Aeclectic Tarot Forum - Decks you thought you just must have, then realize you don't connect with them...

yve

02-12-2004, 06:29

I guess by looking at the lists of members who occassionally clean house when it comes to their decks, it isn't an unusual phenomena...There are decks that we just must have in our obsession with tarot, but once we get them and see them in person realize they aren't for us, or that we just cannot connect with them...The great thing being a part of this forum, we usually can find someone else who can appreciate those decks, and if we are lucky, we can trade for another deck that we can connect with and appreciate to its fullest....Somehow though, I can't help but feel a bit guilty that I don't like some of my decks, like i'm betraying them!

Ace

02-12-2004, 14:18

I have had that experience, but I don't feel guilty (even if I spent good money on them!) I have a Witches Tarot (Cannon/Reed) that has some MARVELOUS pix on it, and some truely awful ones. And a Gill. It used to suck me in when I sat next to a reader who used it at a psychic fair, but read with it? nope. Weird. Eventually, I will clean house and clear out decks I don't want anymore, but for now, they stay.

Adjustment

02-12-2004, 18:59

Tarot Of The Witches, by Stuart R. Kaplan. I can't read with this deck.

smokey

03-12-2004, 04:18

The Sacred Circle. (its' charm and beauty worked its magick on me that first week only, but still; it stays; in case I have a change of heart in the future.)
The Fantastical. (~2-3 days staying power only,which surprised me at the time I saw it.)
The Osho Zen. (this, I think outlasted all others, till I found that it could, indeed, be replaced.)
The Wheel of Change. (LUV the pics!... can NOT read with it!)
RWS/ Universal-Waite. ( 'nuff said.)
The Tarot of Timeless Truth. (if only All the Native Americans were not so...so...Pale!!! I indeed would've "clicked" with this one!!!)
Crow's Magick...(a truly strange one...this little gem... in fact, just when I thought I DID connect... darn-it! I failed to read w/it!) still LUV the art!

WolfSpirit

03-12-2004, 10:06

I have traded: Cosmic, Fantastical, Gendron, Liber T, Manara, Tarot of the Old Path and Haindl, and probably others I can't think of right now.
I did not feel guilty about sending them on to someone else, I thought it was a pity to let them lie around unused. And noone can connect with EVERY deck, and you just don't always know how you will like a deck once you have it in your hands...
I do feel sorry about decks created by AT members, and I follow the whole production process, see how much thought and love and energy they put into it...and then I don't like it. Especially if it is an AT member I really like...but that does not mean I like the deck he or she created.

The Tarot of Timeless Truth. (if only All the Native Americans were not so...so...Pale!!! I indeed would've "clicked" with this one!!!)

Are they Native Americans ? I thought they were Celtic, some of the dresses look very much like Celtic clothing to me. And I also saw a Viking ship somewhere...but Celts or Vikings did not have buffaloes or bears...
Maybe they are a mixture of Native Americans and Celts who got on their ships then met on an island and founded a new tribe together.
Does this help at all ? :D

Kissa

03-12-2004, 11:23

hmmm...

at this point of my tarot studies, after a major faith crisis, i'd say i cannot/do not want to/am not interested in reading with anything else than Tarot de Marseille decks.

so it leaves me with about 40 decks, for some of them stunningly gorgeous, but totally lacking of sparkle to my eyes.

my bigger deceptions were probably the decks i traded first: zerner-farber (too small, bad cardstock, names covering part of the pictures that had anyway gotten distorded from the reducing process etc.), morgan-greer (didn't like the close-ups, the colours, THAT Death card OMG!!), the spiral; i am not a big fan of LoScarabeo decks and except for the Di Vetro and the Fairy, don't have any (Fairy is for my kids). The wheel of change is gorgeous but cannot read with it and cannot read the book either, the wise woman was not my style at all, i am not too impressed with the gilded though the critics are very positive about it.

i am sure i can find more deceptions ;)

but it was mostly from a time where i was into "visually appealing" decks and the deeper meaning of the whole Tarot spirituality was somehow still a total mystery to me...

so if you start a thread about "decks you thought you would never buy, then realized they are the best things that happened to you", i would answer "Robin Wood" from my RWS collection and Hadar from my Marseilles collection...

:)

kissa

rosyelf

03-12-2004, 11:53

Smokey, I have the Tarot of Timeless Truth. As I understand it, it was born out of the creator's desire to celebrate her Scandinavian forbears. She is Canadian. Thus the combination of North American landscape and the people's pale faces. By the way, I do connect with this deck-the Lovers is especially WONDERFUL-but while we're on the subject, I have had that experience with decks-getting them and then just not clicking. I have the Sacred Circle and I like it, and I love the artwork, the use of ancient British and Irish sites. . .yet have never really done readings with it. Don't know why, just haven't. Maybe it is simply awaiting its time.

I no longer look for the "perfect" deck-I find this helps-less disappointment :) . Instead, I ask myself, "What might this deck give me ?" Sometimes it's meditation, sometimes it's readings, sometimes the comfort of looking at certain pictures. If it gives me none of those things, I don't keep it.

love and blessings to all,

rosyelf

Emily

03-12-2004, 12:07

I have a few decks that I never quite connected with:-

The Robin Wood - This was one of my very first decks, I'd read many reveiws about it and liked the scans I'd seen but once the deck was in my hands I didn't like it. I couldn't pin down what it was about the deck but I never used it just put it away.

The Victoria Regina was another I thought I would connect to - Almost everything put me off about this deck once I'd got it - white backed cards, very large, slightly thin cardstock that I couldn't shuffle and then the ultimate - Rifles were used instead of swords - For some reason this left this deck dead in the water for me.

The Haindl - just couldn't get my head round the name changes on these cards even though I still like the artwork.

The Liber T - an unfriendly, negative deck that just didn't come over in the scans - I really wanted this to be a deck I could use but I can't understand why some of the artwork is like it is - very negative. This deck isn't a patch on the Thoth.

I still have all of these decks but someday I'll have to trade them because I know I'll never use them. :)

smokey

04-12-2004, 03:17

Are they Native Americans ? I thought they were Celtic, some of the dresses look very much like Celtic clothing to me. And I also saw a Viking ship somewhere...but Celts or Vikings did not have buffaloes or bears...
Maybe they are a mixture of Native Americans and Celts who got on their ships then met on an island and founded a new tribe together.
Does this help at all ? :D

Hey Wolf Spirit, now There's a thought, and I must say; it's been awhile since I've shook the dust offa' the ole' ToTT's book! Think I'll do just that today,and give me an excuse to halt some of my excess Xmas shopping! Thanx!!! Oh, darn; Rosyelf all apologies for overlooking your post. Yeah, I do recall the very talented Leila Vey being from Canada, I just Never understood why each and every member of the deck was dressed Native American is all. I am glad you connect w/it though!And on a note, "connecting/clicking" with a deck is totally different (for me, I mean) than gaining something from it. I enjoy ALL my decks at one time or another,in one Way or another. I just don't "click" and or connect (as expecting I should @ time of purchase), and I put some way up there more than others, of course. (For instance, @ the trading post, I never volunteer to trade any of my beloved decks ,with the exception of 2 in the past,lol!) Only to buy. I just can't bear to part with any of 'em!) Sometimes, I just canNot read with them though.This is Really what I mean by "connecting" with a deck...the ability to read with it,(and it Not being my fault This time,lol!) Regards. smokey.

northsea

04-12-2004, 15:00

There's several decks I didn't connect with, including:
Ancient Liguria-Piedmont
Cat People
Egyptian (Alasia)
Fantastical
Legend: Arthurian
Londa
Nefertari's
Southwest Sacred Tribes
Spanish Td Marseilles
Universal (deAngelis)
Visconti Tarots (Lo Scarabeo 2000)
Vision Quest
Wheel of Change
Zerner-Farber

I often buy decks because I like a particular card, then find out when I open the box and view the deck that it won't be of use for me as a reading deck. Being picky, even one or two "bad" cards can ruin a deck for me. I have some "art decks", but I'm trying to keep them to a minimum. (Anyone who wants to can view them in the "Tarot Trading" section. )

Ulfdis

09-12-2004, 01:59

The Witches' Tarot by Ellen Cannon Reed really soured on me. I got rid of it fairly quickly. The Rohrig Tarot was... difficult. I'd be just barely on the verge of a stunning insight, and I'd suddenly think to myself, "Dude! That guy's head is made totally outta Hoo-hoos and Wee-wees!" Way too distracting for my short attention span, but some of those images are haunting, both lovely and harrowing.

Tarot Sparrow

09-12-2004, 23:45

Oh god yve, I was just thinking about this exact same thing. I just realized I hit 18 decks in my collection today and that doesn't count the one I just traded away (my first trade). This keeps happening, sometimes I realize it quickly, other times I realize it not until months later when I find I never use certain decks for reading. Now I'm thinking, my god, do I really need all these? Of course I don't. But I don't particularly like trading either; especially those decks I like, but don't use for readings...I want to keep, but is there a point? I make all my decks personalized tarot bags so it's like I put a part of myself into them even if I never use them, and I don't want to betray them. Ah, but they're just cards. Some I know I would never trade but I'm starting to get disheartened by all these decks I never use...I wish I knew what to do, or even better, I wish I didn't lust crazily over decks that I end up not connecting with...it's pointless.

Fudugazi

10-12-2004, 04:45

The Morgan-Greer.
I loved the colours and the borderless cards, but I never enjoyed reading with it, the exact thing that made it an impressive deck to look at I found distracting when stzudying and reading. In the end, I gave it away to a friend who does use it.

I am difficult to please with decks, and I don't own many, though I've been reading for 7 years. Last count was 4, so I guess I've reached some kind of stability in my life;)

darwinia

10-12-2004, 09:06

I'm starting to get disheartened by all these decks I never use...I wish I knew what to do, or even better, I wish I didn't lust crazily over decks that I end up not connecting with...it's pointless.

Understood.

I don't think it's pointless though. It's heartening to have a bit of art around to take out and look at now and then. Have you thought of using them in unconventional ways, not necessarily readings?

I have several I rarely use, but then I might explore them again for a time. I regret trading one deck, although I got a lovely deck in return, I wish I'd gone out and bought the new deck rather than trade my old one. Two other decks I traded and have no regrets over doing so.

The other 80 or so decks (not just tarot) are quite happy here and there is joy in taking one out I haven't seen for a while and looking through it. Maybe a keyword or colour or image with spark an idea or project.

I liked what Ulfdis says:
some of those images are haunting, both lovely and harrowing.

We are haunted. We are haunted because our minds like images, they enjoy processing and reflecting on images. I like to feed my mind what it likes.

fairyhedgehog

10-12-2004, 09:54

My first 'not click' was my second deck - the Matt Myers Art Nouveau. Gorgeous pictures, but useless for reading, meditating ... well for anything really.

I have also had pass through my hands:
Celtic (de Burgh)
Mythic
Shakespearian (beautiful tarot but didn't click)
Cosmic
Goddess

And I currently own but don't get on with:
Renaissance (Trevisan)
Arthurian Hallowquest
Aquarian

The Hallowquest was one that I really wanted for ages. The pictures of scenery are lovely, but there is too much gore for my taste and the Watcher at the Ford (I think it's called) is the worst depiction of old age I've seen.

The rest of my collection I like owning, even if I don't use them :)

Chronata

10-12-2004, 13:32

There is one that very readily springs to mind...but I am almost embarrased to admit it...

The Gilded Tarot.

I desperately wanted these cards. I absolutely fell head over heels in love with the images I saw on the internet.
It was a part of wish list forever.

Then I got to see the cards in real life, hold them in my hands and look through them...and it was this really huge disappointment for me.

Ok...disappointment is probably the wrong word...I was DEVESTATED!
It was like finding out there was no Santa Claus!

I just didn't like the cards...felt no connection to them at all.

Which is very strange because I still really love the images that are on my computer screen.

Maybe someday I will find my peace with the Gilded. I guess now is just not that time.

Fudugazi

10-12-2004, 13:54

There is one that very readily springs to mind...but I am almost embarrased to admit it...

The Gilded Tarot.
...
Ok...disappointment is probably the wrong word...I was DEVESTATED!
It was like finding out there was no Santa Claus!

I just didn't like the cards...felt no connection to them at all.

Which is very strange because I still really love the images that are on my computer screen.

Oh, I'm sorry! It sounds really heartbreaking to have dreamed of something for so long only to find it was...just not that. I'm sure many people feel for you.

That's one reason I don't usually buy decks that I've only seen on the computer - I want to see and touch them, feel their energy. The only exception to that is the Tarot of Prague, where I played the fool, took a chance, and it worked. I love it. I love reading with it. The three other decks I own I all saw in shops and held first. Even that is no guarantee in the long run (Morgan-Greer!- and the Rider Waite, which I learnt with, but evetually abandoned completely for a multitude of reasons).

FantasyWorld

10-12-2004, 13:57

I just got Tarot of the Animal Lords and did a new deck spread and had no clue what it was telling me so it may be to early to tell but I'm thinking this deck and I are not going to connect.

I also just got Pagan Tarot-Gina Pace and have NO clue what some of those cards mean!!!

I'm not giving up on either of them just yet but it's not looking good so far...

Waterdancer

10-12-2004, 13:58

I don't really like the Gilded that much either. The mechanical elements in the pictures leave me cold and the cardstock feels so thin and unsubstantial. I really don't like many of the CGI decks for that reason, they seem too cold.

Another deck I have a hard time with is Legend the Arthurian Tarot. I don't know if it is my eyesight failing or what, but the different elements in the pictures are so hard to discern because the pastel coloring all blends together. I wish the colors were bolder and more defined.

I just got the Lo Scarabeo Secret Tarot in the mail and I am pretty disappointed with most of the pip cards.

WolfSpirit

10-12-2004, 16:26

The Hallowquest was one that I really wanted for ages. The pictures of scenery are lovely, but there is too much gore for my taste and the Watcher at the Ford (I think it's called) is the worst depiction of old age I've seen.

I think the Watcher at the Ford is absolutely FRIGHTENING ! In contrast, I find some of the cards very calming, which is why I am still glad to have the deck, even though it was a surprise: I got it in a trade and I thought I would get the other Arthurian deck (Legend Arthurian).

Tarot Sparrow

10-12-2004, 17:23

Darwinia - I like some of my decks for the art, rather than to use in readings, but it still bothers me to have so many (with some of them anyway) because I liked to use and apply tarot--you know, for useful purposes, and study, and interest. Artwork is one of my favourite things but part of me just sees tarot as a tool and feels it should be used as one, not neglected and left to sit on the shelf. Sometimes I just wish I didn't have certain decks so that I wouldn't neglect them.

I supposed I should mention some decks I never connected with:

The Quest - I thought it was lovely online, bought it on a whim one day, and never liked it. I liked maybe, 5 cards in the whole deck. The art just didn't speak to me. This is the one I traded.

I'm also starting to wonder about my Gilded Tarot (as are some of you, I can see). I also lusted over this deck and loved the images but I just can't...USE it. I don't know why. It seems like such a lovely deck and there are some cards I just love, but I don't know if I will ever use it for readings. I'll give it moer time though. I also lusted over the Swietlistej Drogi like crazy and went through hell trying to get ahold of it, spent $60 on it, and although I think it's beautiful as well I never use it for reading. Same with some of my other decks--great art decks but no connection for readings. Others I connect with right away. I have (I think) three oversized decks and I usually don't like these because they're difficult to shuffle and the cards are usually flimsy and not cut very nicely--I think this might add to the problem. I adore my Tarot of Transformation though, I find it to have wonderful cardstock and images, unlike most people I've come across--so who knows really :rolleyes:

Skydancer

11-12-2004, 13:09

"We are haunted. We are haunted because our minds like images, they enjoy processing and reflecting on images. I like to feed my mind what it likes."

Well said, Dawinia. I am so definitely a visual learner!!

I like the Sacred Circle, my second deck I remember, after Robin Wood, but I don't get much from reading it. So I LOOK at them! Get into them - visit them, and run freely in the ceremonies and countryside. Lovely. Great escapism! But they don't "speak" to me in a reading.

So far, same for Fairy Circle. Frankly, the Universal Waite and I are getting along famously. And I only got it (about 2 years back) to have as a reference for clones. You just never know ...

I only have about 10 or 12 decks, and a couple of oracle decks that I greatly enjoy, and I wouldn't trade any of them - at least not yet! But as for reading, I was rather surprised that Robin Wood would be so illusive. I was so into Wiccan ways at the time. I've had it for maybe 4 years, became disillusioned, and after Osho and a couple others, put away Tarot for ages (years). Now, everything has changed and I'm off and running and understanding more than I ever thought I could. Just had to purculate I guess. And I just had to come to trust myself and not try to fanthom everything in the LWBs.

Just got the Hanson-Roberts because I needed a deck that didn't have obvious nudity, because of some family members who are more keyed on images than in what they represent. (over Thanksgiving she says to husband - "oh LOOK Hon, naked women!!!") sigh

I don't know the dragons well enough to read with them yet.

sorry to ramble ~
*S*

Ace

11-12-2004, 18:31

I'm also starting to wonder about my Gilded Tarot (as are some of you, I can see). I also lusted over this deck and loved the images but I just can't...USE it. I don't know why. It seems like such a lovely deck and there are some cards I just love, but I don't know if I will ever use it for readings.

I can see this. I have looked (on line) at the pictures and they are gorgeous but I just can't get a meaning out of them. THis deck just doesn't TALK to me! On the other hand, I was introduced to, used and fell for the Ancestral Path deck, but over time... it has gone by the way side. Sigh.

So many decks are so pretty, but (another is the BBCats) are just not READER decks, IMHO. On the other hand, I also don't relate well to Tarot of Prague, but I am reading on forum of wonderful insights people are getting from it. So ultimately, to each their own.

CloeCat

13-12-2004, 01:15

It was the Voyager for me, its beautiful. But alas.... I could not communicate. It was like speaking to someone where English is their 2nd language.

oh well, I sold it to another.
CloeCat

Alta

13-12-2004, 06:15

Reading this thread just proves again what we always knew, one person's art deck is another person's well-loved much used reading deck. I read with three of the decks I just read were non-reader's decks, BBCats, Gilded and Celtic Dragon.
To get back to the original topic, since I have a lot of decks, I have had a proportionate share of disappointments. Surprisngly, because I know so many love it and read with it, the Golden is like that for me. I just cannot get anything from the images.... and they are so lovely and intriguing! Too bad really, I would love it to work better for me.

Webwitch

22-12-2004, 19:43

Well, this is a little unusual in that when I bought my first deck it was RWS and I never connected with it. I think I passed it on to someone.

I bought the same deck, again, determined to learn to read about 8 years later. Again, I did not connect.

When starting a tarot course earlie this year, I bought a different deck, and was going to use that for the course, but found it wasn't quite a "clear" to me as the images on the RWS (which I was looking at online), so I repurchased it and now the whole thing is beginning to make sense.

How weird is that?

Cheers,
Webwitch :)

Jpoor

17-02-2005, 14:03

I'm having trouble getting comfy with the Quest Tarot, my first deck. But I really LOVE my Gilded, and St Petersburg

Cielo

17-02-2005, 16:37

I don't have a lot of decks and I rarely see something I really like...which is why my collections is rather..hmmm...modest?! :) But one deck I thought I would love and never could bond with is the Golden Tarot. I know many people love the art work and find it pretty,- I loved it when I viewed it on-line and then when it came, it felt completely different...., so I have never read with it even once, it's still in its original box waiting to be passed on to someone who will appreciate it and love it for what it is...:)

tinkerbell

18-02-2005, 04:44

i agree with many of you who describe decks you can't read with but keep for reasons of beauty.i am adding to my "decks of beauty" periodically.
one deck i absolutely hated was the gendron. i came accross it while viewing the "sites which show all the cards" thread and thought it looked very deep and vibrant.
i aquired it through a trade here at aeclectic but on receiving it i was so disappointed.........in fact i was repulsed! the only card in the whole deck that i liked was the fool. so i got rid.
another mistake was the unicorn deck. i liked the idea and some of the cards are very pretty but overall it left me feeling cold. i still have it though and may give it another chance.....but i doubt it.
interesting thread!
love tink xx

dolphinprincess

18-02-2005, 08:17

There are a lot of decks that I 'had' to have and thought I adored - only to trade or sell them. (I wish I weren't so picky!)

One deck that I really wanted to love (and still wish I did) is the Tarot of Timeless Truth. The book was great - and if the cards were not photographs of real people, it would have been perfect.

Every time I used this deck, I just felt like I was looking through the author's family photo albumn and it completely overshadowed the deck for me :(

Nunnu

18-02-2005, 08:30

My first deck was Renaissance Tarot Deck. It didn't connect whith me. I try again sometime. They are really beautiful.

Satori

18-02-2005, 11:54

I lusted for Waking the Wild Spirit.
I have it now and I just don't connect with it.
It does not sing for me at all like I thought it would.
I respect the work that went into it, and some of the card concepts are interesting, but I just never liked it.

I ended up giving it away...

snowy25

19-02-2005, 06:08

I did n't connect with The Egtptian tarot.
I still have it and want to give it another try some day.
My problem is buying more decks then I can study, because I like the theme ore artwork.

I mean to study them all and decided to stop buying them untill I worked them all out.
But after a wile I always see a deck that MUST be in my collection.

Hmm...
Seems like I'm adicted... lol.

Maelin

19-02-2005, 08:30

I just went crazy - well, for me, and bought two decks at once I bought Shining Tribe and Gilded - Shining Tribe because of how much I loved Rachel Pollack's Forest of Souls, and Gilded because of the rave reviews elsewhere on Aeclectic. Opening the two at once was a real lesson in how some things connect and some don't. Shining Tribe was like holding a sun warmed stone in my hand - I fingered through the cards and just - connected. Gilded, which I thought I would love as a more "arty" version of my beloved Universal Waite - I wanted to immediately get rid of! I don't even want it kicking around the collection - and yet so many people love it - go figure.

Alissa

19-02-2005, 10:24

The Black Tarot, by Luis Royo.

Oh GOD how I love this man's art... I fully expected to adore this deck... only to discover upon opening the package, this *wasn't* a Tarot deck... it was a collection of paintings that were smooshed into Tarot form. The deck is almost mute... it "doesn't speak" to me. Many don't even bring up messages and emotional connotations that fit the card it appears on.

I see it as a novelty/collector deck now. I thought I couldn't live without it... but maybe I should just go buy some more Royo books instead.

ambermoon

19-02-2005, 10:57

*ambermoon shakes her head and looks puzzled*

There are decks on my bookshelf with which I've never bonded. But they've given me some insight or gift, perhaps just one card that inspired me, or one thought that broadened my understanding, so I don't regret buying any one of them. I just don't read with them.

I never have read with the Visconti-Sforza, but it was one of my first decks and I learned a lot about the art of the period from its cards.

I'm seldom in the chirpy, cheery mood of the Hanson Roberts, but I see it's 10 of Cups in my mind whenever I see any version of that card. Ditto the RWS 5 of Pentacles.

If I had to pick one deck that has given me little, it would be the Osho Zen. But I'm not rushing to trade it away. Perhaps I will warm up to it someday. For now, I'm content that I like the swirl of colors on the spine of the box. That's a good enough reason to keep it.

SunChariot

19-02-2005, 20:38

I have 9 decks and it only happened to me once, I have adored all my other decks immediately.

When I got my Tarot Art Nouveau, I could not connect well with it. I think it is because the images are all so very similar, and I tend to work intuitively....not enough difference between each card to anaylse.

Bar

contrascarpe

19-02-2005, 21:31

Wow, unfortunately I can't remember them all. I currently own close to 100 tarot decks, and traded/gave away many more.

I hate to list them because of some things going on in other threads. I really lusted after the Gilded but was a bit disappointed. Not so much because of the artwork, but because of the cardstock. I had some other reservations about it too, but I respect the artist so much, I cannot speak ill of it. But it wasn't for me. Plus I gave it to a friend who really wanted it, so I feel like my Karma is good.

Alissa mentioned the Black Tarot. I wanted to like this deck as well, but such a major disappointment.

I have some decks still which I couldn't wait to get my hands on but left me feeling less than thrilled. The Sacred Circle and the Quest fall into this category, but maybe this will change in time.

Conversely, there were decks I really wanted, was initially disappointed, and then fell head over heels over after a period of time. Perhaps this is fodder for another thread .......

Dan

Elektra

24-03-2005, 20:35

Not a tarot, but the Tao Oracle by Ma Deva Padma. Sigh. I bought it because it was beautiful, but I can't connect with it or read with it AT ALL. I'm hanging onto it in the hopes that I can do better once I mature spiritually ;).

And even though I couldn't do beans with that one, I'm still lusting after the Osho Zen. Go figure. I never learn.

DollieAnna

24-03-2005, 21:44

The Gothic by Vargo, traded.
The Thoth. Had 3 traded them all.

Annabelle

24-03-2005, 22:51

For me there's only one deck that springs to mind...the Victoria Regina. I really, really wanted this deck for a very long time. I looked at in the store over and over again, but put off buying it because of the price. I looked at all the cards online, and loved them. I finally found it on sale, and bought it, and at first I liked it...but then I tried to read with it, and couldn't. And tried again, and couldn't. I've finally reached the disappointing conclusion that I simply don't connect with this deck, although I still admire the art. I love collage art, and so I will keep the Victoria Regina...but I sure wish I could read with it.

DollieAnna

25-03-2005, 05:25

Oh yes, now that I see Annabelle4, I must add that darned Sola Busca, ecen tho it is a collector's, I just couldn't get it.
I bought it for the chopped off head and the baby. LOL. In one of my macabre moods...........

psychic sue

25-03-2005, 08:22

Thoth. I love Crowley's writings, and I felt I ought to have this deck and that I would bond with it immediately. I was so disappointed. It feels like a "dark" deck to me, and I couldn't connect with it. So I gave it to my best pal, and she loved it on sight.

To each his own, I suppose.

Sue.

Paperdoll

25-03-2005, 21:41

Osho Zen, Arthurian Tarot, Sacred Circle and Tarot of a Moon Garden. I thought I would really love these decks but never could "connect" with them. Thank goodness I now have my Gilded and we get along just fine!

Requiella

26-03-2005, 00:05

For me there's only one deck that springs to mind...the Victoria Regina.

Yep, that's mine too. Too industrial-revolutionist...or something. I really looked forward to getting this deck, and it wasn't what I thought it was going to be.

Thais

06-04-2005, 20:05

I thought I would love these decks but I could not connect with them, especially the Jungian Tarot.

Jungian Tarot
Tarot of the Old Path
Tarot of a Moon Garden
Spiral Tarot

For years I always disliked the Rider-Waite Smith. I never owned one. I just could not get past the thickly drawn lines or the lack of shading and so few colors. About one year ago I saw the Universal Waite at Borders, bought it, and adored it. It became, along with my Gill Tarot, the deck that I read with most often.

I recently gave the Universal Waite to my sister (not out of boredom but because she is learning Tarot and she really connected with it.) I'm using the Radiant Rider-Waite now, which I love equally.

Rhiannon SW

06-04-2005, 21:31

I have had the witches tarot by ellen cannon reed and couldn't connect.
I have DOM round tarot but am missing cards from my move. Crows Magick by Londa jury is still out on that deck. I like it but find it rather a dark deck.
I have the Celtic Dragon it was my husbands but he just never got into reading. I took them and have used them all up you might say. They have seen better days. My new deck is the Gilded Tarot. I like them and so far they are speaking to me. My first deck of cards I got were the crystal ally cards. I really connected with that oracle because of my afinity with crystals and stones. I would like to check out the Druid Craft next.

Love & Light
Lisa

ncefafn

06-04-2005, 21:34

Emeraldgirl

06-04-2005, 22:06

The tarot of Hellen. I love the artwork on it but every major is a different flower and I am not skilled enough in herblore to get any enjoyment out of it. On the plus side though I am going to give it to my mum she loves flowers, herbs etc and it's the perfect deck for her. Knew there was a reason I brought it :)

Elektra

06-04-2005, 22:30

There've been a lot of decks I purchased on a whim and decided I couldn't read with, but there's only been one I panted after and was disappointed with - the Gilded. I agree with the person who said the mechanical elements were a turnoff. I also am not crazy about the black borders. I've offered clients a choice of decks to read with, and no one ever chooses the Gilded. I had one client who said, "Ew, this is really dark," and shoved it away from her. She chose the Druidcraft for her reading.

Kim

How interesting! It would never have occurred to me to think of the Gilded as dark. I could see "cold," maybe, if someone is turned off by the computer-generated imagery (it IS a bit slick, which I like, but I can see how someone else wouldn't like it - just as I don't like the more primitive-looking drawings like Shining Tribe but some people love them), but I never would have thought "dark." I'm so interested by how differently people respond to the same imagery. Real food for thought.

I'm going to have to amend my answer (TAO Oracle) to all non-tarot oracle decks. I have three now (TAO, Dreaming in Color, and Magical Mermaids and Dolphins), all of which I lusted after, and none of which I can do a damn thing with but look at the pretty pictures.

Hermina

07-04-2005, 14:16

For me it was Godess Tarot. I took one look and I knew I wouldn't be able to use it. I should have kept it to trade.

sprite

07-04-2005, 15:16

add me to the list escpecially when i first started and trying to find that one deck that is the one. i can think of the mythic tarot, the rohrig, the black tarot by royo love his artwork but the deck no way for me, the goddess i liked but i dont know maybe to light and didnt feature all the cards. the nice thing was it always seem to be that i would meet someone who would be interested and they just loved or clicked with that deck so i would give to them.

StellaJane

07-04-2005, 16:17

I had the same problem with the Goddess deck! I really tried to make it work, but I just couldn't get anything from them. They've been neglected in a box for three or four years.

leapylees

28-05-2005, 12:16

I recently got my hands on the Vertigo Tarot. I adore Dave MacKean's art but I get no energy or vibes from these cards. I cannot read from them at all. I love the pictures but this is definitely one for keeping just to take out occasionally and admire the artwork. I was gutted about this one as I wanted it so much and was thrilled to find one at a price I could afford. I thought maybe i just needed to get to know the cards and become familiar with them but I just don't connect with them at all. It's very frustrating as the converse usually happens to me - I'm not sure about a deck, not sure if I like the artwork but something just clicks and I get fabulous readings.

jayde

29-05-2005, 04:14

Thoth - I just didn't like the images when I saw all of them, instead of the few samples.

Rider - basically all the Riders, like Universal. They just don't inspire me, but this opinion, I have a feeling, may change in the future.

calligirl

29-05-2005, 15:09

Oh, thank you. I was too embarrassed to admit it also. I love the Gilded Tarot and enjoy the pictures so much....but can't read with them at all. The readings are so off base it's embarrassing. But I LOVE the pictures and don't want to get rid of the deck, I just can't use it.

Maybe that will change as I get more general experience in reading?

I've had my eye on the Druidcraft and I'm saving up for that one but what if it's the same way?

Emeraldgirl

30-05-2005, 00:50

Another one is Vargo's Gothic Tarot I love the artwork but it just gives me the strangest readings. i have recently cleansed though so I need to try again.

young caterpillar

30-05-2005, 22:12

The deck that was the biggest letdown for me was the Fantastical. So I took the court and majors out and use it for my "Majors only readings", I just could not connect with the pips.

bladeraven

30-05-2005, 23:33

The deck that was the biggest letdown for me was the Fantastical. So I took the court and majors out and use it for my "Majors only readings", I just could not connect with the pips.

For me it was the first deck that I had when I was 13.....Riders-Waite...I thought it was what I had to have because it was a tarot deck and I just could never read with it......

M-Press

31-05-2005, 05:48

I'm trying to re-evaluate what is "connect" for me...

There are some decks, that I find SO beautiful, that I immediately connect with them, but that does not mean that I like reading with them. One example for this is the Thoth. Love it, will never trade it, but do not wish to read with it either. Does that count?

Then, there are some that just dissapoint me art or design wise, so I just don't want to use them, because they don't interest me.
Like the Children's Tarot by LS. The art is incredible, but SO small, and too much border space around, that I just "didn't connect".

moondaisie

02-06-2005, 22:40

I too, as some of you earlier had mentioned, am having troubles with the Goddess tarot. I was thrilled to get it, but I don't feel any connection at all. I keep trying to use them, thinking that maybe they will grow on me somehow, but it doesn't seem to be happening.......maybe that is how we get to know tarot better, though, by learning what decks we can and can't connect with.

SunChariot

06-06-2005, 17:10

It only happened to me once. I have had 16 decks (now only 15 for obvious reasons). :-)

It was the Tarot Art Nouveau. I generally love anything Art Nouvea. But the images really were mute in my case, did not want to talk to me at all. I found them all to similar too, each one seemed to have the same message.

Bar

Chronata

11-06-2005, 20:33

I just can't believe that I have had to add another one to my list.

(along with the *sigh* Gilded...)

Revelations...

So many of the images I saw here made me drool...what a pretty deck...and what a novel idea...having duel image cards.

I loved the cups, and a few of the Majors were really nice...and I even liked several of the swords.

But the deck overall is one I just could not connect with.

Maybe it's because I really don't do reversals. And trying to read with this intuitively, I just couldn't get past the fact that in the reversal, the image is simply looking in another direction.

Don't get me wrong...the deck is really well done, as is the book that comes with it...but I guess just not the deck for me.

I probably should have given it more time and more than two readings with it.

But I had a feeling it was just going to end up on the shelf gathering dust.

light2000

11-06-2005, 20:45

I have one deck that one friend gave me.

I dont read whith this one, i dont undrestand the meanings, and the images dont say me nothing at all.

It´s the Neuzeit- Tarot, is one of the new age tarot.

I cant read whith it, and i dont like the images, they are strange and all the cards are similar.

Fudugazi

12-06-2005, 05:47

This is going to sound strange - but I bought the Ancestral Path a while ago, having desired it for a long time. When it arrived I held the unopened box (still shrink-wrapped) in my hands and could not bring myself to open it. I left it on a shelf for a few weeks, thinking it would pass - it never did. Not only did I not connect with it, I couldn't even open it and look through it! So in the end I traded it away and received in exchange the Gothic Tarot of Vampires, which I never thought I would like (I got it to experience a Vampire Tarot) but do, very much. As someone else said - go figure.

Mimers

12-06-2005, 08:19

For me it was the Golden Tarot. I waited and waited for it to be published. I would go to Kats website and look at the pictures over and over. For some reason when I finally got it, it said nothing to me. The pictures would not speak. :( I still have it. Cannot seem to part with it.

The funny thing is that to ease my craving for a new deck, I ordered the Tarot of Prague that came out a few month before it. I wasn't that interested in the Tarot of Prague, but just wanted something new to play with. This deck immediately touched me in an amazing way. The readings flowed and it is still to this day my main reading deck!

Mimi

TarotGirlJess

12-06-2005, 09:06

I'm relativly new to this. i HAD to have the houswives tarot. it was neat. i loved how the death card was bad mayo. no one could mistake THAT for acual death., and the devil card? chocolate cake. i absolutly HAD to have this deck. I got it. i pwed through the box. and it was ok. i think it entertained me for a whole 30 minutes. it seems cornier now than it did. LOL so i didn't connect to it the way i thought i would. I also picked up medicine cards years ago. i have shuffled them a few times but they don't call to me. I know MY deck is out there. I am leaning toward the Fey or the celtic dragon but as of yet ,nothing is screaming my name. so it's old reliable. LOL
Tarotgirl Jess

Mystic_Blue_Jay

12-06-2005, 21:09

So far, for me, it's been the "Tarot of the Sphynx". I did my best to read with this deck for quite a few months, but ultimately didn't connect with it because of the lack of color variety. I thought it would have been a match made in heaven considering I loove ancient Egyptian stuff.

Stacie Doll

13-06-2005, 05:34

Tarot Roots of Asia. Most of the cards are too blurry, jumbled & don't speak to me. I like many Buddhist concepts so I thought it would be great for me. I like the LWB though. LOL

Leeloo

25-06-2005, 23:47

I have 14 decks now, and so far only three of them (that I HAD to have) don't really resonate with me. They are the Gendron, Wild Spirit, and Haindl. They are all absolutely gorgeous decks - the artwork is really what drew me in the first place, but so far, no connection. The accompanying book are fab though, so I don't know if I would trade them or not. MAybe I just need to work with them a bit more...

Alrana ERIS

26-06-2005, 22:55

I have the thoth deck, i heard it was a great reading deck, so i got it as a gift, from a friend who swears by it. ...I love the deck it doesn't like me to read it. bright blessings, alrana eris

.::Cerridwen::.

27-06-2005, 05:17

After reading books on tarot I saw that the Rider-Waite deck was mentioned often, so I bought it thinking I could learn with it because the symbolism was pretty straight forward. Well I learned I don't like it at all, it just doesn't feel right. The major arcana cards almost all had negative meanings... how he got a negative meaning from a card like The Star is beyond me.

It's not that i want a deck that has all nice pretty and perfect meanings, it just that with the Rider-Waite they were either negative or positive, no in between. I mean it probably is a good deck, I just don't connect with it, I'm in love with my Sacred Circle Tarot. :)

iseekserendipity

27-06-2005, 05:48

The Buckland Romani was the biggest blow to my heart. i (still) truly love the images, their realism and more. But i just don't connect with them... :(

PlatinumDove

27-06-2005, 08:35

The Visconti Sforza....I went through it for the first time last night and sighed, realising, I much prefer the illustrated pips that we have in the later decks. I'll keep it to study historically with, but I don't think I could ever read with it.

MercyMe

27-06-2005, 11:33

The New Palladini. Sigh. I was really drawn to the Aquarian, but wanted his newer deck. Love the Art Deco feel to both. But...hmmm....IT just isn't there when I read. I can give functional readings with the deck just fine, but there's no *zing!* I keep it, though. It's lovely. I like the night backgrounds and the colors and the images are great.

~Mercy

sagewriter

27-06-2005, 13:58

i went into a little shop to buy my first deck (a couple of months ago) i saw a deck that my friend had shown me (toth tarot) and figured I should get that. I also saw a mermaid deck (i quite like mermaids) but I didn't like the picture on the box, so I got the toth tarot. I got home and just didn't like it that much. I went on the internet and saw pictures of the mermaid deck and decided to buy it!

I don't have the heart to throw out my other deck (plus it cost a lot), so I'm pretending that I need to "be more experienced before I can use it" :D

Fairawen

27-06-2005, 14:06

The Connolly. *sigh* Got the mini Conolly from someone here on AT, because I figured it was supposed to be a good deck, and I didn't have any other deck as of yet... it might be a good one to carry around with me. *flop!* First problem was I couldn't shuffle it, because the cards a short and hard. Then I just can't click with the pictures. *sigh* Ah well. It's sitting, nice and cozy, in my tarot box. :)

~Fairawen~

sunflowr

27-06-2005, 18:11

Silent

27-06-2005, 20:08

The witches tarot,it was my first deck.

Silent

27-06-2005, 20:18

Sorry I meant The tarot of the witches by Fergus Hall,I never connected with it and it was my first deck

rainwolf

30-06-2005, 14:29

The ibis tarot--ech.

I bought it because when i started tarot i guess i was intrigued by egyption lore. Once I got the deck, I didnt like it--it was ok major arcana wise, but the minors were real bad.

daneo52

02-07-2005, 03:17

I felt the same about the Housewive's Tarot-had to have it badly. When I got it, had a couple fun readings with it, then it has stayed in the box.

Healing with the Angels, not tarot, but this really disappointed me. I just feel nothing for them, and get nothing out of it. So sad, I know others really love it.

I am always really disappointed when a deck is not as good as I hoped.

Queen of Pentacle

12-12-2006, 22:57

I always (or nearly) take a while before buying a deck, and most of the ones I own, I do really like.

But somes, I just cannot use them. Among them:

-The Druidcraft tarot, which gorgeous background and symbolic so brilliantly done, but whith grotesques faces and disproportioned feet. King of Cup look like Bluto, Popeye’s friend.

-Revelation tarot, quite beautiful, il liked the reversed illustrations, but too modern and so very cool for me. Often, I have to read the title to know which card is which.

-Sharman Caselli beginner’s tarot, complex and symbolic, but so flat and lifeless. A little shadowing would had been nice.

-The Robin Wood tarot, for a short while this one I used, but I cannot stand it: so seventyish, I feel like bach in High School, one character event seem to be a “striker” (Judgement).

-The Golden Renaissance Estensi tarot – loved the “Gringeonneur” majors, but hated the silly system Scarabeo used for the pips and the weird minor's illustrations (castration, cut-off head, and so). Not everyday life.

-Golden Klimt tarot. Some cards are just wonderful and sumptuous. But a lot show cadaverish nude underfed peoples (it make think of a concentration camp and make me so very sad I cannot use them)

-The Camoin Marseille, I am very found of Marseilles and old deck, but this one is so pale and liveless.

-US game Wirth tarot, the cooper background are loud, faces are so "sixties": the original from 1926 is so more beautiful and subdued, it is a shame.

What I found frustrating is that many of these decks could have been quite outsanding (many are very appreciated)... but some choices that had been made just repeal to me.

Little Hare

13-12-2006, 00:36

sapienza

13-12-2006, 01:05

It is terrible when you wish for something so long and then get it and it's a disaster for you. For me it these ones:

The Golden - I also used to drool over the pics on-line just wishing for the day I had it in my hands. When I finally got it there was NO connection at all, I couldn't read with it and began to actually dislike it. But the logical part of my brain says it's gorgeous and I haven't parted with it....yet.

Ancestral Path - Some fabulous cards but just can't connect with it and can't read with it at all.

Fey - Looked good in the scans, got it but no connection, it just doesn't speak to me at all.

Sharman-Caselli - I LOVE the symbolism of this deck but it is just too lifeless and washed out. Tried and tried but now it's sitting in the drawer.

For some reason though I find it hard to just trade these decks away. Maybe it's because you want them for so long it's hard to let go!

Miren

13-12-2006, 01:27

For me it was Godess Tarot. I took one look and I knew I wouldn't be able to use it. I should have kept it to trade.

Exactly what I'm trying to do right now. :) Just didn't connect. Even went through the pics online...but oh well.

anonymous_artist

13-12-2006, 03:34

had a giggle upon reading this thread because I too have bought decks in the past which I thought would be wonderful but once purchasing and using them I came to realise I reallt dislike the deck! So annoying and I do feel guilty for not having a connection with the poor little deck.

Two decks I've had this such problem with were " Reverlations Tarot " which I disliked from the very first glimse upon opening the box and second, " Illuminated Tarot " I grew to dislike after a few months though part of that reason was because the cards were far to thin and they felt strange while shuffling!

room

13-12-2006, 06:32

Tarot of 78 Doors. I love all my Lo Scarabeo decks and this was a good one but I never used it. LS decks can be challenging in meaning but if you look for secondary books on the subject, that usually sorts it out.

I gave 78 Doors to someone who never thanked me or acknowledged the gift. So on it goes to wherever or whomever.

fall_guy

13-12-2006, 07:49

It's the Fantastic Menagerie and Golden tarot for me.

I viewed all the cards online before buying them and thought they looked great, but when I finally got them I just couldn't connect with them. In fact it's not really a question of connection, but more that I couldn't take them seriously. It sounds really nasty and snobbish (and it's not intended at all), but the fact that they are collages made them feel 'artificial' to me...like they're just random pictures put together to form a RWS scene.

My loss I know...

Heavensent

13-12-2006, 09:39

I wanted the Gilded Tarot sooo long and was so excited because I thought the imagery on the cards were so beautiful, but I just couldn't connect. Tried and tried but nothing.

Emily

13-12-2006, 11:46

One I really waited for was the Bright Idea Deck - I'd seen some of the scans and I really thought it was one I'd be able to work with. I'd wanted a modern take on the tarot for so long and here it was - oh dear LOL - way too modern, the imagery was so far removed from the 'traditional' images that I was learning with at the time and I found I just couldn't use it. I kept it though just in case. :)

Zedekiah

13-12-2006, 12:16

A tutor asked me to get a beginers deck called 'Simply Tarot' but I found the descriptions on the cards very annoying lol

It was frustrating cos the explanations on some cards didt feel right as they fell in the spread and having to read the description all the time stopped energy flow.

It didnt help having a 'newbie' description on them it got in the way and blocked my intuative reading of them.

I was starting to despair at this deck.

My tutor then thought it would be better for me to use a deckcalled Rider Waite without explanations on the cards.

I found this a lot better lol :D

Was able to get really into learning and picking up on both the energy of the cards and imput from the teacher.

Some teaching methods dont always apply to every individual.

I found the deck with explanations of each card and what it meant underneath got on my nerves lol :D

Cocobird55

13-12-2006, 12:51

Queen of Pentacle

13-12-2006, 13:04

Same thing for me.
I did completly forget this one. Having loved so much McElroy book, I bought the Bright idea deck.. But this was really not a "bright idea".

For the beginning I never liked it, drawing were flat and colorless, symbolic inexistent, all esoteric or archetype had been evacuated. It feel empty, completly empty.

For me it is more an Oracle deck than a tarot, eventhough it have the 5 suits. In fact I find this deck so "hollow" that I gave it away... and completely forget about it.

Whitestar

13-12-2006, 13:30

-The Druidcraft tarot, which gorgeous background and symbolic so brilliantly done, but whith grotesques faces and disproportioned feet. King of Cup look like Bluto, Popeye’s friend.

I love and use my DruidCraft, but I totally agree about this!!! He's pretty horrible! I've heard negative comments about the boy on the Sun looking freaky, too!

Now I just need to tune the Bluto similarity out of my head when I use the deck!

northsea

13-12-2006, 15:12

The Druidcraft King of Cups also looks a bit like Dr. Phil, huh?

Alectra

13-12-2006, 15:25

This would have to be the Gilded. I like the Majors but I really I get no feeling from the minors. And the courts in this deck forget about it.
So it sits on my Altar and never gets used.

~Alectra~

Queen of Pentacle

13-12-2006, 17:01

Hi Alectra
This is so very strange!
I love all the Gilded minors, (except from the 2 of cups which look like fighting), I found them rich and fluent... Same for the court cards.

But it's the Gilded major that bug me. The're quite pretty, but seems flat to me, whitout any symbolic or esoteric meaning... I have the feeling they are void, empty...

For instance, the High Priestess seems to get out from the Ziegfield follies... Where she probably pic her costume by the way. And the Justice seems to do soldering work on a metal stair.

I even fantazizes about replacing the majors from another game (maybe the Scarabeo Visconti which is about the same size), but did'nt dare.

How funny how complementary (opposite?) our views are!

ruski_svet

13-12-2006, 22:35

Medieval Scapini. My post about it was answered with a lot of support and information, but the illustrations look too squiggly and cartoonish. I've barely used it, so I'm still thinking, awww maybe I need to give it a second chance. But I'll probably trade it anyway hehe.

sapienza

14-12-2006, 00:08

I can't connect with the Robin Wood. I had read so many positive comments about it that I decided I had to have it. For some reason, it just leaves me cold. I am keeping it because every once in a while I look through the cards, hoping that I will get it. So far I haven't...

I had the Robin Wood deck for years and felt the same way. I wanted to like it and in a lot of ways I did like it but it just didn't work for me. Then one day I realised that it was just too blonde! So I got a brown marker and re-coloured the deck so that there were less blondes and more brunettes and bizarrely it is now my main reading deck. I appreciate that this probably makes me somewhat odd, but it's like a different deck for me now and it works amazingly well for me!

I guess my point is that sometimes with a deck we don't connect with it can just be the smallest little thing. So looking at the deck on-line it can seem like the perfect deck but when it comes to using it something can be missing, and often it's something we can't even put our finger on.

WalesWoman

14-12-2006, 00:21

Osho Zen... I thought it was really cool, loved the concept, the artwork & descriptions, but could not read with it at all.

LixiPixi

14-12-2006, 01:22

Yep - that would be the "New Palladini" and if anyone wants it, I have one up for sale/trade. I can't seem to find a new home for that deck fer'nuttin!

The Victorian Romantic - wow....what a shocker that was! The Victorian lover that I am, I thought, "NOW THIS is the deck for me!!" but then, when I got it and saw the inconsistancies....yikes!.....I was SOOOO disappointed. It took me ONE look and I just KNEW I didn't like it. The Victoria Regina is MUCH better for me, even though it's oversized for my taste. That's how much more I like it over the other.

You just know that you know that you know....

LP~

LixiPixi

14-12-2006, 01:35

I guess my point is that sometimes with a deck we don't connect with it can just be the smallest little thing. So looking at the deck on-line it can seem like the perfect deck but when it comes to using it something can be missing, and often it's something we can't even put our finger on.

I agree completely!! I felt this way about the DruidCraft deck! I loved it, both online and in hand, but darn-it all.....I could NOT get passed the Hanged Man and the Star's nudity! The Hanged Man had a branch in his mouth? Are you serious? It took me 2 weeks before I even noticed it over his little penis dangling in the wind....LOL! I finally got brave and took a black marker to the Hanged Man and gave that poor guy some underpants and as for The Star....she's now wearing a beautiful teal blue bikini suit :D I can't tell you what a HUGE difference this has made for me. It's like having a whole new deck! I can get past the hugely grotesc(sp?) feet and the masculine faces. That's simply the artist's personality. But the nudity in those two cards....I couldn't take it. It seemed SOOO unnecessary!

*~*~*~*~*MARKERS RULE*~*~*~*~*

LP~ :D

ilweran

14-12-2006, 05:28

I bought the Hanson-Roberts after reading about how great it was and couldn't stand it. A few weeks ago I gave it to someone who passed it on to someone else, and apparently they love it.

Also the Gendron which I sold/traded to someone here. I really wanted to love that deck, kept it for years hoping it would grow on me. But nothing.

Miren

14-12-2006, 10:36

I had the Robin Wood deck for years and felt the same way. I wanted to like it and in a lot of ways I did like it but it just didn't work for me. Then one day I realised that it was just too blonde! So I got a brown marker and re-coloured the deck so that there were less blondes and more brunettes and bizarrely it is now my main reading deck. I appreciate that this probably makes me somewhat odd, but it's like a different deck for me now and it works amazingly well for me!

I think this explains why, when I look at pictures, I simply don't want it. Even though I acknowledge that it could be a great deck and love some of the illustrations.

As a brunette child, I was constantly in search of a brunette doll. Unfortunately, most (basically all) fair-skinned dolls were blonde. So I would buy African-American dolls...because dangit, I wanted that brown hair. Nowadays, hopefully, there's a little more diversity than 15 years ago. Probably would be able to find Hispanic dolls who'd look a little more like me (though I'm not Hispanic either).

Anyway, while I don't put such a big emphasis on hair color anymore, I think that I may have felt a disconnect from the Robin Wood because it simply didn't have brunettes.

Queen of Pentacle

14-12-2006, 11:13

blackstormhawk

14-12-2006, 20:43

I was very much intrigued by the Druidcraft ... a friend of mine had it and she let me borrow it for about a month. Actually, she would have let me borrow it longer, but I returned out of fear that her copy would end up sticking with me ... so I ordered my own copy online.

Ended up that it wasn't supposed to be my deck after all. The energy was "off" somehow. I knew that I was connecting well with the images before, so it wasn't like the deck itself was different.

There was a printing problem with the deck which I discovered as I was starting to work with it, which gave me a very reasonable reason to return to the vendor.

Gregorio

14-12-2006, 21:55

As a long time fan of the Golden Dawn Tarot (as issued by Robert Wang) I was very excited to get the Magical Golden Dawn Tarot by Tabitha Cicero. I was so disapointed when I actually bought the deck and took a good look at it. The designs had been modified significantly and the artwork did not inspire me at all. I also bought the Enochian Tarot (which isn't really a Tarot deck at all and is an Oracle deck and SHOULD NOT be called a Tarot deck) and I thought it was pretty much useless.

Piper

15-12-2006, 05:27

Mine was the Sacred Circle. :( It was such a beautiful deck, but I just couldn't connect with it.

Little Baron

15-12-2006, 05:31

The Victorian Romantic was a disappointment here as well. Just lacked the punch I expected it to have or require in a deck. It just felt like a series of pretty illustrations or postcards, but little more than that, I am sorry to say. And I am sorry to say, because I thought I would enjoy it very much.

LB

Debra

15-12-2006, 06:19

The Radiant Rider-Waite Smith. My original deck is a RWS from 1971--gently colored, nice lettering--but still ugly in that classic RWS way. And I like the "New Vision" version as a prod to my imagination, although I think the art there is even uglier. So I hoped to love the Radiant RWS and .... bleh. Better colors but less personality in the faces.

On the other hand, I do love the Victorian Romantic and I love the Victoria Regina as well...but the cards are much too big for my hands. And Tarot of the Four Elements...what a surprise, that one is great once trimmed down a bit!

WalesWoman

16-12-2006, 15:57

I just remembered another very neglected deck that I can read with but don't connect with for some reason... the eyes mainly... or lack of them, otherwise it's a very good deck with a well written book and has some dynamite interpretations.
The Sacred Rose Tarot... if anyone wants it, give me a PM.

KaiMoonshadow

16-12-2006, 16:35

I had this exact problem with the Fantastical Tarot - I really liked the pictures online but got it and absolutely couldn't like it, no matter how hard I tried... I tried to sell it in the Trade forum but it didn't work out so finally I casually offered it to my best friend and she loved it! Weird how these things work out...

LixiPixi

16-12-2006, 19:14

-Revelation tarot, quite beautiful, il liked the reversed illustrations, but too modern and so very cool for me. Often, I have to read the title to know which card is which.

Oh yes, I had forgot about that one! I had the Revelations and ended up trading it for lack of usability for me. While they were beautiful, the were WAY too "busy" for me and I couldn't look at any one card without having difficulty diferentiating between upright and reversed. They all looked like one big blob of beautiful colors.

I gave up the Fenestra - thinking I would love that one, but everyone looked so much alike that I didn't get any "emotion" from them. The majors were beautiful, but what's up with the 9 of Pents? She looks like a teen getting ready to go out for a night on the town. LOL

I just got the Fantastical (a darker, more moody version of Fenestra) in the mail today and the images have the same feel as the Fenestra, but for some reason, I like it so much better. I think we'll get along just fine :)

The Quest Tarot - too Thoth for me. I bought it for the keywords at the bottom and read with it okay because of that, but the images were just too futuristic for me. I can see myself getting this one again some day in the far future, but for now, I've got so many more that I would rather have.

LP~

LixiPixi

16-12-2006, 19:59

Hi littlePixie,
I am quite curious (maybe too...) But could you describe the inconstistancies in the Victorian Romantic please ? I'd be glad to have you opinion as it is a so much acclaimed deck.
Many reviews are just flowers after flowers, niceties aren't reviews
Thanks in advance for you insight.

Hi QoOnePentacle..hehe - sorry it took me so long to reply. I've had some personal issues going on and just couldn't find the time to type anything of substance earlier this week.

Anyway, let's see, how can I explain it - while it's been a while since I bought the deck and traded it, and when I did, I had only looked through it twice....

The quality and size was fantastic! The backs were beautiful, and the book was VERY "elegant".

The biggest thing I disliked about it was the inconsistency of color. And when I say that, I mean - some were sort of lightly "sketched" with color, while others were very "bold" in color.

The other thing that bothered me was that the images just didn't seem to "belong" to one another. There was little connection from one card to another. Both for reasons of imagry color, as well as artistic drawings. I could take any ONE card and love it....but they just didn't "match" as a group. Some of them didn't fit into the "era" and the Knight of something-or-other looks like he came right out of the old 1980's TRON movie. His armour was WAY to futuristic and stood out like a sore thumb....and to top it off, he had a "flock" of girls all around him as if they were his "harem". Where's the horse, I wondered!

Last but not least, (probably my biggest dislike) I found that the minor arcana didn't have the iconography in their images. In other words, if you don't have some form of understanding what each card means, there is no symbol on the card(s) to give you a hint (no wands/pentacles/swords/cups). If they did (and I can't remember very well now), they were few. And if I remember correctly, minors (maybe majors too?) didn't have titles on them to even quickly recognize which card you are looking at.

This is a beautiful deck in many ways, but at this stage in my tarot life, I'm looking for ones that are usable. I traded the Victorian Romantic and got the Victoria Regina instead. I wish it was smaller. I wish it was in color. But those two negatives don't even compare to the negatives I had with the V. Romantic. Maybe someday I will get that one again, when I'm just looking for beauty in the artwork, but for readability, I was very disappointed.

PS: Do you use Victoria regina on a regular basis ?

Yes, almost daily and I LOVE IT! My trick to get around the size of it is just to shuffle it sideways rather than longways. The lack of color doesn't bother me a bit. I would like it to be in color just for the "fun" of it. But this is a beautiful deck and I wish terribly I had the book to go with it. It's not "needed" for interpretation, but it would be nice to have for those times that you may want some deeper insight into a card from the artist's perspective.

LP~

Tansey Ella

16-12-2006, 21:56

edited

Mi-Shell

16-12-2006, 22:12

Little Hare

17-12-2006, 02:11

one of my first decks: the Tarot of Gemstones and Crystals!
As a jeweler working with gemstones on a daily basis I love the pictures but as a Tarot I find it unusable.
The Motherpeace Tarot
the art is too childish for my taste
I will most likely trade both decks.

I find the tarot of gemstones and crystals interesting. it looks similar to the crystal oracle by toni carmelino etc.

Queen of Pentacle

17-12-2006, 13:43

Hi LixiPixi

Thanks so much for having take the time to give your feeling about the Victorian Romantic tarot.

I have the dexk in fornt of me, a few things did bug me but I was'not able to put word on it, and reading your impressionn I found taht this is so true. Sligh image difference in treatment and color sheme do exist ideed. I though I was being fussy (which I am by the way)

Personnaly, I was annoyed by the absence of elements (cups or so) on the pictures... But I had the impression that I was alone whith that... using both Marseille and Rider-Waite.

Often reviews are very positive (candy sweet positive), but it help when someone just put his finger on such points. What-is a review for? You do write very weel, you have a lot of insigh, and your mind is sharp: have-you ever though of doing some deck reviews? I know it is hard work, but do have the very impression you would be very good at it.

Queen of Pentacle
(sorry for my english...)

I still love my Victorian Romantic, but now I do have the urge to get the Victoria Regina, and they are rare in Canada... And Few week ago I told everyone I wanted no more deck (...)

peapodgrrl

08-02-2007, 15:54

I am going to have to amend my answer (TAO Oracle) to all non-tarot oracle decks. I have three now (TAO, Dreaming in Color, and Magical Mermaids and Dolphins), all of which I lusted after, and none of which I can do a damn thing with but look at the pretty pictures.

Sorry to hear that. Sounds like you want the cards to do all the work for you. No worries, though, you are not unique :)

I say this gently and kindly, this is not a criticism. Cards--runes--I ching--- are merely portal to your higher self, they are both hard work and easy work.....hard because you have to reach into yourself into places you've never been. Easy because once you do, you'll realize that using a tool--any tool--in any other way is quite one dimensional.

Yep, two of cups. Easy. Juggling two situations, double life, et al. The work is done for you. Not very difficult to misinterpret. This is someone else's symbolism, not one that you have devised for yourself. Dreaming in Color is not that simple. It wants you to define your own meanings. You have to let your mind open and use the cards as a portal. You have to use psychic muscles you may have never used before.

Try it again and open your mind and soul. You will amaze yourself. They are not merely pretty pictures. They are conduits to your being. But they need your help. They can't do it without you.

Mindy Sommers
Dreaming in Color Author

Jewel

08-02-2007, 16:58

Actually I had this happen to me this week. I was lusting after the Universal Fantasy, and had it pre-ordered with Amazon. The deck arrived on Monday, I looked through it, and it is pretty, but I instinctively knew that I would never use it. So I am sending it off to a friend who has also been wanting it, hope she likes it.

The Animals Devine and the Llewellyn were two other decks that I had to have. I liked the art, but there just simply was no connection there so I traded them.

I think my problem is that I am spoiled by the Magic Realist decks now. Nothing else really seems to even compare for me. There is just so much depth in them that other don't seem to offer me the growth that the MR decks do and that is what I am into right now. Decks that expand my tarot knowledge.

mollymawk

08-02-2007, 17:01

The only oracle I've been able to use is Froud's Faeries. I love the Madame Endora, probably because I'm such a fan of Alphonse Mucha, but I can't read with it.

To the Dreaming in Colour creator--with all due respect, I think you're missing a great deal of what the symbolism on traditional decks means. They hardly do all the work for you--at least not if you know how to look at what's really on the cards. I grant there's a system there but it'll keep you intrigued for your whole life. And you'll find what it means to you personally.

Some people connect that way, some don't. Oracles can be fine for purely intuitive stuff, but some of those have systems that go with as well (the i-ching comes instantly to mind).

And lots of folks love oracles. They aren't for everyone. Just like tarot isn't for everyone.

Enheduanna

08-02-2007, 17:14

I love just about all my decks. There are ones I am more comfortable with then opthers, but I dont think that means that I havent connected with the others. For Example, I love the druid Craft deck, which I had gotten not to long ago. It was one I just knew I had to have, without ever thinking that I know very little about celtic/druid traditions at all. However I can learn more abotu that in time, and I think when I do I will connect well with that particular deck. There are two deck that I have that I have a hard time with , Crow's Magick Tarot and also The Gendron Tarot. Crow's Magic was a deck I cared very little about having. I dont even recall how I got it. The Gendron Tarot though, I really wanted that one for some time. And I was a but taken back when I finaly got it. I never think to use this deck, and I dont think I will.

Disa

08-02-2007, 17:23

I'm pleasantly surprised to see someone else say they had a difficult time or could not connect with the Llewellyn. I like the theme of it, the earthy feel to it, the stories that go along with it, it does very much feel like the DruidCraft which I adore, but I cannot get past the art of the minors in the Llewellyn.

The majors are beautiful, but it doesn't seem that as much care was taken with the minors. I guess I don't really like the "outlining" of them. I would love someone to say something, anything that would help me to see them in a better light. The only other thing I didn't like about the deck is that the cards are rather flimsy.

So, the deck sits now back in it's original packaging stored away only getting pulled out every now and again so I can try to "feel" them one more time. It's just not working for me.

Debra

08-02-2007, 17:41

Yep, two of cups. Easy. Juggling two situations, double life, et al. The work is done for you. Not very difficult to misinterpret. This is someone else's symbolism, not one that you have devised for yourself.

Well, ahem, the card you describe sounds like two pentacles, not two cups. This just illustrates your point, I suppose, that one must go beyond the superficial. What, I wonder, was underneath that confusion?

I don't understand why, if someone purchases imagery chosen by someone else, with key words printed on it (like Dreaming in Color) this would count as "symbolism you have devised for yourself."

I'm irritated at the implication, however gently and kindly intended, that a person who does not appreciate one particular deck or type of deck must be in some way superficial. That debate seems to go on quite a bit here. Why? How is it at all possible to determine the depth of someone's experience, or how closely they are in touch with their "higher self," from their aesthetic and personal reactions to printed imagery? For that matter, from their reactions to beauty in any form--in nature, in music, in poetry, etc.?

In my opinion, better to ask what someone DOES find in their meditations and readings than to tell them that they're taking the easy way out because they don't like what you like. (growling. going away now.)

Satori

08-02-2007, 22:34

I wanted Waking the Wild Spirit so bad. I was dying for it....had to have it. I thought I would go mad without it.

When I got it, I was bitterly disappointed. It was not me at all. It just did nothing for me. And then I gave it away. How I lament that decision. I gave it to young woman who then gave it away. Now, I asked her to give me the deck back if it didn't hit her and I'd give her something else, but she just...gave it away. Because I knew I could trade it here on AT, and I thought she understood, that if she didn't want it, I'd take it back. Lesson learned on many levels here.

So, while other decks have lit my fancy here and there, that lust for Wild Spirit was so strong. And in the end, my wild spirit was awakened, quenched and then learned a very valuable lesson. So the deck is really memorable for me.

NOTE: Apr/2008
This post cracks me up! I really have no connection to W.Wild Spirit!!! I liked several of the cards, but I have never given the deck a second thought since it left my hands. Well, not since writing this crazy post!!!

Sidhe-Ra

09-02-2007, 06:33

I think the Watcher at the Ford is absolutely FRIGHTENING ! In contrast, I find some of the cards very calming, which is why I am still glad to have the deck, even though it was a surprise: I got it in a trade and I thought I would get the other Arthurian deck (Legend Arthurian).

Sorry, leaping back in the discussion a bit here!

It's the WASHER at the ford, and she is meant to be scary. It is the Morrigan in her death guise. This is how she appears to warriors before their final battle, washing the blood out of clothes in the river. The Arthurian Hallowquest was my first ever deck, and I still love it- and The Washer at the Ford still gives me the willies every single time...

Back to the subject of the thread, I had a similar experience to Chronata with the Gilded- wanted it so badly, and it left me SO cold! however, instinctively I knew it was for my mum, and she gets on with it fine! :)

Blessings,

Em x

Miren

09-02-2007, 08:42

I had that problem with the Aquarian. From looking at it online, I thought it was so...different, but in a good way. I liked the solemn feel it had. But when I got it, I found it cold and couldn't connect with it. I particularly disliked the feeling that the faces were all drawn in afterwards. They didn't connect with the rest of the artwork. It made it feel like they were all ghosts. Oh well, I'm learning and I'm just trying to sell/trade that one...

Sulis

09-02-2007, 09:04

The Victorian Romantic - wow....what a shocker that was! The Victorian lover that I am, I thought, "NOW THIS is the deck for me!!" but then, when I got it and saw the inconsistancies....yikes!.....I was SOOOO disappointed. It took me ONE look and I just KNEW I didn't like it. The Victoria Regina is MUCH better for me, even though it's oversized for my taste. That's how much more I like it over the other.

You just know that you know that you know....

LP~

And you traded it to me and I LOVE it:D

I've done this with quite a few decks but the main one I think was the Robin Wood.
This was a good few years ago and everyone raved about how wonderful this deck was. How 'Pagan' it is and how easy to read it is.
I couldn't really see many pagan influences in there - take a look at that Hierophant... What's that about in a pagan deck?
And all the blonde, smiley, stick thin women with ballet shoes on ... ballet shoes?????
I couldn't stand it.. it had to go..

The Gendron Tarot was another one... Just badly done IMO.
Lots of the cards used the same image and I just couldn't get my head around that and lots of the images looked blurry and skewed...
Not good... That one had to go straight away too.

The good thing is that there's always someone out there who wants that deck that we think is so terrible.
If Lixi Pixi had loved her Victorian Romantic, I would have had to wait a long time to get one so I'm very pleased that it didn't 'click' with her :D

Little Baron

09-02-2007, 09:12

I felt disappointed with the Victorian Romantic too. Didn't have the oompth I hoped it would.

And I understand what you mean about the RW Sulis.

Also, the Aquarian.

Amd the Sheridan Douglas.

LB

Debra

09-02-2007, 09:13

The good thing is that there's always someone out there who wants that deck that we think is so terrible.
:D

Boy, Sulis is right on about this. I've hadl decks that I knew were just fine, but not just fine for ME. Among the decks that I thought I really wanted...but didn't...was the Radiant Rider-Waite and the HERMETIC, which totally flummoxed me and still does when I look at the scans...but the Radiant has delighted SarahRose and Similia was ecstatic to receive the latter. So there you have it...what do they say, "One's meat is another's poison"?

room

09-02-2007, 09:59

To the Dreaming in Colour creator--with all due respect, I think you're missing a great deal of what the symbolism on traditional decks means.

The Dreaming in Color deck is an oracle and has nothing to do with the symbolism on traditional decks. The artist used fractal art as well as other computer programs to visualize on cardstock what she channeled in the way of meaning and symbolism.

I think this is an assumption many people make with oracles, they try to "fit" them into an existing standard, when they are actually setting new standards and creating new systems.

I guess it just wasn't for you!

Jewel

09-02-2007, 10:14

OHHHHHH how could I forget to mention the Quest Tarot and the Victoria Regina. With the Victoria Regina it was the guns. Not sure why, but they bothered me to a degree that I called a friend of mine who really wanted to the deck and it was in the mail to her the next day. She absolutly loves the deck.

The Quest Tarot was one I had really anticipated and followed and could just not wait to get. With all the mixture of esoteric symbolism I just knew I would study and love the deck forever. Then I got it. Then I looked through it. I was so devastated by my reaction to it. The Chariot just ruined the whole deck for me (one card usually does not have that effect on me). So I traded it, don't remember to whom, but I hope they got a lot of enjoyment out of it.

I like that we all have different tastes, it makes the trading forum work really well :D. If anyone out there does not connect with their Victorian Romantic I would be open to trading for it (regular or gold edition). I have the gold edition and connected with deck instantly, not something I expected, just a fabulous surprise!

AprilFool

09-02-2007, 10:32

For me, it was the Enchanted Tarot. I have sewn clothing my entire life, and made quilts; and I thought this deck would really be "the one".

I did not like it at all. I did not like the size, or the borders. I thought the colors were pale and lifeless, perhaps because of the white borders. I wound up selling the Enchanted to a friend at my local New Age store, and buying the Zerner/Farber version instead. I really like it MUCH better, even though some of the images are covered up by the banner across the bottom of each card. It still just POPS much better for me in the smaller size, with the images going to the very edge of each card.

Another one I didn't like after I got it was the Davinci Enigma. The images are so pale and there is no way (for me at least) to recognize each card. Without some indication of a pentacle or a cup, etc. on the border, I cannot read with this deck at all. Luckily it was a sale purchase for only about $7.00 and I don't really mind. Perhaps I'll trade it away someday.

mollymawk

09-02-2007, 20:30

The Dreaming in Color deck is an oracle and has nothing to do with the symbolism on traditional decks. The artist used fractal art as well as other computer programs to visualize on cardstock what she channeled in the way of meaning and symbolism.

I think this is an assumption many people make with oracles, they try to "fit" them into an existing standard, when they are actually setting new standards and creating new systems.

I guess it just wasn't for you!

I think you missed my point, room. The DIC creator said that tarot uses a system, thereby does all the work for you, whereas to use oracles, you have to work at it.

I was attempting to explain that just because tarot ties into kabbalah, alchemy, astrology, and so much else, it does not make taroists somehow inferior to those who prefer more 'intuitive' oracles, nor is it as simple as she implied to read tarot cards, whilst reading her oracle cards takes much more spiritual depth. Too deep for us 'paint by number' tarot folks.

Apologies if I misunderstood what she said, but go back and look at her post.

Just for the record, I don't own the DIC, and have no plans to. Fractal art with keywords all over it isn't a great appeal.

room

10-02-2007, 03:44

I think you missed my point, room.

No, I didn't miss your point. You're talking about a deck you don't know or own. You have no experience of the author other than one post, taken out of context.

Too deep for us 'paint by number' tarot folks.

Which is an attitude coming from within yourself and has nothing to do with anyone else, including Mindy Sommers. You feel that someone is telling you that you are inferior because you prefer tarot cards, that's simply a reaction from you, no one used these actual words except you.

I don't need to look at her post, I know Mindy and I know her philosophy.

Just for the record, I don't own the DIC, and have no plans to. Fractal art with keywords all over it isn't a great appeal.

And that's what you are really saying. You just don't like the look of the deck. No apologies necessary for that.

Debra

10-02-2007, 04:11

No, I didn't miss your point. You're talking about a deck you don't know or own. You have no experience of the author other than one post, taken out of context.

Which is an attitude coming from within yourself and has nothing to do with anyone else, including Mindy Sommers. You feel that someone is telling you that you are inferior because you prefer tarot cards, that's simply a reaction from you, no one used these actual words except you.

I don't need to look at her post, I know Mindy and I know her philosophy.

And that's what you are really saying. You just don't like the look of the deck. No apologies necessary for that.

O my. room, please look at the deck designer actually said--post #120. Out of respect for her and for the others in this discussion, you certainly should begin there. Otherwise everything is just in YOUR head, and we all become very lonely that way! :)

And maybe then take a look at my reaction, which is very like mollymawk's, see post #125. Whatever the virtues of the deck and its author, the discussion is about some aspects of tarot vs. oracles, and it's a legitimate discussion. "You just don't like the look of the deck" is NOT what she said, and it's not fair to disregard or dismiss mollymawk's comments as pure projection--especially if you don't first look to see what provoked that reaction!

levannah60

10-02-2007, 04:41

(Sigh) I spent around $30 on the Deva tarot from ebay...and sadly I find that I really don't like it. The box fell apart the first time I took the cards out, they are two thick, are impossible to shuffle and are completely beyond me at times. They offer wonderfull insight, don't get me wrong! But the cards are largely not for me. Then again, I was going through a severly dark night of the soul last month, and had come home crying the day I found the package on my door step. Maybe if I gave them another chance.....

Alta

10-02-2007, 07:20

I know this is going to be heresy, but I had this reaction to the Greenwood. Like lots here, I *really* wanted the deck, positively lusted after it. I got it reasonably priced from one Aeclectic member, tried to like it for a couple of years and sold it for the same price to another ATF'er. There was just nothing about that deck I could like, the colours, the art, the symbols.
I guess there is not necessarily a strong correlation between the effect of desire and the effect of a 'now I have it assessment'.

room

10-02-2007, 08:17

and it's not fair to disregard or dismiss mollymawk's comments as pure projection--especially if you don't first look to see what provoked that reaction!

Oh, I think it's very fair.

Guess I'm going to be very lonely.

mollymawk

10-02-2007, 17:25

star-lover

10-02-2007, 17:54

i saw some pics of the ls pagan tarot and thought have to have that - seems great

i just didnt connect at all and sold it on

the other one that appealed to me was the housewives tarot, i've not bought it yet - i'm sticking to the 2 i have at the moment till i get more confidence and learning - that will be a couple years still i reckon

Anerin

11-02-2007, 15:49

The first time I saw images of Pagan tarot I fell in love with it. But after I'd bought it, I couldn't make myself to just touch the cards, so I seriously considered trading them several times. Surprisingly, every time I started typing the post about trading I felt guilty (as many of you told, it was like betrayal) and the deck stayed on my bookshelf for another month.

But yesterday (after six months of waiting) I took the Pagan tarot in my hands again and it "clicked". I guess I needed to wait for the "right time". (Sooo... does that count fitting the thread?..)

peapodgrrl

12-02-2007, 02:42

Thank you, Room, for your response. I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone, and the palpable anger in the lady's response genuinely surprised me.

I just gently suggested she stretch her psychic muscles a bit. ;) And yes, I meant pentacles, not cups. But the "gotcha" must have felt good. ;)

DIC is not for everyone, indeed. It's an odd mix of the spiritual and psychological; just as many psychiatrists use it with their patients as those who are strictly using it for divination. It serves many Gods, and it was designed that way. In fact, it's now being introduced in many therapeutic clinics across the country, because developmentally and emotionally disabled children work very well with the deck--with some amazing results. We are very proud of that.

I stand by what I said. Tools are just that, merely tools. It's the user that matters, not symbols that somebody else predefines. We believe that one's own soul should define itself, not have it done for you.

Lord knows, I adore tarot and have the greatest respect for it. I've been reading since I was a young teen. It needs no defending. For sure, some people run screaming into the night when faced with new ideas. That's just the way it goes. I see it all the time when canvas and paint artists turn up their noses at digital art. So silly.

Thank you again, you clearly get it.

Warmly,
Mindy

I think you missed my point, room. The DIC creator said that tarot uses a system, thereby does all the work for you, whereas to use oracles, you have to work at it.

I was attempting to explain that just because tarot ties into kabbalah, alchemy, astrology, and so much else, it does not make taroists somehow inferior to those who prefer more 'intuitive' oracles, nor is it as simple as she implied to read tarot cards, whilst reading her oracle cards takes much more spiritual depth. Too deep for us 'paint by number' tarot folks.

Apologies if I misunderstood what she said, but go back and look at her post.

Just for the record, I don't own the DIC, and have no plans to. Fractal art with keywords all over it isn't a great appeal.

Debra

12-02-2007, 03:24

I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone, and the palpable anger in the lady's response genuinely surprised me.

Mindy, that might be me you're referring to--the angry lady.

I thought your comments presumed too much about the consciousness of others in the context of a thread in which no one was asking for help or advice.

So what you said came across to me as condesending, and I must admit that it still seems to me that way--"gently suggesting someone stretch her psychic muscles a bit." Oh my. I don't think that being--what? flummoxed, confused, uninspired, turned off, disoriented by, just not into?--a particular deck implies flabby psychic muscles, failure of imagination, laziness, aesthetic rigidity, or anything of the sort!

This seems like question on which we'll probably have to agree to disagree. Be well--Debra

peapodgrrl

12-02-2007, 04:41

Explore, create, intuit, meditate, take risks, get out of your comfort zone, try new things, look at old things in a new way--whether it's my deck, or anyone else's, a bag of runes or a stack of yarrow sticks or a Van Gogh painting. If that's condescending, I am guilty as all hell...hang me at the stake. :)

M

mollymawk

12-02-2007, 04:46

Yep, two of cups. Easy. Juggling two situations, double life, et al. The work is done for you. Not very difficult to misinterpret. This is someone else's symbolism, not one that you have devised for yourself. Dreaming in Color is not that simple. It wants you to define your own meanings. You have to let your mind open and use the cards as a portal. You have to use psychic muscles you may have never used before.

Uhh...I think that was the condescending bit. I'm glad it's perfectly clear for you, but for some of us it presents just a wee bit more of a challenge. Which is okay. You just kinda made it sound like it wasn't okay. Maybe not what you meant?

peapodgrrl

14-02-2007, 10:09

Maybe not what you meant?

Definitely not what I meant, Molly. :) My post was warm, lightly teasing and a little bit of a dare. It was meant to nudge you to take a step back and look again at something you were going to disgard for the wrong reasons. It was not meant to insult, unless you get insulted every time someone lightly and with good intent makes a genuine and heartfelt suggestion to you for the right reasons, which is quite possible. :)

I have no agenda here, and I have no bone to pick with anybody. I get a huge kick out of going to message boards and seeing my deck being discussed--the good and the bad, I love it all. I saw a threat on TABI recently that was simply delightful. And not every comment about DIC was a positive, either. That's the way it *should* be. I love that people are innovating and cussing and discussing and thinking out of a standard mindset, and exploring the heck out of themselves and pushing their own comfort zones. That's *exactly* what the deck was made for.

Have a great day. We have two feet of snow here, so mine isn't going to include the outdoors in any shape or fashion. :)

Mindy