The Gilded Tarot
by Barbara Moore
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Book Summary Information
Author: Barbara MooreIllustrator: Ciro Marchetti
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-09-08
ISBN: 0738705209
Number of pages: 168
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
Book Reviews of The Gilded Tarot
Book Review: luminescent art, somewhat muted imagery
Summary: 5 Stars
i've had this deck for a few weeks now. overall, i absolutely love it. i suppose it was the artwork that originally drew me to it.
as someone who was "raised" on the rider-waite, the deck is really easy for me to read. the imagery and symbolism exactly follows that template. i believe anyone even remotely familiar with the rider-waite will be able to use this deck immediately.
the more i use the deck, the more i love the art. it seems to jump off the surface of each card - the colors are vibrant to the point of intoxication, and i really like the style. some may find it a bit sterile - it clearly is computer generated. but i have always liked the crisp and clear lines of cg art. perhaps because as i age, my eyesight isn't what it used to be, and that softens the edges a bit.
on the down side, i found some of the cards to be "muted". the three of swords is one example. i like my three of swords to hurt, i like to see dripping blood from the heart, i like to feel pain when i see this card in a reading. while the guilded version approximates that, i find it falls short in getting the job done. it's just too neat and tidy. a broken heart is messy business, and this card should reflect that.
the ten of swords is another example. the swords merely hover over the figure in the card. doesn't quite do it for me.
the five of pentacles is yet another example. i love robin wood's version of this card - i can feel the despair and the cold chill in the air when i look at that card. in the gilded, all that emotion lies somewhere behind the image, and i find it difficult to bring it out. perhaps it's only my own interpretation of the five of pentacles that colors my perception of the card in this deck, but again, i think the imagery should be a bit more graphic.
on the other hand, the muted imagery would make for a perfect "all purpose" deck for public readings. there's only a few cards that even approach nudity - the high priestess as one example, and it's just her dress that's kind of see-through; she's actually not nude. the lovers show a woman in what appears to be either a bikini or a thong and bra. lots of skin but no nudity. the tower shows a man's rear, but i don't know that most people would see that as "obscene". and finally, the star is really the only card that shows unclad breasts. though the dark blue coloring obscures that from any casual glance.
again, the lack of nudity speaks to the "muteness" of the deck's imagery, but the fact that i find the deck to be a little "toned down" doesn't necessarily mean it's somehow "less than" decks that are more graphic. i definately find this level useful.
i really like how the black background works so well with the art. i think that helps the art to "pop" off the card. it also helps to counter the muted symbolisms.
for anyone who does well with traditional rider-waite decks, the gilded tarot is a perfect alternative. i think this deck would make for a great beginner deck as i find the symbolism easier to read than even the rider-waite itself. and for those who like cg art, there's enough in the cards to satisfy even advanced users.
as far as i'm concerned, this deck rates my highest reccomendations.
Summary of The Gilded Tarot
The Traditional Tarot for the 21st Century
Most Tarot decks with really spectacular designs are really just art collections. The Gilded Tarot transcends this limitation by having some of the most strikingly beautiful art on any Tarot deck, yet follows the Rider-Waite-Smith model. The result is a unique deck that any person with some Tarot experience will find instantly familiar and usable. This deck can be used with any Tarot system or book.
You really must see the cards to believe their beauty. The High Priestess dances on water in a translucent dress of stars. She bends backwards in front of a crescent moon, looking like a classic lamp from the 1920s. The Wheel of Fortune shows the zodiacal wheel around a solar center as part of a bizarre, almost alien machine. The Hanging Man follows this machine concept, but he is dressed in brilliant reds and greens.
The colors are deep and intense, almost metallic. They draw you in and will have you staring at the images repeatedly. But this is more than a deck to look at, it's a deck to use! The Gilded Tarot Companion, a full book by Tarot expert Barbara Moore, is included with this deck. It's a complete introduction so that even a beginner can use this deck right away.
If you're tired of the old style of the RWS deck and its imitators, if you're looking for a familiar deck that will take you into the future, this is the deck you want to use.
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