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The Gilded Tarot
The Traditional Tarot for the 21st Century
Most Tarot decks with really spectacular designs are really just art collections. The Gilded Tarot transcends this limitation by having some of the most strikingly beautiful art on any Tarot deck, yet follows the Rider-Waite-Smith model. The result is a unique deck that any person with some Tarot experience will find instantly familiar and usable. This deck can be used with any Tarot system or book.
You really must see the cards to believe their beauty. The High Priestess dances on water in a translucent dress of stars. She bends backwards in front of a crescent moon, looking like a classic lamp from the 1920s. The Wheel of Fortune shows the zodiacal wheel around a solar center as part of a bizarre, almost alien machine. The Hanging Man follows this machine concept, but he is dressed in brilliant reds and greens.
The colors are deep and intense, almost metallic. They draw you in and will have you staring at the images repeatedly. But this is more than a deck to look at, it's a deck to use The Gilded Tarot Companion, a full book by Tarot expert Barbara Moore, is included with this deck. It's a complete introduction so that even a beginner can use this deck right away.
If you're tired of the old style of the RWS deck and its imitators, if you're looking for a familiar deck that will take you into the future, this is the deck you want to use.
Most Tarot decks with really spectacular designs are really just art collections. The Gilded Tarot transcends this limitation by having some of the most strikingly beautiful art on any Tarot deck, yet follows the Rider-Waite-Smith model. The result is a unique deck that any person with some Tarot experience will find instantly familiar and usable. This deck can be used with any Tarot system or book.
You really must see the cards to believe their beauty. The High Priestess dances on water in a translucent dress of stars. She bends backwards in front of a crescent moon, looking like a classic lamp from the 1920s. The Wheel of Fortune shows the zodiacal wheel around a solar center as part of a bizarre, almost alien machine. The Hanging Man follows this machine concept, but he is dressed in brilliant reds and greens.
The colors are deep and intense, almost metallic. They draw you in and will have you staring at the images repeatedly. But this is more than a deck to look at, it's a deck to use The Gilded Tarot Companion, a full book by Tarot expert Barbara Moore, is included with this deck. It's a complete introduction so that even a beginner can use this deck right away.
If you're tired of the old style of the RWS deck and its imitators, if you're looking for a familiar deck that will take you into the future, this is the deck you want to use.
168 pages, Cards
First published September 8, 2004
14 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Moore
183 books141 followersThe tarot has been a part of my personal and professional life for nearly twenty years. I first discovered the Tarot in college. Right from the start, the tarot intrigued me with its marvelous blending of mythology, psychology, art, history mystery, and magic.
My education in the tarot has been and continues to be broad and enlightening. I am grateful to have been blessed with the opportunity to study under renowned tarot scholars Mary K. Greer and Rachel Pollack. I have also had the privilege to share the wonders of the tarot with all manner of wide-eyed, would-be tarot readers.
I enjoy giving a voice to tarot cards by writing the books that accompany decks. I have had the good fortune to write books and booklets for several decks, including A Guide to Mystic Faerie Tarot (Llewellyn, July 2007), The Gilded Tarot Companion (Llewellyn, September 2004), The Enchanted Oracle (Llewellyn, September 2008), The Mystic Dreamer Tarot (Llewellyn, September 2008), and Shadowscapes Tarot (Llewellyn, May 2010). Recently, I finished writing a new edition of Tarot for Beginners (Llewellyn, November 2010).
My articles on the tarot have appeared in several tarot publications and in Llewellyn's New Worlds of Mind and Spirit.
Over the years, I have been very active in the tarot community. I am a founding member of the Minnesota Area Tarot Symposium and have spoken at tarot conferences around the United States. In July of 2010, I had the pleasure of attending the Tarot Association of the British Isles (TABI) Annual Conference as keynote speaker.
In addition to teaching tarot classes and providing personal readings, I currently work as a consultant for tarot publishers Llewellyn Worldwide and Lo Scarabeo. I also contribute bi-weekly posts to Llewellyn's Tarot Pathways blog. I am very excited to be working on designing several forthcoming tarot decks as well as another book for tarot newbies on spread design.
My education in the tarot has been and continues to be broad and enlightening. I am grateful to have been blessed with the opportunity to study under renowned tarot scholars Mary K. Greer and Rachel Pollack. I have also had the privilege to share the wonders of the tarot with all manner of wide-eyed, would-be tarot readers.
I enjoy giving a voice to tarot cards by writing the books that accompany decks. I have had the good fortune to write books and booklets for several decks, including A Guide to Mystic Faerie Tarot (Llewellyn, July 2007), The Gilded Tarot Companion (Llewellyn, September 2004), The Enchanted Oracle (Llewellyn, September 2008), The Mystic Dreamer Tarot (Llewellyn, September 2008), and Shadowscapes Tarot (Llewellyn, May 2010). Recently, I finished writing a new edition of Tarot for Beginners (Llewellyn, November 2010).
My articles on the tarot have appeared in several tarot publications and in Llewellyn's New Worlds of Mind and Spirit.
Over the years, I have been very active in the tarot community. I am a founding member of the Minnesota Area Tarot Symposium and have spoken at tarot conferences around the United States. In July of 2010, I had the pleasure of attending the Tarot Association of the British Isles (TABI) Annual Conference as keynote speaker.
In addition to teaching tarot classes and providing personal readings, I currently work as a consultant for tarot publishers Llewellyn Worldwide and Lo Scarabeo. I also contribute bi-weekly posts to Llewellyn's Tarot Pathways blog. I am very excited to be working on designing several forthcoming tarot decks as well as another book for tarot newbies on spread design.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 21, 2012
I first saw this deck in 2007 at my favorite metaphysical store. I knew right away it was special when the owners told me the deck was so popular she couldn’t keep it in stock for long. I haven’t heard that about any Tarot deck before, so of course I had to buy it and see for myself.
The deck is a standard 78-card deck with Rider-Waite-based images. But the first thing I noticed was the colors; they are incredibly powerful and bright, much more so than many decks I have seen. They seem to radiate optimism and hope. The artwork is excellent, and the more “disturbing” Rider-Waite images (Death, for example) have been softened somewhat by the artist. A number of the major arcana cards also feature astrological symbols.
One feature that I really like is the color-coded orbs in the top middle of each minor arcana card so you can tell a particular suit at a glance. The orbs on the major arcana have Roman numerals.
My favorite card in this deck is The Lovers. It is an excellent interpretation of the standard Rider-Waite imagery but with some new twists. One of the main differences from the Rider-Waite Lovers image that spoke to me is the absence of an archangel over the man and woman. The spiritual “blessing” in the card is represented by a golden light coming down from above. Also, the Lovers are embracing each other in waist-deep water, which represents their strong emotions. In the original Rider-Waite deck, no water can be seen on the card. Finally, while the Rider-Waite Lovers card clearly refers to the biblical story of Adam and Eve—with both figures unclad and a snake in the fruit tree behind the female figure—the Gilded Tarot represents a Greco-Roman style set of lovers; the male figure of the Gilded Tarot’s Lovers card is dressed in Greco-Roman battlefield garb, while the woman wears a bikini-style outfit with a gold circlet in her hair adorned with flowers.
I found very little not to like about this deck. If I had to cite one negative thing, it is this deck’s incredible power to get people to pay attention to it to the exclusion of all other decks. When I offer a choice of decks to querents, if the Gilded is among the choices it is inevitably picked. I have never had a querent say to me “No, I don’t want the Gilded Tarot,” which does happen with some of my other decks. I actually stopped bringing the Gilded with me for a while because I wanted to read with other decks!
I’d recommend this deck for anyone familiar with the Rider-Waite style imagery and looking for a bright, optimistic Tarot deck. Fire signs in particular will gravitate to it because of its bold color scheme. Leos especially may like this deck so much they may never use another one; their propensity for lavishing attention on things will not be wasted here.
NOTE: Since this review was written, I’ve become a lot more familiar with Ciro Marchetti’s work, and if you like this deck, you’ll like his others: The Tarot of Dreams and the Legacy of the Divine Tarot.
The deck is a standard 78-card deck with Rider-Waite-based images. But the first thing I noticed was the colors; they are incredibly powerful and bright, much more so than many decks I have seen. They seem to radiate optimism and hope. The artwork is excellent, and the more “disturbing” Rider-Waite images (Death, for example) have been softened somewhat by the artist. A number of the major arcana cards also feature astrological symbols.
One feature that I really like is the color-coded orbs in the top middle of each minor arcana card so you can tell a particular suit at a glance. The orbs on the major arcana have Roman numerals.
My favorite card in this deck is The Lovers. It is an excellent interpretation of the standard Rider-Waite imagery but with some new twists. One of the main differences from the Rider-Waite Lovers image that spoke to me is the absence of an archangel over the man and woman. The spiritual “blessing” in the card is represented by a golden light coming down from above. Also, the Lovers are embracing each other in waist-deep water, which represents their strong emotions. In the original Rider-Waite deck, no water can be seen on the card. Finally, while the Rider-Waite Lovers card clearly refers to the biblical story of Adam and Eve—with both figures unclad and a snake in the fruit tree behind the female figure—the Gilded Tarot represents a Greco-Roman style set of lovers; the male figure of the Gilded Tarot’s Lovers card is dressed in Greco-Roman battlefield garb, while the woman wears a bikini-style outfit with a gold circlet in her hair adorned with flowers.
I found very little not to like about this deck. If I had to cite one negative thing, it is this deck’s incredible power to get people to pay attention to it to the exclusion of all other decks. When I offer a choice of decks to querents, if the Gilded is among the choices it is inevitably picked. I have never had a querent say to me “No, I don’t want the Gilded Tarot,” which does happen with some of my other decks. I actually stopped bringing the Gilded with me for a while because I wanted to read with other decks!
I’d recommend this deck for anyone familiar with the Rider-Waite style imagery and looking for a bright, optimistic Tarot deck. Fire signs in particular will gravitate to it because of its bold color scheme. Leos especially may like this deck so much they may never use another one; their propensity for lavishing attention on things will not be wasted here.
NOTE: Since this review was written, I’ve become a lot more familiar with Ciro Marchetti’s work, and if you like this deck, you’ll like his others: The Tarot of Dreams and the Legacy of the Divine Tarot.
April 30, 2013
Ok, I know what you’re thinking. “What is a tarot book doing here? OMG!!!” But it’s ok, I promise, I’m not mad, and I’m not even suggesting you read it, this book is only for the leisure of those who read cards, me being one of them.
I put this book up because when I started reading cards three years ago, I desperately wish I’d had this book at my side. I only picked it up two weeks ago and the depth of which this book teaches you is incredible.
Things are explained clearly and all throughout you are given a guideline but are also encouraged to look for your own meanings within the cards.
This book is something I will treasure forever, add to that the sheer beauty of the cards and you have yourself a perfect set.
I picked this box up because I loved the cards inside; I hit the jackpot after I had read the book.
So, if there is anyone out there who is thinking about maybe trying tarot out, this is the set for you. It’s simple, brilliantly explained, and the cards are absolutely gorgeous.
Find this review at storywings.com
I put this book up because when I started reading cards three years ago, I desperately wish I’d had this book at my side. I only picked it up two weeks ago and the depth of which this book teaches you is incredible.
Things are explained clearly and all throughout you are given a guideline but are also encouraged to look for your own meanings within the cards.
This book is something I will treasure forever, add to that the sheer beauty of the cards and you have yourself a perfect set.
I picked this box up because I loved the cards inside; I hit the jackpot after I had read the book.
So, if there is anyone out there who is thinking about maybe trying tarot out, this is the set for you. It’s simple, brilliantly explained, and the cards are absolutely gorgeous.
Find this review at storywings.com
March 8, 2011
Well, this will make me go down in the estimation of all those folks out there who need to be very serious in their approach to things. I bought this deck (and accompanying book) because it is pretty, no, let me correct that, because it is beautiful. I have a significant collection of Tarot and this is the most beautiful of them all. Friends who also have more than 3 decks lust after this one. The cards and meaning of the cards they outline in their book is definately a gentler approach than in traditional decks. If that doesn't offend any purist sentiment, by all means look at this one.
October 13, 2017
Absoutely hands down the most beautiful tarot deck I have ever owned and the companion book is delightful.
January 4, 2019
My first deck! Simple but very much RWS. Guidebook is clear and concise!
September 29, 2020
The Gilded Tarot is superb. Each card has a detailed illustration. The colors are vibrant, and the gold makes the cards seem luxurious. The box opens almost like a jewelry box, which is so very suitable for these gorgeous cards. While I don't resonate with it as well as I do a few other decks, and I don't tend to intuit as much with it, that's just a personal reaction. I could recommend the Gilded tarot to anyone.
September 29, 2020
Beautiful deck and book. The box is nice too.
June 16, 2025
I Gilded Tarot sono il primo mazzo di Tarocchi creato da Ciro Marchetti (cui fece seguire qualche tempo dopo i Tarot of Dreams e i Legacy of the Divine Tarot), e si tratta di un mazzo bellissimo!
O, per meglio dire, si tratta di un’ottima confezione che comprende sia il mazzo di Tarocchi illustrato da Ciro Marchetti sia il libro d’accompagno scritto da Barbara Moore.
I Gilded Tarot si basano sui celebri RW, e – nelle parole dello stesso autore (pp. x-xii) – ne costituiscono un omaggio.
Naturalmente, Marchetti ha incorporato numerosi tocchi personali per garantire l’unicità del carattere del mazzo e per non farne un clone in più dei RWS. Un tema comune nelle sue opere è l’inclusione di oggetti meccanici, visibili in diversi Arcani Maggiori (ma non solo). Ma Marchetti ha voluto anche porre l’enfasi su Madre Terra, accentuando dettagli di alberi e di pietre, e includendo numerosi animali qua e là, il cui significato spesso dà un di più alla carta, e sta al lettore dire in quale modo.
Il libro d’accompagno, di dimensioni modeste, è una delizia: scritto in uno stile scorrevole e di immediata comprensione, è perfetto per i principianti ma anche gli esperti ne possono trarre qualche utile informazione e, in ogni caso, si adatta bene al Gilded Tarot, in specie quando ne spiega le peculiarità rispetto ai RWS.
E alla fine di ogni singola carta c’è una chicca che inizia con “Attenti a …” che presenta i lati estremi di quella lamina, dandone dunque una visione a 360°. È anche per questo che, ripeto, lo trovo un ottimo libro per i principianti: vi sono sì parecchie informazioni, ma non si corre il rischio di un sovraccarico, e allo stesso tempo non è scarno al punto da risultare semplicistico, anzi: fornisce solide basi dalle quali poi espandere le proprie capacità.
Risultano tuttavia spesso forzati i collegamenti tra gli Arcani Maggiori e gli Arcani Minori dello stesso numero. Alcune informazioni contenutevi, inoltre, risultano un po’ ambiziose per un principiante, però non si può dire che siano fuori luogo perché gli possono fare intravedere la pluralità di possibilità esplorabili con i Tarocchi in futuro.
Un’introduzione particolarissima al “Viaggio del Matto” – sistema interpretativo degli Arcani Maggiori che va per la maggiore negli ultimi tempi – ci viene presentato a p. 37: «Questi simboli rappresentano tutti i tipi di tratti caratteriali. Con quale finirà?» (traduzione mia).
Un esempio di oggetti meccanici cui si faceva cenno più sopra appare nella Ruota della Fortuna, la cui descrizione da parte della Moore ho particolarmente apprezzato: anziché parlare di fortuna in senso positivo come fanno molti testi, p. 57 inizia con: «Talvolta vista come Fato, questa ruota spaventa la maggior parte di noi perché il suo ruotare è oltre il nostro controllo.» E in effetti più che parlare di fortuna si dovrebbe parlare di cicli di eventi, e tali eventi non necessariamente sono positivi; saranno poi anche il nostro atteggiamento mentale e la nostra capacità di adattamento a farceli percepire in un certo modo.
Un esempio di spiegazione di differenze tra l’immagine tradizionale e quella di questo mazzo ci viene da p. 65: «Una donna focosa, piena di passione e di vita, è forse un’immagine incongruente per una carta che significa moderazione. Così come le sfingi d’oro e d’argento nel Carro, le coppe d’oro e d’argento rappresentano degli estremi. Temperanza significa miscelare o fondere, proprio come questa donna sta temperando degli estremi di qualunque tipo (comportamento, credo, sentimento). Ha imparato a temperare la propria vita in modo tale da poter mantenere ed esprimere perfettamente la sua passione.»
Nel 10 di Coppe notiamo l’assenza della figura maschile che è invece presente nella sua controparte RWS. Ma l’artista ha creato l’immagine come se fosse lui stesso a tornare a casa dalla sua famiglia dopo il lavoro, e la scena mostra la contentezza e la gioia che sente. Questa carta inoltre è uno degli esempi di arricchimenti animali, con le api industriose e il gatto giocoso, e tutti contribuiscono a un’immagine di vite armoniose prive di conflitti (p. 99).
Decisamente meno inquietante è il 10 di Spade di questo mazzo rispetto a quello dei RWS. Ma i significati non differiscono gran che, e infatti vi si possono riscontrare anche quelli tradizionalmente associati a questa carta, però l’enfasi è su una visione positiva della fine delle angosce anziché sulla disgrazia in sé (p. 108).
Notiamo altre differenze nel 6 di Spade, nel 3 di Pentacoli e nel 6 di Pentacoli, nei quali troviamo soggetti che stanno soli nella figura anziché accompagnati da altri, ma – di nuovo – non si tratta di differenze che sottraggono qualcosa al mazzo, anzi: aggiungono, come ci insegna la filosofia dei Tarocchi Comparativi di Valerie Sim, e lo stesso vale per il Cavaliere di Coppe che qui appare insolitamente agitato al contrario della sua immagine normalmente placida.
Concludo ripetendomi: un’ottima confezione di mazzo + libro, che mi sento altamente di raccomandare!
O, per meglio dire, si tratta di un’ottima confezione che comprende sia il mazzo di Tarocchi illustrato da Ciro Marchetti sia il libro d’accompagno scritto da Barbara Moore.
I Gilded Tarot si basano sui celebri RW, e – nelle parole dello stesso autore (pp. x-xii) – ne costituiscono un omaggio.
Naturalmente, Marchetti ha incorporato numerosi tocchi personali per garantire l’unicità del carattere del mazzo e per non farne un clone in più dei RWS. Un tema comune nelle sue opere è l’inclusione di oggetti meccanici, visibili in diversi Arcani Maggiori (ma non solo). Ma Marchetti ha voluto anche porre l’enfasi su Madre Terra, accentuando dettagli di alberi e di pietre, e includendo numerosi animali qua e là, il cui significato spesso dà un di più alla carta, e sta al lettore dire in quale modo.
Il libro d’accompagno, di dimensioni modeste, è una delizia: scritto in uno stile scorrevole e di immediata comprensione, è perfetto per i principianti ma anche gli esperti ne possono trarre qualche utile informazione e, in ogni caso, si adatta bene al Gilded Tarot, in specie quando ne spiega le peculiarità rispetto ai RWS.
E alla fine di ogni singola carta c’è una chicca che inizia con “Attenti a …” che presenta i lati estremi di quella lamina, dandone dunque una visione a 360°. È anche per questo che, ripeto, lo trovo un ottimo libro per i principianti: vi sono sì parecchie informazioni, ma non si corre il rischio di un sovraccarico, e allo stesso tempo non è scarno al punto da risultare semplicistico, anzi: fornisce solide basi dalle quali poi espandere le proprie capacità.
Risultano tuttavia spesso forzati i collegamenti tra gli Arcani Maggiori e gli Arcani Minori dello stesso numero. Alcune informazioni contenutevi, inoltre, risultano un po’ ambiziose per un principiante, però non si può dire che siano fuori luogo perché gli possono fare intravedere la pluralità di possibilità esplorabili con i Tarocchi in futuro.
Un’introduzione particolarissima al “Viaggio del Matto” – sistema interpretativo degli Arcani Maggiori che va per la maggiore negli ultimi tempi – ci viene presentato a p. 37: «Questi simboli rappresentano tutti i tipi di tratti caratteriali. Con quale finirà?» (traduzione mia).
Un esempio di oggetti meccanici cui si faceva cenno più sopra appare nella Ruota della Fortuna, la cui descrizione da parte della Moore ho particolarmente apprezzato: anziché parlare di fortuna in senso positivo come fanno molti testi, p. 57 inizia con: «Talvolta vista come Fato, questa ruota spaventa la maggior parte di noi perché il suo ruotare è oltre il nostro controllo.» E in effetti più che parlare di fortuna si dovrebbe parlare di cicli di eventi, e tali eventi non necessariamente sono positivi; saranno poi anche il nostro atteggiamento mentale e la nostra capacità di adattamento a farceli percepire in un certo modo.
Un esempio di spiegazione di differenze tra l’immagine tradizionale e quella di questo mazzo ci viene da p. 65: «Una donna focosa, piena di passione e di vita, è forse un’immagine incongruente per una carta che significa moderazione. Così come le sfingi d’oro e d’argento nel Carro, le coppe d’oro e d’argento rappresentano degli estremi. Temperanza significa miscelare o fondere, proprio come questa donna sta temperando degli estremi di qualunque tipo (comportamento, credo, sentimento). Ha imparato a temperare la propria vita in modo tale da poter mantenere ed esprimere perfettamente la sua passione.»
Nel 10 di Coppe notiamo l’assenza della figura maschile che è invece presente nella sua controparte RWS. Ma l’artista ha creato l’immagine come se fosse lui stesso a tornare a casa dalla sua famiglia dopo il lavoro, e la scena mostra la contentezza e la gioia che sente. Questa carta inoltre è uno degli esempi di arricchimenti animali, con le api industriose e il gatto giocoso, e tutti contribuiscono a un’immagine di vite armoniose prive di conflitti (p. 99).
Decisamente meno inquietante è il 10 di Spade di questo mazzo rispetto a quello dei RWS. Ma i significati non differiscono gran che, e infatti vi si possono riscontrare anche quelli tradizionalmente associati a questa carta, però l’enfasi è su una visione positiva della fine delle angosce anziché sulla disgrazia in sé (p. 108).
Notiamo altre differenze nel 6 di Spade, nel 3 di Pentacoli e nel 6 di Pentacoli, nei quali troviamo soggetti che stanno soli nella figura anziché accompagnati da altri, ma – di nuovo – non si tratta di differenze che sottraggono qualcosa al mazzo, anzi: aggiungono, come ci insegna la filosofia dei Tarocchi Comparativi di Valerie Sim, e lo stesso vale per il Cavaliere di Coppe che qui appare insolitamente agitato al contrario della sua immagine normalmente placida.
Concludo ripetendomi: un’ottima confezione di mazzo + libro, che mi sento altamente di raccomandare!
February 23, 2012
I definetly liked the fact that this companion had spaces to write about the cards in the book itself. Not only do they give you a description of the meaning of the cards themselves, they give you space to write your own interpritation.
June 25, 2015
My first tarot reading was done with this beautiful deck and I've been in love with it ever since. Thankfully, hubs got me the deck as a surprise gift. :3 The theme has an Arthurian/Avalonian feel to it. So so beautiful!!! <3 <3
November 15, 2015
Tarot - as a divination medium - has never really 'spoken' to me personally. I've had others read my tarot and they have been uncannily accurate. This just isn't the medium for me. Nor was the book all that helpful.
Not saying it's a bad book. I'm just not into it.
Not saying it's a bad book. I'm just not into it.
September 10, 2021
Excellent starter book for Tarot enthusiasts!! I learned a lot from this book and the set of cards, and still use them today, now September 2021. The cards are beautiful and the explanations by Barbara Moore are so easy to remember as she paints the cards with memorable meanings.
March 16, 2008
These cards are beautiful!!!
December 29, 2009
I found this book a little less helpful than others I have read.
June 1, 2014
Beautiful cards. Good quality with a good feel to them.
February 7, 2015
Wonderful deck of cards and companion book. Gorgeous illustrations that will enhance one's readings. I highly recommend this deck to anyone interested in Tarot. You will not be disappointed.
May 28, 2024
I tried to learn the tarot reading from this book :)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews