The Tarot of Oz

Rating:
Summary: David Sexton is a Genius!
Review: I must say that Mr. Sexton is wonderful! Really he is! This deck is so gorgeous and wonderful illustrated, it is unreal. Mr. Sexton really did his homework and presented the fruits of is labor is a deck of wonderfully illustrated cards. Tarot of Oz, comes in a little slipcase that houses the deck and the book. The book is an adorable 192 pages illustarted manual that not only gives the meaning (or interpretation) of the card but also the history behind the character of scene. The pictures themselves stay 100% true to the books( the Baum books that is) and are superbly done. The deck is a large size (good for us with big hands) and printed in heavy stock paper. The suits are wands, swords, stones, and cups, with each suite following a certain Oz story(for example the stones following the story of "Dorothy and The Wizard in Oz"). This is a must have for any hardcore Oz fan (and more delight for tarot enthusiats with and Oz obsession!), and is sure to delight all the children in your life.

Rating:
Summary: The Wonderful World of Oz
Review: In a new venue, and a new millennium, the Land of Oz and its myriad of characters is once again walking the Yellow Brick Road, this time in a deck of remarkable Tarot cards. The Tarot of Oz, by David Sexton, is a compilation of characters from the original series of Oz books by L. Frank Baum. Sexton has researched the books, and has chosen some surprising characters as archetypes for his delightful deck. His artwork is reminiscent of the sketches found in the original books.

Sexton has designed Suits that actually tell a story. Our four beloved main characters represent an Ace in each suit. The Scarecrow is given a quest by Ozma, and his journey and its successful conclusion is shown in the Suit of Swords. The cowardly Lion proves his innate courage as he battles with fears and challenges while he searches for the perfect birthday gift for Ozma; his story is told in the Suit of Wands. The Tin Man searches for his lost love in the Suit of Cups. Dorothy shows us how to stay grounded, through the Suit of Stones, even when one is living in the magical kingdom of Oz.

This is a new deck (2002) that portrays and old and classic story. I am delighted to have it in my library. I rated this deck with 4 stars (instead of 5) because using this deck for public readings would take some concentrated time to get familiar with all of the characters. I need the book that comes with this deck. It is small, but much better than the typical LWB (little white book). I am looking forward to seeing what the Land of Oz has in store for me in my personal readings!

Rating:
Summary: Based on the myth created by L. Frank Baum in his Oz books
Review: Sexton illustrates and provides Tarot Of Oz, a fine text for these tarot cards, based on the myth created by L. Frank Baum in his Oz books. Parallels between Dorothy's journey through Oz and the archetypes of the tarot make for an innovative set that will please a wide audience.

Rating:
Summary: Most likely fine if you are well acquainted with Oz
Review: Tarot of Oz is a 78 card deck with 8 Strength/11 Justice configuration. Wands signify Fire and Swords signify Air. Pentacles have become Stones. The cards measure 3.25 x 4.5 in size and are fully illustrated. The card back allows the reader to distinguish the card position from the back. The background image on all the cards is a large "O" with a smaller "Z" tucked inside the circle. The imagery on the cards draws more from the series of 15 Oz books than from the classic movie. For those who have not read the books, some of the imagery is likely not to be obvious. For someone who has neither read the books or seen the movie, the imagery is downright vague. Sexton's artwork is clear, clean, vivid and sharp. It is almost minimalist in content. The accompanying booklet is 180 pages and measures the same as the deck. It includes Sexton's Yellow Brick Road Spread of nine cards to clarify physical, emotional, intellectual and creative goals. In my opinion, read the Oz books before you read with this deck.

Rating:
Summary: Baum would be Proud
Review: The Tarot of OZ is Wonderful! David Sexton captures the energy and essence of the OZ stories with great compassion. I have been looking for a Tarot Deck to truly call my own. Thanks to David I have done it. My love for the OZ stories and interest in the mystical arts are right here in my hands. Thanks David......!!!!

David's art work is truly Spiritual. I recommend you take a look at his other works.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful art - and usable, too
Review: The Tarot of Oz, a set of all 78 Tarot cards and a small book that helps explain them, has wonderful art, and a booklet that helps new users of this deck interpret readings. But, as a Tarot card reader myself, and Oz fan for many years, there are at least two places where I think it misses the boat.

First the good news. The deck is wonderfully illustrated with images of the L Frank Baum Oz characters - some of whom many people will be unfamiliar with if they have not read beyond "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz". There are illustrations from several of Baum's later Oz characters. The art is very much in keeping with the childlike fairyland of Oz. Also, after some getting used to these unusual new images, Tarot readers may be able to use these cards to get a fresh interpretation of the various meanings of Tarot cards. There's also a mini-story that goes along with each of the minor arcana series that can help in further exploration of the hidden meanings of the cards.

Dorothy is used to represent Coins (although Sexton calls them, more appropriately in this case, "stones") - and she is a very good example of someone who would be centered in that suit, with her constant desire to want to return home. Coins is the suit of Earth. Many of the images from Sexton's suit of Stones come from Baum's book "Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz" in which Dorothy returns to Oz in a most unusual fashion - through the center of the Earth. A very appropriate choice of story for these cards.

The Tin Man is used to represent Cups - and he is an excellent example of someone who has centered his very existence on the Heart, with his never-ending desire to prove that he still has emotions. Cups is the suit of the Heart. Many of the images from the suit of Cups come from Baum's book "The Tin Woodman of Oz" in which Nick (the Tin Woodman) Chopper finally goes in search of his true love. A very appropriate choice of story for these cards as well.

Now the bad news. There's at least two major mistakes, in my opinion. Sexton has the Scarecrow representing the suit of Swords and the Lion representing the suit of Wands. But it's the Scarecrow that is seeking knowledge - and knowledge is a facet of finding illumination, which is best represented by the suit of Wands. Even more telling, the Scarecrow is afraid of fire. Does that represent a fear of what might happen if he is revealed to "have a brain"? I feel this helps prove he could be better represented by Wands. On the other suit, the "Cowardly" Lion is seeking courage - and courage is a facet of fighting. Fighting and conflict is primarily represented by Swords. The Lion, therefore, could probably be better represented by Swords.

Other than these two mistakes, I'd still recommend purchasing this deck - Oz fans will love the illustrations - especially of the more esoteric characters, and Tarot Card readers, once they get used to the unusual illustrations, may find this deck helpful in readings - especially of children. 4 out of a possible 5 stars - I would have given it a perfect 5 if the Scarecrow had been Wands and the Lion had been Swords.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful art - and usable, too
Review: The Tarot of Oz, a set of all 78 Tarot cards and a small book that helps explain them, has wonderful art, and a booklet that helps new users of this deck interpret readings. But, as a Tarot card reader myself, and Oz fan for many years, there are at least two places where I think it misses the boat.

First the good news. The deck is wonderfully illustrated with images of the L Frank Baum Oz characters - some of whom many people will be unfamiliar with if they have not read beyond "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz". There are illustrations from several of Baum's later Oz characters. The art is very much in keeping with the childlike fairyland of Oz. Also, after some getting used to these unusual new images, Tarot readers may be able to use these cards to get a fresh interpretation of the various meanings of Tarot cards. There's also a mini-story that goes along with each of the minor arcana series that can help in further exploration of the hidden meanings of the cards.

Dorothy is used to represent Coins (although Sexton calls them, more appropriately in this case, "stones") - and she is a very good example of someone who would be centered in that suit, with her constant desire to want to return home. Coins is the suit of Earth. Many of the images from Sexton's suit of Stones come from Baum's book "Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz" in which Dorothy returns to Oz in a most unusual fashion - through the center of the Earth. A very appropriate choice of story for these cards.

The Tin Man is used to represent Cups - and he is an excellent example of someone who has centered his very existence on the Heart, with his never-ending desire to prove that he still has emotions. Cups is the suit of the Heart. Many of the images from the suit of Cups come from Baum's book "The Tin Woodman of Oz" in which Nick (the Tin Woodman) Chopper finally goes in search of his true love. A very appropriate choice of story for these cards as well.

Now the bad news. There's at least two major mistakes, in my opinion. Sexton has the Scarecrow representing the suit of Swords and the Lion representing the suit of Wands. But it's the Scarecrow that is seeking knowledge - and knowledge is a facet of finding illumination, which is best represented by the suit of Wands. Even more telling, the Scarecrow is afraid of fire. Does that represent a fear of what might happen if he is revealed to "have a brain"? I feel this helps prove he could be better represented by Wands. On the other suit, the "Cowardly" Lion is seeking courage - and courage is a facet of fighting. Fighting and conflict is primarily represented by Swords. The Lion, therefore, could probably be better represented by Swords.

Other than these two mistakes, I'd still recommend purchasing this deck - Oz fans will love the illustrations - especially of the more esoteric characters, and Tarot Card readers, once they get used to the unusual illustrations, may find this deck helpful in readings - especially of children. 4 out of a possible 5 stars - I would have given it a perfect 5 if the Scarecrow had been Wands and the Lion had been Swords.

Rating:
Summary: Vivid, imaginative, and thought-provoking!
Review: What a breath of fresh air!

I've been fascinated with tarot cards for years, but lately have become disenchanted with new decks that focus on dark, scary themes and monochromatic colors. Many times these decks come with a book equally foreboding and dull.

The Tarot of Oz brings imagination and vivid colors to the Fool's journey in a whimsical and delightful tarot deck. It has been a pleasure to spend quiet time each day reflecting on life's lessons with these beautiful cards.

Thank you, David Sexton, for rediscovering the Joy and Fun in tarot meditations!