 |
The Llewellyn Tarot |
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.
When I was sent this deck, I recognized the style as similar to the Legend illustrations and I was not surprised to see Ms, Ferguson’s name at the bottom of the companion cover. What Legend did for Arthur, Llewellyn does for the Welsh equivalent.
The Major Arcana are beautifully drawn, and once you read about the legends on which the illustrations are based, you realize how appropriate their selection has been. In twenty-two cards and stories, the reader is treated to a capsule of Welsh legend. Any Major Arcana which starts with the Fool on horseback bravely leaping over a waterfall with his canine companion at his side lets me know that the next twenty two cards are going to represent a bold, unique journey.
The Lovers card is one of the most sensual cards I have ever seen. The story on which it is based is a lovely legend which matches the ecstatic nature of the card. Even Death wears a rainbow halo and is accompanied by non-frightening red eared dogs. The Sun card radiates with energy. Judgement pays homage to The Sleepers, the legendary kings in most cultures who will arise from sleep when the earth most needs them. I absolutely love this image for the Judgement card.
The Minor Arcana mirrors the Rider-Waite very closely with a few nice symbolic additions. The Eight of Wands has a heard of deer added to emphasize speed and quickness. The Three of Swords surround a human figure as opposed to a disembodied heart. I find this much easier to connect with emotionally. The Three of Pentacles has an image of a woman working on embroidery beneath a spider web. This adds a whole new dimension to the card for me. Finally, each member of the Court cards has a unique face. This is always one of my quality checks when reviewing a new deck. It is hard enough to learn the Court cards due to the levels they represent. I really do not like a deck where all of the Court cards look like the same person in different clothes and wigs showing very little emotion. Ms. Ferguson’s Court cards vibrate with emotion and clarity.
The Llewellyn deck and book kit (ISBN 0-7387-0299-4) will be my next reading deck. I would buy it tomorrow, but it is Thanksgiving and I dare not venture out on Black Friday; however, Monday night will find me at my local bookstore and I will be using this deck to read at a party I am doing next weekend. Thank you Anna-Marie.
"The Llewellyn Tarot",
by Anna-Marie Ferguson
© Llewellyn Publications