Deck Review: Thelema Tarot

Renata Lechner, Thelema Tarot (deck). Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn, 2015. ISBN: 9780738747538. (Link to Llewellyn, who distributes Lo Scarabeo decks in the US). 

 

The Hermit-IX card

This is the deck I used during August 2020. I also used it before, but I finally got around to reviewing it now. First a quick note: it is called Thelema Tarot, but it has nothing to do with Aleister Crowley's Thelema.The deck is closer to Rider Waite Smith (RWS) tradition. 

Let's take a look at the booklet. This is a Lo Scarabeo deck, so the booklet comes in five languages: English, Italian, Spanish, French, and German. The book is written by Jaymi Elford The deck and booklet come in a small solid box; the booklet is a small paperback, which is better quality than the usual Little White Book (LWB). You get 69 pages of content in the English section. This includes a small introduction, card meanings, on using the cards, and a spread-- the Thelema Spread. For each card you get a small quote, meaning, and some keywords. To be honest, the meanings are mainly descriptions of the art in the cards with a bit on symbols in the card. This is fairly basic, and if you are learning, you may want to keep a Tarot reference book handy to supplement. Still, you get enough to get you started. Do note that content in

Justice-XI card

other languages is minimized; card meanings go down to just two or three lines per card. Based on looking over the Spanish content, they just kept the opening quote from the English section as card meaning. You will miss some material if you do not read English. 

Three of Cups card

The cards feature computer generated art with a bit of Renaissance style. I'd say the cards have a bit on an ethereal quality that invites you to really look at the cards. Colors are bright but soft. For the Minor Arcana, the colors are somewhat coordinated, say green predominates for pentacles. I find color coordination in decks is helpful to learn elemental correspondences in the cards. The art is clear and easy to ready. This is pretty much an RWS clone, so if you read in that system it will work well. The images are very much within traditional RWS. I'd also say the ethereal quality in the art is good for intuitive readers as w

ell. The cards are borderless except for a small bottom border to identify the cards. Cards measure 4 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches give or take. If you read reversals, the card back is reversible, and it is still very nice. Card stock feels good and flexible. The cards have a glossy, light coating. 

Overall, I really like this deck. I enjoy using it, and I am glad to have it my collection. The images are accessible, colorful, and easy to read. This is a deck you can use year round. If you are looking for a colorful and reliable RWS clone deck, this is a good choice. 

4 out of 5 stars.