Connolly deck

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 27 Sep 2001, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Andryh	27 Sep 2001
I have recently purchased the Connolly tarot, and I have a real Love/Hate relationship with it thus far. The colors are so rich and luminous, and for the most part, this is what really attracts me to this deck...I am also a Christian, and had heard that this was a Christian themed deck. What really rubs me the wrong way is the vagueness of some of the cards. For example, the four of swords depicts a middle-aged man at a garden gate gazing over at four swords wrapped in blue ribbon. Next to the swords is a chest full of gold and silver coins. This image really deviates from any previous four of swords I've seen before. This is not the only card that leaves me scratching my head. Can anyone shed some light on this deck for me? Does anyone know anything about Eileen and Peter Paul Connolly, and what they were trying to convey with this deck? The art is beautiful and intriguing, but I need more information about this deck to truly enjoy it. I know there are books out relating to this tarot, but I have yet to come across any. Anyone's insights regarding this deck are welcome!

Thirteen	27 Sep 2001
I'd get Connolly's own book on the subject. Shebeginners, one for middle-weights and one for experts. They're not hard to find, nor, I think, are they expensive. In fact, you might be able to find them used. They're pretty common.

Thirteen	27 Sep 2001
Oh, and in regards to the 4 of swords--only a guess, but I'd assume it means that the old man is taking a break from and/or putting some distance between him and the materialism of the world and the troubles it brings. 4 of Swords is the "rest" or escape card. Just a thought.

cj	27 Sep 2001
Adryh, I have a question for you. As a Christian I found the picture on the "materialism" card offensive. (Jesus in chains). What do you think. Any thoughts. cj

cj	27 Sep 2001
Adryh, I have a question for you. As a Christian I found the picture on the "materialism" card offensive. (Jesus in chains). What do you think. Any thoughts. cj

Andryh	27 Sep 2001
Dear cj- It never occurred to me that this card was representing Jesus. My imaginings of Jesus always include a beard! Now that you mention it, if this is a depiction of Jesus, perhaps it is an artistic representation of the temptation. I believe Jesus was truly tempted by the things of this world...That is why he is sympathetic to the human condition. But we know how the story ends. Jesus broke through those chains. He chose to redeem us. Tell me what you think.

Andryh	27 Sep 2001
Thirteen- Thanks for your input. I think I'm so Rider-Waite conditioned, that I'm failing to think out of the box!

Frankie	28 Sep 2001
Hi not sure if this will help? I believe the Connolly deck was created with a positive only outlook,so removing any negotive connotations as previously seen with other tarot decks.I can only assume that the 4 of swords is a card reminding the querant to get back in touch with their own resources, as looking at the card there seems to be a barrier(gate that only needs to be opened) between what is essential to the querant and maybe what is lost?

tarotbear	28 Sep 2001
The Jesus in 'Materialism' is from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, I think. I thought it is a strange thing to do with Jesus, since Ms. Connolly is so overly religious. I have the deck - bought for $1 at a tag sale. You have to get a newer version of her book to get her deck; the original books are illustrated with the Rider.

cSpaceDiva	29 Sep 2001
In A New Handbook for the Apprentice Connolly gives this meaning for the 4 of Swords: Feeling of being cut off and out of touch. Take this time to think of new plans for the future. And Reversed: Back into action again! Good opportunities ahead, but tread carefully.

Major Tom	29 Sep 2001
Quote: The cat (29 Sep, 2001 00:53): Hi not sure if this will help? I believe the Connolly deck was created with a positive only outlook,so removing any negotive connotations as previously seen with other tarot decks.I can only assume that the 4 of swords is a card reminding the querant to get back in touch with their own resources, as looking at the card there seems to be a barrier(gate that only needs to be opened) between what is essential to the querant and maybe what is lost? The Connolly deck is a very attractive deck, but The Cat has summed up my problems with it very succintly. }> Changing the Death card to Transformations and the Devil card to Materialism seems somehow simplistic to me. Life isn't sanitised into 'positive only' experiences and I feel that any attempt to remove negative connotations from tarot fails to account for this. IMHO some cards should provoke fear on the part of the querrent. }>

cj	29 Sep 2001
Quote: Andryh (28 Sep, 2001 12:34): Dear cj- It never occurred to me that this card was representing Jesus. My imaginings of Jesus always include a beard! Now that you mention it, if this is a depiction of Jesus, perhaps it is an artistic representation of the temptation. I believe Jesus was truly tempted by the things of this world...That is why he is sympathetic to the human condition. But we know how the story ends. Jesus broke through those chains. He chose to redeem us. Tell me what you think. Andryh, I think you'r right about Jesus being tempted, but I don't think I want to associate my (or the person I am reading for) materialistic ways with Jesus's ability to break free from his. It just bothers me. I guess the thing is, the deck is not for me. If you have it, try to read with it and see what happens - hopefully your beliefs won't stand in the way of true insight. Let us know. cj

Major Tom	29 Sep 2001
[quote]cj (30 Sep, 2001 10:39): [quote andryh, i think you'r right about jesus being tempted, but i don't think i want to associate my (or the person i am reading for) materialistic ways with jesus's ability to break free from his. it just bothers me. i guess the thing is, the deck is not for me. if you have it, try to read with it and see what happens - hopefully your beliefs won't stand in the way of true insight. let us know. cj[/quote] I've always thought the lesson of The Devil was that materialism is a trap voluntarilly maintained. You can always throw off your chains - if you want to. Jesus' ability to throw his off make an incredibly apt image IMHO. She should have still called the card The Devil }>

Andryh	30 Sep 2001
What is it about this deck that brings out such strong opinions in people? It may not be a typical deck, but there are tons of atypical decks out there that don't affect people this way. I'll admit that this deck stays on the "sunny-side", but in this crazy world, where negativity is rampant, and its so easy to be pessimistic, it is really nice to see a deck which encourages us to approach the "hard knocks" of life with a bit of optimism. The tarot is not simply a reflection of life, but a guide for life and how to respond to it. This deck instructs me to look at life (and death) through the eyes of hope and love. If a tarot is unable to challenge our mortal perspective, it is not worth much in my book. For most of us, it is much easier to wallow in the problem, that change our outlook, attitudes, and find a solution. This deck has something special to offer in that it certainly challenges its reader to look for a silver lining no matter what the issue at hand. For this reason, I like this deck. Perhaps its not as "esoteric" or profound as some decks out there, but hey, I don't always need that. Sometimes I just need a simple friend to help me reflect and find hope.

Talisman	30 Sep 2001
Andryh, Please, don't let me spoil your pleasure in this beautifully execucted deck. But (ignoring The Fool Card, the Star Card, etc.) what can you say about the Hermit Card. Being all alone is bad, so, lets give the Hermit a buddy! If you want a deck stripped of every negative influence, and, if this is the pattern of your life, then this is the deck for you. Talisman

Andryh	30 Sep 2001
I thought the hermit had company also, but look closely, and you will see that it is the same man. The card is symbolic of one going out alone to find one's inner council. This inner guide is symbolized as the older (and one may infer, wiser) man passing on his insight in the form of a torch. Personally, I think this is a rather innovative representation of the hermit card.

Frankie	01 Oct 2001
I agree with Andryh.There is nothing wrong with this deck,its bright colourful and cheery and thats what drew me to buying this cute little deck! Im a positive thinking only person even in dire straits its called "survival"..Ive had to change my name from the cat to frankie - alas being new to this I made an error on the name front so now call me Frankie,and I'll be a happy bunny!Good day to you one and all.(one chuckles.........)

Thirteen	01 Oct 2001
Quote: Andryh (01 Oct, 2001 05:26): What is it about this deck that brings out such strong opinions in people? It's not, I think, that this deck is always positive (or just that it's primarily positive). There are other positive decks (Moon Garden for example), but Connolly, in the kindest of Christian fashion, is prostilitizing in her deck. And her view of the world is "simplistic" in that the solution to the most troubling spiritual and psychological problems is, ultimately, rejection of the world and the embracing of the spritual though faith in Jesus Christ. Which is perfectly fine, but you are going to get strong opinions if that is the primary argument of your deck, aren't you? This does give the deck, of necessity, a polar view. There is God, all good, all knowing, and either the devil or the world, materialistic, filled with sin and temptation. For those who find Tarot an intreguing exploration of yin/yang, where the Devil card is as likely to be telling you to explore and indulge in your darker impulses as it is warning you against them, this view is, yes, simplistic. I'm not saying, by the way, that other decks are not equally prejudice :) Each deck has it's own philosophy, it's own "religion." Each deck prostilitizes a particular view of life. Connolly's brings out strong opinions because it is a dominate world religion that has traditonally condemned the Tarot and tarot readers as evil. And many a person who's become a tarot reader has has someone in their family or among their friends tell them they're going to hell for doing so. So I think that people sometimes react to Connolly's appropriation of the deck to prostilize a religion that has traditionally persecuted tarot readers, as well as for reducing it's spiritual exploration to what they may see as a singular, simplistic answer. Um. Does that make sense?

Andryh	01 Oct 2001
Proselytizing? That seems a bit strong! That would infer that she is trying to convert you to her religion. That is taking a bit for granted. Couldn't she simply be the creator of a deck for and by Christians. "The Witches Tarot" and "Tarot of the Old Path" ar both pagan decks, yet no one seems to think that the creators of these decks are out to convert anyone to paganism. Why is the Connolly deck different? It seems to me, to simply be a deck that caters to a particular group in the tarot-reading population (they being Christians or Christo-pagans). No one pressured me into buying this deck, nor do I find evidence of Connolly trying to sway anyone to her way of thinking. I know some Christians try to cram their beliefs down other people's throats, but not all Christians are that way. I for one would never dream of it.

Thirteen	01 Oct 2001
Quote: Andryh (02 Oct, 2001 07:46): Proselytizing? That seems a bit strong! That would infer that she is trying to convert you to her religion. That is taking a bit for granted. You misread my post. I'm not trying to insult you or Connolly. As I said "EVERY deck their own "religion" and "prosetyzes" it. I'm only responding to your question as to why people might have strong opinions about a deck that is pretty inoffensive. Not because the deck or Connolly are trying to convert or offend, but because some tarot readers may see it as preaching or appropriation, even if it's not. Strange, I thought my response to be fairly inoffensive and objective. I'm sorry if you found it otherwise.

Andryh	02 Oct 2001
Please, if I came off as being insulted, that was not my intention. I was not offended in the least, and in fact very happy for your insights. Just because I may not agree with something in a post, and I decide to engage in some friendly "banter", does not mean that the spirit in which you gave the post is not well received. Truly, I appreciate your efforts and insights. If I sounded touchy or offended, that was not my intention and I am sorry. The Connolly tarot is not my main reading tarot...Actually the Haindl is. I do not forsee it ever being my "main" deck. But it is new, pretty and holding my interest. I guess I received a few posts that seemed to regard it as second-rate because it is "positive". I didn't see that as a legitimate reason to hold this deck in such strong disdain. I think the main "bone" I was picking in your latest post was regarding the definition of "proselytizing". I guess we just have differing personal connotations with it. You were not offending me, I simply disagreed with the use of the word in that particular context. It matters not to me if no one else enjoys this tarot. My opinion of it is just that...Only an opinion. I just found it curious that I had a couple of almost aggressive posts regarding it. To me it seems so very innocuous. Again, I'm sorry if I came off as grouchy or ungrateful for your post. Your insight is very welcome and I really appreciated the reply.

Lee	17 Oct 2001
Just thought I'd post a few of my thoughts on this deck... I really like the artwork on this deck. I find it colorful and appealing, and have often wished I could use it, but unfortunately I find many of Connolly's choices to be rather strange. For example, I know the two men on the Hermit are supposed to be the same person, but I still think the whole point of a Hermit card is that the person is alone. Also, I find the Moon card totally lacks the mythic resonance of the standard Marseilles/Waite image. Judgement seems a complicated image which doesn't immediately jump out at you with a meaning. Several of the Minor cards I find are totally inscrutable. For example, it's a mystery to me what the 7 of Swords means (showing two musicians playing at a cliff edge). Although I can make some guesses, I have no way of knowing whether I'm right. A big problem here is that Connolly had very specific things in mind with her designs but has not deigned to inform us of what they are. In none of her books published to date does she actually discuss the symbolism of her deck, instead just giving generalized divinatory meanings without saying how the imagery corresponds to her meaning. I'm not Christian, and I'm not bothered by the elements that might suggest Christianity in the pictures. Nor am I bothered by her effort to avoid negativity. I believe negative situations can be gently suggested by a card, and one doesn't have to be hit over the head with them. It seems to me that with some of the formerly negative cards which are now positive, you can consider the upright the positive and the reversed the negative, whereas with a Waite clone deck, the upright of a "negative" card would be negative and the reversed the positive, if that makes sense. -- Lee

The Connolly deck thread was originally posted on 27 Sep 2001 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.