Product Description

Vintage deck of 52 cards with miniature cards in the upper left corners and descriptive pictures with meanings on the remaining portions of the cards. Also suitable as a regular deck of playing cards. Includes instructions.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #167122 in Books
• Brand: US Playing Card Company
• Published on: 1989-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .69" h x 2.63" w x 3.63" l, .10 pounds
• Binding: Cards

Customer Reviews

A Fun Deck with a Refreshingly Authentic Feel
This is such a fun deck to use. Basically, it's a set of ordinary playing cards, but each card has (along with your standard card picture) a number, a name, and a short description with another picture that reflects the meaning of the card. The meanings are not fluffy, and can actually be quite cruel for those who are very oversensitive to those things. There are cards that say things like to expect death and ruin and heartbreak... Quite shocking to those who are used to decks where even the negative are presented as a positive. There are no punches pulled, no softening bad news. It's right there for all to see... Which actually might be a negative if you're reading for others and want to phrase things in a less harsh tone.

As fun as these cards are, they are certainly not for beginners in card divination. The layouts are complicated, and will be extremely overwhelming to newbies, even though the meanings of each card is right on the card itself. And to do a reading is a time commitment. This is not a deck where you can do a reading in 15 minutes. But those who do, are rewarded with a complete reading with a variety and depth of information. I have found these cards to be disconcertingly accurate, which is why I only pull them when I'm in the direst of need. Even for me, too much information is revealed to make me comfortable, and I admit that even I just don't want to know as much as these cards show.

I don't know how `authentic' these cards are as far as "Gypsy Witches" are concerned... The booklet claims that the deck is based off the techniques used by the French Mystic Mlle. Le Normand, but I suspect this is a hybridization of Victorian cardomancy with standard playing cards and the Gypsy "Witch" art of card divination that maybe Mlle. Le Normand used. Even the booklet says that "we have reproduced it in our language and have so arraigned the game that any person can lay the cards in proper position and proceed with the reading." According to my research, Mlle. LeNormand used a 36 card deck of her own design, which means there are probably "additions" to this deck and such... Despite the possibly false advertising, the deck does have an authentic feel, something that is missing from many of these modern Oracle decks.

Overall, I really like these cards, despite the disconcerting accuracy and the questionable historical relevance of the cards. I do not suggest these cards for beginners, oversensitive people who could be offended at the cards making an unabashed prediction of ruin and misfortune, or client readings (in case you run into the person who's offended by the at times harsh readings). But if these are the sort of things that don't bother you, then go for it.

very practical
This deck is straight forward leaving you with very few questions. the instructions are simple and, instead of a tarot deck, the meaning of the card is printed on the card itself. These cards do work and i strongly recomend them to anyone interested in divination.

Very nice...
This is a great little deck (about the same size as playing cards) that is very user friendly and very accurate. Easier to manipulate than larger cards, and excellent for doing reading with many clients!

Highly recommended.