- Marchetti Tarot
- Ciro Marchetti, guidebook written by Lee Bursten
- US Games, Inc. https://www.usgamesinc.com/marchetti-tarot
- Recommended retail price: $23.95
- ISBN: 978-1-64671-238-0
- Date of publication: 2025
- Country of origin: USA
- Tarot system: Rider-Waite-Smith
- Card stock: Mass market, somewhat thin
- Packaging/guidebook: Rigid box and lid (sturdy). The guide is well written and contains helpful instruction in addition to comprehensive card descriptions.
- Reviewed by: Mary du Plessis
This Rider-Waite-Smith based deck is more than just beautifully illustrated. The focus is on the individual facial expression representative of the energy of the cards. The majors, as well as the court cards capture the astrological elements using a stunning combination of symbols and colours, but it was the minors that really caught my attention. I was delighted to discover an embedded Decan Journey noted on the appropriate cards 2-10 in each suit. This ‘little gem” could be easily overlooked and isn’t mentioned in the guide but combined with the depth and diversity of the illustrations, would bring additional insight into following a decanic walk throughout the year.
The cards are standard size. The stock is a bit thin and slippery, and I found it somewhat difficult to shuffle. The box is a well-constructed base and lid design that’s both secure, and easy to open.
The guidebook, written by Lee Bursten, is a bonus, and includes a helpful spread method, instructions and different schools of thought, and expanded card definitions that I’ll refer to when reading with this deck.
The design is playfully colourful, with an illuminating use of light and shadow. Each card is packed full of symbolism and it’s possible to see something different with each study. The images are intense and evoke emotion, as well as intrigue. The dark border blends seamlessly into the card illustration and is almost unnoticeable.
Shuffling the cards is a bit of a challenge and I found it difficult to keep the cards from sliding out of control. The size and weight are fine, but extra care should be taken to keep from bending the cards. For this review, I’m including photos of the Major Arcana, one of each court, a couple of the aces, and my quick-take of a three-card spread: Two of Cups, Nine of Wands, and Five of Pentacles, using the astrological energy assigned to each decan the card represents:
“The value of partnership is in the strength each brings to the table. If the whole isn’t worth more than the sum of its parts, there is no benefit in joining forces.”
Your mileage may vary!
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