| Brand: | |||
| Average Rating |
|
Step into a lost world from long ago . . .
A world veiled in darkness after a cataclysmic collision that stilled the earth. Millennia have passed and only humankind has survived-through the divine gift of dreams.
Exquisitely rich and magical, this new Rider-Waite-Smith-based tarot deck by digital artist Ciro Marchetti takes you into the heart of fantasy. You can use this legacy from ages past to discover what you need for your own life as it guides you toward hope, wisdom, and inspiration.
The companion guidebook, Gateway to the Divine Tarot, presents the author’s interpretation of each card’s significance, along with additional perspectives from experts in the tarot community, including Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone, James Ricklef, and Leisa ReFalo.
Includes a 78-card deck, a 312-page book, and a black organdy bag
Get the entire interactive experience:
Watch the trailer below and visit the companion site at www.legacyofthedivinetarot.com.
The Tower Card: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSBAe2u87Xc
Empress Card: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoSTPd–Nik
Wands IV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX-cFCxPu2U
Swords III: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jok8LWU968o
Swords IV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgCBIljCbOk
Interesting Read? There is more
Latest News
- The movie virgin: why boys do it better
- How Women Can Enjoy Receiving Oral Sex More
- To Fling Or Not To Fling?
- Twenty-Three Phrases to Help You Fight Right
- User Post: I Love You – the Show Don’t Tell of life
- 6 chemically explosive on-screen/off-screen couples
- How Long is it "Normal" to be Heartbroken?
- User Post: Men: The Visual Species
- 5 Common Family Wedding Dramas and How to Solve Them
- Should You Tell Your Partner About Your WILD CHILD Past?
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Stunning Tarot Deck/Box Set
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
“The Blind Ones had told of its coming, that which would bring about our destruction. No one doubted their wisdom, and we neither feared nor questioned their reason. We understood that we were, ourselves, of the stars, and our existence in this form is but an instant in eternity. We would cease to be part of the universe. But we lamented nonetheless.” – From the companion book to the Legacy of the Divine Tarot (Gateway to the Divine Tarot)
Months ago, award-winning digital artist Ciro Marchetti came out with a self-published version of his third tarot deck, the Legacy of the Divine Tarot. Now, the mass-market edition from Llewellyn Worldwide has entered the world to much acclaim.
Creator of the well-received Gilded Tarot (Llewellyn) and the Tarot of Dreams (self-published), award-winning digital artist Ciro Marchetti unveils his latest and, supposedly his last, Tarot deck: the Legacy of the Divine Tarot.
Arguably his most aesthetically pleasing and stylistically uniform deck to date, the Legacy of the Divine Tarot begins with a back-story crafted by Ciro in the form of a 42-page self-published book. Although Ciro tells me he’s “not a writer”, one thing I’m certain about after reading the intriguing fictional history of this deck is that he is, indeed, an engaging storyteller!
There are so many neat touches within the card imagery that it’s difficult to just pick a few to talk about–but here are some of my favorites from the Legacy of the Divine Tarot:
* The Empress – A pregnant young woman is surrounded by vibrant tokens of fertility, proliferation, ripeness and protectiveness–eggs in a nest, luscious fruits, scattering dandelion seeds, luxuriant vegetation, a rabbit, a whale and its baby, and so on.
* Faith (Traditionally named The Hierophant) – Like the Tarot of Dreams, this card is not only renamed, but its imagery reflects four different religious traditions
* 10 of Cups – A sleeping dog and cat lie together before a cozy fireplace, ten glass goblets upon the mantle and side shelves
* 3 of Swords – This image shows a close-up of a girl in braids, a tear streaming down her cheek that’s adorned with a heart tattoo (it reminds me of the Rohrig Tarot’s stunning version of this card)
* The Knights, rather than riding a horse or other beast, are represented by elaborate helmets among representations of the four elements
* 8 of Swords – The woman is not only swathed in loose cloth bindings, but she’s suspended in a gossamer web (oh the webs we weave?)
* 6 of Cups – A girl lays in the flower dappled field, daydreaming of a time when she was flying a kite with another child (shown in silhouette)
Astrological correspondences are artfully positioned within the cards (e.g. the symbols Sun in Capricorn for the 4 of Coins, Mars and Pisces for the 10 of Cups, etc.), but admittedly, there are some I simply cannot find! I’m not sure if this is because Ciro left some imagery without the astrological symbols or that he’s hidden them so cleverly that I just can’t decipher them even after close scrutiny.
The reversible card backing features an intricate mechanistic device, with both front and back borders framed in black, fading into the central image (a beautiful effect resembling looking through time’s window). The cards from the Legacy of the Divine Tarot measures approximately 4 ¾ x 2 ¾ inches.
I’ve been using this deck for several months now, and I’m so impressed with its imaginative artwork, lavish hues, approachable imagery, and unexpected details. For example, I once did a reading for myself and The Magician and The Chariot were among the cards.
They came up before, so it’s not as if I was unfamiliar with the imagery. But during that particular insightful and reassuring reading, a contemplative stillness descended upon me. I felt to “come closer” to the cards–to gaze at them with new eyes.
Upon closer inspection, I realized that The Magician had not five fingers, but six! I then noticed that one of the chains on the white horse of The Chariot had snapped and was flying loose. These unfolding details added intuitive information to the reading, not to mention that I was delighted to discover previously overlooked touches!
In addition to Ciro’s creation story and his own take on each of the cards, the 295-page companion book also includes additional card insights from Wald and Ruth Ann Amberstone, James Ricklef, and Leisa ReFalo. Reading the different takes on Ciro’s imagery is refreshing, providing loads of spiritual, practical and esoteric reflections to chew on.
The companion book to the Legacy of the Divine Tarot also includes several spreads and three correspondence charts: numerological, planetary and zodiacal. There is also a 14-page article on How to Read Tarot by Leisa ReFalo at the end of the book.
In terms of card imagery, most of the pictures remain the same as the self-published edition. The mass-market edition of the Legacy of the Divine Tarot isn’t super-glossy like the Gilded Tarot (Ciro’s first deck), but it’s not as matte as the self-published edition. It’s a nice medium, actually.
The card backings are the same, but the fonts are different. I’m not too big on the mass-market edition fonts for the card titles; the letters appear too scrunched together and reminds me of the “wild west” rather than a futuristic society. Ciro’s original, clean font is far superior.
The box set of the Legacy of the Divine Tarot also includes a black organdy bag for storing your deck, as well as a plain white paper box.
As with the self-published version, this deck is a gorgeous and accessible deck. In my opinion, it’s Ciro’s finest. The Legacy of the Divine box set is certainly one of the best Tarot decks of 2009, and the companion book commentaries sparkle with great observations, personal experience, esoteric depth and heart. You’ll even find some “inside scoops” on the genesis of card imagery (I loved Ciro’s story about his inspiration for the 6 of Cups!).
The Legacy of the Divine Tarot is stunning on so many levels–a truly remarkable deck for readings, contemplation, journaling, and sheer artistic admiration.
Highly recommended!
– Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book
(To see 18 images from the Legacy of the Divine Tarot, as well as read additional information and see side-by-side images comparing the self-published verson vs. this mass-market edition, visit the Reviews–Decks section at JanetBoyer.com)
A Bold & Superb Vision of Tarot
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Ciro Marchetti possesses a magnificent vision and the artistic talent to render it exquisitely. His Gilded Tarot and Tarot of Dreams are the stuff of legend – beautifully coloured and textured work packed with endlessly fascinating detail and a deliciously retro-futuristic worldview. His latest effort, The Legacy of the Divine Tarot, which has dazzled and stunned in limited release, is now made widely available in an edition by Llewellyn.
Marchetti’s art pulses with action, seductively presaging the animations of the cards that he is preparing for his new website. The cards are produced in a style to show the art to advantage, the art fading in a gradient to the black borders. The words on the cards are minimal, which further focuses the eye on the art. The imagery itself is arresting – machines of superb aesthetic beauty manufacturing wonder in environments of striking intensity, elegant human forms in graceful attitudes, vivid scenes that startle and stir the senses, rich jewels, glowing metals, mysterious luminosity revealing situations fraught with meaning. Vision, vibration and archetype take the Tarot in new directions – inward, outward and beyond.
The book provides a fascinating back story for the origin of the concept, and the detailed descriptions of the cards and their meanings are written by Marchetti himself as well as RuthAnn and Wald Amberstone (the Tarot School), Leisa ReFalo (the Tarot Connection ), and James Ricklef (Tarot of the Masters) which adds a greater layer of depth and interest. There are spreads and exercises that will enhance both an appreciation of this deck’s utility and a shed new light on established Tarot work.
Marchetti’s magnificently rendered vision marks the dawn of a new day in Tarot
The Guilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This is one of the most beautiful tarot decks I have ever purchased! Works of art that seem to draw you into the cards. The companion book is easy to understand, simple, clear and user friendly. I was so impressed with this deck that I ordered a second set as a gift! The price at Amazon was far better then I could get at a retail store (even at the store owners price)
A Mind Blower
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Let me begin by saying that I have been studying the tarot for almost 20 years. When I purchased the Gilded Tarot, it became one of my favorite decks of all time. It opened up portals that I had never experienced before. When I heard that I had missed the incrdible special edition of the Tarot of Dreams, I was disappointed.
A hand full of months later, I discovered that a new deck, the Legacy of the Divine Tarot, was due to be soon released, I became extremely excited. Let me say that patience is not one of my virtues and I purchased the deck as soon as I could. It quickly became another one of my favorite decks of all time. I soon found out what lay beyond the portals that were opened by the Gilded Tarot. The artwork is even more incredible than the Gilded. It gave me goosebumps. The symbols in the deck are quite traditional, because of its’ Rider-Waite base. But, he puts his own futuristic/hisotric slant in it. Some of the images have a feling of getting a peek into the lives of the people of Atlantis.
I am not usually a fan of the books that accompany decks, but this is the exception to the rule. The back story is fantastic and the accompanying commentaries of the cards are not the typical boring explinations. Not only do you have Ciro’s words, you have 4 other authors giving their input. The last of which gives a number of correspondences, which I greatly appreciated.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It is a definate must for any reader, beginner or master. I am thoughly looking forward to the regular edition of the Tarot of Dreams that is suppose to be released towards the end of this month.
Very pretty deck
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Overrall a very colourful and pretty deck, very similar to the gilded tarot deck. My only complain is the fool. The fool character is being dipicated at least 4 other times, in the Hanging Man, Wheel, The devil, and the World. I did not appreciate seeing the fool everywhere in the tarot. Also the faith card is my least favourite. It shows 4 religious people of 4 different religion shown on the card. Personally this is my least favourite card. The knights are also totally absent in this deck, instead the knights are represented by helments, first ever I guess in the tarot creation. Eventhough certain cards are just so so, the various other cards are awesome, such as the empress, the 3 of swords, the 5 of cups with a sad women showing her hand out to us. Still a pretty good deck. The guide book is also great, a HUGE improvement from the gilded tarot guide book..
Attractive, highly readable cards!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This attractive deck is easily readable. As with most decks, each card is designed to visually communicate its essential meaning. If you are already familiar with tarot, you will have no problem picking up these cards and reading them. This may not be the best deck if you have never used tarot cards before, as some cards have shades of meaning different than “standard” decks, which will confuse beginners who are consulting books other than the one included with the deck.
The best yet!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This is the third tarot deck that Ciro has created, and it’s his best yet! I have his other two decks, The Gilded Tarot and Tarot of Dreams, and this is the most detailed if that’s possible.
It seems that his decks have mirrored his mastery of the subject of Tarot in general. The Gilded is a good base foundation, with the Tarot of Dreams being more in depth. It also gave him and us a new way to experience Tarot, with the interactive DVD. This deck however has really gone even deeper. There is soon to be a website for this deck and each card with be animated! He has even created an entire world for his deck and it’s characters to exist in.
There is a story of that world in the 300+ page book that accompanies the deck. The book is a wonderful resource, even if you don’t normally like to read the “book meanings” there is wonderful insight as Ciro explains why he chose certain images or themes. I’m so thankful for the explanation he provides as to why the Knights are represented by their helmets, versus an actual knights. Brilliant! The book includes comments/interpretations by 3 other tarot experts. I really like the format used and would like something similar with other decks.
The card stock is the usual Llewellyn size and thickness which is always just fine. The deck has borders, but it’s a “fade to black” effect which I quite like. It also come with the usual black bag. This deck is deserving of much more ornate storage however.
If you even remotely like Ciro’s other decks this one is a MUST HAVE. I would have given the deck/book kit more than 5 stars if I could have.
Stunningly Beautiful, Exquisitely Done…Just Lovely
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I have been reading, enjoying and teaching the Tarot for years now and have been “married” to my Druidcraft deck. Like many Tarot-ists, I have bought countless others…holding my breath in anticipation of that next one being THE ONE, only to be disappointed over and over. Sometimes it would be one card that just ruined the whole deck for me, sometimes it was a lack of quality in the artwork and sometimes I was just not sure, I just knew it wasn’t workin’ for me. The Legacy of the Divine Tarot is my new love. I am completely smitten with it.
First, the book spoke to me. I have been working on a deck of my own (blatant plug) and have been doing a lot of historical research and I was also drawn to the Atlantean era and all that encompasses. Ciro speaks of this as the catalyst of this deck and the story is an amazing one. I will not tell any more, but will say this…the story of the conception of this deck could have been a stand along book! I felt satisfied after just reading that part of the book…the deck was then icing on the cake!
On to the cards…they are the basic Llewellyn size, with the book and a black organza bag. I view the bag as an inner carrying case, like a protective bag and I quickly slipped this deck into a special, stunning bag I have saving…now I know what I was saving that Tarot bag for! Each card is more beautiful than the one before and I do not think you will be disappointed with any one card. I missed horses on the Knight cards at first, but after reading WHY the helmets were used, I am converted!
Ciro is a digital genius, and as a graphic designer I stand humbled and in awe of his work. I would LOVE to take a class from him one day…he is just so durn good, I am totally in awe.
So, my review is one of glowing praise…if you are on the fence…jump and buy this deck. It is fabulous and you will surely enjoy having it in your collection.
Most Powerful
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
There is no shortage of information. One of the best purchases I’ve ever made. Couldn’t put the book down and the cards are fantastic. Absolutly excellent. I have many Tarot decks. But this ! This is what I’ve been waiting for.
Can’t wait to see what Marchetti has up his sleeve for the next publication.
Favorite Of All Time!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Out of a fantastical cataclysmic collision that darkened the earth, comes the Legacy of the Divine.
“Imagine a civilization long before our own which also called this planet home. Imagine that foreseeing their own demise, they wished to leave us a message. This is who we were, what we achieved, what we loved, feared and believed in. This is our legacy. Remember us.” ~ Quote from extra card in the Special Edition deck.
Ciro Marchetti comes to us as a Professional Graphic Designer with relatively little Tarot experience in his background. His thoughts and design ideas bring forward a fresh perspective of standard images. For example, he has taken the liberty of changing the title of the Hierophant to Faith to encompass a wider religious theme. He also has changed the bird of prey in the 9 of Coins to a Bird of Paradise.
A common theme added to this Rider-Waite-Smith based deck are Victorian brass survey devices, theodolytes and kaleidoscopes, which he collects and has taken some artistic liberty with. Ciro explains his thoughts of the origin behind the devices in the “story.”
This deck is filled with vibrant, richly colored images. The artwork in this deck is truly captivating. Even though much of the RWS symbolism is not included in the images, it will prove to be a brilliant working deck, that is quite capable of packing a punch!
On course with Ciro’s other decks, the Legacy of the Divine carry’s the same tradition of the use of vivid color and plays in light and shadow. The images fade to a black border. Color variations vary between the Standard deck and the Special Edition deck. There are also color variations between the Special Edition decks themselves.
There are three Special Edition Deck packages available. The SE Deck, the SE Deck and Hardback Book Set, and the SE Deck, Book and Canvas set. It is a custom produced collector’s edition. It is in limited quantity. Each deck is signed. With the variations in the cards, each set is unique in it’s particular combination of cards.
The Special Edition deck is larger and thicker than standard, measuring 5 ½” tall x 3 ¼” wide x 1 ½” thick. It also contains a black velvet bag, stamped with “Legacy of the Divine,” in gold foil. The Special Edition also comes with a signed 12″ x 8″ print of the Legacy themed montage.
The deck edges were a bit “hairy” when the deck arrived, but disappeared quickly with a little handling.
The gorgeous coffee table book, is fully illustrated and contains the Ciro’s own mythology of Tarot. This book would make a fantastic conversation piece. There is also a vinyl spread cloth available, in one of the packages. It measures 24″ x 24″, which also could be framed.
The Standard Edition comes with a black organdy tarot bag and a 295 page, paperback collaborative companion book, which also contains the “story.” This book is titled Gateway to the Divine Tarot.
The second part of the book provides a variety of perspectives on the cards’ meanings from Ciro, himself, as well as highly respected tarot experts such as Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone, James Ricklef and Leisa ReFalo. Together they take you on a journey through this amazing deck.
The third part of the book is a “How To Read Tarot” section by Leisa ReFalo. She covers everything from the question, the spread, drawing the cards and interpretation to many extras. There are five spreads in the book, from a three card to a nine card spread.
This deck measures 4 ½” tall x 2 ¾” wide x 1″ thick.
Both decks use the standard Rider-Waite-Smith suits: Swords, Cups, Wands, Pentacles. Strength is number 8 and Justice is number 11. The title of the Major’s and the suit titles are on the top and the cards are numbered on the bottom. Reversible friendly backs, which display another mechanical device. Both decks have a smooth finish, that fan out beautifully.
This deck will make an excellent addition to any collection. It can be picked and used almost immediately by the novice reader or the professional. It will be appreciated by anyone who owns one or both of Ciro’s other decks.
I anticipate that Legacy of the Divine will surely make it to the Top 10 of the new decks for 2009 and quickly take its place in the Top 10 of All Time.
A truly profound divination set
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I first saw this deck on a tarot site and was instantly impressed.
I then went to the author’s site and viewed the full deck, and was blown away by the detailed images that each came to life and told their own story and the profound connection they each provoked in me.
Although the author’s first set, the gilded tarot stood out in a positive light from other decks, I was not too drawn to them, but the tarot of dreams looked good but sadly, I found to be out of print.
So when I found that the Divine tarot was due out, I was eagerly awaiting the release date, unfortuately the publishing date kept being set back in England, so I decided to order my pack from abroad, (the U.S. amazon site instead of the U.K.)
I’d read on previous reviews that the deck was flimsy which is the first thing I noticed about the cards when I received them, but I feel that if they’re handled with respect and care,they should last a considerable time.
Although I was quite disappointed with the card quality, i’m delighted to say that I feel that I have more than got my money’s worth as the accompanying guidebook is well-written,and I find James Ricklef’s interpretations along with Ciro’s to be very insightful although i’m a little confused about the story in chapter six – The Villa. I am wondering if Ciro actually experienced this, and if so, I would be interested to read more about it.
A beautiful organdy bag is also included which adds another nice touch to this set.
Although I keep my other tarot set in a silk bag, I am more than comfortable storing this set in the accompanied bag in the picturesque box it came in.
All in all, an excellent buy which I am more than pleased with!
Beautiful and mysterious.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This is perhaps the most anticipated deck for the Tarot audience. Why? The cinematic trailer of course. I believe this is the first time this ever happened. The artist produced two previous decks, of which I have the Gilded Tarot. This one is an apparent fantasy to the universal origins of the cards. The artist rather pays homage to the legend that the cards came from Atlantis, rather than saying that this was a reproduction of the original. This alone grants me great respect in the “flood” of decks that have been produced. No pun intended. I can see the universality of the cards and how the symbols have been floating around since time immemorial, in our collective dream conciousness. In fact anyone who produces a deck taps into that reality.
The deck itself is based on the Rider Waite, being the most popular. This takes the meanings quite further than the century old classic. He accurately adds zodiac and astrological references, something the original never used, which makes this a unique addition. Personally, the card’s familiarity are handy, yet another reinterpretation of this deck is tiresome, yet has a place. The art is bordered by a black background that sets the tone for the mystery. Like “sfumato” in Italian painting. The majors all contribute something new to the meanings. This makes it worth taking notice. It is a great place to start at, should this be your first deck. Personally it is my 70th deck. I am a collector. I doubt if I use the deck for readings. That is not to say it is unworthy. In my world there are so many decks, so little time.
TAROT READING/MESSAGES
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I loooooooove tarot cards!!! This particular one is more detailed and I would say more professional. You have to read the book (which explains in detail all steps) to do a correct reading. It is always very interesting to perform. The colors are beautiful, the many designs in the cards are expectacular! A nice gift to give to someone who appreciates the mystical and unexplainable. Kudos!!!!