Tarot of Prague - now published

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 Jul 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

baba-prague	07 Jul 2003
Hi, Well, I said I would be back jumping up and down once we had this all done - so here I am! The site is www.tarotofprague.com (I suppose I've said that more than once ;-) and all the cards are there now. If you go into the second page of the Major Arcana you can see both Death cards. I think we are the first tarot to offer two alternative Death cards? It's because one, our baroque one, is very graphic - it's based on the "Chapel of Death" here and shows Death walking among the living. It's a wonderful image, but not for everyone, so we have included an alternative - based on a puppet horse and rider. Still a little gothic, but with a bit of tongue-in-cheekness too. One or two people have had problems finding the online ordering so we have tweaked it this morning - hope it's easy now. If there are any questions though, just ask please. If you don't want to go to the site, you can get straight into our storefront at: http://cnb-host1.clickandbuild.com/cnb/shop/tarotofprague It is all powered by WorldPay so for the actual ordering you get taken off to a secure server. If you pre-ordered at the original dollar price, let me know as we will refund the $2-$3 (or whatever it is according to the latest exchange rates) as WorldPay do the calculation interactively and the dollar has gone down. If you pre-ordered please also drop me an email and confirm which free print you would like. The prints are looking good as we now have a whizzy new printer. Okay - hope that's brightened up this Monday morning. (Oh - little pack shot enclosed for further brightening!) Thanks again for all the support and encouragement - it's meant a lot to both of us.

baba-prague	07 Jul 2003
it's tiny, but it gives an idea. The ribbons are gold (the most classy semi-matt gold we could find). The cards are matt lacquered by the way - they look as though there is no coating, but there is. Alex was there when the printer applied it! It is very subtle, but does give quite good protection.

Hedera	07 Jul 2003
Karen, it all looks amazing!! And I look forward to reading with it. :) In another thread you showed the backs, that had a palindrome on them; that made me laugh. I knew about the demons: have you ever read anything by Tim Powers? I'm glad about the matt finish, that sounds really good. Congratulations!

Le_Corsair	07 Jul 2003
Friday! What a great looking package! Bob :THERM :OL :CL :WL :SL

baba-prague	08 Jul 2003
Thank-you again. Yes, the package does look great (I didn't design it, that's down to Alex). It's because it's still possible to get hand-work done here (and we have spent time at the workshop where they make the card "book cover" and it is nice - no sweatshop, but people sitting around humming along to the Beatles.) So it seems great to use packaging that's a bit "special". Tiny picture uploaded in case people wonder what's being talked about. We are of course in love with the deck - well, we are allowed to be I guess. I haven't done a spread yet. This weekend, in peace and with some time to really enjoy the experience I think... ____________ Edited to say Oh whoops - didn't realise I'd already uploaded this. Bit of over-enthusiasm I think.

Aerin	15 Jul 2003
I have mine in hand as of this morning - thank you so much Karen! Nothing on the web can do justice to the beauty and vibrancy of the cards and the packaging. I'm sooooo pleased with it. The deck packaging is particularly unusual and gorgeous. I intend to spend a lot of time just looking, and reading through the book (very substantial and with lots of info about the images). It is wonderful. It feels like I have a real treasure. And two Death cards as well! And the print is also lovely, I am going to frame it. Aerin x ps the postman was also excited to be delivering a package from Prague

Lee	21 Jul 2003
Here is a review (by me!): http://www.tarotpassages.com/prague-lb.htm -- Lee :)

MystiqueMoonlight	21 Jul 2003
I've managed to get a set as well, not arrived yet.... :( But my sister and I were looking at the website pics and the ooo's and aaahh's from her were great :) I remember saying to her at the time they probably don't look half as good on the website as they will in person. I look forward to receiving them soon. :smoker:

Astraea	21 Jul 2003
My words cannot do justice to how beautiful this deck is, and to the complete integrity with which it has been conceived, designed, produced and packaged. Every aspect of tarot use has been considered, including a small book incorporated in the wraparound/ribbon-tied enclosure for the deck, itself; the large accompanying text represents a wealth of information, beautifully written and produced. Such insight, sensitivity and love have gone into the creation of the Tarot of Prague. Thank you, Karen and Alex.

MystiqueMoonlight	21 Jul 2003
Thought you all might enjoy reading this review:- http://www.tarotpassages.com/prague-lb.htm I'm getting very anxious here lol :smoker:

moon_mermaid	22 Jul 2003
I received the set. When I opened it, wow, the printing quality is superb, which really brings out the beauty of deck. This deck is more than beautiful, it blends nicely the tarot meanings and the landmarks of Prague together. Even an inexperience person like me finds to difficult to undestand it. At first I find it a bit odd to see that the style of each card is different, but as I go through them again, they fit together nicely. The book, yes the book is a another pleasure. From the book, I discover so much about Prague which make this deck more insteresting. I requested the Empress as the large print. Another Thumb Up. :D But when I received the deck and checked the chariot, I love the blue sky and made me regret a bit not to ask a large print for this one. :D Just so glad I have the deck in my shelf now. moon_mermaid :)

moon_mermaid	22 Jul 2003
Correction. This is what I mean. "Even an inexperience person like me finds it not difficult to undestand it. " moon_mermaid

baba-prague	22 Jul 2003
Good morning from Prague! Thanks so much for all these kind comments. We were a bit overwhelmed by the review to be honest, so neither Alex or I are quite sure what to say, except that we didn't expect it. I'm so glad that both the cards and the book are being well received. It's been our aim since the very beginning of this project to make something that is usable - not just an art deck (though I also love art decks of course). I really think that this deck will "live" when it's used - there are a lot of meanings to be found in the cards because there are so many stories in the imagery of Prague - the deck sort of wants to dance, if you know what I mean by that. SO - just to say again that it's great, we're so happy, and a BIG thank-you. As all of you who have the book will know, there is of course a "thank-you" to Aeclectic on the acknowledgements page - people here made such an important contribution.

littlegreen	22 Jul 2003
..yup, will start reading with it soon, but will TRY MY BEST to get through the book before!! Karen......wow! xlg

Molly	22 Jul 2003
I want this deck so much but have no spending money right now, *sigh*... would you consider a trade, baba-prague? It is just the lovelist thing and I was so excited by the review at tarotpassages... I will IM you, see what you think... ;-)

Page	23 Jul 2003
Karen, I just like to say that I'm pleased that you have now published your deck! You chose a good day the 4th July Independence Day in the USA.(my birthday) I really like you back design it makes a change from the plad designs that make me puke. Good luck!

baba-prague	23 Jul 2003
Maud - it is also my nephew's birthday. When he was born many years ago I commissioned a friend to knit the smallest "stars and stripes" jumper ever! Thank-you - it is wonderful to see the deck out there (though I also have ridiculous moments of anxiety about how it is faring - it is already more widely travelled than I am LOL)

Le_Corsair	23 Jul 2003
Just a note to all that I got the deck package, Oh, is it nice! The book will keep me busy for some days absorbing new information, all I know about Prague I learned from "Ma Vlast" by Smetana. I picked the two of swords as my print; Karen, looking at the lion's expression, do you think he's wondering and worried about the combination of swords and blindfold? Was that intentional? Verrrrry Funny! Bob :THERM

baba-prague	24 Jul 2003
Hi - so glad the deck arrived and that you are enjoying it. All I will say about the lion is that he always reminds me of Prince Charles ;-) I think he is very stiff and anxious, his crown is slipping a bit - and strong women make him rather nervous (LOL) The woman behind him (based on a wall-painting of one of the queens of the Celtic dynasty who first founded and ruled Prague) is obviously strong and - even blindfolded - well capable of defending herself (though with all the issues about the difficulties of maintaining this defensive position that are such an important aspect of this card). Her feet are very firmly planted on the ground - whereas the lion looks as though he might take off and run away at any moment. I know you have the book, but for the sake of anyone else reading this, the anxious lion is from a 1714 facade that was built as a thanks for the ebbing away of the final black plague outbreak to hit Prague. The young girl from the Ten of Swords is also from this facade (at the House of the Golden Well). She and the lion (he is one of a pair, but they have different expressions) are both very ambiguous in meaning. But then, there must have been such mixed feelings at the end of the plague - sadness, worry, and thankfulness. She is very beautiful (almost angelic) - but look where she is sleeping! I love this whole facade - sometimes it's staggering to realise that it's almost 300 years old. ___________ ps - an opera singer friend of ours (from New York) went to the top of the Strahov hill (see Queen of Swords) and sang an aria from Smetana one evening when she was here. It was very moving - we noticed that a light went on and a window opened in one of the monk's cells in the monastry... anyway, a bit off thread, but Smetana is wonderful, probably teaches you as much about Prague as anything could.

Molly	24 Jul 2003
thanks so much for including the attachments so we could see what you were talking about. This may sound like a silly reference at first, but I recently saw an American movie called Orange County. This was a comedy about a young man trying to get into his dream college. His motivation was to study under a professor who taught there. He had found a book written by this professor and decided after reading this inspiring wonderful novel that he wanted to be a writer himself. There was this scene where he finally meets the professor and he confesses that he feels like he will never make it as a "real" writer if he can't get out of Orange County. The professor explains that the place where you live is a big part of who you are... the best writers have a strong sense of home.... who would James Joyce have been without Ireland, for one example... even Stephen King often places his setting in Maine. It was mainly a fluffy movie, but that one scene was very thought provoking. When I saw this deck, I thought I loved it because it had beautiful art, or I wanted it because it was well reviewed as it is both usable, full of symbolism, thoughtful, and artistic... but, maybe, it was none of those things. Perhaps it is your love of the city of Prague that becomes tangible, and infuses the deck with the energy that draws me, more than anything else. It is an amazing thing to love where you live, to feel a connection with an entire city. I have lived for a VERY long time in South Florida, and I still don't have a connection with this state. I find it hot and aggitating. I have tried to tell myself I am lucky I live so near the ocean, but I never visit it. I try to tell myself I don't have to shovel snow or dress the kids warmly, but I would welcome those things... I think home for me will always be the state I was born, Michigan. When I go back for visits, it is just like a sigh of relief when I step off the plane. I dream of many things, some I am pretty sure will happen and some I imagine will always be dreams. I think someday we will finally be financially secure enough to move to Michigan. I really believe that someday I will have enough money to take the vacations I want, even if I have to wait until the kids are grown. I always imagining visiting Italy, and seeing the churches, the art, the buildings, Venice... I have imagined visiting India (the country where my father-in-law was born), Egypt, London, Spain. Without even holding your deck in my hands yet, I already know that I am going to have to add Prague to my list! *G* I don't know... yesterday I was just thinking that maybe I would feel more like this place were home if I were to try to make a Fort Lauderdale Tarot deck, LOL. Hmmm..... ;-)

baba-prague	25 Jul 2003
Molly, I'm going to pm because there is a lot to say about feelings of "home". You are completely right in saying that Alex and I love Prague. We live in a very old street, and we are right in the centre of the cross between three convents and a monastery (the Strahov monastery which is in many of the cards - the most spiritual and special place). The other evening we were sitting out (we have a tiny roof terrace, that the cat also adores) and talking about how lucky we are to live in a place that is so wonderful - bells ringing all around us, mermaids on the next wall (we can see the melusine mermaid in the Two of Cups from our terrace) and stars in the sky. I feel very, very lucky to live and work here - it's a privilege that I'm grateful for.

Voodoo_Shaman	26 Jul 2003
Okay this is my very first post in Aeclectic, and the reason I am choosing this area, is because i have not been more excited for a Tarot deck, since the first one I purchased way back in 88 or 89. I remember seeing that old dusty deck, in the back shelf of a comic book / gift shop, and I remember the feeling of pure...... Okay anyway you get the picture. Well let me tell you, I am feeling the same for the Tarot of Prague, every time I go to their web page and tease myself over and over again. I must say I can not wait. And let me make it officially known I won your deck on e-bay. Okay, I am rambling, I just really am so excited, I can not wait to have it in my hands. Although I love most of the images, for a strange reason I really attracted to the beauty, on the Four of Cups, and the two Death Cards are so awesome. Can I ask one question, what is the size of the cards? I am just looking for a nice soapstone box to keep them protected. Voodoo Shaman

baba-prague	27 Jul 2003
Thank you! Also, welcome to Aeclectic - which I'm sure you'll enjoy. But - one question - are you joking about eBay? We have never auctioned any copies. Please tell me it's a joke (I think we all worry about pirated copies and suchlike - though this deck needs very high-quality printing so I don't think it could be pirated really - but then look at Kat Black's bad experience with that.) So - to get your query, the size is 74mm x 124mm (a shade under 3 x 5 in). They are similar in size to some of the Lo Scarabeo decks, but a little wider (if that helps you to visualise it). The cards are varnished with a very matt varnish back and front, so that they don't feel at all like the more plasticised varnishes (this makes them feel more antique, and while it may not be as "wipe-clean" if anything spills on them, it is still pretty durable). I'm happy to answer any other questions. Oh - the cards have a "hard-back book" style cover, so a box would need to accomodate that too - unless you chose to take them out. When I have a minute today I want to begin to update the site to show what the packaging looks like (and maybe to add some more things too). Best wishes, Karen

Voodoo_Shaman	27 Jul 2003
Hi, I won your deck on e-bay, and I purchased it with "buy it Know" the company is a reputable Tarot co, named Tarot Garden. I was going to purchase from your site, but I was going to have to pay for one of those, i can not think of the name, “World Money Order?” which costs like 5 -6 bucks, plus the price of the deck. So as I was going through e-bay, there they where, and my really bad habit of pushing the “Buy it Know” button took over me. Again I love your site, great Job. Voodoo Shaman

baba-prague	27 Jul 2003
Oh - phew! That's fine. Thanks for explaining. Yes, we have sent decks and books to Tarot garden and anything you buy from them will be the "real thing" (and yes, I agree, they are totally reliable - and nice people). Please enjoy the deck (and the book of course). I hope it really works well for you. Please let me know how you find it when it's in your hands. In fact this afternoon I've just done a reading with the deck (for someone I don't know at all) and I'm discovering all sorts of things about how it works in readings. It's quite a gentle but deep deck I think - I hope. Best wishes, Karen

scorpio	27 Jul 2003
Baba-prague i have a deck that has two versions of some of the major arcana, including the death card. instead of being offered as an alternative card though i think these are kinda like before and after, death shows a skeleton reaping souls and their shadowy figures and then the other card shows an "angel" sowing seeds into the ground. i have an ulterior motive for bring this up to you because these cards are in russian and the LWB looks so interesting and i can't read it! it's called the transtsendentnoe tarot at tarotgarden so if you are familar with it i would love to know more! looking forward to your deck, scorpio

baba-prague	28 Jul 2003
Dear Scorpio, Glad it's now arrived! I haven't yet had a chance to sit down properly and ask Alex about that deck - but I will do, it sounds interesting. It is an odd coincidence that our deck also has two Death cards. We just thought it would be a good idea to let people choose which one to use. I always use our "baroque" one, but Alex loves the one with the puppet horse. Okay, you can see the other reason there are two - simply that we couldn't decide which was the better - I think the answer is just a matter of personal preference.

Kiama	28 Jul 2003
I've only just got round to ordering this deck... And I can't wait to receive it! I looked at all the cards on the site, and it looks absolutely stunning so far! Well done baba-prague! Kiama

Demonesse	28 Jul 2003
Ah – now that I get around to viewing the Minor Arcana and Court Cards, I just wanted to note that the presentation of the suits (the number/rank initial in upper left corner and suit symbol in lower right) is very unique and classy! And I just had to smile at the Knight of Cups. :)

Kiama	29 Jul 2003
I ended up choosing the Page of Pentacles for the A5 print... It will look good on my wall, and at the moment it has alot of relevance to my life too. I am most eager to read the book so I can find out the background to all the gorgeous images in teh deck! Kiama

Voodoo_Shaman	29 Jul 2003
I keep hearing about people purchasing "prints" of the Tarot of Prague, can I get further info on this, Size, price, any info would be nice. I love the cards but from what I have seen there are a few I would love to hang. Thanks. Signed Patiently Waiting for Tarot of Prague Voodoo Shaman

baba-prague	29 Jul 2003
Hi, I am not sure if this will be classified under "commercial" so apologies Solandia if so - and please move it if you need to. We have been offering a free print on request with each copy of the deck bought from us. They are high quality prints - Alex does many prints of artists' work here in Prague, so is very experienced at getting good colour repro and using good paper - but please ask someone who has one what they think. Several people on Aeclectic have our prints (btw, we have loved printing them, as it is a buzz to see the cards at large size.) However - please can I warn everyone that we are about to take this offer off the site. It was supposed to be special for pre-orders but we kept it going for a while longer. It will probably have to vanish in the next few days (depending on our web-friend who does things in his own time :-) ) but we'll of course honour all orders made up to the time he changes the site. But, we will go on selling the prints to order. They are not exactly well-advertised (sorry, we didn't realise there would be such interest) but they are there in the shopping area when you hit "buy now". I will try and put up a page soon where they can be properly seen. We are also working with our friend who is a Finnish textile designer on printed and embellished "half-remembered fairy-tale cushions" that are based on some of the cards. But these won't be ready for quite a while (they are in fine silks and so it's hard to get them made at high enough quality). We just wanted to develop further my "thing" about the cards being reminiscent of illustrations from half-remembered tales (I am a total fairy-tale addict - as is Alex). Hope that answers the question! _____________ ps sorry - I HAVE to tell this story about fairytales. I just bought the most beautifully illustrated old Alice in Wonderland on eBay. I asked the seller to send it (c/o my mum) to my parents in England, so I could pick it up when I'm next back. She did so and it arrived... Next thing I get a phone-call from my Mum thanking me for the beautiful present - and saying she adores it and it reminds her of her childhood and how kind of me to think of this. Ah well, I will never have the heart to tell her the truth - so it is hers! Fate is funny, and sometimes very wise :-)

Voodoo_Shaman	02 Aug 2003
Hello I just received my Tarot of Prague, today, and let me tell you. The images where more beautiful, and more breathtaking that what can be seen on the net. I quickly, “carefully” shuffled them and did a spread, and was very pleased. This deck is amazing. The packaging was also awesome; I love the feel and smell of the paper to the book. The box that came with the cards is really unique, I love it. I have not started reading it yet, because I have been handling the deck since I received it this morning. I would like to that you both for creating one of the “rare” modern classics of Tarot. I also want to say thanks to the lovely ladies at Tarot Garden, wow you ladies are fast in delivering. I have one small minor concern. I am what you call a shuffler; I really am so us to shuffling my cards allot. I am a bit nervous in handling the Tarot of Prague, because the coating on the cards is not what I am us to. I will probably get them laminated, just in case. But besides that they are amazing. But the rest is awesome, the colors, the box, the book. Good Job. Voodoo Shaman

baba-prague	03 Aug 2003
Hi, I'm really pleased that you like the deck. We are getting quite a lot of feedback about how well it reads - this is great as it's very important to us. There are layers in the images - some put there by the sheer history of Prague, so we hope that the deck will mature and get better as it settles with each particular reader. Lamination? Please consider this carefully. The cards are matt laquered - so they are well coated, even if they don't look it. Yes, they are not wipe-clean (though I did experimentally spill a drop of water on one "test" card, and it wiped off fine). We put a lot of consideration into the laquer we used. Personally, I am not very keen on "plasticised" coatings and Alex felt it would in some ways have lessened the impact of the images. I know plasticised coatings are practical, but they have disadvantages in terms of feel and beauty, and they don't age gracefully. Anyway, if you have time please take a look at this review, which specifically talks about the finish of the cards - which this reviewer likes very much: http://www.illuminationtarot.com/insights/prague.html But - it's your deck and of course in the end you must do what feels best to you and works for you. The main thing is that the deck gives you good service, symbolically, aesthetically - and practically. Thank-you again for your enthusiasm and best wishes, Karen

Voodoo_Shaman	03 Aug 2003
Thank you Baba Prague. I will follow your advice, I copared them to the Rider Waite, "in thckness" The T.o. Prague are definatly thicker. I just love them, and love them the more they are close to me. Last night I placed them in a pouch next to my bed, and today I am placing them in by bag, so they can go everywhere I do. I will read the review. And probably will not laminate them, as what you say does make much sense. The Book is awsome. Voodoo Shaman

baba-prague	04 Aug 2003
Just enjoy the deck, and in the end do what's right for you. There is a lot in these cards - so many of the elements have such an amazing history and so much resonance. I'm sure the deck will work well with you :-)

scorpio	04 Aug 2003
Even with all of the positive comments, i was still surprised at what a totally charming package this set is. i love the deck box and have been toting it around everywhere. everything is pitch perfect, the card size (love the width in proportion to the height), the colours in the deck, the art, and the unique "praque'' flavor impressed on the traditional formula that makes it easy to intuit. i normally read a celtic cross or pyramid spread, but i have been doing double (two cards per position) celtics with this deck and i really like the readings. really really NICE

Voodoo_Shaman	04 Aug 2003
I showed my cards to Baba Carlos, a Babalawo in the Lukumi “Santeria” tradition for about 40 years. He was amazed by the deck and said that in the old days when he was a young boy in Cuba the rare and few Tarot or Spanish Brisca cards used to foretell future events or Divine with were coated in a similar fashion as was the Tarot of Prague. In fact in his last visit to Cuba, it is hard to come accross such divination tools, so many people literarly do have old decks that pre-date around the 50’s and 60’s. Divination tools of any form are treated carefully and with the highest respects. He could not get over the cards, and told me they would last a long time, just to make sure I took very care of them. I am so usto the modern coating, you know that glossy one. But if I look at the few European Decks that I own, such as the Ancient Italian, or any other, they have a somewhat similar coating. Which really does give it that old world feel, and charm. I also read the review Baba Prague has posted, and this of course helped also. Lol, I went to the local “Office Max” store and purchased a strong hand held magnifying glass, just so that I can get a really close up of all the details. Again the book is one of the best books I have ever read on the Tarot. Bravo!! Excellente!! Viva Los Tarot de Prague Voodoo Shaman

Astraea	04 Aug 2003
I agree, the book is superb. It is wise, but warm and accessible (like the Tarot of Prague, itself). The wealth of information about sources for the cards' artwork enriches the experience of the deck immensely. The book can also stand alone as a brilliant exposition of tarot. This deck-and-card set is a wonderful achievement.

Voodoo_Shaman	04 Aug 2003
As I read the book that came with the Tarot of Prague I keep hearing references about the Bohemian Deck. I am really curious, is this deck still available, and if so where can I get a copy. Voodoo Shaman

MystiqueMoonlight	04 Aug 2003
As a result of this deck we're going to Prague next year for our 10th anniversary..... :)

Little Baron	04 Aug 2003
Congratulations. Hanged Man is beautiful. Think I like the second Death card best.

baba-prague	05 Aug 2003
Apparently parts of Prague are now 52 degrees in direct sunlight, so anything I say may come out a bit heat-befuddled! Alex and I are just rather overwhelmed about the reaction to the deck - but we take it as a compliment to the deck, not to us, if you see what you mean. I do feel the deck now has a life of its own and may well surprise us all. I feel strongly that it’s a deck that wants to be in use, and will give back a lot to a good reader. I am so interested to hear about how the Cuban Babalawo saw the deck. Thank-you so much for that information. I sort of feel that if he approves of the cards, then it’s an affirmation and a reassurance. Kind of interesting coincidence that we call ourselves baba studio :-) The Bohemian deck? Yes, it is a playing card deck that has been essentially unchanged for I don't know how many years. It’s used for a game that is a bit like Tarocchi. The figures and symbols on this deck are extremely interesting, which is why we incorporated so many of them into our cards. The good news is that yes, it’s easy to get hold of. The old versions are often more beautiful than the newer prints though. We actually bought our WWII ones from a Roma in a market here (one set is now with Diana, so she may want to comment) and what I like is that each deck is a little different – I guess from different printings. However, you can get a modern copy in all the bookstores here and some of them are pretty good. If anyone is interested I’ll trade a few (just for something small – these little decks are inexpensive here so it wouldn’t feel right to trade for a whole tarot deck). By the way, if you’d like to see some scans of our old WWII deck, it’s on our website at http://www.tarotofprague.com/taroky.html (click on the cards to get a pop-up window). Best wishes from hot and humid Prague (weird, very weird!) p.s. BTW, Hanged Man is one of my favourites too because I so much like that Black Sun. Very old and with SUCH personality to it.

heartsdesire	05 Aug 2003
Waaaaaaa - I'm crying here. I am trying so hard to be patient. Checking my mailbox every day.............................looking for my cards. Then I read how beautiful they are and I know I can't wait. I need to check if my order was lost. I ordered them on June 27th. I have the ordering info if you need it. Otherwise - please tell me they will be here any minute, because I can't wait to hold them in my hands, and see them with my own eyes!

baba-prague	05 Aug 2003
Oh - heavens. You must be the person who ordered way back before the ordering system was working and who I haven't been about to contact! (I've successfully contacted everyone but one - which I guess is you!) Well, in a way this is good. We wrote to everyone who ordered (and tried to pay) before July 4th to warn them that the system was in fact still in test mode then. It was finally made "live" on 4th July. We put notices up here and on some other forums to warn people that pre-July 4th payments were only in "test" mode, not real. The good news is that no money will have been taken from your credit card (double check please, but we got WorldPay to double-check also and they said definitely not), the bad news - we don't have any details of your address just your email. I emailed about seven times and it got bounced, so perhaps the email was wrong? I will pm you and check. By the way, the other good, good news is that we gave an extra free gift to everyone who got caught out by the ordering system in this way (long story, we thought all was working but WorldPay didn't make the system "live" as they were waiting for a form for us which we didn't know about - so we gave everyone something extra for the nuisance of having to reorder). Just for info - we send by airmail so even parcels that have to travel a long way should only take a week or two at the very most. I'm glad we finally make contact! Phew!

Voodoo_Shaman	05 Aug 2003
“I am so interested to hear about how the Cuban Babalawo saw the deck.” My Godfather loved the deck so much, but sadly Babalawos are not permitted to own any form of divination toll with the exception of the divinatiol tools that are sacred to the Divine Spirit, “Orunmila” But he really was impressed with the deck., so much that he commented it to his wife, “my Godmother” Iyalocha Otellia, who like me really loves to use cards as a form of divination. She uses old Brisca cards from Spain, which seams like she has been using them forever. She is a great devotee of the Child of Prague, and made it known to me that El Santo Ninio De Prague, is from Prague, lol. I did not see at first the connection. “Many Puerto Ricans and Cubans are highly respectful and devotees to el Divino Ninio De Prague. So she really loved the deck very much, All though the day of her Saint has long past, I am going to purchase a deck for her, as a gift and offering. As well as a New Statue of the Divine Child, for myself so that I can offer the deck to him. Voodoo Shaman

baba-prague	05 Aug 2003
We live very close to the church devoted to the Child. We can see it from our windows. I also hadn't realised the connection for you. Maybe I should also take a deck to the Child? I hadn't really considered this, but it would feel like a good thing to do. But perhaps in the winter, when it's quiet. The church has a very special atmosphere, as you would expect. We didn't photograph inside for the deck - in some churches it felt fine to do so, but in this one, no, it didn't. We do have a photo of the outside though - a beautiful photo taken at night, you are very welcome to pm me if you would like a copy. If you look at the Ace of Swords, the church tower (beautiful white one) just beside the sword, is the tower of this church. It's in a beautiful place backing on to the Petrin park. Thank-you again - and my best wishes please to your Godmother.

catti	05 Aug 2003
i have been to your website many times and sent ecards to all sorts of people who dont know tarot or prague, or only know a little of either... makes me want to visit prague the cards are so inviting and it is a lovely tribute to the city you live in. i could never make a tarot deck of Ponce, i just dont feel the same way about this city, even if Flaming June is at our Museum. i have to add that i wrote the 1st part before i read the other posts, i never new that the picture used for el divino nino jesus is from prague!...i dont have a deck ....YET...i just wrote of the beauty from what i saw online...and i missed getting a free print !!

Cocobird55	05 Aug 2003
And it's lovely. I'm planning to spend lots of time with this deck... Sue

heartsdesire	05 Aug 2003
I read your pm - and I am happy to say -yes, my credit card was never charged - which made me wonder. And I don't have a clue why my e-mail address wasn't working????? But - the good news is - I've re-ordered - so now I can begin impatiently waiting with a time frame in mind. Yippee!!! ?I think? See - I KNEW I never should have went on vacation - no internet - now that's roughing it!!!!!

baba-prague	06 Aug 2003
I just wanted to say, for anyone who is now planning to come to Prague, please come and see us if you have time! The studio is nice but TINY and a bit cramped, but we have a cafe a few yards away (inside "The Donkey in the Cradle" house where Kelley is supposed to have lived and practised alchemy) and we are very close to the Castle. We even have a resident ghost around the corner - a full "headless horseman" and coach, though I have never seen it and can't guarantee that you will! Oh and the ballroom where Mozart met Casanova is all of 100 metres away (you see why we love Prague?!) By the way, for anyone in the UK, the deck has just been "properly" listed on Amazon.co.uk (they still have us listed as "delivery in 4-6 weeks" but as we are currently sending books to their warehouse I would expect that time to be changed soon to the usual "2-3 days"). We are very happy to take orders direct, but I know it's sometimes better for people to combine orders from Amazon and get the free postage.

Solandia	11 Aug 2003
Images of the Tarot of Prague and a review by Sandra Thomson have now also been added to Aeclectic Tarot :) http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/prague/ ~ Solandia

Sulis	12 Aug 2003
How big are the cards? Crystalmynx xx

Hedera	12 Aug 2003
7,4 X 12,4 centimetres, aka 2 15/16th X 4 7/8th inches. I can still shuffle them comfortably. They're not slippery at all, very nice to hold. It's a really great deck! :)

baba-prague	13 Aug 2003
Thanks Hedera! Yes, we tried to make the cards as large as possible (so you can see the detail) without being too big to shuffle and handle easily. I suppose I have medium sized hands and I find them comfortable.

Sulis	13 Aug 2003
I`m off to order a set Crystalmynx xx

jmd	23 Aug 2003
Solandia has already linked the Aeclectic reviews to her post... In my personal view, the quality of the actual deck - and the wonderful accompanying book - is far higher than the e.images suggest. The presentation of the deck, in its binder 'box', and the non-plasticised, but protected, cards, the careful and caring way in which each of the details have been attended to, make this deck not only a wonderful addition, but capture some quite wonderful aspects of Prague. In my deck are two versions of XIII death. I am unsure whether the 'eightieth' card is the same in each deck, or whether some have a different duplicate card, as baba-prague previously showed mildly different possible versions for a number of cards prior to their publication. As I have mentioned before in a number of places, I personally prefer to use pips without scenic depictions - but this deck is a wonderful addition for further reflections on various symbolic images. ... and, as the Majors are un-numbered, I can 'correctly' place Justice and Strength in their respective positions (it was packaged in the inverted form ;)). The deck is a limited edition, and would highly recommend it...

Lee	25 Aug 2003
I've been doing readings with this deck, and I just want to say that it's a wonderful deck to read with. It's so visually rich and generous in symbolism that there's lots to sink your teeth into, and there are so many little twists and differences from the RWS that each card in a layout is a pleasant surprise. -- Lee

Astraea	25 Aug 2003
Lee, I totally agree with you. The readings I've been doing for myself, friends and family (the only folks I have read for thus far) have been deeply, richly meaningful, with much to ponder and assimilate. I found a beautiful beaded, Baroque-looking velvet box for the deck and it is the centerpiece of my desk.

Marion	25 Aug 2003
This is real reader's deck. I did a reading for isthmus and we were both deeply taken with the cards and the imagery. The deck itself is prepared with such loving care and beauty and the way the images evoke makes me wonder at such a deck. And Karen, it is a pleasure with 'speak' with you. And the frontpiece card came today. Thanks again.

isthmus nekoi	26 Aug 2003
Yes, while initially the artwork wasn't to my taste (perhaps the online scans do not do them justice?), I found the imagery was *very very* pertinent in the reading Marion gave me. From this experience, I think it is a very fine 'working deck', and I was floored at its relavance/accuracy.

baba-prague	01 Sep 2003
Thank-you for the feedback and comments on the the deck as a "working deck". It's very much appreciated by me and Alex. It was always intended to read well first and foremost (we hope it's an art deck too, but that isn't it's central purpose). I did one reading recently in which I was slightly stunned by how well it read. It was for a sceptical friend who was also a bit taken aback - and finally whipped out a notebook to take notes as well as staring hard at some of the cards for minutes at a time! I think this deck has a mind of its own :-) If you'd like to try an online reading, the Tarot of Prague has just been added to the decks at http://www.divinationsystems.com/ (used to be Annikin). We are very pleased about this - there are some great decks there so it's good company to be in. Like lots of people I have mixed feelings about automated readings, but I very much want to see how the deck responds to this new medium! If you try a reading it would be great to hear.

The Tarot of Prague - now published thread was originally posted on 07 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.