Deck by Karen Mahoney and Alex Ukolov

© 2004 Magic Realist Press

This is a whimsical deck for cat lovers or collectors.  Of course, the images were created through digital art and photography, so rest assured that no cat was annoyed or harassed in the making of this charming and beautiful deck.  In other words . . . no cats were actually dressed up -- you can imagine how a cat would totally hate playing "dress up!"

The Baroque Bohemian Cat's Tarot is a delightful and fun Tarot deck to use.  There is a royal feeling through the imagery of cats attired in glorious costumes amid luxurious surroundings.  You'll find cats of all breeds, colors, shapes, and sizes in the images.  The cards are beautifully detailed in all aspects.  As there is no nudity in the deck, it's a Tarot deck that can work well for children.

This might not be a perfect deck choice for the more serious minded Tarot reader, but readers like myself who enjoy, appreciate, and use many varieties of decks, including the cute and whimsical ones such as this one -- can still maintain the proper degree of seriousness in a reading.  It should be remembered that Tarot is designed for fun as well.  And when a deck brings a smile to our faces, it doesn't have to take away anything at all from a reading.

A 208-page book with black and white illustrations accompanies the deck (when you purchase as a deck/book set).  It also includes for each card "A Cat's Interpretation" -- which actually includes some real wisdom versus just being funny.    Initially, the author intended this to be added for the sake of humor and whimsy, but then she saw how they were useful at giving a fresh and sometimes thought provoking point of view on the more conventional meanings for the cards.  Karen Mahoney, author, indicates:  "I offer them as worthy of a little reflection, as well as being fun.  Sometimes the world seen according to a cat's viewpoint and behavior can be an oddly revealing place."  In the book, interpretations are offered for all of the cards.  You'll find notes on the source for the materials presented on each card as well.

The cards are bordered in flowers.  The Minor Arcana suits are designated by a small emblem in the bottom right-hand corner of the cards.  The Major Arcana cards are not numbered but do include the card's title at the bottom of the card.  The reason for this was because of various decks that will interchange Strength and Justice cards or other "trades" for traditional placement of the cards.

The cards do model the Rider Waite Version of the Tarot -- but in "cat fancier's style" of course.  And thus, a beginner could use this deck to learn and study the Tarot.

This deck presents an additional card within the Major Arcana.  It is called "Hermes," but is not addressed in the book.  This can be used as a "wild card" or be considered a card of good luck . . . or it can be left out when doing readings.  I was very curious why there was no mention about the Hermes card in the accompanying book, and after researching this, I learned that this card was a last-minute addition to the deck AFTER the book had been printed.  The author indicates that this card "sneaked" its way into the deck by chance as a last-minute whim.  Decks are printed with 80 cards, which leaves room for one title card and one extra.  As the author was fond of this particular card idea, she used it as the additional card, Hermes.  She fully expected that many people would simply use the Hermes card as a book mark, a decorative extra, or a give-away card . . . but she learned that it was a card that tends to come up frequently in readings when it is used as a working card.

Some information about Hermes that can be used for interpretation of this card if one chooses to read with the inclusion of this card:

Hermes is a card named for the god of tricksters and the unexpected.  In Tarot, the Magician card is often directly associated with Hermes the god, and the Hermes card in the Baroque Bohemian Cat's Tarot seemed to have had its own unique sense of luck and chance as well as creativity and sudden insight.  Hermes is considered to be wilder and more risky than the Magician, and while Hermes does indicate an ability to invent, create, and take risks . . . it also tells you not to rely on a specific outcome.  Things could indeed turn out a little differently than you expected.

Upright:  Chance, probability, the unexpected.  Things that delight and surprise you.
New opportunities and skills that will feel both sudden and "heaven-sent."  Changeable outcome (probably to something that is better than you initially thought it could be)

Reversed:  Things that lead to disappointment.  Bad risks.  Changeable outcome (probably to something that is less-than-desirable).

Size of Cards:3" x 5" -- The cards are larger than standard.  A side-to-side shuffling method works much easier and seems more comfortable than trying to shuffle from top end to top end.  The cards seem durable enough to stand up to long-lasting use.

Included with deck:  208-page companion book illustrated in black and white

Major Arcana:  (Traditional Titles)
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, Pentacles

Court Cards:King, Queen, Knight, Page
 

Back Design of Cards:

THE BAROQUE BOHEMIAN CATS' TAROT Would you like to buy this Tarot Deck? This Deck is Available as a Book/Deck Set from Amazon.com -- or you can get the deck by itself: Book/Deck Set Cards Only

TAROT DECKS -- CLICK HERE FOR FULL LIST Animals Art-Styled Celtic Decks Christian-Based Decks Cultures/Multi-Cultural Decks Historical Myths & Legends Other Traditional/Beginner Decks Whimsical Decks Wiccan-Based Decks Women The image at right is by the artists of the Baroque Bohemian Cats' Tarot.