by
~*~Velvet
Angel ~*~
Karma Tarot
This
deck is suitable for any question you wish to ask of the Tarot.
by
~*~Velvet
Angel ~*~
Karma Tarot
This
deck is suitable for any question you wish to ask of the Tarot.
Deck by Birgit Boline
Erfurt
© 1983 Published
by US Games Systems, Inc.
Some of the cards of the Karma Tarot evoke a circus or a carnival feeling and setting. You'll actually see some clowns and painted faces in this deck, including the Magician being presented as the Juggler (see image above). Other cards portray some scenes that are more modern or down-to-earth. And there are cards that show a familiar and well-known face, such as the Six of Cups showing the Mona Lisa or the Four of Coins presenting Marilyn Monroe. You'll find images of artists, musicians, dancers, and even fantasy types of creatures as well. The author's intent to was convey the real world with all of its distortions and contradictions -- and certainly that concept can be found in the Karma Tarot. This deck is also meant to reveal the wedding of the gypsy and the artist. Danish artist, Birgit Boline Erfurt, has lived as both gypsy and as artist. She has traveled in caravans in gypsy style, and she has exhibited her artistic works in both European and New York art galleries. The scenes and figures of the Karma Tarot are based on the people and events that this artist encountered during her stay at Christiana from 1976 to 1978 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Christiana was a military compound from the early seventeenth century and was taken over in 1970 and turned into a "free city" or urban commune for artists. In the year of publication for the Karma Tarot, the area continued to feature music houses, theaters, and workshops that were open to the public.
Artist Birgit Boline Erfurt sketched most of the Major Arcana in Christiana, while painting Justice, The Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, and Devil cards on a gypsy caravan trip through the Danish countryside.
The artistic designs have been done in a form of watercolor. Many of the figures are depicted in the ever-evolving carnival life. The cards are intended to draw a person into the picture and to reveal a part of oneself. When I first looked through the cards with mostly familiar names and suits (although a few Major Arcana cards are renamed for the Karma Tarot), I didn't always immediately feel a connection to anything traditional. But after looking up the card in the 44-page LWB (little while booklet), I found a lot of "aha" moments that were actually very insightful! I found that many of the cards actually do relate to traditional Tarot interpretations, but I felt I was being privy to a much broader view when reviewing information from the LWB and connecting that with my own familiar associations with the cards. I found some interesting new twists and perspectives on traditional card meanings. This is not to say that I can resonate with everything that is mentioned about each card, as things don't necessarily relate on a traditional level for every single card, but I appreciate the new perspectives and new way to think about some of the cards.
This is a deck you might have mixed feelings about if you just pick up the cards and look at the pictures only. The LWB is a very important companion to this deck. There is no book written for this deck other than the companion booklet of 44 pages. With this deck, however, the artistic styles of the cards and information in the LWB seem to be sufficient to work with this deck and enjoy using it. I don't rank this deck among my favorites, but when I feel like I want a new perspective on a matter, this is a deck which I won't hesitate to pull from my shelf and read with from time to time.
The minor arcana pip cards are noted in the LWB with an Astrological Influence (giving one or two signs) and a Secondary Influence (also giving one or two signs). These correspondences, however, do not match those observed by all traditions when relating Tarot and Astrology.
The back of the cards are non-reversible with a black background, featuring half the face of a clown emerging from an ear. This fantasy-like image is encircled by the words "Karma Music Tarot Cards." Reversed definitions, however, are included for the cards in the LWB. Due to the large size of the cards (3-1/2" x 5-3/8"), I shuffle this deck in a side-to-side shuffling technique rather than shuffling in a traditional top-to-bottom method. The cards are printed on quality cardstock with a smooth matte finish.
I wouldn't recommend the Karma Tarot to someone who is just learning the Tarot, because things could get mighty confusing in a hurry. But deck collectors may find interest for this deck, as well as anyone looking for something a little different or eccentric that can offer some new perspectives or takes on the Tarot.
Velvet
Angel
Email
Velvet Angel
Number of Cards in Deck: 78
Size of Cards: 3-1/2" x 5-3/8"
Included with deck: A 44-page instruction booklet
Major Arcana:
Fool, Juggler, Wise Woman,
Lilith, Osiris, Grand Master, Lovers, Chariot, Strength, Hermit,
Wheel, Justice, Hanged
Man, Death, Temperance, Devil, Tower, Star, Moon, Sun,
Judgement, World
Suit Names: Wands, Cups, Swords, Coins (Pentacles)
Court Cards: King, Queen, Knight, Page
Back Design of Cards:
 |
 KARMA
TAROT
|
SITE
MAP