Pictorial Key Tarot - Davide Corsi

“The deck designed by Davide Corsi, under the supervision of Lo Scarabeo editorial team is the most recent and highly evolved representation of the Pictorial Key. Even though it is ostensibly simple and essential, the images, realized with modern painting techniques, are brimming with real and relevant symbolism, ideas, and intuitions that can be applied to various existential levels: ethical, meditative, divinatory and metaphysical.” – From the L(ittle) W(hite) B(ook) to the Pictorial Key Tarot

From the Italian artist who illustrated the Tarot of the Elves emerges a vibrant CGI deck firmly planted in Rider-Waite-Smith imagery—the Pictorial Key Tarot. Gleaming metal and pockmarked stone, smooth marble and rough-hewn wood interplay with luxurious fabrics, star-studded skies, rippling waters and billowy clouds, but at the center remains the familiar RWS cast of characters and symbols.

At first blush, the Pictorial Key Tarot resembles another black-bordered CGI deck: the Gilded Tarot (to a side-by-side comparison between ten card images, click here). However, there are several differences between the two decks.

In the Pictorial Key Tarot, no card names or suits grace the borders, only Roman numerals for the Major Arcana, numbers and suit symbols for the Minor Arcana, and emblems for the Court cards (i.e. a helmet for Knaves, horse head for Knights, and crowns for the Kings and Queens).

The Pictorial Key Tarot takes less interpretive risks than the Gilded Tarot with its conformity to RWS imagery, and thus lacks the unnecessary frills, filigrees and random planetary placement of the Gilded Tarot. Yet, stark it is not because although the Pictorial Key deck stays faithful to the RWS, there is enough fresh artistry to make this an interesting and appealing deck even to veteran Tarotists (for example, there is a menacing sea monster in the foreground of the Moon card rather than the traditional benign crustacean).

Absolute Tarot beginners may have trouble with the Pictorial Key Tarot only because there are no names on the cards. However, in conjunction with a solid beginner book like Learning the Tarot by Joan Bunning or the Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Tarot by Mark McElroy this would make a fine deck for those starting their Tarot journey.

Although some of the faces appear slightly mannequin-like upon closer inspection, there is enough detail and character in the imagery to paint a well-rounded intuitive picture despite this drawback. There is full frontal nudity in the Lovers and The Star, so if you’re uncomfortable with anatomically correct renderings or if you read for children, you may want to consider those elements.

The cards measure approximately 4 ¾ x 2 ½ inches with an attractive rose-cross emblem on back that is reversible. In addition to the deck-only version, you can order the Pictorial Key Tarot Deluxe, which comes with a tan velvet bag embroidered with red oroborus motif and satin tassels.

Personally, I’m enjoying working with the Pictorial Key Tarot and have had great success with it for spiritual contemplation. I find it familiar, comforting and clear—a wonderful deck for obtaining lucid insights and encouraging personal growth.

To see 10 more card images from this deck, click here.

-- Janet Boyer

Look for my upcoming book Back in Time Tarot, arriving in Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing

Comments

[Mark McElroy]

Especially in the scans you provided, this deck looks better than I'd hoped!

David Corsi did a great job on the art for Tarot of the Elves, so I'm eager to have a copy of this deck, as well.

[Janet Boyer]

Yes, Davide did an EXCELLENT job with the Tarot of the Elves, too! Your companion novel is fantastic--I need to work through my backlog of decks and get to reviewing the Tarot of the Elves kit!

So many decks/books, so little time... *sigh*

Janet

[Balakirev]

Reluctantly, I have to throw in a "nay" vote to this discussion. First: yes, I *do* like the overall design of the cards, also the color choices, and the imaginative way in which at least some of the basic Waite images are subtly reintepreted. But at the same time...each one of the people on the card look like department store plastic mannequins to me, in facial expressions and tone. This really disappointed me after I'd purchased the deck, having heard such praise for it. Am I just the odd person out on feeling this way about the people-as-depicted?

[Janet Boyer]

I don't think you're odd at all, Balakirev. Both my husband and myself felt some of the renderings looked too "mannequinish". However, my delight with the deck has more to do with the great success I've had with it for readings and how it makes me feel when I use it.

It's become my favorite reading deck practically overnight! (Which surprised me). Connecting with a deck is one of those mysterious events that seem beyond art and symbol--and perhaps the same is true when a deck simply isn't a good fit.

Too bad there isn't a magic formula for figuring out which decks will work--and which ones won't! We deck hounds wouldn't be out so much money... *chuckle*

Janet

[Erin]

I got the deck, and it looks like the RWS as a video game. The strange part is that usually I don't like most computer generated decks (exceptions being the Golden and the Archeon), but I do like this one. Maybe because it's slightly more life like then other CG decks.