Who here has the Celtic Tarot (Lo Scarabeo) and what do you think of it?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 31 May 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

jlbvt	31 May 2003
I recently got this deck, and I think it has a real possibility of being my main deck. The images are so evocative, and full of emotion. I think it will be a good deck for bringing "hidden" forces/problems to light. I have only done one spread with it so far (off to do another one when I'm done here) and it was one that I just made up on a whim. WOW. Reading with this deck is like having a conversation with an old friend- I can't explain it, it's wierd. This is the first deck that I think I can read with intuitively, without trying to remember the "meanings" of the cards and just using the pictures and my gut instincts. Yep, I think I will literally throw away the LWB for this one. So for those who have this deck, what do you think of it? Do you read with it? Do you find it's better for some types of readings than your other decks? Does it have an energy that helps you see things more clearly?

Astraea	31 May 2003
Joan, I like this deck, too. I purchased it a couple of months ago and haven't had a lot of time to work with it, but I find that the imagery speaks to me and I don't think it will be hard to read with. Some people do not like a few of the cruder depictions in the cards, but to me it seems that the artist was in tune with the roughness and harsh conditions of the era.

Kaz	31 May 2003
i sent this one to redwood. if i recall correctly, i said something this deck being a disgrace to tarot, i very much disliked it.

RedWood	31 May 2003
LOL She did..i thought it was rather funny hehe I am not sure if I even like the pictures on it..This deck I am really iffy on..Could go either way. I will have to do a reading with it or something.

firemaiden	31 May 2003
Well, lo Scarabeo has a bunch of different Celtic decks. The one I have has majors by Gaudenzi, which I quite like, although they do get a bit crude, and then minors by another artist, and I can't stomach them. But maybe I'll give them another try, now you've gotten me interested.

Hedera	31 May 2003
Yes - same here, I sort of like the majors and can't stand the minors. I would never be able to read with it. And I can't see myself using it as a 'study' deck either; as tarot it isn't really different enough, and for Celtic myths there are much better sources. So I'm getting rid of mine..... It's up for trade in the Worldwide section, if anyone's interested! ;) Edited to add: I'm talking about the one by Gaudenzi / Tenuta also, the deck everyone loves to hate.

Khatruman	31 May 2003
I also find it not a good deck for reading. In fact, as far as being Celtic, it looks more like Conan the Barbarian meets the Celts. To me, it seems an Italian comic version of Celtic, and doesn't have that feel to it. Plus I really do not get the sense of the meanings of the cards I know with these ones. I would also not reccomend this as a reading deck.

Trogon	01 Jun 2003
Okay... having a bit of a problem figuring out just which deck you all are talking about. I have it narrowed down to a couple, both published, according to the info at Tarot Garden, in Italy... There is Celtic Tarot (first one on the page). And i Tarocchi Celtici (second one on the page). Are we referring to one of these? I would be guessing the first one, because Firemaiden mentions art by Gaudenzi. In the images provided on the Tarot Garden site, I can definitely see a difference in the artwork between majors and minors. There's differences in the way people are represented as well as a difference in the way colors are used (more muted in the majors, while very much brighter in the minors which are shown). I would think this might tend to put me off a little bit during a reading. Is this, perhaps, part of why some of you didn't care for the deck? It does seem to me to be preferable to have some consistancy in the artwork between the majors and minors within the same deck. I do find it rather interesting that so many people are weighing in on the side of dislike for this deck. That is something that doesn't happen very often...

Kaz	01 Jun 2003
the one i was referring to is the Celtic Tarot by Giacinto Gaudenzi, Saverio Tenuta.

jlbvt	01 Jun 2003
Sorry, I should have specified. I mean the one by Giacinto Gaudenzi, Saverio Tenuta also.

Trogon	01 Jun 2003
Ah... thanks... I kind of thought that might be the one y'all were referring to.

mags@Treadwells	01 Jun 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Khatruman I also find it not a good deck for reading. In fact, as far as being Celtic, it looks more like Conan the Barbarian meets the Celts. To me, it seems an Italian comic version of Celtic, and doesn't have that feel to it. Plus I really do not get the sense of the meanings of the cards I know with these ones. I would also not reccomend this as a reading deck. LOL!! Soo true - we see some packs through the shop/catalogues from reps and we have to remain *serious* about them all x sorry, this was meant to be pm

TheLovers2	25 Aug 2003
Hello, everyone. I actually have a question and this is my first post to the Forum (new member). I recently bought the Celtic Tarots (Gaudenzi, Tanuta) after viewing all of the minors and some of the majors online. I, unlike some of you, do like the minors, but, abhor some of the majors. I'm in a dilemma. I could keep the deck and remove and put away the Major cards that I don't like (at least 7) and work with the deck that way, although, I really don't like that idea very much. I already have over 20 decks and I haven't had to do anything like that with any of them. Somehow, it doesn't seem right. That would mean that I could use (some) of the Majors, but, not all. Or, I could forget about all of the majors and just use this deck as a Minors only deck. Is that a new one? Minors only? My only other choice seems to be to just forget about the whole deck, but I just got it and I wanted to try it out, however, those other cards are out of the question. I could trade, but, I can't think of any other deck I want to replace it. I could give that more thought. I already have most of what I want. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Sorry, this is so long and I hope it's posted correctly. By the way, I've been viewing Aeclectic for a while now, and, you guys are hilarious at times. I've really enjoyed it and have been learning a lot. I became interested in Tarot last year. Love the Tarot! Thanks.

firemaiden	26 Aug 2003
Hi, thelovers2, I am honored to be responding to your first post! Well your question is funny, because all this time, I have been wondering whether I should just get rid of the minors! Maybe you can just trade away the majors, but sheeze, what are you going to do with just minors? mix them up with another deck with from scarabeo whose minors you despise? I think loScarabeo needs to go back to the drawing board on this deck!

TheLovers2	26 Aug 2003
Firemaiden. Thanks for your response. You're funny, i.e., ". . .mix them with another deck with minors you despise. " I had thought of using them alone, no majors at all. Can be done, right? Well, since I posted I have been reviewing (once again) the Light & Shadow Tarot. I just don't know if that one is for me, though. Back to the subject at hand, I would like to ask you a question. The number VIII in the Celtic Majors - what is THAT all about? In your opinion. What do you get from that card? Why do you like the Majors? Does it bother you that the cards don't line up with the LWB description, especially, so with the VIII. Thanks for your reply. I'm interested in knowing your point of view. Perhaps, you will say something I never thought of. Hmmm.

HOLMES	27 Aug 2003
i love that deck and while no one mention it i also love the universal waite tarot by lo scarabeo , the olympus tarot and the secret tarot :O) my favourite tarot of the celtic tarot which caught my eye on the cover of the celtic tarot was the tower tarot , as soon as i saw it i said I MUST HAVE IT , and let me share this before that i had no intentions of picking up the celtic tarot by lo scarbeo for it didn't attract me but i was in the chapters by polo park (if only one here is in winnipeg you go there and they have a tons of tarot in a glass case i was in tarot heaven for like 5 minutes til i recovered ) but when i saw that cover i said i must have it . it is nice :O)

catlin	27 Aug 2003
I had this deck in my collection and was so glad I could trade it away (I think to Jema, but not before asking her twice if she really wants that bloody comic thing). I had bought the deck without checking it before to enlarge my Celtic tarot collection but when I unpacked it, arrrrghhh. Ok, I know the Celts cut off the heads of their ennemies and spiked them I don't need a deck which is only bloodshed.

Summerdream	27 Aug 2003
I owned the Celtic Tarot too and had the same reaction to it as Caitlin did upon opening it. The card images I had seen on the net were the nicer ones....hehe. I wanted to get rid of it that day and ended up posting it for trade. Molly traded me the Tarot of the Moon Garden for it, which I like a whole lot better. I'm not sure if she ended up keeping it or trading it, but if she traded it I don't blame her....lol. Momof3girls

CompassRose	31 Aug 2003
Another addition to the "EchFiles". I bought it, leafed through it once, hated it, and traded it. Comic-book, and not in a good way (I'm very fond of a good graphic novel myself) perfectly describes it. Just superficial, plastic and uninspiring.

brennamor	01 Sep 2003
I have to admit that I have the Gaudenzi/Tenuta Celtic Tarots and I love it. There are things about it that I dislike (the depiction of The Morrigan on the Empress card immediately springs to mind). But I like the artwork - even if it is somewhat gory and Conan-esque and I really like the way the minors are divided into different "races" of the peoples who are part of Irelands mythic cycle. Granted Celtic is a bit of a misnomer - it's really Irish more than anything else. But I like this deck and have no problem reading with it. Of course I ignore the LWB but then again I tend to do that with most decks ;)

TheLovers2	01 Sep 2003
This question is for anyone who "enjoys," "likes," "appreciates," the Celtic Tarot by Gaudenzi/Tanuta. What do you get from card VIII, you know, the one depicting the man's head inside of a lion's mouth, while the man has his mouth open and people are hanging from his pierced tongue. Yuck! If I'm missing some symbolism here, I'd like you to clue me in. Again, I really did like the minors and wanted to keep that portion of the deck and work with it, but, alas, I ended up exchanging it for Light and Shadow. I just couldn't reconcile it all. I rather miss the minors already, though. I was very drawn to the Kings for some reason and liked the different "tribes" or "groups," or "races" depicted. I'd still like some feedback on the majors and WHY you like certain or all of them, especially, the VIII. Thanks, in advance for any responses.

brennamor	07 Sep 2003
Lovers2 wrote: >This question is for anyone who "enjoys," "likes," "appreciates," the Celtic Tarot by Gaudenzi/Tanuta. What do you get from card VIII, you know, the one depicting the man's head inside of a lion's mouth, while the man has his mouth open and people are hanging from his pierced tongue. Yuck! If I'm missing some symbolism here, I'd like you to clue me in.< Okay, this is my take on this card. Strength is showing Ogma the Irish god of eloquence, speech and communication. His iconography is often similar to Hercules, hence the lion's skin he wears and the lion's head over his own. The people chained to his tongue as those held captive by his eloquence. The strength of his speech has capture them and holds them. His verbal skills have proven mightier than anything around him. He does not need to wield his club because his tongue wins his battles for him.

bonnycat	30 Sep 2003
This is my lastest deck and the one i am using the most at present i can understand what others have said in that there are some harch images and some of the myths don't seem to match for example morrigan as the empress. in my mind she is a warrior type. that said i love it and have got a lot out of it bonnycat

TheLovers2	30 Sep 2003
brennamor: Thanks for your insight into the Strength card in the Celtic - Gaudenzi Tarot. It seems that the artist could have depicted all of that in a way that would not have been so, in my opinion, gross. Oh well. I actually like your interpretation of the card, the myth, etc., however, could not bare to look at that card on a regular basis. So, tell me how you see the minors? I did like the minors. Do you see them as different tribes? Do they translate well in readings? Thanks for your response.

TheLovers2	30 Sep 2003
I'm just wondering WHY you love this particular deck, bonnycat, and you said that you get a lot out of it. Could you be more specific? Do you mind? I guess I am interested in knowing why people favor this deck, especially the majors, since I had such strong negative feelings about it (pretty much the majors, I admit). Thank you, also, for your reply.

augursWell	30 Sep 2003
I bought this deck on a whim when I saw it in the bookstore due mostly to the image on the back of the box. That image turned out to be XIV Temperance and I simply liked the style of the artwork. It had a classic look to the forms and colours of the artwork. The figure on the VI Lovers card bears a striking resemblance to Julia Roberts. I bought the deck for the Artist but I am also used to accepting images that I don't agree with if I like the artistic style. As an artist myself I also appreciate the female form and don't have a problem with that. I was dissapointed after I opened the deck and found all of the other artwork which now I realize is all of the minors. I did like the other artwork after awhile though. I think the main thing is that I grew up with comic art, and I don't have a problem with that style of art and this deck felt like I wasn't actually using a Tarot deck but something else. I have to admit that I've not done many readings with it at all. I do feel that it is probably the most colorful deck I have, in many ways. :)

bonnycat	01 Oct 2003
i admit it was the minors that drew me to the deck a first but i have worked on the majors and still am as like, i said some do not seem to fit. that said i am still playing with it and trying to see where the artist is coming from. For example from reading this thread i undersand the strength card a bit more. I supose the main reason why i love it is because it is the first deck i have used for others and i have found it seem to conect with me Also it was though looking for a book on the deck that i found this site bonnycat

Cerulean	24 Feb 2004
One or two years ago I picked this up and I liked some of the cards, disliked intensely some others. Here's some reviews: Joan Bunning: http://www.learntarot.com/czdesc.htm Michelle Jackson's review (when Tarotpassages was art of the tarot): http://www.tarotpassages.com/celt2k.htm Mark Filpas: http://www.spiritone.com/~filipas/Masquerade/Reviews/celtic.html Berti's original intent in creating the Celtic Tarots: http://www.giordanoberti.it/english/html/giochi_tarocchi.htm All images: http://www.gambler.ru/sukhty/decks03/d01094/d01094.htm A summary, along with other Celtic Tarots: http://www.tarotpassages.com/celticoverviewI-dl.htm Since then I've decided to take a short survey course from a cultural anthropologist on how the Celts ended up in Ireland. His survey is a gathering of historical evidence (linguistics, ruins and historical literature beginning with Julius Caeser's Conquest of Gaul). Something shifted for me and I can use the deck sometimes for reading to others and storylike readings for myself. However in one reading about work issues, I wanted to give additional ideas, so I also ended up using information also drawn from Susan Levitt's Learning the Tarot and another Gaudenzi deck in a comparative way...it is the renamed Hidden Folk. I see the originator of the thread has returned to the board--welcome back and I hope this information adds to your enjoyment of this tarot! Mari Hoshizaki

Kiama	24 Feb 2004
Well, I must say I found this deck to be very disappointing, though many of you already know I found very few 'Celtic Tarots' to be any good at all. I love Celtic mythology, particularly Welsh and Irish. Gimme the Mabinogion before bedtime and I won't get any sleep that night! I long for (yep, long for) a deck that will, in my opinion, get it right. (In my opinion.) So many Celtic decks seem to misrepresent the things they are talking about, or they are shallow. In this particular deck, I dislike the Majors, but quite like the Minors being the different races of beings. I don't see why the Morrigan (Raven Goddess of Death, War, and Destruction) is the Empress, for instance. So that's my main qualm with this deck: I don't like the attributions of the Majors. Kiama

firemaiden	24 Feb 2004
You've caused me to pull out my deck and look at it again. I bought it before I knew ever tried reading with tarot, I just liked pretty pictures, plus I'm not any kind of things-Celtic junkie (yet). So I've always preferred the Majors by a long shot; and quite disagree with Filipas' review when he finds the minors of artist Severino Tenuta to be a good match for Gaudenzi's Majors. I think the figures in the minors (especially the wands) are monstrous, with all those jumping-out-of-the-skin-muscles, like cartoons only-for-boys (weird boys...). (not Donald Duck... the Incredible Hulk) Perhaps its time for me to give it a new chance. It's dark. I'm starting to like dark. Take the King of Wands for instance. No face.

The Who here has the Celtic Tarot (Lo Scarabeo) and what do you think of it? thread was originally posted on 31 May 2003 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.