by Deirdre O’Donaghue

Deirdre of the Sorrows tarot is named after a tragedy play written by Irish playwright John Millington Synge, first performed at the Abbey Theatre by the Irish National Theatre Society in 1910. The play is based on Irish Mythology, in particular the myths concerning Deirdre and Conchobar.  Deirdre, in naming her deck after this Irish myth is linking her name and heritage to the naming of her deck.  The problem is that it may be too subtle a title for perspective customers to connect to this deck.  Although it directs us to consider the book and deck set Irish, possibly Celtic, the images on the cards are not especially either.  The back of the deck is most assuredly Celtic, featuring a gold knot on a black background but really in terms of imagery, that’s the beginning and end of an especially Irish or Celtic association.  Alternatively I might have titled it, “A Simple Tarot from Ireland”.

Easy for the Beginner Tarot Reader

Deirdre describes her process in doing this deck as a way to help new tarot readers with the Tarot, “I’ve been studying Tarot for many years and I have often heard the comment that the cards are too difficult to learn.  I decided to write a beginners guide, describing the basics of each card, to assist and ease the learning process.  To make learning even easier I designed a new deck of cards, ‘Deirdre of the Sorrows’.”  On her web site she is offering a free, downloadable ebook describing in more detail the symbolism she used in the cards.  This is a tarotist serious about creating a work to help, in every way possible, new tarotists learn to do a good tarot reading.  Her goal to create a Tarot easy for the beginner Tarotist to learn was perfectly met.  As an experienced Tarotist and teacher of the Tarot, I love this body of work.

When I first discovered this set, I was immediately curious and excited because so few tarot books and decks come out of Ireland.  I found myself anxiously waiting for the deck to arrive and when it did I raced off to my office, opened up the package, glanced quickly through the book, and reached for the deck. Like most people I was immediately struck by the feel of it. It has a smooth finish feeling more like stiff linen than cardboard. But that’s no reason to buy a tarot deck! You aren’t likely to choose to work with a tarot deck just because it feels nice in your hands. I think most people buy tarot decks because they love the imagery and the accompanying text that explains the rationale behind the imagery.

Lukewarm Reaction from Tarot Students Surprising

The drawings are detailed and must have taken the artist, Wayne McGuire, a considerable investment of time to complete. What surprised me was that when I shared it with my tarot students, few were as excited and as impressed as I. Their lukewarm reaction made me question my own initial enthusiasm. I really didn’t want to write a review that sounded apologetic or defensive.

I use Deirdre of the Sorrows often, finding the images detailed, expressive and rich with story.  The structure and imagery is based on the style initiated by Pamela Smith for the Waite deck.  The settings, the expressions on the faces of the characters, the way colour has been used and omitted are delightfully original.

Like all decks and most people, I have my favourite cards. A few of my favourites are the five of wands, the 10 of coins, the two of coins and the ace of wands. Notice that I identified pip cards. They are among the best artistic renditions of the pip cards that I have ever seen. For the new reader, this deck would be a relief and joy to use because it is typically the pip cards that cause the new reader the most anxiety.  There are so many of them to learn and feel confident interpreting.  To be able to see the story of the card laid out before you is a treat.

Accompanying Tarot Book Written in Plain Terms

Deirdre’s accompanying book to the deck, Tarot Unlocked, is also enormously helpful. On the right-hand side of each open page is a full page featuring a full colour picture of the card and on the left-hand page is a full description of the card and how to interpret this card in a reading.  You can study this book anywhere without having to bring your cards with you.  This book is like going to see a reader that does a layout and discusses the tarot reading in very plain terms that every client can understand, relate to, and apply to their lives.  For example, Deirdre describes the 6 of Coins,

“You will not be surprised to learn that the title of this card is the charity card. This does not mean you give your money away but you must behave in a charitable way by word and deed. The scales are a reminder that when you find your balance, harmony will return, and remember that balance plus harmony equals success. It looks like you will be receiving money from a third party.”

Looking at the six of coins, it really is obvious this is what how the card should be interpreted.  Obviously I recommend this deck.  It’s beautiful to hold and behold.  Its power is in its simplicity and honour. Congratulations to Deirdre for creating such a great set.  As a teaching tool it’s unmatched but that in no way detracts from its joy to work with, even for such a crone-tarotist like myself.