This is the smallest tarot deck I have reviewed so far, not counting any of the miniature decks available.  The cards are slightly smaller than bridge decks.  I like the way they handle and the symbolism is traditional and easy to work with.

The Major Arcana cards strongly resemble a cross between the Rider-Waite tarot and the 1JJ Swiss tarot.  There is an additional shield-shaped device shown on each card, which has a symbol in it meant to clue the reader in to the hidden meanings of the card.

The four suits are the traditional Swords, Cups, Pentacles (which more resemble coins) and Sceptres for Wands.  The numbered cards in the suit have only vague symbolism in the form of a small clue like the ones on the shields in the Major Arcana.  There is no description of the clues in the enclosed booklet, nor is there meant to be.  The reader is supposed to study the cards and intuit the clues' meanings.

The court cards in the suits are nicely illustrated, and according to the book they are the traditional King, Queen, Knight and Knave.  However, the Knight card has a W on it, which might be for Warrior, and the Knave has an S on it, perhaps for Servant?  The knaves are shown chained.

All in all, this is an interesting deck.  It could make an excellent bridge to the tarot for people who are accustomed to reading with playing cards.  It has a minimum of symbolism which relates to any religion, and actually is licensed from The Philosophical Research Society in CA.

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Review Copyright 1998 by Gina M. Pace