Tarot Deck Review # 14 - Mythic Tarot

Bu Julia Sharman-Burke and Liz Greene, cards illustrated by Tricia Newell. copyright Fireside books published by Simon & Shuster 1986. This is a set, and came with a black (nylon) spread cloth printed with the Celtic cross spread and a hardbound book.

The cars measure 5 1/16" by 3". The card stock is very thin - thin enough I would hesitate to use this deck for regular readings. It does not appear to have a finish, aside from the ink. The edges are slightly rounded.

The backs are black with a thin gold pinstripe 3/16ths from the edge, and a gold printed design that incorporates all the suite symbols in a loose Celtic knot. The cards are not reversible. The card fronts have a parchment colored border, and bold modern printing at the top clearing stating the card name.

The artwork is somewhat classical, and slightly reminiscent of Edward Gorey in style. the cars appear to be ink and possibly acrylic or gouache.

The majors depict various myths, such as Hercules, and Gods, such as Apollo. the minors tell the story of one myth. Cups are Eros and Psyche, Wands are Jason and the Argonauts, Swords are Orestes and the curse of the House of Atreus, and Pentacles the story of Daedalus.

This deck is subtitled "A New Approach to Tarot" although the symbolism appears to be based in the RWS style.

Others have felt this deck is inconsistent as far as card meanings and the depictions of the myths .

I like the Moon, Temperance, and the 5 of Wands so far. The artwork doesn't speak to me as much as other decks I have. It lacks the charm of Gorey.

After a week of use, I am absolutely certain this deck would not be good for a beginner. With the exception of a beginner who was familiar with all the myths depicted on these cards.
I ended up cutting my time with the Mystical short. The flimsiness of the card stock and the size of the cards made them difficult to shuffle. I also found I wasn't comfortable reading with this deck at all. The deck was too obscure at times, and even as an intuitive reader, I found myself looking at the book for hints.

I also found the artwork more irritating the longer I used it.

I probably would not replace this deck if it strayed.

This deck is in print.

It is a deck that would appeal to some - but not to me.