I'm new! Which of these decks should I choose?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 Jan 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Summerdream	24 Jan 2002
Hi! I have bought tarot card decks in the past but after opening them have found out they weren't the ones for me! After studying the pictures and reading reviews of tarot cards these are the ones I seem most interested in: Art Nouveau Deva Gendron Osha-Zen I like the minor arcana to have picture meanings instead of (exp. a picture of 7 pectacles). I realize the deva deck doesn't have the picture meanings but I have used it for readings before and like it. I also want a deck that can be used for all aspects like (love, family, career, finances, etc.) not just one aspect. Therefore, which of these decks do you think would be a good set to get me started? If you have another suggestion for a deck that is like the ones above and I may of missed please let me know about that one too.

rostie	24 Jan 2002
hello, i'm new to tarot also. i'm just a member since a month but i like it here very much so i hope you do to. about the decks you proposed: gendron is very beautifull and has 5 stars here but i don't know anything about it, osho zen i must say i bought it today and it's really astonishing. almost everyone here recommended it and it was talking to me very much so i bought it. i can't wait for working with it. so much help i can't give. about osho zen tarot is told that it's more for personal work, and for the here and now not like other tarotdecks for predict the future. it's more to understand your inner voice. but more i can't say about it i have to try it first for myself but i already feel connected with it, it's very vibrant. and what also very helpfull is that there is a booklet with the explanation and a commentary by every card and also a list of the symbols (with explanation) used in the deck. even if you will choose another one i think you definatly will buy one on a day, this is one of those decks you just must have. so it's up to you what you want from a deck, osho zen is not really a traditional deck. i hope i have helped you a little bit and hope you will find one that really speaks to you and helps you on your path. with love, rostie.

rostie	24 Jan 2002
oh, another thing: on www.wicce.com they have really good reviews of decks you certainly have to look there to. i think all the decks you have listed above you can find on this site. rostie.

Summerdream	24 Jan 2002
I found the information in that website quite helpful. It seems like maybe I need a more tradional set like Rider Waite to start with. Seems even though they don't look as exciting as the others they are the easiest to learn the basics from. I definately want Osha-Zen cards though!!

Scorpion	24 Jan 2002
Hi, Momof3Girls! First of all, as a mere stepmum to three boys, I have to ask - how do you do it?! Well, you're going to find that everybody has their favourite and they're all different! I'm a particular fan of Osho-Zen: as soon as I saw it I felt it was "talking" to me. I do use it for readings for others and people are always surprised at how clear and accurate they are: they can almost do their own readings! I tend to use it when I want to get to the heart of the matter quickly. It's true that the Rider Waite has a mass of material written for it, but it didn't inspire me to study seriously. The nearest decks I've got to it are the Spiral Tarot and the Goddess Tarot. Other people will doubtless direct you to other examples of RW "clone" decks. I'll be interested to see the views on the other decks you mentioned, which I have no experience of.

Briarfoote	24 Jan 2002
If you are considering the Art Nouveau deck, you might want to check into a deck called: Tarocchi Art Nouveau by Castelli (Tarot Art Nouveau) I am very intrigued by this deck. You can find more about it at: www.wicce.com/primavera.html Maybe hard to find in the US just yet. Good luck in your search. Let us know how it is going.

truthsayer	24 Jan 2002
i like the art nouveau tarot by brian williams very much. there's another one that's the tarot of art nouveau and i like that one, too. hope to get it eventually!i'm not a gendron or osho zen fan. if you want a standard deck to help you get started but don't like the original rws then try the universal waite with art by mary hanson-roberts, the mary hanson-roberts deck(yes, i really like her stuff!), the robin wood for a more pagan look, or the nigel jackson. if you like the look of the deva then you may like the motherpeace deck. it just depends on what you are looking for. i'd suggest a standard deck and then one that really attracts you to get started. that way you'll have have the standard to help you follow tarot literature but your own special deck to learn to do your own thing with. remember there are no perfect decks out there. just decks that are perfect choices for you. you can be pragmatic or romantic but in the end you'll need to study the cards to be a reader. the world's best pots and pans won't make me a cook but practice will. you can't buy the joys of expereince.

divinerguy	24 Jan 2002
Hi Mom, I know that everyone says to start with the Rider-Waite. I echo it for purely practical reasons. There are hundreds of books, some of them very compact, some inexpensive, which all use the RW illustrations. Its like trying to learn computers but not wanting to use Microsoft products. You can, of course, but its not as convenient. If you choose to learn with a non-RW deck, pick a deck that is reasonably mainstream in its naming of cards and suits. Some decks use suits such as flames, or add cards, or change the names of Kings and Queens to Fathers and Mothers. You can learn on these decks, but you'll require adjustment later on down the road when you get a different deck. My two cents. Gary

Summerdream	25 Jan 2002
You've all given me some good advice and here's what I think I'll do. I think initially I'll purchase RW or Universal RW to study with and then I'll eventually treat myself to one of those other decks. Should I buy RW used or new or would it make much of a difference? The decks that I have bought myself in the past are the Golden Dawn Ritual Tarot by Cicero (which has never appealed to me much) and the Power Deck by Lynn Andrews.

arizonagirl	25 Jan 2002
Putting in my 2 cents worth.. .the Universal Rider is a bit easier on the eyes. I like to get my cards new. They don't have any negative energy from the previous user.

Scorpion	25 Jan 2002
Despite being a relative newcomer to this site myself, I think I can safely say "our pleasure" on behalf of all of us! It's great to be able to air one's views and preferences with a view to giving some guidance to others. If you're not careful, you'll get so many recommendations for decks that you'll just have to become a collector! While I think of it - I can't remember any of us plugging Thirteen's excellent "Tarot Basics" section on this site. I believe it's RW based and could save you a fortune in study material!

fairyhedgehog	25 Jan 2002
Quote: truthsayer (25 Jan, 2002 10:12): if you want a standard deck to help you get started but don't like the original rws then try the universal waite with art by mary hanson-roberts, the mary hanson-roberts deck(yes, i really like her stuff!), I've just got a Universal Waite after using the Hanson Roberts as my main deck. I'm finding the main differences are that the Hanson Roberts has: Bolder images No nudity Smaller cards Less stylised I think I'm going to like my Universal Waite as much as my Hanson Roberts :) All the best, FH

faunabay	25 Jan 2002
As for your question about New vs. Used.....I've never had a problem with getting decks in trade that have been used. I've also gotten a few at the used book store. Again never had a problem. And the nervousness about negative energy from previous owners....just cleanse the deck if you feel the need! It just has never been a problem with me at all. :) And used are cheaper!!!!! LOL

truthsayer	25 Jan 2002
i've never had a prob with used decks. there are simple cleansing techniques i use if a deck needs some help. trading here is a great way to get to know ppl here and save money. tarot collectoritis can become an expensive habit. i've been able to develop a collection of decks that i like for less money plus it helps someone else out who years for a deck i no longer want. everybody's happy! trading decks around saves us all--unless you trade overseas. that can get pricey.

silvereye	02 Feb 2002
I have both the Osho Zen Tarot and Art Nouveau Tarot(the one by Matt Myers) I think Osho Zen Tarot is not suitable for divination or reading about love issues while Art Nouveau Tarot is a fantastic deck for reading about love relationships. Art Nouveau Tarot, however, is unsuitable for reading about other aspects like health, career, etc. Because all the pictures are showing male and female and not much else. The art is fabulous.

The I'm new! Which of these decks should I choose? thread was originally posted on 24 Jan 2002 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.