The Bohemian Gothic Tarot Cards – 15 Sept. 2010

If you enjoy vintage/Victorian art and beauty, the dark sister of Magic Realist Press' Victorian Romantic Tarot is a stunning deck with of unmatchable quality. It melds traditional Rider-Waite elements with that of the Victorian era in an evocative and elegant way. The overall colour scheme is of a dark nature with vivid and contrasting colours that really bring the deck to life (or death ;)The cards are a luxurious matt quality and are slight bigger than typical mass market decks. Even the box is of high quality and rigid with an easily accessible lift of lid. The backs and the extra card (Momento Mori) are an added bonus.

Having ordered this deck through another website, I thought I would write a little piece for those looking to purchase this deck. It certainly is conversation provoking! At our tarot group we could spend a good 15/20 mins discussing a partiuclar card. The words "sinister", "wow", "dark", "depressing in a nice way" have been used by other tarot reader friends when looking through this deck. Have had only one really negative comment but that is because the partiuclar person doesn't like human faces on cards! Full of skulls, ghosts, evil looking children, manic looking adults, I think the only card that is "normal" is 3 wands. I already own the Victorian Romantic Tarot by the same authors and was searching the net to see if they did anything else when I came across this one. It is beautifully illustrated, based on Rider-Waite with a little twist, definitely not for beginners, but definitely one for collectors. Do give this deck a look and see.

I discovered this deck purely by chance on a YouTube video and was blown away by the artwork, theres nothing else out there like it.The edition I got is the 2013 print with the extra lovers card- which is not listed on Amazon's site but is currently available from Esty.com for around £40,but do note that it doesn't include the extra death card as each printing is changed.I love everything about the cards,they have such depth,you look and see more each time you use them.They seem almost to have a life of their own,I know tarot cards are just a psychic tool but with these it seems true.The deck is filled with demons,vampires, gargoyles, wolves and ghosts,some are sad (The ten of swords with the lady crying at a grave),some are spooky ( the ten of wands showing a lady hurrying with a large bag at night while a large dark shadow looms,the devil fighting in the seven of wands)others seductive ( the lovers with the girl being tempted by the vampire),some funny (the devil card with the woman and needle and the ten of pentacles where the cute little dog looks like it wants to take a bite out of the kids leg!),all are timeless and stunning.My only disappointment is that I can't get a copy of the companion book,I have it as an app but its not the same as having a book to flip through,I would love to see it reprinted.This deck is a must for for anyone interested in darker decks.

I have been reading Tarot for over 30 years and own many decks. Never have I come across a deck as superbly beautiful as this one. Ok I;m into the Gothic in a big way, but anyone who has ever been thrilled by the idea of haunted mansions, and wailing spectres and erotic vampires will adore this deck. Its not for the faint hearted for sure, but its powerful and dramatic. Newcomers to Tarot please dont be put off by those who tell you this is not suitable as a first time deck.Your best deck to work with will be the one you;re most attracted to. Many thanks to the creators of this Fantastic Tarot deck.