Deck Reviews: My Top Three New Decks
© Rose Wilcox
by Caitlín Matthews
Illustrations by Olivia Rayner
Copyright 1999 by Godsfield Press Limited
First U.S. edition published by Destiny Books 1999
Deck and book set
This richly illustrated deck, illuminated by the 30 years of Celtic study of Caitlín Matthews, is a good tool for meditation and spiritual study, as well as Celtic cultural information. Those of interest in or ancestry of a Celtic nature may resonant with this deck.
The 23 Major Arcana are recreated as "Wisdom Cards" with different names and sometimes interpretations. For instance, the Empress is presented as the Shaper, the Devil is presented as a Challenger. The Major Arcana are seen as aspects of the soul's journey, neither positive or negative.
The Minor Arcana are presented as "Story Cards" The four suites are Battle (Swords), Skill (Wands), Art (Cups), and Knowledge (Pentacles). The court cards are Woman, Warrior, Queen, and King. Each number card is based on Celtic storytelling genres. The story cards are illustrated by myths and stories. Some of the meanings may be a little obscure.
The art is rich in color and symbolism. Each card has a full illustration corresponding to its story or meaning. The somewhat primitive, eerily beautiful art resonates both of Celtic and graphic novel technique, thus combining ancient and modern story telling.
The cards are rectangular, not too large for my small hands. The deck works best as a meditation device rather than an augury. Each Wisdom Card corresponds to one or two Ogham trees and/or titles or letters. (The Ogham is the tree-related method of divination from the Druids.)
There is background information on Divination ethics, a lot of creative and interesting spreads, and a technique of using this deck as a method of meditation.
I wouldn't recommend this deck for Tarot beginners, unless you simply wish a rich and satisfying meditation deck,rather than a good beginning learners deck. I plan on using my copy for personal meditation more than divination. That said, I still think one could do a fair bit of divination using it. My second reason for loving this deck is the Celtic background that so deeply interweaves all of Caitlín (and her husband John's) work.
The deck and book set is available widely in the States but was not listed on the Matthew's website. To check out other works by the Matthews go to http://www.hallowquest.org.uk/.
Rock and Roll Tarot
by Chris Paradis
Copyright 1997 by artist
Self published
available from The Mystic Eye
http://www.themysticeye.com/rockandroll....
Deck
This deck combines Rock and Roll with Tarot in an intriguing and useful way. The deck itself is a bit too large for
