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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Golden Dawn Tarot for the 21st Century, January 23, 2009
This review is from: Initiatory Tarot of the Golden Dawn Deck (Lo Scarabeo Decks) (English and Spanish Edition) (Cards)
This Tarot deck is an interesting new rendition inspired on the Golden Dawn's tradition as intended by its designer, Giordano Berti. Patrizio Evangelisti`s beautiful artwork resembles contemporary comic book style. Black inked outlines and tones define the imagery, while contrasting colors and soft shadows fleshed out the scenery.
In the Golden Dawn Tarot, the suites are evidently associated with the four elements: wands with fire, chalices with water, swords with air, and pentacles with earth. This association is more prominent within the court cards, showing figures within flames for wands, on a shore for chalices, within clouds for swords, and on a grassy field for pentacles. These have been labeled Princess, Prince, Queen and Knight like in the Thoth Tarot.
The Major Arcana are labeled the same way as in the RWS or Marseilles Tarots, and the imagery shows evidence of both traditions for most of these Trumps. However, a few lean more toward one tradition than the other. Such are the case of The Chariot, Death and The Sun Trumps which leans toward Marseilles, while The Wheel of Fortune leans toward RWS. There are a few Trumps that are beyond RWS and Marseilles traditions. For example: The Fool depicts an innocent child sitting on the grass with a wolf watching over, and The Lovers depicts a warrior coming from a cloud to confront a sea serpent which is about to attack a chained maiden.
An interesting feature of this deck is the inclusion of an additional set of Justice and Strength cards, swapping 8s and 11s on these cards to allow you to match either RWS or Marseilles ordering. At least that was the intention. My deck contains a card with a scene of a girl standing by a lion which is Strength (8), and another with a woman sitting on a throne with a sword and scales at hands which is Justice (11). However, a second card with a girl standing by a lion was labeled Justice (11), while a second card with a woman sitting on a throne with a sword and scales at hands was labeled Strength (8). This is an error as the names should have not been swapped. It may be just my deck, but beware.
I recommend this deck for tarot collectors in general, and for those interested on the Golden Dawn tradition in particular. It comes in its own fitting box and includes the usual Little White Book.
Other decks by Patrizio Evangelisti:
Initiatory Tarot of the Golden Dawn Deluxe (Lo Scarabeo Decks)
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Magnificent Deck, February 18, 2009
This review is from: Initiatory Tarot of the Golden Dawn Deck (Lo Scarabeo Decks) (English and Spanish Edition) (Cards)
From a cursory review of the market, it would seem there are almost as many Tarot decks out there as there are people seeking them. Thus, the process of selecting one's Tarot should be gradual and painstaking, analogous to the selection of a therapist, lawyer, confidante, or even a religion. Often, one cannot describe adequately the sensation of "fit;" one simply knows that the particular person, entity, or deck speaks at a level deeper than mere words.
So it is with the "Initiatory Tarot of the Golden Dawn." I cannot adequately describe why I have chosen this deck; or better, why it has chosen me. The symbolism is profound; the "fit" cannot be denied. And though there are other Golden Dawn tarot decks available (most notably the work of Robert Wang and the "hermetic" tarot of Godfrey Dowson), this particular deck embodies better than any other that I have seen the "Great Work" of the Golden Dawn, and of hermetic thought in general: the transformation of the individual.
Viewed in this light, Tarot is not merely a tool of divination, or a cheap party game of fortune telling. It lays out in deep symbolism the soul's journey, from the moment it recognizes itself as an entity, to self-actualization, that time when the soul is able to fulfill the measure of its creation and find joy therein. While modern research has disproved the notion that Tarot came from ancient Egypt, it still has a 600-year pedigree in Western esoteric thought. Tarot would have long since perished, but for the undeniable fact that it fills a deep human need. Many writers have taken a page from Jung and articulated the Tarot's symbolism and relevance to postmodern humanity. No deck I have seen better accomplishes that feat than this one.
I must admit a certain reluctance to anything bearing the Llewellyn mark; too often Llewellyn markets "fluffy bunny" New Ageism at its most trite. But nothing could be further from the truth here. Not only is the artwork gorgeous, the accompanying essay from Giordano Berti provides a succinct history of Tarot within the Golden Dawn tradition, particularly in the pioneering work of Samuel L. M. Mathers. Berti's brief but solid interpretive notes for each card also provide a solid foundation upon which one can begin his or her spiritual journey. And if one succumbs to the temptation to do a quick round of fortune-telling for friends, Berti's notes are entirely adequate for the task. Regardless, I recommend Tarot books by Lon Milo DuQuette, Robert M. Place, and Rachel Pollack for further research and enlightenment. For those like me who are drawn to it, Tarot is important enough that one should proceed past mere dilettantism and seek to master its symbolism, and its potential to serve as a true spiritual guide.
To put it bluntly, I love this deck. I own many; doubtless I will acquire more. But this will be the one I use for personal study and guidance. I cannot recommend it too highly. Bravo to all concerned!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful and unusual!, November 9, 2008
This review is from: Initiatory Tarot of the Golden Dawn Deck (Lo Scarabeo Decks) (English and Spanish Edition) (Cards)
I think the art to this is outstanding. I hope that there will be a
companion book out soon, with more information on all the symbols and
differences in this deck. It is easy to read with, but I want to learn
more for more depth in the readings.
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