Zodiac Tarot

Creator(s): Lee Bursten, Luca Raimondo
Date: 2007
Country: Italy
Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
Number of Cards: 78
ISBN: 978-0738712383  
Type: other
Reference: aeclectic 

Notes:
The astrological attributions have been placed within a modern day concept set in a 1940s era world, rather than that of mythology or medieval times. In the Major Arcana, each card is assigned a sign or one of the planets. The seven traditional planets on the Major Arcana are represented by people in a family: grandparents, parents, son, daughter, and infant.

The zodiac signs are represented by scenes that bear an analogy to the astrological meaning of the signs. The Quadruplicates of the Signs are shown by the time of day seen on the card (Cardinal cards are daytime, Fixed cards are night, and Mutable cards take place at either sunrise or sunset).

Unlike the Golden Dawn, this deck uses the modern planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto (which was not even discovered when the Golden Dawn invented its system). The cards that the Golden Dawn assigned to the Elements are assigned to the three modern planets and show scenes associated with the major societal changes that these planets represent.

The Minor Arcana is divided into decants (each sign is divided into three decants of ten degrees each). Each Decan is assigned a planetary ruler, so each card carries a planet and a sign. The pip cards use the images from the Major Arcana to depict various permutations of people and scenes (planets and signs) as outlined by the Golden Dawn.

Also unlike the Golden Dawn, this deck relies solely on the astrological attributions to delineate the cards, whereas the Golden Dawn used a combination of astrology, the Kabbalah, and Picatrix for most of its interpretations.

The Major Arcana have traditional titles, with the following exceptions: the Hierophant becomes the Priest and the Wheel of Fortune becomes the Wheel. Strength is in position VIII, and Justice in position XI. The four suits are Torches (Wands), Waves (Cups), Clouds (Swords) and Stones (Pentacles). The Court Cards are Princess, Prince, Queen and King. 

Tarô Carbônico

Creator(s): Adriano Camargo Monteiro
Date: 2007
Country: Brazil
Publisher: Ibrasa
Number of Cards: 22
ISBN: 978-8534-802505
Type: other
Reference: Encyclopedia of Tarot, vol.IV, p. 24

Notes:  
Adriano Camargo Monteiro has also written several books in Portuguese about mysticism and the esoteric order Dragon Rouge. 

The deck  was drawn in pencil, that is graphite or pure carbon, and thus the title for the deck. While the art is in black and white, some of the cards have details in color.

The cards are small (6.5 x 10.5 cm ~ 2.5 x 4.1 inches) and printed in a thick cardstock that barely has any lamination. 

In the Portuguese only book Monteiro explains what every element in the cards represents for him. Each cards gets at least three pages of information. First there's a long text about what the cards means esoterically and how it relates to the spiritual journey of the Initiate. Then the artist explains what the symbols he added to each picture mean and how they contribute to the message of the card. At the ending of the explanation, Monteiro provides a list of keywords detailing what the card means in different contexts of life. 

Fortuna's Wheel Tarot

Creator(s): Nigel Jackson
Date: 2007
Country: United Kingdom
Publisher: Adam McLean
Number of Cards: 22
ISBN:   
Type: Mixed
Reference: Adam McLean








Notes:
Nigel Jackson is an artist, symbolist and esotericist known for his Medieval Enchantment Tarot produced in 2000.  His Fortuna's Wheel Tarot is in the same style with detailed pen drawing and luminous glowing colours.

My copy is number 88 of a limited, numbered, signed edition of 100.

A book for this deck is published seperately and can be found here.

Vanessa Tarot

Creator(s): Lynyrd-Jym Narciso
Date: 2007
Country: USA
Publisher: US Games
Number of Cards: 78
ISBN: 978-1-57281-574-2 
Type: RWS
Reference: aeclectic






Notes:
The deck has been inspired by the heroines of pop culture. The Emperor shows a woman looking like Hillary Clinton as president of the United States. The Two of Wands looks like Sophia Loren as a chemist. The Eight of wands has Samantha from “Bewitched” riding with an escort of empty broomsticks.

The cards are smaller than most Tarot decks and measure 9,5 x 6cm. The fully reversible backs show a purple-striped background with blue stars. The deck comes  in a purple tin box. In the LWB each Major card has a little description of the image and a set of meanings for upright and reversed positions, the minors are listed by number.

Fantod Pack

Creator(s): Edward Gorey
Date: 1969, 1995, 2007
Country: USA
Publisher: Pomegranate
Number of Cards: 20
ISBN:   
Type: non-tarot
Reference: aeclectic








Notes:
 Edward Gorey is an illustrator and artist known for his morbid sense of humor. Originally published in Esquire magazine in the sixties,  there was an unauthorized version of the deck printed back in 1969, and then an authorized limited edition of 776 copies (750 numbered, and 26 lettered) in 1995. The current 2007 edition, which I have, is unlimited.

The artwork on the cards and the cover of the booklet are the classic Gorey style of finelydetailed pen-and-ink work. The card backs and the booklet feature a strange little creature known as  'Figbash'.

Card Titles : The Ladder, The Child, The Limb, The Yellow Bird, The Stones, The Effigy, The Insects, The Plant, The Waltzing Mouse, The Urn, The Feather, The Bundle, The Sea, The Ecorche, The Bottle, The Burning Head, The Blue Dog, The Ancestor, The Tunnel, Untitled 

The Fantod Pack comes with a booklet by one "Madame Groeda Wyrde" (anagrams areanother Gorey favorite), giving instructions for how to read with the deck. The booklet itself is quite funny, with instructions such as the following:

"Interpretation must always depend on the character and circumstances of the person consulting the pack. What might portend a wipe-out for a teenage hotdogger from Yokohama, might warn an octogenarian spinster in Minot, North Dakota, of a fall in the bathtub, though, of course, the results might come to much the same thing. "

Pearls of Wisdom - Second Edition

Creator(s): Roxi Sim, Caeli Fullbrite
Date: 2007, 2008
Country: USA
Publisher: 7^th House
Number of Cards: 78
ISBN: 978-1-933320-65-6   
Type: RWS
Reference: artist's page





 
Notes:
The first edition (2007) had white borders, the second edition (2008)  has dark borders and an expanded companion book.

The symbolism of the Pearls of Wisdom includes elements of the Triple Goddess, the language of flowers, Runes and colour. The colours are inspired by the artist's time in the caribbean. It is an optimistic deck on which the author notes:

"Born out of great sorrow, the loss of my 9 year old son, my mother and my health, the Pearls Deck was my art therapy. The paintings became my path back to wellness, out the dark dungeon of depression and ill health.  I painted what I needed to see and it is my hope that the images in this deck, along with the optimistic pearls of wisdom, will bring a measure of healing to all those who use it."
 .
The deck follows traditional structure, with  suits of Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles, and the Court Cards entitled Page, Knight, Queen and King. The Major Arcana have traditional titles, with Strength as VIII and Justice as XI.

The reversible backs of the cards show pearls, rainbows, flaming heads of the Candles and a spiral, their intended symbolic meaning is explained in the companion book.

Fantastical Creatures Tarot

Creator(s): Lisa Hunt, D.J. Conway
Date: 2007
Country: USA
Publisher: US Games
Number of Cards: 78
ISBN: 978-1-57281-637-4 
Type: RWS
Reference: artist's page







Notes:
Each card has a fairy or folk tale illustration  with an ornate border. Strength is VIII, Justice is XI. The suits are Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles.The Court cards are entitled Page, Knight, Queen and King. Designations, and major arcana titling are standard, except: the Hierophant is the ‘High Priest’, and the Devil is titled ‘Chains’. The most major change from the traditional is that Wands are associated with Air and Swords with Fire as always in Lisa Hunts decks.

For the Major Arcana, the card number is at the top, in Roman numerals, and the card title across the bottom. The Pips show the number in text and the suit across the bottom of the card. The Court cards show the card title and suit across the bottom of the card. The backs are cream colored, with a central circular motif, leaving the backs reversible. The artwork is done in a fantasy style, using watercolors. Earthy colours dominate this deck.

Jean Noblet Tarot

Creator(s): Jean Noblet, Jean-Claude Flornoy
Date: 1650, 2007
Country: France
Publisher: Jean-Claude Flornoy
Number of cards: 78
ISBN: 2-914820-07-0
Type: Marseilles
Reference: Encyclopedia of Tarot, vol. II. pp. 307, 309. Encyclopedia of Tarot, vol. IV pp. 685






Notes:
The "Jean Noblet Tarot", originating in Paris, c. 1650, is the oldest known tarot of the "Marseille" tradition, . The only existing copy of this deck is preserved in the French National Library in Paris. It is a nearly complete deck, missing only the Six through Ten of Swords. This 78 card edition is a restoration done by the French Tarot historian and artist Jean-Claude Flornoy. The missing cards have been recreated by Flornoy.

Jean Noblet's Tarot uses the seven symbolic colours: white, the color of emotional saturation; black, representing the earth; red, representing blood and suffering; blue, representing blows to the body and soul; yellow, representing perseverance; green, representing hope; light blue, representing "understanding awareness"; and the additional flesh color.

The card number, in Roman numerals, is on the top of the card, while the card title, in French, runs across the bottom of the card.  The "Jean Noblet Tarot" is the first deck to identify Death as such with title and number. Prior to this, the card was superstitiously left unnamed. The Court Cards are labeled with title and suit across the bottom of the card.

The numbering for the Pips is along both sides of the card, but it is inconsistent. Some pips are unnumbered. some are only numbered on the left or on the right hand side. Six of Cups is numbered on the right and left hand sides of the card, but the right hand side shows the Roman numerals reversed, Eight of Cups is numbered on the right and left hand sides of the card, but the left hand side shows the Roman numerals reversed. The Swords are curved, with except the odd numbered sword, which is straight and placed in the middle.

Both the Two of Cups and the Two of Coins show the name and city of origin for Jean Noblet. The shield on the Chariot shows  the initials "I.N." for the engraver - Jean Noblet.

Maroon Tarot

Creator(s): Tomasz Maronski, Maja Zaworowska
Date: 2007, reprint 2009
Country: Poland
Publisher: self published
Number of Cards: 79
ISBN:
Type: RWS
Reference: aeclectic tarot







Notes:
The full version comes along with an extra card entitled "The Reader".
The cards follow a traditional theme, with traditional titles (Strength at VIII and Justice at XI). The suits are Wands, Cups, Swords and Coins. The Court Cards are King, Queen, Knight and Page.