Golden Art Nouveau Tarot Cards – September 25, 2019

What a gorgeous deck this is! I love art nouveau, and had first tried the Mucha tarot but sadly that deck and I didn't quite jibe. So I was excited to see a new art nouveau Smith-Waite clone being published by Lo Scarabeo. The deck looks great in photos, but it's ten times more beautiful in person. The art is gorgeous and crisply drawn, the colors lush and rich, and the gold detail is stunning. Despite all this, my favorite part is how expressive the faces of the characters are. There is so much movement, emotion and passion in these cards. The deck is also an excellent and clear reader. It will work beautifully for anyone who wants to study the Smith-Waite tarot style but doesn't quite love the original art style. It's also an excellent deck for more advanced readers.There are a couple of downsides to the cards that it helps to be aware of before you buy. First, the card stock, while not the flimsy disaster of a stock that Llewelyn uses, is still on the thin side. I love thicker card stock, but I compromised here because the pros outweighed this particular con for me. Another big concern is representation and diversity. Simply put, there is none. The deck follows the original images of Smith-Waite, and that means no people of color, no body diversity, no diversity of ability, and strictly cis/hetero imagery. Depending on what you are looking for from your decks, this may be something to consider. Obviously it's ultimately a matter of personal choice whether or not you make this deck a part of your collection. The tuck box, while pretty, is quite flimsy and won't last for long; you will need to make alternative arrangements for keeping your cards safe and secure. And lastly, while this isn't really that important, one wishes that the deck had been edged in gold. However, at this price point it's something that is quite minor. I personally do plan on edging my deck soon.Overall, a stunning work of art and a deck that is both a great learning tool and an excellent reader. Highly recommended!EDIT: I edged my deck using the Tsukineko Brilliance Dew Drop ink pad in Galaxy Gold (sold here on Amazon and craft stores such as Michaels and Jo-Anns). The result is a lovely antique gold edge finish that looks gorgeous with the deck!

Gorgeous cards. Shuffles like a dream and the images are beautiful but not too far off from the traditional tarot images.

Everyone is always upset these don't have the gold foil like the standard size BUT they are golden and reflective in their own way. Absolutely beautiful! I bought these before investing in the larger size and they are just absolutely gorgeous. I love the art style. Perfect size for my small hands!

These small cards are just right to travel with me. I love the illustrations. Similar symbols to Rider-Waite, but in a style I adore. Cute little box. Multi-lingual simple introduction booklet. Cards are only numbered, so study up. No gold, but great for the price!

I really, really love this deck. I'm a big fan of the traditional Rider Waite deck, and this is very close to that one, but the art absolutely pops out at you and just seems alive in a way. Some cards feel like you could reach into them, almost. The whole thing is very beautifully done.My only real complaint is they don't shuffle too well if it's been humid at all. And I sometimes have to take the time to wipe them all down after many uses because otherwise they stick while shuffling. A small price to pay though. This was my third deck, I now have over 15 and this is my most used one. If you like the RW, this is a great addition to your collection because the art is so similar but can be more impactful, IMO. For me, the symbolism of the cards, beyond their basic understood meaning tend to stand out more.

I have only had this deck a couple of days and have yet to do more than my two-card daily draw with it, but I can’t wait any longer to sing some praises. First off, Giulia Massaglia is an artist of incredible abilities combined with sensitivity for her subject. As it has shaken out for me through the decades of my involvement with the Tarot, I focus my actual workings with mostly RWS decks, or close derivatives. I tell you I am just nearly beyond words at what she’s pulled together here! All the tradition, the details, they’re all here but seen re-created with an entirely new view. This woman did an amazing thing, and I feel deep gratitude for her work.Then, I started to read the little book that accompanies the deck and found it more interesting than most of those, but it wasn’t until I turned the booklet over that I discovered the text had been written by Lunaea Weatherstone, fellow devotee of Brigid, and creator of two wonderful decks herself, Mystical Cats and Forest of Enchantment that I have. I was delighted all over again! I think Giulia and Lunaea should collaborate on a more detailed book to accompany this deck. It deserves it.I took longer than many to find this deck but find myself totally enchanted and feel it will be in my top three decks now and going forward.