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Reviews: Tarot Decks
Tarot & Cartomancy
Deck & Book Reviews
by Bonnie Cehovet
Tarot Master
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Nefertari's Tarots -
The Light of Egypt - Rameses' Bride
review by Bonnie Cehovet, TM
author: Silvana Alasia
illustrator: Silvana Alasia
Lo Scarabeo/Llewellyn Worldwide
1999
ISBN #0-7387-0020-7.
suits: Wands, Chalices (Cups), Swords, Pentacles
court cards: King, Queen, Knight, Knave
Major Arcana: Traditional
Justice=8, Strength=11
This is an absolutely stunning deck! And ... it has a twin, something that I have never encountered before. Nefertari's Tarots is the mirror image of the less expensive Tarot of the Sphinx, the difference being that Nefertari's Tarots has a background of brilliant gold foil with black borders, while Tarot of the Sphinx has a background of Mediterranean Blue (with the images being reversed in the Nefertari's Tarots).
The theme of the gold foil background is included on the box - which makes for a very impressive, eye-catching presentation. There is no book (that I know of) that accompanies this deck, which is a shame. The background for this deck is an Egyptian theme, based on Nefertari, bride of Rameses II, Pharaoh of the XIX dynasty of Egypt, and one of their greatest Kings. According to the LWB (Little White Book) that accompanies the deck, Nefertari was a very hands on Queen, taking an active part in the temporal government of the kingdom. The deck itself is 2 5/8" by 4 3/4" , of high quality cardstock and a usable size for smaller hands. The backs are black, and carry an inverted image of the eye used on the box cover (in silver) as a motif. It would not be noticed whether cards were drawn in the upright or reversed position.
The card faces carry a stunning gold foil background, with black borders. The titles for the cards are in five languages: Italian on the bottom, and English, French, German and Spanish on the top right and left hand corners. The Major Arcana carry Roman Numerals on the top of the card, while the Minor Arcana Pips carry numbering.
The art carries is very stylized Egyptian motif, using symbols, hieroglyphics and what seem to be stories of the Gods/Goddesses. I say what seem to be God/Goddess stories, because there is no background or explanation given anywhere in the LWB for the art. This deck could definitely use a book, because I don't think there are all that many of us that have a grounded background in Egyptology.
The LWB, thankfully, is in English. There is minimal information presented, and it is presented in an accordion style booklet - my least favorite of all! The one spread that is presented - entitled "Finding Your Own Goal" is one that I had not seen before. It is a six card presentation focusing on a particular goal of the Seeker. It addresses the subconscious desires of the Seeker, as well as any fears that they may have, and ends with a card that represents what the Seeker truly wishes for. I like this one - it is very client oriented and "usable".
The presentation of the cards is minimal - a basic meaning for the card, and sometimes a mention of the God or Goddess portrayed. The only manner in which reversals is addressed is that they are generally treated as "almost the contrary" of the upright meaning, and as something that each reader needs to determine for themselves.
Every single card in this deck is incredible - due to the use of the gold foil background, as well as the Egyptian motif. One of my favorite cards is Death, which is portrayed by the Ibis figure of Anubi, God of Death. On either side of the main figure we see a male and female figure kneeling, with hieroglyphics to the right hand side.
Temperance also has its day, portrayed by the an unnamed, winged Goddess, kneeling, with her wings outstretched, and two vessels sitting between them. Above her wings we see two panels of hieroglyphics.
The Queen of Pentacles shows a youngish, happy Queen, standing with her arms raised to shoulder height. and held up, palms out. She wears gold bracelets on her left arm, and appears to have a feathered ornament hanging from it. Hieroglyphics are also used, along with a red Ankh in the middle of a bright yellow circle.
The Ace of Cups is an interesting fellow - a bright yellow cup resides on the bottom of the card, with a picture of what appears to be a scarab in the middle, with hieroglyphics on either side.
The Ten of Cups shows three cups along the bottom - two upside down and t he middle cup upright. Above them we see a male figure serenading a female figure, with seven upright cups above them.
The Knights are also quite interesting in this deck - they are all portrayed as riderless horses!
This is an excellent deck to add to a collection as a representation of Egyptian decks, or as a meditation or reading deck for someone with a sound background in Egyptology. I would not recommend this as a reading deck for the general public, as the symbology would not be understood, and they would not be able to connect with it. My personal thought is that one would need to be very careful shuffling the cards (and handling them in general) because of the gold foil. Having said that - this is a stunning deck, and if you think this deck might have a place in your collection, don't hesitate - it is well worth the purchase price to a collector!
Thursday Night Tarot
review by Bonnie Cehovet, TM
author: Jason C. Lotterhand
editor: Arisa Victor
Newcastle Publishing Company Inc.
1989
ISBN #0-87877-147-6
Thursday Night Tarot is one of the most incredible books I have ever read. Maybe this is because it presents a view of kinder, gentler times. Through the auspices of editor Arisa Victor, a series of weekly talks on the wisdom of the Major Arcana, given by Jason C. Lotterhand, is presented in book form (by special permission of the Builders of the Adytum).
Jason Lotterhand was on the path of self discovery from the age of twelve. A businessman by profession, he was friends with and studied under the late Paul Foster Case. In 1944 Mr. Lotterhand became Director of the Builders of the Adtyum (BOTA), Dr. Case's educational organization. Upon retiring, Mr. Lotterhand became Director Emeritus of the Mystery School.
Starting in 1950, Mr. Lotterhand held study groups in Ancient Philosophy every Thursday evening at Fort Mason, Bldg C in San Francisco. The textbook that he used was Paul Foster Case's The Tarot: A Key To Understanding The Wisdom Of The Ages, a book dedicated to the 22 Major Arcana of the Tarot.
In the author's preface to this book, Mr. Lotterhand discusses the Cabala (the spelling that this book uses) and the Tree of Life, defining the ten Sepiroth and briefly discussing the placement of the 22 Hebrew letters that appear as paths on the Tree. Mr. Lotterhand also makes the point that in coming to realize that we are all ONE, all part of the same energy, that we invite the presence of the Divine into our lives.
In compiling the information for this books, approximately ten tapes for each of the twenty-two Major Arcana were sifted through and edited. The result is a marvelous gift to the Tarot world - a series of lectures given in plain English, with no pomp or ego involved, that discuss the Tarot, the Cabala, and the path that we each need to follow for growth and self-discovery.
Thursday Night Tarot begins with several different charts that are referenced throughout the talks. The first one is called "The Pattern On The Trestleboard". From the book:
The Pattern On The Trestleboard
This is the truth about the Self:
0. All the power that ever was or will be is here now.
1. I am a center of expression for the Primal Will-To-Good which eternally creates and sustains the universe.
2. Through me its unfailing Wisdom takes thought in form and word.
3. Filled with Understanding of its perfect law, I am guided, moment by moment, along the Path of Liberation.
4. From the exhaustless riches of its Limitless Substance, I draw all things needful, both spiritual and material.
5. I recognize the manifestation of the undeviating Justice in all the circumstances in my life.
6. In all things, great and small, I see the Beauty of the divine expression.
7. Living from that Will, supported by its unfailing Wisdom and Understanding, mine is the Victorious Life.
8. I look forward with confidence to the perfect realization of the Eternal Splendor of the Limitless Light.
9. In thought and word and deed, I rest my life, from day to day, upon the sure Foundation of Eternal Being.
10. The Kingdom of Spirit is embodied in my flesh.
There is also a chart called the Tarot Tableau, which shows the Major Arcana with the Fool standing above three lines of seven cards each, followed by a schematic of the Tree of Life, sound and color attributions for the Major Arcana, as well as a chart listing key concepts, intelligence's and astrological attributions.
The talks themselves flow in a very gentle, yet purposeful manner. Each card is discussed, covering its archetypal nature, how it works in our lives, and how it relates to other specific cards in the Tarot. The Path for each card is defined, showing its placement and intent on the Tree of Life. Mr. Lotterhand shines through as a very old school gentleman both in his choice of words and in his manner of speech. He is respectful of his subject and of his audience, and has a very sharp sense of humor that he doesn't hesitate to point at himself, as he tells stories to make his points clear. Mr. Lotterhand is converse in many diverse esoteric systems, and does not hesitate to bring them into his talks.
After he is done with his weekly talk, he opens the forum for questions, which have been included in this book. I am going to present a few of the questions, and their answers, so that you can get a sense of the tone of this book.
The Fool
Question: How would you define infinity?
Answer: The Infinite is that from which you can draw forth anything without depleting it in any way. It is like the old fairy tales of endlessly productive pots and purses. As it says in statement zero in "The Pattern On The Trestleboard, "All the power that ever was or will be is here now."
Question: What do you think keeps the Fool from stepping off the cliff?
Answer: Why don't you ask him? That's a Tarot technique. If you have a question about a Key, you contemplate the Key itself.
Question: What if you don't know what you are looking for?
Answer: It will come to you. For instance, I never dreamed I'd get married. I had envisioned living my whole life as a bachelor. Now I'm glad that I did get married. Good things happened to me because of it. It was a big surprise, though.
The Emperor
Question: The Emperor looks so stern.
Answer: It's unfortunate that the rulership represented by the fourth Key is associated with a bunch of you-know-what in history. However, you don't need to be afraid at all of this personage. In the Tarot deck, the knights are likely to carry weapons, but the Author of the Universe doesn't need weapons. There isn't anyone outside of himself who could possibly attack him. There's no competition. He is in the same position as the Hermit, who is alone.
The Emperor sits in the Mercy Seat, which is also said to be the Seat of Jupitor. His purple outfit is the color of Jupitor, that great benefice of astrology. In the words of Milarepa, Tibet's favorite yogi, "Goodwill and harmlessness his weapons are." In other words, love is disarming. That's the greatest weapon of all, isn't it.
Each of the talks ended with Mr. Lotterhand thanking those present and sending them off with something to think about for the next weeks card. From the book, when moving from the Empress to the Emperor:
"Thank you for joining me and making my Thursday a happy one. Without your company it wouldn't be Thursday at all. You should have a good week because the Emperor isn't a bad fellow. He doesn't have any offensive weapons and if he's not offensive then he must be okay."
This book was a step back in time for me. Mr. Lotterhand is a genuine gentleman, and you feel very graced in the company of his words. I highly recommend this book for all students, at all levels, and for personal as well as group work.
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Bonnie Cehovet,
Tarot Master, and Reiki Master/Teacher.
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Bonnie Cehovet is a Tarot Master, professional Tarot reader and Reiki Master/Teacher.
Bonnie has been reading the Tarot professionally for over ten years. She has served in various capacities with the American Tarot Association, including Secretary and Web Assistant For Links. She is currently Certification Director and Secretary for the American Board For Tarot Certification. Bonnie is also a founding member of the World Tarot Network.
Bonnie has had her work published in the ATA newsletter, in Geraldine Amaral's "Celebrating The Tarot" print newsletter, on the World Tarot Network and other internet sites. She is editor for her own monthly newsletter "Gateway To Tarot" (Yahoo Groups).
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