Tarot Deck Reviews, by Madame-Tarot.info

Tarot Cards and The Artwork

The Tarot has inspired writers as well as visual artists. Modern decks change the cards to varying degrees. Older decks such as the Visconti-Sforza and Marseilles are less detailed than more modern decks. A Marseilles-type deck is usually distinguished by having repetitive motifs on the pip cards as opposed to full scenes found on "Rider-Waite" style decks

This is my Tarot Deck Review, here you will find information about different decks I use, and a brief description containing information on the artist. 

The Golden Tarot by Kat Black

Her artwork has been collaged completely from late to Middle Ages and the Early Renaissance period. The Major Arcana in this deck consists of 22 cards representing a journey through life towards salvation. The Minor Arcana cards represent more everyday affairs. The images used in the artwork are from 1200 – 1500 AD. Her style can be considered international gothic but Kat did not stick directly with that in some instances you can see where the art evolved into Renaissance. 

The Russian Deck of St Petersburg by Yury Shakov

Even though this deck is not geared towards beginners, it is very easy to read. The paintings of this deck were done to exact size. The detailed work required a magnifying glass and an arm brace to steady the hand and at times a paint brush with only a single hair. Many of the scenes are reminiscent of icons by eighteenth and nineteenth century painters. This deck was Yury Shakov's final commissioned work. He passed away March 10, 1989. He finished a number of the cards and preliminary sketches for the rest but the work was finished by an unknown Russian Artist. 

Tarot of a Moon Garden by Karen Marie Sweikhardt

The paintings in this deck are by Karen Marie Sweikhardt. This deck is whimsical, enchanting and loaded with symbolism. Karen uses Unicorns, Dragonflies, Dragons, Lush Jungles, Butterflies, Hot Air Balloons and the Moon to show full effect. Unicorns act as guides, dragons indicate transformation, castles serve as shelter and Angels and fairies offer the reader guidance as the seeker journeys through the experiences of the Major and Minor Arcanas. The moon also appears in her many phases representing the triple goddess – maiden, mother and crone. 

Radiant Rider Waite Tarot Deck by Pamela Colman Smith 

This deck was created under the direction of Dr. Arthur Edward Waite. Rider-Waite Tarot is a classic Tarot deck, perhaps the most well-known in the Western world. It is often called the first modern Tarot deck, as it was the cards drawn by Pamela Colman-Smith and commissioned by Waite were the first to use detailed pictures on the minor arcana cards. Virginia Poshkus has recolored this deck in vibrant colors, which I find much more stimulating then the Original Rider Waite Deck. 

The Connolly Tarot Deck

 Eileen Connolly designed this tarot deck in cooperation with her son Peter Paul Connolly. The scenes on each card are reminiscent of medieval stained glass. Eileen Connolly PhD is one of the worlds leading authorities on tarot, numerology and other esoteric sciences. Her works are used extensively as textbooks by tarot and educational institutions. She is known as the teacher''s teacher. Her son painstakingly recreated the Connolly Tarot deck under her guidance. He used colored pencils as his medium. 

The Gendron Tarot by Melanie Gendron

The Gendron Tarot is an absolutely beautiful deck. Feminist/Goddess/earth centered, respectful of all and follows traditional lines.  Melanie's artwork is a blend of cultures and spiritual traditions from throughout the world. We have become a global society and she integrated this throughout the deck. She also shows an incredible array of companion animals and metaphysical symbols. 

The Goddess Tarot by Kris Waldherr

The Goddess Tarot was created to celebrate the divine feminine. Kris Waldherr honors many goddesses throughout history and from many traditions. 

The Enchanted Tarot by Amy Zerner

This deck has special meaning to me personally as it is one of the first decks I was drawn to and used to learn the tarot. Amy uses a three fold approach to reading the tarot. Each card “possesses” it s special power derived from what she calls “the Dream”, “the Awakening” and “the Enchantment” levels of consciousness. Amy uses the tarot and visual art to guide us in a way that transcends differences in language and culture making her deck easy to use.

The Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti

Ciro uses Mother Earth as his stage of inspiration. He also includes many mechanical devices as a theme of his work. These machines are used to straddle the opposing worlds of science and magic.

Druid Craft Tarot by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm, Illustrated by Will Worthington.

This deck was created using the magical spirituality of Wicca and Druidry. Although both religions have their own distinctive ways, many people have found that they have been able to incorporate them into One path.