Lo Scarabeo Tarot Illuminati

[Emily]

I don't have the physical deck but I have the app on my phone. I really like it, I thought it would be too fussy and detailed but it reads really nicely. I can enlarge the artwork on my phone too. The only problem now is that I want the deck properly --- and my birthday is coming up.

 

[MoonGypsy]

I adore this deck. Not much else to say. It presses all the right buttons for me. So sumptuous and exotic with all that fluttering drapery and monumental portraiture. And the gilt edges make it feel so sacred. When I do readings for people with this deck it quite literally takes their breath away. I love all the multilayering, the weird juxtapositioning, the clash of textures.

And all those things that people criticise it for are exactly what make it special. It overflows with a sort of ecstatic energy.

Favourite cards; the King of Cups, all the Queens. The only deck where I love the two & three of Wands. the Hermit, The Devil, so many, so many.

And here is another thread, for you Miss Divine...

However, the title would have been more helpful if it read "Tarot Illuminati Lo Scarabeo"... rather
than the reverse as it is now...

 

[Parzival]

I just received my copy of the deck and goodness me, it's delicious. I had some of the print issues that others had experienced, and while purchased at Amazon, Llewelyn resolved the matter promptly (very impressive) with only a phone call.

After reading through the pre-release threads here, the strong reactions make me wonder if this deck was just somewhat ahead of its time?....



I love the multi-cultural aspect of the suits, particularly the pentacles. And the opulence of each card takes me away on a journey; I find myself literally wandering in the cards. The colors are rich and intoxicating and full of dense imagery that invites one to hunker down and really scan each element of the card.


Yes, the multi-cultural dimension of the deck is impressive-- this transcends the "older" Tarot versions that are still archetypally evocative, but not so much encompassingly global. Pentacles link to Chinese culture, Cups to Italian, Swords to Elizabethan England, Wands to mysticism of Persian -- the Major Arcana are an archetypal depiction of all Humanity, although typically not diverse. Also, there is a strong dynamic action of characters running through, mixed with the vivid coloration that surrounds them. I have found the e-book full of striking insights. Bravo! for deck and complete guide. Innovative and Intuitive.

 

[Barleywine]

Yes, the multi-cultural dimension of the deck is impressive-- this transcends the "older" Tarot versions that are still archetypally evocative, but not so much encompassingly global. Also, there is a strong dynamic action of characters running through, mixed with the vivid coloration. I have found the e-book full of striking insights. Bravo! for deck and complete guide.

Probably because I've used the Thoth deck for most of my time with the tarot, multi-culturalism was never a factor for me and still isn't. The closest Crowley came to that was the "black and "white" figures in the Lovers and Art (Temperance) but his objective there was different (not socially-charged as far as I know). The same is probably true for the dark-skinned Thoth Prince of Swords and, to a lesser extent, the Prince of Cups, and with the semi-illustrated minor cards it wasn't relevant. With iluustrated minors I always look beyond the pictures to what they represent as energies or forces, so I don't pay much attention there either.

With the Illuminati, racial characteristics seem to have been chosen to fit the historical and cultural "tone" of each picture, not necessarily as an intentional nod to "inclusiveness." There are still plenty of very WASP-ish types in it. My main problem with the deck is it feels like I'm holding a stack of thick cardboard beer coasters. I can't use a deck I can't shuffle comfortably overhand (never mind riffling, I don't have the dexterity to do that well even with more flexible cards).

 

[rylla]

I have the gilt-edged set and it was love at first site. This set is gorgeous! The box, the cards, everything is beautifully thought out and executed to the last details. I expected it to be nice, but it exceeded all my expectations. It is one of my most cherished deck ever since I received it (since its first release).

 

[Emily]

I also ended up buying the physical deck after using and enjoying the app. I don't usually read very well with busy or very colourful decks but the Illuminati is the exception, I have the gilt edged version and they give the deck a really nice feel.

I also got an extra Death card mixed in so I use that as a bookmark in the companion books. The Illuminati also brought something back which I had long forgotten, I used to like to see visible eye colour in the decks I used that had close up faces, Morgan Greer, Old Path, and even though some of the human figures aren't that close up, a few do have visible eye colour and I find I really like that attention to detail.

 

[rylla]

I also ended up buying the physical deck after using and enjoying the app. I don't usually read very well with busy or very colourful decks but the Illuminati is the exception, I have the gilt edged version and they give the deck a really nice feel.

This is one of the (few) decks that looks better 'in person' than on the net...

 

[nord_drache]

As I've said I'm new to tarot and have one deck that I love, but was thinking I need at least 1 more deck to start - I was drawn time and time again to dark or gothic decks (possibly my nature). Then I check out this thread because I've seen reference to this deck repeatedly.
While in college I got a Rider-Wait deck but I guess over 35 years ago I wasn't ready for tarot so I ditched it to a friend.

I've looked at the artwork and am amazed by its opulent & vibrant colour so much a part of my character. This combined with the great reviews puts it on my priority wish list.

By the looks of it, due to the popularity I may need luck to find it.

I will keep you up to date.
Jim

 

[illyria]

To nord_drache

Hi, Jim.

Are you based in Canada still? Amazon Canada has the Tarot Illuminati if you're interested.

 

[Miss Divine]

And here is another thread, for you Miss Divine...

However, the title would have been more helpful if it read "Tarot Illuminati Lo Scarabeo"... rather
than the reverse as it is now...

Somehow I have missed this thread until now dear. Le Fanu really has a way with words. He talks about it so lovingly and beautifully. I have been using it exclusively these past few days, and guess what? It's growing on me! I saw images from his new deck in progress.. OMG that princess of cups takes my breath away. That one seems to look a bit less busy. But so far the Illuminati's images seem warmer somehow.