Pholarchos Tarot,
by Carmen Sorrenti
Review by Esmerlize










I am just so blown away by Carmen’s deck. I can’t believe I’m just discovering it. I feel such a sense of connection and kindredness with her imagery and symbolism right off the bat.

I was lucky enough to share a phone call in which Carmen drew The Queen of Sparks for our emerging friendship. I read all the deck’s queen descriptions and resonated most with the sparks, ironically the suit with which I most rarely connect! After all, I am unapologetically intense and care nothing for flattery. It is almost as if I have been described at my core.

“Never submits to stagnation”. Anyone who knows me knows that stagnation is my biggest fear. Perhaps this is why I struggle to take needed rests and pauses and, consequently, deplete my energy. The Trail of Sparks, in particular, speaks to me more than any other card in this deck.

I’m just so fascinated by Carmen’s approach. That perhaps the reluctancy I feel to embrace the fire element is based on a deficiency and unfamiliarity. Perhaps I should walk TO, not away, from its energy. Carmen makes fire energy relatable to me- not too overtly bright or extroverted.

So, yes I think I associate fire with vitality, of which I have never seemed to possess. I do, however, have very strong convictions and feel Hell-bent on meaning before anything else. Strictly elementally, I just haven’t felt an energetic robustness, but if I think of fire as my spirit rather than my physicality, than that is very strong. As with the chakras, I never felt connected to my solar plexus. Also, as a lifelong photographer, Queen of Light definitely fits… of all these connections.

Pholarchos Tarot

I feel naturally aligned to of Swords, when I was teaching I would get Queen of Pentacles constantly, when I considered becoming a counselor it became Queen of Cups. But I’m in a MSW program now to become licensed as a clinical social worker and it fits this role perfectly, denoting a fierce advocate for the underdog (cat or fox, ha!).

Thank you for the gift of The Sparks Queen, Carmen!!! She is an ally for all of it. Your deck is exceptional- unlike anything I’ve ever encountered.

I’m just so fascinated by the connections with this queen. I will definitely be calling upon her fierce advocacy qualities as I continue this education and work!
(August 4th 2021)

Review by: Tarot deck creator, reader & photographer, Esmerlize










Pholarchos Tarot is copyright protected. Card images may be used on blogs/websites as 'Card of the Day' endeavors or for review purposes but must contain artist's site along with Pholarchos Tarot by Carmen Sorrenti. The images are not to form part of written teaching material or otherwise be used without prior consent from artist, Carmen Sorrenti.


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