Disclosures: I’m an Austen fan, and just joined a local JASNA book club (with meetings by Zoom, of course). I’ve read some of Austen’s contemporaries, some horrid novels, and my share of fan fiction (now termed “austenesque”), and even had a complicated idea for a fan fic story of my own (that will never actually be written, but I had it blocked out with notes and all!). But I’ve never read a Georgette Heyer novel or other Regency romance.
Tarot of Jane Austen was written by Diane Wilkes and illustrated by a Lo Scarabeo artist. The illustrations are obviously based on movies, most noticeably the Emma Thompson Sense and Sensibility and the 1940’s Hollywood Pride and Prejudice. This is a bit jarring because the costuming is very different on various cards. This is a fully illustrated deck, with suits of Candlesticks, Teacups, Quill, and Coins. The courts are Maiden, Knight, Lady, and Lord. Attached are titles I made up to briefly tell which scene from which novel is depicted on each card.
On the other hand, Le Beau Monde is all about authentic costuming! The illustrations are taken from Ackermann’s Repository, a fashion magazine of the era (early 1800s). It’s a pips deck with suits of Candles, Parasols, Fans, and Reticules. All of the figures are women, and the courts are those denizens of Regency romance, Debutante, Bluestocking, Duchess, and Dowager.
Enough description! On to the interviews!
Tarot of Jane Austen
Most important characteristic: Strength, Fanny Price and Henry Crawford, Mansfield Park
This is a powerful deck, if we give it a chance. And it can show how the seemingly weak are really strong, like Fanny, especially emotionally. She was strong in her feelings, of dislike for Henry’s earlier questionably moral actions, and of course of her love for Edmund, which guarded her from Henry’s advances.
Strength: Hanged Woman, Fanny again, Mansfield Park
Again, the strength of the deck is emotion, and trying to do right. Fanny wasn’t always able to be perfectly morally correct, but at least she tried. She was in a very socially precarious position. The deck shows not pictures of perfection, but real people with real problems and the way they were able to solve them.
Weakness: 5 Coins, Mrs. Smith, Emma
Going meta here, the presentation of the deck isn’t perfect. The illustrations could have been better, and the packaging much better! But we don’t have to let that hold us back from enjoying it.
What I can learn: 9 Candlesticks, Frederica writes to Reginald, Lady Susan
This is another strength card, specifically self-defense. (I associate 9s with the cardinal virtues.) Frederica was forbidden by her mother to tell her hosts that she was being forced into an unwanted marriage, so she told her hostess’s brother instead. She had to circumvent the spirit of the law to protect herself. Once again, we’re learning that someone ostensibly weak and disadvantaged has real strength of character.
How can I learn it? 4 Candlesticks, Bennet double wedding, Pride and Prejudice
The easiest way to learn is by enjoyment. While I’m enjoying reliving some of my favorite stories, I’ll be learning about strength, weakness, and how they can work together. And, at least in some fiction, there’s always a happy ending!
Outcome of our work together: 5 Candlesticks, Catherine resists, Northanger Abbey
It will take some effort, and maybe some disagreeing with the author, to get everything I can out of the deck. After learning about the different kinds of strength, I will be stronger in my reading!
Le Beau Monde
Most important characteristic: Bluestocking of Parasols
This is the romantic of the deck, she’s a bluestocking, but she only reads the most romantic literature of the past. Same with the deck. It’s a romantic picture (literally) of a nostalgic past.
Strength: Bluestocking of Candles
But that doesn’t mean it’s just all soppy. It has some humor and some action, of an intellectual kind, of course. This bluestocking isn’t reading about the past, she’s writing her own action stories!
Weakness: Wheel of Fortune
It’s questionable if we can really use it for predictive readings.
What I can learn: 8 Reticules
I can learn about production and manifestation of tarot projects from this deck’s example.
How can I learn it? Dowager of Parasols
With the correct combination of fire and water, acting on intuitions and feelings. And admiration. This is by far the best costume of this bunch!
Outcome of our work together: 8 Fans
Working with the deck might be too much of an intellectual exercise. But again that could be beneficial. Really proving that this whole reading pips thing is working for me!
Heavy on bluestockings (knights, air) and 8s (Mercury), so heavy on intellect, thinking and learning. Which I like!
I look forward to more with both decks! Have a great Sunday!
