Tarot of Dragons – Wisdom from the Dragon Realms

The Tarot of Dragons is my fav of all Dragon themed Tarot and Oracle decks, of which there are many. And I think I own most of them, Lol! In this deck, dragon author Shawn MacKenzie has teamed up with fantasy illustrator Firat Solhan. Together they’ve created a stunning parallel universe where dragons reign supreme, free to be the magically magnificent beasts they are.

Shawn MacKenzie is a true dragon aficionado (dracophile) who has researched and written much about dragon legend and lore. In fact, she not only writes as if dragons actually existed, but as if they still do exist. And I’m right there with her!

Mackenzie believes dragons and Tarot have a “synergy” due to their shared reliance on mythology and symbolism. And due to both are steeped in the cosmos and four elements. More importantly, dragons and Tarot are both decidedly “sage keepers of ancient lore.”

Personally, I think MacKenzie is on to something because I love dragons and I love Tarot. And for me nothing could be better than a dragon Tarot deck. For they go together like chocolate and caramel. And I know I can’t live in a world devoid of either.

The Tarot of Dragons Boxed Set

This deck is published by Llewelyn Publications and is available at this Amazon link, https://a.co/d/9CAZqas.

This boxed set comes in a good-sized sturdy magnetic closure box with the cards nestled in an interior compartment. Additionally, the set includes a 216 page full-color companion book.

Moreover, the card stock is plastic-like with a high gloss finish for easy gliding while shuffling. And the size of the deck is perfect for smallish hands.

Furthermore, and a must for me, the deck is decidedly Rider-Waite-Smith based. Meaning the figures on the cards engage in the same activities as its matching traditional RWS card. Therefore, if one knows the RWS deck, they’ll have no trouble reading this deck by sight. To this end, each card’s matching RWS card title is emblazoned with a gold label on its front.

Tarot of Dragons Artwork

Now, let’s discuss the artwork, the shining star, of these cards! Talented Artist Solhan’s dragon images are so crisp and brightly colored, they literally leap off the cards. And I especially love the facial expressions he’s given his dragons. Their expressions range from happy, coy, clever, sly, enraged, happy, sad, and disdain.

Moreover, Solhan has represented all the major types of dragons. These include the Easterns (Asian), Westerns (European), Feathered (Southern), and Wyverns (smaller two-legged).

Furthermore, Solhan has given his dragons’ Suits a color palate that coincides with the traditional RWS Suits’ elements.

Cups (Water) – Blue Dragons

Wands (Fire) – Orange Dragons

Swords (Air) – Silver, Gold, and Verdigris Dragons

Pentacle (Earth) – Green Dragons

Wisdom from the Dragon Realms Companion Book

Llewelyn published the companion book under a different name from the deck. And this book is appropriately titled, Wisdom from the Dragon Realms.

This companion book is glossy, paper-bound, and of good size. The print is actually readable for my aged eyes. As I always say, the bigger the box, the bigger the companion book. And the bigger the companion book, the bigger the print.

The book begins with an introduction to dragons. Here MacKenzie explains how dragons once enjoyed a Golden Age as divinity. Later they plunged into a Dark Age of dracophobia, relegated to beasts of prey for Knight wannabes. It’s no wonder, for their survival, they retreated to other realms of existence, affectionately coined as, “Dragon Country.”

Full disclosure, I’m a Shawn MacKenzie fan. I love the whimsical poetic quality of her writing. And her imagination is unparalleled. I especially enjoyed her book, Llewelyn’s Little Book of Dragons (Llewelyn, 2020) available at this affiliate link, https://a.co/d/aKCavz8.

Next the companion book gives a not so brief, Brief History of Tarot.

Then, there is the obligatory advice on care and seasoning of and attuning to your new deck.

Thoughts on Reversed Cards

MacKenzie explains her thoughts on reading reversed (upside down) cards. She doesn’t feel they are necessary, since there are more than enough negative cards in the 78 upright card meanings. Therefore, MacKenzie doesn’t include reverse meanings in her text.

I concur 100% with her on this point. Additionally, I believe the Tarot is an Oracle of Wisdom and should not be manipulated by ensuring cards come out reversed. Also, reversed cards break up the flow of a reading for the Querent and the Reader.

Companion Book Card Meanings

The book then gives a detailed explanation of each card’s upright meaning only. The first paragraph gives a detailed description of the card’s imagery sprinkled with dragon ways and idiosyncrasies. And the remaining paragraphs give the card’s detailed meaning.

The order of the card meanings are first Major Arcana, then each Minor Arcana suit Ace-King.

Companion Book Images

Furthermore, this companion book includes full-page and full-color images. I love this aspect, for I loathe companion books with black and white images. For I like to carry companion books of my new decks around with me to familiarize myself with the cards. And I’d much rather carry a book than a Tarot deck to a cafe.

Companion Book Spreads

Furthermore, the book includes four spreads:

• The Tarot Triptych (The Three Fates: the Sun, Moon, and Stars)
• The Celtic Cross
• The Five Dragons (The Earthly, Coiled, Hidden, Heavenly, and Spirit Dragons)
• The Dragon’s Tail

This is a plus, for deck collectors love to see several imaginative spreads included in a companion book.

Final Words for the Tarot of Dragons

Dragons are wildly popular these days playing leading roles in many movies and TV series (i.e., Game of Thrones). Dragons are also featured in many fantasy fiction book series.

For more on dragons, see the dragon post on our sister blog, The Chi Addict at this link, Dragons – Mythos of These Fantastical Beasts.

I hope you will invite this deck’s noble and wise dragons into your readings. I know you will love working with them as much as I do. But be forewarned, as MacKenzie has astutely observed, “…once invited into your life, dragons are guests who do not leave. And why would you want them to?” Happy Taroting!

Note: To book a professional Tarot reading with Jeannette see our Book a Reading page.