Tarot Médiéval ~ First Look, First Impressions

Please note: I received this deck and guidebook set from its publisher for prospective review. Everything I’ve said here is sincere and accurately reflects my opinion of the deck.

[@DerekJohnThomas]

Okay! That's it! You've sold me again. 😂😂😂 But seriously, thank you for the walk through. As for the numbering of the Fool and the World, that is from one of the schools of Continental Hermetic (pre-Smith Waite and Golden Dawn) tarot. They were struggling with the Hebrew associations with the World and the Fool. Okay, really, they were all experimenting with the order of the major arcana. But I understand why they wanted to put the world at Tav and the Fool at Shin instead of the other way around. For me, the Fool is best as the last of the Hebrew alphabet because it also connects back to the Aleph at #1, but I get the desire to put the World there too.

[@tellbee654]

This deck looks amazing and I’m so glad that I found a review by you, Simon!I quite like pip decks and am not at all bothered about how the Fool is numbered...I think marseilles decks tend to differ slightly in this respect don’t they? Absolutely gorgeous visually and Caitlin M can do no wrong in my eyes. It will have to go on a wish list as I’ve bought far too many decks lately.

[@MicheleAnnTarot]

The crocodile in the fool card is very ‘THOTH’…

[@MicheleAnnTarot]

And the pips are quite Eudes Picard….

[@toadstooltarot]

I was falling in love with these from the outset. Love the card size and beautiful palette, as well as the stylized and streamlined imagery, illustrations a bit reminiscent of the 30's era version of the Oswald Wirth or Barbara Walker. Direct, to the point, with no excess symbolism. But....then we got to the Fool and I'm stuck in a mindset of needing the Fool to be zero. I'd have trouble if it were labelled 22, but 21 is even worse, I think. The colors and arrangements of the pips are refreshing, if you're into using pips, and these days I'm moving away from them. I do love that a 'historic' deck from the early 20th century has been brought back, and the illustration style feels authentic in capturing, rather than updating, vintage images. For me, it's a bit of a shopper's dilemma that I'll have to think more about. (will I actually use these, or will I feel left out if I let them pass by? Probably no, and yes.)

[@the_hermits_cave]

I’m trying to get my head around the fact that the Fool is the fool and I shouldn’t pay attention to the number.

[@ninokraine]

I haven't bought a deck in some time. I think this is it. Thanks for the walk through. ❤ I love smaller cards now and prefer pips too. My only complaint is the red titles. It sort of distracts from the art. I always buy their decks for the historical text and uniqueness. - Ninon 😊

[@the_hermits_cave]

Thanks for watching, lovely! 😍

[@ninokraine]

@@the_hermits_cavegot it today. I wanted to revise my complaint.....it's perfect! I love everything about it. The red title work fine with the cards. What a beauty!! ❤

I kind alike the crocodile. In earlier versions of Tarot there were all kinds of animals replacing the dog of the Fool. Crocodiles among them, or even such unusual animals like hippos 🦛

[@alexdschmidt]

I loved the minor arcana, very clear and simple. In a deck that sends old images, I prefer that this one is not borderless. In general, the illustrations are correct. They didn't blow my mind. They lack strength.

[@DavidWilson-hd6iz]

I've been looking for a medieval / TdM deck. I already have Kat Black's Medieval Tarot, and I absolutely love it! It sits on my bedside table. I agree about the numbering, although it would be easy to just ignore. Not sure if the swords are fire or air in this deck? The Byzantine Tarot had wands as air, and swords as fire, and that kind of put me off, even though I thought it was a great concept and a wonderful deck. It's a Schiffer deck too, by John Matthews, and I wonder if it's his / their preferred designation? Both are beautiful decks though. Great review as always! Enjoy the summer sunshine 🌞

[@the_hermits_cave]

Oh I hadn’t considered that! You could actually be right. I’ll check out the book.

[@cobwebsandcatnip]

The emperor sort of shocked me Simon, I thought his dangly bits were showing then I realised it was the eagle on his throne! I need a bigger screen. It's a great deck anyway

[@DavidWilson-hd6iz]

😂 The same thought crossed my mind too.

[@cobwebsandcatnip]

@@DavidWilson-hd6iz I'm glad it's not just me, I can't unsee it now though 😳

[@DavidWilson-hd6iz]

​@@cobwebsandcatnip😂 well, you've got to remember they didn't have boxer shorts back in the day 😊 No, I can't unsee it either. I'm going to blame the small screen on my Kindle 😇

[@the_hermits_cave]

I had to do a double take!!! 😝

[@Audrey-rb2nf]

@@the_hermits_cave Have you taken a good look at the Knight of Wands in Le Tarot de Marseille Waite? I just got it today and was quite surprised. It does go along with the meaning, tho.

[@shashatarot9084]

So the swords are fire in this deck

[@Umurhan999]

The book gives Etteillaesque meanings for the pips, but some of them look the same when reversed. I'm not sure if I want to mark them, what do you think about this?

[@the_hermits_cave]

My thoughts are, whatever works for you. Your deck and if it helps, why not? 😉

[@Railway_Cat]

Spotted this in Atlantis Bookshop in London yesterday so maybe it has hit the UK already? Caitlin’s name is apparently pronounced Kathleen I learned a while back.

[@the_hermits_cave]

Oh that’s interesting to know! Thank you 😊

[@SpiritofAvalon]

Ok so I got excited until I heard the words ‘pip deck’ 🤣 the artwork is really lovely though, I do like it and I love the design of the box too 😍❤️

[@the_hermits_cave]

I thought if you as I read those words 😝

[@SpiritofAvalon]

@@the_hermits_cave 🤣

[@hollybigwood8939]

I like this deck way more than I like her Da Vinci tarot. Maybe I’m just not a great fan of his art even though I should be? I should have bought this one…