The Hermetic Tarot

good deck
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This was my first Tarot deck. I was seeking what would be the most accurate or well-constructed deck. But, I had no idea what Tarot was all about, and didn’t really know what I should be looking for. The cards are nice and big, with a nice laminate surface. Unfortunately, the art is somewhat pixellated, but I still find them enjoyable to look at. I wish they were colored though. I also really appreciated the little booklet thats included, which gave a short history of the Tarot along with discussing some major Tarot figures (Crowley, Waite, Case). The booklet has a lot of handy information actually, but not to the point where one could master understanding of the deck or even come remotely close. Overall, I would probably not buy this deck a second time, but as I learn the Tarot more I may come to appreciate its artwork more. I think I would recommend to a beginner the B.O.T.A. tarot deck, which is very similar to the Rider-Waite deck, except I think that Case makes a couple valid improvements.

Rich Symbolism Open Gates
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Though the pictoral symbols on these cards may not be the most colerful, the images hail to ancient gnosticism and all the mysteries that have tormented the minds of men since the dawn of time. These cards house a myriad of symbolic keys which allows just as many interpretations; lending themselves perfectly to divination, since one truely reads the cards from the soul. These mixed and varied symbols allow the reader to draw inspiration from any number of religious schools of thought, the very fact that attracted me to purchase this deck. I am most highly joyed by the fact that these cards are now in my life.

The Hermetic Tarot
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I was reading that this deck has all the Alchemist’s secrets drawn in it so I bought the deck. The images are wonderful and as I learn more I do think this deck just might have all those secrets.

Esoteric Symbolism and Black-and-White Images
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
“The tarot is a mirror of reality. Its construction, based on the four elements, the celestial phenomena, the Holy Qabalah, and a very evolved psychology, can lead its devotees to the inner recesses of psychic and intuitive awareness. The tarot itself can be used as the basis of occult study, as it may be said to possess all aspects of the inner wisdom tradition.” – From the Little White Book

Complex and stark, the black-and-white images are jam-packed with alchemical, astrological and Qabalistic symbols easily recognized by those familiar with those and other esoteric systems. Revealing many of the workings of the Secret Order of the Golden Dawn, this deck draws heavily upon the work of Mathers, Crowley, Case, Levi and others.

The Hermetic Tarot comes with a 70-page LWB, which is thicker than most, which details astrological attributions for the cards and the numerological correlations of the Minor Arcana with the Tree of Life. The LWB also has a handy chart of elemental and astrological glyphs, as well as an illustration of the Tree of Life. However, Hebrew letters rather than actual card names depict the paths on the Tree.

Upright and reversed meanings are provided, as well detailed explanations for many of the symbolic components of the cards. The various angels connected with the Minors are given, as are the thirty-six decans of the Zodiac. The astrological placements for the Minors appear in the image proper.

Cards measure approximately 4 ¾ x 2 ¾ inches and although card backings appear fully reversible at first blush, they are not. The elemental symbols for the Courts are placed in the top corners of the cards (e.g. Knight of Cups shows the glyph for Fire then Water for “Fire of Water”), and follow the ordering of Knight, Queen, King and Princess.

For the Majors, the corresponding Hebrew letter and card number are on the top corners, while the elemental/astrological symbols are within the actual image. The titles of all the cards are on the bottom (e.g. Lord of Material Success for the 6 of Pentacles, the Magus of the Voice of Light for The Hermit, Spirit of the Primal Fire for The Last Judgment and so on).

The Hermetic Tarot is fascinating to look at, although the crowded nature of the symbols can be a bit overwhelming. In fact, when I gazed upon a group of these cards, I began to get a headache!

Inexplicably, a few of the cards appear smudged and pixely, in contrast to the cleaner lines of the rest of the cards. Also unusual is the pronounced uneven trim on the bottom of the Court Cards, which gives them a slight lip (you can see this a bit on the lower-left hand corner of the Queen of Cups image).

If you’re looking to enhance your magical practice or further your knowledge of Golden Dawn esotericism and Qabalistic associations, this would make a fine deck for your studies. The intricacies of the Hermetic Tarot almost serve as a meditative scrying mirror–and if you enjoy the art of M.C. Escher, you may very well feel an affinity for this deck.

I feel that the symbol-laden cards would lend themselves well to small spreads and contemplation. However, it’s definitely not a beginner’s deck for those wanting to learn the Tarot. In my estimation, the Hermetic Tarot would likely appeal to those who prefer decks like Thoth or the Liber-T, more so than those who are ardent devotees of Rider-Waite-Smith imagery or decks with animated minors.

(To see 12 images from this deck, visit the Reviews–Decks section at JanetBoyer.com)

Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)

excellent tarot cards
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Although I am relatively new to the world of tarots, I feel these cards that I was drawn too are really the best I have seen. I would recommend that anyone wishing to develop their intuition using tarots considers this method.

Unsurpassed Study Deck for the Serious Student of Tarot
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This black & white Tarot deck is unsurpassed as a study deck or teaching deck. It empowers the reader to make full use of all aspects of interpretation at a glance.

The Hermetic Tarot – Qualities of Astrology

This deck is one of the few that easily reveals the planetary influences at work in a matter, or the overall spread and thus lends itself to shades of meaning relevant to the seeker’s own elemental nature and birth sign. Each card is visually identified with corresponding planets, aspects, and elements. These qualities alone improve the student’s ability to grasp the possibility of deeper levels of understanding in the book of Tarot …and to expand the readers’ scope of divination.

Qualities of Imagery in the Hermetic Tarot

The symbolism used is powerful and intricate…. a review of any Major Arcana reveals many influences at work. The imagery in the Hermetic Tarot facilitates study of the Tree of Life and the Cabalistic perspective.

The Hebrew letter associated with the Major Arcana is clearly visible on each card. The names of the angels of the decans of the heavens by day and by night are included on all the Minor Arcana. Cabalistic and Hermetic symbols that lead one into deeper understanding of the Tree of Life and the Golden Dawn appear on many Tarot. This is one of the few decks that offers two male and two female images in the Court card, in keeping with the balanced view of reality offered by the Tree of Life model.

Quality of Instructional Booklet – the Hermetic Tarot

With constant referrals to SEPHIRAH on the Tree of Life, this booklet makes it clear that the study of Tarot is a deeply spiritual process. Terse, yet thorough, each card is clearly described. Reference to the interpretation of the symbols used is clear. Interpretations of the cards are given as “Dignified” and “Ill-dignified”, which in my opinion is far more freeing to the reader than the standard “Reversed” interpretations given by so many decks.

Reference is made to the Four Worlds, and the Paths of the Tree of Life in the instructional booklet… leading the student to a deeper consideration of the expansive nature of accurate interpretation. The cards are printed on sturdy stock, and have born up well after 3 years of regular use. They are of normal size, which make shuffling easy, and it is easy to determine both suit and number of each.

Copyright for this review – Ann George Studios, Inc. – 2000

Excellent Symbolism, Mediocre Representation
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
After now personally handling and working with both the original Hermetic Tarot and the new re-issue thereof, I can say without the slightest hesitation that I am very thankful I only paid $20 for my Hermetic Tarot deck by Dawson.

It is replete with excellent symbolism, of that be sure. It’s the artwork that isn’t very good. Kind of like what you would expect to find in a Graphic Illustration/Rendering 101 class. Very medoicre.

If one could just splice together the symbolism of the Hermetic Tarot by Dawson, the symbolism of the Thoth deck by Crowley, with the artistry of the Robin Wood deck,.. Folks we’d have a winner.

As it is the Dawson Hermetic Tarot was pricey and vigorously sought after due to a simple case of scarcity. It was an over-inflated legend, now deflated to its correct size.

If you can pick up a pack for no more than $20, buy it and learn to use it. In fact, compare it side by side with the Crowley deck – and then color in your own B.O.T.A. deck with what you’ve learned.

And if you really want to know Tarot, study “Tarot Symbolism” by Robert V. O’Neil, “Prophetical Educational and Playing Cards” by Mrs. John King Van Rensselaer, “The Tarot” by C.C. Zain, and “The Thursday Night Tarot” by Jason C. Lotterhand. Everything else will seem soft-headed in comparison.

Gnothi seauton.