Tarot Chimera by Nitasia Roland Review

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this deck in exchange for an honest review.

I love unique tarot decks, even though I really don't practice tarot. It's a beautiful expression of creativity wrapped in esoteric lore, which is excellently represented by one of Weiser's more recent decks, Tarot Chirmera: The Arcana of Doilon Redon by Nitasia Roland.

In this deck, Roland uses the art of French Symbolist painter, printmaker, and draftsman, Odilon Redon, to create a unique tarot deck. His work has been referred to as "dream terrors," "beyond anything imaginable," and "inconceivable apparitions," which is very apparent when looking at the art Roalnd chose for this deck. There are floating heads, mythological creatures, and unsettling locals throughout, making this deck unlike anything else I have seen thus far...in a good way.

As with all tarot decks, Roland includes all the major and minor arcana, with a guidebook to help new and old tarot readers alike. This guidebook includes a breakdown of the cards, but also gives some much-needed history about Redon and the use of the chimera in the deck. And that is where this deck becomes unlike most others on the market. Roland includes 6 oracle cards, one of which is the chimera, to help focus, elaborate, and clarify a reading. The meaning of these oracle cards can be found in the guidebook as well, although you can always look for your own symbolism. My favorite among these is the Genis Loci, which is not only a fascinating inclusion for a witch that works locally, but the artwork is also captivating.

Furthermore, this is one of the best constructed decks I have seen in a while. The cards are incredibly sturdy, but not so much that you can't easily shuffle them. They will wear out incredibly well, lasting you for many, many years if taken care of. The gold detailing on the edges is particularly beautiful, but like all gilding, it will likely fade with time.

If you are looking for a truly unique tarot deck, Tarot Chirmera: The Arcana of Doilon Redon by Nitasia Roland is for you...or your artsy friend. If my mother were into tarot, this is a deck she would likely pick up. While she prefers Impressionists over Symbolists, she loves art of all kinds and would appreciate the care and thought that went into compiling such a deck.

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