Opinions on Celtic Decks

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Sep 2001, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Melvis	25 Sep 2001
Hi, all! The next deck I'd like to add to my collection is one with a Celtic theme, but there seem to be so many. I read posts from a lot of people that mention Celtic-style decks, but now my head is fairly swimming with options. My general preferences: I'm drawn to brighter artwork (no pastel-ish decks, please), I'd like more than just a LWB to go with the deck, and there are two things about the Celts that I particularly like: their intricate mythology and that really cool knot work. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me! ;) :P }> Peace, Melvis

Elphaba	25 Sep 2001
oh oh! I know! Hehe..All of your preferences point to *drum roll* The Celtic Wisdom deck by Caitlin Matthews. Beautiful, bright colours! Lots of Mythology! Big Book! This was my first deck and will always be my favorite so I'm a little biased. This deck comes with a hardcover book and she's created her own system of major arcana and minors based on her extensive celtic studies (she's written oodles of books on the subject). The Major arcana are re-named and portray archetypes with a celtic spin. She has a unique way of dividing up the minors and each minor card has a story from Celtic mythology depicted on it. The suits are: Battle, Skill, Art, Knowledge. This is an amazing deck. She put a lot of thought and time into the system and you really have to read the book and work with it a lot before you can use it to it's full potential (I still can't and I've had it for almost a year). It's non-traditional and a bit complex at first. There also isn't very much knot-work in it. Below are some links that review the deck besides aeclectic.net. The scans do not do the cards justice - they are vivid and rich. http://www.artoftarot.com/cw2.jpg http://www.artoftarot.com/cw1.jpg http://www.wicce.com/celtwisdompix.html http://www.astroamerica.com/t-wise.html I'm done gushing now! I can't help it, I'm truly in love with this deck :-D Edited because those links don't go to the reviews. Here: http://www.wicce.com/celtwisdom.html http://www.artoftarot.com/celtwis.htm and http://www.artoftarot.com/bursten27.htm

faunabay	26 Sep 2001
This is sooo funny that you'd post this right now. I visited my local metaphysical store today to look at the Zerner-Farber deck. As I was looking at it the store owner was unpacking a new deck for her store. The Celtic Tarot by Julian De Burgh. I just fell in love with it and I'm not usually drawn to the Celtic decks. It comes as a set, book and deck. I haven't had a chance to actually read the book but as I scanned it I realized it was pretty informative. It talks a bit about numerology, astrology, of course the celtic cross, and some sample spreads. But the coolest thing about the deck is each card has a celtic story base for the artwork, and each is explained in the book. Some are pretty gruesome, but they fit. (The 10 of swords is pretty bloody.) But even without having read the stories yet, I can look at the cards and really see a full picture. For me they're easy to jump into. Like you I usually like bright, rich colors. This deck is pretty pastel, but it works and for some reason I love it. I think it's watercolor, but not sure, they never say. There are celtic knot designs on the top and bottom of each card and the back is a big celtic knot. So far I just have fallen in love with this deck. I can't wait to use it and really get into the stories.

truthsayer	26 Sep 2001
Quote: Melvis (26 Sep, 2001 09:19): The next deck I'd like to add to my collection is one with a Celtic theme, but there seem to be so many. I read posts from a lot of people that mention Celtic-style decks, but now my head is fairly swimming with options. My general preferences: I'm drawn to brighter artwork (no pastel-ish decks, please), I'd like more than just a LWB to go with the deck, and there are two things about the Celts that I particularly like: their intricate mythology and that really cool knot work. Melvis hi melvis! i thought i'd name the celtish type decks i'm aware of just for general accounting purposes. maybe that will help you sort thru all the options. sacred circle: artwork is vivid, the book is full of mythology, and if i'm not mistaken there is celtic knotwork on the cards. celtic dragon: tends to be pastel in coloration. i don't believe there is much celtic mythology or knotwork. spiral tarot: colors are vivid and art is good. it only comes w/ a LWB to my knowledge and there aren't any myths. celtic wisdom deck: i share elphaba's enthusiasm on this deck. i love it! great vivid art and book. one of the best done decks i've seen. enuff said! :) legend arthurian: yes, it's done in pastels and isn't totally what i'd call celtic but i love it! lots of arthurian mythology in the accompanying book. a very good celtic oracle deck is the druid animal oracle. vivid colors and great celtic style mythology. while the merryday tarot isn't described as celtish, it seems to have a celtic feel about it. the colors are bright and beautiful. i believe there is a book you can buy to go w/ it. there's prob some more celtish decks out there but these are the ones i'm most familiar w/. i definitely want to check out the one that faunabay mentioned. of the ones i described, i didn't mesh w/ the celtic dragon or the sacred circle.

faunabay	27 Sep 2001
OK, I've had my De Burgh Celtic tarot for all of a day and a half now. And I've got to say I LOVE THIS DECK!! I've done a couple of spreads and boy does it work well for me. The stories de burgh puts with the cards just add a whole other level of understanding. One word of caution though. The card stock doesn't seem to be very stable. It is pretty thin and looks to be easily creased. And as for my first impression of pastel colors it's weird. The border and the back are a pale yellow which at first lead me to see the whole deck as pastel. But the pale yellow really just allows the pictures to jump out at you when laid out. I do think it's done in watercolor paints so you get that vague edge watercolor blur, but the colors in the pictures are actually brighter than I first noticed. So not only do I get good information from the spreads, they look awesome while doing it. I'm sooooo happy with this deck. One other thing to point out. I've since looked at pictures from different sites on the web and they don't look nearly as bright. They are much prettier in person. So in my lofty day and a half :) experience with this deck I can't recommend it enough, just be aware the card stock seems a bit flimsy.

Melvis	27 Sep 2001
Thank you all for the great info and opinions! The Celtic Wisdom Deck sounds like the one I'll probably buy at this time, but a few of the others that truthsayer and faunabay listed will most likely end up in my collection, too. The pictures that I've seen on the websites (thanks for the links, Elphaba! :-D ) of the Celtic Wisdom look like just the kind of artwork I'd love. They all seem to have many 'layers' to the designs within each picture, which I think will keep me finding new things in this deck for a long time! I'll let you know which one I settle on! :) Peace, Melvis

Melvis	09 Oct 2001
Well, I started out trying to purchase a celtic-type deck, and I've ended up with THREE new decks, with both celtic and/or Arthurian themes. I made my weekly stop at the local used bookstore and found a book by Caitlin and John Matthews called "Hallowquest: The Arthurian Tarot." I recognized the name from your recommendations for the Celtic Wisdom Deck, so I bought the book. I then went to Amazon and sought out the Celtic Wisdom Deck and the Arthurian Deck by Caitlin Matthews (this is not the 'Legend' deck). I was lucky enough to find a used version of the Arthurian Deck, which Amazon did not have in stock. While I was there, I did a little more searching and found a deck called The Glastonbury Tarot by Lisa Tenzin-Dolma. I don't think I've seen it on Aeclectic, but I took a chance and got it anyway. Then I also bought the deck I'd gone there looking for...the Celtic Wisdom Deck! They all arrived in the mail at work today, so I'm going to run right home and work with them all night! I'm so excited! BTW, Faunabay: Do you still like your De Burgh celtic deck? I've looked at it on a few Tarot sites and it looks great. That will most likely be a future purchase for me. Thanks again, all! :) Peace, Melvis

Kiama	10 Oct 2001
Melvis: On a recent trip to Glastonbury back in July, I fell in love with all that is Glastonbury: It's myths, legends, tales, folklore, sites, people, and it's TAROT DECK! However, I haven't bought that deck yet, and when I visit again in Fenruary, I hope to buy it then. What do you think of it? How do you fid reading with it? Kiama

Melvis	10 Oct 2001
While I haven't done any readings yet, I like the deck itself after looking through the cards last night. The Majors feature themes from the Arthurian legends, while the minors are somewhat similar to RW themes. The background scenes of the pictures are of various places around Glastonbury, while the people in the cards are friends and relations of the artist. There's one particular card that draws me, however. The Fool card is depicted as Percival and it shows a young man with his back to the viewer, looking at a golden castle that is high up on a hill. The man has long, blond hair and is shirtless, and oh, my, is he yummy! :-D I can't believe a simple drawing can look so good, but it really does. If I ever figure out how to get a picture onto these posts I'll put it up. I'll have to find that other Thread about the sexiest tarot card and put in my 2 cents! ;) Okay...ahem...back to reality. The Minors all have keywords on them, such as "Mourning" for the Nine of Swords. Also, the suit of coins or pentacles is called Vesicas in this deck, which is an interlocking circle symbol that I am unfamiliar with. One other change is that the Page cards are called Maids. Reading the first few pages of the enclosed book makes Glastonbury sound like quite an interesting place. So much spiritual and mythical history seems to come from there. I do have a question for you, though, Kiama: In the book it says that Glastonbury was known as the Isle of Avalon, but that now it's part of Somerset. Is Somerset more of a county? Is Glastonbury really an island? Anyway, this post is long enough. Toodles, Melvis

faunabay	12 Oct 2001
Melvis, yes I still love my de burgh celtic deck. The colors are beautiful and the stories that go with each card are great. I say "give it a go" I think you'd like it. :)

Sage	12 Oct 2001
I really love the Sacred Circle deck. I find it the most meaningful of my various decks and the easiest for me to really connect with. On top of all that the artwork is excellent.

Sage	12 Oct 2001
I really love the Sacred Circle deck. I find it the most meaningful of my various decks and the easiest for me to really connect with. On top of all that the artwork is excellent.

purplelady	14 Oct 2001
I just ordered the celtic tarot by Helena Paterson, it will probubly take a few weeks to get here. One reason I ordered this is because it's published by Thorsons and I've heard they're going out of business. The other reason is mainly for the beautiful colors and knotwork , which predominates on every card.It also is supposed to come with a book telling of the celtic legends on each card. I can't wait to get it! I also have sacred circle which is my favorite if I had to pick a favorite deck of celtic theme. It's more modern and "earthy" as someone else pointed out. You may also like the celtic dragon deck , if you like dragons, though this deck is pastel as truthsayer said. And Legend: Arthur is really beautiful. I need to get around to reading the book "Keeper of Words", companion book to Legend : Arthur , which I hear is really good.

truthsayer	14 Oct 2001
yesterday and today i spent a few hours going thru my celtic wisdom deck. the deck is very consistent in it's symbolism which i like. in fact, equal attention is given to the majors that is given to the minors. the rawness of the colors and symbolism pull me in. i like their thickness and feel in my hands. i don't feel comfrotable w/ them w/o the book and i've misplaced book right.maybe it hid itself so i'd do this and not get overly dependent on the book. :D i really like this deck and it may be THE DECK for me, other than my beloved Legend arthurian deck. ;)

faunabay	15 Oct 2001
Truth, I just ordered the legend arthurian tarot. Can't wait to get it. Melvis, I think you and I got the urge for celtic decks around the same time (or I found out about yours at the same time my interest was peaked). Now all the sudden I want more!!!! Hope you're still enjoying all your new decks. The Legend Arthurian deck artwork looks very similar to my Celtic deck by De Burgh. And I still want it!! LOL Must be my type of decks. :) This is bad. I'd calmed down on buying decks for awhile. The urge is back though. Oh No!!! There goes all my money. LOL

Melvis	15 Oct 2001
Well, I've had a few days with my new decks, and they are GREAT! The Celtic Wisdom has some very powerful imagery which I really enjoy. The suits will take some getting used to, though, as will the naming of the numbered cards Truth: I can understand about the deck not feeling right without the book...it has to be one of the most beautiful books ever to accompany a deck! Nearly every page has color artwork and full pages are devoted to each card. Very classy! I also really like the Arthurian Deck by the same person. It gives more than just the medieval version of the Arthurian Legend by also giving some of the more ancient legends (celtic, irish, welsh, etc.) that they are based on. The designer, Caitlin Matthews, and her husband John, also wrote a separate book called Hallowquest, that goes into a lot more detail about the symbolism shown in the cards, and how all the Celtic/Arthurian mythology fit into the whole system of belief for the ancient Celts. Very cool. While I haven't seen more than a few cards from the Legend deck, I'd love to get it and compare decks. I have a feeling that I'll need to set aside an entire section of my tarot card bookshelf to Celtic/Arthurian decks and books...there are just so many, and suddenly (like you, faunabay ;) ) I want them ALL :D ! I think that once you know some of the background it's fun to see how other artists and designers portray the same legends and themes. So, even though I've gained a few Celtic/Arthurian decks, I still have a few more on my wish list...the Legend and the de Burgh decks in particular. Purplelady: Where can I see the Celtic Tarot by Helena Peterson? I'd love a chance to get it if Thorsons is still around! Peace, Melvis

purplelady	20 Oct 2001
Celtic Tarot by Helena Paterson and Courtney Davis: http://aeclectic.net/tarot/celtic/index.html http://www.wicce.com/keltic.html (scroll to bottom of review page to "pictures" link) I've ordered mine from amazon.com but will still have to wait a week , or two , waiting , waiting , waiting!

truthsayer	20 Oct 2001
i've been trying to see what the de burgh celtic tarot looks like but i can't seem to find it here at aeclectic. anybody know where i can look? i've looked at the box set a year or so back but wasn't particularly interested in celtic then. i'm happy so many ppl are finding good celtic decks and becoming celtic fans. :) we are an elite group! ;) i'm thinking about ordering the davis and patterson celtic tarot. i'm not sure it's to my taste but if it's going out of print i don't want to take any chances that i'll want it later and can't get it! does anyone have the spiral tarot? it has a celtic flavor in the majors but i was really disappointed in the minors. i really hated it but the artist/arthur had a good theme going in the majors but slipped from that mythology and became inconsistent in the minors w/ the celt theme. i really want to get the hallowquest book and the aruthurian tarot by matthews. since i love the celtic wisdom so much i think i will love that deck, too. i can't seem to track down where i can buy a copy. does anyone know? i can't remember if i mentioned it but another celtic deck is the celtic dragon. i had it but traded it. i don't know how to explain it but something felt "missing" like it's shallow in meaning in some way. in the legend arthurian and celtic wisdom i don't get that feeling. they seem to be filled w/ depth of meaning. have any of you ever noticed that w/ some decks? some decks that feel "shallow" can still be great reading decks. one is the art nouveax. the art is beautiful and nonintimidating for querents. however, i prefer something like the legend to read for myself. i really wish that the sacred circle would grow on me. i think it's a great deck and the mythology stays consistent b/t the majors and minors. just one of life's little mysteries i guess... :)

faunabay	21 Oct 2001
truthsayer, here's a couple of links to see the de burgh celtic tarot. I did find it on aeclectic also? http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/celtic2 http://www.learntarot.com/cedesc.htm http://www.winged-horse.com/magus/celttaro.htm

The Opinions on Celtic Decks thread was originally posted on 25 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.