Paying It Forward (hehe)

I don't see why I should be the only poor schmuck who's seduced into buying (yet another) tarot deck I don't really need simply because some other poor schmuck with equally little self-control dangles pictures of its gorgeousness in front of my nose.

I made the mistake ;) of visiting Le Fanu's blog, My Curious Cabinet, when he posted a review of Le Tarot Noir, a Marseille deck, by Justine Ternel and Matthieu Hackière.

And now I am the, admittedly proud, possessor of said deck.

I love the size of these cards - 10.6 x 14cm, 4 3/8 x 5 1/2". Chunky! Good, substantial card stock so they don't feel flimsy. With their 'picture frame' borders, they look like fine art miniatures ready to hang in a gallery. In fact, one of the reasons I bought them was to occasionally place some on display. I can just barely get my hands across them lengthwise to shuffle. And I do so very carefully, as I don't want to chip the black borders.

The colours are lush and velvety, but I would have liked a bit more intensity (they do appear more vibrant on screen). Love the "gilt" edges. Wish the "gold" of the borders was gilt, too. The backs, sadly, leave me cold. They might have benefitted from being the same gold as the borders rather than a dull dark buff.

Minor whinges aside, I am glad I bought this deck. Maybe I've tempted you to buy it* now, too. Just to make me feel a bit better about myself, LOL!

*But if you're thinking of putting one aside as a collector's item, be warned. Like Le Fanu's, my book fell apart on first opening. Do not do more than peek inside.