The Lord of the Rings: Tarot Deck & Card Game: Deck & Book Set

by Wizard Headquarters

Product Features

• Age range: 10 and up / Number of players: 2 to 6
• Manufacturer: US Games Systems
• 78 cards, 268-page book

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.7 x 2 inches ; 1.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• ASIN: 1572810556
• Manufacturer recommended age: 10 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #266,467 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

Product Description

A deck and book set, based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, that unites tarot archetypes with the fantastic realm of Middle-earth. Rules included for a card game in which players journey to Middle-earth to destroy the One Ring. Game isThis is a special order item and usually ships within 5 business days. Please contact customer service to inquire about faster delivery options if desired.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well, I liked it..., November 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Lord of the Rings: Tarot Deck & Card Game: Deck & Book Set (Toy)

Wow, has this deck gotten slammed!

I am a 'new' Tolkien fan. After seeing the Lord of the Rings movie and loving it.. I decided I had to read the books. The characters / story just fascinates me. I also enjoy the Tarot quite a bit - so when I remembered that there was a Lord of the Rings Tarot - I got excited... Until I read the reviews. OUCH!

I am not in any way saying the reviews are wrong. From what I understand, there are a lot of "technical differences"... and ALOT of questioning of why certain people / things were chosen for the cards they depict. I understand and agree with most of this... which is why it took me a long time before I broke down and purchased the deck...

I realized the reason I like the deck is because I am approaching it differently. 1. I like the artwork. Some of the pictures are quite intuitive to me - irrespective of the story. 2. I find the sentences on the cards helpful in remembering some of the aspects of the card meaning. 3. I like seeing the characters I enjoy on the cards - It helps me relate better to the deck as a whole.

While I realize there is a lot wrong with this deck, personally, I find that if I approach it loosely, it can be fun and I can get a lot out of it. I find that I just enjoy using cards that remind me of a story I love - I read the cards as they make me feel when I look at them - and I don't take the rest of it too seriously.

This deck may or may not be for you. Take all of the reviews / information into consideration, look at the cards yourself, and then make your own decision.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for the Tolkien fan, October 26, 2003

By 

Chris Garrison (Indianapolis, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Lord of the Rings: Tarot Deck & Card Game: Deck & Book Set (Toy)

I found the deck to be a great introduction to Tarot as a Tolkien fan, since it uses characters and scenes I am very familiar with. This way, the meaning of each card is instantly apparent, not as cryptic as other decks I have used.

As for the claims that Tolkien would not have approved "as a Christian" of the use of his works in a pagan context (Tarot), you only need to look at his works to know this is false. Tolkien's work was all about Norse mythology and fairy tales. The Silmarillion was all about a pantheon of gods very much in a pagan tradition. Not to say that Tolkien himself was Pagan, but he did very much celebrate pagan myths and legends.

The cards themselves are well done, and have a legend at the bottom to set the scene for each.

I'm very happy with the deck, and whether you buy it as a Tolkien fan as a collectible, or as a fan who's also a Tarot enthusiast, I think it's a good buy.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful collector's item, Tolkien fans will treasure......, August 4, 2000

By 

Frater V "The Truth is Absolutely Not Absolut... (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Lord of the Rings: Tarot Deck & Card Game: Deck & Book Set (Toy)

...better art than some of the calendars I have seen, inspired by The Lord of The Rings trilogy. I got them for my Birthday! The only problem I have with the cards is, why....oh, why...do they always put the Bad Guy on The Hierophant card ! Gandalf should be The Hierophant, not Saruman! I have read the Trilogy and The Hobbit three times. I have always loved Tolkien & I collect Tarot cards. Although the cards have a dark feel about them, they are a unique collectable that I am proud to own. Goldberry as The Queen of Cups radiates beauty and shines-forth, from the card. The Death card is like an Alchemist's rendering of Gandalf's confrontation with The Balrog. I will forgive the Hierophant screw-up, because The Magician card has a great representation of Gandalf! The devil card: "Wormtongue's insidious advice poisons the mind of good King Theoden." Love The Strength card! (The White Tree).