Renaissance Tarot by Brian Williams

[EmpyreanKnight]

I know that I've often waxed poetic (and furiously hyperbolic) about decks that have captured my interest, but I was not quite prepared when I chanced upon the Renaissance Tarot by Brian Williams. The very first time I saw its warm, sensuous, classical images I felt my heart drop and yes, it was love at first sight. It was so coolly gorgeous, so beautiful and flawless that my mouth hung fairly agape as I perused each and every card. I have fallen utterly, hopelessly under its spell, and yet I somehow relish its chains. And is what they said about the gold true? This really is love, isn't it?

[EmpyreanKnight]

Btw since I love Briam Williams's art, I also ordered his Minchiate Tarot. I can't get over how many people criticize his art in that deck because I love it. Maybe they would pale in comparison to the original images in the Minchiate Fiorentine-Etruria, but taken by themselves they're really quite beautiful. I do agree that the backs could have been improved or replaced tho, since they're irreversible.

 

Its companion book has been almost universally lauded as a truly good resource for the Minchiate, so there's that. I guess Brian Williams is really quite a scholar.

[Trogon]

I have this deck. It is a beauty alright. To be honest, I haven't worked with it for quite a while now. I think I did use it for a couple of weeks for a DotW back when we were still all on A.T. and I remember it being very nice to handle, and it reading quite well.

 

Hmmm ... I think I'll have to pull it out again soon.

[TheFeeLion]

I know this may be a bit of an older thread but I have just chanced upon it...

 

This deck was my first tarot. I really like the way each suit is associated with a Classical Greek story. It makes each card a little easier to understand. I also like that there are little words in the ribbons at the tops and bottoms of the cards, they can help with the reading but are unobtrusive enough that if you don't want to look at them you eye isn't immediately drawn to them.

 

I just wish I had the companion book to go with it as I feel I'm missing out on much of the story and symbolism in the cards. If I remember rightly, Brian Williams took 10 years to put the deck and book together (someone please correct me if I'm wrong), so you can tell there was a lot of love a research put into it.

 

It is quite nice to handle, the cards are narrower than standard and I think a little longer. As for how it reads, well, I think that however anybody else may feel about you will get immense joy from it because of your love for it :D

[EmpyreanKnight]

It is a gorgeous dreamboat, Trogon, and I can't wait to have it in my hands. :)

[EmpyreanKnight]

I'm so glad to know that somebody else is also enamored of the Renaissance Tarot, TheFeeLion. :D My very first deck is another Tarot that focuses on the Greek myths - Sharman-Burke's Mythic Tarot - so we have that in common. I remember devouring Edith Hamilton's classic tome as a kid too, so I feel a close affinity with the stories in both decks. :)

 

I bought the deck and book set, but unfortunately the seller made a mistake and only sent the companion book. My source is already rectifying this, and I just hope that all will be well. I so want to work with it next month.

[Trogon]

I'm so glad to know that somebody else is also enamored of the Renaissance Tarot, TheFeeLion. :D My very first deck is another Tarot that focuses on the Greek myths - Sharman-Burke's Mythic Tarot - so we have that in common. I remember devouring Edith Hamilton's classic tome as a kid too, so I feel a close affinity with the stories in both decks. :)

 

I bought the deck and book set, but unfortunately the seller made a mistake and only sent the companion book. My source is already rectifying this, and I just hope that all will be well. I so want to work with it next month.

 

Wow, that must have been disappointing when you opened that package! So sorry to hear about that. I do hope they get the deck to you quickly. Keep us posted.

 

I have the Mythic Tarot too. Another one that is on my list to work with for DotW in the future. I felt the card stock on the Renaissance was better. And, while I like the artwork on the Mythic, it really isn't quite on par with the Renaissance IMO.

[EmpyreanKnight]

Thanks, Trogon. Whatever happens, I'll get the deck and book, I'll make sure of that.

 

I've got the deck and book set of the Mythic with the original illustrations, and until now the deck still looks great. It has a sentimental value to me since it's my first and my mom gave it to me, so I love it a lot. The Renaissance is something else tho.

[EmpyreanKnight]

My source said that there was a bit of misunderstanding with the seller, but it's been ironed now. I'm just sad that I'm not getting the actual deck and book set with the box and spread, but a separate deck and book. They're both brand new tho - they even sent pics of the items so I'm satisfied. I should get it and Williams's Minchiate set before the weekend. I can't wait to start working on them!

 

Thanks for being so supportive, Trogon! I hope it's not too late to join your group. :)

[Trogon]

My source said that there was a bit of misunderstanding with the seller, but it's been ironed now. I'm just sad that I'm not getting the actual deck and book set with the box and spread, but a separate deck and book. They're both brand new tho - they even sent pics of the items so I'm satisfied. I should get it and Williams's Minchiate set before the weekend. I can't wait to start working on them!

 

Thanks for being so supportive, Trogon! I hope it's not too late to join your group. :)

 

Its never too late to join! ;D Just jump in with The Fool and come along for the ride. I have fallen a bit behind, but I'm just going to continue working through it. I kind of expected to maybe fall a day or two behind, but life happens, and I'm now a few weeks behind. No matter! Come on over!

[EmpyreanKnight]

Finally got these guys. It feels like Christmas came early this year. ;D Right now I've got so many decks vying for my attention, but these take precedence. I'm going to immerse myself in the Renaissance and maybe lie low for a week or two.

 

[FLizarraga]

How are you liking your Renaissance Tarot, EK? I actually have two copies of this deck, because it's gorgeous beyond belief, as one should expect from a Brian William deck -- I have all of them, with the sole exception of the PoMo Tarot, which I'm still on the fence about -- but I have never gotten around to read with it.

 

 

Also, did you get Kat Black's Golden Tarot? It was recommended to you on a different thread. That's my go-to deck. I have a gazillion copies of it, and the copy I usually read with is already getting sort of mushy. Which makes me love it all the more...  ;D

 

P.S. Correction: I did finally broke down and bought the PoMo a few months ago. I have not had a lot of time for Tarot this year, and had forgotten all about it...

[EmpyreanKnight]

Regarding the Renaissance Tarot and whether I like it: Oh FLiz, a million, a billion times yes. I never thought a deck with pip cards can so throughly leave me besotted (except for the Thoth, which is different), but this baby did. And I'm not a fan of pastel decks but this? I believe I haven't been so enchanted. It's utterly beguiling and ravishing. I can wax poetic with a thousand superlatives but this deck calls to me unlike anything. Right now it occupies my headspace along with the Sol Invictus: The God Tarot, a deck that focuses on the Divine Masculine, making it a rara avis.

 

I've bought the Golden Tarot by Black around 2 years ago, I think. I've yet to unseal it, because I leave my decks as they are until I feel ready to use them. But with so many people recommending that I explore it, I think that I just might. :)

[Bookworm]

I just ordered the Renaissance deck and book set (at least that's what I'm hoping I just ordered). I had been wanting it since reading EmpyreanKnight's raves and I finally couldn't stand it any more.

[sandrang123]

I have The Renaissance Tarot, but damned if I know where it is.  ::) I really have got to clean shop and give away decks. Side note: Hubby opened up our map table top drawer today and exclaimed, "I don't think you have enough decks!" (There were eleven in the top drawer alone. SIGH.)

[EmpyreanKnight]

I do hope you'd enjoy them as much as (if not more than) I do, Bookworm! This would be such a great deck to grace the New Year. :D

[EmpyreanKnight]

Just a few notes on the deck:

 

I have the latest edition (AFAIK) that is made in Italy. I've handled some of the latest US Games offerings like the Centennial and the Barbara Walker but this one has a decidedly different texture. It reminds me of the gloss and slickness of the yellow-box Rider Tarot but toned down to a manageable, even desirable level. Before, I've only seen pics online and in the few review videos in YouTube, but if you think they are vivid and colorful on these, when you've got the actual cards in your hands they look even more stunning.

 

And yup - I confirm that the card has metallic gold ink in the cards - and they're not stingy at all. Not only in the thick border frames - select objects like the Empress's orb, the stars in the Star, the edges of all the Cups and Coins etc are graced with it. It's truly sumptuous.

 

A strange thing tho - the mythological images in the pips are definitely larger in the Staves and Coins where they take up a significant amount of the card space than in the Swords and Cups. Like the Medieval Scapini, I don't think the Renaissance should just be dismissed as a pip deck.

[EmpyreanKnight]

It's good that I opted to buy the book last year. While the deck is still as reasonably priced as before, the book is now $100+ in Amazon, even for a used copy. :o I thought this is one of those books that would be perenially in print, seeing how acclaimed it is and how essential it is to the deck.