This wonderful tarot deck-and-book set was published several years ago in a fairly limited run and became unavailable rather quickly; however, it is now available in a second printing. I have looked at a copy from each printing; it is important to note that while the cards look the same, the rest of the presentation is nothing alike. The first deck and book set came in a rigid box with a slide out tray holding a small hardbound book in red, and the cards. The new set is basically the cards wrapped inside the book cover and shrink-wrapped. Most people will want to cut the extra piece of cardboard off the cover of the book, place the cards in a bag, and put the book in the bookcase.
Upon looking at the set, I could immediately see why it was such high demand. The first edition was printed by Doubleday, the second is done by St. Martin's Press, who has also done the tarot work of Amy Zerner and Monte Farber (Enchanted Tarot, Instant Tarot Reader, etc). I did like the first edition set better, but at the same time my recycling and environmentally correct self liked the second edition's tight, small packaging with virtually no waste of cardboard or plastic. The price on the second set is lower substantially.
The deck contains the standard 78 cards, 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. Artwork by Smith has a clean, fresh look to it. I am reminded very strongly, when I look at this deck, of the New Golden Dawn Ritual Tarot. I believe this deck came first. The images are packed with color and symbolism. Unlike a lot of tarot designs, the symbols here are obvious and yet blended into the imagery. Some decks make you hunt down obscure symbols. Others beat you over the head with ugly glyphs which stick out like sore thumbs. Smith has achieved the balance here of attractiveness with meaning.
The Major Arcana cards have titling which follows the traditional *theme* without being the traditional titles themselves. The title appears in the top at the center. The Arabic numeral for the card is presented in the upper right hand corner. Underneath the image there is a keyword meaning. All the Major Arcana cards have a blue egg-shaped form in the bottom center. This is a representation of the element of Spirit, to which the Majors are ascribed. Each suit is given to one of the five elements, Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Spirit. The image is surrounded by a double border which provides a text area all around the card. Up one side and down the other are two sentences (different on each card, and different on each side) which present paradoxical expressions of the meaning of the cards. This is wholly original to this set, and I love it. For example, the sentences on the Fool are:
"I am the Unlearned (up one side) and they can Learn From Me (down the other side)"
I find these totally amazing in the insight they provide. Additionally, symbols appear in these text areas, symbols for everything from planets and elements to the astrological aspects of the signs related to that particular card. Most of the Major Arcana cards have an "A" or an "M" on them, for Ascendant or Moon. Ordering is traditional; Strength is 8 and Justice 11. Titles in the Major Arcana are:
0 -- Fool
1 -- Trickster (replaces
Magician)
2 -- Virgin (replaces
High Priestess)
3 -- Empress
4 -- Emperor
5 -- Pope (replaces Hierophant)
6 -- Choice (replaces
Lovers)
7 -- Victory (replaces
Chariot)
8 -- Strength
9 -- Shaman (replaces
Hermit)
10 -- Fate (replaces
Wheel of Fortune)
11 -- Law (replaces Justice)
12 -- Hanged Man
13 -- Death
14 -- Peace (replaces
Temperance)
15 -- Devil
16 -- Tower
17 -- Star
18 -- Moon
19 -- Sun
20 -- Judgement
21 -- Aeon (replaces
World)
The Minor Arcana has some differences to it, as well. There are four suits, but without iconographic representation. We don't have Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles. Each suit is merely representational of the element itself to which it corresponds. Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Again, the card images are bordered with a double border, providing that text area all around the image. Now, we have the title of each card in the top. Instead of having, say, Ace of Fire, there is Lightning. Each title in the suit of Fire is a kind of fire, following the kind of energy buildup from the early stages, where it just occurs (like lightning) to the higher cards, where it is Radiance, or Flare. This follows with all four suits in this vein. Court cards are Mother, Father, Son and Daughter of each element. Remember I said the cards reminded me of the New Golden Dawn Ritual Tarot? In the Minors, I am reminded of the Experimental Tarot. Again, this deck came first. I can see that this was quite an inspiration for others.
On the suit cards, underneath each image is the name of a god or goddess to whom the card is sacred and whose energies the card is attuned to. The Arabic numeral appears once again in the upper right corner. More astrological symbols are in the lefthand corner. Underneath the god or goddess name, the symbol for the element of the suit appears; red triangle for fire, green square for earth, blue circle for air, grey crescent for water.
The cards themselves are slightly larger than standard and are printed on thin, flexible card stock, making them handle and shuffle comfortably. A satiny shiny coating protects them. The back design on the first edition is a plain dull grey with a symbol near the center which incorporates all the elements within one symbol, and has wings. This back design is not reversible. In the second edition, however, the back design is a repeating pattern of small teal Egyptian icons. This design IS reversible. According to the book, the system does not use reversals, and in fact, the book gives the most logical explanation of why reversals are not needed that I have ever read. It's still a personal preference, but if you use reversals, this deck does not offer meanings for them.
I highly recommend this tarot deck and book set, whichever edition you can pick up. There is a distinctly Egyptian flavor to the imagery, without being obviously so. I don't know if that makes any sense or not. It's just a feel I get from it. A beginner could probably work with this system since the book is very good. However, an experienced tarotist will get more out of it. A must for collectors, as well. Definitely a great set.
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Review Copyright 1999 by Gina M. Pace
Elemental Tarot by Caroline
Smith and John Astrop, 1988
published by Dolphin
Doubleday, ISBN 8038524726
Elemental Tarot by Caroline
Smith and John Astrop, 1999
published by Eddison
Sadd Editions/St. Martin's Press
ISBN 0-312-24139-9