Tarot del Toro New-Deck Profile
AUTHOR’S NOTE: This recent deck acquisition has an interesting back-story. I was gifted the Lord of the Rings Tarot that was created by the same artist (Tomas Hijo) but I already own it, so I took the second one back to the store to exchange it and was pleased to find another Hijo work purely by accident. Most of the available decks had a movie or book tie-in (their buyer is clearly into cultural kitsch) and this one is no different (Guillermo del Toro’s movies figure prominently in what is a decidedly “dark” deck). Because I’ve resisted zombie, vampire, steampunk and goth decks, I only have one or two that qualify as “dark,” so this one is a welcome addition. I ran it through my “Tell Me No Lies” new-deck profile reading. (See the link below for a detailed explanation of the spread.)
The left-hand column conveys the “first impression” delivered by the deck. It is populated by randomly pulling a card from each of the four segments — Wands, Cups, Swords and Coins — of a subdivided pack and laying them top-to-bottom in that order. Because this is a “pip” deck to which it would add no value, I didn’t allow reversal during the shuffle.
The 3 of Cups in the Wands position suggests conflicting priorities (Water and Fire are elementally hostile). The trio of Cups portrays a deceptively benign demeanor, but all we have to do is add a pair of crossed bones beneath the skull on each goblet and we have a potentially toxic projection. I can definitely expect a caustic “zinger” or two from this deck.
The High Priestess in the Cups position is a visionary and mystical Water card that relates esoterically to the Moon. I will have to rise to the occasion of deciphering her more recondite pronouncements (which should be numerous).
Death in the Swords position “don’t have no mercy” as the lyrics of the Rev. Gary Davis song proclaim. I don’t expect this deck to mince words or sugarcoat its predictions. Death is pitiless Scorpio’s “calling card,” and Water and Air are elementally cooperative so there won’t be any flinching.
The 5 of Cups in the Coins position produces a moody combination that could become mired in a “double-dose” of negativity. Passive Water and Earth are all-too-sympathetic to one another, so It may delight in wrapping a “wet blanket” around its cheerless perspective regarding practical matters.
The middle and right-hand columns together describe the “inherent nature” the deck will demonstrate in use. The cards in the middle column reveal the conversational “tone” of the deck’s observations, while blending their interpretation with the cards in the right-hand column yields a composite “profile” of the deck’s character. (Note that the “first impression” cards are stand-alone descriptors and do not participate in this merger of meaning.)
The middle positions are populated by finding the lowest-numbered card of the applicable element in each of the four sub-packs. The idea is that the lower the number, the closer to the pure root of the element it comes and the more undiluted its insights will be.
In the Fire sub-pack, there were no “pip” or court cards of that element, so I had to resort to the lowest-numbered Fire trump card, which turned out to be the Sun. This position depicts how “spirited” the deck’s communication will be, and the Sun leaves no doubt that it will be vigorous in the extreme.
The 7 of Cups appears in the Water sub-pack, which could introduce considerable vagueness and misdirection into the narrative. This may not be malicious but merely a function of the uncertainty characteristic of the card. The extreme sensitivity of this position may therefore generate false impressions that I will have to diligently scrub for legitimacy.
The 6 of Swords in the “Eloquence” position augers well for precision and lucidity (the title for this card in the Thoth deck is “Science”). It’s a perfect antidote for the delirious 7 of Cups.
The Ace of Coins/Discs in the “Solidity” position shows what looks like an elemental gnome brandishing a forged solar emblem in a pair of blacksmith’s tongs. I’m taking this to mean that the deck’s pragmatic commentary will be eminently uplifting and useful.
The positions in the right-hand column speak to the energy and integrity of the deck. They are populated by reassembling the remaining cards, shuffling them and drawing four more randomly, placing them from top-to-bottom.
The Queen of Swords as an exemplar of fiery “Vitality” squanders no energy on empty posturing. She is tough but fair in her judgment and only wants to deal in facts, not conjecture. Taken together with the Sun to form their signature “profile,” she can do no wrong.
The 9 of Cups in the “Fluidity” position overflows with bonhomie; there are no obstacles to impede the delivery of its benevolent ministrations. Joined with the 7 of Cups, it may be somewhat perplexed by the discordant message of the latter and will have to find a way to deflect or accommodate it.
The 6 of Cups in the “Directness” position may be prone to “soft-peddling” but its heart is in the right place. It is well-matched with the 6 of Swords, bringing an emotional “velvet glove” to the “iron grip” of rational comprehension.
The Ace of Cups in the “Reliability” position joins forces with the Ace of Coins/Discs as
“Solidity” to perform high-wire acts of sure-footed prognostication that are one-half pragmatism and one-half inspired idealism. I like the combination.
Summary: The eight cards in the “Inherent Nature” series are nicely matched by horizontal pairing, raising expectations for a cooperative and constructive relationship with this deck. (Although it isn’t shown, the “numerological essence” for these cards is 7, the Chariot; there is no holding them back.) It’s also notable that all of the odd-numbered Cups are present in the reading, which suggests a stimulating foray into the realm of emotional rehabilitation. (Odd numbers are considered “active” and intent on restoring balance.)
This is a very sturdy, well-made deck that is beautifully finished and packaged (although it may be too large and stiff for those with small hands). It is going to be the perfect companion to use in two-deck readings with the Lord of the Rings Tarot.
Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on January 8, 2025.
