Review | Lenormand de Marseilles | Edmund Zebrowski

Lenormand de Marseilles (and Mini Me)

*theme from Love Story plays in background*

Like so many love stories for the social-networking age, I fell hook, line and sinker for the Lenormand de Marseilles when I saw her photo on Facebook.

It really was luff at first sight.  But with none of that why-he-hasn't-called-me-in-three-days nonsense.

I bought the Illuminated version (limited and signed) and the mini version too, just as soon as a kind hearted fellow addict friend sent me a link to Edmund's shop.  I don't have a compulsion to buy decks.  I DON'T.

*eyelid twitches*.

Once you click through to Edmund's shop, you'll see the clutch of Lenormand decks that he has created - try not to give in to temptation and buy all of them.   *looks guilty face*

Litha Blog Hop | Spread | Embracing Your Gifts

TADAAAAAH! Welcome to This Game of Thrones Litha Blog Hop for Midsummer 2013!!  You may have happened along here from the last blogger in the train, the lovely Joanna Ash or be working your way back through the list (because you're a REBEL!) and have alighted here from Cher's site.  Heck, you might even be here because you are already familiar with the rose-strewn path that leads to Throne Towers :-)

If you've not been across the draw-bridge before, you are very welcome.  Here at Tarot Thrones I focus on those pesky critturs the Court Cards and hope to persuade you that they are excellent allies in all your Tarot work and that they are nothing to get into a hyperventilating fug about :)

Please, take a seat!  *beckons towards an empty Throne*.  Just let me fluff up the cushions........ A poorly fluffed cushion can lead to discomfort on even the loveliest throne. Just ask The Queen of Pentacles. She's always crocheting us comfy stuff to sit on*

There, now that you're comfortable, let me explain this Litha Blog Hop theme.  Our challenge seemed quite straightforward - shed some light on something that we are good at.

I sat and stared at the blank screen for quite a long time with this one.  I struggled to accept that I was good at anything!  Well, certainly good enough at anything that I wanted to toot my own trumpet about in public :-)

That got me thinking - why is it difficult for some people to accept - and promote - that they're good at things?

Spreads | James Wells - Regret to Authentic

The man has GLOWING HANDS!!! What's not to like?!

I'm a big fan of Canadian Tarot author James Wells.  If you've not read his blog, you should mosey on over there tout-suite to find out what he's up to.  You can go now if you like.  Honestly, I'll wait here for you.

*calls out* I'm just putting the kettle on, so come back when you're done and tell me what you found!

James recently posted this spread - about taking steps to ensure that you don't leave this world burdened with regret.  Something that far too many people do.

And, with his permission, I'm sharing that spread with you.

Page of Swords | Sola-Busca Tarot | Giordano Berti

The Page of Swords - Sola-Busca Tarot

If you have a passion for classical Tarot decks, you will know that the Wolfgang Mayer version of the 15th century Sola-Busca Tarot is enjoying a resurgence in popularity.  

Giordano Berti, Tarot author and scholar, is the man behind this work and he has very kindly agreed to answer some questions about the deck, and, more specifically, the Court Cards.

First of all, Giordano, tell me how you came to reprint the Sola-Busca Tarot?

AnnaK Tarot | Deck Review

Oh this is loooooovely!

Originally self-published in 2009, the AnnaK tarot has now been taken up by Llewellyn - thank goodness, because it's a charming little deck that deserves to be widely seen.

It arrives in a nice presentation box along with a chunky little accompanying book of 230 pages. Not every page of the 230 is filled with writing – some are blank (well, they are lined for you to write on)  and 78 of them are the card illustrations themselves. Each card is illustrated in B&W with the interpretations on the facing page, sometimes including a little tip from Anna. 

The deck measures 7cm x 11.5cm (3" x 4.5" in old money!) and is of thin – but beautifully slippy – card stock which ensures the deck shuffles like a dream from the start. 

With an her World tree motif on the back (see scan below), the cards can easily be used for reversals. Anna K touches on reversed meanings in her accompanying book, but they are not integral to her use of the deck.

Having the cards bordered in black really makes the colours of the deck really pop – golds contrast magnificently and dark cards are, erm, darker.