Deck by Kat Black

© 2003 U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

When I first found about the Golden Tarot, it had not yet been published.  I was fascinated by the art based on the Middle Ages and early Renaissance period.  The images were quite intriguing to me, and I knew I wanted a copy of this Tarot deck.

The art work is digitally collaged from paintings of the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance period.   The belding of 13th to 16th centurty paintings has an amazing effect, as the artist obviously took great care to create scenes that are cohesive and seamless.  Some of the card's images were created from as many as 20 layers of imagery.  The cards are indeed impressive and beautifully presented.

The cards are printed on high quality cardstock with gilded edges.  I have found that the cards shuffle quite easily, and I have had no problems with "sticking" as others have mentioned that they had with these cards.  These cards are not coated in gloss, and those are the decks which I've found to be a little tricky in shuffling due to the "stickiness" until they get "broke in."  The cards are packaged in a sturdy attractive box with a lid that lifts off the base.  A 199-page book accompanies this deck.  The size of the guidebook is the same size as the cards, so it's actually quite small.  I found the meanings of the cards to be relatively limited, but the author does include some interesting information on the paintings and combination of scenes used to create her incredible work of art.

The author presents the cards in suits of Coins, Cups, Swords, and Wands.  She also attributes Medieval/Renaissance terminology to describe the suit meanings as indicated below:

The backs of the cards are done in a gold pattern and can easily be used in reversals, since you would not be able to tell from the back of the cards which side is upright or reversed.

Although this deck is not among my personal favorites, it is certainly a nice deck to turn to for a change of pace.  I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys art from the Middle Ages and early Renaissance time periods, as well as those who like to work with traditional Tarot and Rider-Waite based images.  And of course, it's also a "must-have" for the collectors :-)

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

Size of Cards:2  7/8" x 4  7/8"

Included with deck:199-page guidebook, which also measures the same size as the cards themselves.

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, Coins

Court Cards:King, Queen, Knight, Page

Back Design of Cards: 

THE GOLDEN TAROT This Deck is Available from Amazon.com:

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