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| The Bohemian Gothic Tarot | 
 enlarge | Authors: Karen Mahony, Alex Ukolov
Publisher: Magic Realist Press
Category: Book
This item is no longer available
Avg. Customer Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 279660
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 285
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 8.6 x 6.6 x 1.7
ISBN: 1905572069
Dewey Decimal Number: 133
EAN: 9781905572069
ASIN: 1905572069
Publication Date: June 30, 2008
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 A deck completely unlike any other out there....a MUST!! April 25, 2008
23 out of 24 found this review helpful
I've had this amazing and one of a kind deck since it's release by the publishers, Magic Realist Press, in end of December. It's only recently become available in the US.
It quickly and without hesitation became my absolute favourite deck (I have over 200 decks!). There is no other Tarot on the market like the Bohemian Gothic. In my opinion this is now THE quinnessentail Gothic Tarot deck. Vargo's Gothic and others pale and wither in comparison!
First off they're 3x5 inches and of a sensual and silky cardstock. They shuffle like butter in your hands, and only get better with use. I've used this deck everyday now for 4 months! The backs have a striking skull and arch interlocking pattern with the words "Memento Mori". There's a silver ink sheen to the image. Completely reversible. I can tell you they're extremely eyecayching!
The creators Karen and Alex desired to create a deck truly inspired by the earliest Gothic novels and chapbooks from the 18th & early 19th centuries....books like Mysteries of Udolpho, The Monk, The Recess etc. And also the fascinating, mysterious and chilling resurgence of Gothic fiction and fad for ghost stories that started in the mid-1800's until the early part of the 20th century. These are the stories, images and inspiration for theses resplendent and breathtaking images!
They wanted the sublime terror, not the gorey horror affect of recent times and some decks. Honestly there is no other deck currently on the market that has this inspiration and ideals. The chill in the air, the glimpse of something out of the corner of your eye, the distant moan and creaking door. Goosebumps and sighs. Mystery and eldritch primal energies.
The images themselves are beyond words almost, you must behold before your eyes to get the full eerie effect! The cards are done luxurious deep colours. Various shades of blue abound, from a haunting blue, to melancholy, to strong rich brew of blue. The most varied and chilling collection of blues! Dark reds, reddish-orange, pink, a deep absinthe green are seen on quite a few cards. The colours play an extremely important part in this Tarot. The mood and ambience they create is amazing!
The art and images were very much taken from actual late 19th cen to early 20th cen. cabinet photographs, people just "looked" different back then! The creators created each card anew, with incredible attention to detail and atmosphere, the result, though each image is composed of many various parts of other images is completely seamless! There are NOT collage in the normal sense! Totally and completely brilliant artistry. The effects of light, mostly moonlight is one of the most amazing things about these images. The effect makes the light appear real and moving! I have no idea how they've done it, but it's surreal.
The images speak very loudly, clearly and eloquently to me. They sing, they whisper, they laugh, they sigh and cry.....yearn and love. These images will spark your imagination and inspiration! The tales, stories and fairytales to be unveiled and discovered in this deck are unlimited, like hidden jewels within a buried treasure chest they await to be discovered by you as you plunge into the dark waters of your subconscious.
Speaking of dark, yes this is a "dark" deck, in content, image and colour. But don't let that label make you pigeon hole this deck and have you use it in a narrow and slotted way or role! I've found the Bohemian Gothic is a deck to savor and get to know over time. She will reveal herself to you in layers and stages, but you must devote yourself to her! She demands your time, paitence, love and commitment. But it's no hard slog, I've done all this and more with the most intense excitement, joy and a feeling of finding, finally, "THE ONE" perfect Tarot for me. The vast rewards you will get back are nothing short of magnificent for the time and love you put into spending time and studying this deck, doing daily readings, studying the images....all of it. The more you work with the Bohemian Gothic the deeper and deeper it gets, I can't believe it!
So yes it's a Gothic deck in the truest, sublimest sense of the word, it's a "dark" deck, but at least for me, it's an everyday deck....the images run the complete gamut and convey the entire range of human emotion and experience. Besides the chilling foreboding and wickedly eldritch images there is plenty of joy, light and sublime happiness too! It reads fantastically for me on any question and with any spread. It's the deck I've turned to daily now for 4 months for a myriad of reasons, and it's never failed me!
I really cannot put into words the sheer power, poetry and stunning beauty these cards have when they're layed out together, either in different spreads or in a row. Being borderless the images bleed together to create this powerful swirling vortex of energy and emotion! You MUST see it!
As a last comment I wanted to mention the limited edition Silver Edition of the Bohemian Gothic that was released end of December also. There were only 500 and they're completely sold out now! Can you believe they took only 2 MONTHS to sell out?! If you've seen them, you know why. I snagged 3 copies for myself. They're going to be a HUGE collectors item, just a month or so after selling out the swt already sells for double (the set sold for $49, they're now selling on Ebay for $99 and upwards)!
The antique silver ink the creators have overlayed on crucial parts of each card is truly unique...never been done before! A few Tarot decks have silver foil....this is not! The haunting moonlight effect is magical and plain eerie. All the cards look lit up from within...as if each scene is in the moonlight. Some of the cards have a 3D effect, they look like photo negatives. The play of light on them is otherworldy, moving the card under the light creates all these varying effects. Hypnotic. I'm extremely proud to own 3 copies. The Standard Bohemian Gothic and the Silver edition have such different energy and vibe that I honestly consider them differennt decks, even though they both have the same images. Many have said this and noted it! The artfully applied antique silver ink makes each image come alive and read in a whole new way!
If you can, GET a copy of the Silver edition, they are completely worth it and then some. Think of the many 1,000's of tarot decks out there then think this Silver edition with the ink overlay has NEVER been done before, you've never seen this effect and beauty!
Yes this review is long-winded. But it's MY deck, my one true Tarot I've been waiting my entire life for. That alone makes it worthy of my immense praise and recommendation!
Hands down the most exquisitem resplendent and amazing Tarot out there on the market!! April 19, 2008
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
I've had this amazing and one of a kind deck since it's release by the publishers, Magic Realist Press, in end of December. It's only recently become available in the US.
It quickly and without hesitation became my absolute favourite deck (I have over 200 decks!). There is no other Tarot on the market like the Bohemian Gothic. In my opinion this is now THE quinnessentail Gothic Tarot deck. Vargo's Gothic and others pale and wither in comparison!
First off they're 3x5 inches and of a sensual and silky cardstock. They shuffle like butter in your hands, and only get better with use. I've used this deck everyday now for 4 months! The backs have a striking skull and arch interlocking pattern with the words "Memento Mori". There's a silver ink sheen to the image. Completely reversible. I can tell you they're extremely eyecayching!
The creators Karen and Alex desired to create a deck truly inspired by the earliest Gothic novels and chapbooks from the 18th & early 19th centuries....books like Mysteries of Udolpho, The Monk, The Recess etc. And also the fascinating, mysterious and chilling resurgence of Gothic fiction and fad for ghost stories that started in the mid-1800's until the early part of the 20th century. These are the stories, images and inspiration for theses resplendent and breathtaking images!
They wanted the sublime terror, not the gorey horror affect of recent times and some decks. Honestly there is no other deck currently on the market that has this inspiration and ideals. The chill in the air, the glimpse of something out of the corner of your eye, the distant moan and creaking door. Goosebumps and sighs. Mystery and eldritch primal energies.
The images themselves are beyond words almost, you must behold before your eyes to get the full eerie effect! The cards are done luxurious deep colours. Various shades of blue abound, from a haunting blue, to melancholy, to strong rich brew of blue. The most varied and chilling collection of blues! Dark reds, reddish-orange, pink, a deep absinthe green are seen on quite a few cards. The colours play an extremely important part in this Tarot. The mood and ambience they create is amazing!
The art and images were very much taken from actual late 19th cen to early 20th cen. cabinet photographs, people just "looked" different back then! The creators created each card anew, with incredible attention to detail and atmosphere, the result, though each image is composed of many various parts of other images is completely seamless! There are NOT collage in the normal sense! Totally and completely brilliant artistry. The effects of light, mostly moonlight is one of the most amazing things about these images. The effect makes the light appear real and moving! I have no idea how they've done it, but it's surreal.
The images speak very loudly, clearly and eloquently to me. They sing, they whisper, they laugh, they sigh and cry.....yearn and love. These images will spark your imagination and inspiration! The tales, stories and fairytales to be unveiled and discovered in this deck are unlimited, like hidden jewels within a buried treasure chest they await to be discovered by you as you plunge into the dark waters of your subconscious.
Speaking of dark, yes this is a "dark" deck, in content, image and colour. But don't let that label make you pigeon hole this deck and have you use it in a narrow and slotted way or role! I've found the Bohemian Gothic is a deck to savor and get to know over time. She will reveal herself to you in layers and stages, but you must devote yourself to her! She demands your time, paitence, love and commitment. But it's no hard slog, I've done all this and more with the most intense excitement, joy and a feeling of finding, finally, "THE ONE" perfect Tarot for me. The vast rewards you will get back are nothing short of magnificent for the time and love you put into spending time and studying this deck, doing daily readings, studying the images....all of it. The more you work with the Bohemian Gothic the deeper and deeper it gets, I can't believe it!
So yes it's a Gothic deck in the truest, sublimest sense of the word, it's a "dark" deck, but at least for me, it's an everyday deck....the images run the complete gamut and convey the entire range of human emotion and experience. Besides the chilling foreboding and wickedly eldritch images there is plenty of joy, light and sublime happiness too! It reads fantastically for me on any question and with any spread. It's the deck I've turned to daily now for 4 months for a myriad of reasons, and it's never failed me!
I really cannot put into words the sheer power, poetry and stunning beauty these cards have when they're layed out together, either in different spreads or in a row. Being borderless the images bleed together to create this powerful swirling vortex of energy and emotion! You MUST see it!
As a last comment I wanted to mention the limited edition Silver Edition of the Bohemian Gothic that was released end of December also. There were only 500 and they're completely sold out now! Can you believe they took only 2 MONTHS to sell out?! If you've seen them, you know why. I snagged 3 copies for myself. They're going to be a HUGE collectors item, just a month or so after selling out the swt already sells for double (the set sold for $49, they're now selling on Ebay for $99 and upwards)!
The antique silver ink the creators have overlayed on crucial parts of each card is truly unique...never been done before! A few Tarot decks have silver foil....this is not! The haunting moonlight effect is magical and plain eerie. All the cards look lit up from within...as if each scene is in the moonlight. Some of the cards have a 3D effect, they look like photo negatives. The play of light on them is otherworldy, moving the card under the light creates all these varying effects. Hypnotic. I'm extremely proud to own 3 copies. The Standard Bohemian Gothic and the Silver edition have such different energy and vibe that I honestly consider them differennt decks, even though they both have the same images. Many have said this and noted it! The artfully applied antique silver ink makes each image come alive and read in a whole new way!
If you can, GET a copy of the Silver edition, they are completely worth it and then some. Think of the many 1,000's of tarot decks out there then think this Silver edition with the ink overlay has NEVER been done before, you've never seen this effect and beauty!
Yes this review is long-winded. But it's MY deck, my one true Tarot I've been waiting my entire life for. That alone makes it worthy of my immense praise and recommendation!
this deck makes you think May 1, 2008
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
I have waited months to finally receive this deck. I love all things Victorian and Gothic, and I was very excited to own a tarot deck that incorporates both.
I have many of Karen Mahony's other decks, including the Victorian Romantic tarot, considered a 'sister deck' to this one. As much as I love all of her decks, I think this one may be my favorite.
At first when I received it, I was a little shocked by the vibrancy of some of the artwork, as well as many of the expressions on the faces of the characters in the cards. Admittedly, I thought it would not read that well.
As soon as I got home, I did some readings to familiarize myself with the deck, and I was stunned by how extraordinarily well the cards worked. Without even reading the companion book at the time, I was able to get what I needed from the images. From the deepest questions, to the most petty (when decks typically quit working well at all), I was able to receive excellent information from these cards.
After I was done reading, I determined to actually read the companion book, to see what the cards were intended to mean. Even without the deck, this would be a fantastic book to own! It clarified the cards so well, and it actually caused me to think more deeply about the meanings and readings.
Even though the subject matter seems heavy and dark, I would recommend this deck to anyone truly interested in the tarot -- but I also suggest reading the book as well. I am so very happy with this deck -- it was definitely worth the wait!
For lovers of Gothic literature as well as Tarotists May 5, 2008
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
I can add little to the above review other than this deck is not only an extraordinary Tarot deck, it is also a gallery of 78 Gothic pictorial vignettes that will prove inspirational and illustrative for writers and poets working in the genre. A wonderful companion gallery to HP Lovecraft's survey of Supernatural literature as well. ghos
Just the coolest! June 25, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
I'm more of a Robin Wood girl though I have many, many decks, it's the RW deck that's always the one I turned to so I was somewhat surprised to see that this deck called to me so strongly. As an old, old fan of gothic novels and the old "B" horror movies of the 30's through the 60's these cards are like coming home-a really dark, strange home but home nevertheless. I love, love, love this deck and use it frequently....still use ol' Robin most of the time but certain questions, certain days and certain moods call for my Gothic deck.
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