Customer Reviews

Ramses: Tarot of Eternity

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

 

 

"...all of the `Trionfi' refer to fundamental episodes of the very long existence of the `living god' User Maat Re Setep-en Re (Powerful is the truth of Ra, the Chosen One of Ra), better known as Ramses II (1302-1224 B.C.). The main wives of Ramses, as well as his most famous children, enemies, battles, etc. were therefore translated into `Trionfi figures'". - From the LWB

Based on the storyboard of Giordano Berti, the illustrations of the Ramses: Tarot of Eternity deck--painted by Severino Baraldi, a master of historical illustrations--concentrates on a well-defined Egyptian era. The father and son of Ramses begins and ends the Major Arcana, but the specific time period for the deck ranges from approximately 1304 B.C. (Sethi I's ascension to the throne) and 1224 B.C. (the reign of Merenptah).

While the Majors depict scenes from this historical period, the titles follow common Tarot naming (e.g. Fool, Hermit, Temperance, etc.). However, the LWB provides the actual Egyptian names for the individuals (e.g. Aken-Aton, Khaemwese, Hathor-Nefertari, and so on.)

Unfortunately, as with most Lo Scarabeo decks, the wealth of historical references and connections behind Mr. Berti's intent are lost since the LWB explains NONE of the illustrations. So unless you're an expert on Egyptology circa 1302-1224 B.C., you'll basically be lost as to what is happening in the pictures (except for the rare recognizable incident such as Moses parting the Red Sea on the Judgment card which is, incidentally, one of two "outside of time" cards).

As usual, this is discouraging because the lack of information renders the deck useless for most readers, in my opinion. And it's a pity, because I bought the deck with the desire to learn more about a specific period in history and how Mr. Berti connected these historical incidents with Tarot iconography. Although the LWB boasts that the Ramses: Tarot of Eternity is one of the few Egyptian-inspired decks that have a "soul" and artistic, as well as philosophic, coherence--I fail to see how one could recognize the historical congruence without explanations provided.

Some of the illustrations for this deck are outright stunning, notably the Moon card showing the gaping maw of a purplescent hippo in the foreground, with a moonlit sky, papyrus boats and (presumably) the Luxor temple at Thebes in the background. Because the LWB only provides the name "Opet" for this card, I did some research--and assume that this card refers to the annual Opet Festival (an unusual choice for The Moon card, actually, unless the connection is merely "travel by water".)

The cards from the Ramses: Tarot of Eternity deck measure approximately 4-3/4 x 2-5/8 inches with fully reversible backings. Minor suits are Wands, Swords, Chalices and Pentacles, with the Courts following the Knave, Knight, Queen and King ordering. The LWB provides solid upright and reversed meanings as well as a nifty Eye of Horus spread, but there's no mention of historical events save the names associated with the Majors.

If you love Egyptian themed decks, there's movement and emotion galore in this one. However, those unfamiliar with the specific historical period represented by Ramses: Tarot of Eternity may find it challenging and disappointing--unless you're willing to take up the challenge of researching the names connected with the Majors and attempting to fill-in-the-blanks regarding the Minor and Court cards.

(To see 12 images from this deck, 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)

Has a lot of Christian-based mythology in it, which is OK (I mean, it's based on Ramses) but don't expect this to be a purely Egyptian based deck. Some of the nudity seems pointless and goes against what I've seen in Egyptian style, but I'm not an expert so I couldn't say definitively. It's a hard deck for me to get into and read.

Actually only ten of the cards have nudity and it is based on daily life of the Egyptians, so the nudity is a natural one. There is no full male nudity in this deck, the female nudity is limited to bare chests. But, it is how the Egyptians dressed. The deck is based on their daily life, not Egyptian art in general. So a lot of the times, the nudity is a woman doing chores in everyday dress. It isn't erotic nudity as others would make you believe.

So I would say it's PG-13 if anything. The art is like looking at a nude statue. It is to display the daily life of the people in this era. I do agree with reviews who say the LWB doesn't explain the cards, but with a little research, this deck can reveal it's meanings to you. The artwork is beautiful, way more lovely than average and the meaning of the cards complex, so giving this deck a three because of prudishness is very unfair.

Egyptian gods are also shown on these cards. They are so useful in seeing how the Egyptians lived. I highly recommend it.

First, I am going to focus on the flaws of this deck, and get them out of the way. The designer of the deck should have been portrayed as the fool! What were they thinking? King Akhunaton has nothing to do with the life of Ramses II. He was not a fool, either. Why Moses? I felt like I was looking at still from Cecil B. Demille's movie. It is a tacky and confusing image. What is up with the violence? The nudity is over the top. It should have been catagorized as an adult deck Lo Scarabeo is notorious for. In most classical Egyptian art, I have yet to see so many breasts. Who runs this company? Dirty old men? Oh thats right, its Italian...

What is good about this deck? Not much really. I would never read with it for myself, much less other. The art is not the greatest, yet I have seen worse. Egyptian themed Tarots tend to lack a lot! Clive Barrett's Egyptian Tarot is the best one ever. I picked this one up because of the collectibility.It is mercifully out of print, low sales or to spare the publisher further shame? It will undoubtedly appreciate. Why? I just dont get it.