Tarot in the Land of Mystereum [Paperback]

Already own one, got it yesterday. So this is first impression from a latina tarot reader and lover. The cards are a little bigger than usual. They feel good in the hands.

The art is superb, visionary. Surreal in a modern way, one of a kind. Something that called my attention since the moment the cards where in my hands are the composition of the cards. The organization of elements in many cards are there so the reader can behold the image and organize them in a personal, meaningful order, and this is unique of this deck, I had never seen this before. If you are a creative individual, this deck is for you. You can find images of cards into other cards, Like the fool destroying The Tower: provocative! Still I had not use it for reading, I think I can make up a reading with just one card.

If you are an experienced reader you will find a lot of food for reflection, imagination and creation. And if you are a newbie, the author gaves an extensive presentation of each card, even he talks about the relationship among the cards. A fresh style, the cards talk to you and the author gives tools for imagination for every card in the deck. Go and get yours!

I want to say the use of color is stunning.

"Tarot in the Land of Mystereum" is based on Jordan Hoggard's independently published "Mystereum Tarot". I love the color and movement in that deck, which has very much been carried forward into this work. The focus for this deck, and its companion book, lies in the realm of imagination, and the Seeker's ability to access his or her imagination. The key is to establish harmonious relationships between ideas and feelings- both of which can be found in our creative self.

The Seeker, and the Seeker's own intuition, are meant to be the guide through the journey of these cards. The Seeker is asked to view his or her imagination as a bright light, a shining star that will guide them on their journey. In making use of one's imagination, one strengthens all six senses.

This is a traditional 78 card deck, with the card back (a window) acting as a79th card. Each card is seen as holding a place in the Land of Mystereum. The suits are the traditional Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles. The Court Cards are Page, Knight, Queen and King. The Major Arcana carry traditional titles.

Varying forms of imagination are presented here: the Major Arcana are associated with Archetypal Imagination, Wands with Energizing Imagination,Cups with Fulfilling Imagination, Swords with Communicative Imagination, and Pentacles with Grounding Imagination.

Each of the cards - the Major Arcana, the Minor Arcana Pips and the Court Cards - are presented with a description of the card's energy, commentary by the card itself (entering the card), and a list of imagination tools. For example, one of the imagination tools for the Chariot is "I give you full-on strong YAH breathing to aspirate your ideas with high performance." There is also a black and white image of the card presented with each card. At the back of the book there is a listing of the cards, along with key concepts.

The back of the cards shows a window,with a vine growing across the top of it, and is reversible. The card faces show a 1/4" white border. At the bottom of the card is a white strip, with the card's identity. For the Major Arcana, it is the card number, in Roman numerals, with the card name on either side in English, French, German and Spanish. For the Pips (numbered cards), it is the card number in Arabic numerals, with the suit name on either side in English, French, German and Spanish. For the Court Cards, the card title is in the middle, with the suit name on either side in English, French,German and Spanish.

The art is intensely colored, and done in a surrealistic fashion. Some of the cards have been redone from the original deck, to remove the nudity and make them acceptable for use with children.

I love the deck, and the book. It is easy to follow, and takes one outside of self-imposed boundaries. It would be a good deck to use with children, or to use to connect with one's own inner child.

(c) January 2011 Bonnie Cehovet

I really love the architectural frame on these cards. Each one frames a card full of flat, intense images that seem like a cross between the innocent drawings of childhood, tribal art, and computer drawn totems. I am especially impressed with the recurring images -- sometimes the focus of a card, and other times almost a digital phantom.

Well thought out, positive imagery works on many levels.