Pyrography is extremely cool. Not only that, but it is something personal and dear to me, as my grandfather created many pyrographic artwork through his life. That is why, when I found out about the Lions Gateway Tarot, I thought it was meant to be. Artist and mystic Jessica Leigh Henry has created this original deck inspired by early traditions of Tarot, first by drawing, then by woodburning, and finally by oil painting. This particular deck you see here is a limited edition first pressing!
A little backstory: the first image, The Magician (the Fool being the last major in this deck), was burned on August 8th, 2017. August 8th is the day of the astronomical Lions Gate. That was when Jessica decided to name the deck Lions Gateway Tarot. She says: “it is my hope that anyone using this deck will be guided towards their own truth, gaining wisdom and insight into the nature of their own heart, within the heart of everything”.
Despite the abundant presence of blue, a “cold” colour, these cards are filled with warmth. I think the energy of the fire that created them really seeps into the overall vibes of the deck, which makes it not only a great summer deck to ride along the heat waves, but also a perfect companion during colder times where some warm comfort is needed. It is RWS based, but it has so much personality of its own. It’s got texture, volume, characters that feel intimate as they look straight into you, expressive scenes. It’s so easy to instantly click with this deck!
The cards have a lovely buttery matte finish, they are bordered, and they are finished with gilt edges that really top the deck and work great with the yellow backs. The ~50 page booklet fits into the sturdy two-piece box, and features an opening invocation, some pages for tarot and intuition basics, a series of upright and reversed keywords for each card, spreads, and an artist bio and process section. The production quality is fantastic!
The Lions Gateway tarot is a great deck for beginners and seasoned readers alike. The way in which it was created and its burnt wood give a fiery but stable energy that makes it perfect for every season and occasion. The images are clear and expressive, with iconic symbols rooted in traditional imagery that work well all the time. And of course, it is beautiful. With so much personality, this is an unmissable deck, so go check the first and second editions if you are interested!
