African American Tarot (English and Spanish Edition) [Cards]

Lo Scarabeo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2007

The culture of two continents blends together in this one-of-a-kind tarot deck-creating a fresh perspective on what it means to be African-American.

Publisher Review:

Although actually more focused on African myth and lore rather than African American contributions to civilization, this deck is a wonderful introduction to both explorations as well as being close enough to the RWS tradition as to be useful as a divination tool for any Tarot reader. Great for those interested in African culture and pride, as well as for meditation and past life regressions.

In-Depth Review:

This deck is terrific, a wonderful resource to begin learning about African culture and history. Each card has an image [read more]

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Since 1987, Art Publisher Lo Scarabeo has published over 100 Tarot decks that have been acclaimed all over the world for originality and quality. Only the best Italian and International artists are selected for our new decks, and the result is that Lo Scarabeo's decks are all recognizable as an exceptional artistic value.

Tradition
One of Lo Scarabeo's goals is the preservation of traditional Tarot decks.

Development
New decks and ideas are continually gathered from all over the world. This allows Lo Scarabeo to produce some of the most innovative decks available today.

Quality
Lo Scarabeo is committed to ever increasing quality and beauty of their products.

Distribution
*Llewellyn is the exclusive distributor of Lo Scarabeo products in North America.

Product Details

• Cards
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (May 8, 2007)
• Language: English, Spanish
• ISBN-10: 0738711748
• ISBN-13: 978-0738711744
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 6.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,137 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars wonderful tarot deck! i love it, September 19, 2008

By 

K. Harvin (New Windsor, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: African American Tarot (English and Spanish Edition) (Cards)

first i would like to say that i had some trouble understanding or even pulling together a story from the "universal" rider-waite deck. but when i got the african american deck cleasned it, shuffled it and did a spread i was amazed at how well the deck and i clicked, the reading went very smoothly and i was able to pull a story which before i couldnt do.

i love the fact that the deck took african gods, goddesses and stories and made them a base for the meaning of the cards and that is one of the things that makes it easier for me to get a meaning since i work with the yoruban pantheon. i also love how it also takes from african american history and clicks it together with the meaning without the african or the african american overshadowing one another, i find that both when read together gives an even more stronger way to look at the cards.

to make a long review short i am very impressed and glad that i bought the deck, the only reason why i gave this deck 4 out of 5 is because i wish that the booklet it came with would have given more information on the african stories and gods and goddesses. then again... research does make things more interesting:-)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars African Origin Focused Deck, February 9, 2008

By 

Sarita Kalu (St. Louis, Mo United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: African American Tarot (English and Spanish Edition) (Cards)

I just received my deck and I actually like this deck. The author writes that the deck is not intended to reflect just one particular aspect of Africa because it is so broad. He also acknowledges that Africa is the mother of all civilization so he wanted to express a broad range of Africa. The African American images of jazz players, inventors, discovers, etc. are in the background but seem to serve as a link to the meaning of the card as well as a link to traditional African mythologies and archetypes. The thought and depth put into it is outstanding. The pictures are detailed, expressive, and colorful. (I also have the African Tarot deck which has childlike images that I did not like.)

The African American tarot's images span a large variety of images from the continent of Africa. Some of the cultural influences are Zulu, Yoruba, Ibo, Akan, and places like Benin, Togo, Congo, etc. I love that. The only issue that I have with the deck is that it did not come with a more detailed explanation of the people, Archetypes, symbols, and mythologies. It would have been not only more helpful to connect with the images, but also a facinating and informative read. I feel pretty informed about my heritage as an African American and and African decendent. I am pretty familiar with a broad range of African Spiritual Traditions but I will now have to do even more research on some of the images in order to draw out the full meaning of the card. Nevertheless, I am pretty happy with the deck.

For other decks featuring African images also try Afro Brazillian deck, and the Tarot of the Ages. Motherpeace and Daughters of the Moon decks are womens decks that include black people.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good images, January 11, 2008

By 

merlot (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: African American Tarot (English and Spanish Edition) (Cards)

i am very new to tarot card reading but i actually liked the images of black people on the cards, not the typical white people that you see. the book that goes along with it is pretty light so that's why i took one star off but if you're looking for cards featuring black people this is a good deck.

perhaps the title is a little misleading but i don't think i'd want to see dr. king and other black leaders on all the tarot cards, i like the idea that it's not someone i truly recognize but rather faces/complexions i can relate to if that makes sense.