Customer Reviews

The New Orleans Voodoo Tarot (Destiny Books)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the deck that I have used on forum groups, and in-groups settings. I have used this deck for many years, and though my interests in various Tarot styles have grown in various years, this one still remians one of my personal favorites. But honestly for those who have little knowledge of Afro-Caribbean earth religion and magic, this will be a very confusing deck. First of all The New Orleans Voodoo Tarot, is not a real Tarot, in the sense of the word. This alone will confuse the Waite followers. Reason being the suits are not the typical coins, swords, cups, or clubs. Instead they are based on earth Magico Religions and Spirituality from the Caribbean. The Suits follow Rada, Congo and Petro, which are various Voodoo paths, and the fourth is Santeria, which has nothing to do with Voodoo, with the exception of some minor similarities.

The Major and Minor Arcana, one finds the ancient Lwa Gods of Voodoo, and the Orisha of Santeria. The book gives a simple explanation of each Lwa and Orisha, enough that those who understand these powerful Spirits will get the jest of the meanings of the cards. But for those who have no common knowledge of these Spirits, trust me you are going to get lost and frustrated.

The book does not give a good interpretation of the cards, and gives you only a few key words; this is done because most that follows the Orishas and the Lwas find the meanings of the cards from within. The tarot is used as a vehicle from which the voice of the conscious mind and the Spirits of ones Ancestors can manifest and be heard. So of course those who are used to buying a Deck of tarot that has a booklet with the meanings will be lost.

If you like this deck and the book is not that bad, as it gives basic rituals and sacrifices. But I recommend you also study more on the Lwa and the Orishas, because without that basic knowledge you will never get the full force of this deck. Also the Artist of this deck Sallie Ann Glassman has written a book that also goes with this deck Vodou Visions: An Encounter With Divine Mystery 0375753702, can also be purchased through Amazon.

The New Orleans Tarot is an excellent tool for divination, and would be good for the Voodooist "Hounfor / Mambo " As well as the Santero/as. But also the tarot collector will truly appreciate the primitive and vivid art, and those who have some interest in Afro-Magic will find this a good starting point. This deck is not really recommended to the fluff bunnies, and the faint of heart.

I do not even use tarot cards, but the book that comes with this beautiful card deck has become one of my most important reference books on Voodoo and related religions (santeria, etc.). I have referred to it over and over again through the years. It is an amazing work of scholarship and for me, the gorgeous artwork is just a bonus.

The reason I bought this set was for the fabulous art on the deck of cards. Being an artist, this was the key fact for me. They were worth the price alone. However, the set also includes an instructional book so that you can read the cards for another person. I learned how to do this. It wasn't hard. Many people said they found the readings very accurate but I believe these are much like astrology forecasts where everyone's readings seem to make some kind of sense. As for the cards being dangerous, as another reviewer maintains, I bought the set almost a decade ago and have never felt any dangerous vibes whatsoever. You can instantly become the hit of any gathering if you show up with this set in hand. People just absolutely love having their cards read from it. It is easy to carry around since it comes in a boxed set.

I wish I could have the images from this deck enlarged, framed, and hung all over the walls of my home. I like to imagine the smells, sounds, tastes and textures of pictures, and the deck gives me plenty to work with. The plants seem ready to grow out of the edges of the cards, and the people *look* at you. Reading with these cards is a very satisfying visual experience.

The book is nowhere near as satisfying. I know a little about tarot and nothing about voodoo or the Qabala, so I do have plenty to learn from the book. The information about voodoo, especially the descriptions of the characters portrayed on each card, is very useful. However, I find the divinations for each card unpleasantly limited and shallow, especially for the Court cards.

When reading with these cards I find I'm better off using general tarot knowledge and the character descriptions to enhance my understanding of the images rather than the divinations offered by the book.

Obviously I still enjoy the deck enough to give it a five, so the book isn't really a drawback. I'm starting to like the fact that its scanty divinations force me to turn to the cards themselves for interpretation. The images are more than rich enough to make up for the book's deficiencies.

I purchased this Tarot Deck - not so much for the use with Tarot readings but after reading: Vodou Visions - as you can use the cards as a focus point in your rituals - both books are highly recommended to those interested in Vodou... I was pleased to see that the cards can easily be used as a Tarot Deck as well - the information inside is so well done and so easy to read that it makes previous knowledge of the tarot easy to use with this deck (if you read the book) There is only 34 pages to read, before you get to "each card meaning" and at the end of that section there is another (Approx. 40 pages), which is a "How To" section and very enlightening... There is also information at the back about each meaning for each card to make things easier for beginners...
This set will work for both beginners and experienced - at the end of the book the author has a Last Judgment and in case she ever reads her reviews I would like to tell her that the book in fact was worth the sacrifice of the trees that went into making the pages, so filled with magick, and it has indeed brought me closer to the mystery's of life and will continue to do so as I continue my journey of life... I will add my own sacrifice to the Loa for leading me to this Treasure!
Brightest of Blessings!

The deck/set came quickly. It was wrapped and in excellent condition. This deck is very unique unto itself. A beginner to 'voodoo' or 'hoodoo', I have read many reviews and am still learning. My experiences were that they were accurate to my question-concern. They act in a different way than a 'normal' tarot. They have correspondences to the original tarot, and references some of the cards to the original tarot. This is a must have, finely produced card/book set. There is even a companion book which I'am yet to purchase. Thanks for reading. I would say to anyone, they 'should' get this set if they are looking for a 'fresh' approach to an age old tradition. Very Unique and well represented. The artwork is wonderful as well, and they will fit into a standard size tarot bag. I have a 'day of the dead' bag I use and the cards seem pleased.

As a voodoo initiate, I found this book and card set to be worthwhile. There's nothing dangerous about this deck at all.

Just know that there is a "true" invisible force inside the world of voodoo, and that any rituals that you decide to partake in, you should handle it with care, caution, and grace.

Already, being part of this religion, I can say that the book describes voodoo very well. He talks about the root of it, as well to the present. The only thing is he could of explained the meanings of the cards more. He describes the pictorial part of the cards well, but is very brief with the meanings, which can be alittle confusing, being that there is not another companion book to this deck.
However, I've had these cards for a month now, so I haven't gotten into "Birthing the deck yet", so maybe once done the cards will give me a better insight. But overall, if you are interested in this religion, and into the tarot, this book and card set is not a bad start.

I just wanted to say that this deck is my favorite of all. I have had other decks, but this one has a pull. It also has, over time, become very intune with me. I can now tell someone I'm reading for the stop shuffling - I don't even have to touch the cards to know where the top card should be. Two nights ago I did a reading after not having picked up the deck in months. I did not have to shuffle. It's like the deck knew what my next question would be and it was prepared in advance. Very accurate deck, very interesting, and makes me feel like I know the spirits well. Also, if you have this deck wrap it in a cloth like it suggests. That's when my deck got really good. P.S. be careful what cloth. My deck hated white!

The art in this deck is what attracted me to it, originally. Great art, great depictions of the major and minor arcanas. The book is complete and full of knowledge.Not for tarot or vodou beginners. This is a serious deck, that conjures intense energies. Ask anyone that's used it.

Sallie Ann Glassman's artwork is incredible and the Voodoo Tarot is one of the most powerful and intuitive I've ever used. It is a wonder that more people don't use this deck -- perhaps they are intimidated by the word "voodoo", but this deck is very user-friendly and the images are so rich and sensual. Check it out!