An Interview with Tarot Draconis

After I wrote my review of this deck (which can be read HERE), the dragons strongly suggested that I take a moment to interview the deck, and that I share that interview on this blog. I do not say “no” to dragons (or at least not often!)

I am using my THREE-CARD INTERVIEW.

1....................2.....................3

Tarot Draconis

by Davide Corsi

Llewellyn / Lo Scarabeo 

1. What would you like me to understand about you?
THE HANGED MAN

I would like you to understand that I believe in the value of sacrifice and dedication to an idea. Some would call me generous, and others would call me mad. I don’t care. I know that listening to me and heeding my messages will bring not death, but rebirth.

2. What would you like me to understand about myself?
NINE OF WANDS

Your sincerity allows you to rally others around a cause you champion. It is up to you to use that gift for destruction or for creation as you carry the torch lit by our Fire. [Note: The Golden Dawn links this card with the Moon in Sagittarius, my Sun Sign.)

3. What strengths and/or weaknesses do we have as a team?
TWO OF WANDS

In the Number Two, there is you and there is me. Together, our energy is that of Mars in Aries, and we can accomplish important things. No castle can resist our fire, no chain can subdue us. Our energies are in balance, reinforcing our strength as a team. Our weakness may be that we tend to push too hard, too fast, or too far. Sometimes strength is shown by holding back or being subtle, allowing Fire to warm and comfort without burning to a crisp!

Review: Tarot Draconis

R E V I E W

_About My Reviews_

_Tarot Draconis_

by _Davide Corsi_

78 cards, 64-page instruction booklet

Llewellyn / Lo Scarabeo 

ISBN-10: 0738739421

ISBN-13: 978-0738739427

Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 3 x 1.2 inches

(My apologies for labeling the card images "Draconis Tarot" when it should be "Tarot Draconis.")

TOP LINE (formerly Bottom Line)

I like dragons (and dragon-themed decks), so of course this deck appealed to me immediately. I loved the examples of the cards that I saw on line. I like the way the artist gave many of the dragons a distinct “attitude” or “personality.” Unfortunately, most of the card images are darker than I would like. Many of the images look muddy, and details are difficult to see or entirely lost.

I do like the color schemes based on elemental/suit associations. You can tell at a glance if a card is from the suit of Cups, Pentacles, Wands, or Swords. To me, that adds something to a layout. You immediately see elemental strength/weakness and relationships in a reading.

I am quite fond of the Little White Book (LWB) that comes with this deck. It starts with a quote by the dragon Smaug from The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Who wouldn’t love that? After a discussion of what dragons have symbolized over the centuries (and still symbolize) to humans, we get a description of what this deck offers: “a mythical past of Humanity. . . a world where heroes in armour achieve their destiny by fighting epic battles to conquer kingdoms and where the skies are obscured by the passage of Dragons.”

That’s very nice – but what I enjoy most are the descriptions of the individual suits. Here are the opening lines of each:

Chalices – The Dragons of the Dawn
“We come to the days before days, in a time when the World was a dream, and Man was still a soul. . .”

Pentacles – The Dragons of Wealth
“We are the first-born of Mother Earth and we know her secrets. . .”

Wands – The Dragons of the Battle
“Our home is the flaming heart of the Battle. . . This is the Torch lit by our Fire. It is up to you to use it for destruction or for creation.”

Swords – The Dragons of Twilight
“We come from the Shadows, from that realm in between, inhabited by ghosts and restless souls. . .”

THE PUBLISHER'S PRODUCT SUMMARY

Embodying all the magic and primitive purity of the mighty winged beasts, Davide Corsi's bold dragon art perfectly combines the epic grandeur of classic fantasy with the iconic power of the traditional Rider-Waite tarot. It has been said that dragons share a common sight everywhere—in the skies, in the sea, and on the land. In this deck, the visionary wisdom of the dragons will be your guide through the mystical and spiritual worlds.

BASIC INFORMATION

Davide Corsi is an illustrator based in Italy. In addition to Tarot Draconis, he is the artist for the Vampire Tarot of Eternal Night, The Tarot of the Elves, the Pictorial Key Tarot, and The Ghost Tarot, all published by Llewellyn.

This deck has the standard Tarot components:

• Major Arcana: 22 cards (zero through 21)
• Four suits: Chalices, Pentacles, Wands, Swords
• Court Cards: King, Queen, Knight, Knave
• Pips: Ace through Ten for each suit

The Major Arcana begins with a glowing golden egg atop a pile of treasure for The Fool and ends with the egg breaking open as a baby dragon emerges on The World.

A number of reviewers have expressed disappointment in the Court Cards from this deck, describing them as “uninspired.” This is largely due to the approach that was used in creating them. For example, notice that the horse on all four Knight cards is the same horse in the same position. The Queens feature the same woman for each suit in a slightly different pose but sitting on the same throne, with the color scheme varying based on the suit. This is true of the Knaves, Knights, and Kings as well.

If you’re interested, you can also get the following from Lo Scarabeo/Llewellyn:
_Draconis Journal_
_Draconis Satin Bag_

APPEARANCE, SIZE, QUALITY

The cards measure just over 2-1/2 inches wide and 4-3/4 inches tall. (Dimensions of the deck in the box are listed on Amazon as 5.1 x 3 x 1.2 inches and on the Llewellyn web site as 3 x 5 x 1 IN.)

Card fronts have black borders and a picture frame colored for each suit (blue-cups, light green-coins, red-wands, gray-swords) or Major Arcana (gold). The backs also have black borders with an ornate golden frame on a red background and a gold emblem of a dragon.

There are no labels or titles on the cards. Majors have a Roman numeral at the top and bottom. Courts have symbols for Knave, Knight, Queen, or King at the top and suit symbols at the bottom. Pips have a numeral at the top and suit symbol at the bottom.

Quality of the card stock is acceptable – somewhere between sturdy and flimsy.  The cards are not laminated.

ART

I would describe the art as a classic fantasy style that comes across very well on the Llewellyn web site, where some of the cards are displayed digitally. Unfortunately, that level of beauty and “sizzle” does not make it into the cards. This is not the fault of the artist, of course, but probably the printing process.

In accordance with the FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, I hereby disclose that this product was provided by the publisher for free. Other than the occasional review copy, I receive no monetary or in-kind compensation for my reviews.  The substance of my reviews is not influenced by whether I do or do not receive a review copy.

Journey Through My Decks: 7 of Pentacles

Our journey continues with the Seven of Orbs (Pentacles) from The Shakespearian Tarot by Dolores Ashcroft Nowicki, with illustrations by Paul Hardy (Diamond Books).

“Seven fair branches springing from one root...”

_Richard the Second, Act 1. Scene II._

On the 7 of Orbs we see the Duchess of Gloucester speaking to John of Gaunt. The setting is dominated by a stained-glass window that depicts a Jesse Tree, showing lineal descent (traditionally, that of Jesus). In this case, the Jesse Tree depicts the seven sons of Edward III.

The Duke of Gloucester has been murdered, and Richard (son of the “_Black Prince_” [Edward of Woodstock] and grandson of Edward III) has been accused of plotting and supervising the murder. Gaunt declares that he will not move against the duke’s murderers, but will leave their punishment to God.

The duchess chastises him, replying: “Finds brotherhood in thee no sharper spur? Hath love in thy old blood no living fire? Edward's seven sons, whereof thyself art one, Were as seven vials of his sacred blood, Or seven fair branches springing from one root... Call it not patience, Gaunt; it is despair: In suffering thus thy brother to be slaughter'd...”

When Gaunt (Richard’s uncle) dies, Richard seizes his estates. In the end, Richard is defeated and surrenders to Gaunt’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Hereford (afterwards King Henry IV). Overhearing Henry express a wish that he might be rid of Richard, Sir Pierce of Exton murders Richard at Pomfret Castle and delivers his body to Henry. Henry denies that he wanted Richard killed, but the deed is done. At long last, John of Gaunt’s patience has paid off.

It is this patience that Ashcroft-Nowicki focuses on in her interpretation of the 7 of Orbs. “Rewards will be some time in coming,” she writes. “Have patience...but don’t hold your breath.” Because the suit of Orbs is associated with “the world and mastery of the earth,” this card calls my attention to the realm of Earth: material matters, physical world, practical everyday life. If the card is reversed, Ashcroft-Nowicki cautions, “expect to have to pay out money on unexpected bills.”


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ABOUT THE DECK: Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki combined her love of Shakespeare with her love of Tarot to create The Shakespearian Tarot. Illustrated by Paul Hardy, the deck was developed by Ashcroft-Nowicki over a two-year period during which she combed her “battered leather-bound copy of the Bard. . . looking for just the right scene, just the right words to match the meaning of the cards.” She chose quotes to match the pictures and meanings as closely as possible. Her goal was to create a working tool rather than a collector’s item.

5W's and an H: THE HOLY MAN

It’s been awhile since I did this exercise, so here goes!

To refresh your memory: For the 5W's and an H exercise, we use one Tarot card to answer the questions Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? As an additional requirement, each answer can be only one phrase or sentence. The idea is to respond intuitively, without a lot of description or explanation.

Today's edition of 5W's and an H features the Faery Wicca Tarot by Kisma K. Stepanich, illustrated by Renee Christine Yates (Llewellyn).

5W's and an H: THE HOLY MAN (Trump 9)

Faery Wicca Tarot

Who? Someone with highly developed spirituality

What? A spiritual matter that requires introspection and exploration

When? When the Spirit moves us

Where? In a secluded, quiet place where contemplation can take place

Why? Because it is important to understand our deepest beliefs

How? By thinking deeply, seeing clearly, and tuning in to our Higher Self