Cosmic Tarot Deck

by
~*~Velvet Angel ~*~

Cosmic Tarot

~*~ This deck is suitable for any question you wish to ask of the Tarot. ~*~

Deck by Norbert Losche

The Cosmic Tarot is the work of self-taught artist, Norbert Losche, who lives in Germany. He has succeeded in creating a stunningly beautiful deck that has a contemporary and futuristic feel to it. This Tarot deck seems to keep the feeling of mystery alive -- that feeling one has when first becoming interested in Tarot. There are stars, planets, dark and eerie landscapes, divine light, and a general feeling of stepping outside time and space. Cards such as the Hermit, the Star, and the World are captured in night scenes, while others portray a softer tone. All are quite beautifully done. It brings to mind science fiction and fantasy, and it's a deck that works incredibly well . . . at least for me!

This is a deck which I had passed up several times before I actually bought the deck after finally seeing some more of the card images. I realized that this is a truly gorgeous set of Tarot cards that goes beyond just beauty alone. Before finally purchasing this deck, I was aware that move stars were depicted in the deck, but I felt I had no use for a "Hollywood" deck. I didn't feel it could truly be an effective deck. I was wrong! Thus, if you have considered this deck but discarded the idea, don't be fooled into thinking it's just a useless Hollywood themed deck without any real purpose other than looking pretty. It's not! -- believe me, it's far from fitting such a description!

Many of the cards show faces or figures of beautiful men and women which were modeled after famous actors and actresses, including Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, and Rita Hayworth to name a few. Some of the eyes on these many faces are shown with a ray of light that emanates from their eyes. Such direct and piercing eyes add to the mystery and fascination of this deck. As I understand, there is a book about this deck, written by Laura Clarson, which identifies who is who among the cards. The book is entitled "The Cosmic Tarot: Signposts Along the Path." I just recently found out about this book, so I don't have it to comment on at this time, but it's something I am interested in taking a look at. In the meantime, I do have the book which accaompanies this deck as a deck/book set. That book is called "Cosmic Tarot" and was written by Jean Huets. It's a nice companion book that explains the symbology used and provides interpretation on three levels: that of cosmos, human community, and individual. This book does not tell you who's who among the cards, but it does offer suggestions on using the deck most effectively in addition to providing some spreads.

This deck maintains a lot of traditional imagery, but also introduces some interesting and lovely touches in terms of symbolism. The images by themselves (without referencing the book) are detailed in such a way that one can easily see the story of a card, and hence, it's meaning. I have found this to be one of those amazing decks where you can just read the cards simply by looking at the images even if you've just picked up the deck for the first time. The scenes depicted in the Cosmic Tarot evoke the right mood, thoughts, and feelings for just about every card in the deck.

Because of this deck's outstanding visual imagery, I would not hesitate to recommend it to a beginner. Although it's not a Rider Waite clone by any means, the illustrations will stimulate one's mind to discover deeper meanings within the cards, meanings which still follow -- and enhance! -- the traditional Tarot themes. With it's strangely enticing images, it draws you in to discover the truth about an issue.

I have already done several readings with this deck, and I've found that it's one of the best decks to work with intuitively. The cards just seem to guide you without any need to try to adhere to traditional meanings. Things just seem to "fall right into place" with this deck, and it has quickly become a favorite of mine. Illuminated with intense imagery and court cards with strong personalities, it's a very effective deck to work with.

Additionally, the cards are printed on quality stock, yet thin enough to shuffle well and should provide many years of use without falling apart.

I realize this deck may not appeal to everyone, but it definitely deserves more than just a passing glance, which I made the initial mistake of doing. I'm so glad I took a second look! It's a deck that can be appreciated by serious taroists, those who love old movies, and even the beginner who wants something more expressive than the traditional Tarot decks available. All one needs to do for effectively using these cards is to just look at them. They really are that simple to work with. It's also a great deck for collectors, of course, and anyone who wants something different but highly effective -- something that speaks through intuition and the imagination in ways a lot of decks can't. Chances are you will be amazed at the stories you can actually see within the cards and the truths that will be revealed.

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

Size of Cards: 2-3/4" x 4-3/4" A nice size to work with; shuffles easily.

Included with deck: Instruction booklet (LWB) 31 pages; artist bio card; publisher card. Available as a deck book set with the "Cosmic Tarot" book written by Jean Huets, 176 pages.

Major Arcana: (Follows traditional Tarot titles)
Fool, Magician, High Priestess, Empress, Emperor, Hierophant,
Lovers, Chariot, Strength (card 11), Hermit, Wheel of Fortune,
Justice (card 8), Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, Devil,
Tower, Star, Moon, Sun, Judgement, World