Renaissance Tarot Deck [Cards]

Brian Williams (Creator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1988

The gods of Olympus plus other Greek and Roman deities are displayed in the Major Arcana. Classic myths are beautifully depicted in the Minor Arcana. Card titles in both English and Italian.

Product Details

• Cards: 78 pages
• Publisher: U.S. Games Systems (October 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880793074
• ISBN-13: 978-0880793070
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 2.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #621,419 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars artistically gorgeous deck drawing on ancient tarot roots, November 18, 1999

By 

Tom L. Waters (Tesuque, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Renaissance Tarot Deck (Cards)

This is one of the most beautiful decks you are likely to find. The major arcana are detailed etchings, delicately colored and bordered in gold.

A casual look might make one think that this is a "period" deck, differing from other tarots mainly in the lavish Renaissance costumes shown on the cards. However, it is much more. The artist is a student of art history, in particular the Italian Renaissance, in which the very first tarot decks were produced. This deck captures something of the spirit of those original tarots, in which the major arcana were presented as classic, allegorical designs. We've become accustomed to tarot designs laden with 19th-century occult symbolism; this deck offers a refreshing taste of a different kind of tarot, one whose message is open to anyone with imagination and an appreciation of the language of art.

There are many references to Greek and Roman mythology in these cards, as well as medieval folklore and philosophy. So there is a lot of symbolic richness here, although it draws from somewhat different sources than many other decks. For this reason, it is a good idea to buy this deck along with the book, which explains the cultural context of the imagery in great detail, with lots of illustrations from art history.

I have found this to be a reliable and often stunningly powerful reading deck. Perhaps because the artist has studied so many centuries of western art with an eye for recognizing the tarot archetypes wherever they appear, these cards seem to capture the essential ingredients of the human condition with force and clarity. The suit cards in this deck require a little extra effort, however, being more reserved in dramatic content than those in many other decks.

This is a beautiful, powerful deck. Because its inspiration comes from the early Italian tarot tradition, rather than the occult systems of more recent times, I strongly recommend it be purchased along with the companion book, rather than trying to use it with concepts meant for a different sort of deck.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic from the Golden Age., July 16, 2005

By 

Richard K. Kostoff "karmarich" (columbus, oh) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Renaissance Tarot Deck (Cards)

I Feel that one of the greatest thing one can leave behind is something that may help future generations. Brian William's wonderful tarot deck has done this. He was a great scholar and artist who lived and died with the tarot on his mind. I unfortnately did not purchase this deck until 2004. Then, I see what a great gift he left behind.

I had little or no idea about the cards. I always felt they may be over my head with the philosophy of the Renaissance behind them. When they were first published, I opted for the Medieval Scapini Tarot. Both decks now hold a very special place in my Tarot library. They were published at a time when Tarot was just getting off the ground in the world.

These cards demonstrate his genius as a scholar and illustator. The cards follow traditional meanings as well as give new insight into the neo-classical ideal. The Human form in all its wonder is presented here for the skilled reader as well as beginner!

Mr Williams and his wonderful Tarot deck will live forever in the history of the tarot books. His booklet is filled with wonderful information as well. If you dont see this, I advise you to hit the history books! This Tarot as well as the Medieval Scapini goes to the source of the Tarot-Italy! If you want a good lesson in philosophy and art, refer to this deck!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional scholarship, research, and visual imagery!, November 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Renaissance Tarot Deck (Cards)

Tarot scholar, historian, and researcher Brian Williams has created an exquisite and exceptional tarot deck. Each card is a work of fine art. His concept of mythological narrative to explain the minor arcana is absolutely inspirational. The book that accompanies this deck may be the finest tarot text ever printed in English because it includes so many historial, pagan, gnostic Christian, neo-Platanic, and Humanist sources. Bravo Brian Williams!