The Tarot of the Orishas/El tarot de los orishas (Spanish and English Edition) [Cards]

Zolrak (Author), Durkon (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 8, 1997

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 Tarot deck is 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

Language Notes

Text: English, Spanish --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

The Tarot of the Orishas by Zolrak with art by Durkon describes a unique Tarot deck. In form, it is similar to the traditional Tarot that has played a part in Western Spiritual systems for hundreds of years and is used for magic, divination, astral projection, and more. In spirit, it represents the blend of the magical thought of ancient Africa with Catholicism that resulted in the religions of Candomble and Santeria.

In this new design—there are 77 cards in all—you will find 13 cards, one for each of the deity Orishas. Each corresponds to specific natural forces and human qualities that are often blended with Catholic saints. For example, in this book you will learn that the warrior god Ogun is the destroyer of evil. He is identified with St. George who symbolizes the human struggle for perfection. Oshun, goddess of rivers, symbolizes love, marriage, and the sweetness of life.

The Tarot of the Orishas describes how the undiluted energy of the Orishas combines with many other archetypal symbols in the deck to help you access a spiritual realm that only symbols are able to describe. The Tarot of the Orishas is bilingual, so everything is covered in both English and Spanish. Get your copy of The Tarot of the Orishas soon.


--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Cards: 77 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; Crds edition (August 8, 1997)
• Language: Spanish, English
• ISBN-10: 1567188435
• ISBN-13: 978-1567188431
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 4.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,139,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #31 in Books > Libros en español > Religión y espiritualidad > Lo Oculto > La Magia
  • #33 in Books > Libros en español > Religión y espiritualidad > Religiones Basadas en la Naturaleza

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

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

By 

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

This review is from: Tarot of the Orishas Book (Paperback)

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 Chango 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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!, October 18, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Tarot of the Orishas/El tarot de los orishas (Spanish and English Edition) (Cards)

These cards are beautifully illustrated! I was surprised at the rich colors and beautiful depictions of the Orishas. I highly reccomend the "how to" book, because the booklet that comes with the cards is kind of crappy. They are an excellent collector's item AND perfect for everyday use. (If you can imagine that!) I really like them and suggest any serious tarot card reader or person interested in Santeria or reading get these.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Racism Abounds in this book. Steer Clear unless you are in the KKK, May 30, 2010

By 

Babykins - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tarot of the Orishas Book (Paperback)

How could a book starring Yoruba gods and goddess, have depictions of said deities that are all white or mulatto with the only Black representation being that of "bad people"?

When you are a white supremacist and/or you don't know a hoot about the religion and had no business writing this book.

This book is a scam. And anyone who likes the book is suspect too as to their knowledge about the religion and their...um..."intentions."

Don't walk...run from this...there are plenty of other truly good books out there that don't demean Africanness or deliberately peddle false information about African religion. Plenty. This qualifies as one of the worst books on Amazon.

This book is very dangerous and not in a good way. Woe to those who think it ok buy it regardless of its falsehoods and inaccuracies, I guess...

I can't believe this got published. Wow.

What a total and utter disgrace.

The author should be ashamed or at least de-sheeted.