The Llewellyn Tarot is a stunning achievement that has already drawn acclaim for its depth and beauty. Its watercolor imagery invites you into a mystic world of ancient forests, sensuous seascapes and wondrous waterfalls brimming with mystery, meaning and magic. This lavishly illustrated deck is based on the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith deck, making readings easy. It also reveals a compelling Celtic story featuring Rhiannon as The Empress, Bran the Blessed as The Emperor, The Wild Herdsman as The Devil, Gwydion as The Magician, Llew Llaw Gyffes as the Bringer of Light and other figures from Welsh mythology. This deck—created by famed artist Anna-Marie Ferguson—reveals Welsh myths and honors Llewellyn George, who traveled from Wales to the U.S. in 1901 to teach astrology and start Llewellyn Publications. The deck comes with a full-size book that explains the myths associated with the image on each card as well as their divinatory meanings. It also includes two original spreads. The Llewellyn Tarot brings life to the ancient myths while keeping to a structure that makes it ideal for giving readings. It honors the wisdom and spirit two great personalities, one who strived in myth, and another who strode to open astrology in a new land. Inspiring and practical, this is the deck you will use every day and on special occasions. Whether this is going to be your first deck or your hundredth deck, it is the deck you must have.
Specs
- By: Anna-Marie Ferguson
- Boxed Kit 6 x 9 x 2 IN
- 288 pages
Author & Artist
Anna-Marie Ferguson was born in the historic New Forest of southern England and immigrated with her family to western Canada at the age of nine. Her life has since been divided between the two countries. Both the mediaeval roots and ancient woodlands of her birthplace - and the vast, wild landscapes of Canada are reflected in her art. As a self-taught artist she began her career with a British graphic design studio at the age of sixteen. It was her interest in history and mythology that led her to paint and later write about the characters of legend.
In 2006 created The Llewellyn Tarot, a flagship title to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its publishing house. In her choice of projects, the opportunity to resurrect lesser known histories and mythologies is a consideration and the deciding factor in her committing to The Llewellyn Tarot which showcases the Celtic culture and history of Wales.
While drawing on many cultural and literary sources, Anna-Marie explains “The land itself is my first inspiration, and then the legends which grow out of it. The realistic treatment of landscape in a painting - light, figures, etc. - and the realistic depiction of the unreal creates a tension in an overlapping of worlds…Not fantasy in the typical sense removed from this world, nor the sterility that can come of photographic realism, but somewhere in-between...It is this borderland of mystic realism that I strive for, and the thrill of painting what cannot otherwise be seen.”
As classical watercolour, the paintings serve as book illustration and individual works of art, making for popular museum exhibits and additions to private art collections. Most recently Anna-Marie was nominated for the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta’s Award of Distinguished Artist.
Artistic work aside, in the past few years Anna-Marie has devoted much time to the welfare of wildlife (please see Unnatural Enemies: the War on Wolves, winner of the 2016 Genesis Award for international television documentary– awarded by Humane Society of the United States). While continuing to work for humane treatment of animals, she returns to her arts with an ambitious, original story set in the 14th century.
