The deck is a Rider-Waite-Smith Clone. Pamela Colman Smith’s pictures are simply recoloured in bright, bold, and vivid colours … Sixties’ style I guess. I like the colours, though I can imagine some people might consider them gaudy. Well, actually, I consider them gaudy … but that’s part of why I like them.
Given that it’s an exact copy of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, but with new colours, the Albano-Waite Tarot is an easy deck for beginners to use while learning to read. There are many, many books, and courses, and websites, etc. with info on what the RWS images traditionally ‘mean’ when they appear in a reading. Having so much literature/teachings around the images on this deck makes it especially accessible for newbies.
And for the more practised reader, the different colours not only make for fun art, they offer a different perspective on one of the most commonly read Tarot decks in North America. You might be very familiar with the RWS Tarot, but seeing cards you know so well with newly coloured skies, or clothing colours you’re not accustomed to, can really change the tone/mood of the message in that card. Colours are often an important part of a reading, and I really like how the colours in the Albano-Waite shake things up and get me reconsidering my usual take on an image.
With all the bright colours in the pictures of this deck, I appreciate how clean and quiet the backs of the cards are, all in white with a small gold sun. Classy.
There are lots of these decks around at reasonable prices. No need to spend a ton for an excellent deck.
So that’s my quick take. I like the Albano-Waite Tarot, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good RWS clone.
June 2nd, 2024 § Comments Off on Georgie’s Magic Card Collection § permalink
I have a lot of Tarot decks. Not as many as some people I know, but a lot, over 200, maybe closer to 300. None of them are brand new (or even new at all), as I haven’t gone card shopping in a few years (it can be addictive once you start noticing how many amazing ones are out there). But seeing all the decks I have sitting on my shelves and in the drawers, I thought I might want to look at each one again, more carefully, with new eyes, like when I first got it.
In some cases, it’ll likely feel as if I’m actually seeing it for the first time. I’m not proud of it, but there have been times when so many new decks were entering my world at once that I didn’t really give them the focus they deserved. In other cases, I’ve used a deck so often it’s tattered and worn, and probably should be replaced … but never thrown away, I don’t think I could ever do that …
But back to my point. I’m going to start doing short reviews, or quick takes on each of my Tarot and/or Oracle Decks. I’m not going to go into great depth on any of them, probably just highlighting 3 to 5 elements of each one that I particularly like (or maybe don’t like as much). Some decks will be classics, others, less so, or even far, far less so. It should be interesting … for me at least. And hopefully you’ll like it too.
Expect the first instalment of Georgie’s Magic Card Collection soon. And have a good day!
September 12th, 2017 § Comments Off on ETA Tarot § permalink
Here’s a brand new deck from my very own city … the ETA Tarot!
It’s a collaborative deck from Emerging Toronto Artists featuring the artwork of 80 artists, 76 of whom are from Toronto, with 4 international artists to round things out.
April 23rd, 2017 § Comments Off on 78 Tarot Astral – a new collaborative deck § permalink
I’m a big fan of collaborative decks, and this new one by 78 Tarot Astral (the 4th collaborative deck they’ve made), looks like it’s going to be another good one!
Fans of collaborative Tarot decks might want to take a look at the 78 Tarot Project curated by Kayti Welsh and featuring images from 78 different artists from around the world.
Fans of Dorothy and The Wizard of Oz might be interested in this Tarot Kickstarter project – The Shadow of Oz by Anna and Mark, the Illogical Associates.
As the creators of The Wizard of Oz inspired comic book Dorothy, Anna and Mark seem especially suited to making this deck a reality, and they’ve gathered together a truly impressive group of comic book artists to help them.
I love group Tarot decks, and the new Elora Tarot Project, curated by Shelley Carter, is no exception.
After a Tarot trip to Italy in 2011, Carter returned home to Elora, Ontario inspired to make her own deck, or more specifically, a ‘made in Elora’ deck.
She passed the idea by some artist friends of hers, and next thing you know, the Elora Tarot Project was born.
You can see images of the cards at the Elora Tarot Project website, where you’re also able to purchase a copy of this beautiful deck.
But if you’re lucky enough to be in the Southern Ontario area, you can also see the Elora Tarot Project in person.
An exhibit of all the original artwork is running now through November 3rd at the Wellington County Museum and Archives.
Though it follows a traditional Tarot storyline, it does so by looking at the moments just before the situations we usually see portrayed in the cards. Times like Justice reading up on a decision before trial, or the Emperor as he’s putting on his clothes.
We even see what might have got the Hanged Man swinging.
The idea is fabulous, and I love the black and white line drawings. The only thing I could wish for is that McGregor follows this deck up with a 78-card version.
The incomparable Ciro Marchetti has sadly decided to retire from the world of Tarot, but the incredible decks and Tarot characters he’s created will continue spreading their magic for many years to come.
The video below is a montage of some of that magic. It’s a collection of Ciro’s own favourites as first shown to his lucky audience at last month’s Readers’ Studio 2013.
