Deck Review: Erotic Fantasy Tarot

Joseph Viglioglia and Giacomo Gailli, Erotic Fantasy Tarot. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Worldwide, 2020. ISBN: 9780738766409.

 

Genre: Tarot deck

Subgenre: erotica, fantasy

Format: 78-cards deck with little white book

Source: I own this one

 

Queen of Wands

This is a 78-cards Tarot deck with a little white book (LWB) that comes in a tuck box. The LWB, as usual for Lo Scarabeo, is written in five languages: English, Italian, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. 

 

Though you can probably read the cards intuitively, I'd suggest reading the LWB to get a sense of the deck's theme. This is a deck with an erotic theme. However, it is more of a fantasy theme with a link to the erotic. Both fantasy and eroticism share common ground in fantasy and imagination. The LWB hints at possibilities of using the deck in intimate settings: 

 

"The act of reading this Tarot deck urges us not to flee in the face of sex but to accept it as part of our lives and to express it in the manner that suits us best, while respecting and harmonising fully with the will of our partner" (4). 

This may be a deck that could've been enhanced with a good companion book. The LWB gives you just enough to explore the erotic and fantasy connection. For card meanings, you get a few lines per card. Each card entry includes the basic meaning, a fantasy meaning, an eros meaning, and an action-- interpreting the card "in terms of action within the erotic context where these Tarot cards show their main force" (5). Meanings are just enough for a start, and part of them have a more erotic focus. The LWB also includes a spread couples could try together. The LWB is very basic, not too much substance, but it is worth a look to get a sense of the deck's overall theme. 

Six of Pentacles

The cards feature a sensual fantasy art style. The style is like good comics or graphic novels. This is not a heavily explicit erotica deck like, for example, the Erotic Tarot of Manara (a deck I also have and hope to review down the road). Yes, this deck has some sexual situations, they mostly have strategic cover. The deck is also very feminine given the majority of the images depict women. Most of the women are sensual maidens and warriors, but you also see some pregnant women and an elderly woman or two. There are some men as well, such as in the king cards. There is some skin tone diversity, for those who keep score, but not much. 

The imagery falls a bit within Rider Waite Smith (RWS), but there are departures from RWS. You can read this deck intuitively as images are detailed and very clear. The images are fairly straightforward, which makes the cards easy to read. The link between fantasy and eroticism often offers new insights to card readers. As I used them I felt that I often found a new interpretation, a new perspective, some new ideas as I studied the cards. Initially I thought it was just a nice fantasy deck, but as I worked with it more it revealed some depth and made me look more into the sensual and erotic. It also has some powerful images, and it can deliver strong and even hard messages as needed. 

The cards measure about 4 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches. The art is borderless. The Major Arcana cards are identified by Roman numeral. The Minor Arcana are identified by Arabic numeral and suit symbol. The court cards are identified by court symbol and suit symbol. The cards have a very light gloss, almost matte, which makes for good shuffling. The card back image is reversible for folks who read reversals. 

Overall, I really like this deck. I had low expectations initially, but as I used it, I grew on me. I found it a good and reliable reader with a sensual fantasy style. You can use it year round, but I may prefer it more during spring and summer seasons. This deck is also a good choice if you want a nature themed deck or a more primal energy deck. I am glad to have it. 

4 out of 5 stars.