From the Top (L-R): 10 of Swords, 10 of Wands, 6 of Pentacles, Empress, Queen of Cups, The Moon, 10 of Pentacles, Ace of Cups, & Queen of Swords.

I apologize for the quality of this photo, The gloss finish does not lend itself to photographs, alas. If you would like to see the images as Ciro intended them to be, visit his website.

1. Tell me about yourself. What is your most important characteristic?

10 of Swords

Keywords:Release, Renewal, Liberation

Elemental Alignment: Air

“I am the balancing point. Sometimes, one way, often the other, I encourage you, the reader, to expand your Tarot skills by expanding your thinking. Be inclusive, not exclusive.”

2. What are your strengths as a deck?

10 of Wands

Keywords: Stockpiling, Collecting, Harvest

Elemental Alignment: Fire

“I find that my strengths as a deck come from my meticulous need to always be better. To excel. You’ve met my older brother, the Gilded Tarot, with a deck that good, I have to be miles ahead of the rest, even The Gilded Tarot. So I gather my business lessons together in one place to facilitate that goal.”

3. What are your limits as a deck?

Six of Pentacles

Keywords: Sharing, Prudence, Balance

Elemental Alignment: Earth

“I’m not big on sharing. I have a lot of pride. I am working on this though and I will help you out.”

The First triad is Air-Fire-Earth. The outer cards cancel each other. Fire is alone in the triad. Fire against the world is not, however, a problem.  It has the inner spirit to carry on despite all odds until the end. Remember that there is a wellspring of inner fortitude and it will be possible to reach the end, even if it is alone. It can be done; it will not be easy but few things in this life are easy. Do not let anything take away from the prize at the end of the finish line.

4. What do you bring to the table—what are you here to teach me?

Empress

Keywords: Promise, Abundance, Assurance

Elemental Alignment: Earth

“I am here to teach you about being comfortable as Tarot reader. I know, odd choice for such a serious-minded (10 of Swords) and hard-working (10 of Wands) deck. However, I am not unkind, or callous, in spite of not being a big sharing person. I have passion and I am committed to helping you grow as a Tarot reader and in life.”

5. How can I best learn from and collaborate with you?

Queen of Cups

Keywords:Loving, Mysterious, Compassionate

Elemental Alignment: Water

“Be open. Listen. For in deep listening, there is true knowing: of the self and of others.”

6. What is one thing you want to ask of me?

The Moon

Keywords:Influence, Emergence, Emotion

Elemental Alignment: Water

“I ask you to be reflective. Write down everything and refer back to it later. Embrace the process and forget the distractions for awhile.”

Earth-Water-Water is the second triad. The central card in this triad is strong and will influence the Tarot reading. However, given the passive nature of the elements involved, nothing much will be happening. This triad indicates hedonistic behavior, self-indulgence, and having fun. This triad is full of sensory delights for our inner nature.  It is also very comforting. There is enough grounding here that nothing gets too carried away.

7. What do you expect me to bring to the table—what can I teach you?

10 of Pentacles

Keywords: Stability, Community, Achievement

Elemental Alignment: Earth

“Bring your desire to work to improve your skills and yourself.”

8. Using only three words, how would you describe  yourself?

Ace of Cups

Keywords: Peace, Acceptance, Compassion

Elemental Alignment: Water

“There are so many words that accurately describe me but I suppose: Patience. Harmony. Tranquility will have to do.”

9. What is the potential outcome of our working relationship?

Queen of Swords

Keywords: Independent, Effective, Focused

Elemental Alignment: Air

“If you are effectively, organized then we will have a grand time. I accept no excuses and i expect tidy thoughts and a forthright manner. Do this and I will respect you.”

The last triad is Earth-Water-Air. Adaptability will be the only shot here. Can Water hold its own while Earth and Air duke it out? It is almost impossible but stranger things than this have succeeded and flexibility has led to the survival of many unlikely things. The ability to adapt is the greatest ally now. Above all else, trust the emotions as they will be the strongest guide and may resolve problems the fastest in this situation.

The cards are quite large, 3.75 x 5.5 inches. The card stock is thicker than the Gilded Tarot deck with a gloss finish and metallic gold border. The package includes a companion CD which contains a variety of Gilded Tarot-Royale digital items: wallpapers, avatars, screen savers and stationary. Also on the CD is a PDF that provides a few personal insights on select Tarot cards. Each deck includes an additional signature card. The Gilded Tarot-Royale is available from Ciro Marchetti’s website for $55 USD.

This deck is a heavy hitter. Three Minor Arcana are tens: 10 of Swords, 10 of Wands, and 10 of Pentacles, curiously, the 10 of Cups is absent. There are feminine cards here too: The Empress, The Moon, the Queen of Cups and the Queen of Swords. The odd cards out in this case are the 6 of Pentacles and Ace of Cups. A very succinct and straight-forward deck. Also worth noting, the third triad is the same along the row and in the column, Earth-Water-Air in both directions.This deck is somewhat surprising in its apparent, regal attitude but given that it is re-working of a much older deck, can you really blame it?

Personally, if you have the Gilded Tarot deck, I would not buy this deck. There is no need to have both, especially if you are budget conscious. What do you think? Would you hire this Tarot deck? Why or why not?

Blessings to You!

Genevieve Ragana