The Mary-El Tarot, 2nd Edition: (Tarot Kit Box Set with 78 Cards and Guide Book)

I own 42 Tarot and Oracle decks and use them all frequently but the Marie-El has been a game-changer for me since I purchased the 1st edition a few years ago. This has been my preferred deck from the time I first unwrapped it. It speaks to me like no other deck has and the book!! The book is like attending a Western Mystery School. You will get a profound education in the tarot if you read the myths and symbolic lessons the author shares. This 2nd edition offers some serious improvements. The cards are smaller, not coated with the old plastic that peels, easier to shuffle, silver-gilt, and borderless with a few changes to 4 cards - see the pics attached. The book is refined and the traditional meanings have been removed - which I never used or wanted, so compelling are the author's meanings. The box is shorter, more in line with other boxes so it fits on my shelf easier. I am not over the Moon for the new Hierophant, 3 of Swords, Judgement, or High Priestess designs - probably because I have bonded with the old, however, they are extremely well thought out and explained in the book, which alone is worth the price in my opinion. This deck has and still does stand head over tails from all other decks. If you like the Tree of Life, Alchemical sort of flavor of this deck, for me a second runner up would be The Night Sun Tarot.

I have had at least 10 decks over the years. I read for my own pleasure, my own development, and growth. I find I can resolve issues, calm myself by reading the tarot. That said- I only read with decks I connect with- and when the connection goes, I usually give the deck away- I have given away the voyager deck, I gave away the ruhrig tarot. The Mary- el tarot feels holy. It has haunted me since I opened the box. This is an intuitive deck- the accompanying book is deep, and connects the dots to the artist’s interpretation, and artwork. This deck doesn’t have many symbols, and it would be a stretch to connect the images to any of the three traditional tarot teachings- I don’t need it to, the care of the artwork invokes a very deep meaning. This isn’t a feel good, positive deck- that is to say this isn’t a beginning to heal and accept yourself deck. This is a deep healing, duality not as light and dark , but more of the balance- we encompass all duality. There is a good deal of nudity, but w/o sexualization. There is some dual sex images hat could shock, but found them so gracefully depicted that any un-ease was charmed away. If this deck sings to you at all, please follow your heart, it is a very beautiful deck. Mine arrived in perfect health, nary a hair out of place.

The Mary-El Tarot's lovingly and painstakingly crafted imagery and symbolism have depth and living presence. Each card is a transformative experience on its own, but the interpretive text matches each card in power, depth, and scholarship. Together, they are exactly what I need Tarot to be - reflection, revealer, teacher, altar and gateway. I return to this deck over and over, and each time it surprises me!

Go to YouTube for gushing full flip through reviews. There is no complaints on this deep thought provoking art. The artist/author asked Schiffer for some changes such as, a matte, borderless, edged card and a more manageable box. They accomplished the goals, but could use more work. My cards did not stay secure in the box and arrived in disarray, with mild but notable damage. Some of the edges are already showing chipping and bends. I don’t think it’s a gsm issue. The cards are stiff to riffle and don’t bridge, thus they seem plenty thick. I think it’s a need of better quality printing and/or matte laminating, for better wear and tear. Lastly, the matte is not the lux velvety matte like that of recent Hay House and Blue Angel prints. It’s still reflective and more of a satin. As for the book, it’s full color and beautiful. Overall, worth supporting the artist and her wonderful updates. My details are picky, but hopefully will help further improve the finished product for the artist. (Post flip through: I found a printing error on the Moon Card: pink/purple bleed off. Also noted bottom left front facing corner miss-cut throughout all cards. Slight miss/cut on the upper right. Note the smooth round corners vs the mistakes. See photos.) June 18, 2019 UPDATE - To be fair I wanted to report the publisher has taken accountability for the defective decks and packaging. They have taken the product off the market and hope to release it again free of the errors. They have also offered replacements when the reprint becomes available. You can contact Schiffer through their website. I’m assuming amazon will start reselling the item when new decks come in. Hope remains! :)

Luckily I didn't have some of the problems described by others. The production isn't flawless but I think sometimes expectations are bit unrealistic for this price. Quality is on par with other tarot kits and in some cases better. Book is full color. Outer box is nice. Cards are nicer than some others I have purchased recently. The Mary-El deck is one of the most beautiful and compelling decks of recent years, potent with deep layers of meaning portrayed in 78 stunning works of visionary art, accompanied by a thoughtful, detailed, full-color book written by the artist. The author-artist's choices come from much study, contemplation, an understanding. Her contribution to modern interpretation of tarot is worth of any reader.

What a beautiful deck! Sturdy box. Guidebook is large with color photos of the cards in full size. High quality book. Good stock. Easy to shuffle . Cards no boarders. Artwork is colorful and so imaginative a “journey through an abyss”. Its style is everything. Thoth, RWS & Marseille. This is a deep deck with a feeling for shadow work. Not a deck for young readers nor for beginners in my estimation. I’m sure this deck in all its prints have homes in many collections.

It took me a while to purchase this deck. I thought it would be too strange - too... something? - but it's actually quite exhilarating. It may not be everyone's cup of tea. but it surely earns it's place in metaphysics. I've been working with it for just a few weeks and so far I've found it to be deep-diving, thought-provoking, and insightful. It forces you to look deeper into your questions and even your motives for wanting/needing to know the answers. The artwork is magnificent. Each card is a work of art, and each time I study the imagery I see or feel something "more" than previously. I am still reading through the guidebook, and I look forward to continuing work with this deck.

First, I would like to know that the problems with the packaging were not a thing for me. The cards were wrapped in plastic for me, and everything arrived in perfect condition. Now on to the art: It's obvious that the artist spent 11 years making these cards. That's an average of almost 7 weeks per card. That is a considerably long time and it shows. The colors are beautiful, and the art itself is well executed and extremely expressive. I have friends who paint in oils and paint markers, so I think of myself as somewhat of an art fan. As a devotee of the Egyptian goddess of justice Maat, I appreciate seeing her on the card in her proper place. Similarly, the depictions on the other cards are highly appropriate, artfully crafted, and original. I appreciate seeing people of color on the cards as well, and there's a little bit of body diversity as well. Overall, my favorite deck out of the 10 that I've owned over the years.