Deck by Julie Cuccia-Watts
© 1995 US Games Systems Inc.

This is a fascinating deck by Julie Cuccia-Watts.  The Major Arcana cards are rich with life and meaning, and unlike a lot of decks, the Minor Arcana cards are just as vivid and meaningful.  The Ancestral Path Tarot deck will appeal to those who are into the history of past civilizations as well as those who can appreciate a deck which represents various cultures.  It's a beautiful deck with stunning images.

Four cultures are portrayed in the suits of this deck:  Japanese Swords, Egyptian Staves (Wands), British Cups, and Native American  Sacred Circles (Pentacles).  Each of these cultures is portrayed during a particular historical era:  the Japanese feudal era, the Egyptians during the rein of Ramses II, Arthurian Britain, and post-contact America.

The suit of Cups is depicted by Arthurian England with characters from the time of King Arthur.  Beautiful and vibrant colors are used with glorious skies and sunsets in the background.  The Wands depict scenes from Egyptian and African cultures.  The Swords have stunning scenes based on ancient Japan, and the Sacred Circles (Pentacles) show scenes from snow-covered Indian lifestyles.

Aces are seen as the raw elemental power of each suite -- Air for Swords, Fire for Staves, Water for Cups, and Earth for the Sacred Circles.  Each ace includes the symbol of it's suit -- the feudal sword of ancient Japan for the Swords, the ankh for the Egyptian staff, the Trail for the Cups, and the drum for the Sacred Circles.  Each symbol speaks specifically to what was important and honored in these cultures.

Velvet Angel

Number of Cards in Deck: 78 (22 Major/56 Minor)

Size of Cards:  3-1/8" x 4-1/8"
Wider and shorter than a conventional Tarot deck -- almost square-shaped.
Can be difficult to shuffle for some, but handling and shuffling becomes easier with use.

Included with deck: LWB (Little White Book) instruction booklet, title card, and explanation card.  Accompanying book, "The Ancestral Path" by Tracey Hoover is also available and can be purchased separately or as a Deck and Book Set.  The book describes each card in terms of its imagery and the story associated with the suit.  Also included in the book by Tracy Hoover are different spreads and timing methods.  Sample readings are also given.

Major Arcana:
Fool, Magician, High Priestess, Empress, Emperor, Hierophant,
Lovers, Chariot, Strength (Card 11), Hermit, Wheel,
Justice (Card 8), Hanged One, Death, Temperance, Devil, Tower,
Star, Moon, Sun, Judgment, World

Suit Names:  Staves (Wands), Cups, Swords, Sacred Circles (Pentacles)

Court Cards:  King, Queen, Prince (Knight), Princess (Page)

Back Design of Cards:

ANCESTRAL PATH TAROT

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The above image is the Fool Card from Julie Cuccia-Watts' Ancestral Path Tarot Deck.  This card is one she designed as a self-portrait using the cards she created . . . the Ancestral Path Tarot.