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Lo Scarabeo tarot is one of the most renowned tarot publishers in the world. Its Tarot decks have garnered worldwide acclaim for their originality and exceptional quality.
Collaborating with the finest Italian and international artists, every Lo Scarabeo tarot deck represents a remarkable artistic treasure. Committed to both innovation and upholding the profound Tarot tradition, it remains a beloved choice for collectors and Tarot enthusiasts alike.
Here are five tarot published by Lo Scarabeo to recommend.
5 Recommended Lo Scarabeo Tarot Cards
1. Universal Tarot by Lo Scarabeo
The renowned Italian artist Robert de Angelis is the creative force behind this deck. Inspired by the classic Waite Tarot, he skillfully employed modern techniques to craft this unique collection.
The vibrant use of color in the Lo Scarabeo Universal Tarot is particularly captivating. With four distinct versions available, the Universal Tarot offers diverse options to cater to the preferences of various Tarot enthusiasts.
1) Professional Version
The professional large version of this deck measures approximately 10cm x 18cm. Tarot instructors find it ideal for displaying on the whiteboard during class, ensuring that students can easily discern the card details.
So this particular deck is recommended for two specific groups of enthusiasts: Tarot instructors conducting classes and Tarot beginners seeking a closer examination of the card intricacies.
2) Golden Version
The golden version is often referred to as the “Golden Waite.” This deck is adorned with hot stamping technology.
Each card features a background embellished with irregular, mottled hot stamping, complemented by a black border. This entire deck emanates an aura of mystery and tranquility. It’s a versatile deck suitable for both collectors and enthusiasts of all kinds.
3) Standard Version
The standard edition, commonly known as the “Popular Universal Tarot,” maintains identical dimensions to the golden version, measuring approximately 6.5cm x 12cm.
This consistent size accommodates readers with smaller hands, offering comfortable one-handed use. Being a classic offering from Lo Scarabeo, it presents remarkable value for its price and is especially suitable for avid Tarot enthusiasts who frequently utilize their cards.
4) Mini Version
The mini version measures approximately 5cm x 8cm and includes its own lid and bottom card box.
Its compact and elegant size makes it suitable for all Tarot enthusiasts, offering exceptional portability. However, it’s important to note that due to the smaller card size, the intricate details may be easily overlooked, making it a choice to consider carefully, especially for Tarot novices.
2. Tarot Mucha
by Lo Scarabeo
This deck serves as an exceptional homage to the pioneering Art Nouveau figure, Alphonse Mucha, and encapsulates the fresh beauty of the early twentieth century.
It stands as an inspiring creation, showcasing the imagery from the late 19th century, when revolutionary movements had ignited across half the world. During this period, a sense of relative calm washed over Europe, symbolizing the belief that the worst had passed, paving the way for a new era of peace and prosperity.
The color palette of this deck is notably understated, evoking the artistic style synonymous with the 19th century. It features a plethora of creams, subtle yellow-orange hues, muted browns, and diluted, soft shades. Vibrant colors are conspicuously absent, contributing to its authentic 19th-century aesthetic.
The deck exudes the unmistakable essence of Art Nouveau, a distinctive quality that greatly appeals to enthusiasts, setting it apart from decks like the Tarot De Marseilles.
In terms of nomenclature, the only notable departure from the typical RWS-style deck is the use of Knave instead of Page and Staves in place of Wands, with Discs replacing Pentacles or Coins. Apart from these changes, the cards maintain a strong similarity in meaning but offer their own unique twist to represent the card iconography.
3. Lo Scarabeo Tarot (English and Spanish Edition)
The Lo Scarabeo Tarot made its debut in 2007 with two ambitious objectives guiding its design. Firstly, it aimed to harmoniously blend the principles of the three major Tarot schools: the Traditional Rider-Waite-Smith, the Historical Tarot de Marseille, and the Systems-Based Thoth Tarot.
Its goal was to create a single deck that incorporated recognizable elements from each of these traditions. Secondly, these cards were intended to serve as a tasteful commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of the Lo Scarabeo brand, establishing itself as the flagship deck and representing the company globally for years to come.
The artwork is occasionally described as having a graphic novel aesthetic, although personal taste plays a significant role in this assessment. Prospective buyers can review sample images to gauge their preferences beforehand.
It’s important to note that Lo Scarabeo often employs this illustration style in most of their products, so it should come as no surprise that their flagship deck follows suit.
For individuals who aren’t drawn to the Rider-Waite-Smith deck but wish to work within that tradition, the Lo Scarabeo Tarot is a compelling option to consider.
It serves as a wonderful deck for beginners, makes for a perfect gift for those being introduced to Tarot, and serves as a valuable addition to the collections of avid enthusiasts who aim to have a diverse array of Tarot decks.
4. Rackham Tarot
by Lo Scarabeo
The captivating fairy tale imagery of the Rackham Tarot, released in June 2019 by Lo Scarabeo, invites us into its profound emotional realm.
This deck features illustrations by the renowned British artist Arthur Rackham, celebrated as one of the foremost artists of the Golden Age of Illustration. These depictions draw from myths, legends, folklore, and fairy tales, weaving them into a truly distinctive and immersive Tarot reading experience.
It’s important to note that these cards do not adhere to traditional Tarot imagery; instead, they showcase cropped illustrations by one of the most cherished and esteemed artists of his era. Consequently, not every card immediately aligns with the established meanings found in Tarot lineages.
However, each card vividly narrates its own self-contained story. For readers accustomed to applying pre-defined interpretations to the cards, this deck may pose a challenge.
On the other hand, those who appreciate the richness of myth and storytelling will find immense joy in reading this deck. If you approach it with hesitation, take a cue from High Priest Hippolyta and her faithful hounds.
Begin with the image, allowing the feminine energy to guide you, confidently embarking on a journey of imagination while knowledge lingers behind. As you sense the unfolding narrative, your heart will quicken in anticipation of the quest for understanding.
However, it’s worth noting that recognizing the specific stories depicted in this deck is not a prerequisite. What makes this deck truly exceptional and an unwavering embodiment of Tarot imagery, often lacking in many modern Tarot decks, is its storytelling prowess.
Each vignette is thoughtfully plucked from the evocative pages of various tales and adventures. Even if you can’t pinpoint the exact narrative the illustration originates from, you can still decipher its tale. These picture book cards communicate their messages with eloquent simplicity, making them remarkably accessible for interpretation.
5. Egyptian Tarot
by Lo Scarabeo
This deck seamlessly combines the intricate beauty of ancient Egyptian art with the mystical symbols of Tarot, resulting in a singular masterpiece. Jean-Baptiste Pitois wrote about the legendary Book of Thoth, and these cards, adorned with ancient and exotic symbols, possess a direct and undeniable impact on the soul.
Historically, Ancient Egyptian tarot cards were originally depicted on wooden boards, portraying animals and people. The book “The Ancient Egyptian Tarot Deck, The Cards Illuminati, Secrets Of The Universe” provides insights into the playing card structure of the tarot deck.
While some of the images may bear resemblance to modern tarot cards, a significant distinction lies in the fact that these cards are not organized into suits, as is the case in contemporary playing card decks.
This deck features exquisite imagery, with interpretations rooted in Egyptian tarot traditions. Its symbolism and artwork are remarkable, predominantly drawing inspiration from the rich heritage of Egypt.
6. Every Day Oracle
by Lo Scarabeo
The Every Day Oracle presents concise explanations and meanings for a standard deck of cards. This 31-page booklet offers these explanations in five languages: English, Italian, French, Spanish, and German, providing a multilingual reference that is brief, almost to the point of brevity.
This deck essentially assigns divinatory meanings to each card, enabling readers to use the pamphlet as a reference for other decks in case of loss or damage. It also outlines a seven-card crescent moon layout, offering descriptions for each card position, along with a brief sample reading.
However, there is limited discussion regarding the interplay between the cards and their respective positions, aside from the mention that questions should pertain to events within a month.
The cards evoke a sense of antiquity, featuring primarily primary colors with occasional touches of secondary hues. The attire depicted seems reminiscent of the Renaissance era.
Identifying the suits on these standard cards can be challenging. In the upper left corner, there is a letter corresponding to the suit, but it may require some research to discern which letters correspond to which suits since they align with Italian suits rather than English.
The booklet lacks this clarification, which could have been immensely helpful. Implementing symbols instead of letters might have eased the understanding, especially for such a multilingual deck. Additionally, numbers 1-13 appear in the upper right corner to denote the cards from ace through king.
However, at the bottom of each card, there is an Italian word along with two numbers, which may present difficulties for non-Italian speakers, as these numbers remain unexplained in the booklet. Moreover, it is unclear why some cards in each suit lack these numbers, and these omissions are inconsistent across the suits, further adding to the confusion regarding their purpose or omission.
