The Tarot Familiars deck, created by the Italian designer Lo Scarabeo, offers a unique approach to traditional divination by drawing upon Bohemian and Slavic traditions. This collection moves beyond standard archetypes to explore the world of familiars, which are defined as spirits of places, animals, people, and objects. The deck is described as a mystical creation, appealing to users who regard these critters as talismans or mythical animals. It provides a comprehensive 78-card set, divided into the Major and Minor Arcana, designed to assist seekers in their spiritual and personal journeys.
Understanding the Tarot Familiars Deck
The Tarot Familiars deck is a 78-card set that adheres to the traditional structure of Tarot. It includes 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards. The Minor Arcana is further divided into four groups: Pentacles, Cups, Swords, and Wands. This structure allows for a full range of readings, covering various aspects of life from spiritual lessons to daily matters.
The deck was created by the Italian artist and writer Federico Scarabeo, under the Lo Scarabeo brand. It is sometimes associated with the "Piatto-Tarot family" due to the addition of the number I to the name, referencing a lineage of Tarot history that dates back to the 15th century with a minor Italian nobleman. The artwork is a significant feature, with users noting that the cards feature gorgeous and properly drawn animals rather than stylized or simplified ones. The cards have been given a "shine of excellence," contributing to a terrific sense of quality.
Physical Attributes and User Experience
For those considering the use of this deck, specific physical details are available. The cards weigh 7.7 ounces and measure 60 x 110 mm. These dimensions are within the conventional size for Tarot decks, making them easy to handle. The deck is noted to be substantially smaller than many others on the market, which many users find convenient for management and shuffling.
The deck comes with a handout or booklet written in five languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German. This multilingual instruction guide helps users understand the cards and their meanings. However, user experiences have highlighted a few practical considerations. Some users have reported difficulty opening the box, leading to a preference for a pouch instead. Additionally, there have been comments regarding the illustration of the minor arcana, with some claiming the deck was not completely illustrated, giving off a "finishing" difficulty.
Target Audience and Appeal
The Tarot Familiars deck is suited for the seasoned Tarot aficionado who enjoys art and the mystical connection to animals. It appeals to individuals who have a close bond with at least one animal and believe that the animal has played a role in their mystical and miraculous journey. The deck is designed to be reversible in layout, with the card design squarely in the center, although the specific implications of this "anti-reversible" layout are not detailed in the source material.
Core Tarot Meanings in the Tarot Familiars Context
While the Tarot Familiars deck uses familiars as its central theme, the cards are expected to carry the traditional meanings associated with Tarot archetypes. The provided source material includes a list of general Tarot card meanings, which can be applied to understanding the guidance offered by the Tarot Familiars deck.
Major Arcana Insights
The Major Arcana cards represent significant life themes and spiritual lessons. The following meanings are derived from the source data:
- Upright: Innocence, new beginnings, free spirit. Reversed: Recklessness, taken advantage of, inconsideration. This likely corresponds to The Fool archetype.
- Upright: Willpower, desire, creation, manifestation. Reversed: Trickery, illusions, out of touch. This aligns with The Magician archetype.
- Upright: Intuitive, unconscious, inner voice. Reversed: Lack of center, lost inner voice, repressed feelings. This corresponds to The High Priestess archetype.
- Upright: Motherhood, fertility, nature. Reversed: Dependence, smothering, emptiness, nosiness. This aligns with The Empress archetype.
- Upright: Authority, structure, control, fatherhood. Reversed: Tyranny, rigidity, coldness. This corresponds to The Emperor archetype.
- Upright: Tradition, conformity, morality, ethics. Reversed: Rebellion, subversiveness, new approaches. This aligns with The Hierophant archetype.
- Upright: Partnerships, duality, union. Reversed: Loss of balance, one-sidedness, disharmony. This corresponds to The Lovers archetype.
- Upright: Direction, control, willpower. Reversed: Lack of control, lack of direction, aggression. This aligns with The Chariot archetype.
- Upright: Inner strength. (Reversed meanings not fully detailed in source). This corresponds to the Strength archetype.
These meanings provide a framework for interpreting the cards. In the context of Tarot Familiars, the imagery of animals or spirits may offer a unique lens through which these archetypes manifest. For example, the "free spirit" of The Fool might be represented by a specific familiar animal, or the "authority" of The Emperor might be depicted through a spirit of structure.
The Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana cards address day-to-day matters and are divided into four suits: Pentacles, Cups, Swords, and Wands. While the specific meanings for each card in the Tarot Familiars deck are not provided in the source data, the general structure allows for detailed readings on material wealth (Pentacles), emotions and relationships (Cups), intellect and conflict (Swords), and creativity and action (Wands). The use of familiars in the artwork may provide intuitive cues related to these suits, such as earthy animals for Pentacles or fiery creatures for Wands.
Practical Application of Tarot Guidance
Using the Tarot Familiars deck involves engaging with the cards and the accompanying multilingual booklet. The deck's design, which is easy to manage due to its smaller size, facilitates regular use. Users are encouraged to form a bond with the deck, particularly as it features animals that users may adore. This connection can enhance the intuitive process during readings.
Considerations for Selection and Use
When selecting a Tarot deck, potential users of the Tarot Familiars should weigh the pros and cons mentioned in user reviews. The strengths of the deck include: * Beautiful and properly drawn animal imagery. * A sense of excellence and quality in the card finish. * A multilingual instruction booklet. * Convenient size for handling.
The potential drawbacks include: * The minor arcana may not be fully illustrated, which could affect the depth of visual interpretation. * The box may be difficult to open, suggesting a need for alternative storage.
Despite these points, the deck is recommended for those who are seasoned in Tarot and appreciate the specific theme of familiars. The connection to mystical and miraculous journeys through animal spirits is a key selling point.
Connecting Tarot to Holistic Energy
While the source material focuses on the deck itself, Tarot is often used as a tool for holistic energy harmonization and personal growth. In a broader spiritual context, the Tarot Familiars deck can serve as a medium for introspection and understanding energetic flows in one's life. The familiars, representing spirits of places and objects, may also resonate with principles of environmental energy, though specific connections to Vastu Shastra or Numerology are not detailed in the provided data.
The deck's alignment with Bohemian and Slavic traditions suggests a deep connection to earth-based spirituality and the natural world. This can be a valuable asset for individuals seeking to balance their personal energy or gain clarity on relationship dynamics and commercial success. By reflecting on the archetypes and the familiar spirits depicted, users can explore different facets of their existence.
Conclusion
The Tarot Familiars deck by Lo Scarabeo, featuring art likely associated with Lisa Parker, represents a distinct blend of traditional Tarot structure and unique thematic elements. It offers a 78-card system that is both accessible and artistically rich, appealing to those with a fondness for animals and mystical traditions. While the deck has received feedback regarding the illustration of the minor arcana and the packaging, its strengths in artwork, size, and comprehensive multilingual guide make it a worthy consideration for Tarot enthusiasts. The provided card meanings serve as a foundational guide for interpretation, allowing users to explore new beginnings, willpower, intuition, and other core life themes through the lens of familiar spirits.