Customer Reviews

The Arthurian Tarot Deck

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4 star:		(3)
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This has been my main deck for the last ten years or so. The artwork is immensely detailed and stunning, and the scholarship is unrivaled. Whereas some recent decks leave out a lot of the ceremonial magick symbolism and replace it with nothing, the Matthews have developed an entirely new symbolism, just as rich and detailed, based on Arthurian legend. Every single card portrays a scene you can sink into, and in every viewing you notice something different.

The Arthurian Tarot might prove challenging in that a number of the Major Arcana have been substantially changed to fit the underlying mythology. The Chariot, for example, has become Prydwen (King Arthur's ship) and The Hanged Man has become the Wounded King. This is apt to pose difficulties for someone with a little experience; a new reader won't get the differences and an experienced reader probably won't care.

This is not a "pretty" deck. The colours are striking rather than soothing and the many of the images are unusually violent. This is a deck for people who are serious about facing themselves and committing to action. I would not recommend it if you think Tarot is a game or if you think it's not really going to change you.

Arthurian legend has become increasingly popular in recent years and now there are a number of decks of this theme available. The Matthews' deck is the first and remains the best.

These tarot cards are a must-have for any tarot-lover! They include detailed but clear instuctions for several reading spreads. Each cards meaning is also fully explained. Their Celtic origins and history are a plus for people of all ancestries. The illustrations are just the icing-on-the-cake, beautifully drawn. They have definately been a great source of fun!

I have been working with Tarot, divination, astrology and shamanic practice for many years, and Caitlin and John Matthews' "The Arthurian Tarot" is by far my favorite deck. Though I also use Robin Wood Tarot and Universal Waite and Hanson-Roberts and others as well, The Arthurian Tarot lures me again and again with its Celtic and Arthurian/Grail imagery, mythology and symbolism, and its excellent artwork. The "arched-window" border that frames each scene depicted gives the impression of personally observing the scene firsthand from wherever you are in time and place. The Tarot journey is the journey of "The Seeker" in all of us. The scenes are more "realistic" than traditional tarot decks, and sometimes they are more harsh as well. The paperback book "The Arthurian Tarot" that accompanies the deck succinctly describes the myth and legend behind the cards' meanings. Keep in mind that the Matthews' background is rich in Grail lore, Celtic and Druidic study, and Shamanic Practice. Their considerable knowledge and practice in these areas is evident in the symbolism of the cards as well as the explanations in the accompanying book. Caitlin provides helpful first-hand descriptions of how the different spreads have been used with her clients, and many helpful suggestions in using and interpreting them.

If one is already even minimally knowledgable regarding the traditional Waite/Universal tarot meanings and symbolism, it is no great leap to accomodate the Arthurian symbolism. The book lists the traditional Celtic Cross spread along with several other interesting and useful spreads, Excalibur Spread, Merlin's Mirror etc. The Arthurian Tarot is the better deck for use in personal growth and enrichment, as the symbolism and mythology lends itself to this kind of psychological work.

I also own and heartily recommend the companion work by the Matthews, Hallowquest-The Arthurian Tarot Course, (purchased through Amazon.com) which more elaborately explains the mythology and symbolism, and utilizes the The Arthurian Tarot cards in a year-long personal journey of self-discovery and enrichment. There you see that the "arched-window" effect of the cards is carefully planned to assist the Seeker in shamanic meditations to enter the scene and interact within that realm rather than merely be an observer of it.

All things considered, this is a tarot experience that everyone could benefit from, and I heartily recommend the Matthews' Arthurian Tarot.

The Arthurian Tarot was the second tarot I bought (the first being the incredibly dull 1JJ!), and despite having since amassed a collection of 15 decks, it has remained my main reading deck for the last 9 years. This deck lends itself to the type of reading that I mainly carry out, which is that concerning personal developmet & exploration of issues, rather than prediction.

This deck follows the Rider-Waite initiative in having a pictorial minor arcana, rather than the bland arrangement of pips so beloved of occultists. The suits are different only in the fact that Spears replace Wands & Stones replace Pentacles, with Pages becoming Maidens. The illustrations embody the feelings of each card perfectly, you can feel the isolation & imprisonment of the eight of swords, the defenciveness of the nine of spears (wands) is clearly evoked by the strong cliff edges and the Washer at the Ford powerfully embodies the forces of Death.

This deck expresses the whole range of experience, refusing to soften the less desirable aspects of life by wrapping them up in soothing colloquialisms. The cards, like life, depict suffering, cruelty & harshness alongside those of love & abundance. This makes it the perfect deck for confronting your inner landscape, and journeying through it, in order to bring restoration & wholeness. This deck is also backed up with two further books, Hallowquest & the Arthurian Tarot Course, which aid those interested in going deeper into the cards than mere prediction.

The book that comes with the cards describes the myths that the scene on each card depicts, which aids the interpretation somewhat, with the myth often embodying a process that the person is currently going through. Also included in the book are some themed spreads, such as Merlins Mirror & Mabons Gate, which I have found are great tools in unravelling the Self.

I must admit that those interested only in prediction are most liklely going to be diappointed by the book, concentrating as it does on more esoteric matters than whether or not someones going to get that house they're hankering over. But that's not to say it's not adaptable to this use, just it's more suited to exploration.

And if anyone is trying to decide whether to go for this or that horrid Legend deck, go for this one, it has finer illustrations and its composition shows that the author's of this deck actually have a knowledge of their subject. The Legend deck is a poor attempt at a copy.

"This is a tarot that answers back, for when you state the issue that has set you on your quest, the card will question you in turn. Find the oracle within yourself: if you were standing in this card, in this scene, what would you say or realize?" - From the companion book

Renowned experts in Celtic, Arthurian and shamanistic spirituality, Caitlín and John Matthews have reinvented their Hallowquest Tarot for its third incarnation: The Arthurian Tarot (2007 Connections Publishing). While this new offering still features the lovely artwork of Miranda Gray, the black borders surrounding the images are now white with two golden Celtic accents in the upper corners and the font has changed to a more readable script.

There's a completely new backing for these glossy, sturdy cards (measuring 4 5/8 x 2 ¾ inches) -- a golden Celtic knot mandala centered on a bright kelly green background. The 80-page companion booklet has been re-written, providing upright and reversed meanings, oracular "advice" from each card, and contemplative questions. There are four rather complex spreads presented, none under 10 cards, with a sample reading given for the Pathways of the Quest spread (however, all cards are upright).

With the quest for the Hallows, or "holy things", as their inspiration, the authors maintain that these enduring treasures from Britain need not be relegated to museum artifacts, but are actual spiritual empowerments that align us to our soul's vocation. The Hallows cannot be destroyed by time, they say, and are accessible to all seekers who desire to walk in compassion, truth, courage and wisdom.

In The Arthurian Tarot, the sacred Hallows are represented by the Aces and the elements represented in the Minor Arcana follow Earth=Stones, Fire=Spears, Air=Swords and Water=Grails. The Court Cards are Maiden, Knight, Queen and King and the Major Arcana are re-named thusly:

0 The Seeker (The Fool)
I Merlin (The Magician)
II The Lady of the Lake (The High Priestess)
III Guinevere (The Empress)
IV Arthur (The Emperor)
V Taliesin (The Hierophant)
VI The White Hart (The Lovers)
VII Prydwen (The Chariot)
VIII Gawain (Strength)
IX The Grail Hermit (The Hermit)
X The Round Table (The Wheel of Fortune)
XI Sovereignty (Justice)
XII The Wounded King (The Hanged Man)
XIII The Washer at the Ford (Death)
XIV The Cauldron (Temperance)
XV The Green Knight (The Devil)
XVI The Spiral Tower (The Tower)
XVII The Star
XVIII The Moon
XIX The Sun
XX The Sleeping Lord (The Last Judgment)
XXI The Flowering of Logres (The World)

In many ways, The Arthurian Tarot feels more like an oracle deck than a Tarot deck, especially with the absence of humans in the illustrated Minors. These inviting, and sometimes mysterious, scenes encourage entrance as through a door--asking you to feel your way through atmosphere and mood, dialoguing with the Infinite expressed both in nature and from within.

Because it is thematic and profoundly intuitive, The Arthurian Tarot may not be a good beginner's deck for those who are completely new to Tarot and desire to learn the cards. However, those on a shamanic path, especially a Druidic or Celtic one, could very well use it with ease as an oracle.

While this deck is absent of any nudity, there are some gruesome image--so keep this in mind if you're looking to acquire a deck, or read for, a young person. For example, the Stone Maiden bears the severed head of Perceval's cousin on a platter, while the Sword Nine card shows three heads impaled on a fence. (At first glance, I thought it depicted three men peering OVER the fence!)

I've received some profound insights from the images in this deck (especially the Sword Two reversed) which have little to do with traditional meanings. One of my favorite cards is Merlin (The Magician), which shows the great wizard seated at a stone table before two paths, one leading to the tower of Vortigern and the other to his otherworldly dwelling with red and white dragons forming the infinity symbol above Merlin's head.

The Arthurian Tarot would be a great deck for journaling and contemplation, as well as for deepening spiritual practice, honing intuition, and expanding card interpretations. If you're captivated by Arthurian legend and Celtic lore, I feel you'll be delighted with this updated version of the Matthews' beloved deck.

(To see 10 images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at JanetBoyer.com)

Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)

_The Arthurian Tarot_ goes deeply into Arthurian myth and the older Welsh legends that lie beneath the surface. The artwork is beautiful, and the book, while not as detailed as the corresponding "workbook", _Hallowquest_, is still much better-written than the scanty booklets that come with most tarot decks. Each Major Arcana card is explained with a page or two of information; the Minor meanings are brief, but tell you what story the image is drawn from. The book also includes several new spreads specifically designed for this deck.

The Majors depict prominent characters, places, or events in Arthurian myth; the court cards are also representative of chcracters from the legends. The Minors do not depict people, which makes them a little harder to interpret, but the landscapes and scenes do suggest the general mood of the card.

The Arthurian Tarot requires a little more homework than the average Tarot deck, but in my opinion it's worth it.

With so many tarot decks out there that deal with Arthurian legend and myth, this is easily my favorite. The Matthews are difficult to approach without starting at the beginning. Not an easy task, considering most of the early material is now out of print and difficult/expensive to find. This original Aquarian Press edition I found was from Ebay, at a reasonable price. I was skeptical at first. All of the early decks of this time (1990) are peculiar to say the least. The Merlin Tarot, Celtic Tarot,Greenwood and Norse and Egyptian decks by Clive Barrett all were published by Aquarian Press, now Harper Collins.

The future of these book and card sets seem uncertain, this is sad news for collectors, meaning high prices and scarce supplies! This is one set that I would give top honors to. The book Hallowquest Handbook is excellent in its take on the myth of Camelot! This appears to have been well reserched over many years. This feat is not easy. The only other set which is commonly used as a comparison is Legend: Arthurian Tarot by Ferguson. That deck has more depth, as far as artistry is concerned. I cannot say this set is a copy of the Matthews, but the similarities are there.

The artist is Miranda Gray who's Merlin Tarot is worth mentioning here. Those images are starling, if not more comical than the Arthurian Tarot. Her work here seems more focused and obvious. I appreciate this deck more. Probably because all the card are illustrated. This lends a storytellers perspective within a reading: the essence of Arthurian mythology.

A little research is required on the Myth itself. This is not a big hurdle in basic understanding of the deck. I like the speads given in the Handbook. The are uncommon from most. Fortune telling is not the focus of this deck, mystical meditation and pathworking is stressed her. Each card has a portal on it. The Celtic otherworld is easily accesible with these images.

This is easily the best New Age spin on an old legend. It is a major launching pad for modern metaphysical exploration of the legend and yourself. Now for the difficult task of finding the accompaning books to accompany these studies...

This deck is truly magical as is the book "hallowquest the arthurian tarot course" which is its companion. This book is out of print and I was fortunate to get it used after buying the deck! The deck is a teacher and will take you on many journeys. Arthur's lesson is a powerful one which we desperately need today. I think the expression "you and the land are one" holds true for all of us for when we separate ourselves from the land we perish, hurting only ourselves. This deeper message is evident throughout the deck. When returning to the land we return to ourselves. The mystery, magic, wisdom of this deck sings its song for all to hear.

The stories of King Arthur are classic and timeless. With this deck you can learn the stories and integrate those teaching into your subconscious in a completely new way. I use this deck for myself when I am looking for more information and clarity. You can too.

This deck is certainly one of my four favorite Tarot decks. The four Tarot decks I like most, for different reasons, are these: (1) This Arthurian Tarot deck by Caitlin and John Matthews, (2) The Legend Arthurian Tarot by Anna-Marie Ferguson, (3) The Grail Tarot by John Matthews, and (4) The Mythic Tarot by Juliet Sharman-Burke and Liz Greene. These Tarot decks all facilitate intuitive work with mythology, specifically Arthurian and Grail mythology, but the latter with Greek Mythology.
The Arthurian Tarot deck by Caitlin and John Matthews is a beautifully done deck with brightly colored images, emphasizing the green landscapes and forests of the lands that are home to the Arthurian legends. The rendering of the human figures is a little stiff, but not sentimental. The images speak to my psyche. Sometimes I prefer the more detailed, more complex watercolor images on Anna-Marie Ferguson's Arthurian deck, but they are more muted in effect: the Matthews deck which has brighter colors and more prominent figures/objects with an overall more striking effect. Also, I really like the use of bright forest green, with a central celtic design in gold, for the backs of the Matthews deck cards. The color green just does something powerful for me: and this particular shade of green is quite an exciting color for my soul, and together with the bright blues of the skies found in many of the cards' landscape images, there is an overall exhilarating effect for me. No other color or Tarot deck that I have found has as strong or as invigorating and flowing effect upon my intuitive processes.
One thing I really love about Matthews' deck is the way in which the accompanying book facilitates intuitive journeying with the cards, by making use of "Oracles" and "Questions" which are given for each card. The interpretative offerings in the tiny book are not extensive, (Anna-Marie Ferguson's book is much lengthier and utilizes stories given about each Arthurian character to whom the cards relate: likewise the Grail Tarot) but they are pungent. They facilitate the soul's connection with archetypal and mythological characters and symbols, the ability to find one's way through the world through a deeper relationship with those elements and their wisdom.