The Tarot of the Orishas: j23Complete Kit [Hardcover]

Zolrak (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 8, 2000

Candomble is the living, spiritist religion that originated with the Yoruba people of west-central Africa and is similar to Santeria in its worship of the Orixas, or Orishas. Orishas are "saints" or supernatural beings, such as "Eleggua", "Xango" ("Chango") and "Yemanya" - archetypes of sacred, powerful and pure energy. This kit includes a Tarot deck based on numerology, astrology and other branches of metaphysics. 25 cards representing the Orishas can be compared with the major arcana of traditional Tarot. The remaining 52 cards (or "minor arcana") are divided into four groups of 13 cards each, representing the four elements. Representing the magical thinking of ancient Africa, the Tarot of the Orishas is considered by many to be more powerful for magic and divination than the traditional Tarot. It deals with the fundamental energies of live human beings and emphasizes the role of symbols.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

From a very young age, Zolrak followed a path which led him to spirituality, developing his mediumistic ability over the years.  He studied and taught Kardecist Spiritualism, improving his skills as a medium.  Zolrak does not limit his religious knowledge to Spiritualism  but extends it to include various points of view.  He graduated as a Professor of Cultural Parapsychology, Mental Control and Scientific Astrology and holds a Doctorate in Parapsychology.

With a solid university background, he was accepted into the School of Law and Social Sciences at the Argentina University of Enterprises and graduated with a License in Public Relations.

 

Product Details

• Hardcover: 408 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Espanol (November 8, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567188427
• ISBN-13: 978-1567188424
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,169,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative work on the Candomblé tradition/cards are primal, December 17, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Orange County, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tarot of the Orishas: j23Complete Kit (Hardcover)

Though this is not a new deck, it was recently brought to my attention. Tarot of the Orishas is a delightful blend of Yoruban magick now known as Santería, Umbanda, Butuque and Candomblé. The vast majority of tarot decks have traditionally ignored or failed to include non-Europeans in their images. This deck focuses on African and Caribbean elements. One of the things I like the best about this deck is that it is written in both English and Spanish. Another interesting feature of the deck is that there are no Royalty cards. Instead, there is a card representing each element, a message from each element, and an elemental (Undines=water, etc.). I found this deck to be very a very freeing experience psychically as well as a means for increasing my understanding Yoruban based magickal practices. I particularly loved the explanation about the different forms of African magick and discussion about the differences from the more notorious Voudoo traditions. The traditions this deck portrays, according to the author are adamantly opposed to black or negative magick, in contrast to Voudoo. I found the historical presentation to be fascinating, particularly because I had been unaware that some of these traditions include a reverence for Native American ancestors as well as the spirits of black slaves. The images are raw, primal and powerful. I have used them several times with clients and have had impressive results. The imagery made me feel like I was unleashing my receptive subconscious, allowing the words to spill from my mouth without filtering them. The result was that I was able to speak about things that were deeper in my psyche and may not have come to my attention as easily. I would recommend this deck to anyone who feels they may have difficulty opening to their psychic awareness.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Where are the Wisdom, Knowledge & Mystism of Yoruba Religion, September 29, 2002

By 

El Brujo "Brujo Hechisero" (Lowell, Ma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tarot of the Orishas: j23Complete Kit (Hardcover)

When this deck and book set first came out, way back in the 90's, I was very happy and anxious to own the deck. Finally a tarot deck in homage of the African Orishas. Boy was I disappointed when I got this deck. Let me begin with the book, which infect I enjoyed immensely, the book is good, and an excellent introduction to Santeria and Candomble. It also has a section with prayers. Which are not traditional Orisha prayers, but more a modern "New Age" style prayers, not commonly used in Casa de Santos, or Ile Houses. But they are good enough for the beginners to get a jist at various ways to pray and communicate with the Orishas.

know it is not the book that is the problem, it is the deck. It is titled The Orisha Tarot, but I have to completely disagree with this title. Okay first of all what do Gnomes, mermaids and fairies have to do with the wisdom of Orisha and African Spirituality. NOTHING!! Yet these images are portrayed abundantly throught the deck. Also what does Lucifer El Diable have to do with Yoruba wisdom. Again, nothing, this is a Christian Concept, not an Orisha concept. In fact their is no spirit of complete evil in our religious philosophies. Then their is the Karma card. This has to do with Indian Hindu, not African Yoruba. This card does not belong their.

Also another thing that I found enoying was how the most of the Orishas where portrayed as having white skin. Obatala is white, this is fine, but!! Yemaya, Oya, Oba, Pombagira, are all white. Eshu is chalk white. And Ochun and Chago are mulattos. None of the Orisha are black. The Babalawo is white. Also notice how every one who is black seams to be punished or in trouble, such as. The Outcast, The Enslaved prisoner, and 5 of water. And also what does a cruise Liner, 8 of water or a Greek building 2 of fire, have to do with Yoruba orisha Spirituality. NOTHING!!

I was so disappointed with this deck. It had potential, but all of the wisdom and knowledge of Candomble, and Lucumi, is missing. The Minor Arcana should be dedicated to the ancient paikis of the religion, while the Major to the Orishas, Orixas ect. As for El karma card, which really anoied me, this should have been Ori. and the...... Oh why bother torturing my self. Who am I kidding, this deck needs a complete makeover from beginning to end.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In response to the People who don't like this Tarot Deck, October 12, 2004

By 

Juan A. Martinez - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tarot of the Orishas: j23Complete Kit (Hardcover)

When I finally bought the deck, I was surprise to see that this deck is more inspiered by the Brasilian tradition than the Santeria Tradition. Being from Brasil, and being as well a Pai Do Santo(a priest of Candombleah), I find that this Tarot has more of an Umbanda Feeling than Typical Candombleah. For those people who don't understand the Mermaids, Gnomos, the Fairies, and other elements in this deck, well let me explain. First....in the religion of Umbanda, which is a religion born in Brasil, these other beings, become messengers of the Orixas. Example...The mermaids are the messengers of Iemanja, Oxum, and Nana....These other beings form a Linha...meaning line where a particular Orixa rules. So if you want to buy this deck, then first learn a bit about umbanda and their many Deities. Another point, Not all the Orixas are black in color....because some even in Africa...as Iemanja..known in Africa as Mami Wata, is known to be white. Pombagira....is not an african spirit, but a spirit that comes from the spaniard/gypsie descent. There are Many Pombagiras....and some are white, some black, and some mulatto. But in All Pombagira(at least the main one) is White.