The Fantastic Menagerie Tarot

Magic Realist press have a unique and wonderful way of making pictures that fascinate, intrigue and which give a good feeling inside. The pictures were made using the drawings of famous artist J Granville and feature humanized animals in bright and colourful costumes and scenery. It's full of life, amusement and wisdom. Based on the Rider-Waite deck, the 'Fantastic Menagerie' is very easy to understand for the beginner, and offers new insight and perspective for the experienced reader. It's a very enjoyable deck. As usual, the cards are accompanied by a beautifully bound, in-depth book which explains the picture and meaning of each card in detail. The cards are a good size with a matt finish, although not very robust. The book and deck come in an easily accessible box and one extra, special card. I highly recommend this kit.

IF you like the art of JJ Grandville, you should really enjoy this deck. I personally got this deck knowing nothing about JJ Grandville. I bought it ONLY because it was by MRP (Magic Realist Press), and I have become VERY attached to every Tarot deck they ever made by MRP, so I decided to buy this even though it is not as well known as some of their other decks. I now have a backup of this deck because I ended up liking it so much. : ) Just a few quotes from Aeclectic.net: - "This deck is by far one of the deepest decks I own. It digs deep and says it with A-L-L the letters. Don't let the nice images fool you !" - "When people actually get their hands on this deck, they don't let it go!" - "The FM is one of my favorite decks." - "Fantastic Menagerie is my regular deck - the one I reach for when I do a reading for myself, or people don't choose a different one for readings. So yes, people do use it! Heck, I like it so much, I have TWO, just in case the one I use ever wears out." - "It is out of stock at MRP (and Karen has indicated that it is very, very unlikely to be reprinted) so you might never get it ... in a few year's time." - "Fantastic Menagerie is my favorite deck." - "This deck is amazing. But do be patient. This deck was shy for me at first and I really had to spend some time with it before it warmed up to me and began to open up. But it's a beautiful reader. Really, really, fluid and prose-like. I love it." - "FM is such a great reading deck. There's a wealth of information in the details. I often wonder why it doesn't get as much attention as the BG and VR. It's got a great book, loads to say and is charming and witty." - "I love this deck too! It seems so underrated compared to other MRP decks yet it really speaks in a reading. Lots of lovely little details to get lost in and the book is fantastic." - "The kit is worth it - the book by Sophie is amazing!"

This is a wonderful deck. The delightful illustrations are very colorful and the book which accompanies the deck is descriptive, full of animal childhood stories and imagination. The deck uses fairy tale images of animals which are evocative symbols. As with many current tarot decks, this deck gives it's own twist on the major and minor arcana tarot card meanings, which is illuminated through the symbols from fairy tales. This particular deck is full of childhood imagination evoked by fairy tale stories. I love to play around with the tarot and this deck stimulated my own creativity and further understanding of the tarot.

This tarot deck is difficult to use if you are a begginer because the imagery is somewhat confusing. It is a beautiful deck! In my opinion the images seem to inspire darker feelings than some other decks. If you decide to purchase this deck definitely get the book that goes with it because the book is great and very easy to understand plus it has reversals for the cards.

Call me crazy, but the animals used in illustrating the meanings of each card are not only perfect for the job, but the subtlty of the choices delight the mind. The artwork is first rate. It is fully illustrated. The card stock is thin. This deck will not hard ware. I have it in a glass case and do not intend to use it. The art, the animal choices and the costumes and situations are pure genius.

I chose 5 stars because I am very impressed with the uniqueness of the cards and the book I find very informative I love animals & animal type decks - this one meets my needs and keeps me interested at the same time I would recommend this tarot set to anyone interested in animals & tarot The cards feel comfortable when I shuffle and to me that says it all