Mystic Faerie Tarot: An Appreciation

Have you met my new friends?

Well, if you haven't yet made the acquaintance of British artist Linda Ravenscroft's Mystic Faerie Tarot, you have a treat ahead of you.  And a lively one, too, let me tell you!

When Llewellyn Worldwide sent me a review copy of Mystic Faerie, which includes an excellent 288-page guide book by Barbara Moore, I was in the midst of other projects (as well as slowly making my way through Walter Isaacson's massive--and terrific--Einstein: His Life and Universe).  I took a quick look at Ravenscroft's deck (liked it) and the Moore's text (liked that a lot) but opted to shelve Ravenscroft's fae for about a week or so...until yesterday.

Yesterday turned into one of those "What now?" days, the kind that, if you are of a philosophical turn of mind, bring all sorts of useful lessons and opportunities for development of character...mmm...right. By the time I found a peaceful hour to sit with the Mystic Faerie Tarot, I was pretty steamed. But I picked up where I had left off, carefully reading through Moore's clear, wise and elegant interpretations of Ravenscroft's sensual, Romantic watercolors of the Major Arcana.  These two women are masters at what they do.

I swear I was just sitting there, reading and minding my business when my stack of cards suddenly slipped from the coffee table, scattering in many directions.  I couldn't blame my cats.  They were nowhere near the table and looked on with a nonplussed expression similar to mine.  I managed to hold off the more curious of the two while awkwardly scooping up the cards.  Of course, Ravenscroft's fae were now well on their way to being properly shuffled, with reversals in place, too.

The fae had spoken: "Let's go!"  They were not willing to wait a minute more.  In fact, I "heard" the words "new friends."  (I am subtly clairsentient.)  Well, I realized that I was still steamed from something that had happened a bit earlier in the day.  That feeling wasn't going away.  I decided--what the heck?--I'll ask my new friends about it.

I gave the self-shuffled deck a very thorough shuffling of my own, and if the fae didn't like that, they didn't show it.  I drew one card--the 4 of Cups--and turned to what I thought was the relevant page in Moore's book.  Actually, it was the wrong page, except that the fae had one more thing to say before turning their attention to my question.  In "error," I read the entry for the 3 of Cups, which began:

    "After frolicking, exploring, and laughing away the day with her new friend..." [italics mine] (p. 136)

At that point, if I didn't know what kind of creatures I was dealing with, I could be considered pretty dense.

I winked back at them and then...ahem!...turned attention back to my pressing concern: what to do about a person who had wasted my time and my offer of assistance by flaking out on a promise and not even calling to explain and apologize. (Harumph, harumph!)  I had dealt with similar situations before and might have to do so again, but the limits of my patience were now well in sight. 

Moore's text for the 4 of Cups began nicely enough, but the "faerie tale" of Ravenscroft's water nymph and wood elf seemed to be heading towards a crossroads.  I read on:

    "Your Message: There are no two ways about it: You are bored and annoyed."

Yo!

    "...you have had it with the relationship. It's going nowhere and has nothing to offer--or so you think.  Before writing it off, think about what you've put into the relationship and how you'd really feel if it was over.  If it's done, it's done.  If not, do your part to revitalize it.  You'll both be happier in the long run." (pp. 138-9)

I certainly thought about what I had put into the "relationship"--such as it was, with a person I didn't even know and had never laid eyes on--and it was quite a bit.  The "relationship" was done enough to stick a fork into, and there'd be no revitalization.  The bigger question was whether I'd be willing to continue to offer my help to others like her.

No sooner had I read Moore's words than I got the impulse to check my cellphone, which is rarely on when I'm home.  I found a message from this person (whom I had expressly asked to call me on my business line, not the cell), explaining that she could not do what she had promised to do--and, interestingly, not asking for another chance.

If it's done, it's done, said the fae.

But what about the future?  While I can't say I've totally embraced the idea of continuing to help people in this way, I had a better experience with it today.  That and other positive experiences will count in my ultimate decision.

(c)2007 Eva Yaa Asantewaa
http://mysite.verizon.net/magickaleva
http://infinitebody.blogspot.com

Comments

[Janet Boyer]

Isn't this a lovely deck, Eva?

I should have my review up within the week. In the meantime, I've put up 12 card scans of the Mystic Faerie Tarot on my site:

http://janetboyer.com/Mystic_Faerie_Tarot.html

Enjoy!

Janet

[Eva Yaa Asantewaa]

That's great, Janet!

And visitors to your site will see-- among other lovely Ravenscroft images--one of my favorite Mystic Faerie Tarot cards. Guess which one I'm talking about and I will give you a free mini-reading!

Contact me through my site at http://mysite.verizon.net/magickaleva

Best of luck!

Eva :-)

[Barbara Moore]

Eva,

I love this review! What fun. I'm glad you had a good time with your new friends and that you continue to frolick together for a long time to come.

Barbara

[Eva Yaa Asantewaa]

Thanks, Barbara! Yes, this is the most fun I've had with a Tarot deck in a long time. Ssshhh! Don't let my other decks hear me say that! LOL!

Eva :-D

[Janet Boyer]

Eva, is it Strength? I think that's my favorite Major card. But I really, really like the Pentacles suit, too...

*scrambles to cover the ears of Eva's other decks*

^_~

Janet

[Eva Yaa Asantewaa]

Janet, you're a winner! LOL! And thank you for your sensitivity to the delicate feelings of my other decks!

Send me your question!

Eva :-)

[Janet Boyer]

Oh, I just played because I love games--especially guessing ones!

That's so sweet of you, though. I honestly don't have anything I want/need insight on...

Wait! As I was typing this, I DID have a small thing I'd like to get an objective read on! LOL!

I'll email now. Thanks, Eva!

Janet

[Eva Yaa Asantewaa]

LOL! Received!

Blessings,
Eva :-)

[Erin]

The deck showed up at my local bookstore, so I decided, what the heck, I will give it a shot. I like it. It's very pretty, and has some good energy. Normally I like my decks with a bit of a edge to them, and I have read enough about fairies to know NOT to make them mad, so this is a bit different. I like the Death, Strength, and Sword court cards the best (They look the most Goth.) I also like the female Knights-I think gender switching in court cards is cool. I also like the dragon in the Seven of Wands. While the two fairies are arguing about the dragon, the dragon is sitting there with the expression "Hello?!? I'm sitting right here!!!" And the Ten of Swords is very sad.
I will see how this deck works out!

[Eva Yaa Asantewaa]

Oh, yes, Erin! The look in that dragon's eyes is one of: "Oh, puhleeze!!!" LOL!

Eva :-)