The Secret Tarot (Lyle)

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 14 Mar 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Ophiel	14 Mar 2002
Has anybody seen a relatively new deck called "The Secret Tarot : Renaissance Symbols of Science, Magic and Myth Now Reveal the Future" by Jane Lyle, Helen Jones (Illustrator), Fireside; ISBN: 0743226135? If it has been reviewed here, I don't think it was posted yet. I'm curious if the symbols and work are truly old imagery or a totally new rendition? I have no problems with that as I own and like the Medieval Scapini deck. I just want to know. Ophiel

Melvis	14 Mar 2002
Hi, Ophiel! The Secret Tarot by Jane Lyle used to by called The Renaissance Tarot. Since there were already a couple of decks with that name, I think they chanced their deck so they could stand out from the crowd. Here's the link to Aeclectic's pictures of the deck: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/renaissance2/index.html . I've only had it a short time, but I like it so far. The designs for each card are rather simple in that there is no background image on any of them, just a solid color. But there is still plenty of imagery and symbols in the cards to work with. And I just love the medium they used! Is it just clay painted with metallic finishes? Whatever it is, I really like it! I've attached a scan of a few more of the cards that I thought were interesting. The Aeclectic scans didin't show any Court Cards, so I thought I'd include a couple of them here. It's not a deck for everyone, though, mostly because of it's lack of detail, which some would probably miss. Peace, Melvis

Ophiel	14 Mar 2002
Thank you Melvis. Hmmm...though I tend to go more for the older style look, these do look interesting. Thanks for the pictures as I have not been able to view them before.

Ophiel	15 Mar 2002
Melvis - I think the description says there is an accompanying book. If so, is the book about interpreting the cards, or does it go into the symbolism? Thanks

Jewel	15 Mar 2002
I can't think off the top of my head what the book contains, but I do have the set. I love these cards because they are different from any other deck I have. The 3-D images are really cool, and there is a gentle simplicity to the cards that also makes them interesting and powerful. Just my two pearls worth on this deck.

Ophiel	15 Mar 2002
Thanks Jewel. I did pick up the deck today and agree, it is a good deck. The simplicity is nice, the symbolisms are basic and uncluttered. As for the book, it does have all the card reading information, but also a guide to the symbols on the cards, which is really what I was more interested in.

Ophiel	16 Mar 2002
Now that I've had a chance to sit down with the deck and take a spin, I have to say I'm very impressed with the deck. My only discomfort with the deck is THE MAGICIAN, which the authors clearly changed gender. I am not using this deck for readings but rather inner work and since THE MAGICIAN/JUGGLER is usually either male or adrogenous, I'm startled when I see the clearly female card and this deck is based on some historical references. If the deck was totally stylized, I'd have no problems with it. However, this is based on traditional symbols from the Renaissance, which is why I bought it. I really like the court cards which include elementals for each element. The book has some interesting informaiton also. I'm glad I bought this one.

The The Secret Tarot (Lyle) thread was originally posted on 14 Mar 2002 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.