Eugene Vinitski & Elsa Khapatnukovski have taken us first to Italy with the Golden Venetian Lenormand, and now Spain with the Spanish Lenormand. This is a Petit Lenormand Oracle, based on Johann Kasper Hechtel’s Game of Hope from the late 18th Century. The deck consists of a 36-card set, with symbols expressed in brilliant Pyrenean colours and cast as the magic and mystery of Iberian witches – las brujas.
BENEBELLIN CATROMANCY DECK REVIEW ON 9 MARS 2023 BY BENEBELLIN
Eugene Vinitski & Elsa Khapatnukovski have taken us first to Italy with the Golden Venetian Lenormand, and now Spain with the Spanish Lenormand. This is a Petit Lenormand Oracle, based on Johann Kasper Hechtel’s Game of Hope from the late 18th Century. The deck consists of a 36-card set, with symbols expressed in brilliant Pyrenean colours and cast as the magic and mystery of Iberian witches – las brujas.
The art is what makes this deck stand out. Vinitski’s work is textured, similar to the Post-Impressionist paintings of continental Europe. It is clear that the artist has a Romantic heart. When I look at these illustrations, they remind me of early Modernists like Marc Chagall (1887-1985) and stylistic traces from Jean Metzinger (1883/83-1956).
Vinitski and Khapatnukovski’s Spanish Lenormand is characterized by its striking use of colors, subtle color blocking and geometric texturing derived from Byzantine traditions. This deck pays homage to La Piel de Toro – The Bull Skin.
Start with the production value notes, and then move on to the back of the card.
The reversible backs and the bright red and gold remind me of the Spanish flag, which is red and yellow. The color red represents strength, valor and blood from bullfighting. The sun and generosity are represented by the yellow.
It’s a cool deck. The cards are edged in a ruby-red, and you can see bands of yellow and red when you spread them out. The cards are finished in a high gloss that allows them to be easily shuffled and fanning.
The Spanish Lenormand as a collectible is amazing, and the accompanying guidebook which details each image is very helpful. We’ll walk through some of the cards with a guidebook to show how much thought was put into creating this oracle. Let’s start with Card 1 The Rider rides an Andalusian horse, returning from a race along the coasts of Cadiz.
The Clover Card is El Cid’s triumphant gallop on the fields of Castilla, where the brave hearts of the fallen soldiers flash in the scarlet poppy- red poppy are a symbol for remembrance.
Card 3 shows a ship with the Spanish Royal Navy flag, sailing in the Sargasso sea. The Cloud card shows the somber skies over Toledo, which look like a premonition of the wars for which the famed Toledo swords were made.
The Snake card depicts a tangled palace intrigue in the Court of Madrid. Meanwhile, the Coffin card shows a hearse heading towards the San Amaro Cemetery. The Birds will take us to Consuegra’s plains.
Scythe is a scene of a small town in La Rioja. The close-up image above exemplifies the Post-Impressionist design that Vinitski used for this deck. Color blocking adds dynamic energy to this image.
Continue with the walkthrough. The Child shows a scene of rural life in Leon. The Fox leads us to Granada. The image on Card 15 is a Bull instead of the Bear that has traditionally been used. This Bull represents vitality and strength, as well as being the unofficial symbol of Spain.
I don’t know why, but the woman with a headless body in The Child card makes me feel frightened. The guidebook description of this card is also very interesting because it explores social class dynamics.
The Stork card features a cartwheel in the middle of a field full of soldiers. Here, there’s an uneasy balance between war and peacefulness. Here, you can see the same simulation of brush strokes that are expressive and distinct. There are also subtle nods towards geometric patterns characteristic of the Post-Impressionist art style.
The Garden Card is stunning. This card is a royal one, with images from Cordoba and Seville as well as Alcazar. The Mountain depicts a scene in northeastern Spain, Catalonia. The deck as a whole is a stunning balance between the cool blues of night and warm yellows of day.
The Lady and Gentleman cards represent passionate flamenco dancers. The Gentleman is the “blazing power of Spain and the world”, while the Lady with her “eyes that shine like daggers” represents beauty and eternality. Card 30, The Lilies is a portrait that combines the madonna and the Madonna, as well as the witch and the nun.
The minds and talents behind TarotMania are what make the decks so amazing. Vinitski, a well-known tarot artist, is the creative genius behind many of the decks that our community loves. These include the Venetian Tarot Kabbalistic Tarot Tarot Magical Correspondences Magic Tarot for the New Aeon and Tarot Of Forbidden Dreams.
Khapatnyukovski is an art historian and scholar of ancient predictions systems. He has worked with Vinitski to create many tarot projects and oracles, including Tarot de Chateau Avenieres and Madhouse Tarot.
It’s totally random, but the photo above, Card 34, The Fish, reminds me of 18th and early 19th century still-life paintings of fish and food ….. Doesn’t it? Exhibit A: “Fish (Still Life)” circa 1864, by Edouard Manet You can see for yourself by searching “still life painting with fish” =)
The Spanish Lenormand is majestic, sublime and grandiose.
ORDER THE SPANISH LENORMAND HERE