This tarot deck is one of the newer offerings in the US Games Catalog, only being printed last year.  Napo is a famous Argentinian artist (although I haven't heard of him! but then I don't move in art circles) and his talents are well and interestingly applied to the tarot here in this deck.

Something I'd like to note right off, it was pointed out to me a while back that those in Spanish-speaking countries, including those in South America, tended to use a Marseille-model tarot with Spanish variations, rather than following the traditional Rider-Waite model most of us are accustomed to.  Many new (to me) and different variations on common themes appear in this deck, and this kind of backs up the theory that was posed to me.

The art style is good, with soft watercolor pastels and strong sense of symbolism.  Each of the cards in the Major Arcana bears classical titling according to the Marseille model, with the exception of the Magus instead of the Magician and Fortitude instead of Strength.  Fortitude is number 8 and Justice 11.  The title appears in English at the top border of the image, and the title is in Spanish at the bottom.    Astrological symbols are also included on the face of each Major Arcana card, with the exception of the Priestess for some reason.  I was greatly irritated that the letters of the Spanish title are actually interrupted to insert the Arabic numeral for the card inside these little diamond shapes.  Basically, you have "La Sace<2>rdotisa."

In the Minor Arcana, traditional suits of Wands, Cups and Swords are used; Disks replace Pentacles.  Court Cards, called "Face Cards" by Ms. Lopez, are King, Queen, Knight and Page, as is usual.  Classic Aces are also used.  Numbered cards are a unique blend of pip and scene cards, with a lot of inspiration from the Rider-Waite, but instead of having titles which mention the suit name and number, they are merely titled with the keyword meaning for each card, a la Thoth.  You have to look at the picture to even know what suit it belongs to, by the number of items featured.  The keyword title is in English at the top and in Spanish at the bottom.  Once again, the Spanish title is interrupted to insert the number in the little diamond.

The little white booklet which accompanies the set is excellent for its kind.  There are two layouts included, one is the Celtic Cross but the other one seems to have a lot of potential, and I will be exploring it more thoroughly to publish in my Layouts section.  It is called the Draw of Four Aces.  The cards themselves are standard sized and handle and shuffle easily, with a smooth finish to the edges.

I recommend this tarot for anyone looking for something that blends the Rider-Waite symbolism with the Marseille style.  I have seldom seen such an interesting and positive transition between the two.  This deck would be useable by a beginner, but would make more sense to an experienced reader.  Art collectors and deck collectors in general will enjoy adding this one as well.
 
Note on the Napo Tarot from a reader:  "I noticed an error on two of my Napo Tarot cards. Noted in the instruction book, Temperance is associated
with Saggitarius, but the card has the symbol for Aquarius on it. The card
associated with Aquarius has the Saggitarius symbol on it."  Wicce would like to thank the contributor of this information.

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Review Copyright 1999 by Gina M. Pace

The Napo Tarot by Betty Lopez and Napo, 1998
published by U.S. Games, Inc.  ISBN 1-57281-067-X

if you need help ordering the Napo Tarot, email Wicce.