The Hermetic Tarot: Secrets of the Golden Dawn, Esoteric Symbolism, Kabbalistic Tree of Life, Astrological Correspondences, 78 Tarot Cards

It's absolutely gorgeous and powerful. This deck is PACKED with symbolism, detail, history, and personality. It called to me immediately, as I've been studying Hermeticism, magic, Golden Dawn, and the Tree of Life. I've read before that this isn't a beginner's deck, but I 100% disagree. This is my first deck and I couldn't be happier. This IS a serious deck, and in my opinion, not meant for intuitive just-tell-me-something-nice readings. Which I appreciate. The cards are deliberate, and meant to convey specific meanings. As a beginner, I find all the detailed symbolism perfect for learning, perfect for getting in tune with the cards, and perfect for being able to interpret them. You can pick a card and research/analyze all the correspondences, angel names, symbols etc for a good view of what the card means and is telling you. I love this deck; the quality is nice, the artwork is amazing, the depth of the cards is second to none, and the price can't be beat. Cheers!

Brilliant deck. Very steeped in mystery & there’s just so many layers to the symbolism. I’ve always wanted a black and white tarot deck, so I’m glad I chose this to be my first! I may update this review, but for now I find that I really connect to this deck. The images are very detailed. You may be disappointed in the art, if you’re not into what seems to be more like “sketches” of a scene or character. Therefore, they aren’t totally clean looking which does something to trigger the psyche I think. And you know, disclaimer: this isn’t a deck that’s why I would call as a “gentle friend”. It’s heavier than it looks as far as diving into truth. That’s probably why I like it, since I’m not looking for something totally new-age-y & fluffy. You can use this for both the light & dark of readings for you or other people. But like every deck, you’ll know if you connect with it or not. It can take time, while other times - it’s just not for you! So to each their own. Also: I may update this review at a later date!

This is one of the most exciting “package day” moments in my life! I have waited two years to purchase this deck, being that I was a beginner and this deck is NOT FOR BEGINNERS. Two of the cards has a different name than the Rider-Waite deck- the world card is the universe, the strength card is fortitude, and... there’s not a page of each suit, but a princess instead. Several of the cards have the same names but an added word, such as the Judgement card, it’s the LAST judgement. The fool card is the FOOLISH MAN. The tower card is the BLASTED tower. The names of the cards being different, other than possibly the Princesses and the Fortitude, shouldn’t affect your ability to read the cards. The cards do have one thing to help with knowing which sign the card represents, which I thought was helpful. The sign’s symbol will be on the card. In the left hand corner of the major arcana cards, you’ll see a designated letter of the Hebrew alphabet. There’s so much symbolism in this deck, which gives a more in-depth, accurate reading. Speaking of ease in this deck, the booklet is PACKED FULL OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION that will help you understand the cards. I was surprised to find this valuable information. I am at the beginning of the booklet, but I already learned so much. The Tree of Life diagram is on page 70 though, not page 72. The booklet only has 70 pages. That was one of two misprints I have already found, but trust me, you can overlook that. I am just starting page 17, the major arcana cards, so once I am done with this booklet, I’ll be sure to update my review. Not only does the booklet teach you how to use this deck, it also teaches you how to read tarot PERIOD. Pages 64-69 show you how to do a Celtic Cross spread. This is a must have deck to add to your collection. You will not regret it! Oh, and my deck was wrapped with clear wrap, like a deck of playing cards, and inside the deck, the actual cards and booklet were wrapped too, giving them plenty of protection. I am actually going to do a reading before I finish the booklet, because I’m too excited not to, lol, and when I gathered the cards to shuffle, I remembered to mention that each of the cards has a description at the bottom. I mentioned the Hebrew letter on each of the major arcana cards, but notice the elements on the tops of the court cards. The suits of the minor arcana shows symbols for the planet and sign for each of the cards. You’ll see what I’m referring to in the three cards in the photo that’s one before the last. 1.) In the LOVERS CARD, notice the symbol to the left (top), the Hebrew letter V(there’s 22 in the diagram of the Tree of Life on page 70). The letter you’d have to look up to match the word in the diagram, unless it’s later mentioned. UPDATE: I SCREENSHOT THE PHOTO I FOUND ON PINTEREST THAT INCLUDES THE HEBREW LETTERS. The right side has the number of the card. You’ll see that this card has the Gemini symbol under the serpent’s mouth. Refer to the first page for symbols. There’s other symbols you’ll find in reference books, which I plan to purchase. At the bottom of the card, the description says CHILDREN OF THE BOICE DEVINE. 2.) The KNIGHT OF PENTACLES card has two symbols at the top. You probably already know those stand for elements- fire and earth. In the middle of the card, the first symbol looks like Leo, but it’s North Node and the second one is Virgo, which is interesting. You’ll see that the description says LORD OF THE WILD AND FERTILE LAND. 3.) the TEN OF WANDS card has no symbols at the top, because it’s a card in the suits of the minor arcana. The symbol below that area, in the middle, means SATURN. I do not know what the words on either side say/mean. The symbol straight below Saturn, close to the bottom of the card, is Sagittarius, my moon sign. The description says LORD OF OPPRESSION. I HAVE NOTICED THE SYMBOL,ON ALL OF THE CARDS, THAT RESEMBLES THE SATURN SYMBOL, BUT NOT CAME ACROSS THE SYMBOL ANYWHERE YET, TO SAY WHAT IT IS OR MEANS...YET. I WILL CONTINUE TO UDDATE MY REVIEW TO HELP THOSE WANTING TO PURCHASE THE DECK, AND ONES THAT NEED HELP UNDERSTANDING THEIR DECK. Plus, it helps me learn as I study to depict the information for this review. The Major Arcana Cards, if you can’t read the numbers in Roman numerals: 0 The Foolish Man 1 The Magician 2 The High Priestess 3 The Empress 4 The Emperor 5 The Hierophant 6 The Lovers 7 The Chariot 8 Fortitude 9 The Hermit 10 The Wheel of Fortune 11 Justice 12 The Hanged Man 13 Death 14 Temperance 15 The Devil 16 The Blasted Tower 17 The Star 18 The Moon 19 The Sun 20 The Last Judgement 21 The Universe

Nice quality and the size of the cards is good.

Neue Bilder,shhönes Deck

He de reconocer que en un principio no me fijé en este mazo por ser en blanco en negro, pero una vez miré las ilustraciones en detalle no lo dudé: hay que tenerlo ya seas un coleccionista o un aficionado al tarot. Es una baraja que, si aún no es considerada un clásico, pronto lo será. Y más vale conseguirla ahora que han sacado una edición nueva que luego puede acabar descatalogada. Las ilustraciones son súper potentes (pese a ser en blanco y negro) y estar cargadas de simbología. Si ya eras aficionado al tarot de Toth de Aleister Crowley, con esta baraja te encontrarás también muy satisfecho. Se podría que decir que es una versión más sobria de este sistema (tienen mucho en común, sobre todo en lo referente a los símbolos, si bien son más claros en el tarot Hermético). Lejos de dificultar la lectura, por lo menos en mi caso, todos estos símbolos mejoran la fluidez de las ideas y sentimientos en los que se basa la interpretación y te dirigen hacia una lectura mucho más profunda y más amplia que con una baraja demasiado sencilla. Con este mazo se disfruta echando las cartas.

Great tarot deck. Love the cards in this deck

Un prezioso mazzo di carte carico di simbolismi. Bella la stampa