My Tarot Reviews
"The true Tarot is symbolism; it speaks no other language and offers no other signs."
A. E. Waite
"The true Tarot is symbolism; it speaks no other language and offers no other signs."
A. E. Waite
Following Your Passion ~ The Father of Tarot, Etteilla
Review by Paulette Reynolds
Review by Paulette Reynolds
"Follow your bliss" - How many times have we heard this little saying? Often we put off exploring what brings us the most satisfaction, citing time constraints and financial responsibilities. Yet, who knows what delving into our dreams may bring, not only for our own sense of worth, but for the benefit of others?
Consider Etteilla. If Marie Lenormand is acknowledged as the Mother of Tarot Reading, then Jean-Baptiste Alliette, otherwise known as 'Etteilla', is the anointed Father of Tarot itself. Born in 1738, this trail-blazer immersed himself in his one true passion - Tarot cards - and left a legacy for every professional Tarotist practitioner.
Prior to Etteilla, the popular decks of the day, called Piquet, were designed to be used as either playing cards or for light fortune-telling. At 32 (1770), he published his first book, "Etteilla, or a Way to Entertain Yourself With a Deck of Cards", which established him as more than enlightened Tarot enthusiast. He established the twin practices of both spreads and assigned meanings to individual cards. His next book, "How to Entertain Yourself With the Deck of Cards Called Tarot" (1785) broke more new ground by outlining the different methods of using Tarot for divination. Three years later, in 1788, Etteilla began a forum for discussing Tarot, via mail, called, "Société des Interprètes du Livre de Thot". Out of this group came his final book, 1790, "The Egyptian Book of Thoth", that focused on developing concepts that would later become the Major and Minor Arcanas, and incorporating astrology and the four elements as interpretative tools. His final project realized his crowning achievement, that of creating a Tarot deck solely for divination.
Obviously, most of our passionate interests will not yield an entirely new 'invention' with such far-reaching implications. Yet, who knows what realms it will establish within ourselves? That Etteilla was following his bliss is probably the most fundamental act, as his love for the medium encouraged him into further exploration. This in turn continues to inspire us today. Where will your discoveries take you? You'll never know until you take that first step!
References:
Great Tarotists of Yesteryear: Etteilla
By James W. Revak villarevak.org
Wikipedia
Books that include information about Etteilla:
A Wicked Pack of Cards by Michael Dummett, Ronald Decker and Thierry Depaulis
Mystical Origins of the Tarot by Paul Huson
Consider Etteilla. If Marie Lenormand is acknowledged as the Mother of Tarot Reading, then Jean-Baptiste Alliette, otherwise known as 'Etteilla', is the anointed Father of Tarot itself. Born in 1738, this trail-blazer immersed himself in his one true passion - Tarot cards - and left a legacy for every professional Tarotist practitioner.
Prior to Etteilla, the popular decks of the day, called Piquet, were designed to be used as either playing cards or for light fortune-telling. At 32 (1770), he published his first book, "Etteilla, or a Way to Entertain Yourself With a Deck of Cards", which established him as more than enlightened Tarot enthusiast. He established the twin practices of both spreads and assigned meanings to individual cards. His next book, "How to Entertain Yourself With the Deck of Cards Called Tarot" (1785) broke more new ground by outlining the different methods of using Tarot for divination. Three years later, in 1788, Etteilla began a forum for discussing Tarot, via mail, called, "Société des Interprètes du Livre de Thot". Out of this group came his final book, 1790, "The Egyptian Book of Thoth", that focused on developing concepts that would later become the Major and Minor Arcanas, and incorporating astrology and the four elements as interpretative tools. His final project realized his crowning achievement, that of creating a Tarot deck solely for divination.
Obviously, most of our passionate interests will not yield an entirely new 'invention' with such far-reaching implications. Yet, who knows what realms it will establish within ourselves? That Etteilla was following his bliss is probably the most fundamental act, as his love for the medium encouraged him into further exploration. This in turn continues to inspire us today. Where will your discoveries take you? You'll never know until you take that first step!
References:
Great Tarotists of Yesteryear: Etteilla
By James W. Revak villarevak.org
Wikipedia
Books that include information about Etteilla:
A Wicked Pack of Cards by Michael Dummett, Ronald Decker and Thierry Depaulis
Mystical Origins of the Tarot by Paul Huson
Goddess Inspiration Oracle Kit by Kris Waldherr
Review by Paulette Reynolds
Review by Paulette Reynolds
I love oracle decks, because they easily bridge the divide between the Tarot deck and the classical cartomancy decks (such as the Lenormand cards). So I was excited to receive a gift of the Kris Waldherr’s Goddess Inspiration Oracle Kit over the Beltaine weekend. And while I look forward to the experience of a new Oracle deck, I’m reminded that they’re best used as vehicles for meditation and reflection, rather than divinatory art.
Why do I say this? Well, as Kris Waldherr’s Goddess Inspiration Oracle Kit (2007) demonstrates, each of the images can be used alone, which is a perfect medium for personal guidance or emotional support. The divinatory power of this oracle deck becomes blunted, however, when attempting to use it for a more detailed journey. Yes, the cute little handbook does show a standard Past, Present, Future spread (as though they needed to justify the deck’s purpose), but that stretches this Oracle deck well beyond its obvious limitations.
Ms. Waldherr’s creation features a multi-cultural diversity of global Goddesses in this 80-card deck. The instructional book gives the newcomer an easy introduction to a legion of Goddesses from many cultures, which is another plus for me.
However - and this is a HUGE negative, the dark black background, with its brown border is a puzzling choice, as it condemns the pictures to a dull and lifeless void. Since cartomancy is partly activated by the visual impression, its impact is disconnected before the journey can even begin. Actually, the warm golden glow of the back of the cards would perfectly compliment the images - here’s hoping this glaring flaw is corrected in future editions -although other reviews would indicate that no such change is forthcoming.
Another personal gripe of mine is that I dislike seeing books with poorly reproduced art - and the thumbnail views all but disappear into a puddle of gray mud. Add to my general displeasure the rather cheap, flimsy bag, snagging all too easily on just about anything, and you get the picture. Published by Llewellyn Publications, it’s all too clear that this is one instance where they sacrificed quality for the fiscal bottom line.
For those who want a more meaningful experience in cartomancy, I heartily recommend Kris Waldherr’s original Goddess Tarot deck, first printed in 1999, by U. S. Games Systems, Inc. This is a richly detailed marvel, with breath-taking artwork, that can be used in a vast number of ways - meditation, cartomancy, connection with the Divine...sigh. Now where did I put my deck?
Why do I say this? Well, as Kris Waldherr’s Goddess Inspiration Oracle Kit (2007) demonstrates, each of the images can be used alone, which is a perfect medium for personal guidance or emotional support. The divinatory power of this oracle deck becomes blunted, however, when attempting to use it for a more detailed journey. Yes, the cute little handbook does show a standard Past, Present, Future spread (as though they needed to justify the deck’s purpose), but that stretches this Oracle deck well beyond its obvious limitations.
Ms. Waldherr’s creation features a multi-cultural diversity of global Goddesses in this 80-card deck. The instructional book gives the newcomer an easy introduction to a legion of Goddesses from many cultures, which is another plus for me.
However - and this is a HUGE negative, the dark black background, with its brown border is a puzzling choice, as it condemns the pictures to a dull and lifeless void. Since cartomancy is partly activated by the visual impression, its impact is disconnected before the journey can even begin. Actually, the warm golden glow of the back of the cards would perfectly compliment the images - here’s hoping this glaring flaw is corrected in future editions -although other reviews would indicate that no such change is forthcoming.
Another personal gripe of mine is that I dislike seeing books with poorly reproduced art - and the thumbnail views all but disappear into a puddle of gray mud. Add to my general displeasure the rather cheap, flimsy bag, snagging all too easily on just about anything, and you get the picture. Published by Llewellyn Publications, it’s all too clear that this is one instance where they sacrificed quality for the fiscal bottom line.
For those who want a more meaningful experience in cartomancy, I heartily recommend Kris Waldherr’s original Goddess Tarot deck, first printed in 1999, by U. S. Games Systems, Inc. This is a richly detailed marvel, with breath-taking artwork, that can be used in a vast number of ways - meditation, cartomancy, connection with the Divine...sigh. Now where did I put my deck?
Gilded Reverie Lenormand by Ciro Marchetti
Review by Paulette Reynolds
Review by Paulette Reynolds
I've just received a new deck, called the Gilded Reverie Lenormand by Ciro Marchetti - wow! It's beautifully illustrated, with gold edging, tucked in a lovely blue and gold container. This is one of the newest offerings in the world of cartomancy, honoring the legendary French reader Marie Lenormand.
Ms. Marie, known as "the Sibylle des Salons", has a unique place in the history of caromancy: Not only is she the most famous female reader in history, but she also read for the most famous people of her day - Napoleon, Empress Josephine, Robespierre, and Marat. A noted author, she has the distinction of being "the most celebrated fortune-teller of all time".
Cartomancy is the art of divination by card reading, which has been recorded since the dark ages. Old school readers used decks that were made up of any number of cards, two of the most popular decks of the day were Piquet (32 cards) and "The Game of Hope" (36 cards). According to "Learning Lenormand" by Katz and Goodwin, Marie read with a Piquet deck and 'Tharot cards'.
The flurry of Lenormand decks on the market are encouraging readers like myself to delve into this older cartomancy system that is a "kissing cousin" of Tarot. Several years after Marie's death in 1843, 36-card Petit Lenormand decks began to surface, building the urban legend that they were somehow connected with the famous cartomancer. Modeled after the 1799 "The Game of Hope" (Das Spiel der Hoffnung), created by Johann Kaspar Hechtel, the Petit Lenormand decks of this era borrowed the imagery and left the gaming feature out. At the very least, linking Ms. Lenormand's name with this system guaranteed that she would be honored and remembered forever by cartomancy enthusiasts world wide.
Reading Lenormand is a perfect compliment - and challenge - to the art of Tarot. The more familiar Tarot system relies on images that include metaphysical and occult symbolism, including numerology, astrology, and the elemental realms. Reading the Lenormand cards can be best understood via the approach of the Collective Unconscious level of Carl Jung's Archetypes.
What lies at the heart of the Lenormand system are the archetypal pictures of ordinary objects - bird, dog, rider, anchor, and so on - that encourage us to use a different way of seeing. While there are many ways to read Lenormand, the most popular method is through the Grand Tableau spread, which incorporates all 36 cards in a fixed pattern. Madame Lenormand, through her namesake decks, continue to inspire us to refine our craft as we journey through this amazing land of divination.
References:
Learning Lenormand: Traditional Fortune-Telling for Modern Life by Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin
Wikipedia
Books by Marie Lenormand:
Of the sixteen books that Marie Lenormand wrote, I've included two here:
Le Petit Homme Rouge Au Chateau Des Tuileries, 1831
Souvenirs Prophetiques D'Une Sibylle, Sure Les Causes Secretes De Son Arrestation, 1809
Ms. Marie, known as "the Sibylle des Salons", has a unique place in the history of caromancy: Not only is she the most famous female reader in history, but she also read for the most famous people of her day - Napoleon, Empress Josephine, Robespierre, and Marat. A noted author, she has the distinction of being "the most celebrated fortune-teller of all time".
Cartomancy is the art of divination by card reading, which has been recorded since the dark ages. Old school readers used decks that were made up of any number of cards, two of the most popular decks of the day were Piquet (32 cards) and "The Game of Hope" (36 cards). According to "Learning Lenormand" by Katz and Goodwin, Marie read with a Piquet deck and 'Tharot cards'.
The flurry of Lenormand decks on the market are encouraging readers like myself to delve into this older cartomancy system that is a "kissing cousin" of Tarot. Several years after Marie's death in 1843, 36-card Petit Lenormand decks began to surface, building the urban legend that they were somehow connected with the famous cartomancer. Modeled after the 1799 "The Game of Hope" (Das Spiel der Hoffnung), created by Johann Kaspar Hechtel, the Petit Lenormand decks of this era borrowed the imagery and left the gaming feature out. At the very least, linking Ms. Lenormand's name with this system guaranteed that she would be honored and remembered forever by cartomancy enthusiasts world wide.
Reading Lenormand is a perfect compliment - and challenge - to the art of Tarot. The more familiar Tarot system relies on images that include metaphysical and occult symbolism, including numerology, astrology, and the elemental realms. Reading the Lenormand cards can be best understood via the approach of the Collective Unconscious level of Carl Jung's Archetypes.
What lies at the heart of the Lenormand system are the archetypal pictures of ordinary objects - bird, dog, rider, anchor, and so on - that encourage us to use a different way of seeing. While there are many ways to read Lenormand, the most popular method is through the Grand Tableau spread, which incorporates all 36 cards in a fixed pattern. Madame Lenormand, through her namesake decks, continue to inspire us to refine our craft as we journey through this amazing land of divination.
References:
Learning Lenormand: Traditional Fortune-Telling for Modern Life by Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin
Wikipedia
Books by Marie Lenormand:
Of the sixteen books that Marie Lenormand wrote, I've included two here:
Le Petit Homme Rouge Au Chateau Des Tuileries, 1831
Souvenirs Prophetiques D'Une Sibylle, Sure Les Causes Secretes De Son Arrestation, 1809
Steampunk Tarot by Barbara Moore / Aly Fell
Review by Paulette Reynolds
Review by Paulette Reynolds
Steampunk is a genre that melds Neo-Victorian fashion, design, and art with early Industrial Revolution mechanical objects, spiced with modern sensibilities. The Sherlock Holmes films and television's Ripper Street reflect the attitude that makes steampunk so popular: brash, bold, and saucy!
Barbara Moore and Aly Fell's Steampunk Tarot perfectly expresses the movement's avant-garde spirit in the subdued hues and unconventional artwork. What I love about Steampunk Tarot is its edgy feminism, perfectly suited for interpretations that go beyond the traditional Rider-Waite framework. Readings with this Tarot deck will continue to resonant with both reader and client, long after the reading is over and the cards have been lovingly tucked into its steampunk-themed bag.
Barbara Moore and Aly Fell's Steampunk Tarot perfectly expresses the movement's avant-garde spirit in the subdued hues and unconventional artwork. What I love about Steampunk Tarot is its edgy feminism, perfectly suited for interpretations that go beyond the traditional Rider-Waite framework. Readings with this Tarot deck will continue to resonant with both reader and client, long after the reading is over and the cards have been lovingly tucked into its steampunk-themed bag.
February ~ 2014 The Angel Tarot Deck by Doreen Virtue
Review by Paulette Reynolds
Review by Paulette Reynolds
Doreen Virtue has built a highly successful New Age empire from her books and angel Tarot card decks. While I don’t share her views on angel therapy, I certainly welcome anyone into the metaphysical community who has such a loving spirit. Those that know me are familiar with my common sense approach to Tarot reading - and that might conflict with Ms. Virtue’s products.
However, much to my surprise, her Angel Tarot Deck called to me on a recent shopping day, and I was powerless to resist adding it to my ever-growing Tarot collection. My first impression was that the packaging itself is fiendishly difficult to open - and be careful with that cellophane band around the deck - it almost took the finish off on the first card!
Several minutes later, I lifted out these silver-edged beauties. Wowa! The imagery alone is worth the unwrapping mini migraine - saturated greens and cool blues immediately transport the senses into a calm state of mild bliss. The Minor Arcana is perhaps the most impressive set I’ve ever had the honor to read: tranquil and evocative, the artist, Steve A. Roberts, is definitely in tune with the elemental aspects they represent.
However, the focus of the Major Arcana, with its emphasis on over-blown Archangel iconography, fails to connect with me. Add to this the sight words at the bottom of the cards (presumably for newcomers who don’t want to learn Tarot symbolism) and I’m left feeling a bit cheated by all the razzle-dazzle. I’m from the Old School of Tarot Divination, where the answers come from the symbolism and “arcane” connections, rather than a Metaphysical Flash Card approach.
The Angel Tarot Deck is truly one to add to your collection - especially if you follow the Angel path. And yes - I will continue to enjoy this deck for its overall artistic beauty and incredible Minor Arcana, especially during meditation and magical journeys.
Copyright, 2022. Reviews by Paulette Reynolds. These articles may not be reprinted without permission.
However, much to my surprise, her Angel Tarot Deck called to me on a recent shopping day, and I was powerless to resist adding it to my ever-growing Tarot collection. My first impression was that the packaging itself is fiendishly difficult to open - and be careful with that cellophane band around the deck - it almost took the finish off on the first card!
Several minutes later, I lifted out these silver-edged beauties. Wowa! The imagery alone is worth the unwrapping mini migraine - saturated greens and cool blues immediately transport the senses into a calm state of mild bliss. The Minor Arcana is perhaps the most impressive set I’ve ever had the honor to read: tranquil and evocative, the artist, Steve A. Roberts, is definitely in tune with the elemental aspects they represent.
However, the focus of the Major Arcana, with its emphasis on over-blown Archangel iconography, fails to connect with me. Add to this the sight words at the bottom of the cards (presumably for newcomers who don’t want to learn Tarot symbolism) and I’m left feeling a bit cheated by all the razzle-dazzle. I’m from the Old School of Tarot Divination, where the answers come from the symbolism and “arcane” connections, rather than a Metaphysical Flash Card approach.
The Angel Tarot Deck is truly one to add to your collection - especially if you follow the Angel path. And yes - I will continue to enjoy this deck for its overall artistic beauty and incredible Minor Arcana, especially during meditation and magical journeys.
Copyright, 2022. Reviews by Paulette Reynolds. These articles may not be reprinted without permission.
Copyright 2015 - 2022. Adventures in Tarot with Paulette. All blog articles are the sole property of Paulette Reynolds, and may not be reprinted by any means, including digital and internet. All rights reserved.