Tarot Review #1 Aquarian Tarot

Copyright 1970 Morgan Press Inc. Published and Printed by Morgan Press Inc. (my decks).

Now printed by AG Mueller and copyright U.S. Games.

No ISBN on my decks.

Illustrated by David Palladini, who in addition to contributing to the Linweave Tarot, and illustrating another deck, the New Palladini Tarot, has illustrated several children's books.

This deck was my only deck for nearly 30 years.

The cards are 4 5/16" X 2 15/16" wide. The corners are rounded. I have two copies - the original deck with a bright blue back, and a version with a blue & white "water" or "wavy" back. The deck is reversible. There is no finish.

The original deck has an off-white border around the cards. While the images are fairly standard RWS, the artist does use his own symbolism. Sharp graphics indicate the past (crystallization) rounded images represent the future. Also, many images are in closer focus than the RWS deck. Garments and background are detailed, the faces of the people are drawn in black pencil, and slightly blurred, perhaps to allow for better self-interpretation.

The art and deck are set in a quasi-medieval fantasy era popular with many RWS clones. The artwork does have a slightly 60's feel to it.

Some of my favorite cards in this deck are the 6 of swords - I love the melancholy feel. The Page of Cups, and the Knight of Cups.

The wands are the suit that dates this deck the most - the bulbous and ornate flower that explode from the end are a bit reminiscent of Peter Maxx for me.

Although this was my first and only deck, it wouldn't necessarily be a deck I'd recommend for a beginner. There is a lack of symbolism on some of the cards which can make it difficult to cues from. The faces of the people seem sad, even on cards with positive meanings. The close up focus can sometimes obscure the larger scope of the card meaning.

I still love this deck, even though it doesn't "speak" to me anymore, at least at the moment. I would recommend it to anyone already familiar with the RWS deck who is looking for something a little different, but not so far off it can't be read with immediately.

I would definitely buy this deck again.

This deck is in print.
Not recommended for beginners. Advanced beginners, maybe.