What can I say other than I love this deck from Travis Lawrence! It’s the first and only Major Arcana only deck that I’ve ever purchased, but I’ve got to say that I’m pleased I did.
To start off with, I’m happy that the deck was designed by a fellow Freemason. Freemasons have been there at every single step in the development of the occult Tarot, and to me it is quite wonderful to know that our brother is helping to keep that long and storied tradition alive. As in The World pictured above, the deck utilizes many symbols common to our Ancient Craft.
What else do I like?
Before I even get to the deck, I’ve got to mention the box it is packaged in. The box in itself is a work of art, heavy cardboard, decorated inside and out. A noble place in which to keep the cards.
Greyscale cards, the illustrations are an interesting take on the traditional illustrations. Each image contains much depth, and I find them a joy to read. Three cards merit perhaps special mention:
The Devil is an interesting take on the images I’m more accustomed to seeing. This devil apears more to me as a trickster than anything else. He continues to hold two human figures, male and female, in bondage, but that bondage is perhaps stricter, allowing for less freewill, but both figures certainly seem happy in their captivity.
The Lover. This card, to me, has always been indicative of a choice, but I find that question of choice much more clearly illustrated and ‘in your face’ than I’m used to seeing. What choice will our lover make based on the limited information available to him? Which choice should he make?
In The Fool illustration we see that there is indeed a very compelling reason for our fool to begin his journey. Has he caused the calamity he is leaving behind, or was it caused by something outside of his control? Either way, it is obvious that he can’t return.
The card backs are reversible.
This brings me to the cardstock. I’ve been handling these cards a great deal since I received them, and handling them in radically different climates. I’ve been using them in cold and wet Seattle, on an airplane, and in hot and dry Puerto Vallarta. In all that handling and use, I’ve not been able to figure out what on earth they are made of. I don’t think it’s cardboard. The deep dark black seems to go all the way through, and they have a very unique feel. If I had to guess, I’d say that they must be some kind of plastic.
Whatever they are made of, the cards shuffle and handle well for me. They actually seem to have a bit of a tendency to hold together as a group. I found that to be quite wonderful on the airplane, as I didn’t worry about them slipping off the small tray table. I also have a hunch that if a card took an accidental plunge in the pool, it wouldn’t be harmed. The bottom line is that I think it is wonderful cardstock, whatever it is.
All in all, I find the deck to be quite wonderful, and I have no hesitation about giving it my highest recommendation. If you buy it, I think you’ll like it.
If you are in the market to do just that, you can get it directly from the artist at:
What are some of your favorite decks that Freemasons have been involved in creating? Especially interested to know outside of obvious ones (like Waite and Wirth). Thanks!