Table of Contents
Following the success of Fabio Listrani’s Goetia, here comes Notoria. Where Goetia was about the dark and demons, Notoria is about the light and Angels. Together, light and darkness are the two faces of the human soul. The deck is an esoteric and powerful compendium of the energies of light. Light that may exalt, and light that can cast shadows, light cold and warm, but always light that can address our higher self. unconscious is just a mirror of the conscious.
Product description from the publisher
I have to admit that I am not particularly interested in angelic magic. Still, since I already owned the Goetia: Tarot in Darkness, I decided to also get the Notoria: Tarot in Light. This deck, created by Fabio Listrani and published by Lo Scarabeo, boasts the same high-quality and stunning artwork as its predecessor but with a greater emphasis on light and colour. Unlike the Goetia deck, Notoria has the Kickstarter edition in stock at the time of writing this post.
Fabio Listrani’s art features angels and other beings of light from the lore of Ars Notoria, which is the fifth book of the Lesser Key of Solomon. This tarot deck can be used as a complementary deck to the Goetia deck or as a standalone deck for your divination sessions or rituals concerning angelic magic. Notoria: Tarot in Light tries to remind us that, despite the existence of darkness, there is always light. However, that is not always obvious from the fierce characters depicted.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Art style is unique + Vibrant colours + Multilingual guidebook | – The guidebook could have more information – Waite-Smith Symbolism is not visible |
About the Creator
Fabio Listrani is a creative artist from Italy with a broad range of talents. He is an illustrator, author, musician, graphic designer, and mostly self-taught artist. Listrani obtained his degree in Scienze dei Media, where he specialized in scientific and mathematical studies. His work as a cover artist and illustrator has gained him international recognition, having worked with big names such as Marvel, Titan Comics, Heavy Metal, and IDW Publishing. Listrani has contributed to various projects, including X-Men, Doctor Who, Warhammer 40.000, Quake, Dishonored, Dark Souls, and more.
Listrani’s illustrations are characterized by intricate linework, dark and moody colour schemes, and meticulous attention to detail. His pieces often feature fantastical creatures, intricate patterns, and symbolic imagery. Listrani’s work has a distinct sense of mystery and otherworldliness, drawing the viewer into a world of magic and wonder. Whether working in digital or traditional media, Listrani’s art is always captivating and immersive, showcasing his exceptional talent and unique vision.
Cards and the Artwork
The mass-market edition of the card game comes with a visually appealing deck box that perfectly holds the cards. It is the same box as with the Goetia deck. The box’s illustration matches the deck’s theme as it has a certain papal feel. The box lid sits firmly on top but does not have magnets or anything like that to keep it in place during your travels.
The deck comprises 78 cards, each measuring 70×120 mm. The card stock is high quality, making shuffling easy. The artwork shows angels and other beings of light with an intriguing 3D feel. This deck might not be suitable for Tarot use, at least for beginners. The traditional RWS meanings could be more apparent, and novices may find it confusing. I’m unfamiliar with working with Angels, but this deck suits ritual use.
When it comes to designing a deck of cards, the colour scheme is an important aspect to consider. In the case of this particular deck, the colours chosen are red, gold, and white, which perfectly suit the theme of the cards. These colours also contrast nicely against the Goetia deck, creating a striking visual effect that is sure to catch the eye of anyone who sees them.
For individuals acquainted with angels, each card comprises a plethora of information. It displays the angel’s sigil, name, and original number. Each card includes details regarding the Tarot card correspondence and planetary and zodiac attribution. So, if you understand how to utilize it, a vast amount of information is available. Unfortunately, the guidebook is not very helpful in deciphering it.
The Guidebook of Notoria: Tarot in Light
One of my main griefs with the guidebook of the Goetia: Tarot in Darkness deck’s guidebook was that it didn’t give you that much information about the cards. This problem has been addressed a bit in this deck. Things could be better, but I’ll take it. At least this time, you get to know the characters a bit more.
Once again, the booklet is multilingual, which is a nice touch in the mostly English world of deck guidebooks. The guidebook starts by providing some background information about topics such as the ranks of angels and Sephiroth, just like Goetia’s guidebook did with its topics. However, after that, things change. Instead of a table with the bare minimum information, you get small sections about each card. I found them really helpful.
Conclusion
The Notoria: Tarot in Light deck is specifically designed for those interested in working with angels. The deck’s quality is impressive, and the artwork complements the theme quite well. The accompanying guidebook is an improvement over the Goetia: Tarot in Darkness deck’s guidebook, but there is still room for improvement. If you already own the first deck in this series, I recommend that you pair it with this deck. The visual contrast alone is worth it.
