The Vampire Tarot, anyone have it?

[Tarot Collector]

I was just wondering if anyone else has bought the Vampire Tarot by Nathalie Hertz. Its rather new, so I haven't been able to see much by way of reviews around the internet.

She also did the Fantastical Tarot.

Kind of a silly comparison I found between the two decks is that in the Fantastical Tarot, just about every person illustrated in her paintings look as if they have their eyes closed. Anyone ever notice this?

In the Vampire Tarot, most of the characters are clearly depicted with their eyes open. I've found a few of the cards difficult to connect with traditional Tarot symbolism... like in the Sun card... on the card, there is illustrated what I guess is a vampire being struck by what seems to be lightning bolt (a ray of sun?) ... and the World card has a Vampire hovering over three victims that look quite dead. Then there is the Fool card which depicts a weird looking vampire licking a bloody razor in one hand and holding another bloody razor in the other hand, and not much else about the illustration that would lead one to any connection with Tarot symbolism. Truely, I am not knocking the deck... I like art, so I like the pictures.

Anyone else have any thoughts? (I'll attach a scan of the cards I mentioned for "review" purposes)


-Jesse-

[Hope]

nope sorry I haven't even heard of it.

blessings
hope

[loopy]

I don't have it, but it's high on my wish list. It looks so beautiful. :)

I have a question for ya-- at aeclectic (www.aeclectic.net/tarot), the Death card seems to have the face of a child. Is that how it really is, or am I just looking at it wrong?

[bloodstone20]

those are kind of scary

[loopy]

Originally posted by bloodstone20
those are kind of scary

Nah, they're fantastical. :D:D

[bloodstone20]

very good art, but to me the world is a reall happy card, and in there it is like to dead girls and a vampire. Ugh, its not to my liking.

[Tarot Collector]

Originally posted by loopy

I have a question for ya-- at aeclectic (www.aeclectic.net/tarot), the Death card seems to have the face of a child. Is that how it really is, or am I just looking at it wrong?

My thoughts were... It looks like a skeletal adult vampire (note fangs) in the reapers robe with a scythe. But what you see is just as valid as what I see or don't see. :)

-------------------------------

About the World card, heres how its written in the booklet {quoted for review purposes}

"THE WORLD .. The best Tarot card. The world is dominating and triumphant. His bloody teeth sumbolize time and eternal life; he will teach his future victims how to perpetuate themselves and accomplish glory in the world. They will know the apotheosis, the fulfillment of creation, the thrill of conquest of universal life. These female prey are symbols of fertility; a source of rebirth through blood for their predator. "

--------whatever that means------ :)

Now quoting the "Divinatory Meaning" for the same card from the same booklet....

{quoting for review purposes}
"Divinatory Meaning: Luck, divine protection, victory, fulfilled desires, protection, fertility, a lasting, happy union, wealth, and travel abroad".

---Fairly traditional meanings with little to do with the illustration in my view.

The problem for me is that in using them to do a reading, alot of the illustrations for the Major Arcana just do not seem to convey the meanings I would normally associate with the Tarot card names (such as The World). (yet, I dig the art, and getting steered in unfamiliar directions is great for exercising abstract thinking).

I buy some just for the sake of collecting I guess.

-Jesse-

[bloodstone20]

well, tarot cards have no fixed meanings. Like, say in The Witches Tarot, I were to get physical pregnacy, for it would be Ace of Pentacles, The Universe, and The High Priestess. In Robin Wood, it would be The Empress, The World, and The Fool. In my opinion, you have to adapt the meaning s of the cards each time you have a new deck or the card is in a new situation. So in that deck at least, the death card for me would be the world.

[Tarot Collector]

Yes, I totally agree !

Thanks for taking time to post your take on it. :)

-Jesse-

[bloodstone20]

i agree with me 2

[loopy]

Originally posted by Tarot Collector
My thoughts were... It looks like a skeletal adult vampire (note fangs) in the reapers robe with a scythe. But what you see is just as valid as what I see or don't see. :)

Thanks for your input. :):D

[willowfairy]

i saw the deck at earth dance (the only 'witchy' store by me) and i'm considering getting them. i love the fantastical deck, too. but it would be my first deck - is it one i should get or no?

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Get it or no?

I personally think decks choose you. ;) When choosing decks, just go with what you are drawn to.....the one's you feel you MUST have.

[Flaire-FireStar]

I agree with Dagda, choose a deck that really speaks to you... (If possible) you might want to hold the deck in your hands to see if you have a special connection with the cards. Somehow this might be a way as a 'first meeting' with your cards, having them speak to you through the box and such.
And one more thing, if you're going to learn from a book and they say to get a certain deck, see if that deck speaks to you first. :thumbsup: <- That's my smiley for they day.

[Myst]

Originally posted by Dagda Moon~Lily
Get it or no?

I personally think decks choose you. ;) When choosing decks, just go with what you are drawn to.....the one's you feel you MUST have.

Yes. They will call out to you if you listen. Seriously. :D

[loopy]

Ooh, I bought this deck! :D I love it; the images are macabre in a comforting way, and the art overall is very beatiful. I agree with the rest-- go for it if it feels right. :D

[AngelsBratt]

Originally posted by Dagda Moon~Lily
Get it or no?

I personally think decks choose you. ;) When choosing decks, just go with what you are drawn to.....the one's you feel you MUST have.


I have 3 decks.... one is the regular wryder deck, and the other 2 are Dragon Decks......

I am a dragon fanatic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Andromeda]

I just got the vampire tarot today. I just love the artwork!!

[Tarot Collector]

The artwork is cool ! I still haven't been able to connect with the deck for use in readings but, I have a lot of decks that I like mainly for the Art. For some strange reason I connect very well the Spiral Tarot when doing readings... I have still not figured out why. Thanks for all the responses.. :)
-Jesse-