Ramses: Tarot of Eternity (Cards)

~ Giordano Berti (Author), Severino Baraldi (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Ramses: Tarot of Eternity
Artwork by Severino Baraldi
Text by Giordano Berti

Like the Pharaoh who expanded the Egyptian empire, Ramses: Tarot of Eternity pushes the boundaries of Egyptian-themed tarot decks with amazing beauty and utility. Artist Severino Baraldi does not imitate Egyptian art styles, but creates snapshots of the past using detailed research and a realistic style that help you step into the past to find patterns indicating the future. Giordano Berti blends Egyptian mythology, rituals, and ancient esoteric formulas with the symbolic structure developed by 19th century French occultists, making this deck surprisingly easy to use.

ISBN 0-7387-0284-6
$19.95 U.S., $31.95 Can.
Boxed deck includes
78 full-color cards and instruction booklet

About the Author

Since 1987, Art Publisher Lo Scarabeo has published over 100 Tarot decks that have been acclaimed all over the world for originality and quality. Only the best Italian and International artists are selected for our new decks, and the result is that Lo Scarabeo's decks are all recognizable as an exceptional artistic value.TraditionOne of Lo Scarabeo's goals is the preservation of traditional Tarot decks.DevelopmentNew decks and ideas are continually gathered from all over the world. This allows Lo Scarabeo to produce some of the most innovative decks available today.QualityLo Scarabeo is committed to ever increasing quality and beauty of their products.Distribution*Llewellyn is the exclusive distributor of Lo Scarabeo products in North America.

Product Details

• Cards
• Publisher: Lo Scarabeo (December 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738702846
• ISBN-13: 978-0738702841
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 2.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #982,204 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Tarot Based on a Specific Egyptian Era (ca. 1304-1224 B.C.), July 30, 2007

By	Janet Boyer "JanetBoyer.com" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

"...all of the `Trionfi' refer to fundamental episodes of the very long existence of the `living god' User Maat Re Setep-en Re (Powerful is the truth of Ra, the Chosen One of Ra), better known as Ramses II (1302-1224 B.C.). The main wives of Ramses, as well as his most famous children, enemies, battles, etc. were therefore translated into `Trionfi figures'". - From the LWB

Based on the storyboard of Giordano Berti, the illustrations of the Ramses: Tarot of Eternity deck--painted by Severino Baraldi, a master of historical illustrations--concentrates on a well-defined Egyptian era. The father and son of Ramses begins and ends the Major Arcana, but the specific time period for the deck ranges from approximately 1304 B.C. (Sethi I's ascension to the throne) and 1224 B.C. (the reign of Merenptah).

While the Majors depict scenes from this historical period, the titles follow common Tarot naming (e.g. Fool, Hermit, Temperance, etc.). However, the LWB provides the actual Egyptian names for the individuals (e.g. Aken-Aton, Khaemwese, Hathor-Nefertari, and so on.)

Unfortunately, as with most Lo Scarabeo decks, the wealth of historical references and connections behind Mr. Berti's intent are lost since the LWB explains NONE of the illustrations. So unless you're an expert on Egyptology circa 1302-1224 B.C., you'll basically be lost as to what is happening in the pictures (except for the rare recognizable incident such as Moses parting the Red Sea on the Judgment card which is, incidentally, one of two "outside of time" cards).

As usual, this is discouraging because the lack of information renders the deck useless for most readers, in my opinion. And it's a pity, because I bought the deck with the desire to learn more about a specific period in history and how Mr. Berti connected these historical incidents with Tarot iconography. Although the LWB boasts that the Ramses: Tarot of Eternity is one of the few Egyptian-inspired decks that have a "soul" and artistic, as well as philosophic, coherence--I fail to see how one could recognize the historical congruence without explanations provided.

Some of the illustrations for this deck are outright stunning, notably the Moon card showing the gaping maw of a purplescent hippo in the foreground, with a moonlit sky, papyrus boats and (presumably) the Luxor temple at Thebes in the background. Because the LWB only provides the name "Opet" for this card, I did some research--and assume that this card refers to the annual Opet Festival (an unusual choice for The Moon card, actually, unless the connection is merely "travel by water".)

The cards from the Ramses: Tarot of Eternity deck measure approximately 4-3/4 x 2-5/8 inches with fully reversible backings. Minor suits are Wands, Swords, Chalices and Pentacles, with the Courts following the Knave, Knight, Queen and King ordering. The LWB provides solid upright and reversed meanings as well as a nifty Eye of Horus spread, but there's no mention of historical events save the names associated with the Majors.

If you love Egyptian themed decks, there's movement and emotion galore in this one. However, those unfamiliar with the specific historical period represented by Ramses: Tarot of Eternity may find it challenging and disappointing--unless you're willing to take up the challenge of researching the names connected with the Majors and attempting to fill-in-the-blanks regarding the Minor and Court cards.

(To see 12 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)

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as I thought it would be..., January 2, 2007

By	Jack Andrew (Oshkosh, WI) - See all my reviews

Has a lot of Christian-based mythology in it, which is OK (I mean, it's based on Ramses) but don't expect this to be a purely Egyptian based deck. Some of the nudity seems pointless and goes against what I've seen in Egyptian style, but I'm not an expert so I couldn't say definitively. It's a hard deck for me to get into and read.

5.0 out of 5 stars It's more of PG-13 deck with Nat Geo type nudity..., September 6, 2009

By	N. Graabe "Freelance writer/film-video editor" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Actually only ten of the cards have nudity and it is based on daily life of the Egyptians, so the nudity is a natural one. There is no full male nudity in this deck, the female nudity is limited to bare chests. But, it is how the Egyptians dressed. The deck is based on their daily life, not Egyptian art in general. So a lot of the times, the nudity is a woman doing chores in everyday dress. It isn't erotic nudity as others would make you believe.

So I would say it's PG-13 if anything. The art is like looking at a nude statue. It is to display the daily life of the people in this era. I do agree with reviews who say the LWB doesn't explain the cards, but with a little research, this deck can reveal it's meanings to you. The artwork is beautiful, way more lovely than average and the meaning of the cards complex, so giving this deck a three because of prudishness is very unfair.

Egyptian gods are also shown on these cards. They are so useful in seeing how the Egyptians lived. I highly recommend it.