About this item
- The Tarot of the White Cats is very much in the tradition of the Rider-Waite Tarot - except for the blue-eyed, white cats
- drawn in the cards, instead of people. The symbolism is standard and non-threatening enough for use for the Tarot
- beginner.
Specifications
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Name
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Tarot of the White Cats
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Creators
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Severino Baraldi
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Publisher
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Lo Scarabeo
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Deck Type
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Tarot Deck
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Cards
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78
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Deck Tradition
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Rider-Waite-Smith
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Card Back
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Unknown
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Reviews
I like a neutral deck for my everyday 'carrying' deck. I like to carry a deck with art that is instantly recognizable as tarot, but with a very subtle approach, something that can blend with any environment. Maggie Kneen's ld English Tarot has served that purpose well.
However, there is a new deck that has become my new carrying deck.
Tarot of White Cats.
Here we see a brilliant approach to Waite/Coleman-Smith style images, executed by Severino Baraldi, creator of 'The Dragons Tarot', 'Tarot of Druids', 'Tarot of the Journey to the Orient', and 'Ramses: Tarot of Eternity'. Baraldi is perhaps best known as an illustrator of books, ranging from history to children's books.
When I looked at the deck, my first thought was Childrens Book Illustrations. Once we allow ourselves to get past the cuteness, one begins to appreciate the powerful treatment of Tarot imagery.
The deck is instantly recognizable as a Waite/Smith-Colman clone, albeit Justice is VIII and Strength is XI. The Courts follow traditional elemental treatment. Looking carefully, it's my opinion that the Majors follow Lévi as opposed to Golden Dawn attributions, and The Fool could be either Aleph or Shin (depending on where you want to place focus). There is a lot of occult symbology, disguised within 'children's illustrations'. There is some heavy stuff here.
There are also a few cards that appear to reflect a wily sense of humor, from the illustrator. The 10 of Swords shows a blanket pierced by nine of ten swords. Gato waves as he leaves. The 10 of Pentacles - I saw what I thought I saw, until I saw it was an optical illusion and it wasn't there at all, but it is. Both cards have been 'opened up' beautifully.
As a reading deck, it's a joy.
And when somebody walks by and says, Harumph, Tarot Cards waste of time and money. You say, but look, they're so cuuuuute they have kitties on them! Oh those are cute do you read them?
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