The Main Principles Of The Bohemian Animal Tarot by Scott Alexander - Better World Books

The Bohemian Animal Tarot has 80 captivating cards with the Rider-Waite-based tarot archetypes represented by part-human, part-animal characters. This is the first tarot deck from oracle author, Scott Alexander King. Purchase and Enjoy This Set at: Purchase and Enjoy This Set at: Review by medusawink The Bohemian Animal Tarot is a curious and really quite deck, with both the innocence and occasional artless cruelty of a Grimm fairy tale.

The settings for this deck are quasihistorical, moving from the Tudor and Elizabethan era through Baroque, Victorian, French and even a little romanticised Romany Gypsy images. While there are no repeating characters and no quickly identifiable stories, the essence of this deck is pure Rider Waite Smith magic. The Major Arcana follows the standard story of the Fool's Journey renamed here as the Innocent's Mission.

The animals in this deck are both anthropomorphic, embodying human qualities, and totemic, bringing powerful spiritual significance to the meaning of each card. The Significant Arcana has numerous relabelled cards but follows the essence and intent of the Rider Waite Smith deck; The Fool becomes The Innocent; The Magician The High Priest; The Empress The Goddess; The Emperor The God; The Hierophant The Shaman; The Chariot The Carousel; Strength The Warrior; The Hermit The Solitary; Justice Outcome; Temperance Moderation; The Devil The Lower World; The Tower The Rook; The World Environment; Judgement The Universe.

The Minor Arcana fits are named Air, Fire, Water, and Earth, but the images on the cards illustrate traditional RWS scenes utilising Swords, Wands, Cups, and Pentacles. The significant departure from traditional tarot importance is the reversal of 2 elements - Earth is now South, and Fire is North in the Bohemian Animal Tarot.

For the sake of clarity: in the northern hemisphere if one journeys north you show up at the Arctic; hence the season of Winter season and aspect of Earth are designated to the North. If you take a trip north from the southern hemisphere you arrive at the fiery hot equator so the season of Summer season and aspect of Fire is designated to the North.

Positionings for East and West remain the like in the northern hemisphere. Confusing? This 79 card deck is made of exceptional card-stock, sturdy, versatile, high gloss, with gleaming golden edges. This Website measure 80 x 130 mm, a little larger than regular tarot cards, however still easy to handle.