Russian Fairy Oracle

[RavenOfSummer]

Is anyone here familiar with this deck? I just stumbled across it and I have to say I've kind of fallen in love with it. According to the Etsy site:

 

"Russian children are familiar with drawings for fairy tales by Ivan Bilibin from 1899. Several generations of people grew up on these colorful pictures and images. In the deck presented paintings to well-known folk tales, epics and works of A. S. Pushkin.
Ivan Yakovlevich Bilibin (1876-1942) was a Russian painter, book illustrator and theatrical designer, a member of the Association “World of art". Bilibin’s works are full of love to Russia, its culture and fairy tales."

 

It looks like this is a book with the illustrations.

 

Below are some of the card images from Etsy.

 

ETA I suppose the deck is somewhat similar in style to the John Bauer decks and the Warwick Oracle.

 

Edited June 24, 2019 by RavenOfSummer

[Flaxen]

This is very beautiful. The style of art reminds me of the Baba Fairytale deck. I love that style. 

[FLizarraga]

It's the first time I see this deck (and now we wants it, the precious!) but the information on Etsy is about right. It is a Lenormand deck made using Ivan Bilibin's famous illustrations of Russian folk tales. The illustrations are used straight up, without changes.

 

Some of the references work better than others: for instance, 8 (Coffin) is Vasilisa the Beautiful, who has been sent to a certain death by Baba Yaga, carrying an enchanted skull; 11 (Whip) shows Koschei the Deathless, and no whip in sight. Even overlooking these very free interpretations of the cards, the images are way too busy for a Lenormand deck. It's a beautiful deck, regardless.

[Flaxen]

4 hours ago, FLizarraga said:

Even overlooking these very free interpretations of the cards, the images are way too busy for a Lenormand deck

Yes, I’d use it as a straightforward oracle rather than Lenormand. I prefer my Lenormand decks to be quite ‘clean’ and I always go back to the Dondorf. 

[FLizarraga]

11 minutes ago, Flaxen said:

Yes, I’d use it as a straightforward oracle rather than Lenormand. I prefer my Lenormand decks to be quite ‘clean’ and I always go back to the Dondorf. 

Knowing the tales would be best. The Amazon book you linked would be a big help in that regard.

[Styx]

I saw the pictures and couldn't help but ordering it... Even though I never managed to get into the Lenormand system. But I love Bilibin's artwork that much.

 

[tapestryoracle]

What an amazing find. My partner is into Russian folktales so this may be something I need lol

[Jewel]

On 6/24/2019 at 8:04 AM, Flaxen said:

This is very beautiful. The style of art reminds me of the Baba Fairytale deck. I love that style. 

I had the same reaction!