Review By Terri Clement
Beautiful Creatures Tarot by J.r. Rivera with artwork by Jasmine Becket –Griffith
Published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd, www.schifferbooks.com
ISBN: 978-0-7634-4775-7
Retail U.S. $34.95
Beautiful Creatures Tarot was one of my most anticipated Tarot decks of 2014. As a huge fan of the artwork of Jasmine Becket-Griffith, coupled with the unique concepts and writing styling of J.r. Rivera, I have to say this magnificent production did NOT disappoint in the least.
There is a bit of a different take on this deck and I found it quite refreshing. This is not your run of the mill Tarot productions.
Beautiful Creatures Tarot is a well put together 80-card deck and book set, published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd. The set arrives in a heavy duty highly laminated box, with magnetic closure, white satin pull tabs, and stays. Seated in the top of the box one will find a 152 page (plus room for notes) companion book that measures in at 5 5/8” wide by 8 5/8” tall. Below the book you will find the deck divided in half held in two separate plastic sleeves, with thin cardboard holding them in place, simulating recesses in the bottom of the box.
The cards are printed on a thick cardstock with a shiny laminate making this deck sit 1 ¼” thick, much thicker than standard. The deck measures in at a whopping 3 ½” tall by 5” wide. A modified shuffle with be necessary for most readers. The deck fans brilliantly on a fabric surface, such as a spread cloth.
The card backs feature a pointy-eared little vixen whose head, like Medusa’s is surrounded by colorful snakes. The images are mirrored making this deck fully reversible.
There are unique differences that accompany this set:
Major Acana:
Several of the cards have been renamed. Card 0, The Fool is now The Explorer, card 1 Magician is Mage, card 5, Hierophant is renamed Hierophantress, card 8 Strength is now called Fortitude, card 11 Justice is now The Equilibrium, card 12, Hanged Man becomes The Swinging One, card 13 Death is renamed The Transformation, card 14 Temperance becomes The Mediator, card 15 The Devil is now The Addiction, and card 16 The Tower has become The Unexpected.
The Suits:
Have been renamed to Fires, Waters, Airs, and Earths which correspond with their traditional suits of Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles.
The Courts:
These creatures have taken a totally different turn on their own and correspond to and are named after their Astrological and Elemental signs. This is designed to represent as archetype of a person and a particular situation. Having a little knowledge of the Astrological sign names will prove helpful in using this deck.
The Kings are titled - Ram of Fires, Bull of Earths, Twin of Airs, and Crab of Waters. The Queens are called – Lion of Fires, Virgin of Earths, Scales of Airs, and Scorpion of Waters. Knights are titled – Archer of Fires, Goat of Earths, Jar of Airs, and Fish of Waters. Finally we have the Pages – Nymph of Fire, Nymph of Earth, Nymph of Air, and Nymph of Water.
Bonus Card:
J.r. Rivera has chosen to include 2 bonus cards in this deck as a gratitude to those who purchase the set. He acknowledges that some readers prefer not to use extra cards however would like those that purchase the set know that these were designed for use as a “Significator.” He also realizes that some readers will want to assign their own meanings and encourages one to do so. He does, though provide his insights in the companion book. The bonus cards are titled You Are One and The Supernatural. The first is designed to represent the sitter in the reading and the latter – a situation that one might be reading about.
The images on the cards charming, delightful and a bit melancholy, a wonderful representation of Jasmine Becket- Griffith’s popular fantasy artwork. Some of these liquid-doe eyed girls, accompanied by their various creature companions will feel very familiar. Others will not feel familiar at all. No worries. They are meant to guide you and give hope when you feel you have nowhere to turn.
As a HUGE fan of Jamine’s artwork I could not be forced to pick favorites so I have drawn a couple at random:
Card 16 – The Unexpected
A Silver and black haired, big eyed angel who once lived in heaven, can hear the dark sounds of the night. The jar she carries contains the eye of wisdom
The companion book says “Stop pretending like nothing is ever going to happen to you. What goes up, must come down.”
1 of Earths
This little beauty with her brown and auburn hair and melancholy eyes is holding an emerald green origami in her hands with 2 at her feet. She is offering one to you, knowing that they contain healing properties. She has exquisite wings folded in behind her.
The companion book says “It’s a time to multi-task but also be in harmony… Try to see both sides of a situation.”
The 152+ page companion book contains several spreads written especially for the Beautiful Creatures Tarot. Following the opening of the book you will find each section broken out as follows: Major Arcana, Minor Arcana, Courts, and Bonus Cards. There is a smaller black and white image for each card, a quote, keywords, a large description about the image and interpretations for both upright and reversed images.
The book is well thought out and well written. It is a comfortable read from teenage to adult. This set would make a wonderful alternative for someone looking for something different than Thoth or Rider-Waite-Smith. With the unique concepts and titles introduced, along with the inclusion of the Astrological signs, one might want to take some time to study and work with Beautiful Creatures.