This tarot deck and book set is one of the oldie-but-goodies.  It's been around since 1989, and in a market where most decks get discontinued in favor of the newest art trend, it is a solid indication of the deck's popularity.  In fact, it's somewhat ironic that because this deck has been around forever, I kept putting off getting a copy, because I always felt that it would be there when I was ready!

Clive Barrett is the author and artist of the Ancient Egyptian Tarot as well as this set, and it looks like we have yet another winner.  It is rare to see someone with such artistic ability who can also write knowledgeably about his/her subject, and refreshing to see this applied to the tarot.  Consistency is present throughout the deck and book set, which is something I consider of the utmost importance when publishing a tarot system.

There are 78 cards in this traditionally-styled deck, which follows Rider-Waite styling fairly well but translates it into a northern concept deck.  The quote on the back of the box says "Though carefully designed to correspond with traditional Tarot interpretations, it conveys its meanings in a wholly original way and in a form consistent with the Nordic theme as a whole."

The Major Arcana features Norse goddesses and gods as the central figures in each card, and the myths and legends surrounding each are described in the book as part of the meanings for each card.  Traditional titles and order are used.  Justice is 8 and Strength 11.  The numbers of the cards are in a smal circle in the top of the border in Roman numerals.  The border of the image is a very pretty and delicate Norse knotwork style pattern, which reminds me of how close the Norse and Celtic knotwork can be!  At the bottom, under the title, is a circle with a Rune symbol in it.  Meanings for these runes are included in the book with the meanings for the cards.

In the Minor Arcana, traditional suits of cups, swords, wands and pentacles are used.  The Court cards are King, Queen, Prince and Princess.  The cards are marked by Roman numerals at the top in the border, and at the bottom a small circle in the border holds the letter C for Cups, W for Wands, etc.  Many of these cards appear to be different in their actual scenery from the Rider-Waite.  They are nonetheless quite evocative of their meanings.

One thing I would have liked to see is perhaps two title bars on each card, one featuring the name of the goddess or god featured.  Since I don't know a lot about Norse mythology, I found it a little difficult to remember and keep straight which gods and goddesses were which, because I don't necessarily recognize them from their pictures at first.  This is not to imply that the scenes in the cards aren't intuitive, because they are..... of the meanings of the cards!

The cards are standard sized, and handle and shuffle easily.  The coating which is used on the card stock is of a matte quality and there is no glare.  Stock is somewhat stiff but not too much so.  The set has been repackaged since it first came out.  Originally available in a plastic video-tape style case, it now comes in a cardboard slide-open box.

The book which comes with the set is the standard size for Aquarian Press deck and book sets.  The pages are all bordered with more of Barrett's excellent artwork, which means that the text area is rather small and the font used was smaller than usual, which made it harder for me to read.  It's also a common "stretching" technique used to make the book look bigger than it is.  I don't know if that was the reason it was used, but that was my first thought.

For the Major Arcana, the book has a small description of what is pictured on the card, a divinatory meaning, a reversed meaning, and a runic meaning, all on one page with the illustration.  On the facing page is the legend or myth associated with that particular god or goddess.  For the Minor Arcana, single pages are used for each card, providing the same level of information.  These are some of the briefest meanings I have ever seen given.  Several spreads are given, including the Celtic Cross, and sample readings are given for each spread.  A series of appendices with correspondences, end notes and a thorough bibliography are also included at the end.

Overall, I'd have to rate this a really lovely deck.  The artwork has a fine, delicate air to it, and soft colors are used so as not to overpower.  The book is a good start but I'd say it was definitely the weak point of the set.  The book from the Arthurian Tarot is similarly small, but there is so much more offered in the way of external workbooks and course books for the Arthurian Tarot.  I'd love to see a similar set of workbooks and course books offered for this set.  The deck is definitely worth it.  Collectors will love this set, and beginners can use it without any prior experience with tarot.

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also see
Clive Barrett's Mythographica

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also by Clive Barrett:
Ancient Egyptian Tarot

Review Copyright 1999 by Gina M. Pace

The Norse Tarot by Clive Barrett, 1989
published by Aquarian Press  ISBN 0-85030-792-9