Tarot of the Cat People
What is it about cats that links them with the spiritual? You never see decks with dogs, or cards totally devoted to birds, another common pet. There is something mysteriously secret about cats, suggesting that they know things we don't. They are a fitting symbol for the Tarot, and Karen Kuykendall captures their mysteriousness in the Tarot of the Cat People.
One of the most distinguishing features of the Cat People Tarot is the unique background Kuykendall includes in the booklet that comes with the deck. She richly describes the people who inhabit this universe, where each suit represents a unique kingdom.
The general style of the Cat People Tarot artwork is dark and mysterious. The backgrounds are darkly colored, often hiding the image af a cat. Every card depicts a person and a representative cat. To get the full meanings of the cards, one must look at both carefully. For instance, the Ace of Cups depicts a woman holding up a bubbling chalice and smiling. Below her, a cat floats upside-down in ecstatic bliss, showing the joyful meaning of this card. Even in the Lovers stands two happy cats below a happy couple. Strength depicts a person astride a huge, powerful cheetah.
Most of the cards' names correspond to those of all decks, but there is one card whose name is different. There is no Judgement card in the Tarot of the Cat People; instead, it is replaced with a card titled Rejuvination. It shows a woman rising from a cocoon, smiling and reaching for the sky. Next to her is a bright orange cat, smiling also, with eight rising bubbles containing eight cat faces. This represents his eight other lives. This is a wonderful alternative to Judgement, depicting joyous rebirth rather than the dour images depicted on most decks.
This deck is attractive for its artwork as well as its divinatory uses. Cat Lovers will be especially drawn to this deck. The Cat People tarot can be found or ordered at almost any bookstore, or purchsed from the U.S. Games Systems catalog.
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Profile of a Deck: Tarot of the Cat People
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