The Favole Tarot by Victoria Frances is a visually striking deck that combines the elegance of traditional tarot with the enchanting world of fairy tales. Known for its stunning illustrations and gothic themes, this deck offers a unique approach to the standard tarot structure. While it maintains the 78-card framework typical of tarot decks, it introduces a distinct thematic shift by altering the traditional suits. The deck features premium quality card stock with dimensions of 2.6 x 4.6 inches, and the artwork is characterized by rich, dark tones and intricate symbolism. The guidebook included with the deck provides English text and descriptive titles, though the interpretations may differ from traditional decks due to the unique imagery and thematic elements. The box design is elegant and luxurious, reflecting the dark romance theme of the deck. The suits in the Favole Tarot represent different elements of the fairy tale realm, providing a fresh and intriguing interpretation of the cards that differs from traditional suits such as Cups, Swords, Wands, and Pentacles.
The significance of the suits in the Favole Tarot lies in their ability to reflect the themes and imagery of Victoria Frances' art. The four suits in this deck are Roses, Ravens, Lanterns, and Oceans. These new suits bring their own symbolic meanings and interpretations, which can be interpreted differently than in traditional tarot decks. While traditional tarot decks have four suits representing different aspects of life, the Favole Tarot changes the suits to reflect the specific artistic vision of Victoria Frances. The suits offer a different perspective on the themes and elements associated with the traditional tarot suits. For example, the suit of Swords in traditional tarot represents intellect, communication, and challenges, often associated with conflict and struggle. In the Favole Tarot, Ravens are used instead, which may be interpreted as a representation of thoughts and the mind. Ravens are often associated with mysticism and wisdom, which can provide a different perspective on the meanings of the cards in this suit.
The Suit of Roses
The suit of Roses in the Favole Tarot replaces the Cups suit in traditional tarot. While Cups generally represent emotions and the heart, Roses in this deck may carry a different interpretation. The suit of Cups in the Favole Tarot Victoria Frances represents emotions, relationships, and intuition. It is associated with the element of water and symbolizes the realm of the heart and the subconscious. The cards in this suit often depict scenes of love, romance, and deep emotional connections. Roses are often associated with love and passion, which can add depth and nuance to the meanings of the cards in this suit. It could suggest a stronger focus on romantic love and emotional connections. The artwork in this suit reflects the meaning through depictions of mythical creatures and ethereal landscapes that evoke deep emotional resonance.
The Suit of Ravens
The suit of Ravens in the Favole Tarot replaces the Swords suit in traditional tarot. The suit of Swords in the Favole Tarot Victoria Frances represents intellect, communication, and challenges. It is associated with the element of air and symbolizes the realm of thoughts and ideas. The cards in this suit often depict scenes of conflict, decision-making, and mental or verbal confrontations. The swords depicted in this deck are often sharp, pointed, and adorned with feathers or wings, symbolizing the power of words and the ability to cut through illusions. The cards in this suit often depict scenes of struggle, decision-making, and intellectual challenges. The symbolism of Ravens adds a layer of mysticism to the suit, suggesting that the intellectual challenges faced may be intertwined with deeper wisdom or intuitive insights.
The Suit of Lanterns
The suit of Lanterns in the Favole Tarot replaces the Wands suit in traditional tarot. The suit of Wands in the Favole Tarot Victoria Frances represents creativity, passion, and inspiration. It is associated with the element of fire and symbolizes the realm of action and personal power. The cards in this suit often depict scenes of ambition, courage, and the pursuit of one's goals or desires. Lanterns symbolize illumination and guidance, suggesting that the actions and willpower represented in this suit are driven by inner light or inspiration. The artwork often features mysterious characters and gothic fantasy elements that highlight the theme of pursuing desires with passion and creativity.
The Suit of Oceans
The suit of Oceans in the Favole Tarot replaces the Pentacles suit in traditional tarot. The suit of Pentacles in the Favole Tarot Victoria Frances represents material possessions, wealth, and practical matters. It is associated with the element of earth and symbolizes the realm of the physical and material world. The cards in this suit often depict scenes of financial abundance, stability, and the rewards of hard work or entrepreneurial endeavors. The pentacles depicted in this deck are often adorned with intricate designs, symbols, and jewels, symbolizing the physical world and material desires. The cards in this suit often depict scenes of prosperity, abundance, and practicality. The use of Oceans as a suit suggests a fluidity to material matters, perhaps indicating that wealth and practicality are not static but ebb and flow like the tides.
Artwork and Symbolism
The artwork in the Favole Tarot by Victoria Frances deeply reflects the meaning of each suit. The deck is filled with stunning illustrations that depict mythical creatures, ethereal landscapes, and mysterious characters. The art style is gothic fantasy with a rich, dark color palette. The symbolism is detailed and intricate, with card borders featuring black with gold accents. The visual imagery plays a significant role in the interpretation of the suits. For example, the suit of Roses features imagery of love and romance, while the suit of Ravens features imagery of conflict and intellectual challenges. The suit of Lanterns depicts scenes of ambition and action, and the suit of Oceans depicts scenes of prosperity and practicality. There are specific symbols or motifs often seen in the cards of each suit. The suit of Roses may feature rose motifs, hearts, and water imagery. The suit of Ravens may feature feathers, wings, and sharp objects. The suit of Lanterns may feature lanterns, fire imagery, and symbols of ambition. The suit of Oceans may feature jewels, intricate designs, and symbols of the physical world.
Interpretation and Subjectivity
It is important to note that tarot interpretations are highly subjective and can vary depending on the reader's intuition and understanding of the cards. The artist's intentions and the visual imagery of the cards also play a significant role in the interpretation of the suits. Therefore, it is perfectly valid to interpret the meanings of the suits in the Favole Tarot differently than in traditional tarot decks, as long as the interpretation resonates with the reader and the context of the reading. The suits in the Favole Tarot by Victoria Frances carry significant meaning and help to deepen the interpretation of the cards. They represent different aspects of life, emotions, and experiences, guiding the reader through the journey of self-discovery and reflection. Whether it's the passionate energy of the Lanterns, the emotional depths of the Roses, the intellectual challenges of the Ravens, or the material aspects of the Oceans, each suit adds another layer of interpretation to the cards.
Conclusion
The Favole Tarot by Victoria Frances offers a unique and enchanting approach to tarot reading. By replacing the traditional suits with Roses, Ravens, Lanterns, and Oceans, the deck provides a fresh perspective on the themes and elements of life. The stunning gothic fantasy artwork, characterized by rich, dark tones and intricate symbolism, enhances the meanings of the suits and offers a visual journey through the cards. While the deck maintains the structure of a traditional 78-card tarot deck, the unique suits and artistic interpretation allow for a reading experience that is deeply personal and intuitive. The significance of these suits lies in their ability to reflect the specific artistic vision of Victoria Frances, offering a different perspective on traditional tarot themes. Whether one is an avid tarot reader or a lover of fantasy, the Favole Tarot is sure to captivate and inspire, guiding the reader through a magical journey of self-discovery and reflection.