Spiral

Spiral Tarot
Kay Steventon, (U.S. Games, Inc, 1997)

Review
Oh dear. There's a good deck being smothered by its own symbols.

Look at that High Priestess, for example. We have an elemental symbol, a Hebrew letter, an alchemical (or possibly astrological) symbol, and even a small diagram showing where the card fits on the Tree of Life!

What makes all the occult clutter a shame is that the actual art underneath it all is rather fetching. The three of swords is almost Impressionist, whereas the Knight of Wands spares no detail of the knight's embroidery. The art borders upon the Rider-Waite, with nice little stylistic changes, like the bustle worn by the Three of Wands, or the replacement of the Pages with Princesses.

The standout card is arguably the homliest. The Knight of Pentacles stand with his shire horse, horsebrasses glinting, as they step among rows of cabbages. It's good to see a knight actually doing something useful, rather than simply rearing up his steed.

Despite being inspired by "ancient Celtic wisdom," this is clearly a deck that's trying to explain too many things at once, and suffers as a result.