Most helpful customer reviews
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Get the deck too if you can!, Jul 20 2003
If you can, get the deck as well as the book. While the book does a good job of telling the reader about the history and symbolism of the tarot, it is intended to be a guide for using the deck that Barrett created. If you can't find the cards on Amazon, I think you can still buy the deck and book set directly from the author, plus you can get him to autograph the book for you. You will probably not be able to find the deck in metaphysical shops.The author uses ancient Egyptian symbolism, and ties this in with the cabbala, astrology, and traditional tarot systems. The book is a good guide for using his deck, but ultimately you will have to let the cards speak to you and your own intuitive interpretations -- since both the major and minor arcana are illustrated, you can let the pictures speak directly to the right side of your brain. I also own the Rider-Waite, Morgan-Greer, and Crowley decks, and although I have had good results with Rider-Waite and Morgan-Greer, I feel the Ancient Egyptian Tarot deck speaks more to me. I have used this deck to do readings for myself and my friends, with very favorable results. If the Netjer call to you at all, or if you are just interested in ancient Egyptian myths and/or symbolism, you need to get this deck. Children of Ausar and Auset especially, as well as Anpu, Bast, Heru, Het-hert and Sekhmet will be pleased at the treatment of their Netjer in the deck. The Netjer are featured prominately in the major arcana, and at places in the minor arcana as well. As an example, I think that the use of Anpu and Ausar in the Death card is a much better rendition of the traditional interpretation of the card -- in Barrett's deck, you get more of the Egyptian view of death as more of a transition, as opposed to the negative reaction a lot of people see when looking at a skeleton with a scythe.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
This is THE deck for you if you love tarot and Ancient Egypt, Nov 14 2002
The spiritual journey of the Fool in this deck is based on the classic Rider Waite system,which makes this an easy deck to read with if you are already used to that system. This is the second deck which spoke to me, the first being the Mythic deck. The art is pleasing and those in love with the neteru will find them in the Major Arcana. Isis represents the High Priestess, Maat for Justice, Osiris the Hierophant to name a few. This deck will speak to you on both the spiritual and mundane levels - both can be used with this deck and easy for beginners.As an Isian, I would never part with this deck. While I don't use this particular deck for readings, I do use it to help me understand my beloved neteru ... or I should say, the neteru use this deck more than I do to help me understand them! The book that comes with the set is well written and easy to understand and I find it a necessary addition to my Egyptian mythological library. Tarot does not just discuss the myth, it is the human journey. The myths of Ancient Egypt are still relevant and being acted out today. I highly recommend this excellent deck for meditation, spiritual journey work, kemetics, Isians, tarot readers (old and new), tarot collectors and those who love Ancient Egypt.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
An absolutely gorgeous tarot deck, Oct 29 2002
This is my first tarot deck (after searching for over a month), so I can only comment based on first impression. The deck's appearance is enough to just gaze at each card for hours. The artistry is amazing. Each card looks like it took hours of painstaking research and attention. The colors are vivid, and the characters are so expressive and realistic (no Barbie doll or palid figures). The characters seem to gaze back at you. Each card is a window into ancient Egyptian life, what they wore, how they lived and how they viewed their deities. What's great is that they're labeled according to the standard tarot deck, (i.e. High Priestess, Death, etc.) But if you look closely there's more symbolism unique to Ancient Egypt (ie. the lotus, ibis, papyrus, etc.). I'd imagine you can use this deck for years and still find new ways of interpreting the cards. The book included is straightforward and easy to read. It does a good job explaining the cards and details unique to the deck. For complex spread arrangements, do get a supplemental book on the tarot. If you're looking for a deck that's a little more "ethnic" and easier to understand (vs. the New Orleans Voodoo Deck) get this one. At any rate, if you're into collecting tarot decks or just looking for something new, get this one. You won't be disappointed. I love this deck so much that I don't see myself getting another one anytime soon.
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