| from New Age Retailer: |
Tarot for Relationships
by Skye Alexander — Fall 2005
When doing tarot readings, I have found that the most frequently asked questions involve love and relationships. The Lover’s Path Tarot Set by artist and writer Kris Waldherr not only answers queries about partnership issues, it also offers insights into how our relationships with others mirror our relationships with ourselves.
Waldherr’s deck interprets familiar tarot themes as famous couples: Isis and Osiris represent the lovers; Persephone and Pluto depict transformation (death in most decks); and Merlin and Vivianne portray magic. Other mythological figures appear on the court cards. Hera is the queen of coins, and Cupid is the prince of arrows. Their triumphs and struggles are told on the pip cards.
The 162-page companion book, richly illustrated in full color, explains the meanings of the individual cards and takes readers on a journey through the myths and legends of many cultures. By showing users the cards through the experiences of fabled lovers, Waldherr deepens understanding of the tarot. Queen Isolde’s boredom with her marriage and her longing for Tristan, for instance, aptly describe the discontent inherent in the four of cups. A 7.5-by-21-inch, full-color scroll featuring different spreads is included with the kit. In this appealing set, the tarot truly becomes a guide for self-discovery.
Handsomely packaged in a red box with a Velcro closure. The Lover’s Path Tarot Set is one of the prettiest presentations I have seen — a delightful and unique set to give or to own. Whether your customers are tarot experts or novices, this gorgeous deck is sure to captivate them.
|
| from Tarot Passages: |
The Lover’s Path Tarot by Kris Waldherr
Review by Joan Taillon
The Lover’s Path Tarot comes to us from the creator of the Goddess Tarot, Kris Waldherr, and while the highly acclaimed Goddess Tarot is a tribute to the talented painter and storyteller, Waldherr outdid her own formidable reputation with this latest. She had to be immersed in the creative artists’ “zone” every minute of the 10 years it took to create The Lover’s Path Tarot.
My head can’t stop saying, “how wonderful!” and my heart echoes, “how beautiful!” when I look at these cards. I can’t help myself -- I am in book-lover’s ecstasy, too, over the find of a new “Precious” for my substantial hoard.
As is usual with myth-based theme decks, you need the companion volume to fully appreciate and interpret the deck along the lines the author intended, but you could read the Lover’s Path Tarot without it. The familiar Rider-Waite-Smith model underlies all, although the cards have been given rather more romantic and fanciful titles. For example, The Fool is Innocence; The Devil is Temptation; The Star is Grace; and The World is Triumph.
The book is sumptuous, though, glossy and colorful, and you’ll be glad you had to purchase a set. Its wine or burgundy cover matches the reversible card backs. A lover’s-throat-cream shade highlights portions of the book’s interior and glances off the card faces, shedding light on many a tryst. A moody grey sky is painted into the frontispiece and inside back cover, reminding us that into every couple’s life, a little rain shall fall … stars arc overhead and the clouds are pierced with lightning bolts.
The Little White Booklet has the usual limitations of scale, but you don’t need it.
The cards are matte, the same size as the Goddess Tarot, making them a little wider than average. Burgundy, gold, green, and blue predominate.
Strength is VIII; Justice XI.
Each Major Arcana card depicts a couple from an historic myth or legend, some dreamy and sensual, some tragic. Can you imagine any couple other than the iconic Romeo and Juliet to illustrate Tradition (The Hierophant)? Or other than Isis and Osiris as Love (The Lovers)? Some myths work better than others in carrying the energies of the Majors, but that is always a matter for personal interpretation; no two readers will agree on card-myth assignations.
One or two combinations strike me as moderately discordant. I’m not sure that the Roman lovers, Vulcan and Venus, belong on Balance, Waldherr’s Temperance card, to which she has attributed the keywords equilibrium and harmony--unless the author was thinking of the volatile Vulcan balancing his affections between Venus and his other wife, Maia. Venus, we know, was not at all reticent when it came to extramarital affairs, so maybe the couple’s relationship did balance out in the end. When you scratch beneath the surface of the ancient legends, multiple personalities abound, making it hard ever to find a myth that squares with readers’ preconceptions about the cards.
The suits -- Cups (water and emotions), Staves (fire and action), Arrows (air and intellect), and Coins (earth and manifestation) -- carry the familiar attributes of Cups Wands, Swords, and Pentacles respectively. The older tarot names of Staves for Wands and Coins for Pentacles emphasize the nostalgic overtones in this deck. Arrows “prick our consciousness into awakening,” Waldherr tells us, but they don’t leave us mired in gloom or despair.
Each suit enhances one myth that is assigned to the Major Arcana. Tristan and Isolde in the suit of Cups appear also in VII Desire (The Chariot); Siegfried and Brunnhild in the suit of Staves are associated with VIII Strength; in the suit of Arrows, Cupid and Psyche are associated with XIX Awakening (The Sun); and Danae and Zeus of the suit of Coins also are found on X Fortune (Wheel of Fortune).
I postponed purchasing this tarot a while, although it called to me for answering love queries. I trusted Waldherr’s integrity as an artist, but wondered if the publisher had succumbed to infusing the set with valentine sentimentality or dumbed-down lovers’ advice captions. I am pleased to report that U.S. Games took the high road. It’s a wonderful tarot to decipher emotions surrounding any relationship question. You could fall in love with the deck so much you won’t want to limit it to romance readings.
Usually there are minor flaws in even the highest quality books and decks, but there’s not much to criticize here. The high quality of the book warrants the longer life a hard cover would have gained for it, but that decision may not have withstood the publisher’s cost/benefit analysis. The grammarian in me wonders whether The Lover’s Path should have been written The Lovers’ Path (it takes two, right?), or whether that was a conscious choice of author or publisher. In this tarot, a case could be made for using either singular or plural.
While my Libran sensibilities are awash in the aesthetic wonder of the deck, my heathen sensibilities would have preferred a more positive name for The Moon than Illusion. I won’t obsess about it, though; the darker threads of love and relationships had to be woven into the Majors, but the tradition since Eden Grey, at least, has been for tarot writers to emphasize negative and fearful aspects of The Queen of the Night that don’t sit well with me.
The back of the book contains a well-planned and executed card reference guide imposed on grey pages with burgundy borders. Charts (Major Arcana followed by the Minor suits), reference Waldherr’s card names along with traditional names, keywords, and a mythological pair of lovers for the Majors, and card names and keywords for the Minors. Numerically consecutive, colored thumbnail images of the cards at the left of the charts serve as a memory aid. The layout is ideal for locating the card you’re looking for -- the entries are well spaced out and two colors alternate for successive cards within the charts. For example, the list of Cups cards is distinguished by an alternating blue and light grey backdrop.
The last section is a list of resources Waldherr consulted, where books, films, musical works, and Web sites are segregated from each other. As much care and attention went into designing the back matter of the book as the cards.
The set is sold in a substantial burgundy box with a Velcro closure. It also contains a cream-and-gold scroll, on which is duplicated, in burgundy, the card layouts from the book. You’ll see the ubiquitous Celtic Cross and six more tarot spreads appropriate to the lovers’ theme. The scroll is printed on both sides; I had mine laminated so it would lie flat.
The book mentions an official Web site for The Lover’s Path Tarot, as well as Waldherr’s personal Web site, where you can find out more before you buy. A limited edition of this deck and book set is available online, which includes an extra card and a numbered print. Waldherr’s Internet site reveals she and her team are not without marketing acumen -- you’ll discover quality in her online presence, too, that exceeds the ordinary.
If romantic themes, mythology and beauty intrigue you, The Lover’s Path will be winding its way into your tarot collection very soon.
|
from The Swashbuckling Mind of the Queen of Swords:
|
The Lover's Path Tarot by Kris Waldherr
First of all, the presentation of this deck is absolutely gorgeous. You can have a virtual look at the artist's website. The outside box is made of a very sturdy cardboard and has velcro closure on the side. This is meant as a lovely and enduring way to house the deck, not as a cheap throwaway. When the box is opened, you will find that it is printed on the inside as well. The deck is in its own decorated well, but it also has its own box. This is a very nice feature for those who want to carry the deck without bringing along the whole package. Overall, this is a very well-designed and presented package.
The deck and book definitely live up to the promise of the packaging. Initially, I wasn't sure about the whole idea of illustrating major arcana with couples, but Kris's attributions are well thought out and add new dimensions to the card meanings. For example, I love Shahrazade as the High Priestess. She spins out her tales, one section at a time to save her own neck. A very unique secret-keeper! Her lover, Shahriyar, seems to represent us, sitting on the edge of our seats, waiting for the wonderful knowledge we seek to be revealed a bit at a time. I also love Romeo and Juliet as Tradition (Hierophant). The card depicts Romeo and Juliet with the Friar. What is more important - the tradition of family conflict or the promise of love fulfilled, as represented by the Friar? Their choice is clear. The illustrations are beautiful and passionate.
The Minor Arcana are equally beautiful. I find them to be richer in content than the Goddess Tarot, which Kris Waldherr also illustrated. Each suit shows the love story of one of the Major Arcana couples. Cups show Tristan and Isolde, Staves show Siegfried and Brunhilde, Arrows (Swords) depict Cupid and Psyche, and Coins (Pentacles) show Zeus and Danae. Once again, Kris's choices add layers of meaning to the cards. I especially like the 7 of Cups, in which Isolde considers all the choices she might make while also imagining a kiss from her lover. The 4 of Coins shows a daydreaming Danae in her tower. One of the pentacles covers her genital area (not blatantly), keeping her closed off from having a lover. Although she is not closed off by her own will, this card elegantly conveys the same idea.
The court cards are of the same high quality and feature characters from the same story followed through the pip cards of the same suit. I especially love the Cups courts with the phases of the moon in the night sky behind them. I also enjoy Psyche as the Princess of Arrows, dancing through the air with butterflies around her.
The book is of the same high quality as the deck. The pages are all in color on a thick glossy paper. Each page contains a smaller full-color version of each card. Descriptions of each major take up 2 pages each, while the minors get 1 page each. There are spreads to try in the back, along with a quick reference guide. The spreads are replicated with less description on the spread scroll included with the set.
This deck is a wonderful addition to anyone's tarot collection. Though I suspect it would be most effective for relationship and love questions, I think that it would do well for any kind of reading. The presentation can't be beat, and the artwork is lovely and well-planned. I highly recommend this deck.
Should you purchase the special edition, you get really nice extras like a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity, a signed print of Beatrice and Amor, and a signed extra card called Artistry. The extra card comes in its own little gauze bag (pity it's not big enough for the whole deck) and a small explanation sheet. It's well worth getting the limited edition for these wonderful extras and the collectibility (and it's not that much more than the standard edition). For more information, check out the artist's website.
Stats:
* Illustrated minor arcana
* Cards are a little wider than most decks but not enough to be bulky; cardstock is thicker than standard and is somewhat difficult to shuffle initially
* Major arcana depict a pair of lovers on each and many have been renamed
* Strength is 8, Justice 11
* Suits are Staves (Wands), Cups, Coins (Pentacles) and Arrows (Swords)
* Court cards are Princess, Prince, Queen and King
|
| Reviews from Amazon.com: |
Classic Love Stories and Myths Provide Basis for this Lovely Tarot Deck.
Reviewer: Diana F. Von Behren (Kenner, LA USA)
After purchasing this deck to help a friend tool out her relationship difficulty, I quickly became mesmerized by not only the beautiful artwork depicted on each of the "Lover's Path Tarot", but the extremely satisfying manner in which creator Kris Waldherr has interspersed important legendary love stories from history, myth and literature with important emotional markers to mirror our own inner relationships to underline and further illuminate the Tarot's traditional archetypical connotation.
Each of the 22 Major Arcana represents a famous pair of lovers. Instead of the usual tarot name of the card, the actual emotion corresponding to the traditional tarot symbolism or story of progressive life lessons simplifies and at the same time helps one to remember the actual meaning of the card by remembering the moral of the story signified by the featured couple. For example, Major Arcana card number XIII Death, usually perceived as a frightening card in a reading, is denoted in this deck as the emotion Transformation and embodied by the relationship between Persephone and the god of the Underworld Pluto, The significance of something having to die in order for change to occur becomes poignantly realistic while recalling that Persephone had to allow herself to transform through her 6 months in Hades with Pluto in order to be reborn each Spring. Equally compelling is Waldherr's number XXI World card. Entitled "Triumph" it utilizes the story of Ariadne and Dionysus to elucidate the meaning of the card. Ariadne, abandoned by Theseus after helping him through the Labyrinth, finds greater fulfillment with the god of wine on Naxos. One truly gets the feeling of expansion, hope and a triumph over difficulties that the traditional card represents.
Waldherr's treatment of the 56 minor Arcana cards greatly aids the reader to a more significant understanding and recognition of the meanings behind the appearance of these cards in a reading. Each of the 14 cards in each distinct suit (here, cups represent cups, staves represent rods, arrows represent swords and coins represent pentacles) is used to milestone events in four major stories affiliated with four of the Major Arcana cards. The cups suit (water) details the story of Tristan and Isolde, two lovers definitely influenced by the cups suit traditional theme of a strong emotive influence---Desire. Each beautifully rendered depiction helps the reader to remember the part of the story that the card traditionally and archetypically characterizes. Knowing the story allows the reader to respond to the emotions evoked and to put together a mini-story that facilitates superior spiritual and emotional insight. The Stave ( Rod-fire) suit retells the action story of Sigfried and Brunnhilde--Strength. The story of Cupid and Psyche -- Awakening (the Sun) brings the intellect suit of Arrows (Swords- air) to life while demystisizing some of this suits bleaker cards. The love between Danae and Zeus (Fortune- Wheel of Fortune) exemplifies the suit of Coins (Pentacles - Earth) where the best the world can offer is shown to transform one's life.
In addition to full page and color representations of all 78 cards, the author provides a chapter in the acoompanying book where she explores different spreads designed specifically for particular queries. An addendum completes the author's text, offering a quick, easy-to-read table of both the major Arcana, complete with small photos of each card for easy remembrance and cross-reference, major themes and the paired lovers. Resources are made available for those who want to further their reading about the included paired lovers or about tarot in general.
Bottom line: This exquisite deck adds dimension to the usual Rider-Waite Smith symbolism which still lurks at the heart of each of the cards. The use of the paired lovers not only provides extra visual splendor, but enhances one's initial response to each of the cards in a reading. Well done, Ms Waldherr! Recommended to all those interested in newer Tarot decks that will link famous love relationships with our own thrust for inner growth.
If you thought you were going to like it, still you'll be surprised.
Reviewer: Ramautet (Cagliari, Italy / San Juan, PR USA)
As soon as I received the Lover's Path Set I knew I had done the right thing. I expected an high quality product, but I hadn't imagined it would be so sumptuous. The elegant burgundy box has a Velcro strap closure and encloses the card reference book: a glossy, all-colour companion which will explain the tale behind each card, along with the used symbolism, the common meaning, and the omnipresent keywords. A section of the book features 7 spreads to use with the deck and a quick card reference guide. Sealed with a wine ribbon is the spread scroll, which contains the spreads you find also in the book. After drooled over the book and accessories, let's take a look to the cards. The size is a little wider than usual tarot (about 3½" by 4¾") and they are printed in a good matte stock. The rich frame around the picture carries again burgundy and gold tones, and the very drawings follow a Pre-Raphaelite style, which I'm absolutely crazy about. Historical, literary, and legendary couples are portrait in the cards, loosely playing according a Rider-Waite script. Unless you have a solid and varied knowledge of myth and literature (and even so), you surely will take good advantage from reading the companion book. This will help beginners to restore their Rider-Waite references, and will be also useful to expert readers for understanding the feeling of this deck and consulting it for love and relationship matters. If you are a collector, instead, you surely don't want to miss this piece of art, which is a real feast for your eyes.
This is one of those times when it is mandatory to buy the boxset.
|
| Comments from those who have purchased The Lover's Path Tarot limited edition: |
"Oh my goodness, what exquisite work, exquisitely done. Obviously, I love it."
" I received my special edition set on Sat and finally got a chance to open it this AM. I am so blown away..... it is fabulous. I am so impressed with your attention to detail and every small item. You have outdone every set on the market."
"I received the "Lovers Path Tarot" the other day . . . they feel holy, they are soooo beautiful. Thank you so much for pouring so much of yourself, your heart into your work. "
"I just wanted to say I received your deck today and I couldn't be more thrilled with what I've received. You couldn't have created a better deck."
|
|
1. ORDER FROM AMAZON.COM
(non- limited, not autographed)
|
|
|
|
2. ORDER FROM KRIS DIRECTLY
(autographed and inscribed)
|
|
United States customers
|
|
regular set edition
(non- limited, autographed)
|
limited edition set
(limited to 400)
|
|
$35.00
|
$50.00
|
|
International customers
|
Please click here to order from Kris, unless you want your order shipped to an address within the United States.
|
All Lover's Path Tarot sets ordered direcctly from Kris Waldherr are shipped via 2 day US Priority Mail with delivery confirmation for security. Please allow 3 to 5 business days for personalization. Shipping fees are calculated upon checkout and are based on tarot set weight (3 lbs.). International orders are shipped via Global Priority Mail with a certificate of mailing; in South America and Africa, shipping is via insured airmail parcel post; please make certain to order from the international shipping page, not the US shipping page.
Payments are processed via safe and secure PayPal. All major credit cards and PayPal payments accepted. An e-mail will be sent to you to confirm order receipt and shipment. Payment will appear on your statement as PAYPAL/K WALDHERR and KRIS@ARTANDWORDS.COM.
To pay by mail with a US check or money order, please click here for a printable order form in pdf format. (Sorry, US orders only.)
Questions? E-mail Kris at e-comment@artandwords.com.
|
