ISBN 0-7387-0281-1
78 full-color cards and instruction booklet
Price $19.95
It
takes a lot for me to get excited about a Tarot deck (as you likely know if
you've read my other reviews... I'm a harsh Diva of Tarot, mind you), but
this one really, no really, snagged my attention as soon as I heard
of it. How ambition can you get beyond putting FOUR different cards
on each individual card in a deck? Using (clockwise from the upper
left) the Universal Tarot, the Tarot of the Sphinx, The Tarot of
Marseilles and Tarot of the Origins, Lo Sarabeo does exactly that in this
fascinating deck. Although half of the decks used interesting me not
even a tiny bit (think right side of the cards, folks), the idea is one I
find to be very intriguing and I prepared to settle into some extensive
and comparative Tarot work, contrasting and comparing the different
styles and interpretations of cards. I (I tell you, I never, ever
learn) grabbed the little book that accompanied the deck and eagerly tore
into it to see what the writer might have to say in regard to their own
observations. DENIED!!! Again, it was the pissy little
offering I should have (by now) come to expect from Lo Scrapio, Lord of
Inadequate Information. Again, we have the same, scrappy, inadequate
interpretations with no exploration of this very, very interesting deck.
C'mon, guys! Come out with a B-O-O-K on this wonderful experiment!
Since we have no help from this
peanut of a book, let me just say that by its own merit, this deck is a
fabulous teaching tool in the hands of a schooled and practiced reader who
could easily and enjoyably convey the finer points on down to a novice,
but if a newbie were to pick up this deck without a good working knowledge
of the Tarot, their head would likely explode.
My feeling is that this deck
deserves a great deal more attention and care than it's receiving and
would be a great focus for individual and/or group Tarot teaching.
For me, I was particularly moved to learn a few things:
When
I heard that the Universal Tarot (the upper left deck) was being used, my
mind immediately considered the "Universal Waite Tarot" pictured here.
Although they are a classic and wonderful deck, the "Universal Tarot" I
saw in the Comparative deck immediately drew my interest. It's
pictures are actually a completion and accentuation of the standard Pamela
Colman Smith designs familiar from the Rider Waite deck. Long viewed as
an "incomplete deck" by old school Tarot readers, the Universal Tarot
definitely completes the pictures and encourages them into vibrancy.
I am eager to check out that deck.
I was also moved to investigate
"Tarot of the Origins" (the lower left deck) after seeing the very
Earthy and near guttural imagery in these cards. I did end up
acquiring the deck and they did not disappoint.
In regard to the Comparative
Tarot, I would say it should be a required tool for all collectors,
teachers and serious students of the Tarot. Newcomers and
lightweights should give it a miss. I still want to see a full book
on this deck, as well as on the Faery Wicca
Tarot.
4 pents out of 5
Reviews by Delena Rasbold
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It
takes a lot for me to get excited about a Tarot deck (as you likely know if
you've read my other reviews... I'm a harsh Diva of Tarot, mind you), but
this one really, no really, snagged my attention as soon as I heard
of it. How ambition can you get beyond putting FOUR different cards
on each individual card in a deck? Using (clockwise from the upper
left) the Universal Tarot, the Tarot of the Sphinx, The Tarot of
Marseilles and Tarot of the Origins, Lo Sarabeo does exactly that in this
fascinating deck. Although half of the decks used interesting me not
even a tiny bit (think right side of the cards, folks), the idea is one I
find to be very intriguing and I prepared to settle into some extensive
and comparative Tarot work, contrasting and comparing the different
styles and interpretations of cards. I (I tell you, I never, ever
learn) grabbed the little book that accompanied the deck and eagerly tore
into it to see what the writer might have to say in regard to their own
observations. DENIED!!! Again, it was the pissy little
offering I should have (by now) come to expect from Lo Scrapio, Lord of
Inadequate Information. Again, we have the same, scrappy, inadequate
interpretations with no exploration of this very, very interesting deck.
C'mon, guys! Come out with a B-O-O-K on this wonderful experiment!
When
I heard that the Universal Tarot (the upper left deck) was being used, my
mind immediately considered the "Universal Waite Tarot" pictured here.
Although they are a classic and wonderful deck, the "Universal Tarot" I
saw in the Comparative deck immediately drew my interest. It's
pictures are actually a completion and accentuation of the standard Pamela
Colman Smith designs familiar from the Rider Waite deck. Long viewed as
an "incomplete deck" by old school Tarot readers, the Universal Tarot
definitely completes the pictures and encourages them into vibrancy.
I am eager to check out that deck. 