Tarot of the Cloisters

Tarot of The Cloisters Review by Michele Jackson

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This deck is basically a Waite-Smith with a twist. The deck is round and the art is done in; what is supposed to be a stained glass effect. Pamela Colman-Smith’s imagery was; redrawn in the round and lines were drawn all through it. Most of the lines which are; supposed to create the stained glass effect were done by bisecting the circle at intervals; and then drawing additional lines in the resulting pie-slices. Most of the lines are thin,; with an occasional thick one thrown in presumably to enhance the stained glass effect.; The effect is more that of a shattered mirror where the pieces haven’t yet fallen out. I find; the look ragged, sharp and disconcerting. Much of the symbolism of Colman-Smith’s; work, especially her use of color, has been sacrificed to this effect. It is a poor trade off in; my opinion. Color-wise it is an endless stream of sky-blue backgrounds, relieved only by a; few lavender backgrounds and the occasional yellow or brown background Aside from the; lines and background colors, the art is fair, though it would be somewhat bland without; the lines running through it. If you can read with the Waite-Smith deck, you will be able to; read with this one as well if the lines don’t distract you. The Majors are the same as; Waite-Smith as are the Court Cards. The suits are called Staves, Vessels, Swords and; Pentacles. The backs are a horrendous hodgepodge of swirling purples, pinks and; lavenders around a central multi-colored stained glass circle. The booklet that comes with; the deck provides three spreads: the Astrological, the Celtic Cross and a Relationship; spread. There is some scanty advice on reading and the interpretations provided have to be; among the worst I have ever seen in such a booklet. There is a short sentence describing; the card, which basically tells you nothing, for example: The winged angel of Temperance; holds a silver and gold chalice in her hands. And???? The Divinatory Meaning provided for Temperance - A waiting period. The ability to adapt. While some find this deck pretty, I think the stained glass effect could have been done much better and I don’t know why the; deck is round. The artist does not enlighten us in this regard. Aside from the novelty; aspects afforded by the shape and the broken, er, I mean, stained glass effect, this deck has; little to offer.
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Tarot of the Cloisters
ISBN: 0-88079-665-0
Publisher: US Games, 179 Ludlow St., Stamford CT 06902, (800)54402637