A question for those of us who create...

[rassillonn]

I am in the process of creating my own tarot deck. In the past, I have created oracles fairly successfully, but they are and always will be intrinsically 'mine' - that is to say, I have had full control over the images (or proverbs, in one oracle!), and how to interpret them. I have had, in other words, a completely open playing field with no pre-existing format other than the fact that the oracles were printed onto business cards.

With that preamble over with, here's my question - with the personal choices that have gone into the design and creation of your deck, do you find that pre-existing decks no longer fit your needs? Can a purchased deck be as satisfying to you as your own deck can?

My Fool, for instance, is obviously neither male nor female; instead, it is a hermaphrodite (wearing a white gown which may at times be a bridal gown, a ballgown, a debutante gown, a quincenera(sp?) gown... an article of clothing that suggests the start of a new adventure, in other words.

From this very strong idea of how I perceive my Fool, looking at other images of the Fool can be odd. For instance, in the RWS, I get no clear sense of the beginning of something new, the start of a journey. I mean, I 'get' the symbolism (or most of it), and I know the meaning in the LWB etc., but... Well, it no longer seems enough for me, not when I have the torrent of ideas for my own Fool.

Ach, I'm not putting this very well, am I? Hopefully you'll get the gist of what I'm asking though!

Thanks,

Rassillonn

[shadowdancer]

yes I most certainly do understand where you are coming from! :)

I too am collaborating with another AT member and are in the process of creating a tarot deck. The process has opened our eyes up hugely (mine in particular) and really taken my understanding of the RWS to a higher level. I won't mention his name here in case he wishes to keep things on a low key level for a while, but we will say more in due course.

In addition we too have broken away from the norm, yet retain the spirit of one of the established formats. This I believe will lead to something that has so much depth, and many layers yet the image will not be crowded or overly symbolic. I cannot go into detail here as yet, but yes - I believe once it is created and coloured I may be a little more critical of other decks if they do not fulfill me in the same way. I am aware I am doing this already and have to check myself. Comparing in such a way is something I find myself occasionally doing, and if it steps over into being critical..... well, I don't feel proud of myself.

This is not a good thing - I realise I have no right to be judgemental or critical and will keep myself grounded and my ego in check. I think though, it is a compliment to the other person and our resultant partnership.

Our deck will break into different territory and as such, I probably will find myself using it predominantly over and above decks I have used with great success over the years. There will still be a handful of decks I have on call as their energies will be very, very relevant for particular readings.... BUT
our deck really does raise the bar in my own mind as to what is actually possible to elicit by way of information and imagery, whilst still telling a coherant story. I had the initial sketches printed and laminated, and used them with great success at a mind/body/spirit festival here in Christchurch earlier this month. The finished product will potentially be mind blowing for me.

With regards your project, I really wish you the best of luck. Having been part of the collaboration for 2 months now I really feel uplifted and enriched. It is an absolute joy, privelage and pleasure to be able to do this and if others can experience even a part of what I am experiencing I will be so pleased and happy for them.

Davina

[sacredashes]

With that preamble over with, here's my question - with the personal choices that have gone into the design and creation of your deck, do you find that pre-existing decks no longer fit your needs? Can a purchased deck be as satisfying to you as your own deck can?

Personally, I still appreciate other decks for their individual qualities... qualities that my own creation may not possess. There is a diversity of flavors in the market and although my own creation resonates closely to how my ideal tool would fit my needs, it may not necessarily be the only tool that I will need or use.

I remind myself (when my ego gets the better of me) that in the end, I will be poorer for it if I dismiss a deck because I'm actually stopping "me" from being open to what others have to say; appreciating something new that I hadn't thought of.

There are decks that don't resonate well with my way of looking at things but that doesn't mean that deck is not relevant; it just means it doesn't resonate well with me. I have lots of decks that I don't read with but I keep them for other reasons.

Ach, I'm not putting this very well, am I? Hopefully you'll get the gist of what I'm asking though!

Thanks,

Rassillonn

;) You put it across well enough... enjoy the journey... it's a roller-coaster ride with no seat-belts but I bet you wouldn't trade that experience for anything at the end of the trip. Good luck.

Ash

[Metal Queen]

What's interesting about the creation of one's very own Tarot deck is that it's a process of using individual interpretations of so many diverse themes.I think the world of tarot and it's artistic symbology is dynamic and that's what makes it so exciting.I myself am also working on my own deck,and use all sorts of new and different approaches in representing archetypical themes because I draw on nature for alot of meaning/interpretation-although one can discern the meanings regardless....I think the evolution of ideas also happens when we behold other people's creations,so therefore it doesn't matter whether or not one creates an individual deck.So therefore,using other decks is a great way of opening inner channels that your mind can explore....sometimes the unfamiliar illuminates something in a totally novel way-so using different decks is enriching!

[Hannafate]

Here's some scans of my "personal" deck. I don't expect other people to be able to read them, but I thought you might like to see them.

http://www.unseengallery.com/assets/wedding/ladyconsultant.jpg
http://www.unseengallery.com/assets/wedding/time.jpg
http://www.unseengallery.com/assets/wedding/sleep.jpg

I still use printed decks, and enjoy them. This one is just my "special" deck, that I use mostly for readings for myself.