Tarot Magow
Early Polish tarot with hermetic symbolism and vibrant, original imagery.
by Jan Opalinsky, Jan Witold Suliga · Fournier · 1991
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The record
Among eastern European countries, Poland "leads the pack" as a producer of fascinating and original tarots. One of the earliest 78-card Polish decks was the celebrated Tarot Magow. Appealingly colorful and full of deep, Hermetic symbolism, the Magow was first brought to the attention of a larger, worldwide audience when K. Frank Jensen documented it in his celebrated publication, Manteia. In issue #7, pg. 29, Jensen writes: "While many modern tarot decks have moved away from the hermetic/esoteric contents towards a more psychological and neo pagan attitude (if they have any attitude at all), this deck does, even if the art style is modern and different, have a content, that makes it a workable tool for the practicing magician, for the Golden Dawn student, and for all others, to whom 'the classical tarot' still appeals." In its first, 1991 printing, the Magow deck was printed by Wydawnichwo Glodnych Duchow -- which roughly translates to "Hungry Ghost Publishing House." The cards were cut to larger-than-standard size; the '91 edition measures 3" x 5-1/8". In 1994, the Spanish publishing firm Fournier republished the Magow in a smaller size for the Polish market. The Fournier edition
The cards
