The Sacred Circle Tarot: A Celtic Pagan Journey (78 Cards + Book Set)

by Anna Franklin

Book Overview

This Tarot isn't for Everyone, but it may be For You The Sacred Circle Tarot draws on the Pagan heritage of Britain and Ireland, its sacred sites, and symbolic imagery from that tradition. It's based... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 156718457X
• ISBN13: 9781567184570
• Release Date: November 1998
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.2" x 6.4" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Stunning and deeply spiritual images

Not only is this deck visually stunning, but it is easy to use and accurate as well, and amply conveys the spirit of the Celtic tradition, though in a new and evocative way. Some digital decks suffer in that they are overly surreal, but that is not the case here, where the full spiritual import of the card meanings and the atmosphere of the sacred has been portrayed wonderfully. The order of the Major Arcana has been altered slightly to fit in with the authors' interpretation of the journey of the Fool through the major cards, but that doesn't cause problems as the archetypes are still recognisable (besides, many other tarot artists have played around with the ordering sequence, including Crowley). The images on the cards are beautiful, vibrant and mysterious...absolutely gorgeous! The book which accompanies the deck is clear and informative, and the part devoted to explaining British paganism is absorbing.Elen Hawke (In The Circle, The Sacred Round)

An Impressive Read for the Studied Celt...

I must begin by saying that this is my deck of choice when reading for others or performing a serious reading for myself. I normally work with three decks, each for specific situations, but this is my favorite. The references to place apparent on the cards, and the significance applied to them, coupled with the divinatory meaning and standard symbology make reading this deck simple, and simply delightful. The ability to ascertain the reversed position of a card is inconsequential, as no card has an impact until it is turned. I think all of the "much ado about nothing" has more to do with habit than divination. It matters not that some of the cards are changed, either by name or place or divinatory significance; nowadays, it seems that unless you use the "traditional tarot deck" there will always be discrepancies. The book is an excellent read and very informative, the fool's journey is an excellent meditation and bonding tool with the deck, all in all these will remain, hands down, my favorite cards.

I just love this deck!

It is a visually beautiful, even stunning deck, yet without undue extravagance. It is obviously the end product of a great amount of work and artistry. While the Major Arcana has had some changes in name and order, it still retains pretty much the traditional meanings, with a few subtle differences. The minor arcana, done in pip fashion, has had a lot of changes to the meanings. On top of each card there is a one-word descriptive meaning of each card. I personally find this annoying, but extend the charge to all decks which have such descriptions. First of all, it doesn't describe or allow for the change in meaning that inevitably occurs depending on the position and surrounding cards in the spread. Secondly, I and presumably many others do not use some of the meanings given. I felt so strongly about it that I took a black, magic marker and blacked out all the meanings. My readings are much better now. I prefer not to think of it as defacing tarot cards, but personalizing them! Despite this criticism, I am now using the deck to great advantage, and heartily recommend the deck to others.

Great imagery, concise readings...

It's funny how every tarot deck works a little different, with a somewhat different character & personality about it... My Sacred Circle tarot readings seem to have a certain economy, brevity, & succinct quality about them. I seem to get complete answers in much fewer cards, sometimes only one, which manages to speak volumes... It's hard to explain why this is (maybe it's because it's generally a "swordsy" deck containing crisp yet surreal imagery?), but this doesn't often happen with the other decks I own (eg. The Mythic Tarot) though I like using them for different reasons. Also, though I have small hands, I *like*, prefer, & seek big tarot cards like these, and the non-symmetrical beautiful imagery on the backs of the cards doesn't distract or influence my readings in any way whatsoever. Expect to get the truth & a reality check from your readings with this deck, and not to be filled full of a lot of new age/pop-psych. fluffy stuff. If you're looking for a powerful oracle that will cut to the chase & "get real" with you & your querents, unafraid to bring seekers up short on occasion, this is it. I could feel a potent metaphysical energy about this deck while it was still wrapped in the box. Anna Franklin & Paul Mason, you've made this seeker a very happy customer... : )

A Tarot set for the Modern World!

At 11:30pm I am suddenly wakened by a loud crashing outside my window. My first thought was "What, did the balcony collapse?" Going to the balcony I see it's fine, I look below. There, on my neighbor's patio is a large branch off the tree not 10 feet away. Shaken, now unable to sleep, I turn to the Tarot. The Sacred Circle Tarot has been my constant companion for not quire a month now. I shuffle, cut and draw a card. Page of Cups, keyword given by the author is Reflection. The image; a young man on one knee beside a small creek, trees and nature all around. He holds a silver cup. A fish jumps before him. He is deep in thought and reflection.To me this is a card of emotional and intuitive perceptions, a cleansing and awakening. The author describes it on a personal level as being a time of reflecting on the experiences you've recently been through and beginning to see the great value within. It is a time of going within to examine the true self.This is something I have very much been going through. I have recently been through some tough things and am beginning to pull myself back together. I woke tonight for a reason. Now as I sit here, I think that a bit of a shake me up was something I needed. The Page of Cups is telling me it's time to go within, see the truth of who I really am, re-asses things, and begin to truly move forward. I think that just over the short period since the Sacred Circle Tarot arrived I have learned so much. This is a deck that has truly spoken to me. When the day cam that I expected the deck to be in my box, I drew a card; Four of Pentacles - Insecurity, Fear of not accomplishing goals. Wow, right on target! It was there! When I first drew a card it was like magic. Key 15 - The Tower - Release, Move On, The way forward is clear. I set the rest of the deck down on the bed in front of me and began a close examination of the card. As I glanced up I saw that I had laid the deck down with the bottom card showing. Six of Cups - Memories, Innocence, Desire for change. The image was a distant view of that same tower. The cards are truly beautiful! The deck combines photography of Ireland and the British Isles with images of people and computer imagery. The borders have plants and animals that apply to each card and the actual border frame representing the appropriate elemental correspondence. All together they give a vibrance and essence that makes me feel as though I really could walk right into the card. Meditating with this deck is amazing! Never before have I had such a feeling of oneness from Tarot Meditations. Most books on a specific deck can tend to be rather dry and often either just restating the obvious or so into the background that interest is lost. Anna Franklin has done a great job of finding the happy middle point. Each card is described, symbolism and a brief introduction to the location shown, its myths and legends is discussed and the divinatory meaning is given. The Major