This is a very strange deck, and yet it is quite appealing.  I feared actually that it would be too strange for my tastes, but it has quite a nice quality to it.  I would probably still classify it as an "art" deck, however, I do know people who use it and are comfortable with its imagery and symbolism, so it is a deck that works.

There is a very definite style to the cards in this deck.  The description on the box is "theatrical;" having worked extensively in theater, I would say it is more "gothic" or "dramatic" rather than theatrical.  Every card features one figure who is the focus of the card, with the exception of The Lovers and the Two of Cups, which both feature two figures of indeterminate gender.

In fact that seems to be the leitmotif of the deck.  All of the figures are highly androgynous.  You can tell the women because they have long polished nails in most cases, but the men all have long hair and are not very masculine looking.  This might be comfortable for people who are seeking a balance of feminine and masculine energies in a deck, without excluding the men entirely.

The Major Arcana all bear the traditional titles and the symbolism is kept to a minimum in order to adhere to the artistic style of the design.  However, the meanings seem to fall in line, especially when one reads the paragraphs assigned to each card in the little booklet, which is written by Londa herself.  I found that once I had read her paragraphs, then looked back at the card a second time, it would make a lot more sense.

The Minor Arcana are harder to understand.  The symbolism is even scarcer in the designs, and the booklet goes into a lot less description, leaving one to guess a lot.  Traditional suits of Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles are used.  Court cards are King, Queen, Knight and Page.  A lot of the figures in these cards remind me of the anime movie classic, "Vampire Hunter D."  Very stylistic, ethereal and yet they have an almost sexy look to them.

This would be a terrific addition to any collection of art decks, and a lot of people might find this simplistic style opens up the way for their own interpretations instead of relying on textbook divinatory meanings.  I wouldn't necessarily recommend this for the beginner, but it is a really intriguing deck.

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also by Londa Marks
The Crow's Magick Tarot

Review Copyright 1998 by Gina M. Pace