This is quite a visually stunning deck, if a bit “busy,” as you allude to, Robert. I’m rather partial to the Strength card, as its central figures are easily recognizable (and I expect, readable).
I agree with your assessment here. Beautiful images, but many are difficult to recognize at a glance. The Cup pips seem fine, but the Batons and Swords are a bit confusing. You advice about buying decks, and what it "feels" like to engage in a Tarot reading are worth an entire episode. Thank you for the video. Your take is always interesting. You have saved me $$ by helping me to become more critical of the readability of a deck before I buy it.
Hi Robert! This message belongs to your Alejandro Jodorowky's shorts, where for some reason I can't manage to comment. So, I'll leave my 5 kopecks here: 'I could sincerely recommend Yoav Ben Dov's The Open Reading book instead. Yoav was Jodorowsky's disciple. Inspired by Jodorowsky, Yoav nevertheless proceeded to create a very clear body of work. His book has been my go to ever since I completed it. I find that it complements and expands my RWS knowledge, especially in terms of understanding Major Arcana cards. Both Jodorowsky and Yoav are recommended in Marseille Tarot section of Benebel Wen's Holistic Therapy. I read some reviews, and decided to go for Yoav's book. Boy, was I right! Since, I have also acquired his CBD Tarot de Marseille deck. A great deck, btw! I just wish pip cards were a little less challenging, but that's Marseille Tarot to you!
Great review ~ Thanks! The four animals on the world card (at least in the RWS) are representative of Aquarius, Scorpio, Taurus, & Leo; the 4 fixed signs of the zodiac. I wonder what the 4 creatures on the world card in that deck represent🧐
Originally, the four figures symbolized the four evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Those animals have been their symbols for centuries in art and everyone who saw them 400 years ago would have known that. The issue is partly that the Golden Dawn added more occult ideas into the tarot later on, and partly that the large majority of modern tarot readers no longer have any idea of the symbolism, plus they don't want Christian associations - so they just made up the idea that those four figures are related to the four elements or astrology. But they are absolutely Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Edited to add: if you want to have those four figures represent something else, and you're consistent about it, I say whatever works for you. Ultimately you are the reader. But I'm just saying it's wrong to definitively state that is what they symbolize for everyone.
Hey Robert, it has been a joy watching your channel grow, congratulations! Quick question, if you could only have two decks the rest of your life, which would they be?
Hi Robert, I've been binging on your content for the past couple of weeks. Love your book and deck reviews! Have you ever checked out the Osho Zen tarot? They took some very bold and deliberate choices with it, some are brilliant, others kinda questionable. It wasn't made by Osho, but by two of his american ashram interns , their goal was to reimagine tarot through the amalgam of zen buddhist and hinduist teachings that formed their philosophy. I have a complicated relationship with this deck, sometimes I love it, sometimes I want to fight it, but it did deepen my understanding of tarot, even if by disagreeing with it, lol😂. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it
Hi @BluesBrogio! I'm so glad you've been enjoying my stuff. I think I might have come across the Osho Tarot when browsing but I've never given it much attention. I'll bear in mind your comments if I get another opportunity to look at it. Thanks!
I love your reviews and especially these less restrained ones lately (oh, yeaahh!) I agree too, it's hard to "one-up" Pamela's basic imagery of the cards, even by more skillful artists. To me, it's similar to retelling someone else's story, but with different fonts, words or on fancier paper etc... I mean yes, there are some great clones out there, but I had to stop collecting them once I realized that when I want to read RWS I tend to grab the original version. Meanwhile all the others languish in drawers waiting for occasional coffee table flip throughs or me to eventually put them up for sale. Edited to add: There are really only two other decks in my collection now that are safe from the RWS clone chopping block. Both follow the basic Golden Dawn/Waite plot, but manage to be their own successfully unique versions: Liz Greene's Mythic Tarot and Mark McElroy's Bright Idea Deck. For Etteilla based Tarot, I really like Dame Fortune's Wheel by Paul Huson.
Thanks for the recommendations. Always welcome. And I agree about clones. The artist has to be a real visionary to make it worthwhile. I like The Oculi Occultati.. Rx
This deck reminds me a lot of the Tarot Mucha, but it's not nearly as nice, in my opinion. It looks like it might be a cool deck on the surface, but when you dive in you get tangled up in the weeds and can't really swim at all. I would pass on this one ...
While I appreciate an honest review , this just compares it to your personal preferences for RWS , not a review of the deck on it's own iconography . I usually loathe busy decks and empathize how distracting they can be . This is a more detailed Style consistent with Art Nouveau - check out Spirit Keeper's Tarot for a truly busy deck with way too much detail and poor use of colour. I think this could be a good fit for someone who loves the Kemetic references .Thanks for the walk through.
Fantastic review. Although it's a pity. The art is gorgeous but i your eyes need a place to rest so your mind can flip into that gentle place to receive messages. And not actively trying to decipher what it's looking at. That would break the flow. I wouldn't mind the artist retooling this deck showing a bit more restraint and reissuing it. I do have her Art Nouveau deck and it's my go-to
Completely agree with your assessment ! I have the Golden Art Nouveau tarot you showed briefly, and I just can’t read with it.
I really agree. I thought I heard myself when discovering this beautiful but disappointing deck. Please keep up the very good work. Congratulations
Thank you! Will do.
This is the review I needed to hear. Thank you! It’s funny how the courts almost always make or break a deck.
Absolutely! Sending summer wishes from Berlin. x
This is quite a visually stunning deck, if a bit “busy,” as you allude to, Robert. I’m rather partial to the Strength card, as its central figures are easily recognizable (and I expect, readable).
I love the Art Deco Egyptian theme, but I have a hard enough time with the minor arcana without all that extra busyness.
Your right on in your review. ☺️☺️☺️ Thanks
I agree with your assessment here. Beautiful images, but many are difficult to recognize at a glance. The Cup pips seem fine, but the Batons and Swords are a bit confusing. You advice about buying decks, and what it "feels" like to engage in a Tarot reading are worth an entire episode. Thank you for the video. Your take is always interesting. You have saved me $$ by helping me to become more critical of the readability of a deck before I buy it.
I'm glad it was helpful!
It looks good, but would be difficult to read with. A great review.
Thanks. Sadly I agree!
Hi Robert! This message belongs to your Alejandro Jodorowky's shorts, where for some reason I can't manage to comment. So, I'll leave my 5 kopecks here: 'I could sincerely recommend Yoav Ben Dov's The Open Reading book instead. Yoav was Jodorowsky's disciple. Inspired by Jodorowsky, Yoav nevertheless proceeded to create a very clear body of work. His book has been my go to ever since I completed it. I find that it complements and expands my RWS knowledge, especially in terms of understanding Major Arcana cards. Both Jodorowsky and Yoav are recommended in Marseille Tarot section of Benebel Wen's Holistic Therapy. I read some reviews, and decided to go for Yoav's book. Boy, was I right! Since, I have also acquired his CBD Tarot de Marseille deck. A great deck, btw! I just wish pip cards were a little less challenging, but that's Marseille Tarot to you!
Thanks Sonja. Yoav's book sounds very interesting! I'll see if I can find it in Watkins and have a look. Rxx
Great review ~ Thanks! The four animals on the world card (at least in the RWS) are representative of Aquarius, Scorpio, Taurus, & Leo; the 4 fixed signs of the zodiac. I wonder what the 4 creatures on the world card in that deck represent🧐
Originally, the four figures symbolized the four evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Those animals have been their symbols for centuries in art and everyone who saw them 400 years ago would have known that. The issue is partly that the Golden Dawn added more occult ideas into the tarot later on, and partly that the large majority of modern tarot readers no longer have any idea of the symbolism, plus they don't want Christian associations - so they just made up the idea that those four figures are related to the four elements or astrology. But they are absolutely Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Edited to add: if you want to have those four figures represent something else, and you're consistent about it, I say whatever works for you. Ultimately you are the reader. But I'm just saying it's wrong to definitively state that is what they symbolize for everyone.
@@grannyweatherwax8005 Astrology is ALL throughout the bible; The ZODIAC is even mentioned in the bible.
Hey Robert, it has been a joy watching your channel grow, congratulations! Quick question, if you could only have two decks the rest of your life, which would they be?
Gosh - only two? I think the Smith-Waite Centennial in a Tin and the Oculi Occultati. 👍 And thanks for the encouraging words 😄x
@@teatarot4557 you made my day! Thank You, Douglas 😊
It seems like a deck that might be worth collecting for the artwork, but not for frequent tarot reading.
Exactly.
Hi Robert, I've been binging on your content for the past couple of weeks. Love your book and deck reviews! Have you ever checked out the Osho Zen tarot? They took some very bold and deliberate choices with it, some are brilliant, others kinda questionable. It wasn't made by Osho, but by two of his american ashram interns , their goal was to reimagine tarot through the amalgam of zen buddhist and hinduist teachings that formed their philosophy. I have a complicated relationship with this deck, sometimes I love it, sometimes I want to fight it, but it did deepen my understanding of tarot, even if by disagreeing with it, lol😂. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it
Hi @BluesBrogio! I'm so glad you've been enjoying my stuff. I think I might have come across the Osho Tarot when browsing but I've never given it much attention. I'll bear in mind your comments if I get another opportunity to look at it. Thanks!
I love your reviews and especially these less restrained ones lately (oh, yeaahh!)
I agree too, it's hard to "one-up" Pamela's basic imagery of the cards, even by more skillful artists. To me, it's similar to retelling someone else's story, but with different fonts, words or on fancier paper etc... I mean yes, there are some great clones out there, but I had to stop collecting them once I realized that when I want to read RWS I tend to grab the original version. Meanwhile all the others languish in drawers waiting for occasional coffee table flip throughs or me to eventually put them up for sale.
Edited to add: There are really only two other decks in my collection now that are safe from the RWS clone chopping block. Both follow the basic Golden Dawn/Waite plot, but manage to be their own successfully unique versions: Liz Greene's Mythic Tarot and Mark McElroy's Bright Idea Deck. For Etteilla based Tarot, I really like Dame Fortune's Wheel by Paul Huson.
Thanks for the recommendations. Always welcome. And I agree about clones. The artist has to be a real visionary to make it worthwhile. I like The Oculi Occultati.. Rx
Hi Tea and Tarot! Hoe you are doing well. Love your review. Thank you for sharing. Wishing you a great day!
Thanks Zoey! x
This deck reminds me a lot of the Tarot Mucha, but it's not nearly as nice, in my opinion. It looks like it might be a cool deck on the surface, but when you dive in you get tangled up in the weeds and can't really swim at all. I would pass on this one ...
While I appreciate an honest review , this just compares it to your personal preferences for RWS , not a review of the deck on it's own iconography .
I usually loathe busy decks and empathize how distracting they can be . This is a more detailed Style consistent with Art Nouveau - check out Spirit Keeper's Tarot for a truly busy deck with way too much detail and poor use of colour.
I think this could be a good fit for someone who loves the Kemetic references .Thanks for the walk through.
Fantastic review. Although it's a pity. The art is gorgeous but i your eyes need a place to rest so your mind can flip into that gentle place to receive messages. And not actively trying to decipher what it's looking at. That would break the flow. I wouldn't mind the artist retooling this deck showing a bit more restraint and reissuing it. I do have her Art Nouveau deck and it's my go-to
Yes, she's a brilliant artist, isn't she?