nefertari's tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 27 Apr 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

truthsayer	27 Apr 2002
i just have to talk about nefertari's tarot. it's a lo scarabeo deck w/ paintings by silvana alasia. this is the luxury edition. there is a cheaper edition that's now OOP. i generally do not like lo scarabeo decks but i decided to take a chance and am glad i did. the images are pressed into gold foil on the card that gives it an incredible effect. if you hold the cards to the light, i swear the cards seem to pulsate w/ energy. the effect of the gold foil is almost blinding but greatly enhances the beauty of the egyptain style art. the art has wear marks like you might see in actual egyptian art. i find it mildly distracting b/c my mind wants to see perfect images even tho it wouldn't be realistic w/ this deck. scans only make the images look muddy so there's no way you can get a good idea how incredibly beautiful this deck is but you can get a good impression from the OOP version. i can't explain why i had to have this deck. it's expensive. but even tho i couldn't really tell what the cards looked like unless i went to the OOP version, i felt such a calling for this deck. i'm so happy that i listened to my intuition. even tho i like egyptian mythology and art, this is my first egyptian tarot deck. i once used egyptian cartouche until i lost my deck. if you aren't familiar w/ egyptain mythology you may have some difficulty reading the cards but if you want a beautiful collector deck this is a must have! i have rarely held a deck in my hands that felt so alive!! reviews for it are positive but i've been burned by postive reviews before but in my honest opinion they are all correct this time. different strokes for different folks, you know. now, i can't decide whether to use the deck for a few readings or just keep it aside to admire. LOL decisions! decisions!

Scorpion	27 Apr 2002
Hi, Truthsayer! I've got this one too but I haven't really worked with it yet. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed with mine - but I haven't quite worked out why. I've always loved Egyptian art, so it shouldn't be that. I think perhaps there's a bit too much gold leaf detracting from the images for my liking - I like to see details in the background of the card and it's distracting to have the light shooting around all over the place. I might hunt down the plainer version. Or maybe I need to read up on the mythology (any suggestions where to start?) and try working with it to see what it gives me. Still, glad you're delighted with yours - it's a good job there's enough decks around to keep us all happy!

Lee	27 Apr 2002
I like this deck a lot -- my vote is to read with it! :) -- Lee

truthsayer	27 Apr 2002
lee, i think i'm going to have to try using this deck. it feels so inspiring! i just don't want to hurt it by handling the cards too much! i wish they were a little bit thicker. it's true you can feel the outline of the card front on the back. i've never had a deck that happened w/ before. LouiQ, i've picked up egyptian mythology here and there for many years. some from fiction like linda robinson's books. others from watching tv archeology shows on discovery, the learning channel or pbs. i've also learned a fair amount from studying joseph campbell. i once had a set of egyptian cartouche cards and that helped. i think understanding the myths behind some of the cards would be helpful. the story of isis and osirus is probably the most important one you could check out. it explains a lot about the egyptian fascination and obsession w/ the afterlife.

dolphingirl	27 Apr 2002
I have this deck and recomended to another person a place to get it cheep online and now I am not sure who that was but I hope they bought it and are happy. It is a lovely deck and if it calls to you go for it! I would love to be able to read with it but the lwb is all in french and I am not as familiar w the egyptian symbols to get alot out of them. If anyone can recomend something to help or if anyone has a copy of the lwb please let me know :) Thanks Sam

truthsayer	27 Apr 2002
sam, the english version of the LWB is fairly pitiful. it basically gives a shorter version of rws explanations. since it is so short, i could probably scan it and email it to you. pictures and documents generally scan pretty good so it may work. earlier in this post, i mentioned some resources you can learn about egyptology.

catlin	29 Apr 2002
Hi truth, There is another Egyptian tarot deck out by S. Alasia, it's the Tarot of the Sphynx (sp?). I still have not added this one to my collection as I have pre-ordered the Barrett-deck and still have some trades running this month but one day I'll have my copy of Nefertari.

Lee	29 Apr 2002
Hi catlin, I believe the Tarot of the Sphynx is the same deck as the Nefertari, only without the gold foil and with all the pictures reversed (i.e., figures that face left in the one deck face right in the other). -- Lee

truthsayer	29 Apr 2002
yes, lee is correct. i just could not remember the name of the other deck-tarot of the sphinx. LOL glad to hear you like this one, too, catlin. i feel so in love w/ this deck. just have to get over this fear that i might hurt them if i shuffle them to read them! LOL i also have clive barrett's pre-ordered.

catlin	30 Apr 2002
Thanx for the extra info! So I have to spent a sleepless night to figure out if I shall add the Nefertari deck or the Sphynx deck to my collection. It' s a difference of about 30 € in prize.

truthsayer	01 May 2002
i did my first reading w/ this deck today. i used an overhead light instead of a low wattage lamp. the results were dazzling. i needed sunglasses to read them but got by w/ shading my eyes. i'm not kidding! they really are that shiny! i don't recommend reading this one outside in sunlight--the reflections could cause sun burn! LOL it was a good reading and i felt very charged up while reading. i didn't remember what all the egyptian symbols meant but i still was able to read the cards. i am truly in love w/ this deck! i got the visconti gold today from a trade. they are shiny but not as bad as neferteri. i have to admit that i feel really drawn to these decks w/ gold foil. the shiny features seem to make the card images move. it's very exciting to read.

faunabay	15 May 2002
Here you go MM!! :)

rostie	17 Feb 2003
i love this deck and would love to buy it...that's why i bumped this thread up for maybe some more impressions/expieriences of the deck, with time went over this thread maybe some more people have bought it and/or have worked with it and i would love to hear the impressions and expieriences with this lovely deck, please, lol!!! thanks a lot in advance!!! with love, sara.

Macavity	17 Feb 2003
Hmmm, mention the word "Cat" or "Egypt" in a deck name... and I am perhaps biased! ;) I am a big fan of Egyptian decks! The artist, Sylvana Alasia also produced LoS's Egyptian Tarot (with papyrus background) which I like a GREAT deal, but whose "hermetic" imagery (rather than Egyptian) I sometimes find slightly irritating (This is also true of all the Falconnier Wegener type decks, and in fairness hers is actually GOOD likeness of the particular genre!) BUT In the newer Nefertari she has used the freedom from such constraints to produced something much more "Egyptian" in feel and more literally (and mythologically!) correct. Out with that awful "Typhon" blimp as Devil and in with a credible Ammit as "Devourer of Souls" from the book of the dead. YAY! :D As far as divination goes: The accompanying documentation (LWB) is not bad, but I remark simply that a deck of this beauty or uniqueness of style might have DESERVED a more extensive book? Although similar to, it is NOT (imo) a clone of the RWS. Alhough based on the RWS (but with VIII as Justice and XI Strength) many cards do show significant departures from that imagery. (At first that horrified me, but with more experience of other decks, I have come to accept - even VALUE such things!) But it is worth remarking that this time the LWB does actually match the images and is not merely a rehash of some generic "Waite" system. There are also (imo) some allusions to the Crowley-Thoth, but I think it would pay to learn the deck's OWN system this time. As ever, So many decks - So little time? :( I think the images evidence significant (artistic) research as well? The Two of Wands shows a "sickly" youth walking with a crutch. This is also a good representation of Tutankhamun, who was known to be an avid "collector" of walking sticks or may have used them due to chronic illness or in the aftermath of assasination attempts? But this time, the LWB actually says: "Disease and uncertaintly in abundance" rather than variations on the RWS or Thoth's "Dominion". Similarly for the Three as "... trade... cooperation in business" - Again matching the Egyptian style image well. Hoorah!! :) To someone who looks at a lot of Egyptian images (another of my little "vices"?) many images will be recognisable as derived from Tombs etc. of the New Kingdom and also Armana (Akhenaten & Tutankhamun) periods. Finally (I suspect) as technology moves with the times and, having a few other LoS metalised decks, I remark that this is indeed a beauty with the "gold" background VERY precisely aligned with and complimenting the images. The whole effect is quite stunning... Did I mention somewhere I quite LIKE the Nefertari? }) Macavity And everywhere the glint of gold: "I see wonderful things!" said Carter.

truthsayer	17 Feb 2003
thanks for your post on neferteri, macavity. i didn't know some of the details you brought up so it was quite enlightening. i'm still in love with this deck. i consider it a personal deck and don't use it as often as i do my all purpose hanson roberts. i don't own the egyptian deck even though i've considered getting it b/c i like silvana alaysia's style plus i love egyptian decks. i already have the sphynx the non gold twin of nefertari. i like it but it doesn't dazzle me like neferteri. i know $45 may seem like a lot for a deck but i've paid more for decks i didn't like nearly as much. i'm also considering getting a spare neferteri. the card stock is rather thin. beware if you have cats! my cats find the shiny cards evocative and like to stalk and pounce on them. much to my horror! thus the reason why i want a spare-just in case one is damaged in a cat attack. my recommendation is to get it. it's only money! surely you can go a week w/o electric or food for such a deck! LOL ;)

Summerdream	17 Feb 2003
Hello! The Nefertari is one of my favorites too. It is definately one of the most beautiful decks I own. I only use it for myself too. The scans do not do this deck justice. The gold in the cards is the shiniest I have ever seen on a deck. Blessings, Momof3girls

RiccardoLS	17 Feb 2003
The first deck she did was the Egyptian Tarot (on papyrus), and the deck will be published later in 2003 as a set edition. Then she did the Nefertari-Sphinx (I confirm Lee comment: they are the same deck). The main difference between the Sphinx and the Egyptian is that the Sphinx does not have pips in minor cards. The Nefertari of course is special. Then she made the Etruscan Tarot, and the small deck called Karma Oracle (soon to be distributed I think) - a divinatory deck of 33 cards with Laura Tuan. Best, Riccardo

Pollux	17 Feb 2003
Nefertari... mh... I sent some of the spare cards I had to Liliana. And there're only a couple decks on my wishlist - I'm shedding skin and decks *LOL* Maybe I should re-insert this in. So please, Rostie DO get one... (what did you expect? :P) *LOL* Macavity, I enjoyed your post thoroughly too - and did go to look at the cards (the suit of wands is wtill here with me :D). But what puzzles me actually are aces. I know next to nothing about Egyptian glyphs, mythology, symbols and such but whilst I can see the ... reason or idea behind certain images, I simply don't get the aces. :( Well, mh... I think that's too small a pet peeve to refrain from buying a deck :P *LOL* So YAY!!! Nefertari is officially on my wishlist, that now only includes Nigel Jackson and Golden Tarot as well - and is not going to grow any time soon... :D Quote: Originally posted by RiccardoLS Then she made the Etruscan Tarot, and the small deck called Karma Oracle (soon to be distributed I think) - a divinatory deck of 33 cards with Laura Tuan. Io ce l'ho... :D Riccardo, writing to you in english is just not on! *LOL* ;) Will the cards remain the same size?

Macavity	17 Feb 2003
I think Riccardo ought to give us the "factory tour" ;) I have always wondered quite HOW metalised cards are produced. Shades of heat and high pressure - a sort of "Dante's Inferno" thing comes to mind? Lasciate ogni speranza = LOScarabeo? (which is about my limit on Italian) LOL. But I'll stick with that image, if it's a trade secret. :D Pollux, I agree on the Aces. Off the top of my head, Wands = (Apis?) Bull; Pentacles = (Thoth) Baboon; Swords = (Horus) Hawk; Pentacles = (Khepri) Scarab. Perhaps an internet search on these deities might help? But then oddly enough I have trouble with courts AND aces in any deck. Part of that being a tendancy to skip them in the "learning" process - At least in my case ;) Macavity

truthsayer	17 Feb 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Pollux I know next to nothing about Egyptian glyphs, mythology, symbols and such but whilst I can see the ... reason or idea behind certain images, I simply don't get the aces. :( Well, mh... I think that's too small a pet peeve to refrain from buying a deck :P *LOL* So YAY!!! Nefertari is officially on my wishlist, that now only includes Nigel Jackson and Golden Tarot as well - and is not going to grow any time soon... :D pollux, if you don't understand egyptians glyphs, etc. you can 1)get a book on egyptian glyphs and/or mythology or 2)look it up on a search engine on the internet. it's definitely too small an excuse not to get neferteri! LOL the queen of tarot-holics is most pleased that the tarot enabler has added nefertari to his wish list. }) it would not be good to allow other tarot-holics out do the enabler! ;) :D

aqua9air	18 Feb 2003
Egyptian Tarot with papyrus background. wow, looks so nice. i have to get it! but i just got nefertari's tarot, and we all know how $$$ it costs. :( i told myself i won't buy another deck until next year. :( :( (just another 10 month just another 10 month.....)

rostie	23 Mar 2003
it arrived friday, it's just sooooo beautifull!!! WOW...i won it with an auction on ebay a few weeks ago, now it finally arrived, i'm so pleased with it, it feels so strong, intense, beautifull, sacred...i don't own enough words for it to describe ;) i'm looking forward to work with it... PS :( the only problem is: it's an older version and the lwb is in italian...and i just don't understand italian...pfff some words but not much ;) if someone could help me out with this i would be really thankfull!!!!! with love.

truthsayer	29 Mar 2003
rostie, even if you could read the lwb, the neferteri lwb is very spare. i don't think it will help you understand the deck very much. i suggest you just get a book of egyptian mythology and a book on rws interpretations. studying these will help you with neffy much more.

HudsonGray	29 Mar 2003
Rostie, did you get the Egyptian Tarot with the papyrus background or the one with the gold background, or a different one? There are so many Egyptian decks out now, and at least one was renamed.

Faerie Lin	29 Mar 2003
Yay Rostie! I knew you'd like the Nefertari! Its a very sumptuous and strong deck. Do tell us when you get to read with it. I agree with Truthsayer (love the nick NEFFY for this deck btw), the LWB isn't packed full of info, I don't really think you're missing out on anything. There's a spread in there though, did you need help with that?

rostie	02 Apr 2003
thanks for your help!!! i mailed riccardo and he promised me to send a copy, wonderfull isn't it!!! at the moment i just don't have any spare time to work with my decks, i have it very busy but i'm looking forward to use it and to learn to know it! thanks for the suggestion about searching for info about nefertari, i had planned to do that but like i said...just don't have the time...but thanks for the tip...i actually like the idea for springing into the pool of wisdom of the egyptians ;) and to know a little more about it, this deck is an excellent reason for doing it...and like you said earlier Lin, i feel her strenght too, she's very strong, like it... thanks! with love.

The nefertari's tarot thread was originally posted on 27 Apr 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.