My Favourite Cards

My Favourite High Priestess

2/21/2021

US Games Systems

So, we've started our adventure and our confidence is boosted by the advice the Magician has given us. Now we come across the High Priestess. She's mysterious and maybe a little bit scary but once we've spent some time with her we can see that behind the veil, she has strength and vulnerability, passion and kindness. We will leave her presence feeling balanced but still confident in our path.

5. The Brady Tarot

Almost all the essential symbols are in this card but it's so different from the RWS. The feel is so right though as it leaves me a little uneasy but at the same time drawn to this beautiful Priestess.

4. The Wild Unknown.

This is such an iconic deck and again so different to the RWS. The combination of strength and calm from this image does the trick. The minimalist style gives just enough but isn't full of symbols so can sometimes be difficult to work with. But the majesty of this beast is more than enough to counter the leaping Magician.

3. Tarot Mucha

I picked this High Priestess as she is just a beautiful version of the RWS. The whole deck is delightful in a kind of roaring twenties, Rennie Macintosh kind of way. The softer colour palette made this one an easy choice.

2. The Victorian Romantic Tarot

I've been working with this deck for so long, this is the image I see in my mind's eye whenever the topic of the High Priestess comes up. Her magic will counter-balance the Magicians but she's more mysterious whereas he's more obvious. She has balance and you know she's working from her intuition and not a room full of books and tools.

1. Way of the Panda Tarot

How can a panda look calm and serene? Well, if it's a part of this wonderful deck it can. The simple headdress, the posture and the wonderful coloured background and instead of cute and cuddly you get full-on Priestess vibes. Be prepared to see more of our black and white friends throughout this series.

Decks

Universal Waite by US Games Systems
Smith-Waite Borderless edition by US Games Systems
Radiant Rider Waite by US Games Systems

5. The Brady Tarot by Emi Brady
4. The Wild Unknown Tarot by Kim Krans, Harper One
3. Tarot Mucha by Giulia F. Massaglia and Barbara Nosenzo, Lo Scarabeo
2. The Victorian Romantic Tarot by Alex Ukolov and Karen Mahoney, Baba Barock
1. Way of the Panda Tarot by Kimberly Tsan

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My Favourite Magician

2/6/2021

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So we've followed the White Hart into the enchanted forest and the first person we meet is the Magician. This is such a complex energy, a trickster, a confidence booster, an enchanter, an energetic entertainer and a magic man. Although I've ordered these cards 5 to 1, my ideal Magician would be a combination of all of them.

5. Sasuraibito Tarot

Slight of hand, a confident performer, a charismatic entertainer. I would be drawn to this darkly handsome, slightly mysterious Magician. I might want to be him but I'm just not sure if his confidence would rub off on me or if I'd be just a little bit intimidated by him.

4. Oak, Ash and Thorn

When this beautiful blackbird expands her wings it provides the perfect backdrop to showcase those special tools, the wand, cup, pentacle and sword. If I were to pass her way, her sheer beauty would draw me in. I'd want to stop and stare and listen to her message. Even the glow flies wouldn't make me suspicious of her authority but maybe the twinkle in her little black eyes might leave me questioning if it's all real or just a spectacle.

3. Botan Tarot

I have 80+ decks and there isn't a more handsome Magician among them. I'll admit, I'd definitely be intimidated by this tattooed man but there's something in his steady gaze that says, "Let me help you". He lets his body art speak loudly but I suspect his voice would be soft and melodic and he'd have your best interests at heart. I doubt if he started life with platinum blonde hair and the elemental symbols on his chest and neck. But then maybe what we present to the world isn't what we're born with but it can still be our authentic self now.

2. Animal Totem

This is such a good combination of all of the facets of the Magician. The bouncing energy that's needed at the start of any journey, the attractive fox, is he beautiful or sneaky and cunning? The elements on show and even the snowflakes collecting to form the infinity symbol. You have what you need says our new friend. Is he our friend? Should we believe him? He's so full of excitement, it's infectious. Now I'm excited to explore too.

1. Victorian Romantic

If I arrived at this Magician's abode I'd heed his wise advice. I'd be impressed by his experience of which he no doubt has plenty. It looks like he's got all the ingredients for any magic he wants to conjure up. He has a traditional book of spells and I'd hope that perhaps he'd teach me one of those spells to give me the confidence to carry on my journey and experience all the adventures that lie before me. He's not hopping around, flourishing his wings or juggling balls in the air but he is welcoming us into his home to give us the guidance we need.

Decks

Universal Waite by US Games Systems
Smith-Waite Borderless edition by US Games Systems
Radiant Rider Waite by US Games Systems

5. The Sasuraibito Tarot by Stasia Burrington
4. Oak, Ash and Thorn by Stephanie Burrows and Adam Oehlers, Three Trees Tarot
3. The Botan Tarot by A.Miyako.M
2. Animal Totem Tarot, Leeza Robertson, Illustrated by Eugene Smith, Llewellyn Publishing
1. The Victorian Romantic Tarot by Alex Ukolov and Karen Mahoney, Baba Barock

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My Favourite Fool

2/2/2021

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US Games Systems: Universal Waite, Smith-Waite Borderless and Radiant Rider Waite.

The Fool card is arguably the most important card in any Tarot deck. It's often the first card you see when you open the box. It represents the very beginning of the journey through the Major Arcana.
The traditional RWS card shows our hero on the cusp of a new adventure, so enchanted by the opportunity that he fails to see the cliff edge he's about to step off. So many of the Fool cards in my deck library are clones of the RWS with their own design aesthetic applied. When I picked my favourites, I was surprised to see that it was the cards that show beginnings in a different way that made it into my Top 5. So, like a beauty pageant from the 1970's, here they are, in reverse order, my favourite Fools.

5. The Alice Tarot

The Fool card in the Alice Tarot makes me feel like I could be standing in the field right behind Alice and the White Rabbit in the moment just before they pop down the rabbit hole. The beautiful woodland scenery really makes this card come alive. This won't be the last card by Karen Mahoney and Alex Ukolov in my Top 5's.

4. Oak, Ash and Thorn Tarot

This has quickly become a favourite deck as the art work is so beautiful and many of the cards are able to stand as delightful images in their own right while working well with the rest of the deck during readings. The fawn on his wobbly legs in the dark forest evokes the message of starting a new journey early morning before the rest of the woodland creatures have wakened up. Just a beautiful deck by Stephanie Burrows and Adam Oehlers.

3. Lili White and Lili Black

Is it cheating to have two cards in third place? Well, as I'm making up the rules, no it isn't! There's no Fool in these Fool cards but the glorious old trees clinging to the precipice with the deceptive clouds hiding the sheer drop do enough to give the impression that something's going to happen, any moment now. Different yet equally as stunning, I couldn't choose between these cards by Celia Melesville.

2. The Mermaid Tarot

First runner up is from a deck whose style I wouldn't normally choose. It's also a mass-market deck with card stock not everyone likes. Which just goes to show that a powerful image can speak for itself and drown out noise about the other aspects of a deck. I can almost hear the sound of the waves rolling onto the beach as this mermaid emerges from the water, her tail morphing into legs. If she has given up her voice for the chance to walk on dry land, this image speaks her message clearly. This is from a Llewellyn deck by Leeza Robertson and Julie Dillon.

1. Forest of Enchantment Tarot

This couldn't be more different to the RWS image. It's another mass-market from Llewellyn and it has surprised me just how much this card stood out as my favourite. Why? Maybe because the Fool is the reader and the White Hart is inviting you, whoever you are, to follow him into the lush, mysterious forest beyond. The animal's gaze is soft but direct and makes me feel a bit uncomfortable but perhaps that's what's needed to get me out of my comfort zone? In the RWS you're an onlooker. You watch the Fool as he takes a leap of faith. In this card, you're the hero and it's your adventure. If you're willing to take it. This deck is by Lunaea Wetherstone and Meraylah Allwood.

Decks

Universal Waite by US Games Systems
Smith-Waite Borderless edition by US Games Systems
Radiant Rider Waite by US Games Systems
The Alice Tarot by Karen Mahoney and Alex Ukolov, Baba Barock Ltd
Oak, Ash and Thorn Tarot by Stephanie Burrows and Adam Oehlers, Three Trees Tarot Volume 1
Lili White Tarot and Lili Black Tarot by Celia Melesville
Mermaid Tarot by Leeza Robertson and Julie Dillon, Llewellyn Publications
Forest of Enchantment Tarot by Lunaea Wetherstone and Meraylah Allwood, Llewellyn Publications

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