Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful, well-crafted and meaningful deck
Review: Kudos all around for this deck. It is a shame that Amazon (at this writing) does not offer any pictures of this deck. It is truly a beautiful deck. If you are wondering, I would suggest looking at aeclectic.net or tarotpassages.com to see if they are offering reviews or pictures of the cards in this deck.What makes this deck truly special is the work put into it on both the creative end and the production end. Kat Black put great work into establishing a wonderful medieval feel to this deck. Though it is a collage, it doesn't come off looking like a collage. She also avoided using familiar paintings so as to give this deck a freshness, like you are looking at something newly discovered. Black also demonstrates a deep understanding of tarot symbology and infuses this deck with it. The trouble with many themed decks, such as those based on painters such as Da Vinci or Bosch, is that, though pretty, they are not good decks to do readings with. There are enough symbolic imagery in each card to get a deep reading with it. She bases the imagery on the well-known Waite/Smith imagery that will be recognizable to people who even only have a passing familiarity with tarot. Yet, it seems to have a deeper, older tradition tied to it. U.S. Games production work here is phenomenal here also. The box is sturdy and compact, not allowing the cards to slide around, and also comes with Black's book, which is compact and comprehensive. She gives meanings that are not generic and offer not only her reasons for her choice of images, but gives the reader references to these elements. I could go on and on, but, in brief, if you want a deck that it readable, feels like an old renaissance work, and is just generally beautiful, you cannot do better than this one!
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Deck for an Amazing Price!
Review: Like some of the other reviewers, I too have collected a number of tarot decks over the years, always searching for that one perfect deck. Some I've bought have come close, while others I have eventually gotten rid of for lack of interest or utility. The Golden Tarot Deck not only fulfills all I have looked for in a tarot deck, it surpasses what I have looked for. As I will use this deck primarily, I may just buy another one in case I wear this one out! As others have already noted, I was amazed at the price for such a sumptous deck. I have bought decks that cost more than this one that were not even close to this level of execution or quality. The box the deck comes in is very sturdy and beautiful. The accompanying book slides in nicely with the cards so that you can carry both around. As for the deck, it is richly detailed, gorgeously colored and, for, someone like me who prefers the Rider Waite icnography, this desk is both familiar and strange in that the imagery of RW is still there, but with new interpretive images and symbols that stir the imagination. I highly recommend this deck for novices and for those who have used the tarot for years. It is a stunning piece of work and it will be hard for anyone to top both the quality of the deck and its packaging. Excellent work!
Rating:
Summary: Incredible!!!!
Review: Oh, how you will love this deck!!! It is amazing how taken I am with it! At first, I thought the deck a little too serious -
people from this time period don't smile as often as we do now, but I have gotten very used to that and it is absolutely my favorite deck. For some reason, I find this deck works especially well with males I am reading for - I can feel the masculine energy go through my body as I lay out the cards. The cards are beautiful - you can get so lost in them. The symbolism works perfectly with the Rider-Waite decks, but with just a twist that makes you think above and beyond. At first, I used the meanings for the cards from another book, but now am more and more taken by the meanings in the little book that comes with this deck - somehow, they are really in tune and I have had some amazing predicitons! Beautifully done and presented in such an artistic and creative way. This deck has no limits, you will continue to see more and more each time you use it.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful representation of history and digital integration
Review: The art integration also refreshes and revisits art for fans of old Medieval to Renaissance. If you wanted your own set of personal gilded minatures for tarot enjoyment and storytelling, this is a fascinating collector item. I found it as an affordable visual tour of International Gothic art, worthy of many museum stores. Kat Black gives an excellent image source description in her well-done minature book. Trumps and minors draw from backgrounds and beautiful historic sites in Europe, including historic monument such the Schifanioa Palace of Ferarra. If you visit www.goldentarot.com, you can read more about her work and see all the images. She also has beautiful related products for the collector. The digital integration of many sources is done so seamlessly, I see each card as an independent work of art. I can well believe it took some 1600 hours to complete the deck. After a few uses, you will find some of the gilted edges have a bit of dust at the edges of the book or cards. If you are not allergic to this, this is a very minor nit. However I've encountered people who need to know this before buying products with metallic residue.
Rating:
Summary: A Lovely Deck - Executed in the True Spirit of Tarot
Review: This deck is a work of Art and was executed as such. It is not a bizarre mutation or some other attempt to push someone's personal agenda but is rather an tasteful expression of the blending of Art and Arte for its own purpose. The assembly of figures and symbols from different sources for collage is careful and well thought out. The blending of these images into seamless compositions is truly a treat for the eyes as well as for the Sight.
Rating: 
Summary: Golden
Review: This deck is great enough to allow one to look past the shameful US Games logo/wording on the face of each card. That logo is absolutely horrible and seems to be shame on them. How dare the great artist of these cards allow such indecency?
I read from four decks daily. There are two decks I recommend strongly for every reader: Thoth and Gilded. The Thoth and Gilded decks are far greater than my words can be here. Those two decks are must haves, and I hope to enjoy them for as long as possible. Golden is more the anchor from my Catholic roots. I love the golden deck, but shame on the cheesy capitalism branding. Like US Games name belongs anywhere near a tarot card. Keep your brand on the box you silly rabbits; you ruined what could have been one of the best tarot decks ever.
Luckily, the cards still read great. They are like God talking, but with a little speck of darkness peaking it's face in the name of US Games. Though I love the cards, I still wonder how US Games could be so rude.
Rating:
Summary: Easier than Rider Waite!
Review: This deck is so very beautiful, the box is sturdy, the booklet is a nice size and I really like the interpretations, fresh and yet very intuitive. The card stock is firm, but soon becomes easy to handle, the gold gilt edges are truly luxurious. I must say that I was pretty surprised at how reasonable the price is on this deck. I cannot imagine how this was possible, as this deck and book set seem to be of such high quality. U.S. Games System has really outdone themselves in the production of this lovely deck. If you want to see the cards and try a free reading with them visit the artists website; goldentarot.com The artwork on the cards is really gorgeous, I for one did not immediately realize that it is collaged, as each cards imagery is so well integrated. Now a confession, I buy new decks all the time ever searching for that perfect deck which I can actually figure out how to read with. Always there are a few cards which turn me off and send me back to my trusty Rider Waite. This deck is the deck I have been looking for - finally a deck that incorporates the best of RW interpretive imagery, and actually improves on it! If you are comfortable with RW - you will actually find this deck even easier to read with! I never have had such an easy time coming up with interesting insights and more in depth perceptions. Excellent Deck - Highly Reccomended!
Rating:
Summary: The Golden Tarot Deck : A Review
Review: This is one of the most beautiful and carefully prepared tarot decks I have ever seen: truly a work of impeccable art! From the moment one views this superb deck, the essence of bygone elegance and sophisticated packaging come to mind. Not only are the images from a bygone era, but the way the cards are presented speaks of the care and luxurious aesthetics of yesteryear.
Created by Kat Black and published by the well-established company, U.S. Games, this deck offers timeless beauty and a sense of refined inquiry to your tarot reading sessions. Kat combines images from the Medieval, early Renaissance, and particularly the International Gothic period to provide well-known yet unique interpretations of the various cards' symbolic meanings. She particularly focuses on art from the periods 1300 to 1500 A.D. Kat deliberately chose to conform to the card styles introduced by the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith deck, but her own version offers a genteel, softer and much more personable version, in my humble opinion. The box that protects the cards is gorgeous - deep lapis blue and burgundy accented with gold embellish this sturdy, perfectly sized box: it looks like an elegant jewelry box. Inside, the cards are perfect for fitting in the hand, and feel wonderful as you hold them; the gold gilt edges give off a cool royal feeling as one listens to and touches the cards during shuffling, choosing and reading. A rare treat in this day and edge of plastic wrap and cheap paper. The publishers should be commended on their devotion to fine craftsmanship and customer experience.
The Golden Tarot deck has the same basic structure as more traditional tarot decks - 78 cards in total with 22 key Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana cards, sorted into four suits (click on the link to view illustrations of all 78 cards). Kat presents the cards as the traditional suits coins, cups, swords and wands though she attributes interesting Medieval/Renaissance terminology to describe the meaning of each suit.
The seamless collage approach used to create the lovely images of the Golden Tarot offers clear and familar imagery which helps the reader hone into the meaning of the cards. For instance, the Ace of Coins is represented by, "A beautiful red-haired angel holds a large coin. He stands in a rocky outcrop, but there is a lush garden in the background with a natural arch. The angel is flanked by a small lion, a peacock and a stem of lilies." Kat chose to use angels for all of the four Ace cards, which adds an ethereal and blessed sort of energy to these prime cards of the minor arcana. (NOTE: Click on the card images to view an expanded interpretation and illustration of the cards on Kat's site).
The Royal Face cards are graced with regal wise looking monarchs and the face Trumps such as the High Priestess (who is represented by a woman who might be Pope Joan) display noble pictures of notaries and impressive players of the time. I particularly like the Queen of Wands, which also graces the front of the deck's display box. Kat describes this card's imagery: "A sensual red-haired Queen stands with her hands crossed elegantly on her breast. She holds a wand and wears rich red and gilt robes. A gold brooch emblazoned with a black rampant lion is pinned on her cloak. She is flanked by red angels glowing in the darkness." All of the images smack of elegance and grace: Kat has truly done an amazing job of capturing the best of the Gothic/Medieval/early Rennaisance Period and made them meaningful for us in the 21st century.
The deck comes complete with a palm-sized interpretation mini-book, that offers sensitive and intelligent meanings for each card as well as a detailed description of the original sources for the collage elements for each. For instance, her reading for the Queen of Wands states: "A strong, sensual woman. Knows what she wants, and isn't afraid to go for it - but she'd never step on anyone along the way. Passionate and creative. Down to earth, pragmatic and generous." All in all, this is one of the finest decks available today. I highly recommend Kat's creation- the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one. It will appeal to the taste of people of all ages, and deserves a top spot in any tarot devotees' deck collection.
Rating:
Summary: Oh my Yes
Review: This is tru;ly a superb deck with all the trimmings. The cards are gilded and the companion book is a gem. If you enjoy reading with classic decks then this one is for you. It has a royal feel to it. Experience this deck for yourself, you will not be dissapointed
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Review: This was my first Tarot deck, and it is definitely my favorite. The cards follow the Rider Waite symbolism, but I find them much richer and informative than a Rider Waite deck. Each card is a meticulous collage of medieval and renaissance art. That necessarily means that there is some heavy Christian symbolism. For some people, that will be a big selling point; for others, it's not so appealing. For me personally, the art itself is so opulent and compelling that the Christian overtones are very secondary. The cards themselves are a nice size on heavy cardstock and feel good in your hand.
The guide that comes with the deck is brief but very instructional. My major complaint is that it lists the minor arcana out of order - swords, wands, cups coins? Reversals are barely addressed.
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