|
The Tarot of Prague Kit: A Tarot Deck and Book Based on the Art and Architecture of the "Magic City" | 
| Authors: Karen Mahony, Alex Ukolov
Publisher: The Magic Realist Press
Category: Book
Buy New: $135.00
Rating:  30 reviews
Media: Paperback
Pages: 285
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.9
Dimensions (in): 13.8 x 6.8 x 1.6
ISBN: 0954500709
Dewey Decimal Number: 793
EAN: 9780954500702
ASIN: 0954500709
Publication Date: April 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Customer Reviews:
 Such a Pleasant Surprise February 18, 2008
Tarot Lover ***** (Canada)
I was so surprised as I seen cards from this deck posted many
many times - one person I know talked about loving hers so much
I finally took the bait & ordered a set - what a pleasant surprise
I totally love this set - the cards - the book is excellent
I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves Tarot & like
me you may just get such a pleasant surprise & totally love it
Hats off to the Authors who did an A1 job on this set
This going to be one long review, but this uncommonly striking set deserves nothing less and it IS my lifetime favourite deck. October 23, 2007
Witch in the Hollow Hill (In a different century.....)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I got this deck back in 2004, as I have always been so enamoured and enchanted with the magical city of Prague. I had high expectations.....could this tarot truly capture the elusive soul and heart of such a mysterious, haunted, uncanny, quaint, supernatural and fairytale city?
Much to my eternal happiness this Tarot does all that and more! To get the full awe-inspiring affect, one must hold these cards in your hands, play with them, caress them and let them ensnare your imagination and soul.
There is no modern anything in these cards and images. It's all very Olde World, quaint, strange and mystical. Stautes with life breathed into them by the creators, engravings that seem to come from very old tomes of magic sumptiously, vibrantly and gently coloured, wonderful quirky faces and characters of all stripes and ghouls from an old Cezch bohemian 32-card playing deck, these pop up all over the deck, at times the main focus, at others as odd little hidden curiosities it's a joy to find lurking in a corner.
Each card has many layers for as much or as lttle interpertation as you want. The many varied, but all outstandingly beautiful and striking art and styles are very well put together and chosen to compliment one another and really bring each card to life and salient meaning.
The book is really the absolute best companion book for a deck I've ever come across, and I have read a lot of them! It's large and well-packed with everything and then some that makes these extraordinary cards sing their wisdom. The author obviously knows her Tarot, and lets us in on her knowledge. The parts pertaining to the deck are just wonderfully eye-opening. She includes many fascinating and fantastical tidbits on the art and architecture and how it adds singular and notable meaning to each card. I've never had a book bring alive a deck and their images quite like this book. There is also added essays called "More About" and informs you on the stories and fables concerning things in a card. For example Ther Hermit stands in Golden Lane, a very narrow and mysterious, uncanny street with quite the history. Her "More about" essay tells all about the history any fables connected to it. What fun! The section on getting to know the cards and spreads are superb.
For readings, this Tarot has no equal. I am continually astounded and awed by how the cards speak and sing to me with their images and wisdom. I get such in-depth insights, ideas and uncanny intuition from my time spent with the deck. Speaking of intuition if you're looking for a completely intuitive deck, look no further.
The cards themselves in the 1st edition are unlike any other deck I've come across (I have a 100 in my collection). A very sumptious, luxurious heft and feel to them, semi-matte. The backs are a evovative sepia brown. They're the perfect size as well.
The art, streets, history, magic, occult, alchemy, fantastic and fantastical enchantments and phantoms of the truly grand city of Prague are captured in this deck and book. You will most certainly not be disapponted.
This 1st edition set is almost sold out, there are a few copies still available (as of this review date) for the normal asking price at the publisher's site. I cannot comment on the 2nd edition as I don't have it, but I do know the cardstock is different and they are larger. Also the 2nd edition does not come with a book, once the 1st edition sets are gone, that's it.
Playground for your imagination September 3, 2007
Mistress of Chai (Atlanta, GA USA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I gave this tarot set as a gift to a friend, and she and I have both been enjoying giving each other readings with it. The colors are very rich and it is a beautiful set overall. Even though some other reviews didn't recommend it for a first tarot deck, my friend seems to like it, and it is her first. I like seeing images from the city of Prague. Would probably mean even more to someone who has actually been there.
 A Tarot Dedicated to the Magic City January 8, 2007
Janet Boyer (Pennsylvania)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
"We designed the Tarot of Prague to be a vibrant expression of the city. The images are collaged from thousands of original photographs of the streets and houses, the murals and statues, manuscripts and drawings, and even from the games that make up Prague's rich visual treasury." - From the Booklet
In some ways, I'm working my way backwards when it comes to the richly produced art of baba studio. To my knowledge, I own every deck and book created by Karen Mahony and Alex Ukolov, having reviewed most of them. However, it wasn't until now that I began to work with The Tarot of Prague, baba studio's signature deck that is so beloved in the Tarot community. (In fact, this deck was recently used in an episode of the TV show Ghost Whisperer!)
I don't have the Tarot of Prague kit, just the small box with the L(ittle) W(hite) B(ook), so that's what I'll be reviewing. The Tarot of Prague follows the Rider Waite Smith system, although the Majors aren't numbered, and there's an extra Majors card: Prudence. The upper left hand of the cards depict the number or letter (in the case of Aces and the Courts), with a golden Cup, Sword, Wand, or 5-pointed Star (Pentacle) in the lower right hand corner. Matte-finished cards measure approximately 5"x 3", with card backings depicting an intricate assemblage of graphite hued scrollwork, birds, candelabras, and humans representing the four elements. At first glance, the backings appear reversible, but upon closer inspection, they are not. However, if you're not looking too closely, you probably won't notice during the shuffling process.
The 32-page LWB gives a brief overview of Tarot history, as well as learning and reading the cards. Also provided is a good overview of the general meanings of the numbers and Court Cards (e.g. Pages often indicate exploration, study, enthusiasm, risk-taking beginnings, news, and messages, while the number two often deals with issues of union, balance, decisions, and dealing with emotional forces.) A few spreads are shared, including the Celtic Cross and a specially created 5-card Prague "Threshold" spread. Upright keywords are given for all the cards, but the Majors are given more attention with a brief explanation. Karen gives a great overview of each of the suits/elements, including the positive and negative sides of each expression.
Aesthetically speaking, The Tarot of Prague didn't appeal to me at first. In fact, I still have mixed feelings about the mish-mashed media used for the cards, especially some of the cartoon-like images paired with gorgeous photography. If it were a photo-only collaged deck, like the Tarot de Paris, I think I'd appreciate it more.
Because of this initial lack of resonance, I had my doubts about how The Tarot of Prague would read for me. However, I'm happy to please that I just did a 3-card Body, Emotions, Spirit spread and it was quite clear, surprising, and accurate! I had just finished walking over a mile on the treadmill, and was feeling energetic, centered, and clear-minded. I drew the 4 of Cups, 3 of Cups, and Ace of Cups for my spread, and, admittedly, the 4 of Cups in the Body position threw me. I had expected a "fiery" card to represent the fat-burning engine that had just been stoked (LOL)--a card like The Sun or the Ace of Wands. What in the world was the card of "boredom" doing in that position?! So I went to the LWB, and to my surprise, it mentioned "withdrawal from excesses" as one of the possible meanings. How uncanny! You see, I had began a (mostly) low-fat diet back in August, and have lost over 30 pounds so far. One of the things I noticed is that food preference seems to be a habit of sorts, because I no longer craved high-fat foods; in fact, they didn't even appeal to me! So my body was, indeed, on a "withdrawal" from excess fat--in a good way!
The 3 of Cups reflected the emotional "high" I had felt towards the end of my workout (hello endorphins!), as well as my desire to make it to the 2007 Readers Studio in NYC in April. In my spiritual practice, I had been (trying) to work on cultivating compassion and such, so the Ace of Cups in the Spirit position spoke several meaningful messages to me.
So while I didn't immediately connect with the images of the Tarot of Prague, it is proving to be a unique, incisive, accurate deck. Incidentally, the same thing happened with baba studio's Victorian Romantic Tarot; I ABHORRED the artwork (originally) and now it is one of my favorite personal decks for my Card-a-Day readings and journaling. Honestly, there's just something special about Team Karen and Alex!
If you're enamored with The Magic City, fans of baba studio, or enjoy (seamlessly) collaged decks, you'll likely enjoy The Tarot of Prague. I don't think it's the best deck for beginners (try baba studio's Baroque Bohemian Cats' Tarot or The Victorian Romantic Tarot if you're just starting out), but it's a wonderful addition for deck collectors and Tarot readers.
(To see 10 images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at JanetBoyer.com)
Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)
For the collector August 19, 2006
Karyn Henderson (Phoenix, AZ)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I was pleasantly surprised with this set. The cards have an unusual storage box, which is like a small book binding that ties with cord. Mine was also signed and numbered by artist and author.
The only flaw I find with this tarot is the quality of the paper in the handbook. Its unique style and beauty still makes it a wonderful purchase, a real find for the collector.
|
|
|
Site Map | |
