Customer Reviews

Hudes Tarot Deck & Book Set [With Book]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After searching for years for the deck that would "speak" to me, I found it in the Hudes Tarot Deck. With its beautiful Celtic/Medieval artwork, the cards are easy to understand and each card tells a story.

This deck has lovely artwork, and its symbolic imagery should be readily accessible to most people. However, the included "instructional booklet" (pub. U.S. Games) contains standard divinatory explanations that sometimes don't seem to "jibe" with the images on some of the cards, creating either uncertainty of meaning, or opportunity for extra interprative creativity and intuitive bond with this specific deck on the part of the reader, whichever way you look at it. This can be a good beginning deck, with outside resources such as teachers and other tarot books. It's my first deck, and I am enjoying getting to know it. It may not be a good choice, though, for new readers who want easy answers and hard-and-fast card meanings, although it's easier on the eyes, and has less complicated symbolism than the Rider-Waite deck. If only Hudes had produced a companion book herself, it would be a godsend.

"The beauty of medieval art and symbolic nature of mythology serve as the inspiration for the creation of this tarot deck...Themes of alchemy and astrology suggest the magical nature of medieval thought, the same ideas that initiated the art of tarot reading." - From the Little White Book

When I saw the Death card from the Hudes Tarot online, I knew this was a must-have deck. It is truly one of the most beautiful Death cards that I've ever seen, incorporating an unfurled butterfly juxtaposed against the pelvic area of the skeleton--an area symbolizing conception, gestation and birth. Creative, transformative regeneration--a concept not always integrated in Death card imagery.

Susan Hudes created her namesake Tarot by combining luminous watercolors with antique maps, constellation charts and marbled paper, which adds a decidedly three-dimensional feel to this seamlessly collaged deck.

From the sky-clad lemniscate above the Magician's head to the smooth, cool marbled face of the Moon, Ms. Hudes' compositions are inviting and intriguing. I love some of the unusual perspectives, such as the bird's eye view of the boat in the 6 of Swords where we get to peek down at a man about to row while six swords lay scattered in the water.

In the Cups suit, the Court Cards show figures holding golden goblets filled with not water, but aquatic representations from maps. And the rich, raspberry-colored discs in the Pentacles suit are simple, but striking.

The cards from the Hudes Tarot measure approximately 4 ¾ x 2 ¾ inches, and while the design on the backs is attractive, it is not reversible. The suits of this deck are Cups, Swords, Wands and Pentacles while the Courts follow the Page, Knight, Queen and King ordering.

The Little White Book for this deck is unusually brief, offering only a few upright meanings for the cards, which were gleaned from Wisdom in the Cards by A.L. Samul--a commentary on the Hudes Tarot.

If you prefer well-crafted collage decks, especially ones that employ cheery hues and flowing watercolors, the Hudes Tarot will more than meet your expectations. It is a very readable deck, so it's an excellent choice for those new to Tarot. Experienced readers who favor Rider-Waite-Smith imagery will likely make fast friends with this deck, as well. Absent of nudity or darker imagery, this deck is also well suited to readings for children or those spooked by traditional renderings.

(To see 12 card images from the Hudes Tarot, 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)

I am relatively new to the tarot so i can't tell you about the accuracy of readings and such,but i can tell you these cards are fantastic looking this is up there in the top 5 of medieval style of decks ,along with Nigel Jackson's Medieval Enchantment Deck(Out of print),The Golden Tarot By Kat Black, the Gilded Tarot and the Old English Tarot along with this one is your top five medieval decks.Hudes deck though may not be for some do to its melancholy nature along with the subtle colors and lack of uber happy people but thats what makes it medieval.So if you like very happy fluff decks this one may not be for you also disregard one other reviewer who called it a "too cute deck" its not that kind of deck at all as i described it earlier.The cards themselfs are well coated so they will be around for a long haul but are a little slick,a small little problem i had with is the size they are a little small i always feel that 3x5 is a perfect size, but all and all these cards are great for any level tarot card reader and a must have in a collection.

I am currently re-immersing myself in the Tarot after some years away from it, and have purchased three new decks, of which this is one. I've not worked with it extensively yet it's true, but I have got the feel of it being probably a great intuitive deck, even though it isn't layered in symbolism, it has what it needs to take you deeper. It isn't my perfect deck, but I may never find that, still I will say I can tell I will probably work with this one personally and professionally quite a lot. Her use of color is masterful, though the images are of uneven quality in terms of the art, those that are great are "suitable for framing".

I bought this deck mainly because of reviews that spoke of the beautiful and compelling artwork, but, unfortunately, I do not find it so. The images taken separately look like they were done by a talented high school student. Many of the figures are awkwardly drawn and this distracts from the overall effect of the cards. If you are looking for a deck rich in symbolism, you won't find that here either.

This deck is not for the impatient--nor for thrill seekers or lovers of the trendy! That being said, let not the Hudes tarot's simplicity be misleading. The artist managed to create an unusual blend of soft melancholy mixed in with decided movement. The moon-dipped skies and watercoloured trees give it an otherworldly feel, almost like its message is floating before the mind's eye rather than one passively viewing the images. Some tarot readers prefer their cards to be chock a block with symbols of every school and religion, combined with a million subliminal messages--this deck really uses it's own aura and atmosphere to convey it's meaning. It adheres very closely to the RW deck--I could tell which card was which without looking at the title--so all these features allow the mind to relax and the spirit to take over--for deep personal meditation and professional readings alike. There are so many levels here to travel.
I think my favourite cards are definitely Temperance, where I could almost drink the water in the Angel's reflection and Death, with the Fool card coming close behind. the use of maps in the courtcard background lend to a medieval, exploratory and adventurous flavour. Some have criticized the seeming lack of expression for the people depicted in the cards. Over time (this deck sometimes takes a while to "grow on you") I came to understand it was part of the dreamy state which is the general trademark of this deck.
A lovely deck for beginners who might have outgrown their Pamela Coleman deck or want to begin to progress a little further, but still a great deck for seasoned and experienced readers who just want to dive into the world presented here in the Hudes world and enjoy the peace of finding an old friend under a different guise! btw, the artist is a graphic novelist as well, check out her website!

The Hudes Deck is the most beautiful tarot deck I have ever seen. It is creative in the symbols it uses that are unique to the deck, such as antique maps, astrological colors, and strokes meant to represent the beautiful and many-meaning rock Malachite. The colors are bold as is the art, done in a way that draws you into the card and its meaning. All together it is an artistic deck that, because of its dramatic beauty, forces you to really examine the card and you life with intense depth and scrutiny.

Really wonderful deck. It`s just perfect...the art is well done, soft,beautiful and meaningful colors. It feels good to the eyes of the mind. I`ve learned that the best Tarot decks are those that keeps simple, because the unconscious approaches symbols and images more directly in this way. This deck has a perfect balance, not too busy with the art, but lot of symbols and beautiful artistic design.
Also,there are many connections between the cards, this is the most important when I`m making a spread. When I`m reading I try to find connections in symbols, textures, colors,movement, backgrounds, figures positioning...etc...This deck is as good as the Ryder Waite, but more earthy and heart warming. I own about a dozen good decks, but this one is outstanding...
.

Exquisite collages, and finely detailed work. A must for any collector or spiritual advisor