Customer Reviews

Barbara Walker Tarot: 78-Card Deck

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Barbara Walker is an excellent scholar of symbolism and her substantial knowledge is evident in this complex and evocative Tarot deck that she based on her book "The Secrets of Tarot: Origins, History and Symbolism". The paintings for this deck combine traditional Tarot themes with preclassic mythology, influenced by feminine spirituality. The court cards each depict a different Goddess or God, many of them lesser known but all fascinating. This is not a beginner's deck in that its imagery is complex, however it is one of the finest decks in terms of keyword association and in that sense is a very useful teaching/learning tool. The pip cards each bear a keyword that aids greatly in understanding the card's meaning. The keywords and the titles of the cards are printed in five different languages with English being the primary language. The tiny little guide book that accompanies this deck is actually of great use and helps to interpret the symbols specific to this deck unlike so many guide books of this type. Some of the imagery is quite dark but so is some of life. I think this deck teaches more about life and Tarot than most decks. It requires deep reflection and introspection but it is at the same time the perfect vehicle for such work. My only complaint is that the deck is too small. The cards measure 2 1/2" x 3 3/4" and are similar in size to ordinary playing cards, however, the paintings have a wide white border so the actual paintings are only 2" x 2 1/2" and I personally have to use a magnifying glass to study them. The art is simple in style but there are many beautiful images. The Eight of Cups, one of my favorites, shows a despairing satyr with his back up against a willow tree as nearby eight cups drain their contents into a lily pond. He does not see that the willow tree is actually a beautiful dryad with flowing hair and a shapely female body. The delineation of these symbols in the little guide book is surprisingly detailed and scholarly. I recommend this deck to any student of the Tarot but especially to pagans and Goddess conscious people.

Barbara Walker's deck was the second tarot deck that I acquired. Since my first was the essentially nonviolent Motherpeace deck, this was quite a change. I was attracted to the deck after a friend did a reading for me using her Barbara Walker deck. The Arthurian imagery of the Cups is beautiful. Other imagery, particularly on the "negative" cards, tends to be more disturbing. I have had extremely intense and dead-on readings with this deck. Since I use tarot as a tool for self-reflection, the harshness of some images can be helpful to avoid trying to put a sunny spin on the reading. Other times, however, this can be a very hard deck to bring out and use.

I did not find the enclosed booklet terribly helpful for interpretation, although it does a good job explaining the inspiration for the images.

I agree with the reviewers who said this is not a beginner's deck. If you are looking for a good feminist/goddess-oriented tarot deck, I would suggest Motherpeace or Daughters of the Moon. After you are comfortable using the tarot, then consider Barbara Walker's deck.

This deck is a very emotionaly connected Tarot. It shows good symbolism, but really is not for the beginner. I would consider it an advanced deck.

Good balanced readings result from using the Barbara Walker Tarot.

The Barbara Walker tarot cards are easy to read. The names of each card are printed in five languages- English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian; and the minor arcana have key words on them to help you remember the meaning of each of the cards. The only thing that might be a negative for this deck is the fact that some of the artwork might be disturbing to some people- the deck has a Paganistic theme to it that illustrates both good and evil forces. I personally like this deck and use it for my readings.

I'm personally more interested in this deck than in Aleister Crowley's; though this one is less theoretical (i.e. less connective to astrological system, less to Hebrew symboles), it is more, I may say, traditional in card-order and in symbolic system. Drawing and its feminist tendancy is one of the reasons why it is interesting. The names of Goddesses attached in minor Archnar cards are revealing. However, the card would be somewhat doubtful since its theoretical basis, i.e., the Secret of Tarot: Origins, History and Symbolism, has some errors, especially those words about Chinese costums. I'm a Chinese and I'm familiar with traditional Chinese symbolic systems and religions. I just cannot agree with all of those written in her book. However, that'll be another review. :-)

I have had this deck for many years now and have not found any better cards to date. They just tell it how it is, simply, without fuss, and without blame. If you don't want to see your reflection, then don't look in the mirror! They articulate human nature exquisitely. Mine come everywhere with me. I used them professionally for a few years very sucessfully. I wouldn't be without them. They are the best friend you could ever have. If you want to develop your better nature/spiritual side, then buy some today. I am not so sure about the enclosed booklet, but I found the book - The Secrets of the Tarot, a valuable backup. I still see new insights into them even now, and I am sure that I will for years to come.

A friend gave me this deck 14 years ago, to introduce me to tarot. Over the years, I've bought other decks, but I always kept coming back to this one, and now use it exclusively. The artwork is intriguing. Check out the Hierophant and 5 of Pentacles cards, for instance. I feel some of the cards are a little 'misnamed,'but this deck will always be my favorite with which to work.

This is a wonderful tarot deck packed with genuine and authentic symbolism. The author has produced a deck which isn't afraid to use symbols like the inverted pentagram. The inverted pentagram is a symbol of the womb and also of balance. There was one reviewer who wrote in saying she did not approve of the use of the inverted pentagram on a queen card. If she were to see that this inverted pentagram is directly over the womb of the goddess depicted in this card she should understand the sacred symbolism here. We as a people need to get over this irrational fear of symbols just because a particular group uses it for their own reasons. i find many people are afraid of the inverted pentagram because the church of satan uses it. Let me ask you then, If the church of satan started using the upright pentagram would everyone suddenly stop using it aswell. This is not a wiccan deck, it is however a true and good deck for any seeker of rich witch's (not wiccans) symbols and goddess images.

It seems this is a deck you either love or hate. I love it and although some view it as pessimistic, I find it a realistic portrayal of good and evil. It's not a cute deck but the art and colours are striking.

The tarot deck is so powerful. The personality of this deck is like a wise, old adult giving advice to me. The adult is a bit cold and cruel though, that's why I called it "adult". Very easy for reading. The card speaks to me in a very clear way. Why I notice when I go through all the cards description is that Walker always remind us not to forget the danger of positive cards. I personally do not like this, but I accept it as my mother always warning me not to do this and that. When I go for a mature advice, I will ask this deck.