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Reviews: Tarot Decks
Tarot & Cartomancy
Deck & Book Reviews
by Bonnie Cehovet, TE
Tarot Master
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Talismans of Success
by Bonnie Cehovet, TE
tintroduction: Isa Donelli
translation: Studio RGE
Lo Scarabeo
2004
"Talismans of Success" is a 32 card deck made up of talismans from diverse cultures around the world. In her introduction, Donelli notes that the word talisman comes from the Arabic word "Talisam", which means "magical image". A talisman can be an object, a symbol, or a figure that is based on nature - the realm that man has attributed supernatural protective powers to since ancient times, and the source of help in confronting issues faced in daily life, as well as fulfilling desires.
Donelli states that an individual using this deck would find help in finding themselves, in accessing their spirituality, and in accomplishing personal and professional goals.
The LWB (Little White Book) gives the meanings of the 32 cards, but does not show images. Two spreads are offered - a four card spread relating to the passing of an event, and a seven card spread for taking actions on the right day.
The LWB is in English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian.
The cards are small - 2 1/2" by 4", of sturdy, glossy cardstock. The backs show a 1/4" white border, with a white pattern on a brownish-red background. The card faces show the same 1/4" white border, surrounding the same pattern as we see on the back of the cards. The card number appears at the top of the patterned field, in white. In the center of the card we see circle with a cream colored background. The image of the talisman, outlined in burgundy, appears within the circle. In a cream colored rectangle at the bottom of the card we find the card title, in English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian.
The card titles are as follows:
1. Joy
2. Love
3. Passion
4. affection
5. Fertility
6. Completeness
7. Solidarity
8. Comfort
9. Equilibrium
10. Spirituality
11. Tenacity
12. Study
13. Secret
14. Intuition
15. Renewal
16. Recovery
17. Inspiration
18. Dynamism
19. Benefit
20. Business
21. Travel
22. Honor
23. Supremacy
24. Fortune
25. Solitude
26. Waiting
27. Dilemma
28. Defense
29. Protection
30. Help
31. Release
32. Charge
Solitude is one of the more interesting images. Represented by the sickle, reflecting the inetvetible events in life. The sickle acts to cut down that which no longer serves us well.
Passion is another interesting image. Represented by the Ivy leaf, the symbol of eternal embrace with a loved one, it protects passions and stimulates the intellect.
Fortune is represented by the Peony, a flower that, according to the LWB, was used by sailors to escape danger. It also brings wealth and foretells love encounters to come.
I like the idea of this deck, and think that it has some very good uses: as a card a day draw, as energy that you wish to bring into your life, journaling, or working in combination with another divination system, such as Tarot or astrology. I did not like either the limited use of color, or the limited explanations of the symbols, and little clue as to where they came from.
Having said that, I think this is an interesting deck, albeit perhaps not for primary use (better used in conjunction with another system).
© May 2007
Marseille Oracle Cards
review by Bonnie Cehovet, TE
Instructions by: Isa Donelli
Translation by: Studio RGE
Lo Scarabeo
2004
It is interesting to note that when I looked through these cards, the first thing that I noted was the excellent, judiciously applied use of color. In her introduction, Donelli states that the "Marseille Oracle Cards" were based on an original deck of 32 cards ca 1860, and that they were considered to be very valuable because of the special care that was taken in applying the colors by hand, something that was rare for its time.
The images and symbols on these cards are, as Donelli notes, taken from everyday life. They act as a spark to our own memories, to the emotions that we have experienced in our own lives.
The LWB (Little White Book) presents each of the 32 cards by name and number, with keywords and a short sentence that is meant to act as a "suggestion" to facilitate memorizing the meaning of the card.
The presentation is text only, no scans, and is presented in English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian. Two spreads are offered - a seven card spread for the future, and a five card spread for a short-term question.
The cards themselves are 2 1/2" by 4", and made of sturdy, glossy cardstock. The backs of the cards carry a 1/4" white border, with the inner portion of the card showing a pattern of alternating light and dark brown squares. The card faces show a golden-brown background. At the top of the card, the title is presented in small white lettering, in all five languages. There is a dark yellow line above and below the card titles. A dark yellow border has also been placed around the illustration. At the top of the illustration the card number is presented in black letters. The background of the illustration is cream colored, and the illustrations themselves are minimal. As I mentioned before, there is very good use of a nice range of colors. Card number 32 shows what appears to be either publication or artist information at the bottom of the illustration.
The LWB refers only to the meaning of the cards, and does not discuss the illustration, images, symbols, or background of the card.
The 32 cards are titled as follows:
1. Protection
2. Passions
3. Love
4. Wisdom
5. Inspiration
6. Cheerfulness
7. Fantasy
8. Prudence
9. Constancy
10. Undertakings
11. Hard Work
12. Progress
13. Communications
14. Secrets
15. Clarifications
16. Destiny
17. Success
18. Fortune
19. Well-being
20. Wisdom
21. Inspiration
22. Law
23. Events
24. Reflections
25. Presentments
26. Loss
27. Nostalgia
28. Deceit
29. Struggles
30. Troubles
31. Amends
32. The Confirmation
The coloring on the cards is in the range of yellows, browns, reds, greens, and grays. The symbols range from a bird on a tree limb, a protractor, a ship, and a trumpet to small scenes of a woman tending bar, a well dressed gentleman drinking at a table, and a pair of glasses sitting on top of a book.
One of my favorite cards is a yellow protractor, which is entitled "Clarification". From the LWB: "15. Clarification - Resolution of old and hard fought disputes." The "suggestion" is - "Have patience."
Another card that caught my attention was a sailing ship, with yellow sails and a brown ship. From the LWB: "13. Communications - Good news. Encounters with foreigners, which will produce new activities, friendships, love." The "suggestion" is "Have confidence in the future."
I absolutely adore the image for the card "Fantasy" - a light blue colored helium balloon, drifting through the sky with its passengers in the basket below. From the LWB: "7. Fantasy - Environment that stimulates creativity. Daydreams." The "suggestion" is "Make use of your talents."
I really like these cards, and feel that they could be used as a stand alone system, or in conjunction with other divination systems.
© June 2007
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Bonnie Cehovet,
Tarot Educator, Reiki Master/Teacher
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Bonnie Cehovet is a Tarot Educator, 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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