Golden Tarot - MJS Tarot

The Golden Tarot uses digital collages of artwork from the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance period. Looking through this deck is like walking through an art gallery – a pleasure for some, me included, not so much for others. Kat Black, the deck’s creator, wanted “to widen the audience for artwork of an under-rated and little known art period,” 1200 – 1500 AD.

She chose not to use any commonly recognisable works in order to showcase pieces people may well not be familiar with. In other words, there’s no Botticelli, da Vinci or Michelangelo. Although, for me, as I flick through the cards there is something familiar about them. I’m not an art historian, or well versed in art in general so I’m not sure why. In fact I was drawn to this deck because I wanted to become more familiar. Anyhow before I digress too far let me get back to the cards.

These cards really feel like a labour of love. I believe anyone who sets about drawing/painting a tarot deck is obviously passionate about their work, but this feels different. Her love for the art period and her desire to share the works whilst also creating a Renaissance inspired deck that is easy to read has combined to create something beautiful. Some collage decks, such as the Voyager Tarot, are very obviously collaged and have created multiple scenes within the cards. In comparison, Kat Black aimed to produce images that although each is a “combination of several paintings, look like they could have been an original painting.” She says it took her around 1500 hours to achieve her aim.

The Golden Tarot Cards

As you can see from the example of the threes from each suit, they are really accessible cards. In the Three of Coins you can see the many people involved in creating something wonderful. So many interpretations are possible from the Three of Cups depending on the question and the positioning of the cards. It may well end up being one of my favourite Three of Cups across all my decks for that reason (not so much because I think it is the most beautiful, but because it has the most to say). The Three of Swords showing that focusing on the pain has frozen the person on the card like a statue makes for a clear interpretation. That person isn’t moving on. They aren’t going anywhere.

In the Golden Tarot the suits used are coins, cups, swords and pentacles. The court consists of pages, knights, queens and kings. The Major Arcana retain the usual Rider Waite titles with Strength as VIII and Justice as XI. The cards are just under 12½cm x 7½cm. I have to admit that when I flicked through the deck I felt tempted to trim the cards. I have seen them trimmed and I really like how they look without the borders. However, I doubt I will take to them with a pair of scissors anytime soon for three reasons.

Firstly, I am concerned they will feel too small. Secondly, I worry that they will lose their association with artworks which in this case I feel may be disrespectful to the creator’s intention. And thirdly, because they wouldn’t fit as well into their box. Normally this wouldn’t be a concern but I love the packaging of this deck. The Golden Tarot comes in a super solid, portrait oriented box with a removable lid. There’s no need to “dig” the cards out of the box because when you remove the top third of the box all the cards and the book are accessible.

But back to the cards. I want to point out that even though they follow the Rider Waite system Kat Black has not just cloned the cards. However, in reinterpreting them she has not moved away their general keyword associations. Instead she has either added/altered elements or she has repackaged the message using a different story. For example, The Chariot, (pictured below), is moving on a lake eluding to its elementary association with water. Even though it’s there, this aspect doesn’t stand out as clearly on the Rider Waite imagery.

I like the Wheel of Fortune because for me its message is pretty clear. Having a baby definitely changes things. Having one in a manger, well that has changed lots. Also the man leaning over the fire preparing the meal which, whilst it happens in many households, isn’t generally represented in many decks shows change as well.

I find these cards have a story to tell and in telling that story they elude to times past. No story exists only in the moment so I think that is an invaluable message as well.

The Golden Tarot Book

I like that in the Introduction she writes,

As you bond with the deck your own personal interpretations will become more important than those I’ve given here.

I love this message. It encourages people to create their own personal associations with the cards rather than taking book meanings as gospel. But that being said if you like to use card meanings then that’s fine too. I believe how ever people choose to use tarot is fine. I’m not a fan of “shoulds” where tarot is concerned.

Anyhow, moving on, I know some people skim over the book but for me it’s a wonderful addition to any deck. Even as a largely intuitive reader I feel a good book adds so much to my experience with the cards. And, even though in being the same size as the cards it isn’t large in stature, its 198 pages ensures it has lots to offer. You can read about Kat Black’s digital collage process and her intention behind creating the deck.

In the card meanings section, each card is pictured and includes a description of what’s in the card. I love when this is offered in the guide book as it directs you towards details you may have overlooked. In some instances she even explains why she made the choices she did. Meanings are given for both the upright and reversed position too.

Further, for the Minor Arcana she has included information on interpreting multiple representations of the same court or number card. For example she writes that three Aces in a spread can suggest money and success, and that four Aces are a very good sign that there are strong positive forces at work. You don’t often see that little tidbit in guide books. She also describes each suits overall energy, its astrological associations, suggested appearances ie swords people are of dark colouring, (I’m not a fan of this but each to their own), and what multiples of each suit suggests. At the back of the book there is a comprehensive Appendix section that lists the art sources for each card, a bibliography, and an “About the Author” section. The book is definitely worth a read.

Spreads

There are four spreads included in the book:

Card of the Day (1 card)
The Simple Three Card Spread
The Celtic Cross (11 cards (uses a significator)
The Horseshoe Spread (8 cards (uses a significator)

I did the Horseshoe Spread (I didn’t use the significator) and I found it suitable for the question I asked. I felt it covered what I needed to know. Now I just need to act on the advice – that’s the hard bit. But hey it’s also the most important bit.