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Reviews: Tarot Decks
Tarot & Cartomancy
Deck & Book Reviews
by Bonnie Cehovet
Tarot Master
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The Tao Deck
I Ching Tool
review by Bonnie Cehovet
creator: Stephen Schachter
illustrator: Paul Guess
translator (I Ching - The Book of Change): Thomas Cleary
Tao Deck Inc.
20015
ISBN #970715900
The I Ching is an ancient form of divination - over five thousand years old. Schachter calls it a living map of creation, born from the observation of nature, and from the awareness of a time/space duality. It holds a truth that still stands today, having withstood many centuries of cultural change.
What Schachter has done is taken the rudiments of the I Ching and presented them in a highly usable form. Included in this kit is the pocket version of the Shambhala pocket classic version of the I Ching - The Book of Change, translated by Thomas Cleary.
The foundational duality of the I Ching is represented by the terms Yin and Yang, with Yin energy represented by a broken line, and Yang energy by a solid line. These lines form into eight groups of three, representing the eight basic Trigrams. Each Trigram carries an identity of its own, connected closely to nature. They are: Chien (Sky), Tui (Lake), Li (Fire), Sun (Wind), Kan (Water), Ken (Mountain), and Kun (Earth).
The Tao Deck itself is composed of 35 cards: 2 Information cards, 8 Trigram Keycards, 24 Oracle cards, and the title card. The two information cards are the Yin-Yang Evolution Chart, and the Earthly Circular Order card. The 8 Trigram Keycards were created to represent the Hexagram answer. They are illustrated, so that they may be used in meditation, as well as to encourage intuitive understanding of the cards. The 24 Oracle Cards each contain up to three groups of Yin and Yang lines. All 24 cards contain a big single line, 12 of the cards contain a 2 line duogram, and 16 of the cards contain a 3 line Trigram.
There are three different methods given for using the cards in a reading. The Quick Trigram Method is recommended for beginners, for use when a quick answer is needed, or when a moving line is not desired. The 16 cards with the 3-line Trigrams are separated from deck. After framing their question, the Seeker then draws two cards - one each for the upper and lower Trigrams.
The Two Line Method makes use of the 12 cards that have the 2-line Duograms on them. After framing the question, the Seeker draws three cards. The bottom card represents the Earth level, the middle card represents the Human level, and the top card represents the Heaven/Spiritual level.
The Traditional method uses all 24 of the Oracle cards, taking the single line in the center of each card. There are four possible lines, with values assigned to them: the plain Yin line (8), the changing Yin line (6), the plain Yang line (7), and the changing Yang line (9). Six cards are drawn to form the upper and lower Trigrams. If a card with a changing line is drawn, a second Hexagram is formed. Schachter notes that for complete mathematical accuracy, as each card is drawn the card and its value are written down, then reshuffled into the deck.
The interpretation for all of the readings is taken from the I Ching - The Book of Change. Each Hexagram has a graphic of the lines that constitute it, the name of the Hexagram, its meaning, and sections on Overall Judgment, Image, and Components. The book itself is small - 3" by 4 1/2", 170 pages, but with the type large enough to be easily read.
The cards are eight-sided, 3" by 3", of sturdy, glossy cardstock. A trifle hard to shuffle, only because of their configuration. The graphics and text are easily readable, and the colors intense. The cards come with a violet colored velvet bag for storage.
There is an eight page pamphlet that comes with the kit, written by Stephen Schachter. he gives a short history of the I Ching, defines the eight major Trigrams, and discusses the structure of the deck. It is in this pamphlet that the three methods for reading with the deck are discussed. Schachter also includes a diagram of a sample reading, using the Traditional method. There is also a table of the 64 Trigrams for easy reference, along with a suggested reading list.
I found this deck, book, and pamphlet easy to understand, and easy to use. One of the main purposes for the cards was that the illustrations would act to open the interpretation for the cards, and I believe that this purpose was met. Whether used for divination, meditation, or visualization, the Tao Deck is a strong tool of personal empowerment.
© November 2005
The Hudes Tarot
review by Bonnie Cehovet
illustrator: Susan Hudes
U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
1995
ISBN #0-88079-137-3
suits: Wands, Cups, Pentacles, Swords
court cards: King, Queen, Knight, Page
Major Arcana: Traditional Titles
I definitely responded well to this deck, which was influenced by medieval art and the symbolic nature of mythology. The lovely, deep colors in this water-color collage is gentle, and very easy to work with. It uses a traditional 78 card format, with traditional suits and titles. To that extent, this could be seen as a Rider-Waite clone. However, there are enough differences to make this an enchanting deck that could be used comfortably in any venue.
I found especially interesting the people in this deck. They are very life-like, but the faces appear shuttered. There is emotion there, but you feel as if you are looking at them through a window - a window of time, and a window of place.
The Fool faces the reader, with his green-garbed arms reaching out towards a butterfly that is flying over his head. Of special note here is the detail that has gone into the symbols on his shirt and belt. If you don't want to pay attention to them, you don't have to. They are not screaming to be recognized. But, if you do pay attention to them, you learn a lot about this Fool.
The Magician is just as entrancing, seated at his table, globe in one hand, calipers in the other. A sword, cup, and open book reside on the table, with an ancient illustration on the wall behind him. Over his head we see the traditional lemnescate.
Attention to detail appears again in the High Priestess - note that her garb is made of parchment with writing on it. Look behind the Empress, at the kaleidoscope of earthy colors, and at the graphic on the shield in her left hand. Behind the Emperor we see a map of the world, in fine detail. A large wheel appears behind the Charioteer, while on the front of his chariot we see a face. The Hermit appears in a dark cloak, holding his staff in both hands. In the sky behind him we see a crescent moon.
The Wheel of Fortune is another of my favorites, with glyphs in the four corners, and a center circle, around which are curved a male and female figure. Look closely at the tree the Hanged Man is hanging from - there are depicted the faces of the people in his life.
The Death card in this deck is one of the most non-threatening that I have ever seen - a smiling skeleton with a beautiful butterfly superimposed over his pelvic area. Temperance is quite an evocative card, as a winged female stares into the cistern that she is pouring water into, seeing her own reflection. The World is a true card of grace - two hands, open and cupped towards each other, with a map of the world in the background. Above and beneath the hands we see two green leaves.
The Aces in this deck are done in a very interesting manner - each carries a background appropriate for their suit, and each carries glyphs of flowers. For the Ace of Wands, we see four yellow flowers; for the Ace of Cups, we see two white roses; for the Ace of Swords we see four red flowers; for the Ace of Pentacles we see five purple flowers.
The Ten of Cups is done in a distinctively different manner than traditional decks. Ten golden cups reside in a rainbow that arches gracefully over a white bird (Dove, or perhaps Seagull?) that is flying over a green landscape.
I was very drawn to the fine detail shown in this deck, as well as the use of medieval charts and maps. The scenery is uncluttered, with the focus on the people in the cards, and the suit representations. Much of the Rider-Waite symbolism is not present in this deck, leaving the cards simpler in nature, and perhaps somewhat easier to work with (although some would say harder to work with, as there are less symbols to work with).
The LWB (little white book) that comes with this deck give a short background for the deck, along with upright and reversed meanings for each of the cards. The spread that is included is the traditional ten card Celtic Cross. From the book:
VII The Chariot
A conqueror rides through the night in his triumphal chariot. The starry sky is full of constellations. He wears a suit of armor with moon shaped epaulets. The horses, one dark and one light, represent opposing universal forces.
Divinatory Meanings: Adversity, possibly already overcome. Conflicting influences. Turmoil. Vengeance. Success. Possibly, a voyage or journey. Escape. Rushing to a decision. Urgency to gain control of one's emotions.
Reversed Meanings: Failure. To lose at the last minute something otherwise in your grasp. Sudden collapse of plans. Overwhelmed. Failure to face reality.
The deck and LWB come in a sturdy, flip-top box. The cards themselves are 2 3/4" by 4 3/4", on good quality, glossy cardstock. The backs have a 1/4" white border, surrounding a marbled background. In the middle of the card is a graphic somewhat resembling a Celtic knot. Small faces show at either end of the card - one face surrounded by a light background, one face surrounded by a golden background. yes, it would be obvious if a card was drawn reversed!
The card faces show the same 1/4" white border, followed by a smaller border of fine vines. The Trumps have their number on the top of the card, in the center, with the title across the bottom. The Pips show the card number, in text, and the suit across the bottom of the card. The Court Cards show the title and suit across the bottom of the card.
I found this deck very easy to work with, and feel that it would be a good option to offer a Seeker, if you are setting out two or three decks for them to choose from. It is also a deck that could be used to read for children with (yes, reading for children is fine, with their parents permission!).
© October 2005 |
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Bonnie Cehovet,
Tarot Master, and Reiki Master/Teacher.
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Bonnie Cehovet is a Tarot Master, a professional Tarot reader with over ten years experience, a Reiki Master/Teacher and a writer. Bonnie holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Hawaii, Manoa campus, and is certified as a Tarot Educator with the American Board For Tarot Certification.
She has served in various capacities with the American Tarot Association, to include Secretary on the ATA Board. She is co-founder of the World Tarot Network, and Vice President (as well as Director of Certification) for the American Board For Tarot Certification.
Her articles and reviews currently appear in the World Tarot Network newsletter (www.worldtarot.com),
The Meta Arts Magazine (www.themetaarts.com),
the Aeclectic Tarot site (www.aeclectic.
net/tarot),
and on her own site,
www.tarot.
thecrystalgate.com.
For the past three years she has edited her own monthly Tarot newsletter - Gateway to Tarot. She also has articles appearing in the 2004 and 2005 "Llewellyn Tarot Reader".
www.americanboard
fortarot certification.org
www.tarot.
thecrystalgate. com |
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