Customer Reviews

The Da Vinci Enigma Tarot

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When opened, the cards and reference book are quite pretty (I hope this doesn't sound too mundane!). I noticed that there are 80 cards, 2 more than the traditional tarot deck. All of the illustrations are reproductions of the original Da Vinci works and are beautifully presented. On closer inspection all of the microcosm cards (except the court cards) have a keyword on it to facilitate imagery and connection to it, and exploration of the message being conveyed.

The macrocosm cards are, in most cases, given the same names as those of a standard Rider-Waite major arcana deck (although the illustrations are obviously different). The cards that differ are: II High Priestess - Enigma; VI Lovers - Twins; VII Chariot - Imagination; X Wheel of Fortune - Time; XI Justice - Experience; XII Hanged Man - Passover; XV Devil - Pain & Pleasure; XVI Tower - Deluge; XVII Star - Way-Shower; XVIII Moon - Conception; XIX Sun - Birth; XX Last Judgement - Renewal. I examined card `0 Fool' and found that the meaning corresponds to the standard Rider Waite `0 Fool'.

The two extra cards are `Enigma Cards', one represents the `Enigma Pattern', the other is `The Enigma Card'. The Enigma Pattern reveals how the card-backs join together to form a complete pattern of repeating roundels and interlocking knotwork. Across the Enigma Pattern design are five repeating, many-sided geometric forms, which Leonardo designed. There is detailed explanation of the background and meaning of this in the reference book.

The second extra card, the Enigma Grid, shows the sequence of the full deck face up. This grid reveals the natural resting place for the cards if they were to come together as a complete deck. Although the two Enigma cards are not actually used in readings, they are referred to in the various unique spreads shown in the reference book... particularly the Destiny Spread. Through using these spreads you will learn how matching the card-backs together produces a series of random connections that transcend the Enigma Grid sequence, helping you find the unique signature of your soul's code.

The reference book is comprehensive and covers an introduction to the theory behind the cards, an introduction to Leonardo Da Vinci, explanation of how the cards work, and a chapter on both the macrocosm (major arcana) and microcosm (minor arcane) cards. There are also sample spreads and readings to experiment with. You will find a bibliography, further reading suggestions and acknowledgements at the back of the book as well.

Each macrocosm card is given a two page spread in exploration covering `Dimmi' - Core question/meaning; `Background' - exploration of the symbolism; `Soul-Code' - expansion of meaning; `Upright' - Focussed meaning; `Reversed' - reversed meaning; `Disconnected'- used as part of the Enigma Pattern interpretation. The microscosm cards are explored under the same headings, but are given one page each.

I have had this deck for a while. I fell in love with it when I saw it through the display window when walking pass a tarot store. Immediately I went online and looked up the name of the deck (good thing the suits are named differently than most decks). I am a huge fan of the Da Vinci style so this really was me indulging myself a little.

This past week I finally started reading through the book and am amazed at how the images were selected to fit the meanings of the cards. It's rather amazing how nicely everything goes together. And although the cards are a little flimsy, I think the artistic value and actual content of the cards more than make up for it. Recommended!

These cards are some of the best I've ever used. I would reccommend them to anyone as a begginner or journeyman or master of the tarot.

This set made a fine gift and was well worth the purchase price. Any novice reader will enjoy this set.

While some people find the large amount of white border space on the cards to be a problem, I can see why Caitlin did it that way - the images vary in width and height, so the white space varies from card to card.

My big problem with the deck is in the quality of the cards - they are very thick, which makes quite a stack for my small hands to shuffle - and they are not cut to the exact same width and height. That is a real problem when shuffling and (especially) cutting the deck, because the "fatter" cards are going to always be the ones your hands find. Therefore, you can't really randomize the cutting.

Given the amazingly beautiful quality of some decks (U.S.Games' Golden Tarot, for instance), I'm disappointed in this book/deck set.

This set of Tarot cards is great fun and I learned much by reading the booklet that accompanied the set. Very interesting and beautiful.

I received this deck as a birthday gift, so maybe that's why it's brought me accurate and enlightening readings... Anyway, it is philosophical, simple, and beautiful. I have several decks, and this one speaks to me the most clear and to the point - actual advice about what I need to be doing with my life or getting a clearer understanding of what I've been feeling. Just telling me about who I really am. Readings leave me happy and inspired, something I don't get from my other decks. With this deck it is definitely a journey of trying to figure it out; there are so many facets to it, just like a mystery. So, if you are a philosophical, artistic individual and are seeking to understand your mind and soul from an amazing perspective, this deck might be for you. The more I handle it the more I realize how it's been missing in my life. How often do you find that?

I love Da Vinci!!
I purchased this deck for the art work. I figured once I recieved it I would know if it was a deck to work with. One that speaks to me, giving me a feeling of completeness. This deck did not do that for me. The drawings on most of the cards have little to do with the card it is depicting. I have over 200 decks and several I have bought for the art work alone. This is one of those decks. The cards are on the flimsy side and I don't believe would hold up well with daily use. I did use this deck for a few readings for myself and then I did what I do with a lot of decks I buy for the art work, I framed it!! Because the cards are on the thin side they framed up beautifully!! I have many decks framed and hanging in my reading room. I even plagiarized it by signing it "To Cyndee, With love, Da Vinci"!! hehe! Silly I know but customers and family love it!!
With Tarot it is such a personal buy that I respect everyones review and feel that because it is so very personal it makes it hard to review! That is what makes buying from Amazon so nice. You can return it with very little to no hassle.

this is a great deck but i dont recommend if you are just learning to read tarot, its best to start with a rider waite or universal waite deck so you can learn the suits, the art on this deck is wonderful and interpretative on its own.

As compared to other tarot/oracle decks I have seen, these cards were, in every way, inferior. The minor arcana were all line drawings from DaVinci's notebooks - monochrome... non-descript... often having nothing to do with the meaning of the card. The card stock, itself, was thin. I didn't read thru the book, so I can't comment on the value of it. Overall, I would say this set is cheap.