Pro Ale, mmm, I don't want to walk that road? Especially if I have to take a +*(_ on the carpet in the front dorm, not social??? I think it's important to give due respect to work done, although we may not agree to "all" the doings and screwings of the Ewings?LOL
The Grail Tarot, don't waste your money!! I'm sorry to say this, but it's absolutely true. I think we are to assimilated to the "heavier" quality cards. The artwork is not too shaby, but I can say the entire "traditional Tarot" is lost. Understandably it's a "Templar's Vision", but it's far too "Christian", to be a true Tarot deck.
Then again we can't say it's "Christian" per say. The symbology is more woven around the Virgin Mary and it's connotations. Were the Templars Catholic, if so, they are not considered as "Christians" by most of the modern theological orientations. What is also interesting is that some of the Catholics and even their "higher" priests practised some form of Tarot, notwithstanding the influences at that time. What is even more interesting, is that they were practically "quoted" in public on Tarot readings done. In 1889 Papus primarily "introduced" a simplified spread, which is widely used as a "three card" spread. Before this, the Gypsies used huge spreads, and if we think of it, would most probably have given rise to the "fear" some querants have when a reading is done.
The Grail Tarot refers to the four hallows, considering the minor arcanum. This is supposed to portray some aspect of the Grail itself. Here I start becoming somewhat confused--(that doesn't take much to acheive)! In the Major Arcanum, the Devil is "Lucifer" falling from the sky with a sword pointed at the Earth. Somehow his Sword is melted to become a cup, but the Philosepher's Stone (Pentacles) may also be the quest, and fell from the crown of Lucifer. I may have things totally screwed here, but anyway, you get the picture.
If we look at cards and place them, the Court Cards are in the front of the rest of the Minors. The Lady is given priority, as she displays a quality of the virgin Mary, then we have the Master, the Preceptor and the brother. The Pip cards start with "One of Stones", etc, not Ace. Ok, these are most probably just a theory the author introduced. All the suits are long "freezes" on their own, and in fact, perhaps it may have been done like this by someone else. What I do see, is that the Court cards are actually part of the Minor Arcanum completely, and not seen in our "traditional" order or "separate" to the Minors.
When we look at the cards themselves, it is impossible to try and apply any of the known symbolism at all, although the same or similar "interpretations" are used. Trying to be completely "open-minded", I searched for a true indication on the cards of its "meaning", and I must say that, looking at the image, I can't really marry the two, on some of the cards.
On the other side, the cards portray a simple path followed by most people, as in the archetypal. It brings to mind the high's and lows in life and how we need to cope with what is happening. We are reminded of being totally committed as the Knight were in those days, and the cause they were fighting for.
Perhaps I am too dogmatic in following RW and related Tarot. I think even the Thoh is more inclined to the pure symbolism?
As for me as a person, I am not inclined to enjoy the deck at all, it will only be another deck in my collection. I am also studying the Elemental Tarot and acquired the biggest heap of trash the "Simply Tarot".