The iTongo Tarot from South Africa

[AJ]

This was published last year, can't believe there are no threads for this amazing deck.

I first heard of it on Helen's South African based blog (IheartTarot)
http://mywingsofdesireblog.blogspot.com/

Which led me to Robyn_Anne Pollards blog
http://africantarot.com/index.html

and from there to the deck
http://africantarot.com/tarot.html

The shipment was fulfilled by Tarot Media Company
http://store.tarotmediacompany.com/ here in the US.

And it turns out there are some images in the Decks section here
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/itongo/

It comes with a 144 page soft cover book typing paper sized, with print and images done in an easy on the eyes sepia tone.

The cards are identical in height to Lo Scarabeo decks and 3.25" wide
The stacked cellophaned deck is 1.25" high. The cardstock is similar to Buckland Romani 2nd edition

The art is by Chantal Fielding
The majors are gold bordered
Swords are silver bordered
Wands are pink/salmon bordered
Cups are a deeper grey bordered
Coins are sage green bordered
Keyword on bottom of each card, pips are fully illustrated
The suits represent the myths and tribal traditions of four different areas of South Africa.

A really nice change from the white mans land and culture.

edited to add artist's website
http://www.artbychantalf.com/

 

[gregory]

Wow. Thanks for that. VERY nice ! Bit pricey for me JUST now (had to buy a camera to replace So's stolen one !) but I shall mark it up for the future !

I see the Wheel of Change is up there too - someone here was looking for that...

 

[Tarot Fairy]

ahhh the pictures are gorgeous!!

 

[AJ]

Shuffles very nicely!
The art is a little uneven on the people, the animials are magnificient.
The box is big because the book is big. No tuck box for the cards, they are in a well on the bottom half of the box.

 

[Kissa]

I discovered that one by accident when I was still on Facebook. It is gorgeous, isn't it? A bit pricey for me at the moment too.
THANK YOU, AJ, for giving it the publicity it deserves.
Need to read the review available here.

How's the book?

ETA: I wish there were more pics of the minors available online. It is a beautiful and haunting deck. Blimey for ordering the Gaian MM four days ago GRRRRRRRRRRR...

 

[AJ]

I am So not on the Gaian bandwagon

what cards would you like to see, I'll put them up here.

I've only quickly thumbed through the book as I won't actually start using the deck until tomorrow (my weekly deck thing in play..this week it is Native American Tarot)

From that thumbed viewing, I'd say to understand and get full value from the deck you would want the book and want to read it at least for the cards you pull and read.
For the majors there is a full page or more on how the image relates to the tribe it is associated with and any practical or myth info that goes with it.
For the majors there is a full page with the card image (in sepia) with the African name, pronunciation, and meaning. For instance the Devil is Thikoloshe (uHili) which is from the Xhosa word Utikoloshe for Trickster.
Followed by general concept of the card, a good number of ideas for the Devil.
Each major has a vision quest; For the devil it is: What dominates you? What or who do you submit to? Is there a power play?
Followed by the tradition/myth.

The minors are given a full page each, much like the majors but no Vision Quest.
There are 3 or 4 spreads
2 pages of bibliography if the deck triggered a thirst for additional knowledge of the subject.

I apologize if it sounds like I'm flogging this deck, I'm not, haven't even used it yet other than to make sure all the cards were there.
It is just that we hear quite often here about so few decks of color and alternative culture. This one meets that criteria in spades.

 

[Alta]

I enjoyed the video a lot, very taken with the deck. Have to think about the price for a bit but for a presumably self-published deck, not out of line.

Thanks!

 

[Kissa]

Thank you very much, AJ, for all the info about the book. It definitely sounds well-researched.

Eagerly waiting to read more about it through your daily draws

ETA: I honestly think the price is ok for such a deck, just cannot afford it right now though.

Love,

K

PS: I have kind of no expectation about the Gaian after being disappointed at the LE, but I was curious and hit the Order button wayyyy too fast

 

[AJ]

Did you want to see any specific images Kissa?

 

[Kissa]

Hi there

Well, I just saw the 4 of Wands.
No really, I hadn't any specific card in mind since I don't identify to any card in particular. I just wanted to see more cards than the ones showed here or on the website since they were mostly majors and court cards.

After reading your critic of the companion book and watching again the pics, I must confess I am completely sold already. Now it's just a question of budget thus time.

My dear friend, if you are in a mood for scanning, why don't you post your favorite card(s) or the most challenging one(s) for example? Let's make it all about you since it is your thread/discovery/new baby


PS: it is so bloody good to have you back here with us