This review is copyright © 1995-2004 by Joan Bunning.
It appears on her "Learning the Tarot" site at
www.learntarot.com.
Corinne Kenner has created an entirely new way to
experience the tarot...through cooking! Her Epicurean Tarot Recipe
Cards combine the art of the cards with the culinary arts. Each card
has an image from the Universal Waite deck, an insight about the
card and a complete recipe with directions and an ingredient list.
The recipe always relates to the card in some meaningful way, often
clever or humorous. Kenner offers us such delights as the Devil's
deviled eggs and lobster bisque to be enjoyed in the Moon-light. The
recipes for the suit cards match the energy of the suit: spicy and
hot foods for wands, seafood and watery dishes for cups, veggie and
hearty meats for pentacles, and chopping and cutting recipes for
swords. The cards are large and made of glossy plastic for
protection. They come in a sturdy storage box typical of recipe
containers. The deck comes with an instruction book giving
traditional meanings and suggestions for using the Epicurean Tarot
in the kitchen and elsewhere.
This review is copyright © 2002 by
Diane Wilkes. It appears in the deck reviews section of
www.tarotpassages.com .
I remember being utterly impressed with
Corrine Kenner when I met her at the 1999 International Tarot
Congress in Chicago. She had created a Major-Arcana collage tarot
deck with her daughter in one day--and it was gorgeous and
profound. I was truly awed. Plus, she had the coolest "Grandma Bag"
she bought at Target--it had plastic photograph holders on the
outside--and she used the slots to hold her daily tarot reading.
But perhaps her most creative idea of
all was the charming tarot recipe deck she called "The
Edible Tarot". This deck was not illustrated, but each card had
the tarot card's name and associated recipe. After a cleverly
written, short explanation of the association of the recipe to the
card, the recipe followed. This deck came in a kitchen-themed cloth
bag and was the talk of the conference. Stuart Kaplan was one of the
recipients of the deck, and he was so delighted with it that he made
plans to publish it.
The result is The Epicurean Tarot Recipe
Cards, the spiffiest and most well-designed tarot gift set I've ever
seen. I was quite taken aback when I saw it for the first time. It
comes in one of those sleek two-part cardboard boxes that open from
the top, the type you see in more traditional recipe card sets,
where the bottom part holds the cards, sheathed by the top. The box
artwork is particularly charming; the front is decorated with an
illustration of the Universal Rider-Waite-Smith Magician. His wand,
however, is a whisk, and placed snugly in his other hand is a large
wooden spoon. The other side of the box depicts a sample card (The
Sun's Sunflower-Seed Cookies).
Like Stuart Kaplan, I was also lucky
enough to be a recipient of the Edible Tarot, so could compare the
two sets. The majority of the recipes are the same, but there are
about ten completely different recipes (for example, the High
Priestess in the Edible Tarot was for a Pomegranate Orange; in the
Epicurean, Pomegranate Jelly; the original recipe for Strength,
Steak Tartare, has metamorphosed into Garlic Chicken). Some have
also been renamed, but the deck is remarkably similar in content.
Not so in context. Each card is
illustrated with its Universal Rider-Waite-Smith counterpart. The
large sized cards are easy-to-read for the cook who has one eye on
the chocolate sauce. These cards are physically a far cry from the
black and white paper recipes that came in the (literally) homespun
bags Kenner provided for the Edible Tarot. The 35 page booklet that
comes with the Epicurean Tarot Recipe Cards has also been expanded
from the Edible version. There is now a paragraph interpretation
that speaks to each card's meaning, as well as several food-oriented
three card spreads, a "classic" version of the Celtic Cross, along
with "The Cook's Cross," which is filled with clever food double
entendres. There is also a listing of cooking and tarot resources,
which leads to my one complaint with this deck: the URL for this
site has been inactive for the past four years! The name itself has
been inactive for over two years. But that's my only cavil about
this deck, and it's a pretty minor (and personal) one at that.
Michele Jackson's review of the Edible
Tarot (linked above) speaks eloquently to and lengthily of the
cleverness of the food-card connections. I will merely add to her
commentary that the recipes seem easy, as well as cleverly matched
to the cards. One of my favorites is Justice's Torte (like
"tort"--get it?). Just desserts, indeed.
Cards measure five by seven inches and
are plastic-coated, like all the best recipe cards. After all, you
don't want to stain your cards with The Tower's banana flambé sauce!
The four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles) dot the four
corners of the borders of the
card backs,
with pots, pans, and knives front and center. The backs are not
reversible--but why should they be? You don't want to read the
recipes upside down, even if you're making the Hanged Man's Upside
Down Cake.
Trying to break it to your parents that
you "do" tarot? This set is an ideal gift for relatives and/or
friends as a completely non-threatening introduction to the tarot. I
also recommend the Epicurean Tarot Recipe Cards highly for any
tarotists who have even a remote interest in cooking. I am planning
to give this set to several friends this Chanukah/Yule/Christmas.
(This review refers to the Edible
Tarot, the self-published version of the Epicurean Tarot
deck)
This article is copyright © 1999 by
James Wells. It originally appeared in the Fall 1999 issue of
Celebrating the Tarot: A Newsletter for Tarot
Enthusiasts
In Tarotland, it's easy for us to get
bogged down in esoteric wisdom, readings, workshops, and
psychological jargon. Welcome a fresh original break from this:
Corrine Kenner's Edible Tarot. As one who enjoys good food as well
as Tarot, this deck delights me; it charmed me the moment it touched
my hands.
There are no pictures, just 78 printed
introductory remarks placed above the recipes, one card and recipe
for each Tarot card. I like the cards the way they are, but a future
edition could perhaps show a pale gray watermark of a standard Tarot
Card on each recipe. Maybe copyrighted/or legibility concerns
prevent this.
Major Arcana recipes are based on the
archetype of each card. For example:
0. The Fool's Caramelized Nuts:
"...He dares to live the life most of us only dream of -- unafraid
and unashamed to look a little nuts."
XII. Death's Stuffed Mushrooms:
What could be more fitting for Death's favorite dish than the
perpetual flower of decay, the mushroom?"
Minor Arcana recipes are primarily
derived froom the elemental qualities of each suit. For example:
Two of Wands Jalapeno Nachos, Six of
Cups Old-Fashioned Ice Cream; Ten of Swords Meat and Vegetable
Kabobs: and The Queen of Pentacles Rabbit Stew.
The cards themselves are clean and
attractive, with a plate, knife and fork motif on the back. Be
careful when shuffling as the deck is not laminated. (Note: The
U.S. Games version of the Epicurean Tarot features cards that are
laminated.) Kenner's book is fun to read. The "How to Use the
Edible Tarot" section is enjoyable, because the long-time Taroist
will recognize witty variations on some traditional Tarot
techniques. Two examples are:
"You may want to center yourself
and prepare for the task at hand with a few moments of quiet
meditation or grocery shopping."
"Some wrap their cards in cloth
napkins or place them in a special wooden recipe box --
traditionally stored above head level -- to protect the cards from
unwelcome psychic vibrations and grease splatters."
I asked the Edible Tarot three questions
about itself. Here, I present the questions and the answers I
received after shuffling and choosing three cards "at random."
Question #1: What is your
essence? What are you primarily about?
Answer: Ace of Cups Champagne
Punch. I am here to bring a sense of celebration, to assist those
who consult me in overflowing with joy and love.
Question #2: In what situations
is your wisdom best sought?
Answer: Page of Cups Shrimp
cocktail. Whenever you crave flavor in your life, or whenever you
must convey a deep emotional message to someone by cooking them
something tangy and delicious.
Question #3: Why did you come
into my life? What can you do for me and for those in my life?
Answer: Three of Swords Broken
Heart Fondue. I can provide an atmosphere in which you can become
wiser by sharing your concerns and sorrows with those in your life
over a hearty meal.
And so, my friends, light your dinner
candles, ground yourself, and draw a nourishing meal from this
delectable deck! It would make a tremendous gift, either for a
friend or for yourself. And what a great icebreaker to introduce
people to the Tarot in a non-threatening manner.
James Wells
is a Toronto-based practitioner of the intuitive and healing arts as
well as a trained musician. As a Tarot consultant, Reiki
teacher/practitioner, ritual creator and musician, James aspires to
provide his clients and students with tools to move forward in their
life with confidence, grace and hopefully a sense of humor. Visit
his website at
www.workeroforacles.com .
(This review refers to the Edible
Tarot, the self-published version of the Epicurean Tarot
deck)
This article is copyright
1999 by
Michele Jackson
This deck by Corrine Kenner is unique.
It is a deck of 78 recipe cards. The cards measure 4 1/4" X 5 1/2".
They are printed on a light card stock and are not illustrated or
laminated. The backs are illustrated with a plate, knife and fork.
They come in a bag decorated with kitchen utensils or a bag with a
kitchen towel print. Based on the imagery of the Waite-Smith deck,
each card has a complete recipe that was specifically chosen to
represent an aspect of the card's meaning. The reason for each
choice is explained at the top of the card. Her choices are both
witty and humorous. The Major Arcana recipes are of all types. Each
recipe describes some aspect of the card's meaning or imagery. For
example:
0. The Fool's Caramelized Nuts -
In most decks, the tarot's Fool is pictured about
to take a leap of faith. He dares to live the life most of us only
dream of - unafraid, and unashamed to look a little nuts.
II. The High Priestess' Pomegranate
Orange - In many tarot decks, the High
Priestess sits before a curtain emblazoned with pomegranates - a
symbol of fertility, because pomegranates are ripe with ruby-red
seeds. They're a perfect complement to the sunny flavor of oranges.
XIV. Temperance's Herb Salad Dressing -
Temperance is the archangel Michael, who
manages to mix the elements with skill and dexterity. You, too can
master such a mix when you make this oil and vinegar based salad
dressing. Just don't use too much.
Wands are spicy dishes that call for the
use of peppers and other spices. This is where we find Two of Wands
Jalapeno Nachos, Seven of Wands New Orleans Jambalaya, and the King
of Wands Five Alarm Chili. The Cups recipes are a mixture of drinks,
soups, sauces, sweets, and seafood. Swords are a mixed bag, often
chosen for the appearance or actions of the dish - like the Four of
Swords Overnight Omelet (it rests overnight), of the Nine of Swords
Nightmare Knockwurst which "...eaten too close to bedtime...might
revisit you with some unexpected consequences." Sword dishes also
tend to have instructions that require chopping, slicing, dicing or
spearing. Pentacle dishes are sometimes round like the Ace of
Pentacles Quiche Lorraine, or the Two of Pentacles Onion Rings. They
can also correspond to the condition the card depicts, like the Five
of Pentacles Baked Beans, "...a perennial budget-stretcher." They
also tend to be hearty, with lots of vegetables.
The booklet that accompanies this deck
provides a bit of background information and describes how to use
the deck. Tips like: "You might want to center yourself and prepare
for the task at hand with a few minutes of quiet meditation or
grocery shopping." and "Once the session has concluded...some cooks
put the cards in order and return each one to an upright position"
are tongue-in-cheek take-offs from popular tarot books. No spreads
are provided, but the deck generated much discussion at the
International Tarot Society's 1999 Conference and spreads like the
"Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Spread," and "The Dinner Party Spread."
were offered as possibilities.
This deck is from a limited edition deck
of two hundred numbered copies. Sadly it is no longer available. If
you can find one on the resale market snatch it up. I highly
recommend it for collectors and for those who like to cook.
(This review refers to the Edible
Tarot, the self-published version of the Epicurean Tarot
deck)
Wicce's Tarot Collection
This review is copyright
1999 by Gina M.
Pace
This absolutely delicious deck is a
real tarot treat. Composed of 78 true recipes for cooking with, the
cards contain the secrets of the universe in edible form. Each of
the delights contained within corresponds to the card of the tarot
it takes the place of. For example, the Magician's Stir Fry
Sorcery. Titles of each card are creative and enticing. I'll tell
you, it makes ME want to get back in the kitchen, and that's no
small feat! (In case you didn't know, I eat out a lot.)
The deck corresponds to traditional titles and ordering. Each
recipe card contains the title of the traditional tarot card
contained effectively within the recipe title. Underneath is a
small blurb which explains the symbolism neatly of the card itself
and how the recipe correlates to it. Then the ingredients list and
cooking instructions follow, just like a normal recipe card. Recipes are numbered at the bottom right hand corner of the cards in
tiny Arabic numerals, 1 through 78.
Recipes in the Major Arcana are inspired by the archetypal nature of
the figures in each card and the meaning the card itself takes. Some of them seem more serious than others, but always fun and
delicious. The Minor Arcana are attributed more along the suit
level than individually; Wands recipes are fiery hot dishes, Cups
recipes use a lot of foods with water in them, like seafood and
fresh fruit. Swords recipes involve a lot of cutting, chopping,
etc. And Pentacles use a lot of things from the earth, fresh
vegetables and hearty meats and potatoes. MMMMM, I'm getting hungry
just writing this!
The back design of the cards is a lovely shadow graphic of a knife
and fork on an empty dinner plate, full of anticipation of the
coming meal. Cards themselves are large and white on thin, flexible
stock, with room for the user to make plenty of notes on the recipe
itself. I would recommend that once you get the recipe exactly
where you are happy with it, that you laminate the cards to keep
them from getting food all over them. I learned the hard way that
recipe cards rarely stay nice and neat. The cards come packaged in
a lovely little fabric bag reminiscent of bistro napkins, an
excellent touch for a foods tarot deck. The little white booklet is
excellent, explaining how the foods and the act of cooking them can
be a meditation in and of itself. Ruminating on the significance of
the card while cooking or eating its food item is a marvelous
exercise.
This deck was run in a limited production of only 200 copies. I am
hoping that further printing is planned down the line, they are a
wonderful, original, innovative treat. If you encounter one
anywhere, most definitely grab it! You won't be sorry.
This website is © 2004 by
Corrine Kenner.
All rights reserved.
The Epicurean Tarot is reproduced by permission of U.S. Games
Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902.
The Epicurean Tarot is © 2001 by
U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
The illustrations from the Universal Waite Tarot Deck are © 1991 by
U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Further reproduction prohibited.
Notice: Some individuals may be
allergic to or react adversely to certain foods or ingredients
included in the recipes described in the Epicurean Tarot deck. The
author and the publisher assume no responsibility for any adverse
effects encountered by the individual. Feel free to substitute
alternate ingredients that may better suit your needs.
