The LLewellyn Tarot
Deck and
Book by Anna-Marie Ferguson
© 2006 Published
by Llewellyn
The
Llewellyn Tarot is a tribute to the Welsh heritage of
Llewellyn Publications' founder, Llewellyn George.
Wales is a country that has been known to hold some of the
most enchanting stories and legends from the British
Isles. It's a country famous for history, culture,
and language. The Welsh country was also home to
Llewellyn George who founded his publishing house in 1901.
The
Llewellyn Tarot celebrates over 100 years of continued
publication. Talented artist, Anna-Marie Ferguson,
has created a visual delight that holds to Tarot
tradition. I was able to connect to each beautiful
image in this deck.
While every picture is not a replica of the traditional Rider-Waite system's images, the chosen scenes for the cards convey the concepts of traditional Tarot. Even a beginner could enjoy this Tarot deck in his or her studies. This is Anna-Marie Ferguson's second Tarot deck. She is also the artist for the Legend: Arthurian Tarot.
The cards
of the Llewellyn Tarot are illustrated in a similar
mystical, watercolor style as was the Legend: Arthurian
Tarot. The cards have a smooth finish with
an "almost" reversible back. I say "almost" because
the dragon in the center of the compass is what makes the
backs not completely reversible. However, this is
not something to stop me from using reversals with this
deck -- or really any deck, for that matter.
The
author notes that she feels that fewer people use
reversals these days, and although she doesn't advocate
the use of reversals from her own beliefs, she includes
reversed meanings out of respect for those of us who do
use reversed cards in a reading. She could have put
her book together without reversals as some writers do,
but having a choice is always nice!
Each reader will have her or his own preference and feelings about the use of reversed cards. I just happen to be a reader who believes in the importance of reversals to be allowed the opportunity to come up in a reading. My own philosophy is that reversals can shed further insight or understanding of the potential for possible blocks along one's journey. They don't necessarily have to be negative if they are reversed, just as a card isn't always positive just because it falls in the upright position.
The cards come as a boxed set with a
264-page companion book. The front opening book-type
box is lovely with the image of the Wheel of Fortune on
the front. The companion book includes information
about Welsh mythology. For each card, a black and
white image is presented with traditional interpretations
beneath it.
For the
Major Arcana cards, a story of the associated mythology is
provided. Upright and reversed meanings are both
included for every card. At the end of the book, the
author has included a glossary and a pronunciation guide.
In this Tarot kit, you also receive a lovely golden brocade Tarot bag embellished with rustic-orange beads dangling at the bottom, and at the top are gold tassels at each side of the drawstring.
The cardstock is somewhat thin and is flexible, but I think the cards will hold up reasonably well if one takes good care of them. They don't look or feel cheaply made, but the cardstock of some decks are a bit thicker and would suggest longer lasting use than this set.
It was
easy for me to fall in love with the Llewellyn Tarot
cards! They definitely rank among my
favorites. I love the richly expressive artwork that
brings the cards to life and feels very familiar and
comfortable in my hands. I don't find these cards to
be hard to shuffle even though they are a bit larger than
standard, measuring 3-1/4" x 4-1/2". I have long
fingers which are surely helping me, because those with
shorter hands might not find these cards as comfortable to
handle and shuffle as I do.
But when you love a deck, you'll find a way to shuffle that particular deck, even if it is oversized. I wouldn't consider these cards "oversized" at all -- just slightly larger than standard.
Each of the Major Arcana cards contain the number and name of the card on the bottom border. In the top border is the Welsh name of the character or myth associated with the card. These myths and characters are as follows:
| The
Fool - Peredur The Magician - Gwydion The Priestess - Ceridwen The Empress - Rhiannon The Emperor - Bran the Blessed The Hierophant - Taliesen The Lovers - Dream of Macsen Wledig The Chariot - Manawydan Strength - Twrch Trwyth The Hermit - Myrddin The Wheel of Fortune - Arianrhod |
Justice
- Lady of the Fountain The Hanged Man - Enchantment of Dyfed Death - Arawn Temperance - Keeper of the Well The Horned One - The Wild Herdsman The Tower - Bala Lake The Star - Branwen The Moon - Lake of Maidens The Sun - Llew Llaw Gyffes Judgment - The Sleepers The Universe - Cadair Idris |
I highly recommend this deck to anyone who likes to work
with traditional Tarot structure but prefers something
more engaging and beautiful in the cards than what the
Rider-Waite tradition offers. Anyone who likes a
good myth behind the Tarot stories will enjoy this deck as
well.
I would also not hesitate to recommend the Llewellyn Tarot to a new student of the Tarot, because the images convey the same feelings and meanings as does traditional Tarot. And of course, this deck is such a treasure and a treat that collectors are sure to want to include it in their cherished collection of Tarot decks. If you buy it for purposes of collecting, don't be surprised if you end up actually using it instead of just "collecting" it!
From the back of the companion book:
"Powerful magicians, otherworldly priestesses, fierce warriors, and fair maidens come to life in The Llewellyn Tarot. Based upon the myths, legends, and culture of medieval Wales, The Llewellyn Tarot Companion adds additional layers of meaning to these powerful images.
Each card in this enchanting tarot began as a delicate watercolor painted by Anna-Marie Ferguson, acclaimed artist and create of Legend: The Arthurian Tarot. Inside, you'll find detailed descriptions of each card in the major and minor arcana, as well as divinatory interpretations for both upright and reversed positions.
Deck Details - The Llewellyn Tarot
Number
of Cards in Deck: 78
Size of Cards: 3-1/4" by 4-1/2"
Included with deck: Companion book (264 pages) and a golden brocade Tarot bag embellished with rustic-orange beads at the bottom and tassels on the drawstring
Major Arcana: The Fool, The Magician, The Priestess, The
empress, The Emperor, The Hierophant,
The Lovers, The Chariot,
Strength, The Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The
Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, The Horned One, The Tower, The Star, The
Moon, The Sun, Judgement, The Universe
Suit Names: Cups, Wands, Swords, Pentacles
Court Cards: Page, Knight, Queen, King
Back Design of Cards:
