My 3 New LS Decks

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 08 Jul 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

purplelady	08 Jul 2003
This is the first time I have ever purchased Lo Scarabeo decks, I picked 3. And I'm so excited I just have to write about it! -Ramses:Tarot of Eternity -Tarot of the Origins -Avalon Tarot After much consideration, I think I picked these 3 because they each portray a different culture and time in history that I am interested in studying and feel drawn to. The first one I got was Ramses: Tarot of Eternity, I even like the name! I rate it second of the three. While in the past I have not really felt drawn to Egyptian history or studies, recently it fits into things I am interested in: the mystery of the pyramids, the sphinx, etc. As a tarot deck , I like some of the cards , others not as much. I can read with it but I wouldn't call it my favorite deck.The LWB is a bit lacking . And some of the cards just don't seem to accurately portray the meaning of that card. Also it seems to me some of the women are the same person and dressed in the exact same clothes, for instance, The HP and the Empress I think , from memory, even though the LWB says they are different people. This is my second Egyptian themed deck. I'm not sure which I like better. But they are interesting to look at, and pretty good for readings. They also get me Wondering strange mysterious questions like: Were there really humans with heads of strange birds? OR are those figures just wearing masks??! Was there really such a thing as a Griffin? A Sphinx? A snake headed human? Were they aliens? Or genetic experiments? Or all just humans wearing masks? And what race were the egyptians really?

purplelady	08 Jul 2003
Tarot of the Origins: For me this is a disapointment. Perhaps my expectations were a bit different. I don't think I would even attempt to read with this deck. Maybe the deck is good in an artsy sort-of way, but I just don't personally care for it?!A lot of the cards don't seem to portray the meaning of that card in a readable way. I don't like the way the suit of wands ONLY has cards painted in green, cups only are blue with not much in the way of any other color on the card etc. So the lack of full color spectrum there bothers me. I Like the IDEA of the theme, I just can see it done in other ways. Even now I don't like to criticise this deck though............because I can see a certain thought and artistry and emotion trying to come out.................Perhaps I would prefer it to be more colorful and upbeat. And even to better convey the Inner life of ancient man and woman. But I think I will try to have an open mind about it. I rarely feel scorn or hatred toward a deck ;) . Avalon Tarot: This is IT! I opened it this morning and fell in Love ! The colors are rich and full and varied. Each card Really draws me into a scene that I can lose myself in. I even like the LWB that is in English. It manages to explain very clearly in a sentence or two the legend behind each card and gives a very clear cut meaning for each card. Very easy to understand . It makes me want to get out my other Arthurian deck, Legends , and read and study it's companion book, but I never seem to find the time! I Love the art, the colors, the pictures of the Avalon deck! I've heard it criticised as cartoonish, and the women's breasts too large and eye-catching! Well...........there IS an element of exaggeration, as in a cartoon. The few women who's breasts are shown are well endowed, but I find it proportionate. And of course, the men are very buff, if you can tell through all that heavy and intricate armour. The lover's card is to die for, in a gothic romance sort-of way! There are many cards I really really like. I feel like I could study these pictures for quite a long time and discover new things in them. The cards with scenes of landscape or architecture draw me to that place and I feel like I can enter into it. Anyone who likes King Arthur tales has to have it! There it is, my biased opinions!

Scorpion	08 Jul 2003
Oh no - Tarotlady: you're fostering my tarot-holic tendencies! Now I'm going to have to buy the Avalon: I'd never seen it before and it looks sumptuous. It reminds me of the Olympus deck, which I have really bonded with. Guess I'll just have to make space for this one.....

Macavity	08 Jul 2003
I think the Egyptians believed rather literally in the manifestations of the Gods in their various half-animal half-human guise? I've never been clear on whether ANY Egyptians actually wore animal mask during e.g. ceremonies. Indeed I'd like to know! The (sometimes acrimonious) debate as to who the Egyptians were ethnically, will doubtless rumble on for a long time... ;) Macavity P.S. I like LoS decks, so I shall resist my usual "Clive Barrett's Ancient Egyptian Tarot Advocacy" bit here... Oooops, Failed again! })

Cerulean	08 Jul 2003
I like this romantic tarot. I also found inspiration from tales related to Christien Le Troyes' version of courtly love in these modern pictures. One of my favorites is the Moon with the white deer. Because you are speaking of a lovely topic, I'd like to post one or two bits from earlier Avalon (LS) threads. 1. Diane Wilkes review and Moon card picture: http://www.tarotpassages.com/avalon.htm 2. A pretty Avalon link http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/cameron/phid.shtml Julia Margaret Cameron (sp) in the 1860s did high-art photography and staged scenes from Tennyson's Idylls of the King. I realize this is slightly off topic, but the imaging journal idea is fantastic to my mood book of Celtic/Arthur...so I'm going to include past artist examples...here, if you don't look too closely at the staging, just the mood, you can see the visual translation of the King Arthur's tales seemed dramatic and romantic to especially the Victorians. Lovely in some ways, sometimes savage scenes in others, so one doesn't actually get the feeling its all sweetness and light during this time. I look forward to hearing further comments as you all explore these decks. I exchanged my Origins to someone who had a better use (I got the small Fine Art Tarot in exchange--it's oop). The Origins booklet is useful if you get the Comparative Tarot, as well. I've also seen Ramses and it's not for me.

truthsayer	09 Jul 2003
congrats on your new decks. my fav LS decks are the neferteri and the sphynx. are you familiar with them? i'm wondering how the ramses compares against them. i have thought about getting it since i like LS egyptian decks. who did the art on the ramses? that's generally my first question. i love the art of silana alysia. i also have the etruscan by her. i love the way she replicates ancient images.

purplelady	09 Jul 2003
Thanks truthsayer! Ramses is by Giordano Berti and Severino Baraldi. I'm thinking of aquiring the Nefertari someday!

The My 3 New LS Decks thread was originally posted on 08 Jul 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.