The Druidcraft Tarot by Philip Carr-Gomm, Stephanie Carr-Gomm
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Book Reviews of The Druidcraft Tarot
Book Review: Beautifully executed Druid and Wicca deck.
Summary: 5 Stars
The DruidCraft Tarot is one of the most recent additions to the lineup of Celtic themed Tarot and related divination products. This is a card and book set, that comes in a large and colorfully illustrated cardboard box. Unlike many of the available Celtic divination decks, the DruidCraft retains the traditional design of the Tarot, while adding its own artistic variations and interpretations.
A number of the deck's features immediately suggest a comparison to the Sacred Circle Tarot by Anna Franklin and Paul Mason. First is the size - this is a large format deck, the cards being about 9x14cm, or about ¼" wider and ½" taller than the Sacred Circle. The backs, which remind me of gold embossed leather, are not reversible, although you would have to look very carefully at the small knot work design to see the difference. There are some similarities in the design of the individual cards; that's not too surprising, as the authors credit the Sacred Circle Tarot, along with several others, in their "Sources of Inspiration" on pg. 8 of the book.
But there are important differences between the decks, differences that make them completely different projects, even though both are based upon Celtic tradition and lore. I won't say the DruidCraft is a Rider-Waite "clone," but the imagery is certainly in the Rider-Waite lineage. The deck has the familiar structure of 22 Major Arcana, and Minor Arcana suits of wands, cups, swords and pentacles. The court cards in this deck are King, Queen, Prince and Princess. The reason it isn't a clone is that a number of changes in symbolism, and in some cases meaning, have been made to correspond to Celtic lore instead of Golden Dawn tradition. For example, one of my favorite cards is XV Cernunnos; while in Celtic themed decks it is common to substitute the god of the forest for the traditional Devil, there is a fundamental difference in both imagery and meaning introduced in the DruidCraft. Here, the figure of the Horned God stands vigil over a pair of sleeping (or exhausted) lovers, and we read in the accompanying book:
"Calling the figure represented by this card The Devil, though, suggests that the forces he represents are evil. We have renamed the card Cernunnos, after the horned god of fertility, because in Druidry and Wicca the powers of the animal, instinctual, sexual and material worlds are not considered evil... Some people believe Paganism to be immoral, when in fact Witches and Druids work to develop a powerful sense of social and environmental justice..." (pg. 147)
This deck is one case where I must enthusiastically recommend the book as much as the cards. There are the usual keywords and meanings with an all too psychological gabbiness, but there are also more abstract and mythological discussions that lead the reader away from the mother-in-law's criticism aspect of most decks, toward a deeper understanding of the ancient tradition and lore depicted in the images. While there are many divergences of opinion between the ideas in the DruidCraft and the Sacred Circle, as well as many areas with which I disagree, one should not be surprised to find these differences when dealing with an unwritten tradition that is thousands of years old. Agreement and disagreement are, after all, not the point - what matters is the wisdom in each individual that is inspired by the lore and tradition, and this card and book set is a fountain of wisdom and inspiration.
My most serious problem with this deck is, as with many "Celtic" decks, the attempt to combine Western tradition with the imagery and teachings of the Golden Dawn. The GD, whose members themselves may have studied and practiced in many traditions, is nonetheless founded upon Masonic and Cabalistic systems that have their origins and doctrinal bases in a different part of the world than where Wicca and Druidry emerged. While it is true that the ideas developed within the GD have contributed a great deal to the understanding of magic and spirituality in many traditions, it is also true that in many cases the effect has been to blur and confuse the practices and deeper meanings of those traditions. This confusion often shows up in "Celtic" styled decks derived from the Rider-Waite design.
If we keep in mind that it is possible to learn from other traditions without abandoning our own, and at the same time we are careful not to substitute those traditions for our own -- if we don't slide from burning wicker men to burning witches - then trying to develop a Wiccanized or Druidized Rider-Waite deck could be enlightening, provided it is well thought out and executed. The authors of the DruidCraft Tarot have done about the best job of this to date, without altering the basic structure of the deck itself. For the newcomer to either the Tarot or the study of Wiccan and Druidic tradition, this deck is probably the best resource available. The beautifully illustrated cards bring the text of the very well written book to life, and at the same time stimulate one to think beyond keywords and meanings, into the traditions from which they emerged. For those experienced with the Tarot, this deck opens a new dimension of meaning and interpretation that many, and particularly those who work in Wiccan and/or Druidic traditions, may feel is more inviting than those based on other systems.
If you are interested in learning about the ancient Druidic lore, how that lore relates to your own situation, and what advice it has to offer, then the DruidCraft Tarot is one of the best resources available. Though clearly cast in the Rider-Waite lineage, the artwork is extraordinarily beautiful, and the book is well written and very helpful in learning the lore and how it applies to the cards.
Book Review: Both beautiful and well-conceived. A top-notch deck!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an absolutely lovely deck, and it is my favorite in my collection right now. From a collector's viewpoint, the artwork is gorgeous and rich with detail, and the artist did not get careless when it came to the minor arcana. Worthington used tempera paints to create the images, and they have a rich, earthy feel to them. The oversized cards show off the work nicely. The settings are lush and natural, and feature a multitude of animals. The humans who populate the cards, in their poses and facial expressions, seem to have real personality. Happily, the artist did not limit himself to portraying only movie-star beautiful people. The varied folks who people these cards are all interesting to look at. A few figures are skyclad. The nudity is not pornographic, but it is realistic and explicit.
This deck is not only beautiful, it is useful as well. The DruidCraft Tarot adheres closely enough to Rider-Waite's structure that it can be used with most Tarot books. Some significant changes have been made to better fit the Celtic theme. The most immediately apparent change is that the Christian symbolism of the R-W deck has been removed and replaced with Pagan symbols and myth. This is a deeply religious/spiritual deck. It makes a great meditation deck for those on a Celtic-Pagan path. I'm not sure how non-Pagans would respond to it. The major arcana have been altered the most drastically. The Empress and Emperor have been changed to the Lady and Lord, the Hierophant to the High Priest, Temperance to the Fferyllt (an alchemist), the Devil to Cernunnos, and Judgement to Rebirth. There are many changes to these cards that are not reflected in the titles alone. For example, instead of showing a wheel in the sky with figures riding on it, the Wheel depicts a priestess casting a circle on a beach. I found the changes very appealing, especially the creators' reinterpretation of the Devil. I find most depictions of this card, both reinterpreted and traditional, unsatisfying, either too irredeemably negative or too removed from the original meaning. I thought the creators of DruidCraft reached a nice balance in their depiction of the Horned God. Cernunnos appears as a dark wild man, and could be either ominous or simply powerful depending on how you interpret the card. As in the R-W version, the lovers appear again, but instead of being chained, they are shown sleeping. The accompanying book explains this card as representing both the power of the life-force and the danger of excess.
The minor arcana have not been as radically altered as the trumps. The suit structure is the same as R-W. The court cards are Princess, Prince, Queen and King. There are some intriguing changes. For example, instead of sleeping, the warrior in the Four of Swords is shown sitting up with a brooding expression on his face. You can wonder whether he is pondering a past defeat or strategizing for his next battle. Wonderful details that are easily overlooked in the first pass-through hide in many of the cards. I love how the 5's in the pip cards include depictions of the Ceridwen's shape-shifting chase of Taliesin. I imagine someone with a greater knowledge of Celtic culture and myth than I possess would get a great deal out of these cards.
The deck comes with roughly 200 page book that is above average where companion books are concerned. The minor arcana are discussed first. Meanings embedded in rank or number as well as suit are discussed. The explanations of the cards were clear and concise, but not trite. Both upright and reversed meanings are included. For easy reference, keywords for each card appear prominently on the page. The authors also include a one or two sentence "message" for each number and rank group and for each individual trump.
In short, I highly recommend this deck, especially for anyone interested in Celtic culture or Paganism. It's well-conceptualized, visually appealing, and, incidentally, has granted me some wonderfully insightful readings.
Book Review: This Tarot is a rare sparkingly jewel, discover this ancient treasure chest of images from the primordial Earth.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have fallen deeply in love with this outstanding, vivid, elegant and otherworldy Tarot. I am a traditional witch, and as this is a Wiccan based deck, there are some irritants, but as it is also very heavily Druid based (more so than Wiccan) there is so much here that meshes and sings to me in a profound way. There is real, awesome power and magic here. The colours rich, sumptious and yummy.
The art leaves me speechless with it's sheer lushness, breathtaking beauty and intense detail. What really blows me away in this deck is the depiction of the British countryside, grassy, mossy, hilly, dappled, sensual - the impression, when one looks at these cards, of standing in front of an door that opens on unspoilt nature. The trees, shrubs and flowers are so well done! Gnarled mossy barks of oaks that serve as seat, refuge or marriage bed to various characters, young-old peeling barks of birches, soft grasses mingled with curling ferns, flowers delicately drawn and coloured; waters that reflect the skies, the surrounding vegetation and the moods of the characters...
This is the one Tarot deck I can hear the people "speak", like I could walk (or fall into!) into the images. A dream within a dream. Some of these cards created an intense reaction within me that I still feel when I gaze at them. The dark presence of Cernunnos, at the same time benevolent protection and dark cthonian promise, fulfilling and haunting paradise...Death, with the crone holding the skull, and her cauldron of endings I love the Three of Swords, because of its emphasis on creative thought - it also shows how thought linked to nature and endurance (the oak) can help us overcome trouble.
I cannot recommend this deck enough! Even if you're not Pagan or Wiccan you will fall madly in love with the images and how intuitive and flowing this deck reads. My readings have taken on a completely new dimension, capturing a primordial deep essence of my soul.
The cards are quite large, it's a must to drink in the sheer detail and beauty. Though one could easily cut off the white borders and perhaps the stone borders as well.....
The book is wonderfully written. Complex but written in a very understandable manner. Reading through the book was a delight and helped the cards come alive for me. The section on the Courts is nothing short of amazing. A must read!! I especially love how he starts with the Outer mysteries (minor arcana) first, grouping them by numbers, then preceding with the Inner Mysteries. I saw and experienced so many wonderful and profound card connections. This is a keeper of a book and indispensible as a companion to this magnificent deck. Ahhhhh how I wish this deck was available when I discovered I was a Witch (and always had been) back in 1989.
You can't go wrong with this Tarot, it's a rare, rare sparkling jewel.
Book Review: Insightful, beautiful and hmazingly honest and Accurate...One of the best decks
Summary: 5 Stars
Like a few others I would consider myself an aficionado of tarot. I've been collectin decks and doing readings for a few years now and I love it. And like everyone who reads and owns more than one deck, I have certain decks that I read with more, because I feel more connected to them.
One of the things I've learned overtime is that when certain decks appeal to you from the first moment, there is usually a good reason. Like love at first sight, with the tarot it's like recognition at first sight. For me, when I feel a so attracted to a deck, I've learned it's because it's a deck I will be attuned to and able to read well.
That's exactly the case with these cards! I haven't had my cards a longtime, although I've wanted them for a while now, and I'm completely in love with them.
The cards are beautiful, with bright vivid pictures. They are a bit larger even than most oversized decks, but that only makes the pictures easier to see and appreciate.
The companion book is great. It provides very rich and insightful meanings to everyone of the cards, both upright and reversed. On each explanation page there is a pretty sepia reproduction of the card.
Also, unlike most traditional book layouts, the descriptions are laid out a bit different in this one. In this book the major arcana are explained after the minor arcana. The minor arcana is also laid out by court first, and the pips numerically, instead of by suit. The authors' reasoning for this is explained clearly and it's easy to see how this type of layout can help in a reading. It's very insightful both for the novice and the more experienced reader.
My most favorite thing about this deck though is how amazingly accurate it is. Really. It's almost eerie how accurate and truthful it is.
In such a short time, this deck has become invaluable to me. It's become like a relative, who because they love you, are willing to be brutally honest with you.
I have other decks I love to read with and get great readings with, but when I need the bare facts of a situation, without the sugar-coating, this is the deck I will always turn to. Every reading I've ever done on this deck, from the very beginning has been right on, though sometimes too truthful.
If you're not ready to hear the truth, maybe this isn't the deck to start with. However, if you can and want to know what is really going on, in your life or in your querent's, this is the deck I most highly recommend.
Book Review: Druidcraft Tarot - A Skillfull Bridging Of Systems
Summary: 5 Stars
The DruidCraft Tarot invites us on a journey to explore the traditional Tarot in the context of ancient Druidic tradition. We are led into lush green forests where we can commune with the trees and flowers, and experience the beauty and power of nature. Animals important in the Druid tradition meet us along the way.
Artist Will Worthingtons paintings are a visual feast of color and form that seem to glow as they come alive with story. The images most often follow the traditional RWS, but have far more depth and character. The symbolism that has been changed or added to is brilliantly executed and meaningful. There are several cards that are renamed, but the transition seems easy and natural once stepping upon the forest path.
You can almost see the trees breathe and hear them speak. Im convinced there is much wisdom they will unfold during the course of study and readings. The court cards have figures dressed in different plaids making me wonder if these also are purposefully placed. My sense is that although there is much information that the cards seem to contain upon first glance, there is just as much more yet to be revealed, and that study would be very rewarding.
The beautiful book that accompanies this deck skillfully bridges many systems showing their essential unity and universal truth. The inclusive point of view shared by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm makes the experience of studying and using this beautiful deck so much more meaningful to me.
In the book, the minor arcana cards are divided and listed by number rather than suit. There is a page of writing on each number along with Keywords and a Message. Each numbered card is then individually delineated. There are several useful and interesting diagrams showing the relationship of the 78 cards to the inner and outer self, the Seasons of the year, and Seasonal Celebrations promoting conscious continuity.
As practicing Druids themselves, the authors have much to share about their tradition. What they share is both informative and inspiring and adapts itself well within the tarot format enriching the experience.