Llewellyn's Classic Tarot

gregory

It really was a pinch. They fell apart in no time flat, sometimes the second you dropped the deck into them.

Those in Canada, rush to Dollarama where the most lovely embroidered bags sell for $1.25 :D I've not had one fall apart yet.
 

BrownBear

I'd get this if the cards were smaller.
 

Shade

Hmmmmm, I love anything by Barbara Moore but I'm going to pass on this one. It feels like it's trying to make what is subtle in the RWS more explicit and I don't care for that.

Example, usually people don't notice that the RWS High Priestess has the Tree of Life made out of pomegranates displayed behind her and that behind her curtain is water. It feel s a bit more mysterious and intriguing when you learn that. This has a tiny curtain and a giant lake of water with an actual tree.
 

Le Fanu

Curiosity got the better of me and I downloaded the app (just over $3) so that I could see all the cards, have a play around and see what it's really like.

Nope. Not for me. I agree with what Shade says.

Funny, as I was going through it, card by card I was struck by how it lacks intensity. There is no intensity and I realised - whilst looking at this deck - that this is an important ingredient for me with tarot decks. I'd never quite put words to it before. With intensity I respond and read.

It feels babyish. Like tarot for toddlers or something. And many of the characters have these silly little snub noses - is that to make them look cute or something? And all the dark mystery of tarot has been stripped away. It's like the RWS lit from all sides with flourescent lighting. So unmysterious. I like the malesness of the Moon card, which is what most people won't like and the best card is probably the Hermit, but apart from these aspects it is weirdly empty of power and potency.
 

rwcarter

I broke down and bought it. It arrived today. I still like the fronts better than the backs though.

First thoughts looking through the deck:

  • The Fool is wearing purple boots. I can't help but love anyone who's wearing purple boots!
  • The Magician is sexy in a rough trade kind of way
  • The Empress is a Cougar!
  • And she ain't giving it to the Emperor! (I like the almost match-up of the cards.)
  • The sphinxes in The Chariot are each saying, "whatEVA!!!!" to the Charioteer
  • The Hermit could kick the Emperor's you-know-what ANY day of the week!
  • The Wheel really looks like a 5 Pentacles.... (WTF?)
  • Justice looks like she's about to break into a song and dance number in a musical
  • The Star's body positioning is possible, but far from comfortable....
  • That leg in The World is a little high. I don't even think the Majorette (?) of the marching band steps that high!
  • The couple in the 2 Cups each has an agenda by the look on their faces
  • I definitely get more of a "choose your poison" vibe from the 7 Cups than I do in other decks
  • Still love the 7 Swords
  • Think the guy in the 7 Pentacles is a little too smug
  • 8 Cups and 9 Swords both suffer from having one too many of the suit symbol on them
  • The woman in the 9 Pentacles is happy that she kicked that no good so-and-so to the curb!
  • The guy in the 10 Wands is not at all burdened
  • And my deck is screwed up! I have second copies of the Magician through Strength - so I'm missing 2 pages, 4 Knights and 2 Queens
  • The Queen Swords is stroking her sword a little two lovingly
  • The Lion is LAUGHING at the King Swords' bravado
  • I don't think ANY of the Kings (or the Emperor) is gettin' any....
So I get to return this set to Overstock for a replacement. UGH.
 

shadowdancer

OMG Rodney :D :D I am still laughing here.

Your post made me dig out my deck to see where you are coming from - and you are SO RIGHT :)

In addition the hand stroking the sword on QS is much bigger than the other hand. I dread to think why...
 

Rosewater

I've had this deck a while now and am satisfied. The backs aren't my favorite but I've seen far worse. A few cards that make me raise my eyebrows (the Chariot, the phantom extra cup in the sky of the Eight of Cups), but it's nothing serious. I don't mind the artwork; from what I read in the companion book, the artist took the deck he was working on seriously, and as a cartoonist he might've been commissioned to make it look like that. As an RWS clone, I think it stands up fine with the rest (Morgan Greer, Hanson Roberts, Robin Wood etc.) It's an easy read if you know the RWS system, and while Barbara Moore's book isn't her deepest, it certainly gives enough to get beginner on the road. This deck may not be an attention-grabber like the Illuminati, but I think it'll be a stayer.
 

Le Fanu

*wince*. This deck in the same league as the Morgan Greer...
 

Nina*

Lee said:
I thought you liked the Morgan Greer... :confused:
Click to expand...

I think LF is wincing because he doesn't feel this one lives up to the Morgan Greer.
 
Could anyone help identify this deck? A cool deck I found on Deviantart.