I collect Tarot cards. I can't read the damn things, but I collect them none the less. I just think they're cool, ok? heh. Most of the time I don't open them. They sit on top of my curio cabinet full of dragons and I leave them in their sealed boxes.. kinda like just an added Medieval decor kinda thang. No, this is not odd, I also collect swords and full size shields..

The Lord of the Rings Tarot Deck and Card Game was a Christmas gift a few years ago and when I noticed it was in Epinion's system with zero reviews, I hadda break that box open and play around with them. Awwwwwwwwwww.

These are a normal sized Tarot deck, both size (3x5) and quantity wise (78 cards). The backs of the cards are a very nice grey brick design with "The Lord of the Rings Tarot Deck and Card Game" printed on either end, and two rings intertwined in the center. They have a very thin plastic coating so they're like real slippery when you first open them.

The pictures on the fronts depict various scenes from the books (LOTR by JRR Tolkien). On a thin wooden plank to the left of each card is the regular Ryder Tarot card this one corresponds too. For instance, Gollum, by a pool of water corresponds to The Fool in a Ryder deck.

Ok.. I hear some folks going what is she talking about?. A Ryder Deck is the one that most card readers swear by. It's the closest to the original Tarot decks that were hand made back in the middle ages. It's the bible deck of Tarot, if one can say that.. heh.

Back to the LOTR deck..There are actually two different LOTR decks out there, this one is also a card game independant of the Tarot use. As such, they have yet another feature to them. Like Magic: The Gathering (MTG), at the top of each card are a symbol and a point value. These are divided into three symbol/colors: Gold square shield (neutral symbol), red shield (dark forces), and green sun (free peoples). There is also a One Ring symbol.

No, I'm not going to type out all the rules to this game. It's quite complicated, but quite fun too. I will say that even if you never heard of the Tarot, you should get this deck for the LOTR card game. It combines elements of MTG.. sorta. The deck comes with a 40 page rule book. heh. Don't let that scare you, the first part is explaining the Arcana of the Tarot.. the unrelated game is only the last 14 pages.. hey, it's a small book the size of the cards themselves so it isn't as bad as it sounds. If I could learn it, you can certainly learn it.

The pictures on the cards are not stills from the movie, they are drawn from the books. The artist is Peter Pracownik, who I've never heard of. I like his work on these though so will prolly be looking him up. The drawings are full color and under each is a little blurb. For example, on The Magician card, it has a drawing of Gandalf, and the caption is Gandalf commands the material elements of the universe. If you read the captions in order, it's like a mini-play of LOTR.. Kinda cool.

All in all, whether you are into fortune telling or not, you should get this deck. Anyone 10 or older can catch on the card game fairly quickly, and it is very fun. A nice way to spend a family evening.. perhaps after watching the movie together. Beats the heck out of Rummy!

2 to 6 players
Ages 10 & up


The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Extended Version Gift Set:
http://www.epinions.com/content_89717313156


The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Extended Version Gift Set:
http://www.epinions.com/content_122447826564

Recommended: Yes