Forest Folklore Tarot

by
~*~Velvet Angel ~*~

The Forest Folklore Tarot

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

Deck by Kessia Beverley-Smith

The Forest Folklore Tarot is an enchanting and delightful deck! British illustrator, Kessia Beverley-Smith, has done the artwork predominantly in watercolor with a few photographic elements. I find it to be a beautiful creation -- very pleasing and even peaceful to look at. Her work was inspired by legends, wildlife, and mythology of a New Forest area in Hampshire, England. In the cards, you'll find fairies, dwarves, nymphs, imps, and humans in the surroundings of nature.

The suit names in this deck correspond to that in a traditional Tarot system, with the exception of the suit of Pentacles/Coins, which has been renamed "Rings" in the Forest Folklore Tarot. Wands are associated with Fairies, Cups are associated with Water Nymphs, Swords are associated with Imps, and Rings are associated with Dwarves.

The Aces each bear a totem animal with Cups featuring a Kingfisher, Rings featuring an Owl, Swords presenting a Stag, and the suit of Wands bearing a horse.

I did find the Six of Cups to be interesting; it reminds me more of the Five of Cups in traditional Tarot. Even the meaning in the LWB (little white book) bears a similar meaning to what we would find for the Five of Cups:

Six of Cups: A cloaded man stands alone in an open space. Across the way, a nymph sits alongside the stream. Although they are facing one another they are not looking at each other. Two cups lay on the grass beside four cups that are standing.
Meaning: Regret and loss. Looking back is preventing you from moving forward.
Reversed: News. Sadness and remorse.

I am not sure why the author chose to portray the Six of Cups in this manner. In this card's image, there are two cards turned down, whereas the typical Five of Cups presents three cards spilled with two still standing. Addtionally, these cups are in view of the man who is standing, rather than behind him. So there is a difference, yet the imagery clearly brings to mind the Five of Cups instead of the Six of Cups. There are other decks on the market in which you will find some twists and variations to traditional Tarot. In these cases, I let the image speak for itself in delivering the meaning and interpretation. For the Six of Cups in the Forest Folklore deck, I would interpret this as one who has experienced some kind of a loss -- possibly a break-up in a relationshp. Yet with four cups still standing -- along with the fact that he and the nymph across the way are in sight of one another -- there would be a chance for reconciliation. The Two fallen cups can represent issues of the past that must be put to rest in order for differences to be resolved and a couple to be able to move forward.

In most other areas, however, this deck does share a resemblance in theme and tone to the Rider Waite Tarot. This is a deck that might offer more benefit to the experienced reader rather than a newcomer to the Tarot. But it is certainly a pleasant deck to work with. I enjoy the art and the calm feeling that is evoked through this deck.

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

Size of Cards: 2 3/4" x 4 3/4"

Included with deck: LWB (little white book), 46 pages

Major Arcana:
Fool, Magician, High Priestess, Empress, Emperor, Hierophant,
Lovers, Chariot, Strength, Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Justice,
Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, Devil, Tower, Star, Moon,
Sun, Judgment, World

Suit Names: Cups, Wands, Swords, Rings (Pentacles)

Court Cards: King, Queen, Knight, Lady (Page)

Back Design of Cards:

THE FAIRY FOLKLORE TAROT
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