AVALON Magazine

Review – Spring 2005


THE INTUITIVE TAROT
Cilla Conway
Connections Book Publishing 2004
ISBN 1-85906-145-1

The Intuitive Tarot has come a long way from its humble beginnings as an "idle doodle" of the Fool card way back in 1972.  In the ten years that followed, Cilla Conway created a deck of tarot cards that are haunting, unique and beautifully coloured.  It wasn't until 2003 that the companion book was written.  Finally in October 2004 the set was published, proving that good things are well worth waiting for.  Each card has been carefully drawn to inspire the reader and provoke personal and revealing readings based on the reader's intuition and impression.

Tarot enthusiasts will notice the parallels to the familiar Rider Waite deck found in cards such as the Three of Cups and Hermit cards. This is complemented by the bold new perspectives on others as seen in the Emperor and Magician cards.  The cards more commonly referred to as Aces are known as the Ones in this deck and provide an abstract and thought-provoking entry into the minor arcana cards. The human figures seen throughout the deck are alien and haunting in appearance, leaving the reader with a provocative sense of the Otherworld.  The female figures are depicted as beautiful and independent; the male figures are potent and strong.

The contemporary take on the design is reflected in the Tower card which features a modern skyscraper eerily reminiscent of the 9/11 tragedy despite the fact it was drawn many years prior. [Author’s note: in fact this card was redesigned after 9/11; the original showed an atom bomb.]

Newcomers to tarot will benefit form the insightful and user-friendly book which has pages available for your own notes as well as the author's own insightful descriptions and interpretations of each card.  No detail is spared as the cards and book are elegantly presented in a gift box.  The Intuitive Tarot is a serious set appropriate for all levels of tarot readers.  This deck is a must for anyone interested in expanding their own personal dialogue with the world of tarot.

Dodie Graham