new deck - Etruscan Tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 30 Aug 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Keslynn	30 Aug 2002
Today I got my Etruscan Tarot in the mail from Tarot Garden. First let me say that Tarot Garden gives great service. :) Now for the deck: I really like it. The normal complaints about Lo Scarabeo decks don't apply for this one. The borders are a little thicker than on other decks to allow for the multiple translations, but since the borders are this nice caramel color, it's not as noticable or intrusive as the normal white borders. The artwork is done in the Etruscan style which nixes the "comic book-ish" complaint as well. Admittedly, the Etruscan style of art is not like ours at all so it might take some getting used to. But as a history buff, I adore it. I think it's a neat little glimpse into another culture. The majors are simply delightful though the depictions are a little different than the RWS standard. I think it's nice because it usually ends up emphasizing a slightly different angle of the traditional card meaning. I especially find the Lovers quite charming. The minors are somewhere between normal pictorial cards and pips. Each minor does feature the appropriate number of objects, but there is a human figure in all of them that gives some idea as to what the meaning is. This is similar to the Medieval Scapini, Old English and the Nigel Jackson deck minors. I haven't done a reading yet but they seem fairly readable, though perhaps not for a beginner. Overall, I give it the big thumbs up. :) Kes Edited for spelling

Starfish	30 Aug 2002
Kes - Thanks for the thorough review! :) I have this deck on my wishlist and haven't seen it anywhere locally yet so I've been wondering what the overall feel of the deck would be. Your Fellow Tarot Siren - :TEMPS Starfish

truthsayer	31 Aug 2002
generally i don't like lo scarabeo decks but so far the decks by silvana alasia are among my favs--neferteri and sphynx. i've ordered etruscan w/ the hopes i'll be at least half as pleased w/ it as i am the other 2. i've read so many positive reviews that i can bearly wait to hold it in my hands!!!

Strega	31 Aug 2002
Kes, thanks for the review. I'm thinking of getting this deck sometime soon. :)

truthsayer	11 Sep 2002
i got my etruscan deck today. :) it didn't blow me away like alasia silvana's neferteri but then only a rare deck holds a candle to nefertari. i'm not complaining. when i get historical decks like this, i enjoy doing some research into what the culture behind the deck was like. it actually helps w/ reading the deck. now i need to do some web searches of the etruscans. i found the colors rather blase but this is the art work of an ancient long dead ppl who didn't have sophisticated art supplies and color like we have today. i think this deck would look simply smashing done in bronze foil to complement the cards. it would really make that deck take off! LOL "truthsayer: tarot deck sign consultant". has a nice ring. ;) }) :D

Xarokys	19 Nov 2002
I received the Etruscan Tarot a few days ago, and after looking through the cards a bit all I can say is wow, those Etruscans sure had big feet! Actually, I really like this deck. It looks readable without a lot of extra study. The card meanings seem similar to RWS but coming from a different angle. I think this one will be a reading deck, not a look at the pretty pictures deck.

The new deck - Etruscan Tarot thread was originally posted on 30 Aug 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.