The Celtic Wisdom Tarot with Cards

Rating:
Summary: A Stunning Deck, and a
Review: Although the cards are rather large, as noted by other reviewers, the up side is that their size makes them ideal for contemplation and visualization, as the cards virtually shimmer with the most radiant and lively colors I've ever seen in a Tarot deck. In conjunction with the beautifully produced hard cover book that comes with this deck, one can get involved on many different levels, i.e. some may wish to pursue readings, while others may want to use the book and cards as a colorful means of gaining an in-depth familiarity with Celtic myths and legends. Be forewarned, though, that this deck bears no resemblance whatsoever to other traditional Tarot decks - Caitlin Matthews has created her own system; however, one senses that it is well worth the effort to delve into it.

Rating:
Summary: Visually stunning deck from the Celtic tradition
Review: Caitlin Matthews, a recognized expert on the Celtic tradition and an established Tarot designer has combined the two to create a visually stunning and unique deck and companion book. The cards are rich in color as well as Celtic symbolism.

The companion book is in full color with beautiful pictures of the cards, charts and layouts. The book does an excellent job of describing each card and their relation to the other cards and the spreads. The book also discusses the responsiblities and ethics of Tarot divination, a topic far too frequently overlooked in books on the Tarot.

This deck is quite unusual; this has its good and bad. The good is that it gives the student of the Tarot a different perspective on the cards and divination. The bad is that the unfamiliarity of the cards could be a block to good readings.

Rather than Major and Minor Arcana, this deck has Wisdom Cards and Story Cards. The Wisdom cards are all named differently than the conventional Major Arcana. The Story Cards are divided into the four suits of Battle, Skill, Art and Knowledge, which correspond to Swords, Wands, Cups and Pentacles.

Despite (or perhaps because of) its deviation from convention, this is a "must-have" deck for serious Tarotist, both readers and collectors as well as anyone interested in the Celtic tradition.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: This is to me a lovely and quite magical deck. I don't care too much for the "divinatory" meanings and am quite curious as to why they are even there. The stories which abound with each card seem to me to be sufficient. Perhaps this was a move to connect these cards more to traditional tarot? I have chosen to ignore them and focus on the storytelling, wisdom and magical energy of the artwork. I've felt an impulse to create my own meanings for these cards, thats "how powerful" they are in opening the intuitive centers and effecting the subconscious. These cards will truly take you on another journey, one which is not of this world. Take heed, these are not your "typical" tarot.