Customer Reviews

The Tarot of the Orishas: j23Complete Kit

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

WOW.... i bought this deck to help a friend, since i thoought it might 'connect' better with her beliefs; instead i was blown away by the deck itself. the symbolism is very powerful. reading the cards was easier than with any new deck before... i think an advantage to the very different illustrations is that i didnt have a preconcieved idea of what the cards meant, and could draw from the imagery more directly. the book is very helpful, although it took me a while to get used to the bi-lingual explanations.

For years I have studied about Orixa worship as it is done in Brazil on an "Encantado" or non initiate level. As a practicioner,it was frustrating when it came to divination. I wanted to use the traditional 16 cowries,but was warned in many books it was for "initiates only" and I heeded that advice.
When I baught this boxed set with it's helpful guide and layout sheet, I was amazed at the beautiful artwork of the deck and the energy the deck & layout sheet embodied. It has enabled me to work with the Orishas in a way that would've been impossible otherwise.There are prayers given to each Orixa in the guide book as well as a deck energizing ceramony which is a blessing for those of us who are self-taught! According to the Brazilian system, I am a daughter of Oxala. Axe!

This is not Orisha, not Santeria, not umbanda, not anything except Wicca masquerading as some other tradition. If you want a deck relating to orisha and other African Spiritual paths then look at The New Orleans VooDoo Tarot.

I bought this deck when it first came out back in the late 1990's. It caught my eye because of the Yoruba pantheon of Orishas and their depiction of the general idea/feeling of the Orishas and their powers. Actually let me begin by saying that no picture can ever catch the true image or aspect of an orisha, and as such, these images serve only to tap your subconscious - NOT to fill it with a specific image.

Whenever I pulled out a card, ANY CARD, it located my GPS in the real world - whether I was in a dilemna, crossing difficult waters or ready to embark in new endeavours. It seemed to say just what I was doing and I have to confess, I rarely used the tarot throws suggested in the book.
However, when I did, the results were even more precise.

The concept of the Orishas is like trying to capture the dimensions of a cloud or the skies by looking through a flute - you just can't get it all on the first try. Many times, I would hesitate to approach the Orisha tarot deck because it is never wrong, and I was concerned that it would confirm my fears or doubts about something. Sure enough when I eventually touched them and made my query, the answers were concise and razor sharp.

Be ready to recieve information, as they are not ambiguous in their messages!

Alafia!
B. Tata

I really don't understand the negative reviews, because they mention things that have nothing to do with if it works or not, or if it is easy to use, or efficient to get wisdom of it. Negative people cannot see a good thing even they have it in front of them, they always could say something wrong about anything... So, I can tell this deck is wonderful. When I work with it, I can really feel the power and the energy flowing and acting right here. It speaks so much... you can get thoughts that are very deep in your mind, and it teaches you how to be a better person or how to get things take the good path. Not only the cards, that are beautifuly illustrated, but the spreads are very complete and helpful to get what you need to do the right thing. The meanings and teachings are very deep and I would recommend this deck to anyone who want a deeper reflexions and wisdom.

... is a funny guy.

I suppose my question is, if Orisa gave us diloggun and obi and ifa, what the heck do we need tarot for? Also, regarding Umbanda, only in middle class Umbanda are the heads of the Linhas white. There's a whole history behind that that begins and ends with Getulio Vargas himself... but I digress.

If one wants to use these cards, I suggest that they are only used by those who have white Eguns who practiced Umbanda Branca. Otherwise, if you're not a priest and you're just itching to add something "out of Africa" to your religious practice (or a really way out ogberin/abiyan/aleyo who needs a new godparent or whose godparent needs to straighten them out), learn Obi (coco) and get to know your Eguns, who, sometimes, are just as powerful as Oricha... or fairies ;-). Peace, Omo L'Oya

This is beyond silly. Adding unicorns and fantasy creatures to African tradition. This deck is so beyond anything having to do with Orisha that Im amazed so many people bought it. Please donot wast your money