Deck Reviews
by Errol McLendon, CTI

*publishers links provide purchasing information


  TAROT SUTRA
 
by Patricia Canova, designed by Mary Tiegreen
Dorling Kindersley Press

 
The accompanying book begins by covering how to find your Personality Card and what than means in terms of your sexuality. Then the book goes on to suggest five different ways to choose cards for an evening's entertainment.
 
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  THE ANIMAL-WISE TAROT
 
Ted Andrews
Dragonhawk Publishing

 
The animals chosen for the Major Arcana cards are particularly appropriate. From the Coyote as the Fool to the Turtle as the World, the meaning are extensive, profound and rooted in multi-cultural worship and admiration of animals and their spirits.
 
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  THE ARTHURIAN TAROT
 
Caitlin and John Matthews, illustrated by Miranda Gray
© 1995 Harper Collins Publishers

 
The Arturian Tarot (also known as Hallowquest) is a modified Tarot deck combining the traditional Tarot images with those of the Arthurian legend.  
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  THE CELTIC DRAGON TAROT
 
D. J. Conway and Lisa Hunt
Llewellyn Publications

 
If you are like me and are somewhat unversed on dragon lore, the accompanying book brings you up to speed in a concise, humorous, yet not preachy introduction.
 
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  THE HERMETIC TAROT
 
Godfrey Dowson
U.S. Games

 
Dowson not only loaded his cards with symbolism, but had a very wry sense of humor about it all. He retired to seclusion for two years and created a collection of 78 black-and-white drawings combining the traditional card images with astrological, elemental and Cabalistic symbolism.  
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  THE NIGEL JACKSON TAROT
 
Nigel Jackson
Llewellyn Publications

 
Once I got the deck home, I discovered from the LWB (actually a fairly large 146 page booklet), that the deck was designed based on Pythagorean concepts.  
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  THE SACRED CIRCLE TAROT
 
Anna Franklin, illustrated by Paul Mason
Llewellyn Publications

 
For readers who utilize the elemental dignifiers, this deck is ideal. The Minor Arcana cards are created with a border symbolizing the four elements-water for cups, fire for wands, clouds for swords and mottled greenery for discs (represented by silver shields). "
 
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  TAROT OF THE SEPHIROTH
 
by Josephine Mori and Jill Stockwell, created by Dan Staroff
U.S. Games

 
Tarot of the Sephiroth is an ingenious deck which can be assembled to create a huge Tree of Life. The Minor Arcana are all drawn within colored circles taken from the generally accepted color correspondences of the Cabala.
 
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  SOLA-BUSCA TAROT or
ILLUMINATING ANCIENT TAROTS
 
by Sola Busca, illustrated by Sofia Di Vencenzo
U.S Games

 
The artwork shows images from biblical and Roman history and is more than 500 years old.
 
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  The Robin Wood Tarot
 
created by Robin Wood, Instructions by Robin Wood and Michael Short
Llewellyn Publications

 
This deck became my favorite deck the minute I began using it. Of all the decks I have, this deck has the most vivid imagery and the most immediately recognizable people.
 
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  Animals Divine Tarot
 
created by Lisa Hunt

 
WOW! That is all I can say. Are you looking for a simple crash course on world mythology? Do you want to learn more about the creatures that share the world with us without taking a zoology class? Are you seeking a deck rich in symbolism and imagery? Are you a person who feels connected to animal spirits and guides? Do you want to own one of the most beautifully rendered decks ever encountered? It is all here.
 
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  The Babylonian Tarot (deck and book set)
 
created by Sandra Tabatha Cicero
Llewellyn Publications



 
I have had this deck for about a month and I have waited to write the review because I wanted plenty of time to explore it. This is a deck of 83 cards, which would ordinarily cause me to pass it by; however, I love the artwork on the deck so I was persistent and I don't regret it.
 
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  Da Vinci Tarot (deck and book set)
 
Artwork by Iassen Ghiuselev and A. Atanas Atanassov
Accompanying book by Mark McElroy
Llewellyn Publications



 
I waited to see The Da Vinci Code and a Da Vinci exhibit here in Chicago before writing this review, even though Mark McElroy does an excellent job in his intro material and card descriptions of giving you a crash course in Leonardo Da Vinci and his world. I actually learned more in the compact 64 page book than I did in the massive exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry.
 
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  The Llewellyn Tarot Deck and Companion
 
by Anna-Marie Ferguson
Llewellyn Publications



 
One of my favorite decks from an artistic point of view has been the Legend Tarot. The artwork is beautiful. The symbolism is very connected to the Arthurian legend it honors. The accompanying stories are intriguing and informative.
 
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"The Arthurian Tarot" © HarperCollins Publishers, image used by permission.