Customer Reviews

The Celtic Wisdom Tarot with Cards

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I did research on what tarot deck I wanted to buy and came up with a list, then went to the local bookstore to see which deck 'spoke' to me. I had originally crossed this title of my list because of some reviews of it but once I saw it on the shelves there was no going back. The deck has lovely art and the cards are reorganized in attune with Celtic culture. The stories and archetypes seen in the deck are wonderful. The book is informative on general tarot interpretation and more specific ones as well. The Soul Wisdom questions are great for getting to the heart of the matter if you are puzzled. The spreads are also very good, the main three being a general spread, a more daily spread, and one that focuses on a relationship. Tarot fans will love the new twist on divination and Celtica fans will love this method as it will speak to your heart. Well worth the investment and sure to be treasured.

This is a stunning set with colorful Celtic-inspired Tarot cards and an informative hardcover book that has incredible knowledge of Tarot (obviously the author, Caitlin Matthews,did her homework when making this book). The Tarot cards are standard, but have a twist with beautiful pictures that portray Celtic mythological stories. Those stories appear in the book for you to read, so, im this way, you learn not only about Tarot, but also about Celtic myth. The twenty-two cards include easy-to-follow instructions so almost anyone can use them, even those who don't know how to use Tarot cards at all. It's even useful for people who don't even know what Tarot is, so it's useful for beginners. Above all, this makes Tarot fun! Yet it still includes a formal, serious appeal. The book explains each one of the 22 cards in great detail so you know what it means if it comes up in one of your readings, either right-side up or upside down. But, contrary to my praises, this Tarot is not much like the cards of traditional Tarot, but you can still figure what it means. Also, the cards are awfully large (almost clown-like), which can be both good and bad. The cards are easier to use and read, but take up a lot of room when working with them. I would prefer smaller cards, but some people like them to be bigger and even I must admit bigger has some advantages.

The book has informaiton on things like how to show respect for the cards. For example, it said you should place all cards upright after use, something I had never heard before. The book also includes information on Celtic religion and history. It has informative charts that can be useful and includes quotes that fit where they're placed well. It has guidelines on what questions to ask and info on doing readings for friends and family, and even for meditation. Unfortunately, the cards have been renamed and changed (which is ultimately confusing). This is a must-have for Tarot collectors, for, though it may not be great for doing readings, it is very informative and the cards are simply magnificent in their colors and exquisite beauty.

Although the cards are rather large, as noted by other reviewers, the up side is that their size makes them ideal for contemplation and visualization, as the cards virtually shimmer with the most radiant and lively colors I've ever seen in a Tarot deck. In conjunction with the beautifully produced hard cover book that comes with this deck, one can get involved on many different levels, i.e. some may wish to pursue readings, while others may want to use the book and cards as a colorful means of gaining an in-depth familiarity with Celtic myths and legends. Be forewarned, though, that this deck bears no resemblance whatsoever to other traditional Tarot decks - Caitlin Matthews has created her own system; however, one senses that it is well worth the effort to delve into it.

This is to me a lovely and quite magical deck. I don't care too much for the "divinatory" meanings and am quite curious as to why they are even there. The stories which abound with each card seem to me to be sufficient. Perhaps this was a move to connect these cards more to traditional tarot? I have chosen to ignore them and focus on the storytelling, wisdom and magical energy of the artwork. I've felt an impulse to create my own meanings for these cards, thats "how powerful" they are in opening the intuitive centers and effecting the subconscious. These cards will truly take you on another journey, one which is not of this world. Take heed, these are not your "typical" tarot.

These cards are stunning! I just got them today and the minute I opened them, I knew I had something special in my hands! The artwork is beautiful and each card, as I flipped through them, seemed to tell a story of its own. I immediately connected with the rich imagery and Celtic symbolism. Each "suit" is geared toward the four Celtic holidays: Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnasa which, to me, is very useful for pathworking through and connecting with the seasons of the year. The cards depict characters from Celtic mythology with background information that is extremely useful for personal pathworking. Ms. Matthews has also provided several, in-depth meditation techniques with which to use the cards in your spiritual workings.

This stunning set is more than just a divination tool. It is a remarkable way to track and lead your soul through your life path. Consisting of 22 Wisdom cards depicting mythic archetypes and 56 Story cards depicting mythic heroes and legends, it follows the rich variety of human experience. As an added bonus the Wisdom cards are corelated to the Ogham, for those who are also students of this powerful tree lore system. The design in colorful and engaging. There are multiple wisdom paths presented as well as quite a few original spreads for laying out the cards. And for the ambitious, a year long meditation cycle is given. This is truly a Tarot set with a Celtic flavor.

Like most of the books and divination materials by this author, The Celtic Wisdom Tarot is both original in conception and beautifully presented. Not just another deck with how-to manual, Ms. Matthews system can be as simple or complex as the user wishes. Her historical scholarship is apparent, and she presents us with her ususal lyrical and astute approach to the Celtic archetypes. Celtophyles will enjoy her connections between tarot systems and the Ogham tree-language. I've found the deck and her system extraordinarily useful from the very first throws ... lovely!

I love the Celtic Wisdom Tarot deck - the images are illustrated in gorgeous, saturated colors and each card is fully explained in the book that comes with the deck. I have found the readings I have done with this deck very helpful - they get right to the heart of the matter. I have probably purchased two to three dozen divinatory decks over the last ten years or so, and this one really stands out both for the intense beauty of the images, and the clear and helpful way the book is written to help you determine the meanings of each card and reading that you do. I highly recommend this deck.

I love the cards and have found them fairly easy to read. I love how they seem to hold a new meaning everytime you look at them. They are very colorful and have some of the best illustrations I've seen on tarot cards. They contain great detail and the book gives fantastic information on the ancient celtic wisdom of the cards and is an interesting, different way to read.
However, I am unimpressed with the books instruction on reading the cards. It gives ample information on celtic wisdom, care of the cards and how to line them up. It does not give much information on the handling of the cards during a reading or the interpretation of the cards based on the question asked. Not a good choice for beginners, as the book can become somewhat confusing...

As a serious collector of Tarot Card decks and sets, I added this one to my collection right away. In my opinion, the cards are too large to handle for serious divination work. They would be much better for meditations. The coloring is bright and beautiful. But the coating on the cards makes them stick together at times. I was really disappointed by this set.