Golden Tarot

[darwinia]

I noticed Kat Black posting in the thread on the Victoria Regina about her Golden Tarot. I was very excited to hear earlier this year that it would be published for real next year and it is one of two decks to be published that I am eagerly waiting for. The other is Lorena Moore's Ironwing Tarot.

Kat, if you see this, I love the work and the artists you chose to use in your collaged deck. I'm sure it will be quite spectacular when published and I promised a friend of mine in England that I was going to buy one for him as well, it's so lovely.

Thanks for persevering and getting it published. My only surprise is that it took a publisher so long to contact you. I wish I didn't have to wait another year, but at least we know it's coming.

Judy

[SherryZoned]

Yes..great deck!!

[catlin]

There was an illegal copy of the Golden Tarot Majors distributed this year together with a German tarot calender but this copy does not do justice to the original one.

I have placed this deck also on my ever growing wish list.

[retrokat]

Thanks for the kind words, guys!

Yes, the deck was pirated earlier this year, but as it was stolen off my site at screen resolution it looked terrible. People tell me the pirated decks are selling on eBay as "pirated Golden Tarot" for up to $100, which I guess is kinda flattering. I suggest people wait and pay a lot less for the real thing ;)

If not for the pirating, I doubt I would have had the confidence to do what readers have been nagging me to do for about a year now - ie, rebuild at print resolution and try to get it published "for real".

A wonderful fan from NY started a campaign to get me to publish about a year ago, which resulted in Stuart Kaplan himself ringing me to offer me a contract. I was a bit groggy at the time, since it was the middle of the night in Australia, but that still has to be one of the most exciting moments of my life!

I built the original of Golden Tarot for myself, so it's a totally unexpected bonus that anyone else likes it. I just hope that it turns out to be good for people to read with, rather than just a pretty collector deck.

If you want to know more about the pics, buy the deck/book set when it comes out, as the source artwork of every single element of every collage will be listed (that's over a thousand items, I think). I don't think those details will be included if you just buy the deck, as it wouldn't fit in the tiny booklet. The main artists: Simone Martini, Benozzo Gozzoli, Giotto di Bondone; Dieric Bouts Younger & Elder; Hans Memling.. and about a hundred more!

Thanks ever so much for your support. If it had been up to me, it never would have made it to print. The emailing from fans finally convinced me and US Games :)

[jema]

oh, the Golden tarot is definatly at the TOP of my wishlist. i love the scans so far of the new version. it looks like it will be such a treat. and i am glad it was the US games that got the rights to it since then i know i will be able to get it here in sweden too.

[Kiama]

I'm really excited now, where can we see scans of the cards?

Kiama

[retrokat]

http://goldentarot.com

Apologies for the small size of the pictures, but I'm sure you understand why considering the piracy of the early version.

If anyone needs to see larger versions (say for reviews) let me know and I can email you a few of your favourites.

kind regards,

[Sulis]

It`s gorgeous, another one for the wishlist (sigh..........)


Crystalmynx xx

[catlin]

Hi Kat,

I can't wait to see this deck in print and I really hope that it will be also accessible for Germans like me.

After I had learned the story from the piratery from Susanne (she had an information about the whole thing on her www.tarotwelten.de site), I felt pretty guilty of owning such a pirated deck (I really do not want to know how much money this publisher made with it). I hope you could sue them successfully.

[retrokat]

Dear Catlin,

(and anyone else who owns the pirate deck and feels guilty about it).

PLEASE don't feel bad about it! Only the company who stole it off my site & have since refused to pay me royalties should feel guilty. To anyone else, I don't have any hard feelings.

I like to look at the bright side, and I figure since the pirate version is such poor quality, people who own it will probably want to buy the real thing because it will be so much better.

The published version should be released in Germany, since US Games distribute worldwide. I encourage people to buy it through the links from Aeclectic - eg, through Amazon or Tarot Garden.

Tarot Garden are especially recommended, as they emailed me about the piracy and even asked me what I preferred them to do with the decks they had already bought before finding out they were pirated. A seller with such high integrity and good manners deserves supporting!

[catlin]

Thanks, Kat, for the comforting words.

Is there already a date fixed when the full deck will be released?

[retrokat]

I haven't been given an estimated release date by US Games yet, and I'm too chicken to ask them :)

They told me it usually takes about a year from when I hand the deck over - would mean mid-2003. I suppose it depends how much editing they think it needs.

I'll keep everyone updated at the site http://goldentarot.com and also here.

[darwinia]

I didn't realize you were going to do a book as well Kat. My favourite decks all have books and I'm very keen on getting all the artist's information and references to each card. Particularly with this kind of deck which is packed with artists that are not as well known generally. Great, now I'm even keener!

Also, I believe that Tarot Garden usually offers a pre-publication discount on decks so that's another good incentive to order through them. I am in Canada and don't use a credit card but I believe they allow payment by cheque or money order which makes it easier for those out of the U.S.

Isn't it great to have the support of the Tarot community? I have met some wonderfully supportive creative people myself, and it makes such a difference to feel that people are behind you, and it lifts you up when their kindness is extended toward you. It's a lovely community.

Judy

[blackthorn]

This deck is wonderful!!! I can 't wait for it will you be letting us know when it is real out?

[Kyrielle]

I haven't had much luck finding a medieval/Renaissance style deck that I really like...but I have just solved that problem. :)

-- Kyrielle

[ChrisTheObscure]

Kat -

What an AMAZING deck :D I might have to buy two: one for readings and meditation, and one so that I can frame them and put them on the wall!

C.

[blue_fusion]

what a lovely deck. it has that renaissance feel to it. and it's rather nice to hear from success stories such as yourself, more so as you've gone past the piracy thing. good luck to you and your deck. :)

[jmd]

As I mentioned in a previous thread (http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&postid=69610#post69610) in which this deck is mentioned, I too am anticipating its release - great to see your work!

[Kiama]

Well, Kat, I think congratulations are in order! You really have reated a loely deck there. It is unusual fopr me to lie decks wich use medieval/renaissance artwork, but your one seems to have something different to it. I think it's the way you've taken the medieval images, bt put them into modern interpretations of the Tarot. I parcularly like that you've done illustrated Minors.

I am now adding this deck to my wishlist, cuz it really is absolute treasure.

Thankyou for creating it!

Kiama

[Molly]

Dear Kat,

I was just looking at tarottotes last night. I noticed a beautiful bag and thought, I really need a lovely medieval ancient looking deck for this bag, too bad I don't have one... and then through the Law of Synchronicity (which I am beginning to believe is Greater than Murphy's *G*) I found this thread. Oh wow. Just amazing and lovely... and I also found it amusing that your quote from Hamlet in your signiture line is the quote I use under my signiture at Comparative Tarot and also in my bio at my online journal... I think that quote just sums it all up - LOL. And also, I am no computer tech, but I have viewed a lot of websites and I REALLY like the layout of yours - it is visually lovely, geometrically pleasing, and very easy to navigate. LOL... I'll think I'll stop now or I'll start sounding like a creepy fan. *G*

[retrokat]

Hi Molly,

*Grin* You're welcome to compliment my deck and my sitebuilding skills as much as you like! The only time I get creeped out is when people compliment *me* rather than my work. I don't find it so scary if it's about my work. Although...

Funny story - I was once life-modelling for a friend's drawing class, as her model had failed to show & she was in a real jam. I'm no exhibitionist - I'm really quite shy and I hate being nude, even at home. But I feel strongly that people should have the opportuity to learn to draw from life, so I have occasionally done the modelling thing 'for art's sake'. Anyway, so I was standing there nude in front of all these super-cool art students in an inner-city Sydney class, and one guy says "Hey, aren't you Kat Black, the artist? I LOVE your work!". Hmm, thanks. Can we have this conversation sometime when I'm not naked in front of 20 strangers???

Luckily, getting recognised isn't something that happens very often to an artist. Or tarot author hopefully! :)

But somewhere safe and private like here... compliment me as much as you like ;)

[Riversea]

Great story! Actually made me laugh out loud. :)

People can have odd ideas about when is a good time for a compliment.

While it's never happened to me in a such a situtation as that, it has happened while in front of another person whose feelings might be hurt because they are not also recieving praise. I hate that! Instead of just being able to accept the compliment, I feel all squirmy. Sigh...

I love your deck, too! And I will eagerly look forward to its release. :) Wonderful job!

[Maan]

I just looked at all your cards one by one and there so gorgeouse.
I will certainly be a customer when your deck come's out!!!

I fell in love with this kind of art when i was visiting Florance and for me the deck has the same feeling :)

Love and light
Maan

[toysgirl]

Thanks for the update, Kat. Yours is one of 3 'online only' decks that I have been lusting after for some time--glad it's going to be in print! ;)

I was curious to know if you were going to be getting decks from US Games to distribute yourself--I always prefer to buy a signed deck from the artist when they are available to purchasing from a general retailer like US Games or Amazon.

It's nice to know that you'll have US Games to help support & disseminate your work & prevent further theft. I understand US Games can be very aggressive in enforcing copyrights.

Best of luck with this and thanks again!

~Stasia

[retrokat]

Hi Stasia,

Thanks for your support :)

I will get some decks off USGS to sign and sell through my site when it's published, but considering that I live in Australia they will be more costly for US buyers than if they buy through Amazon, USGS or actual stores due to having to be posted internationally twice.

I've been considering other options:

1. Perhaps getting people to just send me their box or the 'extra' card to be signed for the cost of return postage if they want an individual message, or

2. Signing batches of boxes for decks sold through one of the specialist US-based sellers (such as the fab Tarot Garden) - that way it would probably be possible to keep the price at RRP for a signed deck, even though I don't live in the US.

Any other suggestions welcomed!

[toysgirl]

I live in Australia they will be more costly for US buyers than if they buy through Amazon

*snip*
other options:
1. Perhaps getting people to just send me their box or the 'extra' card to be signed for the cost of return postage if they want an individual message, or

2. Signing batches of boxes for decks sold through one of the specialist US-based sellers (such as the fab Tarot Garden) - that way it would probably be possible to keep the price at RRP for a signed deck, even though I don't live in the US.

Good point--I completely forgot that you're in Australia! I would definitely either send you a card or buy through Tarot Garden.

And, FWIW, it's very easy to be supportive of someone's work that is as excellent as yours. :)

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

~Stasia

[Cerulean]

I really like the new versions of the cards.
I checked out the differences between the old version of the cards and the new deck for distribution. I understand how you needed to change it. My classes on early to high Italian Renaissance topics showed lots of art examples people would consider grim.
I've heard the National Gallery in London and a few other museums have glorious examples and replicas of world art, so I'm eager to know if your art sources can be found in London---or if they are probably from worldwide collections or local to you? I found online examples for my self study on the net through international collections.
I was especially glad that your site said that you will list the sources. A recent and enjoyable find for me was Tarot de Paris, which also lists the source of its historic sculpture found in Paris. The book has an appendix with the page number, the character title of the sculpture and last known location.
Wouldn't it be fun if I could tell people that I toured the art history of museums of Europe using tarot cards?
Best wishes as we get nearer to seeing the cards in print,
Mari Hoshizaki

[retrokat]

Hi Mari,

Ah yes, it's a dream of mine too - to visit as many of my sources as I can. I've never even been to Italy! About 75% of the material for Golden Tarot is Italian, and I'd love to tour Florence, Assisi, Naples, Milan, Verona etc. I'm happy to offer my services as Tour Guide ;)

A fairly large percentage of my sources for GT were (and thankfully still are) frescoes on walls of cathedrals. As you'd know they're from a period before portable art was widespread, so the ones that are in Galleries in other places have usually been chipped off walls, or if on wood, panels broken into segments. That's kinda sad - although I suppose at least they still exist, survived WW2 etc.

My King of Coins is from the Wilton Diptych, which is in the Sainsbury Wing at the National Gallery in London. It's one of the few of my sources that I've seen myself 'in the flesh' and it's gorgeous. The whole Sainsbury Wing is a stunning experience.

US readers can see a few too - Death's skeleton is a Jan Van Eyck from the Met in NY and two of the angels' faces are from a Masolino Da Panicale in the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

I'm so excited that other people are interested in my sources and want to visit the original artworks. Love of Medieval & early Renaissance art was my main motivation in producing the original GT - so if it encourages more people to visit the paintings for real I will have succeeded beyond my dreams!

[Trogon]

Originally posted by retrokat
I've been considering other options:

1. Perhaps getting people to just send me their box or the 'extra' card to be signed for the cost of return postage if they want an individual message

Retrokat;

I would think this should work out quite well for most people... at least those of us here on A.T. ;) Yours will likely be my next Tarot purchase and I wouldn't think that sending just the box and/or the extra card or even the LWB, to Australia and back to the U.S. would be terribly cost prohibitive. I'm planning to any way, as long as you're offering... :)

[retrokat]

Hi all,

US Games have just told me that the edit process of the publishing of Golden Tarot will start in November, and that they're aiming for a release date of September 2003. A bit later than I'd hoped, but I guess it will pass quickly enough.

They're talking about changing the title, too, so keep in mind that it may not be called Golden Tarot when released. Of course I'll let everyone know the new name on my site, so that people know it's not just another dodgy pirate version!

[darwinia]

Only eleven months to go!

Hey Kat, I don't know if this information is available yet or if I've just missed it, but how big are these cards going to be, do you know? I was just telling someone else how much I enjoy the big cards since I bought the Victoria Regina and this looks like the sort of deck that would be VERY attractive in a bigger size like that.

There is a Majors only deck called The Lovers' Tarot by Jane Lyle which I looked at because it has Renaissance art that someone recommended to me, have you seen that? This particular deck is about 5 x 8 inches which is really big and much too large for a complete deck.

Wishful thinking I suppose that U.S. Games might make it a wee bit bigger than the norm? I can hardly wait to see what kind of new title they give it, I always find things like that interesting.

Thanks,

Judy

[retrokat]

Hi Judy,

The size of the deck is another one of those things that's up to the publishers. I actually designed it at the same size as Victoria Regina (my favourite collaged deck) but then US Games usually publish decks smaller than that, so I also did a version at slightly higher resolution to fit US Games standard sizing.

At one stage, they mentioned that they may do a 'standard' and 'deluxe' version - the latter may be bigger, with metallic accents maybe.

After the editing process, hopefully I'll know more. I'll certainly add any important info about the deck itself (such as size) to my site and also here :)

I bought Jane Lyle's "The Lovers' Tarot" deck shortly before I finished GT to make sure that I hadn't featured any of the same artworks too prominently. It's well presented - comes in a nice folder with a ribbon and book. I was a bit surprised to see that Jane Lyle didn't actually *make* the deck though, and that the collage artist who did gets a very tiny mention. Perhaps she directed the artist Oliver Burston very closely, but to me it smacked a bit of the Rider-Waite deck, where the artist Pamela Coleman-Smith was given far less credit than she deserved. Maybe I'm biased (being an artist) but I think that the person who physically creates a deck deserves at least co-authorship of a deck, not a small "cards illustrated by..." credit.

Another similar Major-Arcana-only collaged deck that's kinda similar (although not super-sized) is "The Love Tarot" by Sarah Bartlett, illustrated by Nancy Tolford. At least that artist got her name on the box ;)

Both of these decks are worth having a look at, although I couldn't see the point of reading without the Minor Arcana. It was frustration at not having fully illustrated Minors in antique decks that drove me to make GT. If I wanted a stunning Major-Only deck, I'd just pull the pip cards out of my Visconti Sforza!

Maybe for beginners, Majors-only is a good "baby steps" approach, though. Some of the cards in both the Love and Lovers' decks are very pretty, so they're definitely collectable. Both appear to be manually collaged (cut & paste) so they're very different to GT. Also, neither sticks to a particular period as I did, so there are some very modern touches in both.

Hope I haven't made too many enemies! Ah well, you're all welcome to be as equally critical of my deck :)

[darwinia]

Kat:
<<At one stage, they mentioned that they may do a 'standard' and 'deluxe' version - the latter may be bigger, with metallic accents maybe.>>

I'm not fond of metallic accents on cards, some of the Lo Scarabeo decks that do this look so cheesy to me. The whole idea is to get the flavour of medieval art and the subtle colouring and symbolism that you've put together without being overwhelmed with 21st century glitz. You can forward my opinion to the U.S. Games marketing department. <g>

However, I am encouraged that they see that a bigger version might sell just as well. I am not fond of standard deck sizes, particularly where much symbolism and real artwork is featured. Perhaps it's simply a matter of difficulty in setting up the presses in odd sizes?

Funny about the way people put together decks in their own fashion. But that's the beauty of it, the stylistic and philosophical impulse. Different tastes are great, I consider we are lucky that way with all the different decks and visions.

Thanks for the info--tell them no metallic stuff!!! (I'm going to get in big trouble I can tell)

Judy
;-)

[retrokat]

True, metallic accents can definitely look cheezy!

I have *no* idea what it's going to look like in print. My lovely lil bro printed out a copy for my own use on a very expensive high-end printer/plotter on glossy card, and I can't believe how beautiful it looks. The richness of the gilt is so lush, and the dark, sumptuous colours look velvety on the shiny card. It's really stunning (if I *do* say so myself!).

Unfortunately I don't think commercial production could make a viable high-gloss version. Also, it probably wouldn't be very hard-wearing for everyday usage - although I've been carrying mine around for 3 months now to show it off to anyone who will look and it's holding up OK. So far they've all said "Wow, so preeetty" so I'm hoping the final deck comes somewhere near that response.

[Kath]

Kat, your deck is amazing!!

I can't wait till it's released (lucky coincidence that my birthday just happens to be in September!)

I really hope that you will be able to sell your deck through your website, as I live in Brisbane, and the shipping costs would be much less for me than from the US, not to mention that I would loooove an autographed copy! :)

BTW, I noticed that you re-did the Death card. Are you planning to put both versions in the deck (like the 3 magus version of the Thoth)?

Cheers
Kath

[retrokat]

Hi Kath,

Great idea about the extra card! And well spotted, what an eagle-eye you've got. I really struggled with the Death card - it's one of the ones where I started from scratch when I did the published version, as my original version (of Hell) was far too dark for the meaning of the card:

http://www.goldentarot.com/v1madeat.htm

I found the gentle "Death of Mary" image far more suitable, then messed around with how to get the skeleton/ Grim Reaper in there somehow. Hence two versions. I ended up tossing a coin ;)

http://www.goldentarot.com/madeat.htm

I've kept "The Devil" as a typical scare-the-bejesus-out-of-the-illiterate-masses theme that was so common in the era of artwork I was using. One Hell card's enough!

Another card that I have two versions of is The Chariot - one with a female driver (like older decks), one with a male (more like Rider Waite). Maybe that would be a good one to include as two versions?

I'll bring up the possibility of doing a card with 2 versions with US Games. They often use one of the 'extra' cards (since 80 cards fit on a printing sheet) as merchandising, listing their products etc. So I guess they might prefer to do that than include an extra card. I'll definitely bring it up with them as an idea, though :)

There is an "author" card included with the deck - the explanation card that's currently on the front page of http://goldentarot.com - I thought this would be a good card to sign for if people want the deck autographed. Or maybe the box - not sure what that will look like yet.

For Aussie buyers, I'll definitely sell autographed copies directly. Postage from the US nearly doubles the prices for us if we buy through Amazon, so I know how you feel! Hopefully will be cheaper if I can buy a whole carton for personal sale. USGS are happy for authors to do that, we can buy our own decks at wholesale price - although I'll be freighting them from the US so I won't be able to sell them any cheaper than normal retail.

You should also be able to buy it through any shop (worldwide) for a reasonable price. One of the big plusses of being published by USGS - they have distribution well and truly sorted.

[Talisman]

'Lo all,

Just spent a happy hour bopping around on Kat's site(s), and was enthralled with the Golden Tarot.

When the deck comes out I fear I must break the rule about buying collector Tarot decks (the rule is simple: don't) and buy this one, if for no other reason than the joy of holding the deck in my hands and looking at the cards.

Its not like there's a lot of room in my apartment, or life, for stuff like this. Books keep coming in -- if I didn't let 'em in I think they'd break down the door. That large flat space some people call a floor often serves as a filing cabinet. My motto: travel light, get rid of stuff. It is not what you have, but what you can do without that is important.

And then, the wonderful Golden Tarot. Sigh. What's the one about the exception proving the rule?

Talisman

[retrokat]

Thanks Talisman!

I have a solution for you - let's just deny it's a "Collector" deck. I *really* hope that everyone who buys it actually uses it - or at least gives it a fair chance as a working deck :)

I've never been a "Mint In Box" person, I like battered old furniture, scruffy vintage clothes and a few moth-holes in my cashmere jerseys. I think a Tarot deck needs to be touched, not put behind glass - so I'll be a very happy Kat if you *do* buy one to fondle!

[Myrrha]

Me too, me too! I know me too posts are silly but I have to say that I too will be counting the months until I can get a copy of this deck. I *love* all the animals in these cards, and trees and birds. It looks like it will be a very special and readable deck.

One question for Kat, did you have to go through a lot to get permission to use the source images? Or is that not an issue because you are using them as elements in your own creative work?

Myrrha

Edited to add: If anyone from US Games happens to read this, the version I want is the deluxe version with larger cards!

[retrokat]

Hi Myrrha,

Good question about the Copyright - and I could go on for hours about it (and have in other threads!).

Basically, because all the artists whose work I've used have been dead for more than 70 years, then the artworks are out of copyright. So, I didn't need to negotiate any usage.

My finished works, on the other hand, are new & unique artworks, and therefore protected by Copyright.

There are other issues that get thrown into the argument, and so I had to engage a Copyright Lawyer to give formal advice in my negotiations with US Games (and of course in the Piracy case before then, although I didn't have the money to pursue that).

There's a bit more on the issue at: http://www.goldentarot.com/copy.htm - including a link to the author of the VR deck's excellent resources on Copyright for Collage Artists. She's such a legend!

[Cerulean]

I'm curious about the name that U.S. Games would choose.
If it's the Kat Black tarot, some people might think of a Black Cat. If it's not Golden because there are so many gilded tarots out there....Medieval Magic? Kat Black's Romantic Quest of the Enchanted Tarocchi? The New Olden Golden Tarot?
Forgive the silliness, I'm hoping it's title will hint at it being a treasure trove of historical art.
Mari H.

[retrokat]

I suggested to US Games that we put the Deck Name question to the fans - eg, hold a competition with signed decks as prizes.

Didn't get a response yet.....

[Pollux]

Hey Kat, you will let us know about the competition, won't you?
I am already working on my entry... 8)

;) *LOL*

[Dark Inquisitor]

Originally posted by retrokat

I have *no* idea what it's going to look like in print. My lovely lil bro printed out a copy for my own use on a very expensive high-end printer/plotter on glossy card, and I can't believe how beautiful it looks. The richness of the gilt is so lush, and the dark, sumptuous colours look velvety on the shiny card. It's really stunning (if I *do* say so myself!).



OOOooooo!!! It is so hard to wait, especially after reading that! This could be my favorite deck of all time!

I would love to see a regular & a larger size. But I would also like to cast a vote for a pocket size too, of 3 -1/2". It is a great size for carrying in a purse, & quick shuffling. There only seem to be 3 or 4 decks available that size now, mostly traditional & Thoth.

I think I would buy all three versions if available!!

Tarotphelia

[darwinia]

Hi Kat,

I've got a question about your revised version of the Queen of Swords. Are you sure this is a woman? It looks like a man to me, a king in fact. Shortish hair, no breasts, rather portly....it's probably just me since I can't see the detail.

I love the new backdrop and the symbolism though--the arches and the clouds. REALLY good.

Judy

[retrokat]

Hi Judy,

So you reckon she looks a bit butch, eh? ;)

Definitely a woman - I personally think her face is very womanly in a dignified, slightly matronly way. Beautiful coiled hair, high cheekbones and the slight double-chin; the graceful hands and sloped shoulders. Certainly, she has a very austere look - which is why I chose her for this card. But she doesn't look like a bloke to me... Hopefully in the larger version of the card, her gracefulness will show a bit more easily. I'll pop a bigger version on the site for you to look at next time I update.

The source of the woman in this collage is "St Clare and St Elizabeth of Hungary"1317 by Simone Martini. I can't tell you if this woman was St Clare or St Elizabeth, but it's supposed to be one of the two. I guess a man could have posed for the pic - who's to say? I suspect a lot of St Stephens were posed by women - they're often FAR too pretty, even for an adolescent boy.

The woman's flattened chest is quite common in pictures of the era - they had a very different view of beauty. Also characteristics that could be construed as sexual, such as breasts, may have been particularly avoided on images of saints? If there are any professional Art Historians hanging around these boards, perhaps they could throw in their two cents worth.

Woo-hoo! I really like this specific discussion on a particular card, gives me a chance to express all the little issues that I thought about as I worked away on each collage (often for days). Things like why I chose this particular woman - it was so important to ME, but I never thought anyone else would even notice, let alone care why! So, thanks for the great question :D

By the way - I suppose you guessed that the Queens were the ones that meant the most to me? heh heh. Queen of Wands is my Significator, but all of the Queens are close to my heart.

kind regards,

[darwinia]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by retrokat

<<So you reckon she looks a bit butch, eh? ;)>>

Definitely!! She looks like your Caesar (I think in the Emperor card?)--kind of that soft, decadent look, reminds me of Nero, or some depraved Roman.

<<Definitely a woman - I personally think her face is very womanly in a dignified, slightly matronly way. Beautiful coiled hair, high cheekbones and the slight double-chin; the graceful hands and sloped shoulders. Certainly, she has a very austere look - which is why I chose her for this card. But she doesn't look like a bloke to me... Hopefully in the larger version of the card, her gracefulness will show a bit more easily.>>

==Yeah, I think had I been able to see the hair better it might have been more obvious. Thanks for stating the reference to the original picture--one of the joys of your deck is going to be all these art references

<<The woman's flattened chest is quite common in pictures of the era - they had a very different view of beauty. Also characteristics that could be construed as sexual, such as breasts, may have been particularly avoided on images of saints?>>

==Well, I've seen this in Tudor times, but I guess because she's rather chubby below the chest it never computed. I suppose the rich were more fleshy than regular folk.

<<By the way - I suppose you guessed that the Queens were the ones that meant the most to me? heh heh. Queen of Wands is my Significator, but all of the Queens are close to my heart.>>

==And I am the Queen of Swords which is why I always check her out first in decks. I always check The Magician, The Chariot, and the Queen of Swords. She's a good 'un!!

Thanks,

Judy

[jmd]

Any more news on suggested alternatives to the title?

I personally think it would be a pity to change it. If the Golden Legend was such a popular compilation of early mediaeval stories of the Saints, how appropriate is the title Golden Tarot to your compilation of various mediaeval and renaissance imagery!

[retrokat]

Good question, j-m.

A happy, happy Kat am I! Seems that USGS have come to the same conclusion after considering the issue over the past couple of months. Most recent word is that they're likely to keep the name after all :D They might have a gilt border to reinforce the name - and if that makes the marketing people happy with my original name, makes me happy too!

On the not-so-good news side, there was another (rather lame) attempt at pirating the deck recently. Sadly, by someone who'd been in contact with me to ask when it would be coming out & to tell me how she couldn't wait (errr... so she didn't!). Luckily my vigilant supporters let me know immediately and in droves when it appeared for sale on the web, so USGS got to know about it and take action.

Can't really say any more at this stage, but it seems that ANY level of paranoia I have about piracy seems justified when even a FAN can turn into a thief and try to flog dodgy copies on eBay!!

Thanks sooooo much to all the people who emailed me about it, you guys are just amazing :) :) :)

NOTE: Translation of my slang... "flog dodgy copies" = "sell pirated versions". Mate, I'm such an Aussie yob sometimes :P

[allibee]

You don't know me, I just moved in here *LOL*, but I LOVE YOUR DECK, I WANT IT SO BAD too, but I can wait a bit longer IF I MUST, but have you used digimark to watermark your net images.
It does cost a little, but apart from putting a watermark on the image itself, it also traces the people that save the picture to their files or copy them..... just a thought.
Mind you, just the fact that people are trying to pirate your work must give USGames a lot of faith in your deck!

allibee
*waiting, tapping fingers, waiting some more*

[retrokat]

Hi Allibee,

Welcome to Aeclectic. I'm also a bit of a newbie here, but it's just fab :)

I've been working with computer graphics for a *long* time and certainly I've looked at all ways possible to try to stop piracy.

There are pretty simple ways around any graphics protection system (including Digimarking), so they're pretty much a waste of my nonexistent resources. I've never met a graphic I couldn't grab within a few seconds. Still, the same is true of scanning from a magazine, or taping off the radio, so it's kind of inevitable. *shrug*

I only EVER put my images up at screen-appropriate size/res, so any print-based pirated version is going to look completely cruddy anyway. This won't stop people stealing your stuff, but hopefully it will mean that it can't be at sufficient quality for it to be commercially viable.

I wish I could afford to rely on the law, as legal protection of copyright is really the only way to prevent piracy altogether.

Aside from economic & legal barriers, hopefully karma will help out too. I figure these people will probably get what's coming to them in some way or another!

[allibee]

Originally posted by retrokat
I figure these people will probably get what's coming to them in some way or another!


Yes, like the legal department at USGS, hehehe

[darwinia]

Originally posted by retrokat

On the not-so-good news side, there was another (rather lame) attempt at pirating the deck recently. Sadly, by someone who'd been in contact with me to ask when it would be coming out & to tell me how she couldn't wait (errr... so she didn't!). Luckily my vigilant supporters let me know immediately and in droves when it appeared for sale on the web, so USGS got to know about it and take action.

I don't understand this sort of thing. The deck, when published, will be in a much higher resolution with ALL the cards and a proper book with all these fantastic art references. Why don't people just wait and buy it when ready from the proper source?

The one good thing about having US Games behind you Kat is that they are a professional publishing firm with years of experience fighting plagiarism and copyright infringement.

Hey, guess what? I recently told someone I had 13 decks, and when I thought about I only have 12, but I've already slotted The Golden Tarot in my mind as my thirteenth deck even though I have to wait 10 months to buy it. The waiting is a pleasure!

Judy

[Trogon]

Originally posted by freesiaskye
I don't understand this sort of thing. The deck, when published, will be in a much higher resolution with ALL the cards and a proper book with all these fantastic art references. Why don't people just wait and buy it when ready from the proper source?

I would say this sort of thing is usually the result of one of two things. Either a misguided attempt to, in some way, "honor" the publisher... in other words the plagiarist thinks "oooohhh... I love this deck so much I want to get it printed and share it with others." Or (the more likely in my opinion) it was simple greed... someone trying to cash in on a beautiful Tarot deck created by someone else before it is actually published.

In the mean time... I am also anxiously awaiting publication of this deck!

[Osher]

Hey, I loved the deck, I thought it was great! Now another card to add to my wishlist....

Would I sound like a Philistine if I said that quite often prefered the earlier versions, as opposed to newer, more RW style cards?

BTW, I would prefer an over-size card for myself, but I know many people prefer smaller cards due to hand size.

[retrokat]

Aside from making them much easier to read, the reason the new cards are so much more detailed is for copyright purposes. The originals contained far fewer "elements" per card, whereas the new ones contain, on average, around 20 layers.

Each new card is so heavily collaged that it would impossible for anyone to say that they are not new & unique artworks in their own right.

If you like the older version better then in one way you're in luck, since it's still available for download for personal use at a reasonable size from my site - for free :D

Having seen them both in print, though, I don't feel that I've done the wrong thing with the direction I took with the new deck. I think the new one looks a hundred times better 'in the flesh'.

But then, unlike an awful lot of people here, I love the Rider Waite deck, both for it's significance in the development in modern Tarot and because it's so easy to read with. As I've personally been using RW to read for 20 years (despite owning around 25 decks) - then in designing to actually READ with, it HAD to be a RW style deck to be true to my own sense of what Tarot is.

I'm the first to admit that GT was always intended to be a cross between Rider Waite and Visconti Sforza. Hopefully, with the readability from the former and the artistic sense of the latter.

I knew I'd get some people off side by following the RW compositions & symbolism so much in GT2, especially experienced readers. Since I have no commercial sensibility whatsoever, though, I knew I could only make the deck based on what I wanted for myself - if I tried to guess the market wanted, I'd be wrong for sure. And yep, what I wanted was a deck that felt immediately familiar....

So, sorry to those of you who aren't RW fans! I guess the moral of the story is you can't please all of the people all of the time :P

[Osher]

As regards RW or not, well, it wouldn't stop me buying the deck. The artwork is stunning, and being RW does at least make it immediately accessable to everyone, with no need to bone up first. So, yes, definately one for me.

Could you explain a little about layers and elements though? This seems quite a facsinating subject.

[retrokat]

There's a thread in Tarot Deck Creation where I explain some of the basics about digital collage (eg layers, elements):

http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7337

Hope that helps!

[Osher]

Cool, thanks for that.

[retrokat]

I've just heard from USGS that release is now scheduled for October 2003. Sorry it's a month later than I said previously...

Also, they didn't manage to physically get hold of the recent pirated Golden Tarot decks being sold on eBay as "My Grandma's Tarot" by one Gina Rowlands ("luar") but it appears she's come to her senses and stopped trying to flog them. At least, all the original sites fans told me about where she had them for sale have been taken down. Of course I kept offline copies of the pages as evidence, but without an actual deck it would be a bit difficult to prosecute her.

She was actually a fan who had emailed me about the deck in May last year, saying she couldn't wait for it to be released. So it appears she decided NOT to wait - she downloaded it from my site and made copies for sale! Then lied to people who asked her about the source, saying she got it on a CD in Europe - when in fact I still have the email she sent me last year.

I feel all the more infringed that it was done in full knowledge of who I am and what I've already gone through. At least the first piracy in Germany was done by strangers. *sigh*

Ah well, I believe in karma, so I hope that pirates get what they deserve.

[darwinia]

Originally posted by retrokat
[B]I've just heard from USGS that release is now scheduled for October 2003. Sorry it's a month later than I said previously..

Book Publishers often do this, I'm still waiting for a computer book that was supposed to be released in November. You may find other delays crop up during the year. The important thing is that they ARE publishing it, I still find that exciting. <g> Do you know how many people submit work and are refused publication? Of course you do!


Then lied to people who asked her about the source, saying she got it on a CD in Europe - when in fact I still have the email she sent me last year.

I feel all the more infringed that it was done in full knowledge of who I am and what I've already gone through. At least the first piracy in Germany was done by strangers. *sigh*


Having been betrayed by similar falseness in online "friends" myself, I can understand your feelings. This sort of betrayal is a consequence of the predictability and lack of imagination that drips off certain manipulators. They delight in "pulling one off" and feel a kind of pseudo omniscience that has nothing to do with any legitimate work or talent, as they don't possess the ability for such things.

The more they see of people who DO have ability and talent, the more cynical and bitter they get. It eats them, it destroys their intellect and creativity and swallows their ethics and conscience.

So, we let them be eaten. They cannot truly touch us, or anyone else, and they may not get what they deserve but they get what they pay for, which is an empty parody of life.

You have other loyal fans and supporters, and you are a positive influence and example for creativity, even through these piracy troubles.

Judy

[Cerulean]

I've just heard that in the U.S., if you send a CD with your contents of the website to the U.S. Library of Congress, they will assign you a number...but if U.S. Games is doing this for you, then you should have all copyrights taken care of in the U.S. The copyright 2002, 2003 note should be good.
Best wishes,
Mari H>

[Jeannette]

Originally posted by retrokat
Signing batches of boxes for decks sold through one of the specialist US-based sellers (such as the fab Tarot Garden) - that way it would probably be possible to keep the price at RRP for a signed deck, even though I don't live in the US. Any other suggestions welcomed!
Sorry I'm jumping into this thread a little late... I was away on business for a chunk of September and October, and wasn't on the boards much. So I missed this post when it originally went up.

I have a question: if, once USG releases the Golden Tarot and we can get it in stock, would folks be willing to pay the standard price for the deck if the shrinkwrap was off? Unless USG is going to provide you with free boxes and cover shipping costs, Kat, it seems there'd be some notable expense in obtaining the boxes and subsequently shipping them back to North America. Conversely, I expect it wouldn't cost but a few dollars to take the (very flat and light) title cards out of the boxes, mail them to you, have you sign them, and mail them back. My only concern is that once the shrinkwrap is off of the box, there's a question (from the buyer's standpoint) about whether the deck has been "used" or not -- which wouldn't be the case in this situation.

Does this provide a workable and economical solution?

-- Jeannette
http://www.tarotgarden.com

[retrokat]

I figure that nomatter how we organise it, if buyers want signed decks, I've got to take off the shrinkwrap to sign them :P

As long as they also have the option of buying unsigned/still shrinkwrapped ones as an alternative, it's up to the buyer then :)

I doubt I'll be able to get hold of empty boxes from USGS, so I was thinking along the same lines - you can send me batches of boxes for signing, shouldn't be too expensive as they're probably pretty light...

[Jeannette]

Originally posted by retrokat
I doubt I'll be able to get hold of empty boxes from USGS, so I was thinking along the same lines - you can send me batches of boxes for signing, shouldn't be too expensive as they're probably pretty light...
I was just concerned that boxes would be more likely to suffer damage in transit -- either from crushing of the outer package if shipped "as is", or from the "flattening" process if they were sent in their collapsed form (unless they were received that way from USG to begin with).

Most of the signed decks I own have the artist's signature on the title card or similar, but as far as facilitating the distribution of signed copies of the Golden Tarot in North America, I actually have no particular objections to one method or the other, as long as buyers realize that the decks are new, and any "irregularities" (i.e., lack of shrinkwrap and/or unusal signs of "wear" to the outer box) are simply the result of the process.

-- Jeannette
http://www.tarotgarden.com

[retrokat]

I've been told that the box will be pretty sturdy.... First release is a "deluxe" version I think..

Should be OK to flatten them, I'd think. Or I could sign the "artist" card instead of box. I'm happy to do whatever buyers want.

I guess we can decide when we actually see the final product :P

[Jeannette]

Originally posted by retrokat
I guess we can decide when we actually see the final produc.
Sounds good to me. No sense putting the cart before the horse. It will all be insanely great, one way or another.
:D

-- Jeannette
http://www.tarotgarden.com

[retrokat]

Jeannette,

Thanks SO much for all your help & support of GT, btw... you were so good to me long before there was any inkling of it ever ending up as a saleable product - I'll never forget that!

warmest regards,

[Jeannette]

Originally posted by retrokat
Thanks SO much for all your help & support of GT, btw... you were so good to me long before there was any inkling of it ever ending up as a saleable product - I'll never forget that!
Ditto. I will never cease to be awed and inspired by the grace and class you showed (and continue to show) in the face of adversity, with the whole copyright situation. And we've appreciated your support in return.

With Grateful Thanks,
-- Jeannette
http://www.tarotgarden.com

[retrokat]

*blush* Quite the mutual admiration society, aren't we?

[Lee]

Just from my perspective, I think if a customer is getting a signed copy, they will pretty much take it for granted that there will be no shrinkwrap.

I love this deck and I certainly will be ordering a signed copy if available. My only problem now is figuring out how to make the months fly until October...

-- Lee :)

[Cerulean]

I'd love to review this for Tarotgarden.com if Jeannette or Lori doesn't, as I can see Aeclectic and Tarotpassages fans lining up to review it as soon as it comes out.
And what is nice is the news update, as I like to set aside a monthly budget for decks...and there's a few decks that I am eyeing already for the Spring and it's only January.
Best wishes,
Mari Hoshizaki

[Lee]

Hi, Kat --

Do you have any firmer idea as to the format(s) of the deck? Will it be a larger "deluxe" version with gilt, and then a smaller, regular-size version without gilt?

Just curious (I would buy both) --
Lee

[retrokat]

Hi Lee,

Sorry, I don't know the details yet. They told me they're doing a deluxe version, with gilt edges and a hardcover companion book - but that's about all I know.

I did tell them that I'm hoping for a 'standard' (economy) version too. As a penniless-artist-type myself, I know not everyone can afford a deluxe deck. Also, it's a good idea as you suggest for people who really like it to have a deluxe version for collecting/ admiring, but an inexpensive and less showy copy for eveyday use.

Will certainly keep everyone posted if I hear anything :)

[retrokat]

Back in May last year, I made a printable bookmark for people who wanted a preview to see the quality of the new deck. At some stage I kinda accidentally removed the link to it from my site, so I thought I'd let you guys all know where it is so you can download it:

http://www.goldentarot.com/v2preview.htm

I've got so much kind support from Aecleticers already that I wouldn't want any of to pay for it - just download it and print it out. I'd be very happy for you all to have one.

[darwinia]

Originally posted by retrokat
Back in May last year, I made a printable bookmark for people who wanted a preview to see the quality of the new deck. (snip)
I've got so much kind support from Aecleticers already that I wouldn't want any of to pay for it - just download it and print it out. I'd be very happy for you all to have one.

Lovely thing! I put mine on a fancy paper background and will laminate it at work on Tuesday. The colours go very nicely with the Faeries oracle book, so it can stay there until it's *real* home becomes available this October.

[retrokat]

Due to an existing contractual arrangement I have with Facade.com, they had permission to use Golden Tarot for free online readings before I got my publishing deal with US Games. It's taken them a while to get it happening, but finally all systems are go!

So, for those of you who aren't horrified by the thought of automated online readings, head over and check it out at:

http://www.facade.com/tarot/golden/

Have fun with it!

[Logiatrix]

retrokat,
worry not about whether tarotholics will afford your deck: we buy tarot, then we eat...
this one may actually oust my visconti gold out of it's #1 spot, and that's no-small-potatoes!
i want, i want, i want...
your creation is absolutely beautiful!
:D

[Pollux]

What can I say... RAISE THE ROOF METAZ!!! *LOL*

I have been taught how to appreciate MEdieval Art since I was a kid. It's part of my cultural heritage. Having that wealth of beauty and art and refinement in a tarot deck, and so beautifully done...
Everytime I check it I find HOW BEAUTIFUL a card is and I hadn't noticed it before. Today it was the 8 of Cups...

GO KAT!!!
:*

[retrokat]

Hi all,

Thanks to those kind fans who emailed me again about another apparent piracy of GT - looks like the same culprit as last time to me:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3513538808

I've notified my Publishers again... *sigh*

[Rusty Neon]

Those of us who, like me, are allergic to gold (or silver or other metallic) leafing and gilding would welcome a non-gilded edition of this deck. Unfortunately, I'm seeing more and more new decks that are available only in metal leaf or gilded editions.

[retrokat]

Hiya Rusty,

I've been told that US Games are planning the initial version of GT as a "deluxe" deck with gilding, hardcover book etc.

I am hoping (not that I really have any say in it) that there will be a 'budget' version subsequently released if there's sufficient demand/interest in the initial release. I expect that a budget version wouldn't have any foil gilding, as it's pretty expensive to manufacture such cards. So perhaps there may be a version of GT available eventually for the metal-sensitive, as well as those who simply don't like the aesthetics of gold foil - a number of whom have expressed that opinion elsewhere on Aeclectic boards.

Thanks for posting the request. USGS make all the decisions re production, but certainly having people's opinions collected here may get back to them and have some input to the process :)

[Cerulean]

...I found out many good vendors want a positive feedback rating and dislike negative comments. Thanks for letting us know, Retrokat...at the moment I have a nice member buyer rating from vendors, so if I get a chance, a note from an ebay member might be a good alert to potential buyers.
So us Retrokat fans might add comments to beware, until the real thing becomes available. I'm hoping there is a date---autumn??? before 2004...I'm waiting until then for a real Lo Scarabeo reproduction of another historical tarocchi.
My fingers are crossed.
Maybe you can also distribute in the U.S. through Tarotgarden.com...if they can take a preorder and you are allowed to obtain a certain number to autograph, then maybe Tarotgarden can be the midway point for us in the U.S....just a thought.
Thanks for your news and tarot,
Mari Hoshizaki

[retrokat]

Hi Mari,

Release date (for the deluxe version) is still set for October 2003, last I heard from USGS. Let's hope it really is available then - I haven't even seen a Print Proof yet though, and it's April already...

As per previous mentions in this stream, I'm very keen to use http://tarotgarden.com to distribute Signed Decks in the US. Jeanette has been incredibly helpful to me in the long, long path to publishing Golden Tarot, so if I can provide them with signed decks to help them compete with Amazon etc then I'll be very pleased to do so.

I'll probably also sell signed decks through my own site http://goldentarot.com - particularly for buyers in Australiasia as US International postage rates for those of us Down Under are fairly prohibitive.

Will keep you all posted on any developments here... :D

[darwinia]

Hi Kat,

Any word yet on the actual dimensions of the cards? I am still hoping for larger so the art and details can be seen properly.

Thanks

[HudsonGray]

Retrokat, it's almost midnight on Thursday, and it looks like Ebay closed the bidding on the auction a day before it was supposed to have ended, at least they shut it down quick enough! I've seen them take several days to take an auction of a live animal off (live animals are prohibited from ebay). Good luck getting this stuff stopped. I wonder if you can get the seller banned from Ebay if this is the second time they've done this to you. Fraud is fraud, theft is theft.

[retrokat]

Hi Freesiaskye,

I've just had word from US Games that the cards will be 74mm x 123mm.

Not as large as you were probably hoping for, but at least easy to handle. I'm quite happy about that as I'm really hoping people buy the deck to use more than for collecting :)

I expect if it sells, USGS will consider making alternate sizes and versions. They said they should be able to give me a Recommended Retail Price for the initial release shortly, so I'll post it here when I know.

Speaking of, I've just reworked http://www.goldentarot.com/mastre.htm if anyone's interested in having a look. More Rider-Waitish now. Ah well. They'd like me to ditch the knight altogether, but I'm quite attached to him. *sigh* We'll see how the card ends up. I hope there's still some trace of my original, as I liked it a lot and don't want it to just be a RW clone.

Not that I'm complaining. USGS have actually exerted very little editorial pressure re my designs. They've given me a pretty free reign, and I'm a very happy Kat :D

[darwinia]

Originally posted by retrokat
Hi Freesiaskye,

I've just had word from US Games that the cards will be 74mm x 123mm.

Not as large as you were probably hoping for, but at least easy to handle. I'm quite happy about that as I'm really hoping people buy the deck to use more than for collecting :)

Which is 2.91 x 4.84 inches for the Imperialists among us. Canada is a metric nation but darned if I can work with anything other than metres and centimetres, all else baffles me.

Yes, you're right Kat, it's big enough at least. Thanks for asking and getting back. So we've got just a little over five months to wait now. Oooh.......getting excited. <g>

[retrokat]

My 88 year old grandmother was looking at my (draft) Golden Tarot deck recently and when she got to:

http://www.goldentarot.com/malove.htm

she commented, "He hasn't got much to love with, has he?".

MWHAHAHAHA!

[skysilver]

I viewed this deck and it is a very pretty one. I can't wait until it comes out later this year.

[Dark Inquisitor]

Originally posted by retrokat
My 88 year old grandmother was looking at my (draft) Golden Tarot deck recently and when she got to:
she commented, "He hasn't got much to love with, has he?".

__Naughty Grandma !!!

But seriously, I am very glad The Day We've All Been Waiting For is on the horizon . I will occupy my mind with schemes for the perfect bag until then.

Now: What next? Might I suggest a tarot using the Pre-Raphaelite works?? (Please?.. Pretty Please?)

Tarotphelia

[littlegreen]

she commented, "He hasn't got much to love with, has he?".



-it's all in the beard.

[retrokat]

Awww, thanks for your kind words Tarotphelia. It's been over a year since I handed over the deck, so it's been a bit of a wait for me too... Apparently its featured in the new USGS catalogue, as I've received emails from bookshops telling me how much they like it. Yay! I've asked USGS for a copy, maybe it will finally seem real when I see that.

Originally posted by Tarotphelia


Now: What next? Might I suggest a tarot using the Pre-Raphaelite works?? (Please?.. Pretty Please?)

Tarotphelia
I love the Pre-Raphs too, but the technical glitch is that in the UK, copyright exists until 80yrs after the death of the artist. Given when most Pre-Raphaelite paintings were done (and most of them were done by young men) that narrows the field of what I can use substantially. And negotiating usage rights for source material that isn't yet Public Domain is beyond my means :(

Maybe in a few decades? *grin*

I'm currently collecting source material for my next deck. I haven't got a deal yet, I figure it depends how well Golden Tarot does as to whether I get offered a contract for another deck so I haven't even put in a submission yet. And I guess I should keep my idea a bit quiet until/if I get a deal - considering how much piracy has gone on with Golden Tarot, my common sense tends to dominate over my trusting nature these days! I can tell you this much, though - it will be along the same lines as GT. But more so, if that makes sense.

[Dark Inquisitor]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by retrokat
[B]


***I love the Pre-Raphs too, but the technical glitch is that in the UK, copyright exists until 80yrs after the death of the artist. Given when most Pre-Raphaelite paintings were done (and most of them were done by young men) that narrows the field of what I can use substantially. And negotiating usage rights for source material that isn't yet Public Domain is beyond my means :(

Maybe in a few decades? *grin*

__Omg ! (shoots self in head & dies of despair on the spot )


****considering how much piracy has gone on with Golden Tarot, my common sense tends to dominate over my trusting nature these days!

__Yes- you are right to be silent. (What sniveling cowards - real pirates at least had to fight for what they got !)

Tarotphelia

[jmd]

retrokat, I don't quite understand your Grandma's comment... he seems to have a choice of an Angel, a beautiful woman, a bird, or a dog. It seems to me he has quite a lot to love with... maybe I'm not looking in the right direction, and can't see the wood for the trees ;)

...looking forward to the public release of your deck - two wonderful decks released recently!

[Cerulean]

Unfortunately, U.S. Games titles take a long time for my small and favorite shop to get...what is the name of the title?

Do you know if an edition will come out first in Europe? I checked amazon.com but Kat Black or Golden Tarot doesn't have a pertinent entry.

[Hedera]

So, October, that would mean October first, hopefully? ;)

Add another 5 days or so for shipping from the US.... sigh.

Still so many weeks, days, hours away!

I prefer virtually all of the new cards to the first versions, apart from the Empress, perhaps.
I have the (old) Nine of Pentacles as my desktop right now; it could be a portrait of me.... ;)

Kat, have you heard anything from USGS yet about the retail price? Since it's already in their catalogue (wouldn't mind one of those catalogues, either...), shouldn't they have decided on that by now?

[Jeannette]

Originally posted by Mari_Hoshizaki
Do you know if an edition will come out first in Europe?
I don't know of any instances where USG has released to the European market prior to making their titles available in North America.

-- Jeannette
http://www.tarotgarden.com

[retrokat]

Hey Jeannette,

Perhaps you've seen the catalogue and can tell us a RRP? Nice to have an Industry Insider (ie, vendor!) on our boards ;)

As soon as I get the USGS catalogue myself I'll post whatever I can deduce from it here, and on the site - maybe even scan it.

You guys are TOO sweet! :D I may get a swelled head.

Actually, I just have bleary eyes. I'm working on a calendar (for 2005, so don't get your hopes up yet) for a small spiritual publishing house, so I'm pixel-pushing madly again. So good to be back to it, I do love doing that kinda stuff. It's a good relatively small-scale test to see how well my partner and I can collaborate, as we'd like to work together on the next tarot deck.

[Jeannette]

Yup -- I've seen the USG catalog listing for the Golden Tarot now. I'm hoping to have the deck included on our website "Upcoming Releases" by next week.

RRP is listed at US$ 20. The catalog confirms October as the target release date. Here's the descriptive blurb that's included:

"Comprised of collage imagery from the European masters paintings, the Golden Tarot is a stunning addition to any tarot collection. The cards are beautifully treated with gilt edges and the deck is specially packaged in a deluxe display box. While the deck pays tribute to artwork of the Middle Ages and early Renaissance, it celebrates the exploration of tarot and its artistic heritage. Kat Black's interpretation is both welcoming and modern while remaining true to the original traditions of the Rider-Waite."

[Any spelling errors that may appear in the above would be my own.]

There -- now we can all start salivating all over again!

-- Jeannette
http://www.tarotgarden.com

P.S. -- I've got an extra copy of the catalog. If you want me to send it your way, just let me know by forum post, PM, or direct email.

[retrokat]

Ooooooh! Golly, it's finally starting to seem real. It's been so long I feel a bit detached, like it was never really going to happen. Would be great if you could email it to me, Jeannette. I'm actually having trouble with my hosting server today, so my ISP's email addy is probably the best bet- as long as it's under 3meg, as they have a limit. Much appreciated!

And now everyone knows where to place their advance orders (including for signed decks!)..... I get so many emails asking, from next week I can just point them in your direction. Yippee :D

[Cerulean]

The printing ISBN information is what I'm looking for...
It may come up in the next few weeks or so for Amazon.com so I can get an ISBN # for my Christmas or next Easter's gift to my sis to be ordered thru the local shop. If Tarotgarden is carrying it, I'll bet you'll be able to order enough for U.S. Games to ship things to you...the local shop took six to eight months to get Roots of Asia.

Mari H.

[Jeannette]

The ISBN is 1-57281-434-9.

Hopefully, I'll have the information posted on our website next week, so we can start taking preorders at the usual discount. The information will appear on this page:

http://www.tarotgarden.com/boutique/preorders.html

I have never had any problems with getting USG to ship things to me. The problem with the Roots of Asia deck is that it is an AGM title, not a USG title. USG is the sole North American distributor for AGM, but they only place reorders for AGM products quarterly, and then it takes a while to get them over here from Switzerland.

Kat: I meant I'd send you the whole, paper catalog by regular mail, if you like. PM me your mailing address again, and it will be on its way. Unless you'd prefer just a scan of the catalog page with the Golden Tarot info.

-- Jeannette
http://www.tarotgarden.com

[retrokat]

Jeanette - a scan would be great. USGS have said they'll send me a couple of copies of the catalogue (just as well, as my Mum wants one too). I was thinking you had it as a pdf, but that's probably a bit high-tech for a publishing company ;)

[retrokat]

Thanks so much Jeannette! First time I've seen the box design, too. Those numbers at the top of the cards look a bit odd, but I guess I'll get used to them being there :)

I'm very pleased that it's only $20. When they said 'deluxe' I was worried it might be very expensive, but I reckon that's not too bad. Also it looks like they've done the long version of my booklet, so it may include the art references even if you don't buy the deck/hardcover book set. All the better for promoting my cause - to encourage people to see the real-live works if they ever get the opportunity.

[Mimers]

I am so looking forward to getting your deck Kat. I have read all the descriptions of the cards on your site and I look forward to reading the accompanying book also. Can't wait to see the cards in person!

I will definitely be pre ordering this deck!

Mimi

[darwinia]

Ah, Bowie always tells it like it is.......

I was up at my regular tarot shop last weekend buying the Templar Tarot and I mentioned that the only deck I was waiting for was the Golden. She'd never heard of it or your web site (GASP!!) so I got her to write it down and go look at the site and she will see it in the US Games catalogue too.

Anyway, she's on alert, that's the important thing.

And YES Kat, don't tell people what your next deck creation is. I'm always quoting this but I saw it in Christine Jette's book "Tarot Shadow Work" where she talks about saboteurs and well-placed doubts from people, and how there is power in secrecy. She also cites this marvelous quote from Julia Cameron in her book "The Artist's Way:"

"Always remember the first rule of magic is self-containment."

We want you to be magical!!

[Trogon]

Well... now that there is a publishing date... it's in the catalog... Jeannette is putting it up for preorders. Whew! Kat, I'm on-board too... I'll be preordering soon. I haven't commented before this and probably should have, but this is a beautiful Tarot deck and is one I am definitely going to buy!

... counting my pennies and the days...

[Hedera]

I'm a little confused: I seem to remember it would be published as a deck/book set?

Or will the book come out seperately?

Or no book at all...:(

Still, I'm glad the deck will be affordable. Means I can preorder soon at the wonderful Tarotgarden!

[retrokat]

Fret not Hedera! There will also be the deck/book set. Not sure if the same release date is scheduled for that if it's not in the catalogue. I guess the book will be available separately too, for people who've already got the deck.

At least, I *hope* they release the book, since I bothered to write one and it would be nice to get some royalties for the effort :P

It was a bit odd writing the book, because I've written mostly for websites and I kept the same conversational, casual style. I expected USGS to edit me heavily for that reason, but they've pretty much kept it as I've written.

BTW, I've been told off by a Moderator for including 'personal' posts on this board, whereas I was under the impression that other people might be interested in any of the gossip re the deck (even the fact that Jeannette's given me my first peek at the deck's box). What are your feelings, all? I guess I can move the GT Gossip Board elsewhere if my posts aren't within guidelines here.

[jmd]

Personally, I have enjoyed seeing how this thread, giving us all information on the release of your deck, has developed.

Even the more personal-type posts have been very much informative as to not only what is occuring where (for example, what US people have access to and what we are still awaiting), but also a wonderful live discussion on the joys and awaitings of creating one's own deck and its release from a major publisher.

Please continue to inform us. The personal touch always warms... :)

[Molly]

I'm not sure what the forum's guidelines are, but I love your posts, all of them, even personal tidbits, which are fun to hear for me. So that's my two cents, for what it's worth.

[Mimers]

Originally posted by jmd
Personally, I have enjoyed seeing how this thread, giving us all information on the release of your deck, has developed.

Even the more personal-type posts have been very much informative as to not only what is occuring where (for example, what US people have access to and what we are still awaiting), but also a wonderful live discussion on the joys and awaitings of creating one's own deck and its release from a major publisher.

Please continue to inform us. The personal touch always warms... :)


Ditto :)

[Lee]

I agree with jmd, Molly, and Mimers.

-- Lee

[Hedera]

... And me! :)

This is a very enjoyable thread.

I always love to hear 'back story' on someone's creations!

[Cerulean]

...If for housekeeping or other forum purposes, you are posting to or opening up a different thread or threads on Golden Tarot subjects.
I like one stop visual shopping to hear the latest, so I'd continue to log into this thread. I'd be sad to miss any news if you and others decide to go on to another part of the forum...
Thanks.
Mari H.

[Jeannette]

I'm confused. If these last several posts are in regards to retrokat's comment about receiving a note about this thread from a Moderator, I'll come to the Moderator's defense. I made a post -- now (appropriately) deleted -- that was completely unnecessary for the thread discussion. It was directed to retrokat regarding a personal matter (granted, related to the Golden Tarot, but not to the issues pertaining thereto for purposes of this thread), and I actually realized a few minutes after I made the post that it would have been more appropriate to send a PM instead. But because I posted publicly, retrokat posted publicly in reply.

I was also contacted by the Moderator and provided with a review of the forum rules, with which I agree. Forum exchanges between two members that are of no conceivable interest to anyone else have no place on the public boards. I've been on too many other forum systems that are just cluttered with personal exchanges, and it makes it hard to wade through to the information of interest to the rest of the participants. I don't think the Moderator had any intention of putting the kibutz on public postings regarding news of the Golden Tarot and its pending publication, or on any questions, comments, or observations pertaining thereto. It was simply an attempt to keep the thread clear of irrelevant information, for which I take total responsibility in the current case.

Now, back to the regularly-scheduled discussion of the wonderful Golden Tarot...

-- Jeannette
http://www.tarotgarden.com

[retrokat]

Fair enough! Although I don't agree that the post/s I was directed to by the Moderator was of no conceivable interest to others, since it was where you (Jeanette) offered to provide me with a scan of the deck, and then did so. The fact that you gave me my first look at the catalogue listing is very important to me, and quite conceivably therefore of interest to others. It shows what a considerate vendor you are, for a start.

But enough of all that, I agree. I'll keep posting here as long as people want to keep asking me questions, or if I find out anything new about the deck. :)

[retrokat]

Oops - now I have the catalogue I just noticed that the size I previously gave for the deck isn't the same as listed in the catalogue. It's only slightly different, but it might be important if for example you're making a bag to fit the deck. The size listed in the catalogue is the same size as a standard Rider Waite - 2 3/4" x 4 3/4".

I'm going to have a go at making tarot bags with some beautiful Renaissance-style gold trims I've found, so if people end up buying signed decks directly from me they might be able to buy a bag to match the deck :)

[Logiatrix]

...AND praying for October!

Originally posted by Jeannette and/or Lori
RRP is listed at US$ 20. The catalog confirms October as the target release date. Here's the descriptive blurb that's included:

"Comprised of collage imagery from the European masters paintings, the Golden Tarot is a stunning addition to any tarot collection. The cards are beautifully treated with gilt edges and the deck is specially packaged in a deluxe display box. While the deck pays tribute to artwork of the Middle Ages and early Renaissance, it celebrates the exploration of tarot and its artistic heritage. Kat Black's interpretation is both welcoming and modern while remaining true to the original traditions of the Rider-Waite."

[Any spelling errors that may appear in the above would be my own.]

There -- now we can all start salivating all over again!

-- Jeannette
http://www.tarotgarden.com

How cool is this, people?!! We KNOW Kat Black!
:D :D :D

[jaspercook.com]

I've seen Kat's proofs and they look really good but I don't like the changes US games have made to the card layout i.e. moving the number from the bottom of the card to the top and breaking up the border - but I'm sure it will still look great not having seen the real thing yet.

[retrokat]

I've started making bags to suit my deck - and decided not to wait until October to start selling the bags. If you'd like to have a look at my eBay listings to check them out, go to:

http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/goldentarot/

I guess you could even use them for *other* tarot decks ;)

[Cerulean]

...yes they are pretty...maybe make them available to Tarotgarden.com with a signed card from you for the GoldenTarot releases? Llewelln sells such bags for about seven to eight dollars and I'd be glad to pay three dollars more for a Golden Tarot card plus your 5.00 asking price.
I notice Arnell Ando sells her early version of the Transformational Tarot from her website and a calendar of her work. I bought her earlier deck--I think it's called Hero's Journey
If any of your older card versions are ever in a set offered by you, I'd like to know. Maybe Kat Black's Medieval Times Tarocchi--with Justice and Strength NOT switched to the 20th century mode.
(I regret seeing that---Stuart Kaplan's Ukiyoe Tarot of the Edo period had Marseilles ordering as far I remember.)
Thanks for the link. I saw TarotGarden's upcoming releases page and am on their waiting list for your deck.

[retrokat]

Oh my! I've finally got the edit galleys for the booklet from US Games so I can tell you what's in the book/let. It looks very nice.

There was originally going to be both a mini booklet that went with the deck (for people who just bought the deck) and also a proper hard-cover book for people who wanted more (to be sold as a book/deck set). When I heard that the publishers were just doing a mini-book with the deck, I was a bit worried that it wouldn't include all of the information about the art sources - but just today I've received the galleys and am happy to say that it's all in there :)

So it looks like that for your twenty bucks or so Recommended Retail Price in the US, you'll get the deck and also a book that has most of the tarot information from my website as well as a listing of all of the art sources for every single card (there are over a thousand elements in the deck!). The catalog says the book's 120 pages, but the version I've just received to proof is 200 pages.

I was a bit worried when the whole 'deluxe' release was decided on by the publishers, but now I reckon that it looks to be very good value - plug, plug ;)

Latest word is for release in late October. I hope it gets to Australia in time for Christmas. If so, I bet my family & friends can all guess what they're getting from *me* this year...

[Summerdream]

I have the Golden Tarot on preorder from Tarot Garden. I cannot wait till it is in stock. I first saw it on the new releases page of the latest U.S. Games cataloge. Then I found the thread for it here and went to your website and studied each card and knew I had to have this deck. Now I'm patiently waiting until it ships.
Blessings,
Momof3girls

[retrokat]

The deck has just listed for pre-order on Amazon UK and Amazon France, so those of you in Europe may wish to place your orders there. If you buy through my site, I get a commission from Amazon that's more than the royalties I get from the publisher, so I'd be a very happy Kat.

Alternatively, buy through Aeclectic and then they get the same commission, which helps to pay the running costs of this site. Hopefully there will be a link to Amazon from Aecletic shortly.

I'm also very happy for you to pre-order at http://www.tarotgarden.com cos they've been so fab through this long journey onto the shelves :) As mentioned in previous posts, they'll be selling signed copies once it's released.

[Maan]

I was wondering can you make a deal with proxis too?
its a mailorder compagny from the belenux and i always order my stuff there. Your deck is already on there pages.

For me ordering from france or uk is very expensive so i hope this could work out too.

Love
Maan

ps www.proxis.com

[Lee]

For everybody who, like me, is waiting breathlessly for this deck, I e-mailed Jeannette from Tarot Garden to ask about its status. She said I was welcome to post her response here.

Jeannette says her contacts at US Games tell her that the deck is at the printers. Her best guess is that the deck will be available in 30 days or less. Jeannette wanted me to emphasize that this is only her best guess based on the information available to her.

Thanks, Jeannette! :)

-- Lee

[Woof]

I can't wait for this deck!
Woof

[Khatruman]

Just put my order in with Amazon. I didn't realize it was coming in. (I find it better now to keep out of mind things that I eagerly anticipate. Time seems to drag when one keeps checking).

In any case, I am awaiting its release, and hoping I am not being stupid again by going through Amazon. I know I have had to go through a lot of garbage to get three decks from them (Fey, Da Vinci, and New Vision), but I am hoping things are different this time.

Kat, can I write to you if Amazon starts refusing to acknowledge the release of your deck?

[lark]

When I preordered my deck from Amazon they said it would be at my home in or around the 5th of Nov. Did they tell you the same thing?

[jmd]

How annoying!

I have been advertising for months that Tarot Café will next month focus on Australian designed decks, hoping to show the Golden Tarot as one of the main beauties, and based on earlier information of its release. Oh well, I'll just have to mention it nonetheless :)

Anticipating owning a copy of this deck...

[retrokat]

Hi Khatruman (and anyone else interested in release info),

Sure, let me know if you have any troubles with Amazon. They get their stock through the two biggest US book distributors (in fact, your deck/book HAS to be distributed by the two biggest distributors to get on Amazon proper) - so perhaps they had trouble actually getting hold of those other decks you mentioned? If you *do* have trouble getting your Golden Tarot order, let me know and I can at least try to follow it up.

In the past few days, I've been told by US Games that it's currently with the printers - I think in Belgium? Because of the quality - gilt edges etc - it gets done there, as they're supposed to be the best in the world at that kinda thing. Slows down the process a bit, but should be worth the wait. If all goes well with the printing there, that means it should land back with US Games in 2-3 weeks. How quickly the distribution process happens after that is a mystery to me, since this is the first time I've been through this process.

Remember that if you want to buy a signed copy, you can ask for that through Tarot Garden. Will mean a slightly longer wait of course, as I'm in Australia and have to get the cards to sign and return them. If you want them personally dedicated (eg "to John") then it will mean a bit longer but I'm happy to do that if Jeanette is too. All is negotiable!

In the past week I've seen pics of the final box, book cover etc, and I'm happy as a pig in mud. It looks gorgeous. The version that appeared in US Games Catalog a few months back looked OK, but I didn't really like the reddish brown colour used for the box etc. Now it's a rich, deep blue, and they've changed the cover art to be the Queens (my personal favourites). I was speechless when I got a pic of the full set yesterday, looked a hundred times better than I could have imagined. I emailed US Games to say thank you to their Graphic Designer for doing such an amazing job. I think the box is nicer than the deck now, but hey I'm happy if people just buy it for the box ;)

Also I can confirm that the "booklet" (small format to fit in the box with the cards) is actually 198 pages and contains ALL source referencing for the deck. Yippee! So if you want to do a Golden Tarot Tour of Europe, you'll know where to look for all the paintings that I used to make the deck. There are a couple of thousand elements in the whole deck, though, so that might be quite a long tour!

[Khatruman]

Originally posted by lark
When I preordered my deck from Amazon they said it would be at my home in or around the 5th of Nov. Did they tell you the same thing? If that is the delivery estimate on the automated response message, then definitely don't go by it. My order for the Leonardo Da Vinci deck had a delivery estimate of August 18th, up until the time they finally delivered it to me in October!!!

[lark]

Guess I'll stop holding my breath.

[retrokat]

US Games asked me to hold off developing merchandise etc until 'close to the release date' - so I've decided now is the time.

I'd love to hear which cards you think would look best on a t-shirt, mug etc.

I've started with the Queens and High Priestess, as they're my favourites. The Lovers are on his-and-hers underwear (my partner's suggestion). I'm thinking maybe the Magician for mens t-shirts and the Sun for baby bibs/creepers. The Devil, with it's fiery Hades scene might make an amusing BBQ apron but then that might offend people - too cheeky do you think?

Any suggestions welcomed! At this stage I can't afford a commercial-level Cafe Press store, so it will only be one image available per product. Hence the need to be selective about which images I use.

The Major cards are at:

http://www.goldentarot.com/majorarc.htm and you can get to the rest of the deck from there easily enough.

The shop with items available so far is at:

http://www.cafeshops.com/goldentarot

[jmd]

How about the Wheel of Fortune... or the Moon from version 1?

For the merchandising, does it need to be restricted to version 2?

[lark]

I would like a big oversized tee shirt with the moon card on for sleepy time. Love that moon card!

[AutumnMyrrh]

I was wondering... did anyone recieve their Golden Tarot deck yet? I ordered mine through Amazon, and it has yet to be shipped out. Was I correct to think it was supposed to be available by November?

-AutumnMyrrh

Ooh... heh... I'm new to this forum, and I suppose I was looking at the wrong end. I guess I should be reading this end first. Anyhoo! Cary on!

[lark]

I ordered mine through Kats site via Amazon. I haven't heard anything yet. Sat. i got the US Games new catalog it's in there. They say it's for sale in October. So we should be hearing any day now! I can't wait. Namaste

[Gerbear]

The US Games catalog does say October for the release, but when October passed, I checked at the US Games website and found out that the release date had been pushed back to November. So, it should be soon.

[Lee]

According to Jeannette at Tarot Garden, it should be ready to ship by the end of November.

-- Lee

[Jeannette]

Sad news, folks -- I just received word directly from U.S. Games yesterday that the anticipated release timeframe has now been pushed back to December. Those who preordered the deck through us will be getting a broadcast email with more updates as they become available.

-- Jeannette
http://www.tarotgarden.com

[retrokat]

Sorry about the delay (yet again) of the release of Golden Tarot.

Apparently there was a problem due to the incompatability of the gilded edges & the varnish, so USGS decided to delay release and get the problem sorted.

Painful though it is to have to wait, I prefer that they did that than risked releasing a deck that couldn't withstand everyday use.

I guess teething problems like this were the risk we took on when they decided to make it such a lush high-quality edition. Should look a lot better than the usual cheap cruddy printer's embossing foils that are often used on "gilded" decks - or at least I hope so after all these months :)

US Games have also advised me that they're having a large booth at a New Age Retailer's Trade Show in Florida in January, and that Golden Tarot will be making it's first real public appearance there. Pity I can't be there, but I guess Australia's a bit far away to pop over for a couple of days ;)

I'm hoping to get a substantive release date from the publishers within the next day or two & will let you know here (not that I expect you'll believe me any more!).

[Khatruman]

As they say: Good things come to those who wait. Willing to wait for this wonderful deck. :D

[Myrrha]

Jaaaanuary!! Where is the emoticon for weeping?

:) Oh well, I am glad that US Games is taking this deck as seriously as it deserves to be taken.

--Myrrha

[LadyMedusa]

:eek: Nooooo

:( I can't have a Golden Tarot in my stocking this year :(
Then I will just have to find something else Golden to replace it.

Hmm...I suppose that a pretty new necklace would substitutute.

January is it to be then? Well it does get rather mundane around here in the winter months after the holiday season is over. A new deck as beautiful as Kat's :) will certainly do wonders to chase the doldrums away.

Now where did I put my sharpie marker and that sale ad? }) I have some not so subtle hinting to do....

[Sulis]

Sadness reins throughout the land - I don't really have much of a wishlist as I'm trying not to buy decks just for the sake of it but I did so want this one for Yule :(

Oh well...................

Sulis :( :( :(

[Mystic Zyl]

January, oh, I wanted this as a gift for Christmas, so did my girlfriend that reads. I want one now ( stamping my foot)!

[retrokat]

I'll be really cheeky and suggest that you could look for Xmas presents at http://www.cafeshops.com/goldentarot ;)

[Khatruman]

Originally posted by retrokat
I'll be really cheeky and suggest that you could look for Xmas presents at http://www.cafeshops.com/goldentarot ;) I guess I shouldn't be one to gripe, since you had asked for suggestions and I did not answer, but I notice that most of your gift items focus on the female figures of the tarot. The only exceptions I see are the Magician tee and The Devil BBQ apron (cute idea, but doesn't it play into the stereotype too? The male as the master of the barbeque)

Where I am most disappointed in this is with the mug. The only two choices are queens. I am a big mug afficionado now. I would think it would be great to have a Hanged Man mug. Coffee certainly does change my perspective!! Plus when I tip it to get the "good to the last drop", he becomes right-side up! :D

And if I had my druthers, I would love a mug with my significator: The King of Wands. Being a creative, intellectual writer, coffee is sometimes a necessary stimulant! As a matter of fact, when I saw the thumbnail image on your website, I could have sworn he was holding a coffee mug in his right hand (turned out to be the arm of his throne).. In any case, he looks like he could use a good stiff belt of java!! })

[lark]

Hey! Hey! Did you notice! Did you notice! (lark pokes Khatruman in the ribs a few times with her elbow) Hey! Did you notice! The Sleepy Time Big Tee with the Moon card on it! That was my idea!!!

I think the Hangman coffee mug is a great idea. I hope Kat is still out there reading the threads.

[retrokat]

heh, heh. I woulda had all the Kings, Knights, the Magician, the Heirophant etc as well but as I can't afford a paid shop on Cafe Press (yet...) I only get the choice of one design per product (eg large mug, small mug) and since I'm a female my favourites happened to be the chicks :)

Will add more guy stuff when I can add more items. Certainly there are more male t-shirt sytles I haven't used yet, so I'll go for those next & with usual male Significators.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys!

(BTW, the Devil wasn't a gender stereotype - in the usual medieval tradition, if you look closely it's a hermaphrodite, has breasts!)

[retrokat]

Just listed some more tarot bags on eBay if anyone's interested:

http://members.ebay.com.au/aboutme/goldentarot/

OK, so you can't get a Golden Tarot deck to keep in it yet, but I guess it would protect those other decks... you know, the ones that are actually available now... *sigh*

[Kissa]

Waiting ...

Yet I am a bit disappointed as I loved so much the Hermit and the Chariot from the first version of the deck.

Last spring, I almost bought a pirat copy after falling in love with the images on eBay where the seller only described it as "Beautiful tarot deck" without name ... Fortunately, I asked here what this gorgeous deck was and I was replied immediately "don't buy it!" ... Later the auction was prematurely closed (probably cancelled) after Kat and/or her publishers reported to eBay.

So there isn't a legal paper deck of the version 1.0, is there? Can I print it at home, for my personal use? Sure the images wouldn't look like a manufactured deck but still ... Has anyone done it? Did it succeed? I insist that this would be absolutely for my personal use and I pre-ordered the version 2.0 already ...

Never waited so long for a deck ;-) Nice feeling though ...

Kissa

[retrokat]

Long before I got the deal with US Games, a fan who I'd never met asked if she could download and print the version 1.0 deck for her own personal use, and I agreed. After all, the original version of the deck had been stolen and commercially pirated/published in Germany so what's left to protect? I did the original version as a labour of love, not for money.

That kind fan not only printed a version for herself, but also a copy for me. I'd never been able to print it off myself as I couldn't afford to do so - and then this copy arrived Air Mail from the fan in New York - she'd even painstakingly assembled a little booklet from my interpretations on the site! I was speechless.

The version she printed certainly wasn't good quality as it was only ever created at 72dpi, but it looked a lot nicer than the tiny pirated version.

As though that's not generous enough, that same fan then started a campaign, which led to both me & publishers being inundated with emails from tarot fans all over the world begging us to publish. It must have had some impact, as USGS approached me and ASKED me to submit a formal application (which they immediately accepted). In all my years of not even being able to get publishers or literary agents to even look at my various projects I knew how incredibly lucky I was!

Anyway, so if I EVER complain about a fan using my work for their personal use, may I get struck down in my tracks.

As an artist who's struggled to make a living from my work for many years, of course my attitude to people who steal my stuff for personal gain is different (such as the eBayer you mentioned). But if you want to print a copy of the original (pre-US Games) version, for your own home use and never to sell - then please, be my guest :)

On a positive note, I'm ASSURED by US Games that the deck is out this month (January) - although I still haven't even seen a copy myself. I hear it looks good from people in the US who have actually seen one of the two copies that the Publisher has. The box is very nice apparently - I didn't design it so I'm not asking for any credit on that one ;)

Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! Wishing you all love, happiness and pretty shiny things to fondle.

[BlueLotus]

I have seen the images of this deck and I liked what I saw. I may just decide to add it to my collection.

I can't wait for it to be released.

[AutumnMyrrh]

Yay January! *waits for her deck* Did anybody get theirs yet?

[Lee]

I pre-ordered it from Tarot Garden, and they haven't sent out an e-mail yet saying they have them, so I'm assuming the publisher hasn't shipped them out yet.

-- Lee

[Jeannette]

Nope -- I've not heard anything from my contacts at USG. Although they're probably all busy at the Eastern INATS show at the moment. Give them a little bit of time to get through that event and back into the office and settled. Then I'll probably be able to get an update on the publication status.

-- Jeannette
Tarot Garden (www.tarotgarden.com)

[Aithnea]

I'm considering buying this deck. As anyone used it?

[LadyMedusa]

Since it has not been released yet, it seems highly unlikely...

(except for the author and anyone she might have shared her preview's with of course)


LadyMedusa

edited to add: I was refering to the actual deck, as Kat points out the is an online version...

[retrokat]

Hey, you've all be using the online version for about two years now! *grin*

Actually, the online reader at http://facade.com would be a pretty good way to try-before-you-buy the deck.

....twiddles fingers... And no, I still haven't seen a copy myself. But then I live all the way over here in Australia, so I s'pose it's inevitable that thousands of retailers at a trade fair see it before me... mumble, mumble...

Kris Waldherr told me it looks lovely. She's soon to release a new Renaissance-style deck herself called The Lovers Path & actually got to spend time in Venice working on it, I'm so jealous! Will try to aim to do that myself when I wok on my next deck, if Golden isn't a complete flop.

Kris's website's pretty amazing for those of you who haven't seen it: http://www.artandwords.com/ - full preview of the whole Lovers Path deck is up now. I guess that's probably being discussed on another thread? I never get time to scan the boards! Anyways, I think I managed a pretty good segway to fit it on my thread - after all, it's Renaissance...

[allibee]

Oh poop, Kat ... another *must have* deck!!!

LOL


Thanks for that link, LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE it!


allibee

[scorpio]

does anyone know if the chariot picture at tarotgarden or the one at the golden tarot site is the "version 2"?

[retrokat]

Oops, looks like TarotGarden have all Version 1 images (from long, long ago, pre-publication). I'll message Jeanette and let her know.

The ones on my site aren't final, but the adjustments made by USGS are very minor - so, they're the closest I think you'll manage to see anywhere until the deck actually lands.

Latest I've been told by the Publishers is that it's due in US in the next week or so, but has to go through customs which can take up to a couple of weeks I think? Hopefully then will get shipped straight away.

I'm sooo sorry to all of you who paid for it ages ago. At least you probably got it a bit cheaper, as it seems the RRP is now $25 (still pretty good value considering the book & box, I reckon).

[scorpio]

i read this thread about three times trying to figure out about the different versions and my eyes are crossed. i'm with kissa, while many of the version 2 cards i like better, such as the high priestess, i grew attached to the chariot and hermit depicted at tarotgarden. is it possible that version 1 (retro golden) will ever be published? i'm looking forward to seeing this deck as i know many other are, thanks retrokat for helping me figure out which was the newer version.

[Jeannette]

I just received word from our contacts at USG that the release of the Golden Tarot has been pushed back again. The current target release timeframe is now "early February." However, speaking for myself, I simply view this as further proof of the adage that "(amazingly) good things come to those who wait..." (and wait and wait and wait...)

-- Jeannette
Tarot Garden (http://www.tarotgarden.com?rs=3378)

[Aure]

I've been waiting so eagerly myself for the Golden Tarot to be published!!! Ever since I first stumbled on these pages a few weeks ago and saw the deck, I've been certain that it would be the deck for me!

So, hopefully it will come out soon and hopefully it will be shipped here too...

[Mystic Zyl]

I was wondering, if it would be possible to purchase Golden Tarot from you? As I would like the top of the box signed by you.

[retrokat]

There was some discussion earlier here about signed copies, but the current general plan is:

I recommend that the "Artist's Card" is better to sign than the deck. It's one of the extra cards I designed, since there are 80 cards on a printing sheet. Basically, it's a message from me to readers so it seems the logical thing to sign, rather than the box. But hey, I'll sign your Grandma if you really want me to ;)

If you live in the US, you can buy signed copies through Jeannette's http://tarotgarden.com site. She'll send me whatever wants signing and I'll give 'em a scribble and return them to her for sending out to you. If we do a bunch at a time, and especially if it's cards rather than boxes, I don't think it will add much to the cost (obviously someone's going to be paying the return postage to Australia, but one card is much cheaper to post than a bulky box).

I will sell signed copies myself, but given international freight, customs and all that kind of thing, it will probably only be worthwhile to fans in Australia and New Zealand. I'll probably do so on eBay as well, since I'll be selling bags there too. Although the box it comes in is so beautiful, I don't reckon anyone's going to want to keep their deck in a bag!

[Jeannette]

Originally posted by retrokat
If you live in the US, you can buy signed copies through Jeannette's http://tarotgarden.com site. She'll send me whatever wants signing and I'll give 'em a scribble and return them to her for sending out to you. If we do a bunch at a time, and especially if it's cards rather than boxes, I don't think it will add much to the cost (obviously someone's going to be paying the return postage to Australia, but one card is much cheaper to post than a bulky box).
For what it's worth: we've "officially" posted an end to the discount preorder period for the Golden Tarot on our "Upcoming Releases" (http://www.tarotgarden.com/boutique/preorders.html) page, but in anticipation of high demand for this title, I've ordered a number of extra copies on spec. If there's anyone who wants to be added to our preorder list (preorders are at a 20% discount off of retail), simply write to me at jkr@tarotgarden.com, and let me know you heard about the extended preorder offer through Aecletic.

[NOTE: please don't PM me with preorders, since part of my tracking system includes filing your original preorder request in a special folder of my regular email system.]

Be sure to let me know if you want a signed copy, and if so, what exactly you want signed (box, title card, 10 of Cups, etc.).

-- Jeannette
The Tarot Garden (http://www.tarotgarden.com?rs=3378)

[WolfyJames]

How much does the deck costs? It's not written on your website.

[retrokat]

It's up to retailers what they sell them for. As far as I know, the current RRP is US$25.

[Jeannette]

When USG originally announced the pending release of the Golden Tarot back in June of '03, the RRP was listed as $20 in their catalog. I'm not sure that this is still correct; with the gold-gilt edges and nice booklet, I suspect that a RRP of $25 is probably closer to the truth. We've still got it listed on our Upcoming Releases (http://www.tarotgarden.com/boutique/preorders.html) page at $20 (with a preorder price of $17), because USG hasn't officially informed us differently. But if the RRP is indeed $25, as Kat and I suspect, then our preorder price would be $20.

-- Jeannette
The Tarot Garden (http://www.tarotgarden.com?rs=3378)

[Summerdream]

I am sooooo looking forward to this deck. I preordered it origionally from Tarot Garden awhile back but have been waiting patiently. Like Jeanette said, good things take time!

Besides, when it comes in I'll have to wait awhile longer because I am getting my box autographed.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed it gets released in February!

Momof3girls:)

[BrigantiaTarot]

--forward to this deck! In the meantime, I've got the two very nice mugs and the tote bag, which are lovely too...

I preordered with my favorite Austin tarot source in maybe Sept.--in hopes of having the deck in October. But I think I'm just getting more excited about it as time goes on!

I'm also looking forward to the Lover's Path which was mentioned recently--I've been following it at its webiste for awhile...but I am so excited the Godlen Tarot may really be out early in Feb!

So just one more fan note!

Robin

[lark]

Do you have any links to the Lover's Path?

[retrokat]

Originally posted by retrokat
Kris's website's pretty amazing for those of you who haven't seen it: http://www.artandwords.com/ - full preview of the whole Lovers Path deck is up now.

[lark]

Wow ask and you shall receive. Instantly :) thank you!

[Agathe]

OMG...can you get this deck somewhere?!?!?!?! This is the first time I have seen it and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Agathe

[Khatruman]

Originally posted by Agathe
OMG...can you get this deck somewhere?!?!?!?! This is the first time I have seen it and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Agathe I know there are a lot of posts to slog through, but the gist of it is that it looks to be released in early February. You can get it through the usual sites: Tarot Garden, Amazon, or whereever you may normally buy decks.

We are all anxiously awaiting the deck to get our grubby little paws on it..})

[lark]

Originally posted by Khatruman
We are all anxiously awaiting the deck to get our grubby little paws on it..})
With all the gold thats supposed to be on this deck I'm washing my paws first before I open the box! :D

[Agathe]

Which deck are you talking about. I'm confused a bit now. The thread is about Golden deck and I meant Lover's Path Tarot. It's sooooooo beautiful.

Blessings,
Agathe

[retrokat]

Someone should start a thread now for Kris Waldherr's Lover's Path, eh? :)

Kris told me it's due out this year. Let's hope hers doesn't also get held up in production. Like my deck, it should be available through all the usual outlets when it's released.

Also like my deck, being web masters we put our work online as soon as we've finished it - and unfortunately the real-world publishing process is a LOT slower than the web. Hence people get their expectations up and no doubt end up frustrated at being able to see something that they can't actually get their paws on for ages! Sorry! The only solution for us would be to keep it secret, but part of my motivation (and I expect Kris's) in creating work is to share it, so of course we put it online to show people, to get feedback and the like.

Why not email her and tell her how much you like it? As US Games' top selling artist/author she may be too busy to answer you, but I'm sure she still enjoys getting such emails :D

[contrascarpe]

OK, I am going to have to stay away from this site. I just preordered this deck after going through the cards on their website.

These cards are beautiful! The artwork is extraordinary.

I haven't gone through all 19 pages of the posts here (yet) so pardon my laziness if I am asking a redundant questions - will there be a book accompanying this deck at some point? I would be interested not so much for interpretations as this appears to be standard RWS fair, but I would love more background on the origins of the artwork.

Thanks,
Dan

[contrascarpe]

Oops, sorry, this was a double post - having problems with my computer today.

I answered my own question. After reading through the posts, this looks like it will be a great addition to my growing collection.

Dan

[Aure]

So what's the deal with the Golden Tarot? Is it going to be published or not?

Seems that U.S. Games is late this year since they haven't been able to publish the Golden Tarot or pocket edition of the Universal Waite on time...

[Kissa]

Originally posted by Aure
So what's the deal with the Golden Tarot? Is it going to be published or not?


Oh yes, it will!

It is available on pre-order from amazon.com, and there was also a pre-ordering list on tarotgarden. There is some delay in the publishing but as kat said, she'd better see any eventual problem corrected before the decks are released than having to face disappointed customers. I feel it is the right attitude.

You'd better pre-order a copy, i have the strong feeling that the first edition is going to be out of stock very soon.

This deck looks beautiful and is very affordable, go for it, Aure!

Kissa

Go on Tarotgarden to see how gorgeous the packaging is!

[Jeannette]

For what it's worth, I've been trying to get an update from my contacts at USG, but it seems like they've been out-of-the-office a great deal lately, attending trade shows. So I haven't received any news since mid-January. All I can tell you is that the Golden Tarot hasn't shown up on the Tarot Garden doorstep yet, but I hope to get more information from someone "in the know" soon, because the increasing number of preorders we've received have made it necessary for me in turn to increase our preorder supply request.

-- Jeannette
Tarot Garden (http://www.tarotgarden.com?rs=3378)

[retrokat]

Hi all,

I physically HAVE one copy myself, one of the handful of "Proofs" that are really just preliminary copies of the first run taken straight off the press and sent by airmail rather than sea. I wasn't going to say anything here until I got a release date from USGS, as I've said so many times I feel bad about it being put back repeatedly.

I know as a fact that the first run of decks were supposed to land in the US about a month ago, and had to get through Customs.

My primary contact there has been on vacation since then, and as Jeannette said, many of the other senior staff have been at the annual Trade Fairs.

Before my contact went away, though, she said that the first edition was selling so fast from the first trade fair of the year that a second printing was already scheduled. So Jeannette's right about pre-orders. If the first run disappears on pre-orders, there may be a wait for the second run as it's got a long way to travel by sea.

Perhaps that's another reason for USGS delaying the release, if the first run wasn't sufficient to fill orders and the second run's already on it's way? I don't know for sure, though.

The only thing that I can tell you for sure is that it's real, and that it looks good. It's a really tactile package. The book is small enough to fit in the box, but they fitted quite a lot of what I wrote and I certainly wouldn't call it a booklet. It's 198 pages, and DOES include all the referencing of the original artworks - so you can see where I got all the bits of the pictures from, and even where those artworks are today.

The box is lovely. Quite solid, and very in keeping with the deck. USGS did the box and book designs and I think they've done a really good job.

My only problem is that everyone will want to keep the deck in the cool box, so no-one will want to buy the bags I've been making :)

My partner suggested I should take a photo of myself with the deck to prove it exists, but I don't reckon that's going to make any of those of you who've been waiting so patiently feel any better that you still don't have your OWN copy. Sorry!

[retrokat]

Jeanette hasn't been able to update the pics of the Golden deck and box due to changes on her site being held up, but if you want to see the deck and box as they'll look on release, visit my site goldentarot.com.

I much prefer the final dark blue design for the book & box to the original reddish-brown that appeared in their catalog over a year ago.

[Jeannette]

I finally got a brief update from my own contact at USG. The following quote is all the news that was provided:

"Apparently the shipment from China has been delayed again and I think it
is now expected here by the end of the month. "

So... late February? Keep your fingers crossed.

-- Jeannette
Tarot Garden (http://www.tarotgarden.com?rs=3378)

[Summerdream]

Originally posted by Jeannette
I finally got a brief update from my own contact at USG. The following quote is all the news that was provided:

"Apparently the shipment from China has been delayed again and I think it
is now expected here by the end of the month. "

So... late February? Keep your fingers crossed.

-- Jeannette
Tarot Garden (http://www.tarotgarden.com?rs=3378)

I'll keep my fingers crossed. I am getting soooo excited to have this deck in my hands!!!!

Momof3girls:)

[Cerulean]

And so in another month, it will be all so wonderful.

Best wishes fellow sighers.....ahemmmm

Mari H.

[LadyMedusa]

At the beginning of the year I came to a realization.
I bought way to many decks last year. So many that I couldn't take enough time (as if there is ever really enough time) to get to know them as they arrived.

So I put myself on restriction. No more new decks untill I spend some quality time with each of the ones I have. Of course I did exempt Kats deck from the restriction. After all I placed the order before my self imposed buying ban. ( A legitimate technicality. Fellow Tarotholics back me up on this PLEASE!)

I did however decide that I may not open the package untill I have gotten comfortable with at least 20 of decks I already have. At the time of this post I am on #8.

This decision has made the waiting easier to deal with for now. I just keep reminding my self that waiting to open it up is much easier this way, compared with how tempting it will be when the deck actually arrives.

LadyMedusa

[Mystic Zyl]

I have got t have this deck! I love the Queen of Wands!!! Golden Tarot will probably be aeclectic's #1 deck for 2004.

[Aure]

I love the Queen of Wands too!!! And that's the card I usually check because for some reason I kind of identify myself with that card. I also check King of Swords (my husband) and see if death and devil cards look nice or stupid ;)

I am SO going to order this deck!! I've already started to break the idea to my husband...

[retrokat]

Queen of Wands is my Significator, so when I designed the card it was very personal. Perhaps it's because this card usually has a black cat, or just because most interpretations of the card suit me pretty well. It's the first card I hunt for when I look at a deck.

I just HAD to use Charonton's sultry red-haired Madonna. It's one of the few French elements in the deck, painted in the 1450's - "International Gothic" style unlike most of the deck, which is Italian and early Renaissance. So no wonder she stands out ;)

I was so pleased when US Games decided to put her on the box. Originally they had one of my less favourite cards, a rather stern looking Ace/archangel on the old brown-box design that appeared in their catalogue last year. I said as politely as I could that I didn't really like the original box design, and then the next version I saw was what's being released - with Queen of Wands on the front, King of Coins on the back and the Fool on the side. The book cover has the Queen of Cups. They look so great. I get to look at my Significator even when the deck's in the box.

I was worried that it wouldn't live up to expectations but now I've got one, the whole package is just so nice. A visitor to my home saw my "Proof" deck a few days ago and said it 'looks like an heirloom, it looks so precious'. She hadn't previously had any interest in tarot, but ended up saying she wanted to buy copies for all her female friends as well as herself. So hopefully you'll all be happy with it too - if it EVER gets released, that is! (Just joking... if I have one real copy there MUST be a shipping container somewhere in the world with thousands more in it)

You guys are SO sweet to be so supportive when it's been delayed again and again. I emailed US Games again, will certainly post any news as soon as I hear it.

[Aure]

Now I'm worried... The online bookstore I was planning to get the Golden Tarot from had changed the status on it suddenly from 'not yet published' to 'not available anymore'... :(

I sent an inquiry stating that the info I got from the author was that the product was in print and would probably be released soon.

I wonder what has happened... Has the first edition been sold out already? Won't they ship it to Finland? :eek: :confused:

My husband is finally saying 'yes' to me ordering it but what if it is unavailable!

[retrokat]

I'm sure Jeanette at Tarot Garden will ship to Finland, and given her regular contact with them, no doubt she'll manage to get as many copies as she needs from the first release. So my suggestion is to order through her if you want to be sure. :)

Hopefully the second edition will be produced much quicker too, now all of the technical printing problems have been sorted out.

[Kissa]

Originally posted by retrokat
I'm sure Jeanette at Tarot Garden will ship to Finland,

he he he ... I sure hope so ;) !!!

Aure, you should definitely try and contact Jeannette or Dan at Tarot Garden. You have probably heard of this online store already. At the beginning of my tarot carrer ;) , I thought it was cheaper to order from Europe but because of the delay and/or the reduce range of tarot available, I've turned to the US. Tarot Garden offers a personal service, you know there are "real" ppl on the other end of the line. In addition, those two have "Tarot in their blood" so you can be sure they're going to try their best and have the Golden Tarot shipped to the Moon for you if you want so! :)

Kissa

PS: Signed copies are available from Tarot Garden, this is an unbeatable argument for your husband ... It is like a hockey helmet signed by Selänne ... ;)

Edited to add: i suppose you tried to order ir from Suomalainen Kirjakauppa. There are two "Golden tarot" with the same ISBN and one is said to be LoScarabeo/Llewellyn... I don't get it, it is US Games??!! Forget it, go straight to TG... You will get it sooner

[Aure]

Originally posted by Kissa


PS: Signed copies are available from Tarot Garden, this is an unbeatable argument for your husband ... It is like a hockey helmet signed by Selänne ... ;)

Edited to add: i suppose you tried to order ir from Suomalainen Kirjakauppa. There are two "Golden tarot" with the same ISBN and one is said to be LoScarabeo/Llewellyn... I don't get it, it is US Games??!! Forget it, go straight to TG... You will get it sooner

Unfortunately (or then not) my husband has no interest in sports... Atleast not in the sports men usually are interested in (he likes bicycling and all kinds of car stuff), so I can't use the comparison you offered...

I actually was thinking about ordering the deck from Bookplus, it's a really large online bookstore that can be found at http://www.bookplus.fi/ I've been able to get books that otherwise would be hard to get from there. However, it has already taken them three weeks and still no sign of my RRW or Bunning's book...

Actually, Suomalainen Kirjakauppa (Finnish Bookstore) once answered me when I inquired would it be possible to order tarot cards from them that they 'can't quarantee that they could deliver such items because sometimes contacts in for example America refuse to send such items abroad'... Weird!! Because other bookstores have not reported any problems...

I believe what they were talking about was that in some countries it is against the law to send items like playing cards etc. through mail into that country. However, it is not forbidden in Finland and you would think that they would check things like legislation first! Why would these items be available for ordering if in reality you can't get them?

[Bean Feasa]

It looks so beautiful, sigh, but I have to be good for a while. Definitely top of my wishlist.

[Cerulean]

Because of course it is a beautiful gilded deck, there seems there are delays...so being good for awhile can translate to being so since November of 2003 to March 2004....ah well...less of a wait than first seeing it back in the 1990s....

Cheers.

Mari H.

[lark]

Ok
I am trying to remain calm here.
I just got an email from Amazon telling me my preorder for the Golden Tarot can not be filled.
It seems that their source for the deck cannot fill the orders.
What is going on here?
I wonder if Tarot Garden has heard anything.
I preordered my deck through Kat's site.

Help, I need a paper bag I'm hyperventilating....

[Kissa]

Originally posted by lark
Ok
I am trying to remain calm here.
I just got an email from Amazon telling me my preorder for the Golden Tarot can not be filled.


Same here...
Luckily, I have a pre-order at Tarot Garden but I had made one earlier at Amazon. I offered not to cancel it and have that deck send to a friend who doesn't have a credit card. I am very disappointed for her.

Geez US Games screwed it badly this time.

Kissa

[retrokat]

*sigh*

I just heard from US Games today that, and I quote:

"Due to problems in transit, we have not yet received Golden Tarot but hope to be getting it soon. We found out we should be receiving it this week and then it will be available for sale."

I'm guessing they haven't communicated that to Amazon, so I sent an urgent email to senior US Games staff begging that they sort it out with Amazon URGENTLY! I even cc'd Mr Kaplan himself. Lets hope it gets sorted and the preorders get reinstated, especially those who bought at the lower price six months ago!

I'm sooo sorry peoples, this really is getting beyond a joke, isn't it.

*whimper*

[Kissa]

Hi Kat,

did you ever imagine, when you were creating the deck, that you would have to deal with such basic material frustrating problems ???? It's a long way from an artist's creative job...

You're doing a fabulous work, Kat, you're really having a painful delivery for this baby but it is worth it. Plus you are making history... [I had never heard of such a six months "soon to be released" tarot deck before ... ;-) that gets sold out even before it is out ]

Is that any comfort?

Kissa

PS: You did get an epidural, right?

[retrokat]

Originally posted by Kissa

PS: You did get an epidural, right?

I'm glad we can deal with it with a laugh! If we weren't laughing we'd probably be crying, eh? Thanks so much for that, I really appreciate the seemingly boundless support of my Aecletic friends!

:D :D :D :D

[Gardener]

Yes, we are all waiting so eagerly for your beautiful tarot deck. For months (years for some) we have been admiring the images onscreen, and we are all so very very hungry to have the physical cards in our hands. But we are happy to wait patiently, really we are. I'm sure they will get here eventually. Don't worry.

[lark]

Yes kat, please don't worry we are patient folk here....
How ever long we have to wait it will be worth it
Your deck is a classic beauty.

[snuffy]

you know, i'm starting to think that when this thread pops up from time to time and i end up re-reading it a few times over... it only fuels that blasted golden tarot hunger more!

this is one cycle i don't so much mind perpetuating, though ;)

[Jeannette]

As we're now getting a lot of panicked emails over at the 'Garden, I thought perhaps I'd better add a few comments here, in the interest of "rumor control"...

The information we've received corroborates what Kat has already reported. USG has *not* cancelled this title. The latest delay apparently has something to do with the shipment having been held up in China. As of a message I received from my contact at USG on 19 February, it was expected to arrive "by the end of the month."

I don't know what information Amazon has that would have caused them to cancel all preorders for the Golden Tarot, but we have been assured that the copies that we have preordered for our customers should be delivered to us with no problems. I am starting to receive requests from folks whose Amazon orders were cancelled to be added to our preorder list instead, and we'll continue to honor as many as we can at the 20% discount. But even though we recently increased our preorder request with USG once again, I don't know how many more I can fulfill unless USG allows us to increase our order once again.

Therefore, we do invite anyone who wants us to add them to our preorder list to write, but we ask that you please be patient in awaiting a confirming response, as we are already rather backlogged on messages from these past few days. We'll do our best to accommodate everyone that we can.

On behalf of Dan and myself, I want to thank all of our customers for their continued patience and support during these frustrating but unavoidable delays.

-- Jeannette
The Tarot Garden (http://www.tarotgarden.com?rs=3378)

[Jeannette]

It just occurred to me that I should have included the following in the above:

For anyone who writes to request that we add them to our Golden Tarot preorder list, you can get on the list faster and get a quicker acknowledgment response if you also let us know whether or not you want your copy to be signed by Kat (I think there's probably some information about Kat being kind enough to sign copies for Tarot Garden customers earlier in this thread). Requesting a signed copy will probably add about a two-week delay to the delivery after we receive the decks, because we'll have to send the materials to Kat in Australia, and then she'll have to sign them and send them back here to the U.S. But if you're prepared to wait a bit longer for that extra-special copy, then be sure to mention whether you want the box or a paricular card signed when you email your preorder request.

Preorders should not be PM'd, but should be sent to us directly at info@tarotgarden.com (or any of our email addresses, but please not through the Aeclectic system, because those requests are hard to backtrack in case of problems with our preorder system). We do not require prepayment with preorder requests.

Okay, I think that covers it this time.

-- Jeannette
The Tarot Garden (http://www.tarotgarden.com?rs=3378)

[Aure]

Does someone know the answer to one thing that is puzzling me in this thing, do U.S. Games print their cards in China and if so, why? I don't think it has to do with quality or even low costs. And the shipping seems to take a long time.

Actually, I have contacts in Finland to a printing firm that prints football cards etc. with good quality and low cost. If only they could have licenses to print tarot decks... Maybe I'll someday create my own and publish it (as my husband has urged me to do)...

I am starting to suspect that the online store I've usually used, Bookplus, might be ordering through Amazon since they labelled the product unavailable about the same time as Amazon.

I really have to have this deck! I know I would cherish it like a family heirloom... My only problem is that I don't have a credit card, so my options of ordering are limited..

[retrokat]

I didn't know that my deck was being printed in China until my own copy (finally) arrived. Almost all of the US Games decks I have were printed in Belgium. I too suspected that the delays were at least partly because it's being made in China rather than their usual arrangement with (some of the world's best) printers in Belgium.

The quality is very good, though. And US Games told me that there is no way that they could have produced such a high quality deck AND a heavy-duty box AND a nearly-200-page mini-book for RRP of US$25 unless it was done in China.

I'm getting swamped by emails re the Amazon cancellations, but there's nothing I can do. The deck got pulled from Amazon once before - and I expect this time the reason is the same as that first time, a lack of communication between the publisher and distributor, and perhaps the distributor not checking with the publisher before decising to lose patience and delete it from their stock list. It's VERY frustrating, and also costs me money (all those 5% commissions were starting to add up!). The really hair-tearing thing is that it's happened sooo close to release (if US Games "next week" is true).

Some people will have placed their Amazon orders thorough Aecletic too, so poor Aeclectic will lose those commissions as well. *sigh* Same with Jeannette - with her preorder discount, sending me cards to sign etc, she certainly won't be making anything out of this first flood of orders, and it's a lot of work for her to sort out too! I'm sure that Jeannette and Solandia, like me, are just determined to get you your decks ASAP and aren't concerned about making money as our primary goal, but it's nice to be paid for one's work too!

I still haven't heard from US Games about the Amazon cancellations. One of the many buyers who emailed me actually got a response from US Games Customer Service, and are now getting their deck through there. Hmmm.

Perhaps if the people who emailed me also email US Games, they might get the message that... AMAZON HAVE CANCELLED ALL THE PRE-ORDERS! Grrr.

I'm off to email US Games Customer Service now. Perhaps I'll get a response.

[gregor]

I too had my pre-order cancelled. But I found that amazon was quite happy to let me order it again (though at the more expensive rate), despite the "not available from any of our sources" message.

I wonder if people who ordered it at the more expensive rate had their orders cancelled? (cynical....).

bizarre...

[Khatruman]

Originally posted by gregor
I too had my pre-order cancelled. But I found that amazon was quite happy to let me order it again (though at the more expensive rate), despite the "not available from any of our sources" message.

I wonder if people who ordered it at the more expensive rate had their orders cancelled? (cynical....).

bizarre... Arrghhh, same thing happened to me. They simply cancelled my order without asking me first, even erased all record of my having placed the order. Luckily I held on to the confirmation I received when I originally pre-ordered it. I wrote them a message, letting them know that I have seen messages from the author, Kat Black, and that it IS available, or will be, that is. I told them that I fully expect to pay the price I was guaranteed when I ordered it and I have proof of the purchase price I was given when I ordered it. Furthermore, that I still receive the free shipping offer that was part of my original order.

I will hold them to that promise. I think you should also, as well as anyone else whose order was "cancelled" so that they could get you to pay the full $25.

Amazon is getting big for its britches, and needs to be taken down a notch or two every now and then :D

[retrokat]

I just heard from US Games - they were all off at a Trade Show for a few days hence no response earlier. Now I've been told the reason for this last delay.

After all the other reasons that have added up to the deck being 6 months or so late, this has to be the most bizarre. Lucky I'm not the paranoid type....

The shipment was unloaded from (The Slow Boat From) China on the West Coast, then was put on a train to get to US Games on the East Coast. In Vancouver, there was an avalanche and the train got derailed. So all the freight has to be sorted out and sent by road or whatever.

Hopefully that means it should all be sorted pretty soon. Unless they're all covered in mud or something.

So... if you ever DO manage to get hold of your copies from this first edition, you'll know it's already had a more exciting life than most of us ;)

[retrokat]

I read that after posting it and thought... it feels like saying a dog ate my homework.

"Publication has been delayed due to an avalanche"

Yeah, yeah...

[Mimers]

Originally posted by retrokat
I just heard from US Games - they were all off at a Trade Show for a few days hence no response earlier. Now I've been told the reason for this last delay.

After all the other reasons that have added up to the deck being 6 months or so late, this has to be the most bizarre. Lucky I'm not the paranoid type....

The shipment was unloaded from (The Slow Boat From) China on the East Coast, then was put on a train to get to US Games on the West Coast. In Vancouver, there was an avalanche and the train got derailed. So all the freight has to be sorted out and sent by road or whatever.

Hopefully that means it should all be sorted pretty soon. Unless they're all covered in mud or something.

So... if you ever DO manage to get hold of your copies from this first edition, you'll know it's already had a more exciting life than most of us ;)

Don't laugh, I work in manufacturing, and I ordered stuff that I needed for a production run. My freight never showed up, so I called the freight comp. Turns out my truck (which was en route to Canada) was caught in an avalanche. Needless to say, my line went down that day. It took them days to get the truck out of there, and my freight was too damaged to use. I hope our decks are ok!

[Aure]

Originally posted by retrokat
I read that after posting it and thought... it feels like saying a dog ate my homework.

"Publication has been delayed due to an avalanche"

Yeah, yeah...

I must say that my first thought was 'couldn't they come up with a better excuse than that?!?!'

I hope the decks are okay and they'll dig them out soon!

[Gardener]

Oh Kat,

While we all sit here waiting for our lovely cards to be dug out of the frozen Vancouver mud, will you tell us a story to pass the time? I noticed on your website that you include a "note to self" on a number of the cards, saying that you rejected the older version in order to make a card closer to the symbolism of the Rider Waite. Now of course it is highly useful for those of us raised on the Rider Waite deck, to have those familiar symbols on your cards. But the version 1.0 images were absolutely lovely, and showed in many cases an original thought process for the card. Why did you decide to change them?

Laura

[lunakasha]

Originally posted by Gardener
Oh Kat,

While we all sit here waiting for our lovely cards to be dug out of the frozen Vancouver mud, will you tell us a story to pass the time? I noticed on your website that you include a "note to self" on a number of the cards, saying that you rejected the older version in order to make a card closer to the symbolism of the Rider Waite. Now of course it is highly useful for those of us raised on the Rider Waite deck, to have those familiar symbols on your cards. But the version 1.0 images were absolutely lovely, and showed in many cases an original thought process for the card. Why did you decide to change them?

Laura

Gardener:

I could not agree more!!!! As I was looking at all of the original cards that were changed, I found myself prefering the originals of some of the cards to the final versions (some, not all...no offense Kat, I love them BOTH!!!).

I was also curious as to why so many cards were changed....and my second question to Kat is: would you consider at some point releasing the original cards as a separate deck???? I would definitely want both versions, if this is possible....

Thanks!
:D Luna

[Lee]

I'd just like to echo these sentiments. I think the new deck is overall preferable, because it seems from the scans that the artwork chosen was much sharper and more detailed than some of the artwork on the first version. Also, the way the pip symbols are incorporated into the Minor Arcana is much more skilfully done in the new version.

However, I too feel that the first version has a lot of interesting stuff in it, and would be interested to know the thought process behind the changes.

-- Lee

[retrokat]

Well first things first.... and I was starting to feel like I'd never get to say this but...

THE DECKS ARE IN! They've been received by US Games and are being despatched to stores as I write :)

Happy happy happy happy Kat!!!!!!

First person to post that they've received their deck can have a free tarot bag - and you don't count, Jeannette ;)

I think I've explained somewhere way back on this board about why I had to abandon most of the images from version 1 - mostly image quality, as well as the piracy meaning that I had to collage more heavily to ensure that they are all legally 'new and original works of art'.

The first deck was made in a couple of weeks at low res, so not a lot of effort went into it (either with the research or the actual construction), hence it was a bit ambiguous and not nearly as "collaged' as the new deck.

Hopefully you can't tell just HOW heavily collaged the new deck is if I've done what I intended well enough - tried to make them look like complete paintings, even though they contain elements from many paintings (eg head from one, hands from another, robe from another, etc etc).

The amount of research I did with the published version was huge, too. I feel I can defend just about every element in every card - or at least explain it, why I've used it, where that fits in the tarot tradition (or my own personal reasons, such as the black swan on the chariot, as it represents my home state of Western Australia).

The first deck was just, well, to be honest, the first picture I came up with for each card that "felt" right to me, with some basic additional elements added but that was about it. It certainly wasn't terribly scholarly, Considering the level of detailed questions I already get about "why did you put this there?" I'm glad that I did a pretty thorough job of researching & constructing the published version :)

Due to the time difference, I've just got up and am off to teach a class - web development for graphic design students. I wonder if they'll believe my avalanche story?

[jmd]

I've received my deck!!!

(not true - but I am the first person to post I did ;))

do I get the bag ???

[retrokat]

lol! You're in AUSTRALIA so I know you're fibbing :P

[Mimers]

oooh, I am only a half hour from Stamford, CT :D Maybe I could drive over there and pick up the first deck myself!

[retrokat]

Mimers,

Unfair advantage! :D

[Kissa]

Originally posted by Mimers
oooh, I am only a half hour from Stamford, CT :D Maybe I could drive over there and pick up the first deck myself!

I'd say you'd better stay home safe, Mimers, with all these avalanches ....

Kissa

[Aure]

I hope the decks become available online soon!! Amazon still hasn't updated their pages and neither has the finnish Bookplus...

[retrokat]

US Games have listed it on their site... twice, and with no picture at the moment, but at least we know they have copies! I assume they send overseas?

Or it should appear in all the usual places pretty quickly now:

You can buy through Aeclectic's link to Amazon to support the running of this site, or Jeannette's Tarot Garden for that personalised service, or through my Amazon links. So many choices! Don't ask me what's quickest...

[lunakasha]

Originally posted by retrokat
I think I've explained somewhere way back on this board about why I had to abandon most of the images from version 1 - mostly image quality, as well as the piracy meaning that I had to collage more heavily to ensure that they are all legally 'new and original works of art'.

The first deck was made in a couple of weeks at low res, so not a lot of effort went into it (either with the research or the actual construction), hence it was a bit ambiguous and not nearly as "collaged' as the new deck.

The first deck was just, well, to be honest, the first picture I came up with for each card that "felt" right to me, with some basic additional elements added but that was about it. It certainly wasn't terribly scholarly, Considering the level of detailed questions I already get about "why did you put this there?" I'm glad that I did a pretty thorough job of researching & constructing the published version :)

Thanks, retrokat, for answering our questions about why the original images were altered, and the resulting deck is obviously a very beautiful, richly detailed and polished work of art.

Most of the version 1 cards that I really liked, mainly for their originality, were Majors, such as Death and the Devil....have you considered the possibility of issuing a Majors-only deck of these earlier versions??? Or maybe offering prints of those cards would be another, less expensive option? Just a thought...

My compliments to you, Kat, on creating such an exquisite deck of cards, and for sharing BOTH versions with us via your website!!!

:D Luna

[skysilver]

I wasn't sure if I was going to get this deck. Now I am definitely going to get it. That is just too interesting.

[Jeannette]

I got my own confirmation of Kat's report earlier today from USG. The decks are in, and our supply would supposedly have been shipped out to us sometime in the last 12 hours. As you can imagine, our preorder list for the Golden is very long, so for those of you who preordered through us, please give me a day or two to start getting the broadcast emails out. Those messages will contain full instructions for finalizing your order, but keep in mind that we won't be receiving our supply until sometime late next week (God and avalanches willing). Nonetheless, it appears that our long, agonizing wait is nearing the end at last!

-- Jeannette
The Tarot Garden ('http://www.tarotgarden.com')

[Kraai]

I've been searching for years for a deck that speaks to me. This deck is gorgeous.

But... Amazon cancelled my pre-order 3 days ago. I'm not a happy camper.

[Khatruman]

Originally posted by Kraai
But... Amazon cancelled my pre-order 3 days ago. I'm not a happy camper. Do you still have the confirmation e-mail they sent you when you pre-ordered? I am going to hold them to my pre-order, and pre-order price, once they "realize" that the deck will be released.

My suspicion is that they offered a pre-order price which wouldn't give them a profit once they found out what the deck would be listing for. They, of course, couldn't tell people who pre-ordered that they would now have to pay a higher price, so they conveniently got that information that it wouldn't be released (interesting that it happened just before release).

If you look on Amazon's site, the deck is still listed, but now for $25.

[Kissa]

Originally posted by Khatruman
My suspicion is that they offered a pre-order price which wouldn't give them a profit once they found out what the deck would be listing for. They, of course, couldn't tell people who pre-ordered that they would now have to pay a higher price, so they conveniently got that information that it wouldn't be released (interesting that it happened just before release).

If you look on Amazon's site, the deck is still listed, but now for $25.

I am not sure your theory is right. I pre-ordered some time ago (but not as early as many of you I guess) at the $25 price and they still cancel my pre-order.

I still hate that they just cancelled without informing, warning or trying to offer anything to compensate huge deceptions...

I think the whole stuff is just a big quiproquo (or a mess if you prefer) between US Games and the rest of the world.. even Mother Nature was again them, naughty Lady, sending them avalanches and stuff ...

Kissa

[lark]

I reordered mine from Amazon just to see what would happen and the order still stands .
So maybe they have found out the deck will be delivered.
I haven't gotten a second cancellation yet.
Kraai give it another try and see what happens.

[Khatruman]

Originally posted by lark
I reordered mine from Amazon just to see what would happen and the order still stands .
So maybe they have found out the deck will be delivered.
I haven't gotten a second cancellation yet.
Kraai give it another try and see what happens. Ohhh, I am sure if you re-order it, the order will stand---at $25. The problem is I pre-ordered it early at a discounted price, which I am sure many people did. Now, in order to get it from them, you must pay the full retail price. That is why, in my opinion, Amazon mysteriously got notice that it wouldn't be released just days before it finally would be. Otherwise they couldn't ask those of us who locked in a pre-order at a discount to now have to pay full price.

Sounds like sneaky corporate maneuvers to me.

[Khatruman]

Originally posted by Kissa
I am not sure your theory is right. I pre-ordered some time ago (but not as early as many of you I guess) at the $25 price and they still cancel my pre-order. Well, they couldn't cancel some pre-orders and not cancel others, especially if they cancelled only the discounted orders. Otherwise, it would be blantant deception. They would have to cancel all pre-orders to wipe out the discounts.

Consider this too: They didn't simply cancel my order, they wiped out all record of my order in the first place. When I do a history check on Amazon of past orders, it doesn't list the Golden Tarot at all. The order I made, which included another item, shows the second item, and even the free shipping since it was over $25, but nothing to even indicate that I had pre-ordered the Golden Tarot. The only record I DO have is my own confirmation e-mail at the time I ordered it.

Amazon has been terrible when it comes to ordering tarot decks, in my experience. Seems every deck I pre-order runs into a problem, usually Amazon doesn't know it's been released until I get the publisher or creator to hound them a little on it.

[lark]

Khatruman what are you going to do now?
Did Amazon reply to your email yet?

[Khatruman]

Originally posted by lark
Khatruman what are you going to do now?
Did Amazon reply to your email yet? Right now, it's a waiting game, until Amazon acknowledges the deck's release. Once that occurs, I am going to write to them, attach my original e-mail confirmation of my pre-order, along with the price at which I pre-ordered it, and politely tell them, "Here was the agreement for sale that was made. I expect you to honor it."

I'll tell you how that turns out.

[Lee]

I hate to sound like I'm proselytizing, but all of this is why I much prefer to deal with the folks at Tarot Garden. Sometimes it's more expensive than Amazon, but you're actually dealing with real people, and very nice, conscientious, and knowledgeable people, too. I've bought many decks from them and every single transaction has been a positive experience for me. They even put up with me when I order things and then change my mind and un-order them. I really can't recommend them enough.

-- Lee

[Aure]

Today I got an e-mail from the online shop I've been using and they thanked me for an update on the Golden Tarot. They have now made it available for pre-ordering again, I guess it will be labelled soon as 'available'. :)

I love this deck so much that I will probably order two decks or then I will order another one later!

Retrokat, there are some things I'd like to know. What size are the cards? In the introduction it says that the cards have gilded edges. Is the gilt durable? I'm so worried that the gilding would wear off since I have some books with gilt in the covers and it has worn off.

[Aure]

Oh, just something regarding Tarot Garden, I would love to order from that place but I'm not sure what the payment methods are, so...

[Jeannette]

Originally posted by Aure
Oh, just something regarding Tarot Garden, I would love to order from that place but I'm not sure what the payment methods are, so...
We accept pretty much every (legal) payment method there is, although for non-cash payments in currencies other than US$ (that usually means check/cheque or money/postal order in EUR, Yen, etc.), we now have to include the equivalent of a US$ 5 bank fee to cover our own deposit and conversion costs.

Direct payments by credit card or online payment services, check or money/postal order in US$, and cash in any currency incur no additional fees.

Oddly, with the dollar so very weak against other currencies these days, including the Euro, we're actually running a bit less expensive for European customers on some of the massmarket titles, even when differences in shipping cost are taken into account. But it just sort of depends...

-- Jeannette
The Tarot Garden (http://www.tarotgarden.com?rs=3378)

[retrokat]

Hi Aure,

The gilding (so far) seems pretty durable, although it must wear off in time the same way it does with any book that's edge-gilded. I've also managed to batter the corners of my box a bit already by carrying it around unprotected in my bag at school.

Hopefully that will just add to the deck's character. I lost my old, battered Rider Waite I'd had since my teens and a shiny new one just isn't the same!

Of course I'm going to keep a "good" copy of my deck as well that I won't actually use.

The sizes (measured from the real thing) are:

Deck: 2 7/8ths inch x 4 13/16ths inch x 1 1/4 inch deep
Box: 3 3/8ths inch x 5 1/4 inches x 2 3/8ths inch deep

or in metric:

Deck: 7.5cm x 12.3cm x 3cm
Box: 8.5cm x 13.3cm x 5.8cm

I'd already made deck-sized bags, I'm going to start making bigger ones to fit the box too as I personally prefer to carry my GT around with the box & book. It's such a gorgeous box, and it protects the deck well but keys and even the sturdiest of cardboard boxes are *not* a good combination swimming around at the bottom of a shoulder-bag!

Re the Amazon thing - the vast majority or pre-orders were at $25 and considering the amount of people who will now order from another source mean that it was unlikely to be a profit-making decision by Amazon to cancel the pre-orders. More likely, it's because USGS had committed to a release date and then (due to the avalanche) not met it. Instead of asking why, Amazon automatically cancelled it (probably because several other "release dates" have also been suggested in the past and then not happened). The timing, just days before it finally did get released, was just an ironic twist of fate - and we Australians love a little irony, so I'm fairly philosophical about it.

As long as people get their decks, I'll be happy. And it definitely shows the advantage of using a small, specialised online retailer over a huge impersonal company. I have Amazon links on my site as it's my only way to attempt to cover the costs of running the site, but I'm more than happy for people to order through Tarot Garden (hence me signing copies for them). Jeannette's been so great!

[Kraai]

I'm not sure how to reply to someone specific...

Thank you Lark (and everyone else) for the input.

I did re-order. When I got the cancellation and then saw a few days later that is was being shipped to retailers I was concerned about my place in the queue and if there would be enough of the first run to cover all the preorders, especially if I'm now at the end of the line.

I really don't know how all of that works. I AM really excited that it's finally available.

[HeidiAussie]

Kat!

Cong-a-rats! Finally! <and the rats dance on>

:+))))

You do realise that when the W.A. orders come through that CALM will start a burn off, which will turn into a bushfire, that will trap the 'deck' truck, that will.............

<dull *THWACK* sound>

OW!

When you sign the decks from Tarot Garden will you be signing the whole deck (front or back of card?), book, box? Big loopy signature, small inna corner? etc

I am going to order a deck through Tarot Garden and would like it signed (book, box and maybe the deck's 'title' card?), but since I'm in Canberra now (got a job! yesssssssss!), you posting it back to J&L in the USA seems a bit redundant. Could you post it directly to Canberra? Or would it be easier for me to order it and send it on to you, if, of course, that is possible? Pretty please?
I'll email Tarot Garden and ask them too.

Cheers and Happiness,

Heidi Aussie

[retrokat]

Hi Heidi,

There will be distributors here in Australia (eventually) and I might sell some copies myself locally, depending on how much of a hassle it is getting them through Customs etc. Australia's such a small market in comparison that maybe if I can buy a box of them off US Games that might be enough for the local market.

I'm not signing whole decks! I have RSI and can't write much (true, although luckily I'm fine with computers) so I'll be keeping the personal signings to a token scrawl! I think people have asked Jeannete for particular things to be signed, in this first batch, but generally I think I'll be signing the back of the "Author" and/or "Title" cards - not needed for a functioning deck, and a lot cheaper to post around the world than the box. They're the extra 2 cards you get in a deck (since a print sheet fits 80 cards and there are 78 in the standard tarot).

I will also be selling stuff on eBay - the bags I've made, and I might break up one of the first decks and sign and sell individual cards. This way people could bid on their favourite card. Would be handy for people who, say, bought through Amazon and then decided they'd like a "signed" deck. Postage on a single card would be very cheap.

[Aure]

I was able to find Golden Tarot listed in amazon.co.uk but amazon.com couldn't find it when I used the ISBN number in a search. When I tried to look it up with the name, they listed several decks, but started numbering the results from 2 and didn't display number 1 at all!!!

Weird... I wonder what is happening... Bookplus still claims it hasn't been released yet...

[retrokat]

I guess it's all still in transit through the primary distributors (online distributors are mostly secondary - they don't get it directly from publishers).

I had an email from a fan today:

"My cousin and I got it! US Games sent it direct and IS IT BEAUTIFUL! You should have seen us jumping up and down and squealing - hey, it looked like Christmas morning! Congratulations Kat, they are beautiful beyond description. Well Done! Thanks - Krislyn"

So hopefully that's evidence that it really is on it's way to all the other distributors! And also (HUGE sigh of relief) that it's not a disappointment in the flesh :)

You guys have been waiting six months and suddenly you get impatient? ;) Give it another week or so and the distribution should be all sorted out.

[Windtalker]

I got it I got it I got it!!!!!!!!!

What can I say, oh my...

The web site does not even BEGIN to do this deck justice. What an incredible deck, and a great bargain too!!!

I ordered the deck from my local metaphysical shop here in Springfield, Missouri, a few weeks before Christmas, and the deck just came in today, 3/4/04.

Having been sick all week, this really made my week!!!

Great job Kat! I love them, can't wait to sit down and actually USE them, but I almost hate to, they are so beautiful!!!!!!

I'll be saving my money to mail a card to Kat if the offer to sign a card is still good :-)

Windtalker

[retrokat]

Yippppppeeeee! I'm so glad they're filtering through into the shops.

Windtalker, PM me your address and I'll send you the tarot bag as promised to the first person to post here :)

Thanks so much for your kind words - I'm glad you agree that US Games did such a good job with the package.

Let's hope it means everyone's going to get their decks very soon.

[Gerbear]

I just saw the Golden Tarot on ebay, from Tarot Garden. It had a buy-it-now, so I did. I guess that means that it's here!!

[Jeannette]

The Tarot Garden supply arrived today -- I'm working on writing up the broadcast email for our preorderers now...

Kat: we had a number of people request that the box be signed, but the colors are so dark. Will there be enough "light area" for you to put a signature, or do you have a light-colored pen that would work on the box as is? Or do I need to let the folks who want the box signed know that they may want to go with a signature on the "artist's card" instead?

To any Aeclectic members who preordered the Golden from us: if you haven't received your copy of our broadcast email within 12 hours of the timestamp on this post, write to let me know right away.

-- Jeannette
The Tarot Garden ('http://www.tarotgarden.com')

P.S. -- Just got the notifications from eBay & PayPal, gerbear. Thanks! Your Golden Tarot will be on its way tomorrow!

[LadyMedusa]

:D Woo Hoo !!! :D

Oh my, :confused:where did I put that tent and sleeping bag? It's still to chilly at night to sleep under the stars while camping by the mailbox.

Good thing s/o just straightened the garage, makes rummaging around out there so much easier. })

LadyMedusa

[Aure]

Well, yesterday I finally pre-ordered the deck from Bookplus... :)

I hope they will be able to get it!!! My husband wasn't that keen on me ordering another deck and one book as well but... I convinced him that there could be worse things to spend one's money...

The american Amazon still claims there's no such thing as Golden Tarot but the english Amazon has it!! I believe Bookplus probably gets their products via Amazon although they don't say who their supplier is. Hope it is the english one!!!

So, now I'm waiting for my deck eagerly! That and a book about scottish queens... :)

[contrascarpe]

Jeannette - you have a new customer! I just bought this deck from you on eBay. Amazon lost a sale, and Tarot Garden has a new loyal customer.

Thanks,
Dan

[Jeannette]

Heya, Dan!

Yeah, I saw the eBay and PayPal messages come in. Thanks so much! I already made today's shipping run, but I'll get your Golden Tarot out in the mail ASAP on Monday.

But for now, I'm heading back to snuggle up with my kids in the other room and finish watching Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure... It's been a most challenging day, shipping out all those Golden Tarots. ;)

-- Jeannette
The Tarot Garden ('http://www.tarotgarden.com')

[retrokat]

Hi Jeannette and anyone who's ordering signed decks,

Sorry I didn't get back to you before you sent out your emails re Golden Tarot!

I agree that the box isn't ideal to sign as it's so dark. I can sign it with a gold pen, but it might scratch off relatively easily. Also, it's going to be more expensive and awkward to send boxes to Australia & back, more likely to get damaged than cards as well.

I think that signing the front of the Author card is the best bet.

On a similar note, I'm signing individual cards to sell on eBay, for example, for people who have an unsigned deck and just want an inexpensive way to get it signed. People can bid on one of their favourite cards and have it as an "extra" with their deck.

Do you all think people would prefer the front of the card to be signed (ie, scrawled over the picture) or the back (relatively plain gold back, shows signature well, but then you couldn't use it in the deck & it would be more of a keepsake).

My partner collects signed "Magic The Gathering" cards and he tells me I have to sign over the picture, but I'm not so sure as it's a lot more readable on the gold patterned back.

All opinions welcomed!

[Mimers]

Originally posted by Jeannette
Heya, Dan!

Yeah, I saw the eBay and PayPal messages come in. Thanks so much! I already made today's shipping run, but I'll get your Golden Tarot out in the mail ASAP on Monday.

But for now, I'm heading back to snuggle up with my kids in the other room and finish watching Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure... It's been a most challenging day, shipping out all those Golden Tarots. ;)

-- Jeannette
The Tarot Garden ('http://www.tarotgarden.com')

Jeannette,

Thanks for working so hard to get all the decks out so quickly. Really do appreciate it!

Mimi

[Summerdream]

Originally posted by retrokat
Hi Jeannette and anyone who's ordering signed decks,

Sorry I didn't get back to you before you sent out your emails re Golden Tarot!

I agree that the box isn't ideal to sign as it's so dark. I can sign it with a gold pen, but it might scratch off relatively easily. Also, it's going to be more expensive and awkward to send boxes to Australia & back, more likely to get damaged than cards as well.

I think that signing the front of the Author card is the best bet.

On a similar note, I'm signing individual cards to sell on eBay, for example, for people who have an unsigned deck and just want an inexpensive way to get it signed. People can bid on one of their favourite cards and have it as an "extra" with their deck.

Do you all think people would prefer the front of the card to be signed (ie, scrawled over the picture) or the back (relatively plain gold back, shows signature well, but then you couldn't use it in the deck & it would be more of a keepsake).

My partner collects signed "Magic The Gathering" cards and he tells me I have to sign over the picture, but I'm not so sure as it's a lot more readable on the gold patterned back.

All opinions welcomed!

Hello Retrokat!

I think having individual cards signed is an excellant idea whether you use the front or the back. Maybe when you auction certain cards on Ebay you can say you will sign them after the auction is won at the winner request (front or back). Do you think you will have a buy it now feature?

I was going to have my deck signed but when I heard that they were in stock at Tarot Garden......the anxious, excited part of me just could wait any longer. I HAD to have the deck now! LOL. So, I would probably try to get an autographed card unless the prices go up too high!

You could even set a buy it now price and list a quantity of cards you want to sign and then we could email you when we won which one we'd like. Just a suggestion.

Thank you Jeanette for sending my deck out yesterday. I appreciate it!

Momof3girls:)

[lark]

For anyone interested.....
I just recieved a confirmation from Amazon that my order for the Golden Tarot was shipped today.

[Cerulean]

And later, after I finish taxes, this will be one of the first that I would give as gifts or recommend to those who want something that feels like Medieval and Renaissance art.

The Page of Cups had a message that I couldn't decipher, but when I paged through the sources, I found a lovely background reference to the verdigris background from the Schifanioa Palace, month of March. Ferarra and art of many other of the city-states of Italy and Europe has found it's way to an exquisite deck, spun magically to a woven tapestry of images.

I was curious about the swords, a very difficult suit for many designers. This was beautifully done and the Page of Swords is actually deliciously humerous. I like the Queen of Swords as well.

I had enjoyed Jane Lyle's Lovers Tarot for a long time, but some of the propotions from Oliver Bursten's collages didn't seem quite human to me. But these collages have a very proportional perspective. and the Rider Waite imagery and ordering is very well-done.

I know others will review this deck and discuss it in detail. I think for me it gathers a great deal of my European Renaissance studies in one place and will be a lovely inspiration for a long time.

I do not know why, but the age of old European paintings and their feudal costumes and attitudes seem to blend into a storylike pagentry that comes home now, from such a distant past. It could be the distance of age, but the familiarity of Western history that seems to merge it into an allegory that feels right to me.

I'll have to think how else to use this stunningly wonderful deck, somehow it fits with the Ferrarese poetry I like so well.

Thanks so much for keeping us updated and doing so much, just to not only keep us so HAPPY to hear, but DELIGHTED to receive this treasure.

Of course I am shouting, so I'll then whisper...congradulations and thank you very very much...

Mari Hoshizaki

[Cerulean]

The use of the womanly being pulled by swans actually does have a wonderful allegorical reference to Venus being pulled by swans in the Ferarra Hall of Months in the following allegory of April:

http://gallery.euroweb.hu/html/c/cossa/schifano/2april/index.html

And Mars is actually kneeling before her.

The only other tarot that I know of that uses a similar detail is the Citta Ferrara by Amerigo Folchi

http://www.tarotpassages.com/images/FerraraChar.jpg

I'm delighted that there are elements of the medieval intermixed with stunning original variations...it really makes the deck allegories sing for me.

Cheers!

Mari Hoshizaki

[retrokat]

Hi Mari,

Thanks so much for your praise, I'm honoured that someone as scholarly as yourself is looking at the deck in so much detail (this is where I keep my fingers crossed that I've done my homework well enough!). I'm SO glad that USGS agreed to include the artwork references in the book, even though it almost doubled the size of the book.

I didn't know that there was another deck using the Ferrara Venus, but it doesn't surprise me, nothing's really original ;)

Hmmmm... Now that you mention it, I should have left Mars kneeling before her :)

One other little factor that I'm not sure if it's mentioned in the book, is that I made one of the swans drawing the chariot black, to represent Western Australia, my home state. The black swan is our state bird, and they're very majestic. This was one of the few obviously personal references that had nothing to do with tarot tradition.

[Cerulean]

And part of the great innovations that I enjoy about this deck.

By the way, I'm not a scholar, I'm just a slightly fanatical student, like most of us here in most things tarot-like. Thanks again!

I'm still enjoying this book-deck among a few others...but THIS will probably be a favorite. My husband was very impressed about the Tarotgarden.com price, the U.S. Games packaging and my whoop-de-doo at what we've been all been waiting for up to two years or so...now I feel like some dreams come true!

Mari H.

[Khatruman]

Originally posted by lark
For anyone interested.....
I just recieved a confirmation from Amazon that my order for the Golden Tarot was shipped today. Is that Amazon in the USA? The same Amazon that cancelled my pre-order and said it wasn't going to be published? The same Amazon that still won't bring up the deck if you do a search for it?

Would you have an ISBN on the deck or item number from Amazon so that I can give them a piece of my mind?

[retrokat]

I've been told "Amazon are notoriously difficult to deal with" and I've definitely found that to be true. I guess they're so huge, so much of their operation is automated. I've never managed to deal with a real human being there, and there seems to be a complex and mysterious web of inter-relationships in their distribution.

I've told USGS that it's been pulled altogether of the Amazon US site (last week) despite the fact that some people have been told by Amazon that their decks have actually been despatched (thanks Lark!). I believe that USGS are trying as best they can to sort out the obvious contradiction (how can they be sending out decks if according to their site it no longer exists?). It's very frustrating to say the least.

The only reason I haven't given up on Amazon altogether given the repeated problems is that their reach is huge - thanks to their very effective affiliate program, the deck was available for sale on scores of sites including my own. They're the only online vendor from whom I can get a commission on sales from my site, and thus hopefully cover the costs of keeping my site open.

As mentioned a few days ago, I hope that Amazon (US) will sort out their error within a few days, especially since they've obviously physically received copies to dispatch to the few people who managed to get in orders in that small window between the original mass order cancellation and the deck getting pulled altogether from the site. Argh.

Sure, email them. They might listen to a buyer more than the author & publisher! The ISBN is 1572814349 1 and their ASIN was 1572814349.

[Cerulean]

The Golden Tarot
by Kat Black
Copyright 2003
U.S. Games Systems
ISBN 1572814349

[contrascarpe]

I have ordered many items over the years from Amazon and never had a problem until now. I ordered my Golden Tarot late in the game (when the price was already $25). When people started getting emails that their order was cancelled, I went to the website to check on my order. At that time it was still listed but a couple of days later it disappeared, with no email at all.

However the deck still showed up on the site, so I re-ordered it then. Finally I gave up and bought it through Tarot Garden (which, by the way, I should have done to begin with). I tried cancelling my order with Amazon, but there is no link to do so - apparently because the item "doesn't exist". I sent them an email yesterday but have yet to hear back.

Something tells me I will be getting a package from Amazon with this deck in it, lol.

Dan

[retrokat]

Sell your spare copy on eBay! One went yesterday for $42!!

[contrascarpe]

Originally posted by retrokat
Sell your spare copy on eBay! One went yesterday for $42!!

Something tells me I am going to love this deck so much, I may have to horde it :)

Kat - one question as I await my copy - did any of the artwork come from the collection at the Musee Cluny in Paris? I have been to that museum several times and it is one of my favorites. I think that is why I was so drawn to the deck from the beginning.

Dan

[retrokat]

Hi Dan,

Now here's an obscure answer to your question.....

Thanks to the "Find" function in Word, I managed to track down the one reference to Musee Cluny in Paris.

The shape of the heart (but not the texture) in my Three of Swords is from:

"Unknown Flemish Master, (early fifteenth century in Arras); The Offering of the Heart c. 1410 Tapestry, Musée de Cluny, Paris".

*grin* Glad you asked?

Thanks god for computers, or can you can imagine how impossible it would have been to keep record of every single element I used in my collages?

I've never been to the Musée de Cluny - will have to put it on my itinerary if I ever manage to go to Paris again. The one time I was there for 2 weeks on vacation, I visited the Louvré several times and still didn't manage to see everything it's so huge! I loved the Notre Dame Catherdral too. And Monmartre, so seedy and yet so full of life. Even the cemetaries are amazingly beautiful.

Ah, for the days of the Grand Tour, to send months studying the great museums, galleries, cathedrals etc... Dream, dream....

[contrascarpe]

Kat -

That is the beauty of the city - so many things to do, so little time. I dream of having enough money to retire and just sit at a cafe and write all day, like the expatriates after WWI.

The Musee de Cluny is located in the Latin Quarter by the Sorbonne. It is actually housed along with some ancient Roman Baths that still remain in the city. I am going to have to look up the tapestry you speak of. The heart of the Cluny collection is a series of tapestries called the Lady and the Unicorn (if my rapidly failing memory recalls correctly).

The Museum is highly recommended!

Dan

[retrokat]

I bought a few Web Usability books off Amazon US recently and when they arrived they were postmarked as being sent from Hong Kong. I guess that means that they have warehouses all over the world. Maybe that partly explains the apparent inconsistency in despatches for pre-orders through Amazon?

Or perhaps it's to do with the alignment of the planets?

[Kissa]

Originally posted by retrokat
Or perhaps it's to do with the alignment of the planets?

' COURSE IT IS !!!!

Where do you think avalanches come from ?????????????

;)

Kissa

[retrokat]

Mwhahaha! Either that or some omnipotent being has a grudge against the deck... I'm expecting the European orders to get eaten by a Sea-monster in transit, and the Australasian-bound copies will disappear mysteriously in the Bermuda Triangle on their way south. I just know it.

[Kissa]

I know I shouldn't say that because you are going to be upset but I've heard from my aliens' connection that Martians plan to make it look like all of this (even the deck) was just your imagination... This thread will be erased by the time the decks should have arrived to the buyers and even Aeclectic will disappear from the surface of the Earth. I'm trying to negociate on that one too. I have a good argument: either they left us alone or they get Michael Jackson back in the next space shuttle.

I think it might work since the little grey guys have lots to do right now, trying to hide all their water supplies and metropoles from the NASA paparazzi.

Is this off topic????

Kissa

[lark]

Originally posted by Khatruman
Is that Amazon in the USA? The same Amazon that cancelled my pre-order and said it wasn't going to be published? The same Amazon that still won't bring up the deck if you do a search for it?

Would you have an ISBN on the deck or item number from Amazon so that I can give them a piece of my mind?
YESSSS oh mighty warior it is the same Amazon.
Here's a hoot. They say my deck is on its way.
I am being charged for it.
It's coming in a package with 2 other items.
That they could have sent seperatly, but they must have known the Golden was coming in because they waited to send it with the other items.
When I look up my order, Golden is listed, but not highlighted so I can't click on it and bring it up on the site.
So yes, it seems they are selling a deck that according to them doesn't exsist in there stock.
It'll be quit a surprise to see what comes in that box.

I usually order from Tarot Garden but I thought I would like to support Kat's site.
So I ordered thorough her site from Amazon.
I'm not upset about the hassle, but Kat, I hope you still get your cut from this deck.
It would be horrible if most of the decks cancelled came from your site and now you won't get any money from them.

Kissa~ I have been informed that this event will be triggered by the appearance of a giant crop circle in the shape of the great window at Notre- Dame, that will appear on the White House lawn.
So be watching!

[baba-prague]

I think I'm going to wait a few days until the planets have realigned then bravely order my copy. Unless the Czech translation is already in the shops here ;-)
(in fact, one local publisher has a deal to translate all US Games decks into Czech - wouldn't it be just typical if it really WAS available in Czech first?)

Kat, perhaps you didn't make enough offerings to the Goddess Fortuna? Buy her a packet of chocolate biscuits at once!

[Cerulean]

But I anchored to earth in my favorite bags and the woven cord was attached to my bedstand. I checked it out first thing this morning and the Queen of Cups winked at me...or I winked at it.

Coming soon, in English as well.

Mari H.

[Aure]

When someone hears from Amazon, please let me know! There's still no sign of the deck in their pages....

[Centaur]

Aure,

Here ya go:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1572814349/aeclectictaro-21/

I was going to purchase it, but I have cut up my credit and debit cards. Haha.

C

[Asher]

My copy of the deck arrived today! I only had an hour or so before going off to my evening job, so did not have a lot of time to examine it.

The box is very nice and the rather thick book fits in the box nicely. The cards have gilt edges and have the feel of the Tarot of Prague, not the heavier lamination of other US Games' decks. It's very smooth and silky. A bit slippery though.

The cards are beautifully collaged, and retain standard RWS imagery -- read this one right out of the box.

Worth the wait!!!

Asher
(who will be on spring break next week and will be able to catch up on Aeclectic)

[Gerbear]

My Golden Tarot arrived today. It's marvelous. Everyone must get one!

[yve]

Couldn't access Amazon to order this, it came up the link does not exist and my search for this deck comes up empty...I e-mailed tarot garden to see if they carry it yet...I did see it for sale on US games, so if all else fails i'll order it from them...it's definately a deck that would be an asset to my fast growing collection....

[Mimers]

WOW, just WOW.

Kat, I got mine this morning and didn't have time to look through it until I arrived at my parent's house this evening after work. I put it on the kitchen table and my Mother grabed it. "you have to help Rachael (my daughter) with her math homework" she said as she walked away with my deck. I did as she said and when I walked into the livingroom later, there was my Ma and Pa ooohing and ahhhing over your deck. They are not Tarot readers, either. They each asked for a reading with it, and the readings were fantastic. My Pa wants my to get one for himself, just to look at.

THANK YOU!!!!

Mimi

[retrokat]

I'm sooo glad you like it as much in the flesh :D

I've just listed some individual cards on eBay, so if you want to make your unsigned deck into a signed one, that's probably the cheapest & easiest way (considering I live in Australia, I doubt USGS will get me to do an author tour in the US any time soon!).

http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/goldentarot/

[BrigantiaTarot]

My copy came in yesterday afternoon at my best local tarot source in Austin (Whole Life Books)! It's perfect! I have it here at work with me (although I may not get to read with it) because I just couldn't leave it home!

Robin

[lark]

Just plucked my Amazon box off of the back porch,
And yes Golden Tarot was in it!!!!!!!!
Am I the first to get the deck from Amazon?

Kat it exceeded my expectations in every way! ( And I had really high expectations to begin with.)
I am soooo happy with this deck.
They are all spread out on the dinning room table, what a spectacular site.
The packaging is superb. I wish all tarot decks came in such a box.
And the little book is perfect.
I can't wait to dig in and read.

I am a dog lover and all the Maltese and Italian Greyhounds in the deck had me ohhhing and ahhhing.

Here is a quick take on some of the cards that hit me between the eyes at first glance.

Hermit~ best Hermit I have ever seem! And he has a cat!

Star~ a Maltese, Italian Greyhound and Mermaid all on the same card? Please.... how can I resist?

8 of coins~ the way you have the light coming in the window and illuminating the scene is genius.

6 of cups~ absolutly adorable. The way that little boy reading has his hand resting on his leg as he dangles it over the green grasses.
You can almost see him swinging it.
And the other child is holding a bird!

3 of wands~ not a card I usually connect with but somehow the sail on the ship just speaks of limitless possibilities to me.

Oh my gosh I could go on and on.
This deck is an intuitive readers dream.
Thank you Kat for this beautiful deck.
I will treasure it.
Now I'm off to do my "how will we get on new tarot deck reading."

[Aure]

Hooray!!!!

I got an e-mail from the store I pre-ordered Golden Tarot and they said that their supplier has managed to get the item and it has been sent yesterday!! It's on its way to Finland! If I only knew where from...

The store still claims on their pages that it hasn't yet been published and Amazon.com answered me today that they don't have it available but I could try Amazon.co.uk....

What's this 'under-the-counter'-business they do with this deck?!?!?! "No, it's not published, we don't have it, but you can order it anyway and we'll send it"... I feel like a member of a secret club ;) I dared to order a non-existing deck (which I'm sure I'll love to bits! My dear hubby said it will be his gift for me celebrating the Women's Day that was on monday, you just can't help lovin' that man!!) and now it is coming... I hope... I can't sleep now that I know...

[lunakasha]

Hey ((((Lark))))!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS on being one of the first here at AT to have the Golden Tarot in your hands!!! It sounds absolutely perfect!

I was wondering if I might ask a favor:

When you received your Limited Edition Gilded deck *sigh*, you were kind enough to share your new deck reading with us, and I enjoyed it so much....would you be willing to post here with your new deck reading for the Golden????? I am sure those of us who are dying in anticipation of this deck would be very pleased to hear more from you, and you have such a wonderful way with words....what do you say?

:D Luna (pretty please???)

[lark]

Originally posted by lunakasha
Hey ((((Lark))))!!!!
When you received your Limited Edition Gilded deck *sigh*, you were kind enough to share your new deck reading with us, and I enjoyed it so much....would you be willing to post here with your new deck reading for the Golden????? I am sure those of us who are dying in anticipation of this deck would be very pleased to hear more from you, and you have such a wonderful way with words....what do you say?

:D Luna (pretty please???)
Ok luna, I'm making meatloaf right now so I'll do it a little later OK (my men are hungry)
p.s. flattery will get you everywhere. :D

[lunakasha]

Originally posted by lark
Ok luna, I'm making meatloaf right now so I'll do it a little later OK (my men are hungry)
p.s. flattery will get you everywhere. :D

Yeah!!!! I thought that a heavy dose of sincere flattery might do the trick....LOL!!!!

You are just too good to me, Lark.....
Now please go on and feed your men, first things first!
I can be patient (for a little while), if I try REALLY hard....})

THANK YOU so much.....
:D Luna

[Khatruman]

Well, I no longer need to battle with Amazon over this deck, and I will seriously consider other sources for any future decks.

On a whim, I decided to take a brief visit to my local Border's Books. In the past, they have been amazing in their ability to get in new decks (While Amazon was telling me that the Leonardo da Vinci and the Tarot of New Vision decks had not been released, they were sitting all bright and shiny in Border's case, but my order was pending, so I waited). Well, I walk over to their tarot case now (which they have decided no longer needs to be under lock and key like their adult DVDs) and there it is!!!!. I went to the counter with it, used my educators' discount and the remnants of a gift card I had, and I end up spending about as much as I would have with Amazon! Border's had it priced at $20, so I ended up shelling out less than $15.

It is beautiful, Kat! I had seen the pictures of the cards many times, and it is wonderful that U.S. Games did such a superb job all around. The gilt edges are beautiful and the images wonderfully reproduced on very good card stock. Even the box, with the perfectly fitting book, is gorgeous. This is one deck for which I won't even consider needing a tarot bag. The book is comprehensive and compact, including all the info that most of us want to see: artist visions of the meanings and references for the imagery used. I have to study the images more, but I did look up a couple of the rampant lion shields to see if they might have originated with my Scottish clan (either the Macduff's or the Wemyss's).

All this done at such an affordable price! I will have to go to U.S. Games website and leave my praises there as to how much respect and care they put into producing a top-flight deck.

Kudos to you, Kat!! :D

[lark]

I did a three card reading yesterday when I got the deck so here it is.

What kind of deck will you be?~ Five of Wands
This is an interesting card. You have your traditional 5 men with wands involved in a scuffle.
The amazing part is when you understand that each man is from a different painting.
You would never know it, it's combined so well.
There is a wall behind them and a rooster sits on the wall and crows at the rising sun.
Beyond the wall you can see the roof tops of a beautiful city.
The book says: That which bends is less likely to break. I thought that was beautiful.
I think the rooster said the most to me in this card.
This deck will be a deck to awaken intuition.
It will be a deck that will hold it's own and capture my attention.
The five men reminded me if my five new tarot decks all scuffling for my attention.
And the rooster crowing to the golden sun is like the wake up call that brings everyone back to there senses and says...
There is something wonderful to learn from all of them.
And the Golden is very special.

How will we get along?~ Nine of Coins
The Moon and the Nine of Coins are my favorite cards. So I was happy to see this card turn up.
A beautiful maiden in deep, deep plum velvet with gold edging on her clock.
Little dots of light scattered through her auburn hair.
She turns to face the falcon on her finger.
On her face is a look of peace and contentment.
She stands in a berry patch. Little red berries dot the greenery on the ground.
A wicker basket filled with berries off to the side.
And a walking stick beside the basket.
A friendly sheep prances to her right and behind her is a peaceful tree lined hilly scene.
Nine gold coins float in the landscape.
She isn't picking berries because she has to.
It's not to feed her body, it's to feed her soul.
The whole card is about the freedom to enjoy the little things in life.
The things that delight your spirit.
And that is how we will get along.
This deck will delight my soul.

What will you teach me~ King of Coins
This is a beautiful king! The sky behind him is a golden mosaic.
You can see his great white castle with it's beautiful blue roof tops.
He is dressed in the finest of cream linen.
There is a little pen filled with pigs to show his wealth.
He holds a gold coin and wears a gold crown dotted with pearls and rubies.
He stands before a table covered with a beautiful red, gold and white table cover.
His table is cover with all kinds of things glasses, scissors, candle, hourglass and all kinds of writing tools.
For me the King of Coins upright is generous and a wonderful mentor.
He appreciates the finer things in life.
This deck is certainly one of the finer things in life.
When I was little my father used to go to Europe alot on business.
He always brought home books and slides from the great museums there.
I spent my childhood laying on my tummy on the red shagg living room rug, looking through giant coffee table books of art.
I recognize some of the pictures in this deck from those books.
My father was a mentor in leading me to appreciate fine art as a child.
And this deck brings me back full circle to appreciating that art as an adult.
In a generous way befitting the King of Coins.
This deck will teach me tarot in the beautiful pictures I learned to love as a child.

Lunakasha I pulled a card just for you. ~The Four of Cups

Well this deck sure has a sense of humor. LOL
Here you are Luna sitting on a peaceful hill side your flock of sheep and your trusty dog at your feet.
You also have a little donkey! (lots of tarot decks?)
A bowl of food and a canteen of wine at you side.
You sit on a rock wearing a dark blue dress and a brilliant red, gold trimmed robe over it.
You hold a little red leather bound book to your chest.
And you have a sad look on your face.
Before you are three full golden chalices of wine. (more decks?)
But you aren't looking at them.
Your eyes are fixed on an angel floating in a golden cloud holding the fourth full golden chalice. (the Golden Tarot?)
What do you think? :)

[retrokat]

hi lark,

Thanks so much for your beautiful reading - the first I've seen someone else do with 'my' deck (I guess it's not just mine any longer!)

The four of cups is even funnier if you know where the shepherd comes from:

http://www.goldentarot.com/micu04.htm

I call the original painting "Sulky Jesus" - I think it's a delightful thought that even Jesus would have gone through a difficult teenager stage. He looks like he's being told off for not doing his homework! Cracks me up every time.

[lark]

Thank you Kat.
I never thought of that but I guess it's been so close to you for so long it's strange to let it go.
Well, I think many of your decks will find good homes with us!

I loved the picture of Jesus, it has the same feeling I got from the card.
The perfect sulky teenager.
It's going to be so fun to investigate the pictures that you used.

The deck reads very well. It's not just a pretty face.
I've done two other readings since this one and I'm very, very happy with how well it reads.

I also like the multiples part of the book.
What do three, 3's mean what do Four 3's mean.
Most books don't include that and it's very interesting.
The book packs more stuff in one little package than most big books.
Kat, Thank you once again for a beautiful deck.

[Jewel-ry]

Lark,

What a beautiful reading! Your descriptions of the cards are wonderful, I can picture them so easily. Thanks for sharing.

I really can't wait to get my hands on this deck! Its ordered but who knows how long it will take?

J :)

[Island Dreamer]

I just checked my Amazon.co.uk wishlist and the Golden Tarot is now only 1-2 weeks delivery so it shouldn't be long now, Jewel-ry :D

Island Dreamer

[Summerdream]

My Golden Tarot arrived today. First let me say, the scans do not do this deck justice. This deck is sooo much more lovely in person. The edges are all golden and the deck comes in a neat little hardbox that you lift the lid up and inside are the cards and book. The book is pretty hefty too for being a smaller size. The colors on the cards are rich and there is so much detail. This deck was well worth the wait. I love it.

Momof3girls:)

[lunakasha]

(((((((LARK)))))))

Thank you, my friend....once again you have outdone yourself! What a beautiful reading, your descriptions are so vivid, I felt like I was sitting there with you, gazing upon these beautiful cards. Again, THANK YOU!!! :D

I was also blown away when you said that the 9 of coins/pents and Moon are your favorite cards......mine too!!!! LOL, that is really funny, huh?

I quote your description of the 9 of Coins:

How will we get along?~ Nine of Coins
The Moon and the Nine of Coins are my favorite cards. So I was happy to see this card turn up.
A beautiful maiden in deep, deep plum velvet with gold edging on her clock.
Little dots of light scattered through her auburn hair.
She turns to face the falcon on her finger.
On her face is a look of peace and contentment.
She stands in a berry patch. Little red berries dot the greenery on the ground.
A wicker basket filled with berries off to the side.
And a walking stick beside the basket.
A friendly sheep prances to her right and behind her is a peaceful tree lined hilly scene.
Nine gold coins float in the landscape.
She isn't picking berries because she has to.
It's not to feed her body, it's to feed her soul.
The whole card is about the freedom to enjoy the little things in life.
The things that delight your spirit.
And that is how we will get along.
This deck will delight my soul.

EXACTLY my feelings about this card...."she is not picking berries because she has to...the whole card is about the freedom to enjoy the little things in life." Yes indeed....this is what living is all about! (IMO)

Excellent, wonderful........and inspirational, Lark!!!

:D Luna :D

PS: I want to mention the 4 of cups in my next post....

[lunakasha]

Originally posted by lark
Lunakasha I pulled a card just for you. ~The Four of Cups

Well this deck sure has a sense of humor. LOL
Here you are Luna sitting on a peaceful hill side your flock of sheep and your trusty dog at your feet.
You also have a little donkey! (lots of tarot decks?)
A bowl of food and a canteen of wine at you side.
You sit on a rock wearing a dark blue dress and a brilliant red, gold trimmed robe over it.
You hold a little red leather bound book to your chest.
And you have a sad look on your face.
Before you are three full golden chalices of wine. (more decks?)
But you aren't looking at them.
Your eyes are fixed on an angel floating in a golden cloud holding the fourth full golden chalice. (the Golden Tarot?)
What do you think? :)

Thank you lark....that was so sweet of you! :D
Thanks Kat for the link, giving me some background on this card....I think both of your descriptions would fit me right now....

It sounds like the meaning of this card is for me to be grateful for what I have, and not to focus so much on what I don't have. Not an easy thing for me to do, especially as I am going through some financial difficulties right now....but overall, I think I try to stay pretty positive and not to take anything for granted. Sometimes, though it is good to have a reminder~or a kick in the pants~to say: WAKE UP and look around you, life isn't really so bad....

This could also apply to my "need" to collect more and more decks, without taking the time to appreciate the ones I already have....well said, lark! I have been thinking about this a lot lately, and since I am in a financial *pinch* right now, it is a good time to take a break from collecting and start appreciating the lovely decks that I already have.......after all, the cards don't lie! ;)

Thanks again, lark....I really enjoyed reading your lovely words of wisdom....

:D Luna

EDITED TO ADD: The Golden is in transit to or from Australia as we speak...in a sense, it is floating above, just out of reach! :laugh:

[lark]

I stopped buying decks for 9 months, because of losing my job and just not having the money to spare.
I was very 4 of Coins myself.
I totally recognize that sulky face.
I used to see it in the mirror alot.
It was very hard to read about all the decks and not buy, but I did like you said and focused on the ones I had.
It was very good for me.

BUT......I still think you should save your pennies and buy the Golden. You'll love it. })

[lunakasha]

Originally posted by lark
I stopped buying decks for 9 months, because of losing my job and just not having the money to spare.
I was very 4 of Coins myself.
I totally recognize that sulky face.
I used to see it in the mirror alot.
It was very hard to read about all the decks and not buy, but I did like you said and focused on the ones I had.
It was very good for me.

BUT......I still think you should save your pennies and buy the Golden. You'll love it. })

Thanks, Lark.....
I really appreciate your kind words and support, and I agree with you, that spending some quality time with the decks I already have is going to be good for me right now! :)

Having said that....I have already ordered the Golden, }) and am very glad that I did....but this will be my last purchase for the forseeable future....

Blessings to you, lark!

:D Luna

[ScarabFlight]

I just have to say that I'm pretty new to tarot, but I already have a list of ten or so decks that have caught my eye that I would like to own.

Having said that I discovered the Golden Tarot yesterday. All I can say is WOW!!!! I think my list just shrunk down to one. lol It is so beautiful!! It's kind of like I was looking for a specific type of deck but couldn't find it. I could find some with a few that were kinda close but not really, and wham there it is! I can't wait to get this deck. When I first saw it I think I drooled! lol

I was just so excited I just had to share. I can see that I'm in good company as this thread is so long. :D

[Hedera]

It's here! It's here! It's here!

And it's soooooooo wonderful!

Everything about it is just right; the size, the feel, the colours, the images, the warmth and sense of humour....

Perfect. Really, really perfect.
Worth every second of the looooong wait! ;)

Oh, lots of dogs too. Lovely!

[contrascarpe]

Kat -

I just received my copy (thank you Jeannette at Tarot Garden). I have to say that it has exceeded even my high expectations.

First, the packaging is top notch. The only other deck I can recall having such impressive packaging was the Tarot of Prague. I know they say you can't judge a book by it's cover, but in this case I found the cover to be topnotch.

The deck itself is wonderful. The golden edges ..... the artwork (of course it helps being a big fan of medieval painting) ...... the complexity of the scenes (takes RWS meanings to another level IMO). Only one minor complaint - on the majors, it almost appears as if the "cut" was made off-center, at least on my deck. It is not enough to turn me off this deck. My only fear is that this deck is so beautiful, I may not want anyone else to touch it!!!!

Dan

[retrokat]

Hi Dan,

Hmmm, the off-centre cutting is a bit sad. Why not pop an email off to USGS, including a scan if you can, at least to let them know.

They went to great lengths to get the technical side of the printing sorted out (eg getting the gilded edges to work) so I *know* that the quality was very important to them & they'd probably appreciate feedback about such a printing error. Especially if you include your kind words about the other aspects of the deck.

Also I think that the next printing run is already planned, so specific feedback about this first run would be very timely.

I think I previously mentioned that the deck had to be made in China, as the specifications of Golden Tarot were very high for such an inexpensive ($25) set - great box, comprehensive mini-book, gilded edges etc. Given the price, I guess the tolerance for minor errors would be higher than, say, if it was an expensive Limited Edition set.

But still, let USGS know about the miscut. They're understandably proud of the production job they've done with GT, so I think they'd like to know.

[contrascarpe]

Kat -

I have had more time to spend with these cards - my initial reaction was probably off a little. I found out today that Amazon screwed up and shipped my deck anyway even after several notes to cancel my order. I think I am going to keep the second deck and compare them just to make sure it is not my eyes. It seems like a handful of majors were cut right at the top of the numbers, but not enough to make a difference IMO.

I hate to keep gushing, but this deck is a thing of beauty. Even without the classy packaging, wonderful book and gilded edges, this deck would have been an instant favorite of mine, but those added touches make this a treasure. I could spend all night writing all the nuances that make the scenes on the cards stand out for me, but I will spare you for now. One I will mention is the then of swords. On the RWS, I always got negative vibes of that black background and the figure with ten swords sticking out of his back. I like the way you added the barking dog and the almost three-dimensional feel of the landscape. The Court Cards are a favorite of mine as well.

You did the RWS style deck even better than RWS!

Dan

[GitaByte]

WOW! I got my Golden Tarot Deck today - stunning! I was a Bibelots in Annapolis yesterday and saw that there were several new decks, so I came home last night and looked them up on the net. I was so impressed with the Golden Tarot deck that I raced back out today and bought it. It is so very beautiful, the box is sturdy, the booklet is a nice size and I really like the interpretations, fresh and yet very intuitive. The card stock is firm, but soon becomes easy to handle, the gold gilt edges are truly luxurious. I must say that I was pretty surprised at how reasonable the price is on this deck. 20$ U.S. - I cannot imagine how this was possible, as this deck and book set seem to be of such high quality.

The artwork on the cards is really gorgeous, I for one did not immediately realize that it is collaged, as each cards imagery is so well integrated. Now a confession, I buy new decks all the time ever searching for that perfect deck which I can actually figure out how to read with. Always there are a few cards which turn me off and send me back to my trusty RW. This deck is the deck I have been looking for - finally a deck that incorporates the best of RW interpretive imagery, and actually improves on it! If you are comfortable with RW - you will actually find this deck even easier to read with! I have been messing with it all day, trying various excercises and approaches and I have never had such an easy time coming up with interesting insights and more in depth perceptions. I am really in love with this deck - can you tell LOL!

I even wrote a character sketch tonight by laying out a few cards at random, it came out so well I am excited to think of more things to try with this deck. I am a total Dante fanatic, so this deck feels so richly authentic to me. I really love the fact that it pays such homage to this rich etiology of the imagery that inspired the Tarot.

I have just joined this forum, so I will be searching back thru posts, but I would love it if people would share different things they do with the Tarot to enrich their experience with it.
Many Thanks, Gita

[retrokat]

Finally! It's listed again at Amazon. You can either order through my site, or give your commission to Aeclectic to help support the running costs of this site. To order through Aeclectic: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/golden/

Let's hope supplies of Golden Tarot are now reliable enough that it doesn't disappear from Amazon again.

There are no reviews on Amazon yet, so I encourage anyone who's already got their copy of the deck to let the buying public know what you think of it by putting your comments on Amazon. Be honest, I can take it! :)

[LadyMedusa]

ooooo...I am so jealous...

Reading everyone's new deck announcements. I have mine on order from Tarot Garden and elected to have a card sent to Kat...
So I'm still waiting...

My mail carrier is starting to look more nervous by the day, as she pulls up to the box, only to tell me "No, I'm sorry no parcel today".

LadyMedusa

[GitaByte]

Hi Folks! - I saw your post Kat and leapt over to amazon.com and posted my review - you can see it here at

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1572814349/ref=nosim/aeclectic/

They also published my actual name - oops! Good thing I actually wrote a positive review LOL!

By the way I had actually bought my deck at Borders yesterday for $20, and they must have had it mispriced as the stated price is now $25. Lucky Me!

I hope I did ok by your beautiful deck - your website should ge alot of hits too!

[retrokat]

Thanks so much Gita! And welcome to Aectlectic, by the way. I think you'll really like it here :)

By the way, flattery will get you everywhere...

[retrokat]

I'm blushing! Your reviews are so nice!!

I noticed at Amazon UK that there's a competition to win a 50 pound voucher if you're the first to review a product that has no review (eg Golden Tarot - since it's separate to the US site).

[Khatruman]

I added my review of the deck to the Amazon site, though I hope people will buy from others since they have been so terrible with my own order.

I at least want others to perhaps find this deck somehow and get it. I did give my reactions in this thread, though I think my post may have gotten lost.

Ahh well.

[lark]

I posted a review under vyvykat this afternoon.
Don't know if it's up yet.

[retrokat]

Yep, all three reviews are up - hence my blushing. You guys are so kind! I wondered who'd written them - mystery solved ;)

[Khatruman]

Just wrote my review, so I don't think it is up yet. Hence, expect another glowing recommendation!!

Also, I am going to check if I have done a list for good tarot decks. If I have, I will update it to include the Golden. If not, I will create one to do so.

Just wonderful, Kat.

[HudsonGray]

I checked at Barnes & Noble today, they have it listed as "Gold Tarot" (data input error), and don't stock it on the shelf but can order it & get it quick. AND they only charge $20.

I went in today to look if they had it & found this out, so it should be able to be gotten this way instead of waiting for Amazon to ship. B&N can give you a date for it to arrive. Usually 3 to 5 days.

[truthsayer]

i received my copy of the golden yesterday. i can't praise this deck high enough. i have been in a tarot slump. just haven't been able to get that old excitement back. but this deck--wow! beautiful and extremely well crafted. any decks i've gotten recently, i scan a few cards and put the deck away to look thru more throughy later. not this one! this one i couldn't put down until i reviewed every single one and then looked thru it again later and shuffled them for a while.

kat, i am your devoted admirer. i am building up to needing a reading again! how sweet it is!

[Windtalker]

I think mine was the third review on amazon, there are 4 now... all 5 stars of course :) :) :) :) :)

Anyhow, just can't get over how much I love this deck.

So much so that I ordered another copy just to put up to show off to friends and keep in my collection, because I have every intention of wearing the other deck out lol!

BTW Kat, are you going to put some more signed cards on e-bay? I was bidding on 2 of them (Guitarjohnson) and messed around with this stupid cold I've had for 3 weeks and slept thru the end of the auctions and lost them both :(

On the odd chance that you might take a request, my favorite card in the deck is the Moon card :)

[GitaByte]

I did the same thing and missed the Fool card! I am one of those sneak bidders who jump on at the last second, but I utterly misread the timing on this. Oh, do let us bid again on your signed cards! For some reason I simply adore your Fool card, it reminds me of a banjo, and I love how this card seems to imply a traveling musician. Which is actually how I make my living - as a classical cellist, the banjo for me is just fun - its very nice to have an instrument one does not have to be either good on - or good to! I could never bring my 300 year old cello out to the side of a riverbank, nor strap it to my bike for a jaunt. BTW, I do realize that the Fool has a drum, and actually this has further symbolic resonances which I find fascinating. There is so much to this deck!

[retrokat]

I know this is a little off-topic, but before listing the next few cards I thought I'd check current US times & I found this fabby site that tells you current time anywhere!

http://www.timeanddate.com

I still doubt I'll manage to list at a time covenient to the US - it's a hard call when I'm on the opposite side of the planet :P

I just blindly drew 4 remaining cards from the broken-up deck to list next: 3 Wands, The World, Judgement and the Page of Swords.

[templumkat]

Hi Kat and other Golden Tarot users!

I just received the deck and it may be the first deck that replaces my Rider-Waite for more than a few weeks, after twenty years of reading Tarot! So well done on that score, Kat!

I have a question - the source for the Wands is given as a work by Jacques Daret, located at the Berlin Museum. I wondered what type of staff it is, if it is a particular type of tree or branch? I tried the Berlin Museum website, and googled Daret, but found no direct references to the painting in question.

Anyone any ideas? I ask because I got the Ace of Wands in a particular reading, and it would be massively relevant due to the fit of the artwork to the answer if the wand was also of a particular type.

Many many thanks for such a great deck.

TemplumKat

[Khatruman]

Just wanted to post the first reading I did with the Golden, after I forced myself to finally shuffle these beautiful cards. I decided to do a three-card, past-present-future reading:

Card One (Past): Five of Cups
Card Two (Present): Two of Cups
Card Three (Future): Seven of Coins

What an amazingly clear reading! What I found remarkable about the first card, 5 Cups, was how it fit more beautifully in this reading than the comparable RWS 5 Cups. The Golden shows a weary Pope asleep in a chair beside the spilled and drunken cups. In her interpretation of the card, Kat states, "To have tasted from many cups, and forgotten the sweet wine ." Oh how true that situation has been in my phase as a tarotist. I have just come off of a massive buying streak (thanks to the tarot enablers here at aeclectic })), having accumulated many decks, yet doing very little reading in depth. I tried each deck and they were starting to become flat. I had even taken to laying out all of my decks, cutting them and reading the mass of cards, only to feel overwhelmed, tired and oversatiated (maybe not a word, but I am taking poetic license :D). This has been my immediate past with the tarot.

Card two, the Two of Cups. Once again Kat's interpretation hit it: "Balance, unity and happy compromise. Deep mutual understanding and intuition." Focusing on this deck made me feel deeply united with tarot again. Also, I saw the advice in this with the reduction from 5 Cups to 2 Cups. Five is such a conflicting number, the fifth wheel.. a five legged table. There is just too much. Get it down to two: me and the tarot. Back to the happy couple. This has been the first deck I have bought since the summer. I backed off severely from the tarot for a while, overwhelmed by the wealth of input.

So to the future? The seven of coins: "Hard work is now rewarded, and it's time to enjoy your adequate assets." I am coming into the fruits of this planting of knowledge. I realize that I had been in a stage where I had sipped from too many sources, had drunk myself into a stupor, and the Golden just came along at this time to bring me back into a union. It is time to see the fruits grow from the tree. Again, Kat's images resonate more wonderfully here than the corresponding RWS card. I see the ripe fruits and the harvester ready to reap.

This reading also showed me that it is time to pare down my tarot collection. I have too many distracting, and unnecessary decks. I did an initial scan of my list and came up with five decks I do not need. I am preparing to put them up for sale in the Trading section soon.

Kat, from the dead on reading I just had, I think this is a deck I will be able to use a great deal. Might mean I'll have to buy me another sometime in the near future.

[retrokat]

Originally posted by templumkat

I have a question - the source for the Wands is given as a work by Jacques Daret, located at the Berlin Museum. I wondered what type of staff it is, if it is a particular type of tree or branch? I tried the Berlin Museum website, and googled Daret, but found no direct references to the painting in question.

Anyone any ideas? I ask because I got the Ace of Wands in a particular reading, and it would be massively relevant due to the fit of the artwork to the answer if the wand was also of a particular type. TemplumKat

You can see the original paintings from which most of my collage elements were drawn on an amazingly comprehensive site called Euroweb Web Gallery of Art. Their Daret page includes the painting from which my "Wand" was drawn - although as you'll see it was really an upright on a bier in a Nativity Scene. I hope you're not too disappointed?

http://gallery.euroweb.hu/html/d/daret/index.html

[GitaByte]

Now see this is what knocks me out - I will bet anything that the fact that the wand turned out to be part of the bier will actually crystallize aspects of the reading. I find the thought that went into this deck absolutely amazing. I must admit to being initially annoyed that so much of the little book was taken up by "useless" attributions, yet more and more I find myself looking up an aspect and finding my reading enhanced by elements of where the artwork was taken from. I realize that not every possible interpretation could have been forseen, but there are such an astounding amount of resonances that one can find by studying the sources of these collaged images.

I also share the marvel of the writer who spoke about the 5 of wands card - I find this interpretation and imagery so much more revealing than the standard RW. It adds so much interpretive dimension, I just keep finding more to marvel at in this deck.

I could go on and on - and I surely will in later posts
Brava Kat!

[retrokat]

The attributions were always really important to me. This deck first started off as a vehicle to promote this type af artwork, since it's mostly inaccessible to the average person - ie, it's in Cathedrals in Italy etc.

US Games decided on the box/booklet/deck pack during production, and it appeared originally (with a far less attractive box) in their wholesale catalog as including a 120 page booklet. I was upset, as that meant that the hefty section on attributions was gone. They very kindly changed it when I explained how important I thought it was to the deck.

I bet that including the attributions section cost them quite a bit, as it almost doubles the size of the book, and makes the whole package a lot more substantial. I can scarcely believe that they make any profit at all in the set's current form! I'll be eternally grateful that they included the references, though.

By the way, a face from that same Daret painting was in the Five of Wands. Coincidence? :)

[templumkat]

Kat

Thank you for your prompt response and the Link to the Art Gallery, which is a very useful resource indeed!

The fact that the "wand" or "staff" is actually based on a support for the bier did crystallise something, as in Kabbalah the "tent support" or "prop" is the meaning of the Hebrew letter "Samekh," attributed to the path on the Tree of Life between Yesod and Tiphareth, and hence the "Temperence" card, which depicts an Angel. This has meaning to me in the context of the reading!

Ah, Kabbalah, obscuring the already obscure! LOL.

TemplumKat.

[GitaByte]

"By the way, a face from that same Daret painting was in the Five of Wands. Coincidence?"

LOL! Ok in some serendipitous way maybe it was - because I actually meant to be writing about the 5 of Cups! Who knows what faces lurk in my subconscious! LOL!

[Cocobird55]

The deck is wonderful. I love the box, and the gilding.

I've been buying a lot of decks lately, was was trying to decided if I should order this one or wait a while. But last night, when I walked into Borders, there it was, and I couldn't resist. I'm glad that I didn't.

Sue

[GitaByte]

I am curious, I keep getting the Queen of Swords as the first card in repeated readings. I have never used a significator since I dont like to pull a card out of the possibility of showing up in a reading, so my first drawn card often operates for me as a sort of significator. The thing is that not only have I repeatedly been getting the Q of swords, but I have also been having alot of old thoughts coming forth, and some wierd dreams which have her in them. I would like to understand more about what the Queen of S means so that I could perhaps get more insight in what is occurring. Does anyone have any ideas on this?

[Lee]

I have a question about the Death card...

I don't have this deck yet, but I notice that there is a difference between the Death card on Kat's website (the published version of the card, I don't mean the first version) and the Death card on the facade.com free reading site, which offers the Golden Tarot (published version) as an option.

On Kat's site, the card has a skull at the top of the card, with long bones emanating from it like a spider's legs, or bat wings.

On facade.com, the card is missing the skeleton figure at the top, but instead, there is a hooded skeleton standing on the right side of the card, looking down at the woman.

What's on the printed card?

Thanks --
Lee

[lunakasha]

Originally posted by Lee
I have a question about the Death card...

On Kat's site, the card has a skull at the top of the card, with long bones emanating from it like a spider's legs, or bat wings.

On facade.com, the card is missing the skeleton figure at the top, but instead, there is a hooded skeleton standing on the right side of the card, looking down at the woman.

What's on the printed card?

Thanks --
Lee

Hi Lee!

On the printed card, it is the skull at the top, with spider legs (or bat wings) coming down underneath it.....

So.....when are you getting yours, hmmmmm????
No pressure of course ;)

:) Luna

[Emily]

I too keep seeing this deck and its only a matter of time before I go ahead and buy it lol - I've waited to see if the novelty of having a deck that is a Rider Waite clone but couldn't be more different in the artwork would wear off but it hasn't. Also its not the kind of deck I usually go for but each time I see it, it grows on me more and I know I could read with it - its a comfortable deck to look at.

Methinks maybe forget about the choccie egg at Easter and treat myself to this deck instead. :D

[lunakasha]

Originally posted by Emily
I too keep seeing this deck and its only a matter of time before I go ahead and buy it lol - I've waited to see if the novelty of having a deck that is a Rider Waite clone but couldn't be more different in the artwork would wear off but it hasn't. Also its not the kind of deck I usually go for but each time I see it, it grows on me more and I know I could read with it - its a comfortable deck to look at.

Methinks maybe forget about the choccie egg at Easter and treat myself to this deck instead. :D

LOL Emily!

It will last a lot longer...and won't end up on your thighs! :D

:) Luna

[Emily]

Hi Lunakasha,

You know Easter's not that far away - I bet if I ordered it now it would be here just in time. :D - Well might be a little early but oh well lol

[Lee]

Originally posted by lunakasha
Hi Lee!
On the printed card, it is the skull at the top, with spider legs (or bat wings) coming down underneath it.....
So.....when are you getting yours, hmmmmm????
No pressure of course ;)Thanks, Luna! Soon... :)

-- Lee

[retrokat]

Hi Lee!

I did two versions of the Death card, and opinion amongst my friends & family was divided so I left it to the publishers to choose - they went with my preferred, which is the bat-wingy one in the sky. I wasn't so keen on the Grim Reapery one, but it was (slightly) more RWS, and this is one card that looks structurally so different from RWS I guess I was thinking maybe there should be some element of RWS in there? But USGS chose to go with the other one, so I'm happy.

The Death card is one that my personal feelings about the meaning of the card didn't really tie in with the RWS original. I wanted something more peaceful, more positive. When I first saw the "Death Of Mary" pic that forms the central part of my design, I knew that was what I was after. An accepting, lived-a-good-life-and-ready-to-go kind of death, not an indiscriminate and violent death, which is the feeling I've always got from the RWS Death card.

My reasons are probably very personal, and like all my cards, I'm a little surprised when my little personal tangents away from RWS are in a direction that also means something to others. I hope that works for this card, as I accept that it one of the least RWS cards in the deck and I don't want to affect the readability of the deck.

[darwinia]

It's finally here and I get to pick it up tomorrow. I screamed when she phoned me to tell me it was in. Wow, I started this thread in 2002, a lifetime ago, and when everyone started talking about receiving the deck I resolved to wait for several more weeks because delivery takes longer here.

I spent years when I was a kid withdrawn and lost in history books and medieval art. I suppose we carry the person we used to be all our lives, and this little girl lost in history is very happy indeed at the studying and challenge to intellect this deck inspires.

What a great thing to create and see come to fruition Kat. We need artists and people of action in the world.

Thanks! Best to you always and in all endeavours.

[Savoyali]

Oh Kat, they're so beautiful! My TarotGarden package arrived last night and I've been waxing lyrical about them all day to anyone who will listen :laugh:

The Queen Of Wands just blows my mind; she is not my soul or personality card or attributable to me in any other way, but I have a feeling that she is what I aspire to be, so I've been looking out for her in every new deck I've come across in my comparatively short history of Tarotphilia. The one in the Golden Tarot is simply amazing, such red, so energetic and...well, wands-y I guess.

Also, I could just kiss you for putting a man on the Nine Of Swords, and a second person in the Five Of Cups, I think it's brilliant. And the collage work is just...wow. You flipped the guy in the Seven Of Wands' body and messed with his arms, and removed a brooch :laugh:

The full references are such a treat. I spent ages today going through them, first checking out pictures in the online gallery and having way too much fun figuring out what you'd done to/with them, then writing out a list of the paintings that are a mere 20 minute tube ride away from me (so expect to find me wandering the Alte Pinakothek soon with my list clutched to me, oohing and aahing over minute details in Bouts paintings until they call the men in the white sneakers to take me away :laugh: ). Excuse me, I think my geek is showing.

Now if I can get myself to give them a shuffle (*gasp* think what it could do to the gilt edges!)... Once I've figured out a way to shuffle them reeeeeaaaally carefully, I expect they'll be great to read with. Everytime I look at them my mind just goes "Whoosh! Look, perfect past lives deck!" :D

Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful works of art with us, Kat!

P.S.: See that? Three :laugh:s in a single post! The Glee is just running rampant in this house right now!

[retrokat]

Oh Savoyali,

You get to visit some of the real paintings - you lucky person! I've been thinking I should start up a Golden Tarot Tour section on my website, listing cities and which paintings are there. Locals such as yourself could send in their stories, photos etc so we could put together a detailed itinerary for the Tour.

Perhaps one day I can even do the Tour myself! I've only seen a handful of my sources in real life myself so far (mostly in London) - Can't wait to go to Italy especially. So many paintings in one country...

Also, I'm hoping to start work on my next deck some time soon, so a trip to Europe would be great for my research. My partner & I are thinking we could also make a "Making Of..." film on digital video, sort of a travelogue, showing all the elements in their original contexts.

Maybe in a few years, if sales of Golden go well enough to pay for a few months in Europe... (dream, dream...)

[ScarabFlight]

Yay! I'm glad I didn't have to wait for two years! I had enough trouble waiting the two weeks! lol I finally got my copy and it's gorgeous!! I know what you mean about shuffling Savoyali, I may need to get another deck that I can keep pretty because I can tell I'm probably going to use this one alot. :) This is the first deck that has spoken to me and that I have really felt connected with.

I was so excited and impressed with this deck that mere hours after bringing it home I went out and found another one for my sister-in-law. It's probably a good idea that I don't have too many friends into tarot because I would probably feel the need to buy it for everyone!! (Sorry Kat, if I were rich...)

I just want to thank Kat for such a beautiful and inspiring deck! So thank you soooooooooo (10 o's should be enough;) ) much for all of your hard work and the resulting wonderful deck. The only problem is that my old decks, well, they just don't seem as exciting anymore. lol

Enough gushing for now.

P.S. Kat, I loved your Golden Tarot and your *fork-you* sites! :D

[jema]

After holding back for what feels like months I finally went ahead and ordered the set. It was really cheap too so I am pleased with myself.

[jmd]

... and more good news...

check the third smiley's third name :):):D (http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5888)

[Jewel-ry]

How did you do that jmd?

Thats quite a gathering isn't it?

If I win the lottery I will be there.

J :)

[Savoyali]

Originally posted by retrokat
I've been thinking I should start up a Golden Tarot Tour section on my website, listing cities and which paintings are there. Locals such as yourself could send in their stories, photos etc so we could put together a detailed itinerary for the Tour.

What a fabulous idea! (Though you must really have too much time on your hands to even be thinking about something of the sort :P) I'd love to hear those stories from all over the world, and an opportunity to show our appreciation by contributing to such a collection would be most welcome, I'm sure.


Perhaps one day I can even do the Tour myself! I've only seen a handful of my sources in real life myself so far (mostly in London) - Can't wait to go to Italy especially. So many paintings in one country...

Also, I'm hoping to start work on my next deck some time soon, so a trip to Europe would be great for my research. My partner & I are thinking we could also make a "Making Of..." film on digital video, sort of a travelogue, showing all the elements in their original contexts.

Maybe in a few years, if sales of Golden go well enough to pay for a few months in Europe... (dream, dream...)

I wish it for you with all my heart. You certainly deserve it. I'd gladly put you up when you decide to drop by here :)

[retrokat]

Since all of the early reviews have mentioned the similarity to RWS (in a really complimentary way, I should add) I realised I hadn't really covered this on my website. So - I just did:

http://www.goldentarot.com/rwsclone.htm

It's a pretty brief discussion, but one I should have put on the site long ago. I guess it was just so obvious I forgot to mention it.

Ooh, and thanks for the kind offer of accommodation, Savoyali! Perhaps you could become a local GT tour guide and rent out your spare bedroom as a Bed & Breakfast for passing tarotphiles? ;)

[GitaByte]

Hi Kat - I dropped by your site and read the tribute and your fascinating discussion of where your imagery choices diverged and evolved. I find each one of your choices to actually deepen possible meanings, while never seeming to detract or divert away into something inaccessible. I also find the deck to be non threatening while still preserving the possibility of seeing light and shadow meanings. I think I have always felt some trepidation which prevented me from really opening up to really studying the tarot in depth, but with this deck I feel really open and trusting. I dont exactly know how to describe this, but I guess what I am saying is that this deck does not feel "occult" to me, but instead seems to help me to stay open to looking at things in new ways.

I am really glad that you did put in a tribute to Pamela Coleman Smith. Some time ago I found a website which I could not find tonight, but it had the most beautiful tribute to her along with a picture, some of her poetry, and a rather moving tribute the contributions she indeed made to the accessibility of tarot imagery. I wish I could find that again, it was very moving and inspiring.

I do not see this deck as merely a clone, I think too much devoted and creative positive imagery has gone into the creation of this deck, but I do really think its wonderful that you did indeed devote a page to PCS as indeed she is the creatrix which really transformed the possibilities of the tarot into something life enhancing for modern seekers.

[retrokat]

Hi Gita,

There is a whole chapter dedicated to Pamela Colman Smith in Stuart Kaplan's Encyclopedia of Tarot Volume 3 - and you're right, I'm sure I've seen much of the material from Kaplan's tribute to her reproduced on the web somewhere - complete with pictures that show she deserved her nickname "Pixie" :)

So far, the nicest thing anyone's said about my deck was a Golden Tarot review that said something along the lines of "If Smith had had access to the same technology as Black, this is the deck she would have produced".

I agree with you Gita, that Smith must have been an amazing, insightful and imaginative person - so I can't imagine higher praise than being seen as a successor to her vision in some small way. I don't think I'm quite there yet - I feel I rushed Golden a little, and could do better... Given a few years to work on it, and at least a few months in every European country to do my research ;)

It's comforting to know that Smith also 'rushed' the RWS deck - imagine what it could have been if she'd had a few years to work on it instead of a few short months. Ah, the realities of having to pay one's rent!

[GitaByte]

Hi Kat, Indeed I think every creative person always feels; "what with a little more time...." The thing is that not every creative person manages to actually bring their vision to fruition, and fewer still have the courage and initiative to send it out and let it make its own way in the world.

You have managed to do all these things, and you have devoted so much of yourself to your creative efforts that so many of us feel like we have some idea of who you are because your work speaks to us so honestly.

After I read your response something clicked and I suddenly remembered where I had seen that moving Coleman tribute, its at http://www.wicce.com/memoriam.html
click on the hypertexts for a wonderful picture of "Pixie"

I think its a powerful statement on the fact that no matter what little effect we do feel we have had on the world, honest devoted effort, under whatever circumstances, does in time allow the cream to rise to the surface.

[Emily]

Well I think I've put in a token show of resistance :D - Easter is coming early to my house - I keep checking out the cards on Kat's site and I need to see this deck in real now. The symbolism is so easy to see on the cards, its an amazingly clear deck, like my other baby the Morgan Greer.

I ordered about 10 mins ago lol :D

[Khatruman]

Originally posted by retrokat
I feel I rushed Golden a little, and could do better... Given a few years to work on it, and at least a few months in every European country to do my research ;)

It's comforting to know that Smith also 'rushed' the RWS deck - imagine what it could have been if she'd had a few years to work on it instead of a few short months. Ah, the realities of having to pay one's rent! As a fellow creative being, I can understand feeling you have not finished your work. I agree with Gita in that no creator ever feels completely "finished" with a work. I think it was seeing an interview with George Lucas on the making of Star Wars where he said that a film is never finished, it escapes. There is always more that could be tweaked, changed, developed, etc. etc., but an accomplished artist is one who lets her work escape to the public, lets it go from being hers to being ours, where it takes on new life.

That is what you have done. You have had the courage to release the Golden to us. I, for one, thank you for that gift, for that letting go.

As far as feeling you were rushed and didn't have the time: in a way, deadlines are good. If you were told that you had as much time as you wanted, that there was no line where you had to complete it, you may have found that it wouldn't have turned out so well. I know I work better if the pressure is on. When I feel less time constricted, other things come in and distract me, set me off the course. Deadlines force action, bring out more of your good stuff.

It is hard to tell an artist that something is perfect when the artist knows damn well it isn't, but your gift to us here is pretty damn beautiful!

[Aure]

I received my copy of the Golden Tarot today and I'm simply in love with it!!!! :*

The whole package was much prettier than I had expected and I love the little book! There were a couple of small scratches on the edge of the deck (some of the gilt is faintly worn off from a couple of places but not noticeably) and I had to rub off a bit of dust (?) from some of the corners but in all, it's beautiful!!

I have a feeling this deck will be my favorite, it is everything I've ever wanted from a tarot deck and I'm hoping to pass it on as a family heirloom when I'm old. Ofcourse I'll have to get a couple more later to make sure I'll always have it available...

Thank you, Kat for making this deck!! I've never really felt such connection with a deck before, my Radiant RWS just feels comfy but lacks all the mystic, magic and feeling of an ancient treasure that this deck has! :)

[retrokat]

Quick reminder - a few signed cards finish on eBay in about 11 hrs - http://members.ebay.com.au/aboutme/goldentarot/ - Don't say I didn't remind you ;)

[retrokat]

For those of you who aren't subscribers (naughty, naughty!) - you probably don't know about the Community Deck being made by members. I was a very late entry - just scored the last card in the current deck! You can see my King of Wands card on my own site:

http://www.goldentarot.com/aeclectic.htm

Look Mummy, that man doesn't have any clothes on...

[gregor]

The deck arrived (Melbourne, Australia) from Amazon yesterday.

I keep holding it on edge, admiring the gilt. The whole thing is so beautiful...

[Lee]

My deck arrived yesterday from Amazon. Quite an amazing deck, I'll be writing a full review in several weeks.

I have a question for all of you... is anyone reading this deck with reversals? Lately I've been reading with reversals with the RWS, but with the Golden, the pictures are so rich and complex that I don't think I'd feel comfortable looking at them upside down. I'm curious as to how everyone feels about it.

-- Lee

[Mimers]

Originally posted by Lee
My deck arrived yesterday from Amazon. Quite an amazing deck, I'll be writing a full review in several weeks.

I have a question for all of you... is anyone reading this deck with reversals? Lately I've been reading with reversals with the RWS, but with the Golden, the pictures are so rich and complex that I don't think I'd feel comfortable looking at them upside down. I'm curious as to how everyone feels about it.

-- Lee

I have been using reversals. Did not feel difficult to me. Just the same as any other deck.

Looking forward to your review!

Mimi

[lark]

I'm using reversals too.
Doesn't feel "off' at all.
No problem.

[truthsayer]

this is such a wonderful readable deck. i love my hanson roberts because it's so readable. i need more experimentation with the golden to really decide. a friend happened to pick it up and i watched her face change in admiration as she leafed though. she breathed--it's beautiful! particular the edges.

will the gold edges wear off with time? i'm trying to decide if i need a spare like i do with my neferteri. neferteri has some much gold foil on it that i fear using it too much.

[ScarabFlight]

In regards to the reversals question:
I am not using reversals, there is sooo much information on the cards themselves I feel that I don't need to.

*I should add that I'm also new and don't use any reversals yet, but I don't think that I will with this deck regardless. :D

Maybe we should start a study group? I'm sure it will be mostly ooohhing and aaahhhing for a while. lol

[Windtalker]

I also have been reading with reversals, and Kat's notes on reversals in the book have been spot-on for the few readings I've gotten done so far.

Reversals still make me a little uncomfortable in general, and some of my darker decks I generally don't read reversed, as there are plenty of shadows even in the upright readings.

But I'm certainly not an accomplished reader, still just a neophyte.

Although I've had numerous and varied decks over the last 40+ years, I've only recently gotten serious about reading them for real. :)

I actually did a celtic cross reading the other day that only had 2 upright cards in it... I really wanted to just turn the table around lol.

[starsongs]

I've just recently had the pleasure of discovering this beautiful deck...It's wonderful!!

Starsongs

[retrokat]

Thanks so much for the wonderful reviews on Amazon US, B&N and Amazon Canada, guys!

There are still no reviews on Amazon UK & Germany (and I think there's even the possibility of winning a gift voucher if you write the first review for a new product on either of those sites) - or on Amazon Japan.

Would be ever so grateful if any of you are from those countries and are willing to post your open & honest opinion on your local Amazon :)

(Kat rubs hands, strokes the purring black cat sitting on her lap and cackles... "We'll take over the world, puss, the whole WORLD! MWHAHAHAHA!!!")

[skysilver]

I just received my deck yesterday. I definitely see what everybody has been talking about. I love this deck. I think I am going to get myself another one.

Kat, I just wanted to join everyone here in congratulating you on a lovely deck. Much luck and good wishes to you. :)

[Jewel-ry]

Hi everyone,

Am I the first person in the UK to get this? Its truly beautiful, but I don't need to tell you all that do I? Most of you already have it.

Kat, I havn't had a chance to have a really good look at it yet, but its the first time ever, that receiving a new deck has brought such a sharp intake of breath. I love the whole package. Its spectacular!!! Thank-you

Jewel-ry :)

[jema]

I got it!

Only had the deck for an hour or so and love it.
it is my first new deck since last summer i think.

So far I haven't really looked closly on all the card but what strikes me right away and what i love about the deck is the humour in it.
Lots of fine details that makes me smile.

and as have been said before - the whole set is so beautiful and feels really luxuary.

[Emily]

Hi Jewel-ry,

I'm still waiting for my Golden Tarot to get here, I'm hoping its in the post - after reading all these posts, I can't wait to get it. :)

[Emily]

I come on here this morning very disappointed :( - I've just checked my order for the Golden Tarot on Amazon UK, like I have every morning, to find out that now there is a wait of 4 to 6 weeks and not just 8 to 9 days. :( - It doesn't look like my order has been dispatched seeing as it should have been here by Friday latest.

Shame on Amazon for not anticipating that this would be a popular new deck and for not getting enough copies in.

But on the upside, sales are proving that it is very popular so hopefully they'll get some more in sooner rather than later.

Still doesn't dilute my disappointment though in having to wait before having this deck in my hands.

[Savoyali]

This whole amazon spiel is becoming rather tiring, I must say. So sorry you're having to wait, Emily!

I submitted a review to the German amazon a week ago (hadn't even known it was available from the German one until Kat's post), which still isn't up; I've emailed them about it and they replied they routinely take 14 days to put up reviews...oh well, I guess that's German customer service for you. However, now it's not even available from them at all anymore, only two used copies are there. Very strange.

[retrokat]

If it's any consolation, even the ever-reliable Tarot Garden sold out of copies! They've put in a third order already :)

I asked USGS if the edition had sold out yet and if a second edition was being published yet, and was told that stocks (from the first edition) are still available. I guess with the new release of a first deck it's pretty hard to gauge demand, so maybe the bottleneck is mostly with wholesale distributors?

Also, I don't think such a strong web-based demand was expected by some people. I always thought that a fair percentage of the demand would be online, since it was the support of my website readers that got the deck into print. I'm so far removed from the whole Trade Fair and Retail Stores process that I forget that that's the traditional way a new deck gets out there, and that would mean it takes months to even get a profile - whereas you guys have seen & been waiting for the deck online for so long, and on the web we're so used to getting instant access, being able to "order now". I think this user-driven demand (as opposed to the product slowly appearing and being 'discovered' in local retailers) is something pretty new.

In fact, I haven't yet heard directly from ANY local store-based retailers, I don't think. But I get emails daily from people who have got hold of the deck (mostly through online dealers like Tarot Garden, eBay traders and Amazon).

Speaking of the instant-ness of the web, I so love this online forum stuff. I get to explain cards etc myself (there's a new thread started with a Study Group for the deck). People can ask me directly, tell me what they did/didn't like. It's got to make me a better designer, I figure, having my own personal Consumer Focus Group :P And it's great practice for interviews and all that publicity blah, because I already KNOW what readers are curious about, cos you ask me here.

[Emily]

I've been checking out other sources for most of the morning, I like to stay in Europe when ordering, Alida and Somerville don't have it in yet but according to WHSmith they do - now there is a 2 to 4 weeks wait there - so I may order from them, keep the amazon order going too and see which one comes first. :) - I don't usually have double decks but I wouldn't mind with the Golden.

[contrascarpe]

If anybody has a Borders book store nearby, it may be worth a trip to see if they have a copy in their case. They are selling it for $20 (instead of the suggested retail of $25). I had read this in another thread (perhaps this one, can't remember) so I have been making a point of visiting any Borders I see in my travels as I wanted to get a backup. I finally found one in upstate NY this past week. It was definitely worth the $20 to get a backup - now I won't hesitate to use my main one for readings.

Dan

[retrokat]

The signed 2 of Cups and 8 of Wands finish on eBay tomorrow, are there any requests for what to sign & list next ? (about half the split-up deck's gone now, so there's a 50/50 chance your favourite's still available).

[Jaelle]

Hello! :) I just recently joined this wonderful forum and i thought i'd let Kat know how much i love her deck! I live in Italy and since i couldn't find the deck anywhere here i bought it through Amazon and i received it a few days ago! I was so excited!! The deck is absolutely gorgeous! I just can't put it down! When i had it in my hands for the first time it impressed me so much that when i went to sleep i had dreams about it all night long! I guess that tells how much i adore it! ;)

Congratulations Kat! You did an excellent work! :)

[retrokat]

Hi Jaelle,

Thanks for your kind words about my deck, and welcome to Aeclectic! Always so much to read here, and so many friendly people :D

I'm on the lookout for people who live near Golden Tarot's original sources so they can give some first-hand reports to help myself and others who want to plan (dream) about doing a Grand Golden Tour one day. Anything you can tell us about the sources near you, please do tell!

http://www.goldentarot.com/tour.htm

[Namaste]

I confess that I never really considered getting The Golden Tarot because my artistic tastes lean more towards the Baroque and towards non-traditional/modern/'new twist' decks.

Yet..., when I walked into my metaphysical bookstore, and the section where they keep the slew of decks, the Golden was just sitting there in all of its compact, but majestic beauty.

It called to me and I answered.

You know what? I took out the cards in the evening and used the 'Deck' spread I found here AT (great spread I might add).

The relationship will be marvelous, from what I can gather, further corraborated by the two of cups I drew yesterday afternoon, using my Ancestral Path deck, and then this morning using The Golden Tarot.

That alone clinched it for me. That I should have drawn the same card of harmony from two completely different decks on different days...!

(I don't believe in coincidence :) ).

So now, I'll have to fall in love with the Middle Ages and the Renaissance... when, just the other day, I wrote, here if I'm not mistaken in answer to someone's question, that I didn't really feel too attracted to the Golden.

Just goes to show, doesn't it... The voice within knows best.

Hope you will welcome me into the family... :)

P.S. Lady Kat, would you consider illustrating your next deck with art from the Baroque? :)

[retrokat]

*grin* Not terribly likely to do a Baroque tarot, I'm afraid. "It's all so Chocolate Box" as my art-teacher Grandmother used to say about French art of that era.

Actually some of the Renaissance stuff can be pretty sappy too, so that's probably unfair. Some of those putti (fat flying babies) are positively gagworthy. Like the ones in Raphael's Sistine Madonna:

http://gallery.euroweb.hu/html/r/raphael/5roma/2/03sisti.html

The other figures are gorgeous, but those little putti down the bottom are just bleargh. How many tacky gift sets, greeting cards etc have you seen their cute little faces on?

I could always avoid the sickly sweet stuff and just use the darker Baroque works. I'll check out the amount of potential content. I need several thousand images at least to get the diversity of content. Hence my next deck being High Renaissance - LOTS of pictures to use, such a prolific period.

BTW, I've just listed a couple more cards on eBay if anyone's interested. The Magician and the 5 of Coins (as it was recently covered in the Study Group thread).

[Namaste]

Originally posted by retrokat
*grin* Not terribly likely to do a Baroque tarot, I'm afraid. "It's all so Chocolate Box" as my art-teacher Grandmother used to say about French art of that era.



I agree with you, Kat, but I was thinking more along the lines of Caravaggio, the Utrecht Caravaggisti like Gerrit van Honthorst, and the Dutch Italianates like Jan Asselijn. :)

If you need thousands of images, then that would pose a problem.

How about some of the Romantics like Winterhalter, with some of Thomas Cole's beautiful landscapes? (This is one of my favourites www.abcgallery.com/C/cole/cole16.html. Or even some of the Orientalists' work?

I'm sorry. Here I go running my mouth off, when it's your work and your deck. Excuse a little wishful thinking on my part. :P

Your Golden tarot is creeping into my heart. There really is a very magical quality to these cards; one that has been revealing itself in beautifully subtle ways..., and..., what is more, it speaks the truth. Now that I have had more time to peruse the accompanying book, I find your insights wonderful. I love the way you have written about each card, and that you also add a little about card combinations. A perfect touch! :)

Bottom line... Whatever deck(s) you create, will be at the top of my wishlist from now on.

[retrokat]

LOL - I'm always happy to listen to suggestions. That's why I hang out here!

Ah yes, I definitely will be using those artists... My cut-off date at the moment for the next deck is probably about 1650, and as that includes much of the Northern Renaissance (Dutch, Flemish, German) as well as early Baroque, there will be a huge variety of material, including a LOT of non-religious works. I'm not a purist about Art periods - Golden straddles both International Gothic (Late Medieval) and Early Renaissance, but hopefully intergrated adequately into a reasonably consistent look.

I have to say though that much of Caravaggio's work, although amazing, kind of gives me the creeps. Some of it seems almost paedophilic. But he was an incredible technician. Hopefully I'll find some elements among his work that don't look too "come here, little boy..."

http://www.artcyclopedia.com/history/baroque.html
http://gallery.euroweb.hu/html/c/caravagg/index.html

[SongDeva]

Jeeee-sus GOD!

It is finally here!

It took so long, I swear I thought retrokat got my order, wrapped it in eucalyptus leaves, and hopped into a little canoe in a tiny river, nay, a stream, smack in the middle of the outback during the dry season, so that she had to wait for the rains for the stream to be wet enough to carry her canoe to a big river, and then to the sea, where she met rough weather as she paddled, paddled, paddled into Boston harbor, at which point she caught a commuter ferry, which capsized, forcing her to swim to shore with her precious package, which at least wasn't soaked due to the water-proof leaves, though they were a bit tattered after she fought off a few ravenous koalas while waiting for the rains, swam into shore, hitched a ride with a hot guy in a 63 Chevy convertible, ice blue, on hydraulics so it couldn't go any more than 35 miles an hour, even on the newly extended Mass Pike, drove all the way to Route 495, where he took exit 26 and (need I say) slowly cruised up to my house, which she then spent a few hours wondering about cause when she'd left home it was purple, but in the intervening years had been re-sided a sort of beige, knocked on the blessed door, and finally, Dear God, FINALLY delivered my Golden Tarot.

I didn't invite her in, though I promised to think about it after she promised to sign a strength card for me, took the deck straightaway out to the deck, heated up some water, filled a mug with mint green tea with ginseng, threw a burgundy towel down for contrast, unwrapped the deck, and perused it wondrously, whilst breaking out in hives from a hitherto unknown allergy to koala saliva.

I am far too tired to comment (benadryl makes me sleepy) but I'm *so* glad it's here!

*tucking the box under my chin with a sigh*zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[contrascarpe]

Wow, SongDeva - maybe you should take a valium with your tea, hehe.

Some of us waited a loooooong time for this beauty ..... in fact, I am still waiting for my signed copy of the Three of Wands .....

[SongDeva]

How rude! I will slap you with *my* three of wands on Saturday!

[contrascarpe]

Originally posted by SongDeva
How rude! I will slap you with *my* three of wands on Saturday!

Promises, promises .......

Hey, enjoy the Golden - it IS a beauty. And it reads well, too.

[retrokat]

SongDeva - ROFL! Don't tell people about the vicious Drop Bears (koalas) - you'll scare off the tourists and we'll have to go back to eating red dirt without those tourist $'s.

Contra - Eep.. sorry! Sent it airmail, and all others were received so perhaps it's gone astray in the post. Will PM you with a list of other cards to choose from :)

[OakDragon]

:laugh:

Sounds like SongDeva's been channelling firemaiden!

[retrokat]

http://dropbears.com/dbinfo.htm

Heheheheheh. Should start my own page on the critters, will see if I can get some actual photos....

Well, hey, some people believed me about the black swans in my Chariot (that also appear in our state coat-of-arms and flag) being real.

Oops am I getting a bit off-topic? Naughty Kat!

[Jaelle]

hehe i love it here! I'm glad i found this forum! You guys are all so witty! :laugh:

Kat, i'm already so excited about your new deck! I love Italian painters but i have a special love for Flemish art! I didn't know much about it until i had the luck to see some of it at the Louvre Museum in Paris a few years ago and it blew me away! The colors are so warm and full of life!

Golden Tarot is really growing on me Kat! I've just started studying the minor arcana and your deck is incredible! Your cards truly speak to my soul and make the reading so much easier than i expected! I was so worried about interpreting minor arcana (i'm sort of a newbie and so far i've concentrated my studies on major arcana) but your deck is so evocative and makes the interpretation very intuitive! wow! I love it! :)

[Emily]

This is me, still sitting here patiently awaiting my Golden - I now have my resolve face on - resolved to the fact that no amazon didn't get my order out before they sold out and yes I have to wait at least another 6 no wait 5 weeks to get my deck. And none of my other sources panned out.

I know there is a proverb about having to wait for something and when you actually get that something, its well worth the wait. i can't remember the actual wording.

I have many beautiful decks in my collection but I'm aching to get this deck. I'm just glad Kat has a website where the cards are on display.

In the mean time I'm enjoying reading all the postings on this deck and its artwork. :D

Now I'm off for a well earned Easter Break, should have been joined by my new Golden, but oh well lol
____________________________________________

EDIT
just checked Amazon have it BACK in -- 1 to 2 WEEKS

Somebody up there must have been listening. :) :) :)

[Namaste]

Originally posted by retrokat
LOL - I'm always happy to listen to suggestions. That's why I hang out here!

I have to say though that much of Caravaggio's work, although amazing, kind of gives me the creeps. Some of it seems almost paedophilic. But he was an incredible technician. Hopefully I'll find some elements among his work that don't look too "come here, little boy..."

http://www.artcyclopedia.com/history/baroque.html
http://gallery.euroweb.hu/html/c/caravagg/index.html

I would agree with what you say re. his works before 1596, but isn't his Magdalene http://gallery.euroweb.hu/support/viewer/z.html
the very picture of despondency?

Thank you for the lovely links. :)

I'm glad you incorporate images from different artistic eras. As I said, whatever deck(s) you create will definitely be at the top of my wishlist.

[SongDeva]

Originally posted by OakDragon
:laugh:

Sounds like SongDeva's been channelling firemaiden!

You quiet down! You think I want her to *know*??

[Cocobird55]

I had a 20% off coupon for Borders, so I just bought my second copy. This one is for a friend of mine who isn't into tarot, but who loved the deck because of the art work.

Sue

[firemaiden]

Song Deva, you are too funny :)

I just got my copy too, and am thrilled.

I did a reading with it and found it really wonderful to work with. I loved the little demons on the Justice Card.

I wonder why Kat felt the need to make it conform so much to the RWS? or was that the publisher? surprised me, because I have another universal games deck - the New Century, which is not tied by the same constraints.

[retrokat]

Hi Firemaiden,

Glad you like the deck :)

In answer to your question, USGS didn't pressure me at all. They basically let me do whatever I wanted, and only changed about 3 cards in the whole deck. If I'd had the time & better facilities with the first version, I would have made that more RWS too.

I've always used a RWS deck. I struggled with a Visconti Sforza for awhile, but having to remember or look up meanings always made me feel a bit detatched from the reading. Maybe RWS is like an old pair of slippers, easy and comfortable. And I like that.

So why did I bother making Golden, you may ask?

I guess I wanted to make a pair of comfy old slippers that you could wear to the Ball. :D

So many people are commenting on the RWS thing, I started a page for it over at my site:

http://www.goldentarot.com/rwsclone.htm

[retrokat]

(Excuse the bad pun.....)

I've just become host for the Vegetarian channel at Bella Online:

http://www.bellaonline.com/site/vegetarian

Any of you who are vegetarians are most welcome to call by - let me know what you think. So far, I've just uploaded a few articles.

So.. do you reckon cookbooks sell better than tarot decks? Hmmm.. perhaps a better idea for my next project... *grin* "Kat Black's Vegetarian Diet - Compassion without the Carbs"

[retrokat]

Have just listed two of my favourite cards on eBay, the Star and Seven of Cups:

http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/goldentarot/

Also, do you all know about the Study Group thread?

http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24214

[retrokat]

Does anyone here live in Madrid? Or know anybody who does?

I desperately need a picture - well, a close-up of a small element of a picture - that's in the Museo del Prado, Madrid.

Because it's such a tiny thing in the picture, I can't find any source where I can get a close-up of it - and I'm too far from Spain to go there myself and photograph it, or try to buy a print of the painting in the shop (if they even sell it).

Help?!

[Emily]

Well the Golden is sold out again on Amazon UK, I didn't get my copy (yet) - but I'm still waiting, eventually I'll get it. :)

Kat - I bet you never realised just how popular your deck was going to be. :D

[dyfed]

Kat... I was introduced to your website a year ago, and pre-ordered the Golden Tarot from Amazon.com. I was hoping to have it by last Halloween, but as everyone here knows, that was not to be. I was one of the people that had my order cancelled by Amazon at the lower price, but I was able to immediately re-order at the $25 price. (However, this time I did it through the link on your site so that you would get commission!) I didn't have a problem paying the price, because the deck is SO WORTH IT!

In the meantime, I ordered 2 tarot bags from you through eBay... the bags are the best I've had... you may remember that I was the one who paid you more than I won the bags for. I love them.

Anyway... my seemingly endless waiting is over... and I have been using your deck for about a month now. I am a professional reader, and I have been using your deck daily for my personal readings, and for client readings. I am thrilled at the accuracy of the readings! The images you have chosed are wonderful! The cards are the most beautiful I have seen. I originally learned to read the cards with the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, but before I bought your deck, I had been working almost exclusively with the Crowley Thoth deck. But since the Golden Tarot came in it's Amazon box, I haven't used anything else. I love it!!!

[Emily]

Well I eventually got my Golden :D - It came in the post this morning - I was supposed to be going out but changed my plans so I could be here to accept it.

It was well worth the wait. Each card is a little work of art, it feels like a deck thats been around for a very long time, which I suppose in a way it has. The gilt edges are lovely and it shuffles like a dream. Its also a nice size, I have smallish hands but this deck is ideal. I've been doing readings with this deck for most of the day now, its really easy to read with and the extra animals and symbolism has had me reaching for a symbol dictionary. lol

I really didn't think that I would find a deck to rival my love for the Morgan Greer but in the Golden I have. I can't stop taking it out of the box just to look at it. :)

[Aure]

I have a problem... My Golden is aging fast... I noticed today that the gilding is wearing off turning the edges whitish.

I know that will happen eventually anyway but do your decks look used already?

[dyfed]

I've been using my deck daily for well over a month, and my deck is showing no signs of wear at all... the gilt edges are like new!

[Emily]

I was wondering too how the gilt edging will hold up - But I want this deck to age, it looks pristine and new now with the gilt still slightly sticky but hopefully after using it for a few weeks it'll start to look broken in.

I'm thinking of getting a second just to keep for my collection. I think the artwork is amazingly beautiful, never realised that I had a thing for Renaissance art, and I know these are collaged from paintings but the essence of the source paintings are still there. The facial features are something that has helped make this such an attractive deck too. I still can't stop taking it out of the box just to look at. I think Kat has made a truly amazing deck.

[Frank Hall]

I am new to this excellent tarot forum. Let me say for now that I have collected too many decks but each is a universe worthwhile to journey through.Tarot is dynamic synergy--- it uniquely unifies art and esoteric symbol-systems,meditation and divination,person and planet.It freely exercises the spiritual mind and imagination.The Golden Tarot is a masterpiece that does all that.What amazes me about it is the Ryder-Waite symbolic foundation with the seamless artistic collage.Three of cups--sublime!Also, the backgrounds always support the main images,so that the mood is beautifully unified.Bravo to the creator.Closing question:what is the wording over the World figure?

[Imagemaker]

Welcome to AT, Frank! I like your signature line. Plotinus should have had tarot to work with :)

[retrokat]

Hi Frank,

I believe the words on the scroll with music above the world are "Gloria inexclesius de o". I've attached a closeup of the appropriate bit. Curses! I tried attaching it but it kept saying 'too big' despite in being only 300x150 pixels. Ah well, you'll just have to look on your card with a magnifying glass to believe me :)

For anyone who's still looking for a signed card, I've just listed the remaining 3 of my primary female figures in the deck: High Priestess, Queen of Wands (my own Significator) and the Queen of Coins. I thought she looked pretty and sweet, but someone said she looks like she's just smelled something bad! *grin*

http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/goldentarot/

[retrokat]

Ah! Now I realise what my main point in creating Golden Tarot was - apparently it's all been to make money, including by taking advantage of "tiny Chinese fingers" to make the box in which Golden Tarot is sold.

The much-esteemed K Frank Jensen's review:

http://www.tarotpassages.com/golden-kfj.htm

Clearly my selling single signed cards (at cost) on eBay strikes him as a good way to make a living. Ha ha!

[Mimers]

Kat, I read that review this morning myself, and actually it made me chuckle. It is so obviously full of animosity, I don't think anyone could miss it.

There are tons of RWS decks out there. Most of them are made outside of the US. The fact that he singled you out made it more of a personal vendetta rather than a review. I don't think I have seen him review any other decks either.

Don't fret it Kat. We all love you deck and are ever grateful to US Games for making it available to all of us.

Blessings,
Mimi

PS - How do you plan on spending those millions? ;)

[darwinia]

1n

[Jeannette]

As someone who has had the good fortune to have access to a larger body of Mr. Jensen's work (through his well-regarded former publication, Manteia, as well as some of his other works such as The Prophetic Cards, etc.), I'd like to offer a different perspective of his Tarot Passages review. I cannot speak on Mr. Jensen's behalf, of course, so the observations made herein should be clearly understood to be my personal interpretation of his comments.

While the review is clearly critical of some aspects of Kat's deck, I don't think it is necessarily fair to characterize his intent as motivated by "animosity" or any sort of "vendetta." Without a statement from either Kat or Mr. Jensen to the contrary, I would find it difficult to believe in any pre-existing "conflicts" between the two of them that would provide Mr. Jensen with any incentive to turn a review into an intentional personal attack. In reading many of his other reviews, it is clear that Mr. Jensen is nothing if not forthright. He studies, he ponders -- and he makes his assessment. If he finds a tarot to be "wanting" in some fashion, he says so, and does not mince words. There are many decks which have fared far worse, and drawn much harsher criticism in his reviews, than the "shortcomings" he has seen fit to point out in his assessment of The Golden Tarot.

Therefore, I would suggest that there is simply a fundamental point of disagreement between those who may ascribe to Mr. Jensen's view, and those here on Aeclectic who appreciate the merits of Kat's work. That point lies in how one would answer the question "what can -- and should -- tarot be?" Although it is admittedly a bit of an oversimplification, for purposes of the present discussion, I think the manner in which students of tarot might answer that question can be divided into two (very) broad categories:

- View #1: Tarot is a valid body of tradition, and its usefulness is easily compromised or devalued through reworkings/reinterpretations that add nothing of real substance to the discipline.

- View #2: Tarot is reflection of the human psyche, and can and should naturally evolve in order to capture a broadening world view as well as changing approaches to understanding universal truths.

In fact, many of us might probably fall on a spectrum somewhere between these two viewpoints. But the argument I am trying to make is this: the closer one is on the spectrum to view #1, the more likely one is to agree with Mr. Jensen. The more one ascribes to view #2, the more likely one is to disagree with him.

It should be reiterated here that Mr. Jensen clearly agrees with those of us here who find the deck attractive. And he obviously finds value in it at some level, as he makes the following statement regarding the Golden Tarot's selling price: "Twice as much would still be reasonable." The primary thrust of his critique really seems to lie in one brief sentence: "It is not useful."

Many, of course, would strongly disagree with this statement, and for good reason. Speaking from the perspective as someone whose job gives me the occasional opportunity to address the problem of finding the right deck "match" for a given reader or student, it is clear that the RWS deck -- no matter how laudably venerable it is -- is not for everyone. There are those who find the early 20th century illustration style (and period limitations of the printing process that constrained it) to be too "quaint" to connect with. Some customers have even told me flat-out that they find the RWS to be "ugly." Can we say, then, that the RWS deck is useful to these people? Is it wrong to "redress" these images, so long as the tradition and substance of the original symbolism remains? Or does an emphasis on "beauty" too often overshadow substance and meaningful tradition?

I pose the above questions rhetorically; I do not propose to make a judgement one way or the other. But I must admit that I can see some level of merit in both views. Tradition for tradition's sake alone serves no good purpose. But capricious tinkering, or "redressing," of a valid tradition introduces the risk of injecting invalid elements into a solid, time-tested system. As always, the key to assessing whether a work such as Kat's is successful probably lies in whether a proper balance can be struck between the traditional and contemporary elements.

As for the deck's artistic merits: once again, I don't actually think Mr. Jensen has made any strong criticisms of The Golden Tarot in this regard. His statement in regards to "...tarot deck creators or illustrators (I won’t call them "artists")..." is made a sweeping generalization, and not necessarily leveled against Kat's deck in particular. In this regard, I have to concede that Mr. Jensen may have a point: Sturgeon's Law pretty much applies to tarot decks as much as anything else. One can certainly posit that an artistic critique of The Golden Tarot was implied in this general statement. And yet in the same paragraph, Mr. Jensen continues to on specifically state that "The Golden Tarot is very well done, it takes a great deal of computer experience and training to manipulate with as many as 20 layers in an image, which Ms. Black states there are in the cards." So I do not think it is necessarily fair to conclude with certainty that Mr. Jensen has no appreciation for the training, effort, skill, and ability required to produce a deck such as The Golden Tarot.

As for judging Mr. Jensen's comments to be hypocritical, with the further assertion that he lacks knowledge of the creative processes: I would have to disagree with such statements. The review is -- as most reviews naturally are -- subjective, to be sure. And the conclusions drawn are at odds with the subjective conclusions of many here on Aeclectic. But that does not make them hypocritical. And my own personal correspondences with Mr. Jensen strongly indicate that he is quite well-informed and knowledgable in the area of the artistic process. To suggest otherwise, I think, misses the real point of his comments, and draws attention away from more valid areas of debate regarding his review. I think it is fair to characterize Mr. Jensen as somewhat of a "purist," and therein lies the valid crux of the discussion: is creativity for creativity's sake any more or less worthy of a goal than tradition for tradition's sake? The more interesting questions which arise from his article, in my opinion, are those which explore the nature of the elements which allow a "new" approach to tarot imagery to be "useful" approach as well.

-- Jeannette
The Tarot Garden (http://www.tarotgarden.com?rs=3378)

[Cerulean]

Frank Jensen did digital blow-ups of the Rider Waite details as a novelty handout at one of the grand conferences of tarotists...and it was a clever, interesting idea. I also have read bits of the M. Courier and agree that he's been a long-time collector and he probably is looking for something completely different when he shops for his tarot. His estimation of the material value for Golden Tarot--reasonable at twice the price--I agree, completely.

That he should compliment her presence on the web and technical skill is agreeable to me. But I do differ on the slant of seeing it as a 'marketing' -- I actually appreciated her thoughtful, responsive and warm presence to queries and updates.

Her time over the past three to five years in developing all this and keeping people informed felt always to me to be a gift to people. I never saw it as promotion--and the limited edition bits and pieces that I see on ebay is just an effort of adding value.

And unfortunately Mr. Jensen might not have seen the backstory--it was mostly people who loved the digital gifts and scans, fans of this forthcoming deck, who really kept up the momentum...even saw when Kat Black's work was being stolen...a true homegrown appreciation for beauty, I think.

And excellent, kind and responsive collector-distributer sites such as Tarotgarden.com and Alidastore.com--well, they as responsive to buyers as well and who can blame them for helping promote a good thing? I really appreciated the news as we all waited for what seemed like years!

I also like JMD's review on Aeclectic.net of the Golden...if it adds any value, I'll try to find a place the Golden isn't reviewed and post there! But in many cases, and rightly so, there's multiple reviews on it's quality and beauty...really, U.S. Games did spend a bit to make a fitting and lovely package for this deck.

I hope this helps assuage a little, the stings...

Regards,

Cerulean Mari

[HudsonGray]

As someone not familiar with the reviewers work (as most people who read it probably aren't) I found it dripping in sarcasm but grudgingly giving the deck it's due. Guess he's no fence sitter. I disagree that digital art requires no 'artist' to be made, though.

If he wants reproductions done, he should be talking to the publishers, not put 2 paragraphs into a review where it doesn't apply to the deck. This isn't a Pamela Coleman Smith reworking of art, it's a historical take on it. I did find that distracting & wondered why he'd continued on so heavily with his preference when, as he even said, he should have been talking about Kat's deck.

Kat, don't stress it. He DID say good things buried in there with the rest. So it wasn't his cuppa tea, he did say you worked hard, it'd do well, you'll make money.

So when's your next deck coming out?

[Lee]

I agree with Jeannette's comments. However, I must say that I found Jensen's implied accusation about child or slave labor ("Sorry, but I can not help thinking of all the tiny Chinese fingers gluing all those lovely boxes as "...a big job for a very low payment......") to be in extremely poor taste. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think Jensen would not have made this comment about a deck he liked, even if it were printed in China. In that sense, I think at least this comment of his could be reasonably called hypocritical.

-- Lee

[Mimers]

I found the comment about little Chinese fingers rude and unprofessional. I also felt he assumed a lot when deciding Kat Black's reasons for creating the deck and for posting here.

Also the fact that I have never heard of him and never seen a review done by him, yet the only one I do see is downing the Golden Tarot for being just another RWS clone is quite obvious. There have been many other clone decks he could have reviewed. Why the Golden Tarot?

The last thing that that ruined my opinion of credibility of this man as a reviewer is the fact that he made it seem that making money is a bad thing. We all make money some way or another, including him. Why is this bad. No he does not outright say it is, but it is the very strong impression I got. I think that is called hypocracy.

These are my opinions.

Mimi

[dolphingirl]

The Golden tarot is a lovely tarot deck in both the way the art comes together and the packaging. I can see where people could say that it is just another reworked Rider Waite deck but to tell the truth I just don't see anything wrong with that!

Sometimes looking at a regular Rider waite and then looking at a Universal RW I find things that I didn't see before that add to the meanings for me. Sometimes it is the smallest changes that can mean so much. I also don't think Kat Blacks artwork can be called a small variation in any way.

While it is nice to see decks that change cards from the Rider Waite imagery that we know and love. It can also lead to alot of frustration when one buys a new deck and has to lean a whole new system.

I personally think that there is a reason why the Rider Waite imagery has lasted this long and become such a staple in the tarot community. It has become a classic. Like a good book it just never goes out of style.

If I was looking for a deck to take me in a new direction from Rider Waite imagery I probably would not pick the Golden Tarot but judging it on it's own merits I think it derserves alot of cudo's.

On a personal note when my deck war reviewed online I had to have friends read the review and warn me of how positive or negative it was. And even after that it took me like two days to finish reading the review cause I would read a sentence or two then get to nervous lol.

I hope I was able to make the points I wanted to clearly and I do think some of the comments especially about the slave labor were way over the top. The Golden tarot is a lovely deck and deserves alot of respect ! :)

Samantha

[Cerulean]

Unfortunately, it seems on this reading, to me, Jensen had wanted to make a point that U.S. Games could spend good money upgrading it's RWS line. While I might agree with this sentiment, that it comes across in the Golden review actually did leave a sad taste:

Jensen states:
It shall be no secret that I would have preferred that all the work, effort, and cost put into this production instead had been used to produce the true facsimile of the very first Waite-Smith Tarot deck, which US Games Systems owes us as a proper recognition of the original creators of the Waite-Smith Tarot. A facsimile in the true sense of the word, "an exact copy" of the first Waite-Smith deck, with the original print screen preserved and, of course, including an exact copy of the box and of Waite’s "Key". We have recently seen an example that exact copies can be made in the reprint of Dondorf’s Java pack, where there is no discernible difference of original and facsimile.

(And then the last three lines that people here are reacting to now:


Back to the Golden Tarot, which this should be all about. What’s the reason for its very reasonable price? Twice as much would still be reasonable. Can we expect future products from US Games Systems, Inc. to be cheaper? Have the artist and publisher voluntarily minimize their profit for a good course? Sorry, but I can not help thinking of all the tiny Chinese fingers gluing all those lovely boxes as "...a big job for a very low payment......"

The last three lines are written with a clever end in mind, leading up to a reference of Pamela Colman Smith's reference to doing the RWS deck. It doesn't feel good to me and I'm sorry to have read this.

My sorry would be lumping together a reviewer's criticism on the publisher with wrong opinion of the artist. I don't think Jensen was aware of the terrific artistic effort and two versions that took years to do this on this deck. Kat Black is an excellent artist in my opinion, in her tastes and execution of the deck.

My best regards,

Cerulean Mari

[Frank Hall]

I find it curious that the artistic collage could not be reviewed as an act of original synthesis by one reviewer. Its beauty is useful to perceptive and receptive sight. It joins later esoteric system to earlier artistic magnificence.Depth? In the synythesis,in the meticulous mix of images per card,in the archetypes within and under the art.Why do we need this contribution?Beauty is truth, that is all you need to know. The price is right ,too.

[retrokat]

One aspect of the review that struck me as particularly telling was the anti-digital bigotry shown by saying that my work on Golden showed "experience and training" as though digital art does not require all the other aspects of being an artist.

To me, a computer is a tool in the same way that a paintbrush or a camera is a tool. I don't see that my paintings (or photographs) are any more 'art' than my digital work - and it amazes me in this day & age that such a bias still exists in some people.

The question of what is art, and what makes someone an artist, is a fascinating and complex subject - and not something that can be dismissed in sweeping generalisations, based on the media or format in which one works.

It is ironic that the reviewer's own version of a tarot deck consists of digital crops of RWS's Majors. They're handcoloured though, so they must be 'worthwhile' and he must be a real 'artist' ;)

http://www.themysticeye.com/pics/pixies.htm

[Alrisha]

i bought the golden tarot about 2 months ago but hasn't used it once. initially i was quite attracted to the artwork when i saw the deck in the official site. sometimes a deck amazes me more the more i look at it, but that is not the case w/ the golden tarot. i found the graphics a bit static, and not lively. the feel of the deck doesn't appeal to me as well. i guess i'll keep this deck around and see if i'd have the interest to pick it up again later.

i still like my world spirit and nigel jackson the best. guess i'll order a deck du chat later hope it won't disappoint me.

alrisha

[Emily]

I too read the review and didn't like the tone of it. I thought he was very biased, perhaps he doesn't like digitally produced decks, in which case he probably shouldn't have reviewed the Golden.

The deck is nicely priced for the quality of the cards, gold edging and box - and it was nice being able to see Kat's comments on individual cards and to know when it was being released.

Jensen doesn't seem to think there is any skill in being able to produce a deck from collage but the real skill comes in when you can't tell the deck is collage - and with the Golden you can't tell. There is a depth to the artwork, and ok its a Rider Waite clone but its a clone with a difference. There are very bad clone decks out there - Maybe Jensen could review those instead.

[tao51]

This is a truly exquisite deck. I am truly amazed that the gilt edging hasn't rubbed off. I was concerned that it would become ruined through my heavy usage. Yet, it has remained beautiful. I find it to be charming and enchanting. Kat, you are a true artist. I feel these cards-- they touch the inner springs!--Tao

[lark]

I just don't know what to say...
I love your deck so much...
I've taken it to the fair and read for others with it and they ohhh and ahhh over it.
And my repeat clients have asked for "that pretty gold deck again."
To me that is the test of success~ is it loved by tarot enthusiasts and the people they read for?
And The Golden sure is!

As for it being a RWS clone.......
Well guess what, some of us ONLY read with RWS clones.
I'm at the point where I neither have the time nor the inclination to learn someone elses system of tarot.....
And when I buy those sets and read the books I sometimes think "Now is this really tarot?"
And they sit on the shelf~ no connection.
I keep them for there pretty art or a few interesting insights.

But the Golden is a beautiful WORKING deck...
And one I will treasure forever.
I think each card looks like an original painting.
And I could never tell it was bits and pieces of different works of art.
So all this rambling is just to say THANK YOU for the beautiful deck Kat.
And please don't de discouraged, you are a true artist in every sense of the word and I look forward to your future creations. :)

[Alta]

I could not agree more with lark, as she wrote above.
I too only work on with RWS tradition decks. They satisfy me and, like lark, there are no longer enough hours of my time left to delve into other systems.
The deck is lovely, it is warm and welcoming and to me, very insightful.

I also comment that I welcomed and enjoyed reading Jeanette's balanced view of Mr Jensen's review, and the others which followed.

[baba-prague]

I think a lot has already been said, but just to throw in my bit, as I read this review last night. The impression I got was that the "barbs" were really aimed at US Games more than at Kat. However, one was in a sense used to criticise the other. Of course I understand the point that was being made about RWS reproductions, but is it really "either or" that spending goes on those or new decks? I don't think things are that simple.

The piece about the use of implied child labour was disturbing as I think a remark like this really needs to be backed up with some research. It may be true, but then again, it may not. I wonder if Mr Jensen really knows? Certainly most of the large publishers (the vast majority) now print in China so it is by no means something that only US Games chooses to do. I also assume that Kat would have had no say either way - so to imply that she is somehow exploiting anyone just doesn't make sense to me.

Of course, it's good in theory to see an opinionated review from someone with so much experience - that in itself is welcome. But perhaps this makes the rather catty parts of it even more questionable. Surely there would have been some way in which he could have made his points without being quite so ***** rude? If he is experienced he must know that it's one thing to be critical, it's another to try to be hurtful.

edited to add - I entirely understand the fact that many people feel that all tarot has to be of a certain type, and serious in terms of esotericism. I respect that, but I actually don't agree with it. I think tarot works in many ways for different people. There is no one "true tarot" and work that seems decorative and in some way frivolous to some may in fact work beautifully for others. There is room for aesthetics, and fun and fantasy and imagination in tarot, as well as seriousness and history and estoericism surely? I honestly don't think we need to choose one or the other.

I wonder if reviewers like this may forget (or not care) that they are not talking about the work of some rich and renowned artist with PR people to protect him/her. To successfully produce a deck is often an intensely demanding and rather isolated experience - it takes some individual determination and commitment to get to the end (and NO, using a computer - if you do the work properly - does not make it simple. It's the same as any other tool, using it well is demanding and time-consuming). If deck designers were simply out to make as much money as possible, I think there might be easier methods!

We have found, once again, that we personally cannot do a good deck - collage, computer or otherwise, in under around 4000 hours of work - I think other good decks are probably in that same range in terms of effort. That's no way to riches, but maybe it has a value that is equal but different to RWS reproductions. Give us a bit of a break Mr Jensen!

edited to say - okay, perhaps I am being catty here, but I say it with good humour. I was just going to gently suggest that Kat might like to write a review of Mr Jensen's "Tarot of the Ayrshire Witches"? BIG GRIN. (you can find it via tarotgarden of course).

[retrokat]

You guys are so nice to me (and funny as well!).

I won't let it get to me. I've had great support from so many people I DO respect that such bitchiness from someone who's a legend-in-his-own-lunchhbox isn't going to get me too down.

On a cheerier note, I'm getting ready for the Faire. I don't think ANY of you live in my home state (or even country, mostly) but if you know anyone who does, this event might be of interest. Balingup's such a beautiful little town, and their annual Medieval Canivale is always great fun:

http://goldentarot.com/balingup.htm

[Kath]

The majority of decks these days are RWS clones. Why? Who knows. But, speaking for myself, I prefer RWS clone decks, because they are familiar to me. I can pick up a RWS clone deck and read with it straight away. I don’t feel that I need in-depth study before I even contemplate shuffling. I don’t need to learn a new system. I like the familiarity within the new (if that makes sense).

I think the Golden Tarot is exquisite, and it’s on my wish list. If Kat had published her original version, would I be as keen to own it? I don’t know. Probably not (although I think that version is lovely too). I would feel that I couldn’t really read with it, that it didn’t ‘fit’. I know I’d have to spend many hours studying it, and run the risk of not understanding.

I know that makes me sound like a stick-in-the-mud. I’m not really :) And I’m not disparaging non RWS clones. But for me, I prefer the clones. I may find myself admiring the artwork of non RWS clones, but I know that I would have trouble reading with them.

As for Mr Jensen’s review; each to his own I guess. But snide comments about what US Games should be doing were quite unnecessary.

But I’d like to ask Kat, would you consider publishing your original version of the Golden Tarot? Some of the cards are so different to the new version, I think it would make a very interesting comparative study.

[retrokat]

Thanks for your kind words, Kath. The old version was pretty bodgy, and only done at screen res. It looks OK printed out, but not anywhere near commercial quality (anyone who has the crappy German pirate version will attest to that).

I've left the old version on my site for just that reason - for comparative study.

To remake it at a printable resolution would take a great deal of work, and wouldn be very unlikely to be commercially viable. If I had the time, I'd rather put it to working on my next deck, which I'm very keen to do. I was hoping to get started on that over this 2 week vacation, but have been spending all my time with private web students and clients. Despite what some people think, authoring tarot decks is NOT a very profitable way to spend one's time ;)

[tao51]

Then I am glad that I have a beautiful version. The deck is both beautiful and intuitive. The book has insight that is not present in other books. When I do a live reading the querent tends to oooh and ahhhh. Your next deck will have alot to compete. This is one of my regulars.--Tao

[augursWell]

Greetings Kat,

I just purchased this deck last night, went to the bookstore specifically to buy it since I had seen it there some weeks before. I tend to research my tarot purchases nowadays due to some disappointing purchases in the past. Luckily they still had it.

Anyway, I found this thread here and was surprised to find all of this controversy about precisely those reasons why I *DID* buy the deck: the beautifully done and manufactured box (China is doing quite well lately, still a ways to go, and frankly if the manufacturing was done there I doubt anyone else could have done it as well), the gilt edged cards, the expansive trip through Medieval and Rennassiance art, the familiar symbolism of the cards, and the very reasonable price as well as a book in the box. It never occurred to me that it was a RWS clone, and was somehow less because of that, as so many decks borrow from that tradition anyhow.

I find this quote from K. Frank Jensen the most telling about the difference of opinion here:

There is nothing added to the concept of tarot. It is not an improvement of the genuine Waite-Smith Tarot which it takes its basis from. It is not a new and original artistic interpretation; it is just an exercise in computer artistry. It doesn’t make sense. It is not "useful." The thing is, finding hundreds of images from Medieval and Rennassiance art that communicate the concepts of Tarot, albeit one tradition(RWS), is somehow not useful? Being able t work with gilt-edged cards, a beautiful gold backing, and artwork from Masters of Medieval art is somehow not useful? Having symbols on the cards which are in some cases not even on the original RWS deck is somehow not useful?

Mr. Jensen's problem is with USGames and it seems to me that he found the perfect example, in his view, of those problems in the Golden Tarot. His references to your book are ridiculous since most companion books to decks are like yours. ditto on internet promotion, most decks are promoted this way if they want any sort of success.

For my point of view on this, Thanks for a great deck.
A.

[retrokat]

Sorry to those of you who have been trying to visit my site for the past 2 weeks and not been able to.

The problem with my host has been sorted out - they weren't billing me, and FOUR of my domains expired before I could get them to sort out the problem :(

Anyways, it's fixed now and the site's back online:

http://goldentarot.com

[RedMaple]

Thank you, Kat, for this beautiful deck. I just bought it today -- had no intention of doing so, but there it was on the shelf and all my resolve disappeared. There were several women in the shop who asked me to open it so they could see it also, and we all spent time handling the cards and oohing and aahing over them. Everyone seemed able to "read" them right away, and as always, everyone had favorites.

It seems to me that if someone has a grudge against RWS clones, then they should just write an article stating that, and refrain from reviewing decks that they cannot possible see outside their prejudice.

Kat, ignore the ugly review. Your deck is beautiful, and already well-loved. I haven't read with it yet, but I am looking forward to it.

I have never really liked computer art and most collage work leaves me cold, but your cards are magical and poetic.

[BrigantiaTarot]

Still loving reading with the deck--and I love being able to get the sources for collage elements from the book...But it would be so very nice to have a longer, separate book about the symbolism of this deck in particular! I usually find a meaning for myself but I'm curious what both the design and symbolic background is for you, Kat...And I get asked a lot when I show people the deck! I can say what works for me about a card, but sometimes people want to know why x is in y place *really*!

Robin

[Leleii]

Thank you Kate for a beautiful deck. Everything about the
deck is perfect, the cards, the package its in and the book.
I own 50 decks and for me, the Golden is the most beautiful.
Whenever I use the deck and I shuffle the deck, I feel like
I am looking at beautiful paintings from the dark ages. It is
like I have my own private paintings of art. Your deck is special
it's like somebody hired famous artists and ask them to create
the tarot deck during medievil times.
There is always people who write negative reviews on everything.
Since they are not happy within they have to lash out.
Ignore the reviews, know where they are coming from and
know that you created a thing of beauty. Something to be proud
of. I still love reading with the deck and I do better with
RW clones than any other system. I learn on the rider waite
and I do the best with that type of cards.
Thank you, once again Kat
Bright Blessings and Stay in the Light.

[skysilver]

I just did a tarot reading with them today and it really has a special feel to it that I don't get with other decks.

Still am enjoying the cards... ;)

[Kath]

I'm picking my copy up from the bookshop this afternoon! I can't wait to have this deck in my hot little hands. :)

[skysilver]

Have fun! :D.... They are much more beautiful up close. The website doesn't do them justice.

[Kath]

I picked up my copy of the Golden Tarot yesterday. It is beautiful! So many little details to look at and explore. I love the gilt edges, they really add to the beauty of this deck. I like the little twists on a few of the cards (like the 5 of pents, where the beggars are inside the church). I know I’m going to really like this deck.

Kat, you’ve done a superb job!!

I’ll be breaking it in on the weekend at the Time Out For Tarot meeting. :D

Edited to say : I forgot to mention the cardstock. It feels different to other decks. It feels very sturdy and not slippery. I haven’t shuffled the deck yet, but I think it will shuffle quite well. The cards feel really good in my hands, and they are a good size too. Big enough for the detail, but still small enough to handle easily.

[retrokat]

Just a quick note to let you all know that I've broken up a new deck to sign for indivdual card sales. If you missed out on your favourite card last time and weren't keen on all the miserable swords cards that were left over, let me know what you're after and I'll list it on eBay.

[seaofclouds]

I found this deck yesterday at the bookstore, after mulling over whether or not to buy it for weeks. Since it was sitting right in front of me, practically calling my name, I picked it up.

I opened the box a bit later at the coffeeshop, and I have to say, I just grinned from ear to ear while looking at each card. It's so beautiful and inspiring! I wasn't sure if I would like the collage deck, but it doesn't even look like collage art!

The box is awkward shaped for the tote I carry, so I will have to find a bag for the cards, but my friend suggested that I keep the box for other trinkets. I am the sort of person who has to carry all her favorite decks with her everywhere (can make for some large luggage)!

I haven't decided what my favorite card is. I really like the Death Card for some reason. Also like the Empress with all the bunnies. But only because the Empress is *my* card and I have house-bunnies... :)

Very impressive, indeed!
~Melissa Seaofclouds

[Little Baron]

I saw this deck in a shop when I was in the North of England a month or two ago. It is beautiful, but at the time, didn't have enough cash to buy it. Just want to add to the long list of people that have supported and praised it. It is by far the most gorgeous of Rider Waite clones I have seen. Hopefully, one day, I will own a copy. Congratulations on your sucess. I am so glad that you were persuaded to publish it as I can see that it is a valuable deck more many readers.

Best wishes

Yaboot

[yupkigirl]

Finally, my copy of the Golden Tarot arrived yesterday from Amazon! It was a surprise birthday gift for me from my brother, and when the first shipment from Amazon got *lost* somewhere, they were nice enough to send in a replacement. It took a while for the cards to arrive, and I was biting my nails fearing that the 2nd shipment might get lost also (and probably resign myself that the cards were not for me).

Anyways, the cards are just so gorgeous! I didn't expect them to be *that* gorgeous! The gilt edging is just perfect, and I am so afraid to shuffle them. I have not yet sat down and studied the cards, but am loving what I have seen so far. I love art and history, and this deck provides me with both. Makes me want to go to Europe and look at the paintings Kat Black derived the images from.

To Kat Black, include me in your long list of admirers! Thank for such a beautiful work. I know the cards will be great to read with!

[Sybilant]

Dear Kat and everybody

I deeply admire and enjoy this deck.

I think Lady Pamela's card designs are quite magickal and have a mysterious power. What I like about the Golden so much is that in a funny way, I see it as the deck that the original RWS "pretends" to be.

The original RWS has a medieval-ish quality, despite the fact that it was made in 1909. It's sort of storybook-retro. The Golden, on the other hand, is a reconstruction of the RWS out of actual medieval art. I find that quite apt and haunting.

Last night I did a spread with the Golden and then as an experiment I laid out the same Universal RWS cards over top of it. I had to go back to the Golden. They were so much richer.

I still think of Lady Pamela's designs and meanings no matter what deck I'm using. I think the Golden is the nicest rendition of those designs I've ever seen.

best to everybody
Sybilant

[RedMaple]

I've been taking my new Golden deck out to breakfast at the local "Cafe on the Oval" and enjoying it slowly, card by card. I've been making journal entries on a few cards each morning. Inevitably, people stop and comment on the beautiful cards. I've met several people who read or who used to read, and they all love the cards. One waitress refills my cup each morning with great enthusiasm -- I think so she can see what the next card will be!

RedMaple

[Mesara]

I just recently got this deck for my birthday, and I absolutely love it! I can't believe it has escaped my attention for so long! Unfortunately, I haven't really had the time to sit down with it yet and enjoy it's beauty at length, but hopefully one of these days I can make some time for it.

I love the gilded edges too, but Im already worrying about ruining them through shuffling and handling.

[Cerulean]

with my Sienese history painting books. A nice, comforting classic to compare with other decks when I am playing. Yes, I do read with other decks for various interests, but it's nice to have a Sienese corner on my grandfather-made deck with books that I adore and comfort deck. It sits near my favorite Visconti...

BTW, I saw the Golden Tarot in a pretty 'new age' products catalog on the cover...among the other feel-good, girly or other bits, it added a real touch of class to the offerings near Ren-Faire products.

Regards,

Cerulean

[tatsi]

My favourite decks all have books and I'm very keen on getting all the artist's information and references to each card. Particularly with this kind of deck which is packed with artists that are not as well known generally. Great, now I'm even keener!

I totally agree. Whenever I add a deck to my collection I try to get the companion book. I'm thrilled when the companion book is by the deck's creator and artist. I always wonder what the thought process was in designing the cards.

tatsi

[HearthCricket]

Got my Golden Deck today. Oh, wow! Loving it! Cute box with the little book, too, though I think I would have liked a bigger book. The deck is just gorgeous, with such lovely artwork. And I love the gilded edges! Perfect deck for anyone who loves historical decks, too. This is definitely on my top 3 favourites list! I can't wait to read from it!

[retrokat]

I was in an Angus & Robertson bookshop yesterday and asked their current price for Golden. They told me AU $28 plus $4 postage - which is about half the RRP here in Australia, and cheaper than I can land them here buying direct from US Games! You still have to order it in, takes about 2 weeks, but is much cheaper than any other way of getting a copy in Australia. At least, until they realise they've made a mistake with the price ;)

Anyway, the news is a bit late if you wanted to buy a copy for Xmas, but could be helpful to any potential Aussie buyers looking to include a copy in their collection but who have been put off by the price here.

[similia]

Oh no! I paid twice that at my local new-age store. (Of course, I'd have paid more than that anyway, but still!) I did get Angus & Robertson to order in a tarot book for me and that was also 1/2 the price I saw elsewhere. Crazy stuff.

Of course I have been thinking I should get a second golden deck, to keep one safe from harm....

[seneris]

I'm feeling sad. I wanted to order this deck from proxis.be (a very nice Belgian site) but now they mailed me and said they couldn't get it anymore... How am I ever going to get this deck at that affordable price it was going on for on that site? It's too expensive to order from amazon, I guess...

[Stregaverde]

Amazon.de and Amazon.at have it listed for 22 euros.
Amazon.fr has it listed for 20 euros.
Amazon.co.uk has it listed for 12 pounds, which is 17,40 euros. Shipping will be more, however, coming from Great Britain.
Alida is the most expensive at 24 euros.

Seneris, I feel your pain. It does bother me how much things cost here in Europe, when they are so inexpensive in the US. I paid $16 for the Golden over the holidays from Overstock.com in the US, and domestic shipping was basically free, as I was buying other items, too. The new LS mini decks cost over 12 euros here (about $16 US) but I see them available (in April) in the US for $7 (5,40 euros). So frustrating!!!!

That said, the Golden is totally worth the European cost!

[Kath]

I was in an Angus & Robertson bookshop yesterday and asked their current price for Golden. They told me AU $28 plus $4 postage - which is about half the RRP here in Australia, and cheaper than I can land them here buying direct from US Games!
I got mine from Angus & Robertson. What a bargain! I wonder why, if A & R can sell it for $28 (and still make a profit, one would assume), do Dymmocks and Borders sell it for $55? Having said that, it's definitely worth $55! It has become my primary reading deck, and everyone who's seen it thinks it is breathtaking.

[retrokat]

A&R certainly aren't making a profit at that price (it's below cost price including even sea-shipping to Australia) - I think it's just a mistake, calculated on the pre-release price, which was estimated on just a deck, not the fancy box, gilded edges, biggish LWB etc. RRP in Australia is around the $60 mark, that's what it will cost in your local bookshop etc.

Shhhhh, don't tell A&R and Aussies can keep buying it there on the cheap ;)

Considering that US buyers can get it at discount chains I think it's only fair that my fellow Aussies have a chance to grab a bargain too.

Sorry I can't offer any similar suggestions for my European fans! Although some of the discount 'partners' on Amazon do ship overseas, and even with $9 postage it still often works out cheaper than buying it in Europe.

As people have mentioned, the package even at the RRP really is underpriced, for which I'm very grateful to US Games for keeping it so low - that was my request, and they wanted the lush gilt edges, pretty box etc so all up I think even at 20 Euros you'll feel like it's good value for what you get (I hope!).

[seneris]

Amazon.de and Amazon.at have it listed for 22 euros.
Amazon.fr has it listed for 20 euros.
Amazon.co.uk has it listed for 12 pounds, which is 17,40 euros. Shipping will be more, however, coming from Great Britain.
Alida is the most expensive at 24 euros.

Seneris, I feel your pain. It does bother me how much things cost here in Europe
(snip)

That said, the Golden is totally worth the European cost!

Thank you very, very much Strevagarde. I will look into it.
Darn, I hate those shippingcosts... :(

[RedMaple]

Kat, I am still overwhelmed by this beautiful deck. We've been discussing trimming decks on several threads here, and I can say this is one deck I'll never trim. The lush gold is wonderful, but so is the border color. It is perfect for this deck, and clearly a lot of thought went into what would artistically work well with the images.

There are so many images I love, but I have to mention the Strength card especially. Her expression is amazing, the knight moving toward her, and the lion with those mysterious wings! It seems to me that the knight thinks she needs saving, and is he going to be surprised when she turns and sees her with the lion. It gives me such a feeling of strength. Thank you for putting these amazing images togther.

Blessings,

RedMaple

[retrokat]

I just noticed that my deck, along with a bunch of others, are now able to be selected for use at http://tarot.com - all the decks can be browsed in full, which may be of interest as US Games hasn't previously allowed all of the cards from some of these decks to be shown online before. Some of my favourites - like the Visconti Sforza and Cary-Yale Visconti are there too.

http://tarot.com/about-tarot/decks/browsedecks-promo.php should get you to all the decks - I had trouble finding the list from their front page.

If you get tempted by the decks on offer there, remember to come back and buy through Aeclectic to support this forum:

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/support.shtml

[Little Baron]

you'll feel like it's good value for what you get (I hope!).

Don't worry Kat, it definitely is. Especially when you consider the work that has gone into the creation.

I have to admit that I do not use the deck as much as I had thought I would, but it is one that I look through on occasion. It is a very beautiful piece and all that have seen it have been very impressed. It gets the 'wooo's' and 'ahhhhs' from friends when it's little gold silhouette slinks out of it's box. For those that want a deck which looks old and historical but prefer the RWS tradition, rather than a Marseille or Visconti, I think it is a very good choice. It is a deck that even though it is modern in manufacture, has all the mystery and magic of an 'old' tarot. There are not many on the market that do that.

Good to see it on tarot.com. I often look through the samples there. Sometimes, if I am working with a deck for quite a while and am writing up my readings on the computer, I save all of the thumbnails from that site so that I can insert them into my 'diary' each day. I am glad that the option of doing this with your deck is there for the future. It makes looking back over my printed journal easier to detect the rhythms and returns of certain cards and suits.

Best, LB

[la-luna]

Don't worry Kat, it definitely is. Especially when you consider the work that has gone into the creation.

I have to admit that I do not use the deck as much as I had thought I would, but it is one that I look through on occasion. It is a very beautiful piece and all that have seen it have been very impressed. It gets the 'wooo's' and 'ahhhhs' from friends when it's little gold silhouette slinks out of it's box. For those that want a deck which looks old and historical but prefer the RWS tradition, rather than a Marseille or Visconti, I think it is a very good choice. It is a deck that even though it is modern in manufacture, has all the mystery and magic of an 'old' tarot. There are not many on the market that do that.

Good to see it on tarot.com. I often look through the samples there. Sometimes, if I am working with a deck for quite a while and am writing up my readings on the computer, I save all of the thumbnails from that site so that I can insert them into my 'diary' each day. I am glad that the option of doing this with your deck is there for the future. It makes looking back over my printed journal easier to detect the rhythms and returns of certain cards and suits.

Best, LB


It’s a deck I love to describe as one having an ancient soul with both its feet into the here and now and its hart filled with love.

[Little Baron]

I agree La-Luna.

As I said, I don't use it too often.

But I have just pulled it out and am doing my second short reading with it this afternoon for the reading exchange. The cards always seemed a little too busy for me before, but this afternoon, they are very clear and uninterupted. I am glad I saw this thread or I might not have given it another chance for some time.

It is a visually stunning deck and makes a nice change from a lot of the toot that is published in the world of tarot :D

Best, LB

[darwinia]

It is a visually stunning deck and makes a nice change from a lot of the toot that is published in the world of tarot

Oh, I love this sentence. It's quite discouraging to see people printing "toot." I refuse to even call it publishing.

Time, effort, and originality are bypassed a lot in our current culture. We are a Society of Toot and a Culture of Copyists.

I love my Golden. Along with the William Blake, Giotto and Bosch decks, it opened up the world of art and art history that is still zooming me along to new ideas and learning.

I have now embraced the Modernists. De Kooning meets Masaccio. Thanks Kat for the opportuinity to SEE the world!

[Little Baron]

Oh, I love this sentence. It's quite discouraging to see people printing "toot." I refuse to even call it publishing.

Absolutely Darwinia.

You can put a stamp on an addressed envelope these days and you've got a card for a collage deck (with keywords) And someone will want to publish it!

But here, the original art is beautiful. And Kat's way of both blending, choosing and understanding what she was creating stand out like a sore thumb in comparison to a lot of what is on offer. It is more than just pretty though, as I think sometimes that labelling can wrongly fall into the 'looks nice but can't work with it' pigeon hole. And this deck appears to be very workable,

I am always stunned by how 'antique' something that I bought in a chainstore bookshop can look when I flick through this deck.

LB

[planetmoon]

Thank you for a lovely deck, Kat.

I picked up The Golden Tarot and my first impressions, now that I have the cards in my hands, are that there is so much to get my teeth into. I love cards I can dive into and these are that. I like how the cards follow the Rider-Waite symbolism but at the same time allow you to go off in different directions.

I look forward to getting to know this deck.

[retrokat]

Thanks, Planetmoon! I've very nearly finished a new deck (which I said I'd never do, but...) - you might like to have a look: http://TouchstoneTarot.com

[Alamaris]

Oh my goodness, the new deck looks absolutely wonderful, Kat! I've just bought the Golden myself, and I couldn't be happier with it. After a year of waffling over primary decks, I think my collecting days are over. :D

Out of curiosity...would you wager a guess as to the price of the hard-copy-print run, per deck? I feel better about having a physical copy of something, but I can't afford Big Collector prices.

[planetmoon]

Thank you for the link Kat. Again your images look sumptuous. I must say it is wonderful to be able to speak to the person who created a deck you have in your hands!

I did my card a day this morning and up came the Queen of Swords. I spent a good 30 just immersing myself into that card, so Lord knows how much time I will devote to the others! I write books and just looking at one of your cards gets the descriptive juices flowing.

[retrokat]

Thanks sooooo much to everyone who voted for Golden again - this makes four years in a row it's been in Aeclectic's Top Ten :)

Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!

Let's hope that bodes well for http://TouchstoneTarot.com - I'm currently negotiating with a publisher who have offered me a deal, will be making an announcement soon.

See http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?p=915823

[Breezy]

Ok, so.. I fell in love with the Golden Tarot.. Really.

I am one that loves old vintage historical decks... And bought it AS SOON AS I was given the heads up about it. HAHA I love it. You're work is awesome. Very inspiring.

Now I just cant wait to have it come in the mail and just take in all its depth and imagery..

Matt :) :)

[Breezy]

So about buying this wonderful deck... It hasn't come yet, and I am a little worried as to where I got the deck. It is from amazon but through a private vendor known as Super Book Deals. And I read up in the thread earlier that there were some fake replicas of the deck... Does anyone know if this is still happening? Or do you think I am gonna be safe with getting it from them? I hope I am. :)

[retrokat]

Hi Breezy, I'm sure it will be fine. The pirate deck looks nothing like the 'real thing' - about half the size, Majors Only, no gold edges, German text. And the going rate for copies of the pirate version on eBay is around $100, so if they *do* send you that instead, you could resell it for a profit :)

[SolSionnach]

So about buying this wonderful deck... It hasn't come yet, and I am a little worried as to where I got the deck. It is from amazon but through a private vendor known as Super Book Deals. And I read up in the thread earlier that there were some fake replicas of the deck... Does anyone know if this is still happening? Or do you think I am gonna be safe with getting it from them? I hope I am. :)

Don't worry, Breezy - buying from Amazon resellers can take a *long* time, much longer than buying from Amazon!

Did you check out your seller's rating? I never buy from any seller with a rating less than 96-97% - some of them are in the 80%, which means that they get complaints in 1-2 out of 10 transactions.

[Breezy]

Don't worry, Breezy - buying from Amazon resellers can take a *long* time, much longer than buying from Amazon!

Did you check out your seller's rating? I never buy from any seller with a rating less than 96-97% - some of them are in the 80%, which means that they get complaints in 1-2 out of 10 transactions.

Oh... Thats what I have heard.. I guess I will learn out of this experience. :)
Thanks for the heads up sravana.

Hi Breezy, I'm sure it will be fine. The pirate deck looks nothing like the 'real thing' - about half the size, Majors Only, no gold edges, German text. And the going rate for copies of the pirate version on eBay is around $100, so if they *do* send you that instead, you could resell it for a profit :)
Good to know, thanks Kat!

[retrokat]

Don't worry, Breezy - buying from Amazon resellers can take a *long* time, much longer than buying from Amazon!

Did you check out your seller's rating? I never buy from any seller with a rating less than 96-97% - some of them are in the 80%, which means that they get complaints in 1-2 out of 10 transactions.

Funnily enough, because I'm overseas, I have the opposite experience re Amazon vs Resellers. Amazon (unless you want to pay horrendous airmail fees) can take up to 3 months to arrive! They use a system that's even lower priority than Sea Mail - basically the J-Bag waits on the dock until there's 'spare' space in containers.

From some resellers, I've had my books/decks/DVDs etc arrive in Australia within a week - they despatch from whatever international warehouse has stock, eg I recently got a book on video compositing, in English, sent from Germany after ordering on Amazon US.

Good to check the rating though - many of the biggies have over 95%. If I could rate Amazon I'd be giving a lower rate than that for overseas transactions! Hasn't user-rating made a huge difference to us as consumers, I love it :)

[SolSionnach]

Funnily enough, because I'm overseas, I have the opposite experience re Amazon vs Resellers. Amazon (unless you want to pay horrendous airmail fees) can take up to 3 months to arrive! They use a system that's even lower priority than Sea Mail - basically the J-Bag waits on the dock until there's 'spare' space in containers.

From some resellers, I've had my books/decks/DVDs etc arrive in Australia within a week - they despatch from whatever international warehouse has stock, eg I recently got a book on video compositing, in English, sent from Germany after ordering on Amazon US.

Good to check the rating though - many of the biggies have over 95%. If I could rate Amazon I'd be giving a lower rate than that for overseas transactions! Hasn't user-rating made a huge difference to us as consumers, I love it :)

Wow, that's absolutely crazy. But, without Amazon, we wouldn't have the reseller option, you know?

Sooner or later there should be an Oz Amazon, one would think.

[Uriel]

I just got my Golden Tarot deck today and couldn't wait to start spending quality time with them. The deck is absolutely beautiful! I usally pack a new deck in sea salt for a few months to cleanse them before actually using them to do readings ( as I will these )- but will take them out practically daily to "develop" them... just my practice ;-)

I was wondering... on the Golden Tarot site there is an "alternative" death card... I like that one in addition to the one that came with the deck. Is it even possible to get the alternative card?

[retrokat]

Welcome to Aeclectic, Uriel :)

I'm afraid there isn't an actual 'card' for the alternative Death Card - it was just a design, that never got manufactured.

The hi-res graphic is probably somewhere on one of my archived hard-drives, all I can find at the moment is the the low-res graphic as per the website. Sorry I couldn't be more help!

[bitofacrank]

OK - this is awfully rude. I OWN the Golden Tarot. It is the most beautiful deck ever, and for some reason, cards just jump right out no matter the querent. Seriously - I am no tarot expert, but for some reason, with this deck, I'm like the Derek Acorah of tarot.

However. I saw your web deck. I REALLY WANT THE ORIGINAL DEATH CARD....

Oh please, please, please... where can I get that card?.....

I know, I know, I shouldn't, but I really wan't it.....

PLlllleeeeaase..... So I have an idea. If I find an illegal deck, can I pay the vendor and send you the same amount in recompense? Just so I can get that card?

Oh dear = v unPC tarot person...

[retrokat]

lol - I think it's the alternate version of the Death card you want, from the published deck. The 'original' - as in the version that got pirated, does not exist any higher res that in it is publicly available on my website:

http://goldentarot.com/v1madeat.htm

That's as big as it exists in any form - do if you print it onto card yourself it's as good as it could possibly be.

If it's the alternate version from the published version (or Golden 2.0 as people have called it) then maybe I can find a higher res version on an old hard-drive, but again you'd have to print it yourself as it doesn't exist in any print form.

http://goldentarot.com/madeat.htm (I much prefer the version that did get published, with the arch formed by a skeleton - more like 1.0)

best,

kat =^..^=

[Penny Dreadfuls]

I recieved this deck yesterday and am in awe of it Kat, thank you for the beauty, hope and serenity of this deck! I can't stop looking at each card, I am captivated, the images make me feel so many emotions and scope of life.

It's quite a work of art and acheivement Kat, thank you! I think I have a new favourite deck :)

And am all the more eagerly awaiting the release of your Touchstone Tarot!

[libuse]

oooh, I just got my Golden Tarot and I am so in love with it!! I wasn't prepared for its beautiful "goldenness", the edging is just stunning. I have done some readings with it and I'm really pleased with how they have gone and how the cards really seem to speak to me. I've instantly made this my regular carry around deck

Just wanted to share!