Nicoletta Ceccoli - Oracle & Tarot
Nicoletta Ceccoli (b.1973) is an illustrator from San Marino. At face value, her distinctive work suggests a childlike innocence, yet she often includes dark and disturbing elements that force the viewer into discomfort. The tarot deck was published in 2014, with the oracle deck following in 2016. Both decks retail for under £20.
The tarot deck comes with the standard little white booklet. The cards are typical of Lo Scarabeo mass-market decks; they are affordable, have no frills, are easy to shuffle, and can generally withstand heavy use. It’s not a deck for beginners, nor would I classify it as a collectors deck. That being said, it’s a nice one to own because her artwork is emotive, which means it can be conducive to readings focusing on self-development.
Only a handful of the major arcana cards are somewhat close to the traditional interpretation, which makes this deck a challenge. The artwork for The High Priestess works quite well. The female figure morphs into a mountain for her lower half, which expresses the card's association with isolation. The colours are good, with strong whites and pale blues fitting the theme well. The Emperor is the first card I notice that uses a traditional figure, and we have a male figure dressed as Napolean on a rocking horse. The Hierophant is close to the traditional imagery, with a monkey taking place of the pope. Other cards are impossible to determine without the numbers. Looking at The Lovers, I can see a female figure in an apple tree with a snake coiled around her. It’s clearly a reference to the biblical story of Adam and Eve, so I’ll assume this version emphasises the necessity of choice. It could also imply a need to see through the deception. The little white booklet says, “A choice is offered to you that could change everything. Listen to your heart’s guidance. Follow the path of love. Key concepts: Sacred or profane love, moral choices, soul mates.” As you can see, the booklet gives no detail on the imagery, and I think this would’ve significantly improved the quality of the deck. The Death card shows a young girl lying on the snowy ground, surrounded by seven dwarves. There’s an apple missing a bite next to her hand. This imagery suggests that she is not dead, only sleeping. The booklet sticks to traditional interpretations and mentions transformation, release, endings, acceptance of loss. The imagery is alright, but I don’t think it’s the best fit. The Devil looks like a demon, and the card gives off a sinister vibe. Because the girl is unconscious, it could emphasise how unconscious impulses put us at risk of negative influences. Or perhaps being carried away from subconscious desires. On the whole, the major arcana is complex and takes some effort to understand the artwork.
The minor arcana is a heavily illustrated mix, with some cards far easier to read than others. I found myself getting irritated when looking for ones to pick out because it was taking too much time to work out what they were trying to say. This wouldn’t stop me from using the cards; it’s just a deck that takes, and therefore needs, time to get to know the imagery. I love some of the pictures, even when they don’t exactly fit in with traditional interpretations, but it’s one of those where you need to be prepared to put in the effort. Obviously, this is just a review, and I don’t have the time to spend weeks using it to connect with the hidden meanings. You’ll know I can often tune in to a deck quickly if you've read my other reviews; it’s just not happening for me here. I enjoy Ceccoli’s artwork; it was why I bought both decks. However, it’s not for the faint of heart. I mean, some of the symbolism is great, I’m looking at the salamander on the ace of wands, and I know that the animal is linked to the fire element in witchcraft. But, would others simply see it as an ordinary lizard and have any idea of that? Maybe it is just a lizard. . .the booklet doesn’t say. I’ve uploaded all the cards as usual, and the best suggestion I have is to have a good look through them and see if you can make it work for you.
The Ceccoli Oracle is a 32-card set that comes with a good-sized booklet. The box is sturdy and without an insert, but the cards fit snugly. The cards are laminated and on the large side, yet they’re easy to shuffle. The oracle deck is beautiful, but I wish Nicoletta had used the titles on the cards. Because there are only thirty-two cards, it wouldn’t take too long to remember each card's meaning. However, this would take regular use rather than just picking it up now and again. The images don’t reflect the card's meaning at first glance, and even after reading the booklet, it isn’t easy to marry them together. The booklet interpretations are good, and give a half-page write-up and then include keywords for light and dark. I think this is a nice touch, but it does leave you somewhat relying on the booklet. Much like the tarot deck, it feels like it needs a lot of work.
I can’t help thinking a few tweaks here and there would’ve made the deck more accessible. The lack of words on the oracle cards is a hindrance, and if you rely on the artwork alone, it won’t give you what’s in the booklet. The tarot deck has some fantastic expressions, but there’s a lack of consistency. Much of the artwork is certainly conducive to self-development if you like meditating with imagery. Yet, I feel frustrated by both decks because they demand so much effort. Part of my problem is that I wouldn’t choose either as main decks for everyday use, and they need commitment. It’s fairer to say they’ll be lovely for someone dedicated to working with them. I hate to give a negative review of such amazing artwork, but it's missing something as a tarot or oracle deck. Some decks are challenging and need a combination of existing knowledge, a ton of books, analysis of the artwork and a bit of intuition. I like the clarity to come quickly, and Nicoletta Ceccoli’s work tends to transport you somewhere magical and unknown. This could be why I feel the imagery sometimes works at a cross-purpose with its intention.
I’m struggling too much with this one and need to sign off on it before I waffle any more.
