Customer Reviews

The Victorian Romantic Tarot Deck: Based on Original Victorian Engravings

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"When Alex and I first decided to do this deck, we were driven, quite simply, by finding a remarkable old edition of a book of art engravings published in Germany in the late nineteenth century. Looking through the very dusty pages, we were excited by the pictures that we found there. So much of the work we saw had been largely overlooked or even denigrated by formal art history. Neither Pre-Raphaelite or Impressionist, it mostly fell into the categories of Victorian genre painting, or Victorian Classicism, which nowadays quite unfashionable. Yet it was often done with extreme technical skill and, it weemed to us, with narrative flair too. These were paintings that, first and foremost, told stories." - From the companion book

Karen Mahony and Alex Ukolov--the creative pair from baba studio that birthed the Tarot of Prague, Baroque Bohemian Cats' Tarot and The Fairytale Tarot--have turned their attention on little-known 19th century art.

The result? The Victorian Romantic Tarot.

As with The Fairytale Tarot, one of my favorite elements of this box set is Karen's insightful prose. I have read every word of the 216-page companion book, and as always, I've come away with new insights about the Tarot. The Victorian Romantic Tarot serves up juxtaposition between two worlds, which multiplies possible meanings for the cards. For example, the unabashed female Devil card could indicate that "wickedness can bring both independence and liberation" just as much as pointing to materialistic indulgence!

And while most associate steely determination with The Chariot, the authors' choice of image could just as readily point to "enjoying the ride", as indicated by two of four the female riders. So is the destination--perhaps ruthless pursued--the goal...or is the joy in the journey?

Despite the images culled from a "bygone" era, The Victorian Romantic Tarot expands the meanings and applications of many--if not all--the cards, as Karen's insights actually updates the Tarot for modern sensibilities. (No easy feat!)

Admittedly, I'm no fan of history, but the historical and social tidbits found in the companion book are downright fascinating. For example, Karen mentions how most of us take for granted that childhood is a special time and that children need to be treated differently from adults. Yet, in the mid-1800's, children were regarded as "little adults"--and could even be tried and sentenced to death for petty crime. In the description of the 6 of Cups card, we find out that one such child--only 8 years old--was hung in London!

When elaborating on the 4 of Swords card, the author mentions the tomb-effigy of the RWS card--and mentions how tombs are often inscribed with epitaphs. Summing up a life in a few words, the idea of epitaphs as related to the 4 of Swords card does indeed lead us to another profound way of thinking: perhaps the time of "retreat" indicated by this card points to consider our life purpose? (Or, in my case, during a personal reading I realized--thanks to Karen's insights--that a reversed 4 of Swords indicated that it would be best if I STOPPED ruminating about "the purpose of my life"!)

I loved how the author compared and contrasted The Hermit and The Hanged Man on page 62, as well as her correlation with the 4 of Wands to rock concerts--a place where one is "permitted" to be a bit outrageous, much like the costumed show-women illustrated on the Victorian Romantic Tarot version of this card. I found it interesting that Karen mentions that the buttoned-up crowd may well envy the outrageousness and spontaneity of these women, but to the performers, it's "just another day's work". Recently, I read some portions of a memoir by the drummer of my favorite rock band. I was surprised--and, admittedly, disappointed--that he viewed his performance as "work"...and that he considered fans a nuisance. Much like the perspectives shared by Ms. Mahony, it goes to show that the grass may NOT be greener on "the stage"--and that even our personal idols or those we envy have their own issues and demons (and perhaps see their fame, talent, and fortune far different than their fans!).

Two other cards of note from the Victorian Romantic Tarot are Temperance--which shows a woman steering a boat, reminding us the value of navigating a "middle path", and The Tower, which shows two men clinging to a capsized boat reminiscent of the Christian cross--perhaps reminding us of the value of faith during hard times. (In fact, those familiar and comfortable with Christian iconography will find this deck especially accessible, in my opinion.)

Karen's explanation of the Court cards is especially adept--rescuing them from the annals of rote memory and thrusting them into living, breathing states of being. What a treasure, especially since the Courts are often the most problematic cards for Tarot readers!

The images of The Victorian Romantic Tarot are expressive enough to be read on their own, but I feel the companion book adds much depth and breadth to this deck. When I first saw the images of these cards, I admit to being less than thrilled. I just didn't resonate with the imagery, despite the illustrations conveying all-too-human emotions and scenarios. However, after reading the companion book, the cards seemed to "open up" for me.

While I did perform several readings with this deck--including the "Looking Back, Looking Forward" spread created expressly for The Victorian Romantic Tarot--I feel that, for me, it's probably a deck best for journaling and self reflection. (Then again, I rarely read for myself for divinatory purposes--maybe only a few times a year.) I haven't yet read for clients, but did read for my husband. The reading I performed for him was actually quite amusing and literal, as well as accurate: he asked me what he needed to do to feel better, and I drew The Hanged Man, the 10 of Wands, and the 3 of Pentacles. He quickly pointed out that he needed to suspend/stop (Hanged Man) working 10 hour shifts (!) and focus on having fun with me and my son (the 3 of Pentacles, which, incidentally, shows a man carving a toy from the branch of a Christmas tree. Christmas happens to be our favorite holiday, and my 8 year old already has his tree up!) So we got quite a laugh about the literalness of this deck, especially since my husband is growing tired of the mandatory 10-hour days he's been having to work for the last few weeks!

Well, on to a bit of pesky housekeeping for those who require certain specifications with a Tarot deck:

* The Majors are unnumbered, so you can use Justice and Strength any way you darn well please
* The suits are Cups/Water, Swords/Air, Wands/Fire, and Pentacles/Earth
* Court Cards are Page, Knight, Queen and King
* Card backings are fully reversible, with an intricate gilt filigree framed by lovely burgundy lines and tiny heart accents
* In addition to upright meanings, reversals are also given consideration in the companion book
* There are two Lovers cards, but you can only get the extra card if you buy the Gold edition from the creators
* Six spreads are provided, including two designed for use with The Victorian Romantic Tarot. Sample readings of both are explained--with illustrations

The Victorian Romantic Tarot would make a fine first deck for those new to Tarot, especially if the images resonate. Tarot enthusiasts and seasoned users will find something new in this box set, thanks to Karen's sparkling, insightful prose. Granted, there are some typos and errors in this book (e.g. page 146 says "the 8 of Wands" instead of the correct "8 of Swords" and "sale off" is mistakenly used instead of "sail off"), but they become rather "so what?" in light of this fresh offering to the Tarot world.

Kudos to Karen and Alex for another great Tarot deck!

(To see 10 card 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)

(Note: This review is about the box set, which includes Ms. Mahony's companion book. The deck alone doesn't come with the companion book.)

"When Alex and I first decided to do this deck, we were driven, quite simply, by finding a remarkable old edition of a book of art engravings published in Germany in the late nineteenth century. Looking through the very dusty pages, we were excited by the pictures that we found there. So much of the work we saw had been largely overlooked or even denigrated by formal art history. Neither Pre-Raphaelite or Impressionist, it mostly fell into the categories of Victorian genre painting, or Victorian Classicism, which nowadays quite unfashionable. Yet it was often done with extreme technical skill and, it weemed to us, with narrative flair too. These were paintings that, first and foremost, told stories." - From the companion book

Karen Mahony and Alex Ukolov--the creative pair from baba studio that birthed the Tarot of Prague, Baroque Bohemian Cats' Tarot and The Fairytale Tarot--have turned their attention on little-known 19th century art.

The result? The Victorian Romantic Tarot.

As with The Fairytale Tarot, one of my favorite elements of this box set is Karen's insightful prose. I have read every word of the 216-page companion book, and as always, I've come away with new insights about the Tarot. The Victorian Romantic Tarot serves up juxtaposition between two worlds, which multiplies possible meanings for the cards. For example, the unabashed female Devil card could indicate that "wickedness can bring both independence and liberation" just as much as pointing to materialistic indulgence!

And while most associate steely determination with The Chariot, the authors' choice of image could just as readily point to "enjoying the ride", as indicated by two of four the female riders. So is the destination--perhaps ruthless pursued--the goal...or is the joy in the journey?

Despite the images culled from a "bygone" era, The Victorian Romantic Tarot expands the meanings and applications of many--if not all--the cards, as Karen's insights actually updates the Tarot for modern sensibilities. (No easy feat!)

Admittedly, I'm no fan of history, but the historical and social tidbits found in the companion book are downright fascinating. For example, Karen mentions how most of us take for granted that childhood is a special time and that children need to be treated differently from adults. Yet, in the mid-1800's, children were regarded as "little adults"--and could even be tried and sentenced to death for petty crime. In the description of the 6 of Cups card, we find out that one such child--only 8 years old--was hung in London!

When elaborating on the 4 of Swords card, the author mentions the tomb-effigy of the RWS card--and mentions how tombs are often inscribed with epitaphs. Summing up a life in a few words, the idea of epitaphs as related to the 4 of Swords card does indeed lead us to another profound way of thinking: perhaps the time of "retreat" indicated by this card points to consider our life purpose? (Or, in my case, during a personal reading I realized--thanks to Karen's insights--that a reversed 4 of Swords indicated that it would be best if I STOPPED ruminating about "the purpose of my life"!)

I loved how the author compared and contrasted The Hermit and The Hanged Man on page 62, as well as her correlation with the 4 of Wands to rock concerts--a place where one is "permitted" to be a bit outrageous, much like the costumed show-women illustrated on the Victorian Romantic Tarot version of this card. I found it interesting that Karen mentions that the buttoned-up crowd may well envy the outrageousness and spontaneity of these women, but to the performers, it's "just another day's work". Recently, I read some portions of a memoir by the drummer of my favorite rock band. I was surprised--and, admittedly, disappointed--that he viewed his performance as "work"...and that he considered fans a nuisance. Much like the perspectives shared by Ms. Mahony, it goes to show that the grass may NOT be greener on "the stage"--and that even our personal idols or those we envy have their own issues and demons (and perhaps see their fame, talent, and fortune far different than their fans!).

Two other cards of note from the Victorian Romantic Tarot are Temperance--which shows a woman steering a boat, reminding us the value of navigating a "middle path", and The Tower, which shows two men clinging to a capsized boat reminiscent of the Christian cross--perhaps reminding us of the value of faith during hard times. (In fact, those familiar and comfortable with Christian iconography will find this deck especially accessible, in my opinion.)

Karen's explanation of the Court cards is especially adept--rescuing them from the annals of rote memory and thrusting them into living, breathing states of being. What a treasure, especially since the Courts are often the most problematic cards for Tarot readers!

The images of The Victorian Romantic Tarot are expressive enough to be read on their own, but I feel the companion book adds much depth and breadth to this deck. When I first saw the images of these cards, I admit to being less than thrilled. I just didn't resonate with the imagery, despite the illustrations conveying all-too-human emotions and scenarios. However, after reading the companion book, the cards seemed to "open up" for me.

While I did perform several readings with this deck--including the "Looking Back, Looking Forward" spread created expressly for The Victorian Romantic Tarot--I feel that, for me, it's probably a deck best for journaling and self reflection. (Then again, I rarely read for myself for divinatory purposes--maybe only a few times a year.) I haven't yet read for clients, but did read for my husband. The reading I performed for him was actually quite amusing and literal, as well as accurate: he asked me what he needed to do to feel better, and I drew The Hanged Man, the 10 of Wands, and the 3 of Pentacles. He quickly pointed out that he needed to suspend/stop (Hanged Man) working 10 hour shifts (!) and focus on having fun with me and my son (the 3 of Pentacles, which, incidentally, shows a man carving a toy from the branch of a Christmas tree. Christmas happens to be our favorite holiday, and my 8 year old already has his tree up!) So we got quite a laugh about the literalness of this deck, especially since my husband is growing tired of the mandatory 10-hour days he's been having to work for the last few weeks!

Well, on to a bit of pesky housekeeping for those who require certain specifications with a Tarot deck:

* The Majors are unnumbered, so you can use Justice and Strength any way you darn well please
* The suits are Cups/Water, Swords/Air, Wands/Fire, and Pentacles/Earth
* Court Cards are Page, Knight, Queen and King
* Card backings are fully reversible, with an intricate gilt filigree framed by lovely burgundy lines and tiny heart accents
* In addition to upright meanings, reversals are also given consideration in the companion book
* There are two Lovers cards, but you can only get the extra card if you buy the Gold edition from the creators
* Six spreads are provided, including two designed for use with The Victorian Romantic Tarot. Sample readings of both are explained--with illustrations

The Victorian Romantic Tarot would make a fine first deck for those new to Tarot, especially if the images resonate. Tarot enthusiasts and seasoned users will find something new in this box set, thanks to Karen's sparkling, insightful prose. Granted, there are some typos and errors in this book (e.g. page 146 says "the 8 of Wands" instead of the correct "8 of Swords" and "sale off" is mistakenly used instead of "sail off"), but they become rather "so what?" in light of this fresh offering to the Tarot world.

Kudos to Karen and Alex for another great Tarot deck!

(To see 10 card 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)

Well..
Those Magic Realists just continue to delight. I have been working with this deck daily for about two weeks now- since its first arrival on the shores of Maine- and I continue to astonished by the seamless intergration of art with meaning. Both Alex and Karen are brilliant artists and thinkers!!!!
I have studied Victorian art for twenty-five years, so perhaps this is the deck for which I have been just waiting to come along. (My sister says I am not allowed to use the word "resonate" anymore-it sounds too trendy)

I ordered "The Victorian Romantic Tarot KIT", but I received the RUSSIAN version of "The Victorian Romantic Tarot CARDS" only. I will not be returning the deck because it is a beautiful deck, and OOP. (Out Of Print) I have been attempting for some time to acquire the3 English version , and the KIT! I really wanted the book to help with card interpretations. As it is I had to look up the deck on "Magic Realist Press"'s website, to even identify the cards. The deck was un-opened. However when I opened it I was surprised to find the cards out of order, some even upside down. Several of the cards have a flaw that almost looks like a crease or a line 1/3 of the way down. It's not bad, but I noticed it. Obviously this was a printing fault , rather than a fault of the seller. However it IS the sellers fault that they were advertised as the full KIT, not a deck only. And while I had looked at the Russian version before, I did NOT order it. I am not deducting any stars because the deck itself is wonderful. I LOVE everything Karen and Alex make! I highly recommend any and all products by Baba Studio's and Magic Realist Press! I am thrilled to finally own these cards , they will just require a bit of extra effort on my part to learn them, and track down a companion book. (also OOP!) I believe all the extra effort in acquiring and learning this deck will bond me to it deeper and will pay off in spades in the readings!

This tarot deck is beautiful and very user friendly. I love it. It's very gentle and the pictures provide me with a deep insight into the meaning of each card. Especially , court cards are very well executed. I started with Gilded Tarot which is also beautiful, but not as deep as Victorian Romantic.

I just received my secon Victorian Romantic tarot, I loved so much the deck thaht I wanted the book. And once again I am trilled.

The packaging was nice, just that I would have enjoy a little cardboard box to keep the deck after. Beside that,the cards are very beautiful, somewhat unusual and intriguing at first, a little different from what one expect, but very close from the Rider-Waite interpretation. It is very hard to describe.

At first, I didn't dare to use them. This is the first deck that gave me this strange feeling, but after a few days, I just can't leave them alone. And I love them.

Sure the cards are beautiful, very beautiful and frankly very more striking than the scan on the net. The printing is very well done, sharp and crisp, the cards are flexible and thin, some complain, but it is very fine for me and they seem resistant enough. And they are easy to mix.


The deck is really striking, and I am very thrill with it. It was love at first sight and I know that this love will last. I would buy it again! And again n gold!

By the way, I love so much these pictures that I ordered a regular kit from Amazon just to get the book and the descriptions of the sources and inspiration!.

The Victorian Romantic Tarot is a beautiful deck considering the pictures came from actual paintings. The minor arcana has often not the usual indications of the card you are used to seeing and that gives you a little freedom in the reading of the card which is unique and different. The four stars does not reflect what I think of the deck at all; it reflects the material that the cards are made of that did disappoint. They are thinner and do stick together making it hard to fan them out.

Hi Readers!
I purchased this deck just a few months ago. I also own the "Tarot of Prague" and "The Baroque Bohemian Cats" tarot decks by the same artists/publishers. All are gloriously beautiful---and follow the
traditional images very closely. It is fun to see them rendered in bright
new interpretations---and stimulates your mind to see the cards in a whole new light.
The Tarot of Prague is still my favorite of the three, but it is hard to choose. This deck is easy to connect with--I think the Devil card is the best rendering I have seen in ANY deck, and I LOVE the STAR card---so beautiful. This is a deck designed by very imaginative artists who have a purpose of truth in the symbols, a sense of humor, and an absolute commitment to beauty and spirit. Highly recommended.

I'm a collector of tarot decks and so I have quiiiite a few of them under my belt. I ordered this one on recommendation of a friend, and really didn't expect much out of a deck set that was under $25 with the book, box and all. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Victorian Romantic Tarot is a rare breed indeed, delivering far more than its blurb promises.

The cards are fantastic. This husband and wife team are the reigning King and Queen of the collage. They have taken some gorgeous images from turn of the century wood cuts and parlayed them into an astonishingly readable deck of tarot that nearly follows the Rider-Waite/Smith interpretation schema. The book is also well written and easy to read and follow, giving not only tips about card reading, but also a mini art history lesson with the relating of the birth of the deck.

I would highly recommend this deck for anyone interested in the Tarot. Newbies and old-hands alike will find much to be treasured here.

As a professional reader with over a dozen tarot decks, I have used the Victorian Romantic Tarot non-stop since receiving it. The depth and intesity of the colors, along with the Victorian era artistry drew me in and I haven't turned back (prior to this deck, The Golden Tarot by Kat Black was my favorite).
In readings I find the images stimulating: there is little traditional adherence to the Waite symbols, especially in the Minor Arcana--in fact, hardly any cups, swords, wands or pentacles appear in the minor pips at all. Instead the people tell the story--a complaining child who appears not to be satisfied with his playmates is depicted in the Five of Swords; a troop of stage performers entertains a crowd in the Four of Wands--this non-traditional perspective expanded the card meanings for me.
The Major Arcana is stunning: I adore the depiction of the Devil as a winged, mythical woman bearing flowers and jewels with a smile, and the Star is one of the most beautiful I've seen.
I would recommend this deck for those beyond the beginner level---enjoy it!