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Summary: the deck Regardie approved whilst he was still alive...
Review: (revised, corrected 6/14/'04)Chic and Tabitha Cicero are cretdied with creating a colorful deck under, more or less, Regardie's approval. Hoever, Regardie was not alive, I believe, by the time the Cicero interpretation of the Golden Dawn material via their deck, Regardie was gone(d: 1985.) Of course, the Golden Dawn material as Regardie presents it (see reviews for editions) suggests making your own deck from the G.D, descriptions. For various reasons, even if it is no masterpiece, this self-monitored, self-designed deck is preferable. In short, it seems to me understanding the material, symbols is as important
as any visual aesthetics, whatever may be their additional practical or occult value as to the power to charm, fascinate, or romanticize the practitioner. As to the lack of beauty of the Wang deck, this is rather 'de minimus.' I have heard similar complaints made of the Cicero's deck. What is more important, is to understand the GD material, and the official tarot descriptions, to the point of being able to compare and interpret a deck with the original qabalistically orientated material as it relates to western magical or initiated tradition. Still, its nice to have a picturesque deck to use when divining for others, to accomodate their expectations and sensibilities, removing at least one resistance or obstacle on the part of a second enquirer. For more on the significance of divining for oneself and others, see Regardie's essay 'on the art and meaning of magic' on the Internet, taken from his o/p book, "Foundations of Practical Magic." At some point, this Wang deck may go out of print. This Wang deck may then only be available at huge prices, as it merges into the world of currently collectible Regardiana. I am certain the student interested in Regardie will be quite annoyed when this happens: better to acquire your Wang deck now, before it enters into some prolonged period of unavailability. Trust me: I find it quite irritating at this time, that so much desirable Regardie and WE Butler books are hard to find right now, being out of print, and even some of those in print til quite recently, commanding astonishingly high prices. Last, but not least, I would recommend the newcomer and the unfamiliar, to start not by examining tarot decks of the Golden Dawn, but go directly to Regardie's essay, "The Art of True Healing." It puts nearly any creative visualization, hypnosis, self-improvement type advice to shame. The Middle Pillar ritual as described in this essay, and in the Golden Dawn material itself ( I use the Llewellyn, supplementing with material from the net) is, according to Regardie, "the sin qua non" of magical practice.
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Summary: It's the art I dont like ...
Review: I cant testify as to the accuracy of the cards' symbolism (I havent gotten the appropriate books yet), but what I've seen gave me some insights. The main problem I see with the deck is it's art, which, IMHO, is mediocre and to which I cant connect. It's a far cry from the art of Crowley's deck, and isnt as good as the art of Waite's "cartoonish" deck.
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Summary: Sometimes Simpler is Better
Review: I have found the simple artwork of this deck to be excellent for meditation and visulization exercises. There are certainly flashier decks around. There are certainly decks around that are more beautiful. However, I find this deck to be a highly useful tool. When I first got the deck to use with Kraig's _Modern Magic_, I admit that I didn't like it very much. Over time, the deck has grown on me. Robert Wang's book which explains the deck gives a clear introduction to the philosophy behind the deck.
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Summary: the deck Regardie approved whilst he was still alive...
Review: Of all the many decks that I own, I find this one to have the most patheticaly-rendered artwork. This is the only deck I own that looks as-if it was painted by someone who should really have let someone-else do the work. There are a few cards that are well-done (very few) and I have used those in a collage of Tarot cards and backs (from the extras in most decks). The rest of the cards are collecting dust. I would only recommend this one for collectors and those interested in Secret Societies/ Occult groups.
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Summary: Review from a Collector & User of The Tarot
Review: Of all the many decks that I own, I find this one to have the most patheticaly-rendered artwork. This is the only deck I own that looks as-if it was painted by someone who should really have let someone-else do the work. There are a few cards that are well-done (very few) and I have used those in a collage of Tarot cards and backs (from the extras in most decks). The rest of the cards are collecting dust. I would only recommend this one for collectors and those interested in Secret Societies/ Occult groups.
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Summary: NOt accurate but still good
Review: This deck has too many errors to be regarded as a good copy of an original working GD tarot deck. Just check for yourself in regardies tarot descriptions found in his volume The golden Dawn. Having said that its still the closest one to a real GD deck thats available on the public market. And is quite workable.
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