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The Robin Wood Tarot |
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. The Court Cards are each unique in their feel and personality. In fact, I have found the Court Cards from the Robin Wood are excellent teaching tools for beginning students because each person on the cards looks so individual. The use of color background for the four suites also adds to the emotional feel of the Court Cards (soothing pinks for Cups, troubling blue-grays for swords, bright yellows for Wands, vibrant greens for Pentacles).
Using bright colors and a zoom lens effect to bring focus on details seen further away in other decks, the Robin Wood deck has a very "in your face" attitude. We see the Magician from the waist up. The gentleman in the 7 of Pentacles is surrounded by his harvest, not just standing back observing it. In the 6 of Pentacles we see the generous benefactor close up which enables us to enjoy the beauty of his giving as it appears in his face. The wands are particularly dynamic. Almost every Wand card carries at least one Wand with a glowing crystal at its tip, emphasizing the energy generated by the passion the Wands represent. The 8 of Wands, in particular, captures the true feeling of speed and unstoppable force. Eight crystal tipped Wands rocket through the planets trailing fire behind them
As bright and uplifting as the "happy' cards are, there is an equal commitment to darkness in the less positive cards. The Swords suite is wrapped in blues and grays and I have never seen a more threatening 2 of Swords. It screams "wake up and see what's happening before it's too late." Likewise, the Tower is drawn with such turbulent energy you can hear and feel the crash of thunder coupled with the roaring surf beneath. Some readers may find this commitment to a direct interpretation of the cards disturbing, so I would suggest viewing all the cards in the deck before making a decision. Only the Magician is depicted on the box. There is an separate illustrated book available which would be a great source for viewing all the cards.
The unflinching use of graphic images and anatomically correct nudity makes this a definite adult deck. The Lovers, The Devil, Judgement and the Star are cards which you may want to take a look at if you do readings for clients who may be sensitive to a realistic representation of adult nudity. There is really no more or less nudity in the Robin Wood deck than there is in the Rider-Waite deck, but the detail seems more realistic in the Robin Wood illustrations.
The accompanying LWB is functional in that is give a short phrase for each card. Even though some are quite fun (Nyaa-nya-nya-nya-nya for the 5 of Swords, Party hearty for the 9 of Cups), the book is not necessary if you are used to reading with a Rider-Waite or similar deck. I do applaud the number of definitions offered for each card. The three spreads offered in the back of the book are fairly standard spreads.
The Robin Wood Tarot (ISBN 0-875423-874-0) is
ideal for both the advanced reader and for a novice's first step away
from the Rider-Waite. Take care to review all the cards carefully to decide
if it is a deck for you. Personally, I am about to buy my second copy,
since I have worn out my first.
"The Robin Wood Tarot",
created by Robin Wood, Instructions by Robin Wood and Michael Short
© Llewellyn Publications
Images used by kind permission from Llewellyn
Publications.