Green Icky Deck?

[Little Baron]

*I posted this in another thread but since the original question there had been answered I thought I would ask my question in a new one. Hope thats okay*


I think I have the Icky Green One!
I think I have the Icky Green tinged one but I am not sure. Can someone tell me. Whatever deck I have, I don't mind the colouring. I have seen some on the net that look brighter and some that look greener so I can't tell which one it is that I have. I wasn't aware of the differences when I bought it.

Ok ...

The box is blue.
There is only one magus.
The bottom of the box says 'AGM AGMULLER, Made in Belgium.
The frames are grey.
Is this the famous Icky Green one????

Yaboot






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[Mimers]

You don't have the icky green one :D Yeah!!! This is probably why you don't mind the color!

The icky green one is published by US Games.

Mimi

[Scorpion]

Am I right in thinking that the Icky Green One is only available in the larger version?

As I understood it, there used to be 3 alternative Magii in both decks, but I found both my AG Muller deck and my Icky Green One only came with one. Not fair!

Anyway - I like my Icky Green One: I can see more detail in it and I really don't notice the difference as I never got down to studying the AG Muller deck in the first place. As I bought it as a purely study deck, the size doesn't bother me.

To be honest, Yaboot, just about all the versions I've seen online, on the deck boxes and book covers have appeared more "alive" than the deck actually is - that's really the only thing that disappoints me about this deck. If anyone knows of a truly vibrant version, lead me to it!

[Emily]

The yucky green one is the large one in the white box, you can't actually tell on the online scans just how green it is but once you get it in your hands - yikes the sickly green just stares up at you, even when there is supposed to be colour in the cards the green just seems to wash it all out.
I also have the smaller version Thoth in the lavender box, 3 Magus, and the even smaller version from 'The Complete Tarot Kit' and the colours of those decks are vibrant and very strong. :)

[Little Baron]

I like the colourings that I have but they still have a certain muted quality to them and I would also be happier with a more 'vibrant' colouring.

Since I know so little about the deck and how I am going to get on with it, I think I will hold out before Ibuy another copy.

I wonder if some of the scans on the web have been enhanced by computers before they are posted up. It doesn't take much to make them brighter or notch up the contrast to make the images more vivid.


Yaboot

[Emily]

Hi Yaboot,

I was going to add an edit to my post up there, I have to agree with LouiQ, some of the scans I've seen of the Thoth online have been very colourful, and the deck although vibrant, in regard to the green version, is not as colourful as the scans would have you believe, which is a shame because the deck is very pretty to look at and not wishywashy to start with :)

[Scorpion]

Originally posted by Emily
The yucky green one is the large one in the white box.... Hmmm - my box is actually green tinted: how many of these decks are there?!!! I have seen references in this forum to the "white" deck being more primitive artwise.

Sounds like you've got the same "purple" version as the one I had, Yaboot - much less colourful than one is led to believe. I mean, the colours may well have been muted in the original, but it's not how they're represented generally.

[Emily]

Hi LouiQ,

I'm not actually sure how old my deck is, it was my first and last second hand deck, I've never been able to read with it - I just don't like the green tinge, I posted on it before I knew all about the 'strange vibes' the green tinged one gives off because I do react when I try to use this deck, I can't even shuffle it without feeling sick. So it does sit with my other decks and is just part of the collection. The ISBN is 087728 4520 0.
Its a shame I know its only cardboard and shouldn't give off so much negativity but I also don't know what uses the previous owner had for it, wish I knew him I''d give it him back lol :)

[Little Baron]

Now that I am sitting here in front of them, they do seem quite vibrant. I am not sure what I am comparing them to anymore LOL. I think that I am comparing them to other decks generally that are quite vivid. Even when I look at the scans on the internet, it is confusing to tell the difference when they are not there in your hand.

The more that I look at them as I type, they are getting brighter ... and brighter.

Thanks

Yaboot

[Scorpion]

Hi, Emily,

Sorry to hear you don't like your deck. If you can see anything left on my current trading list (http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16675 - apart from the Phoenix, which I might just keep after a superb past life reading from Chronata) that you'd like I'd be happy to swap with you - I promise none of them have been used for nefarious purposes - LOL! In fact most of them have hardly been touched.

Glad to see they're falling into place for you, Yaboot!

[Little Baron]

I think that they are LouiQ. I tiptoed through the website I mentioned earlier and things started slotting together. It's funny, but as I am reading more, each time I look back at my deck to reference something, they seem to be getting brighter. Whenever I have looked at them for five minutes or so before, I was always so put off by their bleakness. It is like someone has turned the light on now. maybe they just needed me to spend some time with them before they showed their true colours. Has anybody else had this experience? As I sit here today, it is a little strange how different they are looking and changing. Any ideas?

Yaboot

[Cerulean]

does make a big difference, natural, subdued or bright.

Also the gray borders enhance lightness of the the tones (grayed) and tints (whiter, lighter translucent).

I am still comparing the art deco style of Thoth to more modern Via contrasts. Via has more shades and stronger contrasts, except for the Tower and Death cards of Thoth. Thoth's tower and flame chaos of flame and black is much more dramatic. Death is darker in Thoth; Via has a Georgia O' Keefe-style desert scene with blues and grays.

Mari H.

[Emily]

Hi LouiQ,

Thanks for the offer of a trade but I wouldn't be able to let it go lol - It does hold a sort fascination for me - for one thing I've never had a deck that feels as strange as this one does and because I've moved it out of isolation and put it with my other decks I can handle it now without wanting to wash my hands. I'm hoping that one day I might be able to use it, and have it speak to me, the same way as my small Thoth does.

[Scorpion]

No problem, Emily - just thought I'd offer. Glad to see you're overcoming your aversion to it - it's always a shame to let decks go to waste.

[Cerulean]

My Swiss version has the large size and darkest colors, contained in AGMueller's blue box. This edition was printed in 1986 and has the ISBN 3-905021-60-9. It took me awhile to dig this out and also find the vendor:

http://www.tarotworld.com/

I believe it is page four if you click on tarots. It is is the 'deluxe' version and the gray frames, darker and more brillant colors and availability in different languages is probably what a picky buyer or collector would want.

Tarotpassages reviews this brighter, more brillant version:

http://www.tarotpassages.com/thoth.htm

---------------------------------------
I realize that the smaller lavendar boxed version by U.S. Games looks brighter than the softer, larger version out of the large green box by U.S. Games. I like the new booklet by James Wasserman from the green box as well the older booklet ("By a Tarot Hermit") from the Swiss blue box.

In some ways, a softer Thoth from the green box might make a nice reading deck if I wanted to have a Thoth for reading to others. But I'm trying to compare it to a vivid new deck. So when I saw online about the older deck, I am glad that I didn't try to trade my older deck out.

Best wishes,

Mari Hoshizaki
whose got three Thoth decks now.

(Large-green box--U.S. Games)
(Large-blue box--AGM Mueller)
(Mini-Complete Tarot Set-Susan Levitt set)

[TarotMuse]

Wow, quite a discussion over the Thoth deck. I have what is called the smaller Thoth deck I think. It comes in a light purple box and it has 3 versions of the Magus in it.
The backs of the cards are very ornate with a large colorful cross in the center. They were published by US Games.

[All Is One]

I have just figured out, from the "yucky green tinge" link in the second link given up above that the Thoth that I have been using as my most sacred, serious deck for over eight years is, in fact, the yucky green one. Mine is the largest deck but came in a white box.

After seeing the two high priestess cards next to each other I now want the other versionof the Thoth...but the one I use now is still lovely to me.

[All Is One]

Forgot to say: I had a very similar experience to those of you who had to work at getting this deck to open up to you. It took me about a year and a half or more of fascinated misunderstandings between us before I and my deck bonded to each other.

For what it may be worth - this deck can be aloof and even cold but it will reward all your efforts threefold.

The trick seems to be not giving up before the magick kicks in!

[TarotMuse]

I was fortunate in that my Thoth deck spoke to right away. It's odd since I didn't find the deck attractive. I found it compelling instead. Out of all my decks, the Thoth gives me the best readings and the most spiritual answers and suggestions.
I am so fond of it I am planning on buying another one so I will always have a spare.

[All Is One]

Tarotmuse - I also fell in love with the 3 magus Thoth on sight, but traded with my friend who had gone to Barnes & Noble with me...I bought the smaller 3 magus version, he bought the large green one in the white box.

Upon opening them at my house, I felt I had to have the larger deck and he really loved the 3 magus cards of the smaller.

Could your instant bond with your deck pertain to the version you have?

Are you buying another copy of the same version?

I am going to look for at least two more Thoths - the large with the gray border and the 3magus card Thoth.

The possibilities are intriguing.

[lawguy51]

I first bought the 'icky green' one, which is the large one in a green box published by US Games. Then I got the AGMuller (which is actually also published by US Games) smaller deck in the lavendar box. I use both and I don't really distinguish between the two. I carry the smaller one in my knapsack so I have it with me all through the day. I do a 3 card spread with it most mornings before I begin work. The larger one stays at home. I do my same 3 card spread on the weekends using the larger deck. And I use it to do readings at home. I treat them as ThothA and ThothB. In my mind, they are siamese twins. I like them both, the larger for it's size, the smaller for it's colour. I love reading with the larger one because it's so, so...big!

LG51

[All Is One]

Three card spread almost daily also, and I leave the cards laid out on their reading table for the day - sometimes longer if it seems I need to absorb more from it.
Thanks for the "siamese twin" image...now I don't feel as if I am betraying my deepest conection to a tarot deck that I have ever had (my large Thoth - which I rarely let anyone even SEE) by buying the smaller. I want the AGMuller large and small. Thanks, LawGuy ;)

I hope I can afford this...but I'm going straight to Amazon from here so that the site gets a bit of cash. Amazon has been so screwed up lately - any suggestions where else I can get these decks?

[lawguy51]

Originally posted by All Is One
I want the AGMuller large and small. Thanks, LawGuy ;)


...as do we all but I don't believe there is a large AGMuller deck. Did you misunderstand something in my note? My big deck is the 'green' US Games deck. My small deck is the AGMuller deck. Just wanted to catch you before you went shopping!

Lawguy51

[TarotMuse]

All is one,
I can't say if my bond with the Thoth deck is the particular deck I have or not. I haven't looked at any of the others. I chose the smaller deck as it's easier to shuffle. At the time I bought it I didn't notice that it was a 3 magus deck.
I only use one of the magi. The others hold no appeal for me. If/when I purchase another Thoth deck, I will try to buy an identicle one. When something works, I tend not to fix it.

[All Is One]

Thanks you two! Amazon is very very unclear which is which - I posted on a different message board and may as well mention here: I would like to trade for the other Thoths (one of the sites linked at start of this thread reviews and posts photos of a larger swiss deck, I thought, with the gray border? Unless I am confused ...again. Time and space are not my strong points.)

I am offering some combination of the following, depending on value of decks being traded for:


Enchanted Tarot Deluxe Set
Largest deck, Glossy Hdcver book with purple marker ribbon.

If that does not appeal I may trade:
The Robin Wood
The Shapeshifter boxed set

That is what is available at the moment - I'm considering trading the Osho Zen set in bookcase box

all are in pristine condition, having been glanced through but not really used at all. I will send digital pictures of these if you wish.

I should really go and post this in a trade forum... but I have spent too much wasted time at this screen today trying to read between the lines of Amzn's dense descriptions of Crowley wares.

Anyone see anything interesting here - offer whatever you have to hand. PM me if you wish :-)

[TarotMuse]

All is one,
My Thoth deck came from a Borders store, but I suspect that most book stores would be a good place to start your search. If they don't have the deck in stock that you want, you can order it by ISBN number. Each deck has it's own number so you will be able to get the exact deck that way. The smaller Thoth deck with 3 Magus cards in the lavender box is ISBN# 0-88079-308-2
The numbers can usually be found on the bottom of the original box they come in.

[All Is One]

Great - Now I can be certain. I copied down Amazon's ISBN numbers because they play word games ("cards" edition or "paperbeck" edition and BOTH are, in fact- decks of cards)

The ISBN of the US Games deck
that supposedly measures 1.25 x 5.50 x 3.75 and says it is a Swiss deck, (while it seems the green one is printed in Belgium)

EDIT ADDENDUM*** ISBN to deck I was babbling about just above is:0880794690, in a blue box - does that sound right? I got distracted with my astral traveling, Gee I hate it when I leave my body during a post and leave off the end of a sentence!!!***



I will take the number you gave me and the one above and go to Barnes and Noble's site. If all else fails I could drive the 40 minutes into San Luis Obispo (hate to, it is full of pretentious college students clogging up the B & N and tossing their hair around...)

Thanks - other version ISBN's ? I don't have the box to the green one at hand.

[TarotMuse]

Happy hunting, All Is One

[Cerulean]

http://www.learntarot.com/acdesc.htm


The kit with the Gerd Ziglar book will get the gray, Swiss version-- the book is "Tarot, Mirror of the Soul".


AGMueller's site has the ISBN numbers. I posted them on aecletic.net, but I have to search the threads to find it.

Mari H.

[Cerulean]

AGMueller Swiss version/U.S. Games
My Swiss version has the large size and darkest colors, contained in AGMueller's blue box. This edition was printed in 1986 and has the ISBN 3-905021-60-9. It took me awhile to dig this out and also find the vendor:

http://www.tarotworld.com/

I believe it is page four if you click on tarots. It is is the 'deluxe' version and the gray frames, darker and more brillant colors and availability in different languages is probably what a picky buyer or collector would want.

Tarotpassages reviews this brighter, more brillant version:

http://www.tarotpassages.com/thoth.htm

--------------------------------

I just bought the large green box Thoth distributed by U.S. Games last week. It's a newer deck, same large size, but two to three shades lighter in back and front than the Swiss version. Actually the boxtop says printed in Belgium Samuel Weiser, Inc., ISBN 0-87728-452-0. It's a softer, more faded or washed-out printing, so it might be more friendly to people you read for...it turns out I prefer my older, darker version printed by AGMueller above.

[All Is One]

Originally posted by All Is One

The ISBN of the US Games deck
that supposedly measures 1.25 x 5.50 x 3.75 and says it is a Swiss deck, (while it seems the green one is printed in Belgium)

EDIT ADDENDUM*** ISBN to deck I was babbling about just above is:0880794690, in a blue box - does that sound right? I got distracted with my astral traveling, Gee I hate it when I leave my body during a post and leave off the end of a sentence!!!***



As I said...seems I left my body before I was coherent enough to list the number I set out to put in here.

Just wanted to correct my goof.

[MuffinTops]

I have both large and small "green icky decks"and frankly I don't mind them. I love the deck. It's one of my favorites and does not give me nightmares, as some said.

[smokey]

Greetings!
My boyfriend & I each have the large Thoth by U.S. Games
in the green box. They have no "mean-green" at all. My first
Thoth was the large white box, but I don't remember them
clearly as that's been a little over 20 yrs. ago & in my wild daze. I never even took 'em out of their box but twice, but
LUV my new deck! My book by Duquette also just arrived, so
this time I hope to understand the Thoth somewhat. Thanx-4- reading!

[laura_borealis]

I just got a new Thoth deck today. I had one before, but it has been gone for several years. It's surprisingly good to have a Thoth in my hands again.

Anyway, the green issue -- my new one is a US Games deck, large, in the green box. But the cards don't look to me like they have a green tint. The colors are bright and clean. I wonder if US Games has cleared up the green tint problem. The ISBN, if anyone wants to compare, is 0-913866-15-6.

My old deck was a large one in the white box with red printing and OTO logo on it. Its colors were quite muted in comparison to my new one, much more washed-out looking. I like my new one a lot better.

Edit to add, in light of the link Cerulean posted in the following comment: The borders on mine are definitely gray, and it does not have three versions of the Magus. So it doesn't fit with that comparison list.

Also, I assume my old one was the greenish deck, which is interesting in light of the stories other people tell of their greenish Thoths. That was the only deck I ever had trouble with, or got a creepy feeling from.

[Cerulean]

http://www.learntarot.com/acdesc.htm

My first Thoth was the Swiss version in the Blue box from AG Mueller. Best and clearest printing consistantly over the years, at least based on the reviews that I've read and my comparisons to small lavendar and large green box versions...my recent large green box version bought at a conference is still somewhat lighter and not as crystaline in color or detail as the Swiss version...

The Swiss version also comes boxed with Mirror of the Soul by Gerd Ziglar if one wants a more meditative take on the Thoth.

Best wishes, hope this isn't confusing.

Cerulean Mari

[Dakota]

Originally posted by Cerulean
http://www.learntarot.com/acdesc.htm

Thanks, Cerulean!

I just purchased my first Thoth deck and was dismayed to see this thread here about the "green icky deck" cuz I figured that was the one I bought. That URL you posted above was very helpful!! The deck I have is the first one listed on the page, so, yeah, I DO have the green icky one but I am not bothered by it either. I was enchanted by the cards from the first and I am even having a silk bag custom made for them since they are so large.

Who knows? Someday I will probably get another Thoth deck just to enjoy the contrast, but, for now, I will stay icky and green. :D

[Cerulean]

Oh goodie, it was helpful...Joan Bunning's site is wonderful.

My last and latest Thoth version is too absurd and yet ever since I did a comparison and saw the Knight of Pentacles with seaweed and the dull greenish against coral orange--for some reason, I kept saying to myself, that looks like an antique or vintage art nouveau card, not the pretty art nouveau, but the kind that I see in movies with a film noir or moody...well, I mean, as in the reruns of the 1940 Rebecca movie with that haunting first wife never actually seen but for the picture on her elaborate bed...

Can you picture a select, exclusive color catalogue with the greenish Thoth tints and that Knight of Pentacles...the hand laying it down is elegant and manicured and she laughs as Maxim, cutting out pictures and slapping one down..."I see you, old boy, salt of the earth with your shire horse, but in a bog of your own making. Vines and the wild once claimed this estate...and here you are, being caught...and your beloved Manderley...

I wonder who Rebecca would be in the greenish Thoth.

Cerelean Mari

P.S. The used bookstore sold this circa 1978 version for about twelve dollars, which is a low to average price on abebooks.com. I bought it knowing it was during a 'not best reproduction printing period'.

[Dakota]

Originally posted by Cerulean
...well, I mean, as in the reruns of the 1940 Rebecca movie with that haunting first wife never actually seen but for the picture on her elaborate bed...

Can you picture a select, exclusive color catalogue with the greenish Thoth tints and that Knight of Pentacles...the hand laying it down is elegant and manicured and she laughs as Maxim, cutting out pictures and slapping one down.... I wonder who Rebecca would be in the greenish Thoth.


:D "Last night I dreamed I went to Manderlay again"

Who COULD Rebecca be but The Fool, female version, the divine innocent, abroad in a world she scarcely comprehends??

[Cerulean]

I actually thought she was the master of all the games, including being paired with her wastral cousin-- who knew what she thought of Maxim and rightly pinpointed him as the killer. However Maxim got off the murder charge, because of the perfect appearances and the game that she played with all others so well. I'm not certain, but I think she even fooled the odd Mrs. Danvers...

The boyish, innocent companion (Joan Fontaine)--I always thought of her as the fool. That is if I were talking about the period story of the 1950s, which is all really so dated now. We have a great musical being told by the Wicked Witch's perspective on Broadway now. So Rebecca as a modern innocent is a nice twist to me!

Oh well, this my take only, and in modern times, the period Rebecca could really be the alternative hero---someone who played the games, but really wanted more.

Thanks for the reply and I just happened to think of this with the funny period and greeny Thoth--just another retro and silly idea of mine.

Happy Thothling Tales!

Cerulean Mari

[Frank Hall]

My first added comment seems to have vanished,so here goes again.Has anyone closely observed the backs of the Swiss and US GAMES versions?The Swiss version seems shadowy around the cross,while the US GAMES seems lighter without any shadowing.Obviously,the blue-boxed one has a white outer border,while the green-boxed one has no white border.The cross is about a fourth larger in the marginless version.Color seems the same to me in both,with one more saturated, the other muted or softer.When I put Hierophant beside Hierophant,I see strong color in contrast to subtle.Are these contrasts consciously intended by the publishers, or is this dulling of pigments due to poor printing by US GAMES? The backs must include some choice?

[September Pixie]

I just wanted to make sure I was correct, THIS is the YUCKIE green deck?

http://www.tarotgarden.com/database/images/t-decks/thothcards.gif

Large Green box by US Games, printed in US. I figure its easier to give photo reference.

[LadyMedusa]

Those are the greenish cards, but the version I got and returned was in the large white box.

It is so confusing trying to find the non green ones.

From what I figured out while looking for the non green version... The blue "Swiss" AGM is not the green one, the newer US Games green box (this is the one I have) is not green. The ISBN on it is 0-913866-15-6. On the lower right corner of the card backs they have the AGMuller copyright.

LadyMedusa

[Frank Hall]

The large, green-boxed deck I referred to has ISBN 0-913866-15-6 . It has pale, muted coloration , compared to the large, blue-boxed Muller version. Notably, to me, the green-boxed Thoth has backs without white borders and with larger crosses.I still wonder if the back design and pale coloration is intended or not. I have and like both versions--- am I too aeclectic ? I would choose the Muller for its clearer, more saturated color if it were one or the other. Neither seems threatening or unsettling. Both are deep,deep,deep.

[LadyMedusa]

Hi Frank,

It sounds like we are refering to the same deck based on the ISBN. The colors are indeed a bit paler than my pocket size blue box version. Not enough of a difference to put me off though, but I guess it might bother some people.

Except... are you ready for this... lol... my green box version has the white borders on the backs.

LadyMedusa

[The 78th Fool]

To throw a cat among pidgeons - I had an Icky green deck that I gave away. I bought it because the samples I saw in the shop had green borders and were very rich in colour - a major plus for me. When I opened the box however, my copy was pale and washed out. I ended up buying the Muller edition with grey borders. I don't like the borders as much but the artwork repro is far richer. Subsequent searches lead me to conclude that all recent Icky green printings were icky faded too.

Recently I've discovered that all new copies in the Icky green box now contain the Muller cards with grey borders!! If the Lo Scarabeo multilingual still has the green borders I'll have to plumb for that. As I don't use this deck for readings I can live with it in the meantime.

Call me sick, twisted or colourblind but I really liked the green borders!!!!!

Chris. xx

PS. An acquaintance of mine handled the original artwork, years ago while researching Crowley and Harris. In his opinion none of the printed editions come near to doing justice to the richness and variety of colour. He also said that there is a smell of fruit when you open the folios - apparently Harris made up her own pigments from natural sources. Just imagine if Muller put out a scratch and sniff edition!!!! That would be really authentic!

[Centaur]

Originally posted by The 78th Fool
Call me sick, twisted or colourblind but I really liked the green borders!!!!!

You are the first person I have ever heard say that. :D

[Goldenhair]

i totally agree with The 78th Fool. I like the green borders. One of the reasons I purchased the deck. The other being the large size of the cards.

[Logiatrix]

(This is a celebratory post!)
My beloved Thoth deck came back to me, after I gave it to my friend more than a year ago!
We found it covered in dust on his bookshelf, while I was helping him pack for a move; he returned it to me, confessing that he never even looked through it.
It's so nice to have my Thoth back...I never minded the green tinge, in fact, green is my favorite color and I like how it looks on these cards!
I gave it away thinking I would replace it easily; I didn't suspect that the deck would be "revised" with new coloring.
I've tried the new version, but it isn't the same for me.
I'd been trying for months now to find an "icky-green" version, in an effort to replace the one I studied and struggled with for over four years.
Lo and behold, I found even better--the very deck I bonded with, home to stay this time...
And still green!
:D