Heraclio Fournier Anne Stokes Gothic Tarot, Black

As with most Tarot decks, the cards are designed so that we can use the four sets (minor) as playing cards in standard game-play, just like the very first Tarot decks six centuries ago. What makes these better is the size and ease of shuffling along with the ease of identifying the number cards (which isn't always so simple with some decks). Beyond this, as a Tarot deck, the artwork on the first twenty-two cards (major) is so beautiful that I find them inspiring when simply picking a card. I use decks to focus my thinking and to inspire me when working, and I find that the artwork in this deck gets me into the headspace I need to occupy when dealing with certain issues. That makes this one of my favorites.Art has an influence, much like music, in slightly altering how we think and feel; and the mood of the art in these is perfect for me, as is the texture of the cards themselves. The cards are well-made but not so thick that they'd be hard to shuffle (some sets have cards that are so thick you can hardly hold them) and they're slick enough to shuffle but not so slick that you drop them (some sets have cards that are practically varnished and slip through your fingers unless you really grip tight) and the images are printed perfectly. Overall, these have quickly ended up being one of my favorites to get my mind off my troubles for a time.

I have been working with the Tarot for many years, and have collected quite a few decks. Most of them are nice, some of them are good, and a few are fantastic. But this is one of the very few that, when first taken out of the box, made me feel like, "This is the deck I have been waiting for!" Full of dark scenes, beautiful gothic women, the usual skulls and other gothic regulars, but what really hit me were the dragons. Most "dragon tarots" are, in my opinion, pretty lame -- often cartoonish or just plain silly. These are as majestic as one could hope for, and many are truly stunning. It begins with the first card -- the "Fool", a baby dragon hatching out of an egg. The Magician and High Priestess are beautiful gothic fairies. And then the Empress... In most decks, even the best of them, the Empress tends to be very poorly done. Given its position, in the Golden Dawn / Crowley scheme as guardian of that which lies beyond the Abyss, it ought to be a knocks-your-socks-off card, but it's usually a disappointment. Until this one. This is honestly the first Empress I have seen that is worthy of being in the Major Arcana. It's not all that complex a card -- a beautiful gothic elven-fairy type holding a baby dragon -- but something in the execution of it says exactly what needs to be said. The Strength card is another winner -- a priestess backed up by a huge, stately dragon, exactly the way I would have done it. There are other cards here that are just as stunning. The numbered cards are, well, just pips, but the Court Cards are very well done.Now as to the book: Instead of giving you a set of canned meanings like a box of fortune cookies, there is a short statement for each card that serves more to stimulate your imagination. Here is one for the Queen of Swords: "I admire your honesty, but you are not telling your Queen everything, are you? How then am I able to aid you if you hold things back from me?" These are all about thinking about the cards, and about imagining what they could mean, instead of trying to memorize what someone else says they should mean. That is what reading the Tarot is all about -- learning how to imagine its messages through its images -- and if you are a fan of dark images, and perhaps dark messages as well, this might become one of your favorite decks.

This deck is absolutely beautiful!! The artwork is not only gorgeous and meaningful (fae/animal spirit workers will really appreciate it even more) but the deck it's self functions absolutly perfectly! Very straight forward.It's quick to get to know eachother and create a unique bond with. The little booklet helps beginners easily understand each card simply and directly with no fluff. It has a lot of personality and absolutly pulls energy from any animal totem, spirit and or familiars you work with. The cards are just a bit larger than normal playing cards which make it great for begginers and advance divination workers!It's also phenomenal to travel with for all you nomads, gypsy's and adventurers. I take it with me wherever I go now as it easily fits in even my smallest side saddle satchel.I am so very happy with picking this deck and would absolutely recommend this to anyone this deck calls to in a heartbeat. One of my favorite decks that I now have the pleasure of working with. I highly suggest this for people that work with fae, animal spirits, familiars, totems ect. If this deck calls to you or a loved one just buy it and do not hesitate!