Lovers

The Lovers' Tarot
Jane Lyle & Oliver Burston (Eddison Sadd Editions, 1992)

Review
In our more jaded times, it's easy to dismiss this deck as yet another CGI compilation- until you realise that this deck is from 1992, and thus pre-date the widespread use of Photoshop. Suddenly it becomes possible to appreciate the effort and research needed to create the collaged images. At first glance this looks like a Renaissance deck, but I recognise the central figure of the High Priestess as being part of the Ghent Altarpiece, completed in 1432.

The crushing disappointment is the Minors. Simple pips like that Seven of Cups offer nothing to a reading, although considering the amount of time and dedication needed to make a pre-digital collage, it is at least understandable. Due to the nature of the medieval-ish source material, I'm prepared to bet a one or more of the Queens were originally the Virgin Mary, which is more understandable for the High Priestess, but can't be helped under the circumstances.

In all fairness though, a Lovers Deck was never going to fail. It's the question that most readers are asked on a regular basis, the question that gives rise to the cliché of the tall dark stranger- "what's going to happen in my love life?" On that basis then, collectors may want to get this deck by way of reminder of the question, rather than a useful tool for the answer.