Llewellyn's Classic
Classic Rider-Waite symbolism reimagined with modernized artistry and immediacy.
by Barbara Moore, Eugene Smith · 2014
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The record
One of my favourite aspects of tarot is how the familiar symbolism can be constantly re-imagined, re-illustrated and re-interpreted. In Llewellyns Classic Tarot, the publishing house Llewellyn and American artist Eugene Smith have taken the classic Rider-Waite symbolism and made it more immediate, more atmospheric and more approachable. Going through the deck, my first impression is that characters in each card feel closer to us as the reader, and the lack of borders gives each card a more spacious and less cramped feel. Rather than the sometimes theatrical feeling of the Rider-Waite, where scenes can give the impression of being performed, in this deck we feel like were simply observing the scene as it takes place. I especially like the use of colour and weather appropriate to the mood of the card. The sky and light in the Ace of Wands has the crispness of dawn. The Three of Swords is set in a bleak landscape studded with gnarled trees, dark skies and pouring rain. The woman in the Eight of Swords stands blind-folded in the rain, her feet in the mud. The craftsman in the Eight of Pentacles is a blacksmith, indoors in his workshop. The Hermit is in motion, climbing an icy mountai
The cards
