Golden Dawn Magical Tarot

What's Included Golden Dawn Magical Tarot comes in a typical Llewellyn box: oversized, flimsy and coming apart at the seams upon arrival. When I opened my parcel, I could feel something sliding around inside the box, tore off the outer shrink wrap, and the side of the box (not the top flap) came open because the glue was dried out. I opened the box and the deck slid out onto the table, not in its own tuck box but only wrapped in cellophane, like a pack of cigarettes. I dumped the remaining contents out: a white bit supposedly meant to hold the deck in place, but nothing like the same size or shape as the deck, and a companion book called 'The New Golden Dawn Ritual Tarot'. The Cards The cards are not particularly thick nor thin and have a slight lamination with a matte finish. The card back is a borderless black background, with a red cross atop a white pyramid, inside of which is a half sun, which also resembles a cog. Must be some sort of Golden Dawn logo. The fronts of the cards have a white outer border, then elaborate black line borders which echo the Egyptian/Deco style of the Thoth. The cards measure 4.5 x 3 inches (11.5 x 8 cm), and the actual image on each card is 3.25 x 2.75 inches (roughly 8 x 6 cm). So there is a lot of white on the card, which might bother some people. Stacked, the deck is just under 1 inch thick (2.75 cm). Some of the cards of my particular deck are printed crooked on the card, particularly in the Pentacles suit. This is quite noticeable when examining the deck, but I don't think it will detract when using for actual readings, when the focus locks onto the actual image to the exclusion of all else. It's been my experience that many apparent deal breakers fade into the background during readings. The majors include an arabic numeral, Hebrew letter, and astrological symbol. The courts have a title at the bottom and elemental symbol at the top. The minors have an arabic numeral, suit name at top, elemental symbols and Golden Dawn title at the bottom. There are the planetary and astrological symbols in the minor images. The colours of the cards are not random but to do with Golden Dawn attributes, and a technique called 'flashing colours'--the Golden Dawn assigns each element two complimentary colours, those that sit on opposite sides of the colour wheel which, when stared at, will swap places with each other in an optical effect. This is designed to enhance intuition, meditation, divination and magical practice. One thing about the card art which might bother some but doesn't bother me at all is that the format for cards is very samey, or should I say 'formulaic'. All the kings look exactly the same save for colouring and symbols. Same with queens, princes and princesses. This makes perfect sense when you realise that they ARE the same in value and function, changing only as related to their suit. Another thing is the minor cards. All cards in a particular suit have identical colouring, and vary only in arrangement of the pips in order to fit the proper number on the card. This, too, makes sense, as the colours are Golden Dawn associations with suit, and the numbers are only important as they pertain to which sephiroth on the Tree of Life each number is associated with. I've also noticed that every single minor card has at least one human hand in it. There is always a human hand holding the pips. Though sometimes it's a green hand (in the wands, because red and green are flashing colours, I guess.) A Word about the Art I would put the art work on par with the Sol Invictus deck: that is to say, it seems to have been created by someone who cannot draw, but who is motivated to do so anyway, and who soldiers on to produce work that would be praised by a 6th grade art teacher. This doesn't bother me. I am mindful that Golden Dawn students were required to create their own tarot decks based on the descriptions given, and this deck looks like the kind of thing that I, having no artistic talent, might produce after hours, months or even years of devoted labour. It would be my best possible effort, and it makes me feel kindly toward the deck, and lends it a sort of personal feeling. Comparing it to Lady Frieda Harris's art, which is so skilled and stylish, the symbols so integrated into the lines of the art that it is sometimes hard to pick them up or understand why they are there, this deck's art is quite clunky. In Golden Dawn Magical Tarot, the symbols are rather guilelessly plonked in, to be earnestly pondered. Let's compare the Princess of Cups from this deck and the Thoth, a card that puzzled me greatly in the Thoth deck, on first encounter. Both artists worked from the same Golden Dawn description: 'She stands on a sea with foaming spray. Away to her right is a dolphin. She wears a crest on her helmet, belt and buskins, a swan with opening wings. She bears in one hand a lotus, and in the other an open cup from which a turtle issues. Her mantle is lined with swan's down, and is of thin, floating material.' Students of Golden Dawn would have been taught what each one of these symbols means. (And the Golden Dawn Magical Tarot companion book explains them). It is much easier for me to pick out the details in the more primitive (or 'naive') art style of the Golden Dawn Magical Tarot on the right than the Thoth on the left. It might not be as lush or aesthetically pleasing, but as a straightforward representation of the symbols that the Golden Dawn required for Princess of Cups, it's pretty darn close to perfect. There is clearly a headdress, belt and buskins, whereas the Thoth figure looks like a swan has landed on the head of a statue, which is sailing away toward a vortex behind her, on cosmic ribbons, wearing a voluminous pink sheet. Great, once you know the symbols, not so great if you're a student just learning. Extra Card There are two versions of the Temperance card, which I think deserves examination in a separate blog entry of its own. Very interesting. So in total there are 79 cards in this deck. The Book The book, 'The Golden Dawn Ritual Tarot' by Chic and Sandra Cicero, is the usual full-size soft cover companion book, with glued and stitched binding and a few black and white illustrations. It contains five chapters and a bibliography -- but what chapters! This book packs a lot of information and is great for beginning students of the Golden Dawn system. The basics of Qabalah, the Tree of Life, The Hebrew alphabet, the colour scales, and the decanates are all presented here in a straightforward manner. There are succinct, easy-to-read tables of attributions. The bulk of the book is the card-by-card explanation. Don't look for much in the way of divinatory meanings here; this book is not about fortune telling. This book is about Golden Dawn theories of tarot, which are summed up in the intro: 'Whether or not the original creators of Tarot intended to create a pictorial system of that would explain the basic principles of Qabalah is unimportant. It is irrefutably evident that the two systems fit together so completely that one explains the other, and both point to the same Divine Truths.' The final chapters of the book include detailed instructions on magical basics such as the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram, Ritual Bath, Relaxation Ritual, Tarot consecration rituals, and many more. An index lists divinatory card meanings, and there are some spreads supplied at the end of the book, including the Golden Dawn 15 card spread and the Opening of the Key. It is not a lightweight work, but a book for true magical practice. I am very happy to have purchased this kit and believe it will enhance my study of the Golden Dawn system and the Thoth deck.

WOW. I was expecting a simple deck with a case like a deck of cards, but these cards came with a very nice magnetic box and a rather hefty book that at a glance is extremely detailed. I'm quite impressed. The artwork is more symbolic and stylistic than my cup of tea, but anyway. I did not expect to see two different Temperance cards, but hey. The rest of the deck is all fine, all cards are there and no duplicates or errors. The card stock is a little thin but will function fine.

Since the very first time i took that box into my hands i was really amazed.!! Cards have so beautiful colours and depictions, speaking into the soul. The book is also great with many details and occult practices for everyone who wants to find deeper answers and knowledge about tarot symbolisms. I suggest these cards for all those who want to find the key of knowledge between tarot and kabbalah.

I liked the way this deck comes with a little booklet which fits into an overall casing. As for the cards themselves, some of the designs are innovative and whilst I admit I really like this deck, I found some of the cards garish. I like the way the minor arcana have keywords of meaning at the bottom and the major trumps have their path attributation in terms of the hebrew letters (from the Golden Dawn arrangement). I felt a little let down by the minor arcana as the images are very basic eg 4 of swords only has a picture of literally 4 swords. There seems to be a lesser level of detail on the minor trumps than say the standard Rider-Waite deck. Although, I was impressed when I found most of the cards are painted in the system of the Golden Dawn flashing colours. The booklet which comes with the deck is comprehensive including a GD style ritual for consecrating the cards. The cards also have a distinctively egyptian-flavour and include symbolism from the GD rituals. Interestingly, I detected an undercurrent of Thelemic symbolism in some of the cards too. The deck is good as a divination tool, but it is clear that it is also designed for deeper use of the tarot such as meditation, ritual work etc. I like this deck and would recommend it especially those into the Golden Dawn.

Really good quality, beautiful and very unusual illustrations on the cards. Book is also very informative, and also includes some rituals/processes to follow in using the cards. Can't wait to learn Divination with these on my Magical path!

very pleased with this tarot deck , It is very clear to use although I often supplement it with the rider-waite deck...but the symbolism is excellent and thorough on the major arcana. The minor arcana I find if I use the rider-waite then it assists my visualisation until I get to know it better...a fantiastic deck....I use it for my own readings. For other peoples readings Im using the rider-waite still until I get really familiar with this one. To me this seems to be a very accurate deck , especially when used in conjunction with the book by the Ciceros which is extremely detailed and informative. A must have together with the tarot cards in my opinion. It certainly assists one with readings and interpretations

I personally really like these cards, the artwork is very good and it comes with a great book that is full of very useful information regarding how to use the cards in a deeper way rather than just primarily for divination. This deck was created by the Cicero's who are chief senior adepts of the hermetic order of the golden dawn, they know what they are talking about! Highly recommended!

Really happy with this deck. It has kept surprising me even months later after I bought it. Just saying, perhaps you may try use these cards in the dark with just the light of the candles behind them... you might be surprised

Este mazo es el más reciente entre la familia de los mazos vinculados con la Orden de la Golden Dawn (GD). Incorpora los "Color Scales" (escalas de colores) que son muy importantes en el currículum de la GD. Esto representa una ventaja respecto al *Hermetic Tarot* (de 1978, también un mazo inspirado en los trabajos de Israel Regardie, uno de los últimos miembros de la primera fase de la GD y el cual tengo desde hace 2 años --hay que adquirirlo también, porque incluye muchísima información astrológica y cabalística en cada carta). La caja del Golden Dawn Ritual Tarot, además del mazo de muy buena calidad y tamaño, contiene el libro "The New Golden Dawn Ritual Tarot" de Chic y Sandra Cicero, miembros de la orden reformada en los años 1980 en EE.UU. El libro explica paso a paso la relación de la Cábala (el Árbol de la vida) con el Tarot, ofrecen una explicación de las 78 cartas (arcanos mayores y menores) y presentan al final varios rituales para el autoconocimiento y la adivinación. Por el precio del paquete, vale muchísimo la pena.

Beautiful Tarot cards with vivid, bright colors and all the expected symbolism from a Golden Dawn Tarot deck. The book it comes with is fantastic and contains a wealth of information about the use of Tarot in ritual magic and meditation, as well as the symbolic meanings of the cards and their relationship to Qabbalah. If you're someone who is interested in exploring esotericism in the Golden Dawn tradition this deck is a great starting point.

EDIT: I updated it to 5 stars because I'm not such a cardstock snob anymore...it is a well done deck, with a BRILLIANT book. I was blown away by how much came with my purchase! The listing picture only shows a box and what I received was a whole kit! (Retailed $39.99 it said on the barcode on the box). But, like all Golden Dawn publishings, the book was very complex - even with the card meanings. The meanings were more like an intense study guide to the Qabalah and the Tree of Life with each card. But if you want card meanings, buy a tarot 101 guide! This 235 page book that it comes with is packed full of occult knowledge & I believe is emencly more valuable itself than any "little white book". One thing, it came with (2) Temperence cards (shown in pictures). Not sure why, but i will investigate in my own time. The reason why I gave this 4 stars is because after all the awesomeness, the cardstock is pretty thin. About like an index card thickness. So they probably wont hold up to wear too well. Yet, I still think that this is an invaluable set to have - even if it only for a collectors item! It is worth every penny! *Note: Maybe they didnt offer better cardstock because they might have had this deck more in mind of a study deck with the Tree of Life and less a fortune telling tarot deck. Either way! This is a piece of history that needs to be respected! Well done!

I’m really not sure why people complain about the drawings. I have a feeling some people just live in the negative zone. The illustrations are great, the colours are amazingly vibrant, the details are exquisite. Yes, exquisite. They’re not professional but the home-made effect is actually quite enticing when you get to know the authors/illustrator and their work history with the Tarot. The illustrations give a fresher version of the Tarot interpretations than the tired old (with all due respect) Colman deck and a new take on the more subdued tones of the Crowley deck on which they are based. The box the set comes in is a real plus and the card quality is prime; the size is perfect and shuffling is a dream. For anyone interested in the Golden Dawn/Thoth, it is an essential part of your collection or learning process. If you think you can get by with just the Crowley Thoth, I kindly beg to differ. And the price is a steal. I felt guilty paying so little.