This deck really impressed me more than I thought it would.  It is a reinterpretation of the traditional Rider-Waite images.  The artist went back to the original notes and direction that Waite gave to the artist of his tarot deck, Pamela Colman Smith, and then took them forward in a new interpretation, as if he was receiving his directions directly from Waite.  Thus, while the images feature all the same components and details as the Rider-Waite deck, the cards have a wholly modern and original feel and appeal to them.  Many people complain about the Rider-Waite's art not being to their taste.  Without sacrificing any of the flexibility of that deck, one can get a very nicely done version of it in this deck.

DeAngelis paints his cards in watercolor instead of rendering them in pen and ink the way Pamela Colman Smith drew hers.  The Rider-Waite cards were originally done in black and white and then colored in (badly, I might add) by the publishers.  One of the reasons so many other variations exist is because over time many people have sought to correct the color problems in the original Rider-Waite deck.  However, until now, no one has reinterpreted the designs from scratch, not while staying true to Waite's direction the way DeAngelis does.  Additionally, the originals are in color to begin with, guaranteeing a much better color printing and truer style.

There is an open, comic-book feel to the images in this deck.  Of course, since it is a take on the Rider-Waite, all the titles and numbers correlate exactly to Waite's traditional deck.  Suits are all the same, Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles; court cards are Knave, Knight, Queen and King.  Titles are given in five languages, with Italian underneath the image area, and English, French, Spanish and German in the top border.  The cards are the slightly smaller and narrower size that was standard for LoScarabeo decks until last year.  Instead of a little white booklet, the cards are accompanied by the set of 9 cards printed front and back with the "Simple Cartomantic Method" described in the five languages.

This deck is a lovely alternative for those who wish to work with Waite symbolism and use the wide variety of books available to go with the Waite deck, without actually being cornered into using the Rider-Waite cards.  Many of the cards are surprisingly different while being immediately recognizable.  All of the intuitive feeling is retained.  This is an excellent deck for beginners for this very reason, and experienced tarotists will also like it.  Artistically attractive, it makes a nice addition to any collection.  Highly recommended!  For more information on purchasing this deck, email Wicce.

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Review Copyright 1999 by Gina M. Pace

Universal Tarots by Roberto DeAngelis, 1996
published by LoScarabeo, Torino, Italy
ISBN 073870007X