Lo Scarabeo's Celtic Tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 16 Jul 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Sullanciri2002	16 Jul 2002
Okay - artwise, I think this is about the best looking Celtic-based tarot I've ever seen ... but I'm hesitant. There seems to be a change in the suits - wands for air, swords for fire - and a lot of mythology-knowledge involved. Has anyone bought it and tried to read with it ... without being an expert in Celtic/Irish mythology ? I'm just being a tad cautious to prevent my getting too mixed up when I start using decks that are too wildly different in the underlying concepts.

Jewel	16 Jul 2002
I recently got this deck in trade but have not had a chance to work with it. It is beautiful. I think it is involved in relation to mythology. As for the air/fire switch that is not all that uncomon. I have not paid that close of attention to the deck yet so I am sorry I cannot answer that for you right now. If by time I get a chance to look it up, no one has responded to you on this I will.

midnightmerry	16 Jul 2002
I just posted about this deck on another thread! I hate this deck. After I'd looked through the deck a few times, I found that the images were just too grotesque and actually *demeaning* the Celts!! Just look at the Empress for an example of what I mean. It just didn't strike me as 'cute' or as a different 'take' on the Empress card; I found it ridiculous and with no relation to the dignity, generosity, creativity, elegance, earthiness, and nuturing qualities usually associated with the Empress card. Ugh. Midnightmerry

catlin	17 Jul 2002
I once got this deck in a trade and luckily traded it away. In another trade I asked Jewel if it is really this deck I should get for the trade. I did not like this deck because of the bloodshed in it and the comic-style. Ok, the Celts apparently did spike the heads of their enemies but I really had the impression that this deck was literally dripping with blood. Besides, I was greatly annoyed that there were 2 artists with a pretty different style working on this deck.

midnightmerry	17 Jul 2002
I just wanted to add that for all the negativity about this deck that's been posted, what really matters is how you feel about it & whether you bond with the cards & can read them. They just didn't work for me, that's all. Midnightmerry

Starfish	17 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by midnightmerry I just wanted to add that for all the negativity about this deck that's been posted, what really matters is how you feel about it & whether you bond with the cards & can read them. They just didn't work for me, that's all. Midnightmerry Excellent point! What matters is how each individual interacts with their deck. :T7W Starfish

truthsayer	17 Jul 2002
is this the celtic tarot by laura tuan or is there another?

Phoenix	17 Jul 2002
It is the one by Lo Scarabeo, by Tenuata and Gaudenzi.

Luned	18 Jul 2002
I have this deck (now that we've specified exactly WHICH Lo Scarabeo Celtic Tarot we're talking about - why oh why are there so many decks called that!!), but have never read with it. I have to agree re the Empress card though, it really puts me off. A lot of the other cards are interesting, like the Three of Swords and the Seven of Chalices.

Sullanciri2002	18 Jul 2002
I agree that it's most important to have a feel for the deck, but these days that's not always easy. Most shops don't stock that many different decks, or don't allow you to open the pack ... and the net only shows a small sample (the ones I'd seen, weren't that bloody ... but that only goes to show how much good advice is worth). So - once again - thanks to all who bothered to answer - I really couldn't afford to spend more money on wrong decks, so this really helped.

midnightmerry	18 Jul 2002
Sullanciri, after I read your reply I tried a google search to see if I could find a site that showed all the cards & couldn't find one. Every site that listed it showed 5 or 6 cards at most and *never* the Empress card! :( The deck has a definite comic book look and that might appeal to some folks, but it didn't to me. *shrug* Good luck on finding the decks that are just right for you. Midnightmerry

Sullanciri2002	19 Jul 2002
Thanks Midnightmerry - I do have a huge comic-book collection, so what I can say. Hmmm - now that I think of it, perhaps I shouldn't have said that ... Lord knows what people here will think of me now.

Scorpion	19 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Sullanciri2002 Thanks Midnightmerry - I do have a huge comic-book collection, so what I can say. Hmmm - now that I think of it, perhaps I shouldn't have said that ... Lord knows what people here will think of me now. Hi, Sullanciri2002! I am proud to say that I have this deck AND a comic collection - I've been hooked ever since my mother came back with a comic instead of the girlie magazines I was usually fed with. It would have been massive by now if a thoughtless landlady hadn't binned everything without asking when clearing out the cellar years ago: I was mortified - have you seen the prices some early editions fetch now?! I don't think you need to be embarrassed - there's a massive market in the "graphic novel" as bookshops prefer to call them now. You can pay £15 over here, which is almost three times as much as a paperback novel! I love the deck but haven't worked with it yet. I give the clients a choice and it simply hasn't been chosen on the occasions when I've taken it out. I'm hoping someone will be brave enough soon! I'm not an expert in Celtic mythology and while I'm reading up on the myths I intend to read it pretty much in a standard way - to me it is pretty much an RW clone for most purposes. I had a look round at other Celtic decks and they didn't appeal to me, but this one jumped out - yes, there's a lot of blood but the Celtic world was a cruel and dangerous place and myths and legends always do embellish on the gory bits. The Tarot is a graphic medium and thankfully there's enough decks out there to keep most of us happy!

midnightmerry	19 Jul 2002
Well, there you have it, S- the dissenting opinion!! lol Just proves the point that Tarot decks are a very personal thing & what makes one happy will not please another. Maybe you should do another google search for this deck & take some time meditating on the images that are available. It might appeal to you after all! I don't use my deck and might be doing a package sale of several decks I don't bond with. I hadn't decided on this yet, though. About the comic books- I wouldn't be too embarrassed. It's an honorable hobby, imo. I was sick for you over what your landlady did- that was disgusting!! My husband had a similar experience years ago when his mom dumped all his old comic books- some of which would have been worth a bundle today. (sigh) Midnightmerry

Luned	19 Jul 2002
I have a scanner, so could scan some more of the cards and post them on my website if Sullanciri2002 or anyone else wanted to see them (due to copyright restrictions I'm not happy about posting the whole lot).

The Lo Scarabeo's Celtic Tarot thread was originally posted on 16 Jul 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.