, 2011)

Tarot in the Land of Mystereum: An Imagination Primer
Publisher: Shiffer
The artist's blog
From the publishers website: "Where is the Land of Mystereum? Mystereum is a place where you can establish harmonious relationships with your ideas and feelings, explore identity and personality, and guide your intuition and imagination. We celebrate our differences. "All similar, each unique," is our motto. It keeps our lives lively! There are 78 cards in this intuitive Tarot deck and each card has its own individual personality. As you meet each character visually, there is the opportunity to breathe life into the image and to learn to sense what you feel. At the same time, you will learn the card meanings and how the character interacts with you and the world around you. The answers to your questions will become clear. Then things become fun! Each Mystereum Tarot character speaks to you in their own voices and they have something for you! Some have single gifts. Some have packages. These gifts are Imagination Tools and they are the "primers" for your life. Only you can use these tools to solve the mysteries in your own Land of Mystereum. Enjoy the journey. Your creativity will thank you!"

The Secret Language of Birds Tarot
Publisher: Shiffer
The artist's blog
From the publishers website: "Birds were once considered to be messengers from the Gods to humankind, and the Tarot was once called "...the game of Gods and Birds." Ancient societies all over the World set great store by their Augurs, who were experts at divination by analysis of birds. These magical magician-priests had the skills to interpret the flight patterns and behavior of birds in order to translate the desires of their Deities. Every bird in this beautifully illustrated 78-card deck has been carefully chosen for its relationship to each Tarot card, and uses mythology, folklore, and legend, as well as the natural characteristics of each bird, to underline that connection. We invite you to fly into the world of magic as you learn the secret language of birds"

Tarot of the Silicon Dawn - Mass Marked edition
Publisher: Lo Scarabeo (May 19, 2011)
From the artist's website: "A modern Tarot with a graphic, sci-fi flavor."

Tea Tarot - Limited edition of 100 decks
Self Published by Marcia McCord
The artist's blog

Today's Journey Tarot
Publisher: Shiffer
The artist's blog
From the publishers website: "Today’s Journey Tarot is a fresh approach to the ancient wisdom offered by the classic Tarot. Everyday experiences come alive with the power of archetypal imagery. The deck of 78 cards represents the true essence of the Tarot, spiritual enlightenment, transformation, and discovery, as humanity expands into new dimensions. It is easy to relate to the contemporary symbolism without struggling to understand the esoteric ideology. This leads to an illumination of the decisions needed for the future, a better perception of the present, and an understanding of the influences from the past. If you have ever been stuck in traffic wondering if it would be better to take the next exit or stay where you are, you can read Today’s Journey Tarot!Journey Tarot is a fresh approach to the ancient wisdom offered by the classic Tarot. Everyday experiences come alive with the power of archetypal imagery. The deck of 78 cards represents the true essence of the Tarot: spiritual enlightenment, transformation, and discovery as humanity expands into new dimensions. It is easy to relate to the contemporary symbolism without struggling to understand the esoteric ideology. This leads to an illumination of the decisions needed for the future, a better perception of the present, and an understanding of the influences from the past. If you have ever been stuck in traffic wondering if it would be better to take the next exit or stay where you are, you can read Today's Journey Tarot !"

The Wildwood Tarot: Wherein Wisdom Resides
Publisher: Sterling Ethos (June 7, 2011)
From the publishers website: "Based on seasonal rhythms and ancient festivals, The Wildwood Tarot gift set draws inspiration from pre-Celtic mythology and shamanic mysteries. This stunning new deck introduces us to classic forest archetypes--including the Green Man and Woman, Archer, and Blasted Oak--and explains how to use them as a meditation system, divinatory oracle, or reference. Will Worthington's powerful pagan images connect us with a long-lost world that can help us make sense of our own"

The Alchemical Tarot: Renewed - Third Edition

2011-08-08T11:45:00.003+02:00

The first 2 editions of this great deck went sadly out-of-print, but luckily we won't have to fear prices exploding like they did when the first edition went OOP. Robert Place is planning to launch a third &; improved edition.

In conjunction with the new printing, Robert is finishing an updated version of the companion book and working with software engineer, Tony Newell, to create an app. version of The Alchemical Tarot.

To raise funds Robert Place has turned to IndieGoGo (a site designed so artist can raise the money they need to make their projects come reality), you can find his fund-raising page here

Kojiki Tarot

2011-08-03T14:06:00.002+02:00

How would a Marseille deck look like if the TdM was invented in Japan? Well this deck published in 2010 comes pretty close to answering that, and the resulting majors only receives my 2 thumbs up appreciation.

The artist behind this deck Akiko Miyazaki connected the 22 cards of the tarot to the Kojiki ( "Record of Ancient Matters") an ancient Japanese mythological book from the early 8th century, and is a collection of myths concerning the origin of the four home islands of Japan, and the stories of the Kami* that shaped it, and is one of the sources of the Shinto religion.The result is a coherent deck, a child that has a Japanese father and a mother straight from Marseilles (or vice-versa).

* Kami are in Shinto (the Japanese religion) the spirits, natural forces, or essences the world is also sometimes translated as "god" or "deity," a translation that is contested under Shinto schollars.

William Stolpin Tarot

2011-08-01T12:43:00.001+02:00

Sometimes a deck is looks so charming clean and simple you just have to get them (and when the price is nice who am I to resist...)
One such deck is the tarot created by William R. Stolpin and that i found some time ago on eBay, i looked at it and immediately bought it.

The cards are slightly bigger (more or less 1/3) than most commercially published decks and a bit more square, but with nice round corners.
The art itself has a feel of medieval- and renaissancefairs, a feeling of things more pure and innocent than the one that surround us.

On his site you see many of his works and discover that Mr Stolpin has a broad field of interest and ways of expressing those both in his art as in his background. The deck itself is not for sale it seems only loose prints but you could always try and contact him ...

Tarot De Marseille - Isis Version

2011-07-28T11:01:00.003+02:00

It seems to have been a loooong time since my last post here (shame on me) - and believe me it has nothing to do with a lack of material I want to share, because I've got a fair lot of new acquisitions.

So for my new post in over a month I choose this new TdM deck straight from Japan. The creator of this deck professor Tadahiro Onuma made with this Conver revamping (with some Camoin-Jodorowsky thrown in among other influences) a deck that might attract new people to the TdM with its colours that are both bright and lively, it's many natural facial expressions (watch those eyes they do add an extra spiciness to the personages portrayed) it even has a sense of space and dimension in it compared to the 'original' flat TdM cards. It is not what purist would call an 'authentic' deck but rather a Marseilles for the 21st century sensitiveness and tastes.

Professor Onuma isn't what you call a novice in esoteric subjects, he finished a doctoral course of the ancient Greek philosophy at Tokyo University, he also worked with Philippe Camoin in the past and is also an Archpriest of the Fellowship of Isis (FOI).

Published in 2009 as a majors only this deck was printed in 2011 as a 78 cards deck for all to enjoy by ISIS (Institute of Study on Initiation and Symbolism) (this is the edition I posses) you can see their site here or order directly from professor Onura by mail (he accepts Paypal and is very fast)

Tarocchi Minchiate "Al Leone"

2011-07-19T15:28:00.001+02:00

Nice decks, interesting decks ones with historic importance do not always need to be expensive, proof of that is one of my latest find of mine. During my daily overview on eBay I stumbled upon this historic reprint (unaltered or corrected - thus looking exactly like it was printed a few centuries ago) published back in 2004.

This deck is a photo reproduction of a Florentine Minchiate deck (circa 1790) from an original contained in the collection of the "FOURNIER" cards museum located in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, owned by the Excma. Diputacion Floral de Alava.The cards measure a nice sized 115mm x 60mm printed on lightish stock, with round corners but unfortunate gloss finish what takes away some of the authenticity, yet it remains an interesting deck for collectors and all those interested in historic decks.

Tarot Taré by Olivier Texier

2011-05-31T21:17:00.004+02:00

I have a lot of decks in all kinds and genres but this one is among the bizarre ones I’ve got (and that’s not an understatement!) For those wondering what the title means Tare is a slang word meaning mad insane ‘out-of-their mind’ a title well chosen when you look at these 22 cards.

It was published last may by “Le Dernier Cri” (where it is still available) who specialize in strange creations and in recently also published a tarot by Marcel Reujters, and that is now sadly Out Of print – it has in common with that deck that they are both published in a limited edition (this one has only 200 decks) both are hand screened, have similar sizes and have a similar flap-thingy that contains them. Thus far what the similarities go.

The “people” that populate this deck are strange weird, freaks, monsters and mutants but in whom the artist tried to pass some human essence through a look a hand movent or some other detail - it's definitely NOT for the faint or weak at heart

Well worth the effort of to look into it I’d say

Jean-Claude Flornoy passed away on 24th of may

2011-05-26T09:14:00.004+02:00

Jean-Claude Flornoy passed away on 24th of may - a very sad thing, a great loss for the world in general and the world of tarot specifically. My thoughts go also out to his life companion Roxanne.

Jean-Claude, you are and will be missed - peace to you.

So all who didn't yet know about him, or want to be a bit closer to him in their minds you can always visit his website or read his blog

I'm a bit lost for words right now, so I'll quote Khalil Girban wit these great words:

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.

Polish Tarot / Jasniak Tarot by Aleksandra Jasniak & Anna Galuszka

2011-05-23T19:16:00.003+02:00

It's always good news when a deck comes back into print, especially when it's one i didn't have in my collection yet.
First published in 1995 and then in 1998 this lush colorful deck is at it's third printing now (the 2011 version is now called “The Polish Tarot”) and i'm sure it has many years and potential in his future.It is a deck that has personality and dares to stand out of the crowd, like that eccentric aunt we all loved, that everyone was looking at and that loved the attention!

Subtly hinting towards the TdM, non-scenic pips, (almost) psychedelic effects, golden borders bilingual titles (Polish & English) what's not to like in it - I love it!

It's available at Tarot Garden

Mondo Bizzarro Gallery Tarot

2011-05-18T18:59:00.006+02:00

The Mondo Bizzarro Gallery in Rome Italy held an tarot related exhibition this year (today is the last day - it ran from 30 march 2011 till 18 may 2011), they invited 20 artists from the Italian underground art scene to interpret the 22 major arcana cards into their own style. The result is a varied as the artists themselves are, ranging from the sweet over the comical or serious to the bizarre. The whole exhibition was under the guidance of it's organizer Alessia De Filippi who researched the tarot among other sources from Paul Foster Case's"Introduction to the study of tarot

The deck, that was published in a small edition of only 200 decks by Mondo Bizzaro in collaboration with Elsewhere Factory Lab, consists of a Tarot deck of 22 cards plus 3 information cards, edition is already nearing the point of being sold out.

You can see the cards here
Although the decks is not on sale in their shop you can mail them about it - and yes they accept Paypal

For these interested in names, here are the artist who collaborated and what card they created: Hogre (The Magician), Antonio Guzzardo (the High Priestess), Valeria Crusade (The Empress), Simone Tso '(The Emperor), Jb Rock (The Pope), Nike Alghisio Brass (The Lovers), Infidel (The Chariot), PU: RE (Justice), Paul Petrangeli (The Hermit), Diamond (The Wheel), Alessandra Fusi (Strength), Elena Rapa (The Hanged Man), Bafefit (Death), Mark Rea (The Temperance), Michele Guidarini (The Devil), King of the Herring (The Tower), Saturno Butto '(The Star), Luisa Catucci (The Moon), Genuine (The Sun), Luisa Montalto (The Judgement), Francesco D'Isa (World), Gaetano Leone (The Fool).

Tarot of Physics by Dan Horn & Corrine Kenner

2011-05-09T13:40:00.005+02:00

Who said tarot and 'hard' science don't mix? well lo behold and rejoice science AND tarot loving geeks and nerds (and no I didn't use those terms in a denigrated way) because here is the Tarot of Physics, all science all tarot and that 78 cards long.

Clean schematic minimalists images on pale yellow/beige background, that remind of high-school science textbooks, are used to link a different theory or application from physics to a tarot interpretations . In sync with the theme the suits have been renamed to Energy, Space, Time, and Matter.
As a special feature for those who want to use them the cards are only laminated on the backs so one could add notes, colors or anything you want to them.

The decks can exclusively be obtain from the Tarot Garden
you can also look it up on it's website or on Twitter (but sadly none of those are often updated)

Peacock Tarot by Peter Grahame

2011-05-05T14:15:00.004+02:00

Somewhere near the end of last year I obtained this majors only deck by the Albuquerque based self-taught artist Peter Grahame, but somehow I forgot to post it here, blame it on my moving at that period because it is a creation that deserves being shared with you all.In 2009 it was published in a very limited edition of only 50 decks housed in a relatively big cardboard box

The Peacock tarot was created by mixing real persons in 21st century dreamlike settings with digital collage and editing techniques without making each card overly heavy or worked upon, yet giving it a very rich and strong look. Set up as a meditation deck for those studying the tarot and also to be used for tarot readings this 22 cards deck gives a contemporary look to the age-old Tarot archetypes.

Twilight Rabbit Tarot by Jessica Clayman

2011-04-21T14:13:00.002+02:00

There are many animal themed decks out there both self published or by big companies, featuring all kinds of animals but decks with rabbits there are few (as a matter of fact this is only the 2nd one I found and bought).

The artist has worked 5 entire years on this deck of anthropomorphic rabbits featured in images that are interesting renderings of the WCS-tarot but seen through rabbit eyes. The cards echo at some places classical works of art, general culture or ancient mythology (doesn't that empress remind you of a certain Venus and that 3 of cups made me think of Alice in Wonderland...) there is even place for my favorite Egyptian deity.

The deck is for sale at miss Clayman's Etsy shop in 2 versions an 78 cards one and one with 83 cards where the 5 extra cards are Thoth-tarot versions of The Emperor, The Star, Lust and Adjustment (Balance) and also an Happy Squirrel card.

But wait there is more for those who doesn't get enough of this rabbit-o-rama there is the website wwww.twilightrabbit.com Fitting the theme the suits have been renamed to Clover (= Wands), Passions (= Cups), Carrots (= Swords) and Stone (= Pentacles). The court cards became : Throne, Jack, Queen and King

The Hive I & II Tarot's

2011-04-18T13:35:00.005+02:00

Tarot has become mainstream and can be found in all kind of applications, milieus and supports, from the most commercial to the highest art. As a system to work around with many artist it's perfect and many collaborative decks have been created by artist, here it's the Hive gallery from Los Angeles that has gathered artist around it and has produced 2 majors only decks (even if both projects counted 78 cards) out of it. Although both times the WCS served as a base for the project, the artist deviated from it, and somethimes even radically!

The first Hive tarot was produced in 2009 in a limited edition of only 100 decks.

The second deck came out in 2011 as the previous one in a limited edition of 100 decks

I hope these 2 will be the start of a long running tradition at the Hive gallery with may more decks published on a yearly base.

Association for Tarot Studies - April newsletter

2011-04-12T19:33:00.000+02:00

The April edition of the ATS is out now and contains an extremely interesting article on the Xultun Tarot.

Sara Pulver's ACEO Tarot Deck

2011-04-11T15:10:00.003+02:00

Etsy has become an interesting source for tarot decks these last few years, directly from passionate artists making small print runs or even individually handmade decks and sharing those on their shop.

One of these is Sara Pulver who during the year 2010 created each card in no particular order and beginning of this year she started selling the 22 majors as an ACEO-set printed on very light cardstock and each card put into acid free cellophane envelopes.

The deck is mad, irreverent and even chaotic (but in a good way, at least that's my opinion of them)
You can visit her shop here

A Tarot Titkai by Zsófia Lázár & Katalin Szegedi

2011-04-05T13:32:00.002+02:00

It's always nice when a deck you search and that was Out-Of-Print comes back available.Back in 1991 Hungarian painter Katalin Szegedi created a wonderful majors only deck accompanied with a book written by Zsófia Lázár the deck hence known as the "Szabo/Szegedi - A Tarot", has sadly has been OOP since a loooong time, even before I seriously started collecting.

But o joy last year a new edition was published as "Tarot Titkai", the images remain unchanged but the printing quality was upgraded to be more luminous and in better contrast than the original. It can be ordered from the artist site for 3 980 Ft (approximately € 15,03 or $ 21,31), you can also email her

Tarocchi Minchiate "Al Leone"

2011-04-04T12:11:00.003+02:00

Interesting decks with historic importance do not always have to be expensive or hard to find, proof of that is this interesting find I did on eBay during one of my daily overviews hunting down interesting decks to add to my collection.

The deck in question is a photo reproduction (thus looking excacly like it was printed a few centuries ago) of a Florentine Minchiate deck (from circa 1790) from the original found in the collection of the "Fournier cards Museum in Alva, situated in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain and published in 2004.The cards measure a nice115mm x 60mm on printed upon lightish stock, round corners with a gloss finish that take a bit away from it's authenticity. An interesting deck that enriches the historic section of my collection (there are still some left on eBay at a nice price)

Tarot Noir by Robyn Tisch Hollister

2011-03-30T15:44:00.004+02:00

I do love many perhaps even all (or perhaps almost all) modern renditions or reincarnations of the good old Tarot de Marseilles pattern, and this one is among my favorite ones i must admit.

Robyn Tisch Hollister who also goes by the handle of Chronata on different forums and has created a few other decks has unleashed her talents upon the TdM.She gifted us here with a sweet and humorous looking deck, yet firmly based and following the TdM format, created in white upon a black background.The border-less cards are small sized and fit perfectly in the hand.
The deck is self published in a limited hand-made edition of only 100 decks packaged in a little black handmade folder box , sadly for the moment her shop seems for the moment out-of stock.

Here are links to the deck and her web-shop

Pre-order the Tarot Lovers' Calendar 2012

2011-03-28T08:57:00.002+02:00

Lo and behold, spring is here so it's once again the pre-order period for the Tarot Lovers' Calendar 2012 celebrating it's 10th anniversary this year (o what does time fly swiftly).

On the publishers site we can read: "Now in its 10th year, the limited edition Tarot Lovers' Calendar is a spiral bound, high quality printed showcase of the most talented artists and writers working with tarot in the world today. Since the second edition every calendar features sample images from 12 different independently produced tarot decks, some still in progress; 12 brand new tarot spreads; the world's major religious holidays; the moon phases; and solar/lunar eclipses all packaged as a highly practical calendar. Many people have built collections that they refer to time and again, finding that the Tarot Lovers' Calendar provides useful information and a view of the 'tarot zeitgeist' for the year."

A nice must have item for tarot lovers, users and collectors alike - I allready ordered mine.

For those wondering, yes the person publishing this calendar is the same one who created Major Tom's Tarot of Marseille.

Tea Tarot by Marcia McCord (pre-order info)

2011-03-21T09:31:00.002+01:00

Marcia McCord who also created the Picture Postcard Tarot, the Art Postcard Tarot and the Victorian Trade Card Tarot is now at this very moment (March 2011) working on a new deck.

Once again it will be in the familiar style of her 3 other decks vintage and antique images from a period we imagine to be sweeter and more innocent than ours, and this time there will be a theme tea-related images, ads from tea companies, photos of tea-related antiques...something worth looking into for all tarot readers and/or collectors especially those who like a hot cup of tea.
The deck shall have rounded corners and have the same size and cardstock as her other decks.

You can find more information and how to pre-order on her blog

Victorian Trade Card Tarot by Marcia McCord

2011-03-15T11:06:00.001+01:00

I did not always post about my new decks as soon as they arrive, this one even slipped my mind, shame on me because it is so much worth mentioning!

The Victorian Trade Card Tarot was published and sold at the same time as the Art Postcard Tarot and also in a limited edition of only 100 decks, both with 79 cards, the extra card being the happy squirrel (of these 2 decks only of the later a few are left, the others are all sold out by now - good work Marcia!)

This deck, as both her other decks, are created by use of vintage images here these where the trade cards mentioned in the decks title.
Trade cards can be seen as the forerunners of today's busyness cards, where merchants or businesses announced themselves to (potential) clients to announce their trade, or line of business, on one side they featured an image and on the other side space for the business with full advertising text, details or location, and where very popular in the period 1870 to 1900.

More information about Marcia's decks can be found on her blog

Association for Tarot Studies - March newsletter

2011-03-06T12:05:00.000+01:00

Association for Tarot Studies

The new edition of the ATS is out, and once again it's filled with interesting news and information go and have a look!

Heiri Steiner Tarot by Mary Steiner-Geringer & Heiri Steiner

2011-02-17T11:41:00.003+01:00

Decks done in a naive art-style aren't a modern thing, there where many published in the previous century yet few have had a lasting appeal with collectors as this one. Published in 1968 by Rene Simmen in Zurich (Switzerland) as a majors only deck accompanied by the book 'Das Tarot: Die Welt als Spiel' (The Tarot: The World as a Game).

Just looking at it you can see why it became wanted by collectors, the simple childlike images are printed upon a black backgrounds in lively strong colours, no question about it this deck has personality. The cards seem to take their inspiration from the TdM model and also a bit upon the Papus deck.

The only thing I'm not enthusiastic about are it's backs that are well true '60ies but in a bad way (if you see what I mean)

Paul Rodenko & Andre Kerkhoven De Tarot

2011-02-14T11:50:00.003+01:00

Not all tarots are printed as cards or loose prints, some only exist bound within a book like this one that was born out of the collaboration between the poet Rodenko and the artist Kerkhoven. Both discipline are linked to each other here with each time a poem and it's corresponding image facing each other.

Paul Rodenko (full name Paul Thomas Basilius Rodenko) was an important Dutch essayist & poet who was the chief critical advocate and apologist for the Fiftiers (a Dutch-Belgian literary movement for renewal) and for Dutch experimentalism in general, Andre Kerkhoven was a graphic artist specialized in woodcuts. Both men worked on this book in Rodenko's last year and was finished after his death by his wife Jetty.

The first edition of the book was released in a very limited edition of only 15, the year after that it was reprinted in a normal soft-cover non-limited edition and can still be found at a very reasonable price, only a few euro's at most.

Taylor Mccall Tarot Prints

2011-02-10T10:29:00.004+01:00

I've recently moved homes, one of the painfullest and difficult part of the whole wasn't the furniture but my collection, terrified as i was/am of damaging one i've packed them each very carefully and moved them from my parents home to my current location. as a matter of fact i'm still doing that, taking a few, packing them carefully and moving so i can get them a place in my home where they are at their very best, this is off course a wonderful way to get reaccustomed to those treasures i wasn't always able to access before.

This one is one of those treasures, due to it's massive size, 32' x 23" (32" x 16" per 'page') when it's fully opened it is very difficult to move or even simply handle. These silk-screened images are printed and folded in the middle as pages from a huge book, on the left the description by P. D, Ouspensky (translated by A. L. Pogossky) of the Major Arcana on the right the designs Taylor McCall made based on these, by hand-cutting screens for each color. To further the cosmopolitan images of this creation it was printed on hemp paper handmade by the Amatruda family in Amalfi, Italy and hand-pulled for each page up to nine times by serigrapher Hugh Blackwell of London

Limited to an edition of only 150 sets and finally published by Bocaccio Press of Santa Fe in 1975, what is my birth-year so that makes it even more special to me.

Art Postcard Tarot by Marcia McCord

2011-02-03T13:15:00.002+01:00

This is the second deck from Marcia McCord that is born out of her love for postcards from by-gone era's more precisely from the first decennium of the 20th century ,a time of great change both technological as social. It's a limited edition of only 100 - and believe me these baby's are fast to go, especially since it came out October last year, so perhaps they might already be sold out.

Once more the result is a nice limited edition treasure that will, i'm sure of it, any collector of tarot and/or Victoriana very happy. These 79 cards (the normal 78 + the happy squirrel) are displaying a wide range from sources influences and styles, the whole giving this deck a light-hearted feeling that may at many moments get a smile upon your face or a 'how sweet' from your lips.

Tarot of the Psychicks & Tarot Tarot by Lynyrd Narciso

2011-01-31T12:12:00.002+01:00

The 2 fun mini majors only decks came as freebies with the Tarot Rikit, but they are playful and amusing enough to deserve a separate posting from that one.

The "Psychicks" is an adaptation of the young urban girlie theme, these elongated figures (and thus also cards) are all form so nothing deeply esoteric but they are playful and just make you smile at the artist sense of humour.

The other deck simply called Tarot Tarot is a humorous simple black and white TdM deck, far from Lynyrd's previous TdM adaptation the "el Tarot de Marcelino" but cute & innocent (with a twist) and worthy of having in it's own right.

Tarot Rikit by Lynyrd Narciso

2011-01-25T21:05:00.001+01:00

My favorite artist from the Philippines has been busy again, the very prolific Lynyrd Narciso has since a few years self published a steady and impressive list of decks all limited editions, one of his latest decks to arrive from him last year is this stylistic effort in Asian style, not going for one specific country or region but rather for the feeling and ideas conjured up by the theme.

Most of the cards stay very easy to identify, being Asian counterparts/incarnations of the common WCS images, yet some are refreshingly new and feel exotic as the far east is for most persons, a very nice addition to any collection.

Science Tarot by Various artists

2011-01-18T12:30:00.002+01:00

Who ever said the esoteric and hard science don't mix? well in this deck they do and in a way that brings out the best of both worlds combining the archetypes contained in each card with great scientist, discoveries or principles or like the creators say in their own words: "Science Tarot is a creative science communication project that combines science, art and mythology into a tarot deck to engage and awaken people's curiosity about science and the natural world".

The deck had many fathers and mothers, a real groups effort towards a common goal the team behind it consisted of post-doc scientists, experienced tarot readers, graphic designers and published artists, despite that many people working on it the whole deck looks like a whole not like a bunch of cards thrown together. Fitting the whole theme some renaming had to be done the Wands, Pentacles, Swords, and Cups became Bunsen burners, Magnifying glasses, Scalpels, and Beakers in the court cards Kings became Visionaries, Queens became Storytellers, Knights became Innovators, and Pages became Explorers.

For more information and to buy the deck here is its homepage
The deck is also availlable at Tarot Garden

Le Tarot de Charles VI by Hipeau, Gilles

2011-01-12T14:21:00.002+01:00

Here is my second deck by Mr Gilles Hipeau (his other decks are in cooperation with Anne Hipeau but here I found no mention of her).This deck from 1982 is the recreation of the well known so called "Tarot de Charles VI", now housed at the "Bibliotheque Nationale de Paris", of that one only 16 majors and the page of Swords survived.

The cards where redrawn and the missing ones recreated by the artist and published in 2 editions, one limited edition of 500 hand-painted decks and some unnumbered decks where left black and white, both editions came in the same navy blue lidded blue card board boxes decorated with 3 fleur-de-lys emblems and the title in gold ink.

D.O.M.E. Tarot by Sheila Ross

2011-01-05T09:59:00.006+01:00

yet another interesting deck that found its way to my collection. This strange extended deck (majors + 10 cards representing each sephiroth) was published in 1978 by the D.O.M.E. services in a normal edition and a larger sized version. The whole deck looks clean drawn and executed black and white although the whole looks not entirely harmonious it has its charm and even an interesting sense of humour.

There is one availlable at Tarot Garden for those interested

Tarocco di Garbarino by Mauro Garbarino

2010-12-28T17:34:00.002+01:00

Yet another interesting deck I've got out of the Hans Wesseling-Collection, and this on many accounts what to think about a deck made by an Italian artist with fresh titles on the cards printed in (probably) 1983 in a limited edition by a now no longer exciting publisher in a limited edition with the quaint run of 831, but with on the cards themselves the name of Jollycards of Genova as publisher (or where they just the printers?) .To top all that it is a modern rendition of the Etteilla Tarot in black and white.

This rarity among deck is populated by strange personages, organic shapes and wild dreamlike compositions forming a true Art Tarot.

Tarot Collectors Forum 2010 Colloborative Deck

2010-12-27T14:12:00.003+01:00

For the third year in a row now some members of the "Tarot Collectors Forum" have created a deck and as different and individual as each member is so, so is each card. Once again, and to the joy off all who participated, this deck turned out very well. All kinds of techniques where used from photographic over collage, paintings drawing etc..

Besides the unifying borders and typesetting there was a special element to be incorporated into each creation namely a blue line. Despite some apprehensions of some this was executed in the best possible way without sticking out as a foreign thing.

And as something special the extra card in this deck must be one with the longer names around namely: "The Obsessive Collector & Incidentally Also The Happy Squirrel Card"

Tarot of Frown Strong by Leo

2010-12-24T12:51:00.003+01:00

This deep & bizarre deck has earned his followers and fans these last 4 decades, and is still going strong and very much being sought after despite being long OOP, and most important for me has found its way into my collection. It was created by the Swiss esoteric teacher Leo Armin, a healer and guru from the 70's and 80's who had his own group of followers (among who actor Peter Sellers) and also ran a church.

The deck has been printed at (least?) three different times, after some research I’ve reconstructed a printing history

1978: hinged black box edition with green velvet interior (this seems not always to be the case – but I’m not sure of it means there where several print runs or that there where simply different boxes in regard to the interior furnishing). This is the original version that was published by Cobwebs Press (London). It was released to the US in 500 signed copies by U.S Games Inc.

1986: "white box edition 1"

The edition was printed by the “Regal Print Company” (London) and was probably printed in 1986. This edition wasn’t signed and differs from both the original English version and the US Games version in that the numbers do not have dots on either side and the lettertype is not the same. “Leo” isn’t mentioned here as world copyright is attributed to “S.B. Armin 1986”.

1991: "white box edition 2"

French version copyright 1991 by R.Armin. The text an edited and expanded version of the original LWB, there are also quite a few differences in the images also. The French version also has slightly smaller cards then the original English one, but with a much better print quality.

Le Tarot des Grands Peintres by Jacques Breyer

2010-12-23T12:14:00.002+01:00

This deck is also known as "l'Arbre du Thot" and under the English title of ""Fine Art Tarot"" was published in 1979 by the artist in 2 different formats the large one being 8.75 in x 4.5 in, (22 cm x 11cm), this is the one I posses, and 4.25 in x 2.25 in (11 cm x 5,5 cm) and sold in a nice wooden box, and to make the whole even more special the edges where gilded, there was also a version of this deck distributed by US Games Inc. in 1981 for the USA.

The creator started his work linking the 22 majors to great works of art in the spring of 1979, (and a great season that is to let things grow organically isn't it?), using sections of these pieces of classical art, well known paintings by famous artists (for ex. Botticelli , Bosh, Rubens and many more), illuminations from manuscripts and colored engravings he created a nicely balanced yet eclectic deck that portrays the creative genius from past era's linked to the tarot archetypes. He also gave every card a motto fitting each card's personality and actions..

Arica Tarot by Oscar Ichazo

2010-12-21T14:19:00.002+01:00

As Egyptian themed decks go this 79-cards deck is probably one of the if not the biggest around, each card is sized 11 inches by 8.5. (278mm by 142).

The deck subtitled Coloring Cards for the Game of the Scarab has 2 dates on in 1978 & 1982 and was published in New York by the Arica Institute Press as a learning tool with color instructions for each detail put in the detachable borders.

My Tarot by Astrid Pilegaard Larsen & Frank K Jensen

2010-12-20T12:32:00.005+01:00

Granted the title of this deck isn't the most original possible (there must been at leas a dozen decks by that name), but it becomes interesting especially from a collectors point of view when you know it's connected to Frank K Jensen who published between 1989-1997 Manteia still one of the most important sources for decks published in that era, and also grand collector of decks.

This majors only deck was self-published in 1978 in a limited edition of only 200 decks with lots of blank space on the bottom part for students to add their notes and the possibility to color the deck. The images themselves where based upon Court de Gebelin and the notes in his work "Le Monde Primatif".

You can also see it at the Tarot Garden

Satanic Tarot by Juha Vuorma & Faustus Scorpius

2010-12-17T12:38:00.002+01:00

One of the subsections in my collection are dark decks and what could be more dark than a satanic deck (from a conventional view - no offence meant to satanists) and this New-Zealand one has been on my wishlist for quite a while.

Low-budget printed with black ink on red paper it's the adaptation from the satanist point of view, like the renaming of the Emperor into The Anti-Christ but largely following the normal tarot structures. The deck, that is a majors only, resulted and reflects the path-working of Faustus Scorpius, and given form by Finnish artist Juha Vuorma and is accompanied by a 20 page booklet with information about the cards and for each a description of the 'astral journeys' from where the images came from and also a satanic spread .

El Autentico Tarot De Dr Gerard Encause (Papus) (1865 - 1916)

2010-12-16T09:59:00.003+01:00

A long title for a deck I know very little of, I would even say nothing sadly, but it was at a nice price and i already had a big lot in my bag so how could I resist. The Papus "format" is one rarely used nowadays so every one I see draws my attention.

The deck itself is a black and white rendition in Spanish (judging from the printing quality and materials used I'd say South American rather than from Spain) of the Papus tarot drawn by Jean-Gabriel Gouliat from Papus’ 1909 work Le Tarot Divinatoire.

Le Tarot Traditionnel by Jean Chaboseau

2010-12-14T10:09:00.006+01:00

Yet another treasure from another era- created & printing during or just after WWII, this deck does show a certain agelessness, it could have been printed recently or over 100 years ago. It is a well balanced mix of age-old artistry and a style non limited or limited to fading fashions.

The majors are different than the WCS and Marseille decks and show an elegant yet powerful view of the archetypes, due to it's bi-tonal coloring namely deep reds on a yellow (originally white?) background. The minors seem to follow the design from Eudes Picard executed in a flowing & elegant design showing the craftsmanship of the artist..

Below you can find a picture of the original box it came in - a bit damaged but knowing its age still a pretty good condition

Minotarot by Eric Provoost.

2010-12-07T11:16:00.002+01:00

This is yet another piece I’ve obtained from the Hans Wesseling-Collection (see A.E. Thierens Tarot , Tarot de Marseille by Gilles and Anne Hipeau, Gli Arcani di Elisabetta (color) & Annabella Magie Noire Tarot).

Self published in 1982 this remarkable deck using only a minimal pallet of black, white and a something between deep red and brown. One of the peculiarities is that it has 2 numberings showing 2 possible sequences, there is the normal one (in roman numerals through all the majors and minors in Arabic all in traditional order – but with the suits being spades, hearts, clubs & diamonds), and then there is the numbering devised by the artist so you can lay out the cards in a panorama telling the story of Theseus and the Minotaur.

The Minotarot was published in a limited edition of 2000 and has achieved to gain a status as being very collectible and sought after so if you happen to stumble upon one (at a good price) snatch it up immediately because if you don’t there are lots who will!

I’m back!

2010-12-07T10:39:00.002+01:00

After an interruption of more than a week, due to me moving homes, I’m back online and back onto blogging, I hope to be a bit more regular and catch up some of the time I’ve lost lately. First I will continue to add the decks I’ve bought out of the Hans Wesseling-Collection, followed by new acquisitions (and there are quite a few)

So here I am again, take a seat and (I hope) enjoy my new postings!

Stefan.

A.E. Thierens Tarot

2010-11-24T13:04:00.003+01:00

This one is one of the oldest esoteric tarots in my collection, printed in the 1930ies (I have no precise date but I presume it would have been printed around the same period as A.E. Thierens book now in English as 'General Book of the Tarot' was printed)

Despite his age this tarot has many modern elements and also one of the first to attribute different people to each of the minor arcana's for example the cups are represented by mermaids and the swords by dwarfs. Thierens who was a Dutch officer in the Royal Marines, an astrologer (he is seen as the founder of the modern astrology in the Netherlands) and esoteric author redesigned the associations of the cards in a way different to Waite (of whom he seems to have picked up some info) and of the Order of the Golden Dawn, yet some of his influences are said to been the Theosophical movement.
One example of the changes he made in the majors is that he assigned the zodiac signs to the first twelve and planets to the remaining ten.

Tarot de Marseille by Gilles & Anne Hipeau

2010-11-18T13:40:00.003+01:00

Yet another part of the lot I bought. For those following my blog, it will be clear I love the Tarot de Marseilles-familly, so obviously I had hat to get those out of the lot availlable.

This elegantly drawn black and white rendition of the TdM was created and published the artisanal way on thick uncoated papers and in limited editions in the 80ies by the then prolific Gilles & Anne Hipeau who created 4 different decks (as far as I know) - all based upon historic French decks. This one is based upon the Conver and the Fautrier decks available in the collection of the Bibliotheque Nationale de Paris, and was intended to be coloured by the owner .

Gli Arcani di Elisabetta (handcolored) by Elisabetta Cassari

2010-11-16T13:26:00.003+01:00

This is another rare deck I got out of the collection i mentioned last time, the Gli Arcani di Elisabetta is the third tarot by Elisabetta Cassari and is limited to 99 decks only but halfway through the artist stopped coloring them which is very understandable hand-painting 99 x 22 cards is a huge task for any person - and knowing the low price these where going (only € 130 according to the information I got, at that same time the black and white version was sold at € 50) not that rewarding.

This deck and all deck by miss Cassari dare to depict the human condition is all it's painful and negative sides possible - no compromise no bright side to be found here. Man is worst danger possible to his fellow man, the powerful use that power to grind and torture those under them down into total submission at their only whim. These are truly the dark ages depicted here, but done in such a stile one can only admire the artists craftsmanship.
This whole set stands out as a special luxury product, the sturdy nice sized cards are housed in a cardboard box this is in his turn placed in a cork made box with vinyl top and printed on with gold the frontispiece.

Annabella Magie Noire Tarot (Dutch version) by Giancarlo Carloni

2010-11-13T17:39:00.003+01:00

I was recently lucky enough to be able to buy some decks from a collection being sold off, so my collection got enriched with some new and interesting treasures.

This deck was commissioned by Lancôme (a luxury beauty brand owned by L’Oreal since 1964) to promote its perfume “Magie Noire”. The cards were presented and described in the May 1979 issue of the Italian magazine Annabella. But knowing this is a promotional item, it’s normal, yet not obvious to find always, to see it appear in other languages as here in Dutch.

The artist who created this deck Giancarlo Carloni did a wonderful job combining the archetypes of the tarot with the world of refinement and luxury as represented by Lancôme these cards breathe that atmosphere that would be fitting to any grand mansion or 5 star hotels from the seventies.

Picture Postcard Tarot by Marcia McCord

2010-11-09T13:09:00.002+01:00

For those into tarot tarot comes through other areas of their lives. A prime example is the creator of this deck, reader and all-round tarot lover Marcia McCord created this deck out of her passion for antique picture postcards and dedicated to her mother who ran an antique shop and died in 1983, the last conversations miss McCord had with her mother was about antique picture postcards.

From the LWB we learn that picture postcards were approved by the US Post Office Department in 1898. Same day delivery allowed friends to keep up with the evenings entertainment, as well as personal news. The images used in this deck come from the period 1900 to 1909 to for an eclectic mix ranging from the sweet to the comical and all possible variations, with depictions of persons of all walks of lives and origins to the personal taste of the creator and each time to make a great fit between the image and the meaning of each card.

This 79 cards tarot (78 + happy squirrel card) was published in a limited edition of only 50 decks and is sadly sold out now

Tarot Iniciatico of Alma Ajo

2010-11-03T12:46:00.001+01:00

Miss Alma Ajo produced a nice little treasure here, well actually 2 as she sells them in two versions "as they came from the printer" and one version where she hand colored with added glitter and heightened color version (this hand made precede makes each deck of this version slightly different and individual).
I of course got this deck in both versions and am very happy i did - not only are these very limited, of both versions there are only 20 decks, but the differences and feels between both make it well worth getting them.

The style could be described as surreal with a sense of humor and a vibrant sense of life shining through, at only 3,2 x 4,8 inches they are 22 little tarot portraits.
The artists website is here
I posted images from both the "normal" edition here top as the hand colored (bottom)

Nybor tarot by Nybor (aka James Robin Odbert)

2010-10-26T12:49:00.001+02:00

There are many erotic tarot decks, most of them are a 'spiced-up' version of the Waite-Colman-deck not so this one. After his first encounter with the tarot, while creating a card for the "Fantasy Showcase Tarot" this artist got inspired and researched & worked over thirty years on his own deck, trying it bring up-to-date to our modern world and sensitivities.

The majors are still all there but renamed and put into 5 groups: Beginning & End, the seasons, 6 "realms" cards and 7 family cards, all with updated.Sexuality is the central theme ranging from soft to over and beyond the legal and ethical, because as Nybor says not everything is good and beautiful, but there is more also - there are also elements from mythology, psychological insights, pagan & ritual practices and much more.

This limited edition of 500 doesn't come cheap but for those looking for erotic deck and for something very special could be interested by it.
For those interested you can see the deck,get information and/or buy it at the artist's homepage

Millénaire Tarot de Marseilles (Second edition) by Chris Butler

2010-10-22T12:35:00.001+02:00

Here's yet another little precious one to add to the neo-Marseille* part of my collection!

This version, as did the previous one, was created from only photoshop custom shapes and clipart to form a modern, and tongue-in cheek Marseilles deck. Stylistically size- and colorwise Chris took inspiration from the Flornoy restoration of the Noblet Tarot but that is where it started but it ended up becomming a very modern vibrant even with a certain pro-active feeling to them, especially in the minors and it's workable deck for readings and a great item for the collector.

For those on FaceBook here is the page for this deck

and you can contact Christ through here

Amy Von Harrington's Homemade Tarot Cards

2010-10-21T13:13:00.003+02:00

Fun things can come in little pouches sometimes, like this deck that doesn't take itself too serious, you can almost feel the jolliness that had to be going on while creating it.

The images are collage old stile it seems (being paper, scissor and glue method) to form images ranging from chaotic to playful and comical. Some of the cards are landscape others in upright directions (others i'm not sure what's up- down, or any-other-way) some images are filling the cards entirely some leave some border - the deck as a whole ranges from sweet over playful to a bit chaotic but somehow that adds to it's charm.

For those interested they are sold here and here is an interview with miss Von Harrington
(o and yes they accept paypal)

Tarot MEM by Mark E. Merrill

2010-10-18T18:17:00.001+02:00

Recently I received this very limited edition deck of only 13 decks (the artist always a coven hence this number).

Some tarots are produced in only a few months from conception to printed deck, not so in this case where the first seeds have been planted in 1979 by an 1960's Encyclopedia Britannica article entitled 'Psychic Boom' by Samuel Moffett, the artist was then only thirteen years of age. Many years and also many stages in the decks and also the creators evolution later the decks was ready and in my collection.

The long gestation period gave this deck the possibility to mature and gain a deepening and variation of tarot-understanding that fitted the personal study and insights of its creator, this include also some renaming and switching of cards.

For those interested in learning more about the artist here is his blog

And here an whole page about the artist by the artist

I Tarocchi Della Cattedrale by Federico Manicardi

2010-10-12T12:10:00.006+02:00

There are always new treasures coming out and finding their way into my collection, one of the latest new ones is this deck inspired by the carvings of the Romanesque Cathedral of Modena.

The result is both surreal and at the same time with a playfully ancient feel, some cards show only partial figures, heads, parts of legs or other parts falling outside of the card giving it a very bizarre and playful feeling.

Tarot of the Boroughs by Courtney Weber & George Courtney

2010-10-05T09:59:00.005+02:00

Self-described as "a contemporary urban deck set in New York City" this is a deck that brings a modern-day and working view of the world we are living in seen through the eyes of the tarot - and pretty eyes they are. Full colour, glossy and taken with a keen sense of drama and esthetics these 78 pictures of true people, New Yorkers from all walks of life, including well known writers, performing artists (like for example Moby), some less known persons (at least to me) as well as ordinary people.

An interesting element of this deck are the stories told by the minors and that you can see evolve from 1 to 10 with the protagonists coming back as the court-cards.
The website of the deck with all kinds of information and buying possibility is here or at the Tarot Garden

Tarocchio - I Tarocchi Di Pinocchio by Massimiliano Frezzato

2010-09-30T12:26:00.004+02:00

There are a few decks inspired by the story of Pinocchio the wooden puppet that came to live and wanted to be a "real boy" made famous internationally thanks to the Disney adaptation. This tarot adaptation is a portfolio (sized 377 x 285mm) by the artist Massimiliano Frezzato a well-known Italian comic book author.

This Pinocchio is fresh and with strong colours, mister Frezzato knows his art, and how to tell a story within a given frame - here that of the tarot and this without changing its structure. The scenes linked to each of e 22 majors are well chosen like for example Geppetto inside the whale as the hermit and as the World Pinocchio after his transformation into a real boy.

I Tarocchi Surrealisti - Emilio Ortu Lieto

2010-09-22T12:46:00.004+02:00

This month saw the addition to my collection of Emilio Ortu Lieto's latest tarot, limited to only 30 decks it's not a inexpensive one but to me its worth every cent i paid.

Mr Lieto's has been productive these last five years with 4 decks, published in a limited editions these are the:Tarocchi Gay Orsi , I Tarocchi Metafisici and the I Tarocchi Sardi.
The artist being a set and costume designer he knows how to create an atmosphere and hold it working and alive over the 'period' of 22 cards, this time the world he created was a surrealist one reworking the images we know all to well into something surprising and fresh.

With some luck you can find one on eBay or here

Revised Edition of The William Blake Tarot by Ed Buryn

2010-09-15T10:04:00.007+02:00

This will be a first on my blog - I'm telling about a deck that's not yet out (but you can preorder it at now before October the 1ste a nice special discount). I am always happy to hear about great decks getting a second (or third) youth and the William Blake sure deserves to reach as many persons as it can, and 15 years after its last run a whole new generation of Tarot lovers of any kind will be able to get one!

For the creator of the William Blake tarot this deck has been a long standing passion, first he tried pushing Mary K Greer (to whom he was married at that time) to create one, but then after a (not that gentle push) did it himself. The first was as a majors-only edition in black, white and dusky browns printed upon thick cardboard-like stock. These majors only decks where sold at BATS where someone from HarperCollins saw them, was impressed and thus a new incarnation followed a full deck with a 79th card Eternity.

This new revised edition has had hundreds of changes - such as cleaning up images, reducing the size of the white borders, modifying the borders of the Science and Poetry suits, changing some of the images to make them less cluttered (as in the Ace of Science and 10 of Poetry), brightening some of the images and many other improvements to them.

The price of this new deck will be $32 plus $5 shipping, for a total cost of $37 each. For California orders, add $2.85 sales tax, for a total cost of $39.85 each. Orders to Canada and Mexico are $32 plus $7 shipping, for a total cost of $39 each. Orders to other overseas countries are $32 plus $10 shipping, for a total cost of $42 each.

ADVANCE ORDERS: Orders received before October 1st 2010 will be $26 plus $5 shipping, for a total cost of $31 each. For California advance orders, add $2.35 sales tax, for a total cost of $33.35 each. Advance orders to Canada and Mexico are $26 plus $7 shipping, for a total cost of $33 each. Advance orders to other overseas countries are $26 plus $10 shipping, for a total cost of $36 each.

The Major Arcana by Jak Flash

2010-09-14T10:26:00.004+02:00

Supported by BCU's Students' Union and a Grant from Birmingham City Council artistic photographer Jak Flash recently has put on a photographic exhibition and consequently published his tarot inspired work as a book simply called "The Major Arcana".

The result of this project is a very personal and stylish creation, with many many deviations from the classical way the archetypes are portrayed and yet it all fits in.

On his website the artist says about this project: "I developed my own themes based around things like geometric shapes so that I could encode my images with meaning. The images link to each other and can be read to some extent almost as a progressive story, or commentary. Various signifiers are used throughout the images such as cubes, triangles and spheres to help communicate my ideas...." well in my humble opinion the artist has succeded in creating something worthy to be admired and shared - so I'll do just that with you.

Below you can find the images of the Lovers, The Wheel of Fortune and the Moon.
all images van be seen here

I Tarocchi Dell'Archetipo Blu by Claudio Parentela

2010-09-13T16:27:00.005+02:00

At the complete opposite, and strangely enough perfectly balancing out the previous deck is this creation by Claudio Parentela, an illustrator,mail artist freelance journalist & cartoonist, very active in the international underground scene. He collaborates with numerous zines, magazines and publishers in Italy and around the world.

Mister Parentela is no stranger to the tarot, previously he collaborated to the Tarocchi eVoluti, "Tarot Christmas Tree Postcard Mail Art Project "and created a black and white deck that was later released in a very boldly colored version as the I Tarocchi Dell’Iride. This very latest of his Tarot endeavorments is true to his style, busy & chaotic yet also playful and original, the result is a art deck fit for the collector who is looking out for something different that leaves a strong impression - good or bad like it or hate it it will not leave you indifferent.
It's published in a limited edition of 100 signed and numbered decks available from the Museo dei Tarocchi (or for those from the USA through the wonderful Arnell Ando)

Daimon Tarot by Jari Casagrande

2010-09-13T12:32:00.003+02:00

There are many sorts of collage decks some busy some elegant but they are for the most part figurative this one is the complete opposite of that minimalistic and abstract. The artist crafted these cards with craft papers and a handful of vintage images to form strong yet restfully images that capture the essence of each archetype.
These meditative tableau's invite those looking at it to take a journey into the collective unconscious, there you will meet Daimon.

The deck is published in a limited edition of only 100 decks by the Museo dei Tarocchi (or for those from the USA through the wonderful Arnell Ando) and comes in a big sturdy hinged box that closes thanks to a magnet fastens the overhanging lid nicely to the bottom portion.

Black Tarot by Masahiro Obara

2010-09-08T15:58:00.006+02:00

I recently acquired this majors only deck after some considerable efforts by myself and my usual contact for Asian tarots. This stunning black & white deck was created by the (for me) unknown Japanese artist Masahiro Obara . The art is stunning and powerful and has a massive appearance without being crude or heavy the technique used is reminiscent of wood of lino prints but I'm uncertain that that was the technique used here.

The cards are unnumbered and untitled but are easily recognizable yet have definitely a look of their own. A true find and new pearl to my collection

Petrak Tarot by Petra Reiter

2010-08-23T13:29:00.004+02:00

There are very few Thoth-based decks around, and most of them are of the darker brooding kind, this deck is the complete opposite of that!
Yes it has darker images, yes there are disturbing looking ones (but then what deck that has a equilibrated structure hasn't?), but that's not all there are light ones luminously looking some even with a happy feel to them.

But above all it's an deck with an highly elegant look, elegant figures and that leave a deep impression when looking at them. The artist has put lots of thought and feeling into the deck, creating at the same time a work of art and a true tarot deck. Based upon & following the structure of the Thoth tarot yet not slavishly following it rather reinterpreting it viewing it through her own eyes this is a nice deck to add to your collection.

The artist website is here
You can try to find it at Roderick Somerville or the German Amazon

8 Bit tarot by Indigo Kelleigh

2010-08-22T19:01:00.005+02:00

There are decks for every taste, there are decks for every mood even, and this one is definitely for those who can take life with a smile and who need or want to put that smile into their tarot collection (and or readings even).

It’s a Wait-Coleman remake with may be specially interesting for those among us who remember the arcade games from back in the 80ies and their distinct graphical depiction, bet even those who don’t or had no interest in those may enjoy this deck! The images are rendered in the rounded-pixilated style typical to those videogames mentioned and breathe a fun lighthearted atmosphere.

During the creation process the artist released on a (more-or-less)-regular parts of the deck, 6 packs in all containing between them all 78 cards.

Sadly the deck is on the verge of going OOP so if you want one you get it from the artist here or at Tarot Garden

The Collective Tarot

2010-08-16T13:46:00.005+02:00

Some decks stay under my radar and escape me - or at least for some time, the first limited edition of 500 decks published in 2008 escaped me completely the second one of 750 published end 2009 did not!

Despite it's not hugely original name this deck is original and worthy to get into the collection of all who are looking for something different. When you encounter a deck that descibes itself as: "queer-centric, radical-politicked tarot deck re-imaged to fit our times"you can not resist it (well at least i could not). There where over 20 persons involved but despite that the deck has a great consisty and is well worked out in structure and system.

Reworked updated, modernisized and with much renaming into the deck it is different yet remaining true to tarot structures. The suits are found magical objects: Keys (wands), Bottles (Cups), Feathers (Swords) & Bones (Coins) the court cards are fase cards are non hierchical system, stages of growth: seeker, apprentice, artist & mentor.

If you're interested in it you can buy one at Eberhardt Press.

Tarot de Jean Dodal restoration by Pablo Robledo

2010-08-07T16:41:00.005+02:00

Tarot forums are a real goldmine for information from and by truly passionate persons, one of those is Pablo Robledo who uses the handle “eltarot78” and has a wonderful longstanding love affair with the Dodal tarot (one of the decks considered as one of the foundations of the Tarot de Marseille family tree). Mister Robledo has spent many hours of hard work restoring the original images we have of the deck to its true glory and one can feel the passion he poured into even at first glance!

I had now my first 48h with my Dodal now and still am very impressed with it.

What I find especially well achieved and deserving lots of praise is the subtle balance achieved in the coloring, the colors are not to soft or mudded or screamingly bold, and have a nice contrast to the background/cardstock shading (something very hard to achieve apparently because most historical restorations are or to white in an effort to be true to the original as they are supposed to have been when first printed or to dark to be true to the cards as they are now)

The material feels great also, not flimsy or thick and with a wonderful silky feel to the touch - a pure joy to handle. Something making this extra special (and even extra-ordinary for the collector) is the very small size of this edition, only 8 decks have been created.

This deck is a true pearl within the Marseilles section of my collection!

Tarocchi I Colori E I Sogni by Maria Carmen Franca

2010-07-31T17:21:00.002+02:00

One has not always to be a great artist or show huge craftsmanship to produce an interesting deck worthy to be collected, proof of that is this self published deck very limited edition (only 50 decks where created).

Early this year she released her “I Tarocchi della Notte” (aka Tarot of the Night) this seems to be her next brainchild (that could be translated as Tarot of Colours and dreams). There are lots of similarities with that deck in style and structure (and they both have non-scenic pip cards) but where the previous was clearly inspired by the Papus tarot this one seems more like a personal interpretation of the Tarot de Marseille.

Where the naïve style images may irritate, bore or even appal some people they have character something that can not always be said of the highly polished commercial decks – pretty but dead…. What misses Franca is lacking in the highly skilled artistic field she makes more than good in insight into the tarot tradition, this is a deck that would make proud the big names of old but also I’m sure the modern stars & teachers.

Clown tarot by Debra Klopp-Kersey

2010-07-27T18:16:00.004+02:00

There are many themed decks, decks build around a theme be it art, animals, herbs or bygone era’s (think of the dozens of Egyptian themed decks), but to my knowledge there is only one clown cantered deck and that is this one! Many themed decks lack in consistence, to match the chosen theme, but not this one, the images are not yet another copy op the images by Pamela Coleman Smith but with clowns.

The images in this majors only deck are truly original and the clowns are not all happy but further flat emotionless beings but display a wide range of emotions from the sweet innocent to the sad. The settings are sometimes a bit bizarre and surreal and sometimes your looking at them and go Ooo yes indeed it is….indeed they work within their chosen format and within the broader tarot tradition stand tall and strong on their own.

The artist site where you can admire all and buy the deck is here
And here is her Etsy shop
And finally here is her blog

Vitas - Personal Idol Diary Tarot by Sky Lee

2010-07-22T16:10:00.006+02:00

One can find sometimes interesting overlooked decks. And the Asian marked is often overlooked by many, one has to say there are many many manga-style decks in Asia and if one does not like those you don't pay much attention to the entire market as a consequence. But sometimes there are decks that are really different and worth looking into it like this one.

While being printed in Asia it does not feel Asian, the persons depicted in it look Caucasian, the imagery is dark-fantasy and the language is ....Greek (the only deck in my collection of 1000+ decks that is in that language). The way the artist depicts the archetypes is fresh and original - original enough to give me for some cards difficulties enough to match the images to a title, i even had to look the titles up using google-translate to be able to match them all.

Message of Elements Tarot by Larissa Renard

2010-07-18T16:38:00.006+02:00

With this deck we are back to Russian tarots and to the real of the surprising strangeness (if that is good or bad is up to each individually to say).

Leaving the well know imagery of classical tarot can be at least very refreshing, even if one does have a “what the ‘beep’” is this reaction to each card – and that is what I had at least 99% of the cards. Off course knowing Russian and being able to read the book and what is printed onto the cards may help lots…

What I was able to gather about the deck was that the cards are created to help you learn all about the interaction of male and female energies, which govern the flow of events and the state of the human world. The 56 minors tell about the role that elements play in your life: the freshness and fluidity of water, heat of fire, transparency and freedom of the air or the hardness and reliability of the Earth. Hence the elements of its title.

How all this is translated into images is less clear almost no “person-cards” (only the 2 highest court cards) non scenic minors and loots of swirls and pyramids in all kinds of variations throughout the deck...

In all it’s unconventionality it’s nice deck to look at, nice sized and good quality of both printing and cardstock – possibly great for meditation or creative work.

Italtel - Il Tarocco (aka Il tarocco di Tania Gori )

2010-07-13T16:57:00.008+02:00

Yet again a small break from posting my Russian aquisitions, this time it's one of those modern TdM variations i adore and loveingly call Neo-Marseille.It's a full 78 cards deck with recognessable images and a true TdM structure executed in an angular almost entirely geometric style.

Althoug modern it is not really a "new one", it was published in 1989 in a big limited edition of 5000 decks as promotion for Italtel (a major telephone provider in Italy) The deck is bigger than most decks at at approx. 3-1/2 x 6 inches and that combined with it's stong colors and silver and gold ink (not gilded!) makes it a deck with a strong personality that stands out wherever you put it.

Magic Tarot by Aleksey Kluev

2010-07-08T11:20:00.007+02:00

Back to Russia so to speak, and with a deck that screams it's name MAGIC the whole deck breaths an atmosphere as it where created to be used by a grand mage, a Voodoo priest or at least someone playing these in a movie of soap. A formula that seems to work as this deck is already at it's third print-run (Published by KSP+ in 1999, 2003 and now in 2010) This new edition has been very slightly restyled by fitting it with very dark blue/black borders giving it an even more 'occult tool' look.

This collage deck combines in an harmonious and apparently seamless works of classical art, magical elements and in the minors own drawings giving an own reinterpretation of the WCS ones original and yet easily recognizable.

As to it's structure? Well although being a Russian deck this one is completely similar to a 'normal western' tarot 78 cards divided in 22 majors, the 4 classical suits and yes even the classic court cards page, knight queen & king are all there, except it being in Russian the whole deck could as well have been printed in Europe or the USA .

Tarot of the Masters

2010-07-05T13:35:00.004+02:00

Taking a 'small brake' from the Russian decks - i love to mention this deck by tarot writer, blogger and all round well rounded person James Ricklef. Already to his third small limited edition run it is very well worth having a look into, and perhaps get one now you still can.
(First limited edition of 55 copies; second limited edition of 101 copies & Third limited edition of 110)

The deck has as starting points great masterpieces of classical art and links them to all 78 tarot archetypes, indeed we recognize paintings by Toulouse-Lautrec, Rembrandt and Hieronymus Bosch. But different than other decks who are based upon classical art James takes them and does his 'thing' to them redrawing them in n pen and ink and colored on the computer, giving all cards in the deck an uniform feel and look, something - in my humble opinion - he has very well succeeded in doing.
James website is here
and here is his blog

Rocambole-Tarot

2010-06-28T20:01:00.007+02:00

This deck was the first truly Russian deck I ever discovered, although Russian… The artist behind it Anna Nikolaeva and the author of the book Sergey de Rocambole are Ukrainians* and the art is a geometric Mayan/Toltec style.

As with so many east-European decks from Russian or the former USSR, the structure is deviating from standard tarot decks, it has 89 cards made up of the majors + 3 extra fools and the minors have 6 person in the court cards, what gives balance in genders namely: a King and Queen, male and female Riders (who correspond to the Knight), and male and female Servants (who correspond to the Page). So despite the unusual number of cards a nicely balanced out whole.

Thought provoking innovative in structure yes but with a strong and logic structure it’s is a deck that is both modern and in line with classics, a nice addition to any collection, and for the tarot readers among us something you may try out and see on what strange ways it leads you.

The one thing that may hold many persons back are the non-scenic minors, but fear not they are not boring at all, and the decorations and positioning of the suit symbols is very reminiscent of the TdM**.

*(one of the former republics within the

USSR

, and also known for the Chernobyl disaster, the worst nuclear reactor accident in history – what is on the mind of most westerners ‘Russian’),

** TdM = Tarot de Marseille

Demons Tarot

2010-06-23T11:28:00.008+02:00

These last weeks i found a reliable way to obtain Russian tarot decks - so I did with great joy and passion (and a budget to fit those). Russian is from a occidental view a 'terra-incognita' when it comes to tarot, so lots of new thing to discover for me

One of these new arrivals is the 'Demons Tarot' by Vera Sklyarov, a very prolific person and big in tarot circles in Russia, who's decks start to fetch high prizes. As one can imagine by its name there are a fair amount of dark images but not in a cheap gruesome way rather surreal strange and captivating.

One characteristic of many Russian decks is their strangeness - or rather not fully tarot structured, there are 78 cards divided into 22 majors who are for the most part easily recognizable the problem reside in the 4 suits of each 14 cards, with each suit having its own color (namely red, blue green and yellow) but without any symbol or recognizable court cards with gives the minors more the feeling of being an oracle rather than a tarot.

Le Tarot Idéographique Du Kébèk.

2010-06-21T16:17:00.005+02:00

Each of us had at least once had this; you see a deck, fall in love only to discover its OOP (Out-Of-Print). These last years I found a few places that listed it as in stock so I ordered only to discover they are unable to deliver. So when I found one a few weeks ago at yet another shop I ordered but without much hope (but then you never now was what I was thinking) and YES at last after a hunt of 5 years I found one and even better at a price that seems identical to when it was released.

The Tarot Idéographique Du Kébèk was the first tarot created and published in

Canada

(Kébèk or Quebec is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level)

It is a majors-only deck following the Wirth/ Papus systems and inspirited by the Papus deck but with a twist: the images are constructed entirely by lines and non-elliptical arcs, variant curves are created by joining arcs of different size, and shading is created with crosshatched arcs and lines. The artist, Yves Paquin, restricted himself to using only square rule and compass to accomplish this.

Les Tarots Du Non Être Suprême - le livre qui parle

2010-06-09T12:36:00.006+02:00

Highly esoteric decks that are very balanced in their structure convey the system they are based upon and are artistically very nice to look at they exist - proof of it is right here.
In stunning black and white images with an oriental feeling, lots of Buddha's and Buddha like figures represent the supreme un-namable being as seen through the various archetypes he presents himself to those on the lower planes of existence.

This French deck was published in 1979 as 22 oversized (37 x 17 cm) prints with a few pages of information and poetic descriptions of some cards, who have all been renamed to fit the system behind it .

3 faces of Tarot - Variations on a Marseilles

2010-06-07T10:02:00.003+02:00

Some 10 years after the first silkscreened and 4 years after the second printed edition of his 'Tarot de la Félicité' came out Pierrick Pinot has now released 2 new decks the 'Le Tarot des Renart' and the 'Le Tarot De Minuit', these last 2 are variations of the first, but what nice variations they are!

With his 'Tarot de la Félicité' Mr Pinot tried to go back to the style and feeling of the old Tarot de Marseilles decks like the Jacques Vieville and Nicolas Conver making a synthesis of these but then with a fine art feeling nicely printed on very thick card stock making it a true gem of craftsmanship.

Last month saw the release of 2 new decks that are born out of the Félicité, the first is the 'Le Tarot des Renart' a stripped down and lightened up version, that feels more close to the older Marseilles, with the second Pierrick wanted to create a deck 'as they arise in the imagination of the person who designs, just before they are embodied' the result is a quite psychedelic deck.

All 3 versions are limited edition major only decks and are availlable at the artists eBay shop here

The artists home page is here but for the moment only the 2 last decks are not yet mentioned in the English version only in the French.

Silver Era Tarot

2010-06-03T12:15:00.012+02:00

It's not only rare or Out-Of-Print decks that get my attention or a place in my collection, and some 'big or mid-seized' publishers also produce interesting decks both on the content as from the artistic point. Schiffer Books is a relatively new player on the tarot market but has already earned a lot of good publicity with their good quality decks and broad spectrum of styles in their catalogue. The Silver Era Tarot is one of their latest publications and despite being a classical Waite-Coleman based deck it has some nice differences with it and more important a real personality.

The artist behind the deck Aunia Kahn used black and white photographs with only a bit of color to accentuate elements and details but all with much restraint, giving it an feeling similar to the images from our great grand parents (well if they posed for a tarot deck it would be). The result is both elegant, romantic and gothic.

The artist website is here
And you can get them at Tarot Garden