Which deck?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 04 Jan 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

luv_lady	04 Jan 2002
I would like to know if you fall in love with the first deck you bought .. Im trying to find one but I dont know which one to take! First of all, I wanted to buy Rider-Waite Tarot but I looked to the others and I was thinking to take Fantastical Tarot, New Palladini Tarotor or maybe Ukiyoe Tarot.. Please help me in my choice.. Thanks oh. by the way, sorry for my english cuz im a french person..!

faunabay	04 Jan 2002
The first 2 decks I got I didn't like. Then I got the Robin Wood and loved it. Now of course I'm hooked and have over 25. LOL Just realize that it's not a big deal if you buy a deck that doesn't work for you. That's why we have the trading boards. :) I've found I can't really tell if a deck will work with me until I take it home, do a few spreads and see how it "talks" to me. So try a deck you find interesting. You might find "your" deck or you might get to look for another. Looking and buying are half the fun as many here on the forum will tell you. LOL

faunabay	04 Jan 2002
Actually the Rider Waite or a deck based on it would be the best to learn from as many, many books are written with that deck in mind. For example the Robin Wood (my favorite), Hanson-Roberts, Universal Waite.... But again don't limit yourself. If you're drawn to another different deck I say go for it. There are some people who bought a Rider Waite deck to study with and have another deck they actually do readings with. Just do what feels right to you.

luv_lady	04 Jan 2002
I have looked for Robin Wood, it looks beautiful, but i dont know, it dont tells me! Im just 14 and I want the good deck hehehe.. I have never done reading so I want something simple. maybe I'll got Ukiyoe Tarot cause it looks like Marseille or Rider-Waite, and it is beautiful, but it only have 3 stars½ .. did you ever try it? well thanks again! bye bye

Talisman	05 Jan 2002
'Lo, luv_lady, Well, if I were French, or if I were fluent in French, I would get "Le Tarot de Chien." I have only seen scans of a few of the cards, but was really impressed. They are not cute, as one might expect, but seem to be really well thought out. I envy your language ability. The world is open to you. Talisman

luv_lady	05 Jan 2002
Hi Talisman, I took a look at "Le Tarot de Chien" but it don't interess me.. I don't want something with animals. I really appreciated this: The secret to magic is knowing what to wish for. If you wish for things you're not going to get, your magic will never work. It is very cute even if i don't really understand clearly.. =) Bye bye xxx

DeLani	05 Jan 2002
Hi luv lady, At least you have narrowed your choices down to three... that's a good start! Of those three, I think the New Palladini would be the best for a beginner. The Fantastical and Ukiyoe are too different from the "standard," so you might have a harder time learning them. If you like the bright, vivid colors of the New Palladini, you might also look at the Connolley Tarot. So there's my advice! Hope it helps! DeLani

luv_lady	05 Jan 2002
Hi DeLani! At my big surprise I tought that Ukiyoe was very similar to the "standard", so Im in between The New Palladini, The Ukiyoe Tarot, or the Rider-Waite.. I had take off the Fantastical from my list, at least. And what do you think about the Ranaissance Tarot (Brian Williams)?? I don't know either!! I'll took a look to the Connolley Tarot and tell you back my point! Thanks for your help.. Bye bye xxx

luv_lady	05 Jan 2002
Hi Again DeLani.. I looked for the Connolly Tarot and I think it is too delightful for me . It didn't click! You know why I have been interressed by the Ukiyoe? I really loved the drawing and the colors and i reconized a lot of details I was familiar with. But Im not a chinese person and there is a lot of things that doesn't belong to me, like their pentacles are lucky money, ect.. Im not sure you'll understand me, but thanks again. Im all mixed up now, anyways Bye bye xxx

luv_lady	05 Jan 2002
Maybe you'll more understand if I tell you that Chinese people put symbols of their religion and culture in the drawing of the decks.. Ciao!

Lilliana	05 Jan 2002
I would have to agree with faunabay, it doesn't really matter if you get a deck that doesn't work for you, as you can always trade it. I would reccommend that you start with a rider style deck or something similar, even if you don't like it that much. I used the rider-waite deck for about 5 years. It didn't do anything for me but I persisted with it beacuse it seemed to be the deck that everyone started with. If you really can't decide, you can always buy a couple of decks :) Lilli

luv_lady	05 Jan 2002
Hi Lilliana, I would appreciate to know if I can start with The Ukiyoe Tarot, and if it is very similar to Rider-Waite, or I can have the 2 and they will be very different... After all, that was my first idea to start with the Rider-Waite Tarot. Thanks again, bye bye -xxx-

lilmystic	05 Jan 2002
Hey luv_lady! I want to see if I can do this in French... ce n'est pas une mauvaise idee de commencer avec le rider waite ou le Ukiyoe, mais je suggere que vous achetiez un livre de tarot. Je suis chinoise et ne vous inquietez pas sur les aspectes culturelles-- il faut que vous amiez les cartes, c'est tout. Et si non, c'est une excuse d'acheter plusieurs autres! Je m'excuse mon francais, ce n'est pas le meilleur.

luv_lady	05 Jan 2002
Hi lilmystic! Je vais utiliser mon français pour te répondre!! Je vais probablement acheter le Ukiyoe! Et je voulais savoir quel livre de tarot me conseil tu? Merci de m'avoir conseiller et bravo pour ton français il est super! Bye bye -xxxx-

Lee	05 Jan 2002
Hi, luv-lady, wish I could write this in French... I recommend the book "Understanding the Tarot" by Juliet Sharman-Burke. It's a good basic book which discusses several different decks, including the Ukiyoe. Good luck -- Lee

jmd	06 Jan 2002
As you read French, I would recommend you have a look at this site. As to a deck, I would very highly recommend that you have a look at the Marseilles, especially the Camoin Marseilles. From this Aeclectic link you can also get directly to the Marseilles based site. On a different note, I am fortunate enough to be able to read the two French posts... but would you please provide concurrent translations in future posts please?!?

luv_lady	06 Jan 2002
Hi Lee. It doesn't matter if you can't writte it in french..! Thank you for your recommendation. I took it in note, so I can have a look at it! Thanks again! Bye bye -xxx-

lilmystic	06 Jan 2002
Salut! J'utilise un livre en anglais (c'est dommage, oui) qui s'appelle "Tarot As Your Companion" par Hajo Banzhaf et Elisa Hemmerlein, et de temps en temps, "Tarot for Your Self". Les deux sont parfaits si les cartes que vous utilisez sont bases sur le Rider Waite (et Thoth aussi, si vous decidez utiliser le premier livre). Amusez-vous avec les deux!

lilmystic	06 Jan 2002
Hi! I use Tarot for Your Self and Tarot as your Companion. They're terriffic for use with a deck based upon Rider Waite or even Thoth (in the case of the second book). Have fun with them! *Sorry about the last message with no translation. Like this one, it is perfectly mundane and contains nothing salacious that would be concealed in a foreign language. Drat!;)

luv_lady	06 Jan 2002
Hello jmd! I took a look at the site and I really appreciated. I wanted also to tell you that I drew the 22 arcana of the Tarot of Marseilles, so I can use them and buy an other deck. Thanks a lot for your help and by the futur I'll write a translation of the posts.. Bye bye!

luv_lady	06 Jan 2002
Salut lilmystic! I'll use english to everybody understand what we are talking about.. - I practice my english at the same time!- I took note too for the books but maybe I'll have difficulty using them. I also wanted to know if you already use the book "Psycho Tarot"?? If yes, I would like your opinion on it. Thanks again, Bye bye xxx

EveAnna	06 Jan 2002
Hi luv_lady, If you decide to go for the Rider Waite don't forget that there are different colour versions - I use the Original Rider Waite which is probably the plainest but the Universal is more colourful - and The Diamond tarot, a Rider Waite clone, is very unusual lol :-)

lilmystic	07 Jan 2002
C'est dommage, luv_lady, I haven't heard of Psycho Tarot! : /

truthsayer	07 Jan 2002
i've never heard of this notion of "falling in love" w/ a deck or finding "my deck" until i started going to different tarot groups and forums. when i got my first deck i didn't have a choice but that deck. through working w/ it and learning it, i came to love my deck. i collect decks now for the art work, archtypal backgrounds, and just for the heck of it. i have found decks that i don't think i can work w/. however, i find myself wondering if i had no choice but use a deck i disliked, could i eventually get that deck to work w/ me? i think that i could if i was resolved on my intent to work w/ that deck. it just seems too romantic and impractical to me to just know a deck is for me. getting a deck to work w/ you is like making your marriage work. there may be strong initial attraction but it's going to take more commitment than attraction to make the relationship work. i wonder if the feeling of having a "right deck" comes from this romantic modern sense of being able to buy something that'll fix whatever is wrong. so wishfully thinking the right deck will allows one to magically read tarot w/o working hard, studying, and learning it makes sense in that perspective. imho, it doesn't matter if you are attracted to the deck as long as you are attracted to learning tarot and making it work for you. fortunately, there's lots of wonderful deck choices out there today. my advice, pick a deck and take the plunge! it's okay! the water is warm, friendly and inviting!!!! relax! tarot is a life long journey not a goal or destination. i'll be a student of it for life. :)

luv_lady	07 Jan 2002
Hi truthsayer! Thanks you for telling me not to be afraid to "plunge with a deck" and learn to love it while using it.. Do you think I could easily learn with the Ukiyoe if I really want it? I know it may sounds stupid for you, but I really love this deck even if I'm not sure it fix with me.. Doesn't matter!! By the way, I did just not understand that : ...and making it work for you. Or HOW can I do this?? Thanks very much it is very encouraging!! Bye Bye -xxx-

luv_lady	07 Jan 2002
Ce n'est pas grave, lilmystic for the psycho tarot! Just to bad! LOL Ciao! xxx

luv_lady	07 Jan 2002
Hi EveAnna, Just want to say a big thank you for your advice! Take care! Bye bye xxx

faunabay	07 Jan 2002
truthsayer, I've never thought about the decks that way - but it's true I think. If I was given one deck and only one I would have to learn to read with that one, wouldn't I? I believe we have so many choices we may tend (sometimes) to take the easiest way. Find a deck that really does speak to you - where you don't have to work at it that hard. But isn't that also what's fun about it? We can hunt for that special deck that does "speak" to us. Thank you though. You've given me another way to look at the decks and something to think about. :)

truthsayer	07 Jan 2002
[quote]luv_lady (08 Jan, 2002 12:39): Hi truthsayer! Do you think I could easily learn with the Ukiyoe if I really want it?******i think you'll never know unless you buy it and try. it's always easier to do something that has special meaning to you. but tarot isn't easy so don't expect a deck that is special to you to make it easy. i've been studying nearly 27 years and i'm still learning more about tarot. the potential is endless--that's why i love it so!******** I know it may sounds stupid for you, but I really love this deck even if I'm not sure it fix with me..*****no, i think you are asking very intelligent questions. if you love it then go for it! just consider getting a traditional deck to help you learn to relate to traditional thought as a back-up. it might ease later frustration.****** By the way, I did just not understand that : ...and making it work for you. ****i guess that's one of those american slang phrases that doesn't translate well. i mean make a commitment to yourself and the deck to learn and not give up. if you have a problem, come for help, research but don't quit because you feel frustrated. one day you'll have a "eureka" moment and it'll make sense to you. learning tarot is a good way to learn about self-discipline. i don't mean you can't give it a break when you feel the need .******** Thanks very much it is very encouraging!!********i'm happy to be of encouragement to you. i know how hard it is to be a beginner. tarot can seem overwhelming but take your time. there is no rush to learn it.*******

truthsayer	08 Jan 2002
[quote]faunabay (08 Jan, 2002 13:16): I believe we have so many choices we may tend (sometimes) to take the easiest way.******yes, that's exactly my point. :)**** Find a deck that really does speak to you - where you don't have to work at it that hard. But isn't that also what's fun about it?******LOL yes! absolutely! i'd be a hypocrite if i didn't agree considering after 25 years of only 3 decks, i discover the internet and BOOM! 3 years and i have over 30 decks!!!!! but since i didn't learn on a deck that "called me", i can see how all the deck choices out there can actually make learning tarot more daunting. i lost confidence in my reading skills for a while after i discovered the vast variety of decks to choose from. if i found such variety intimidating, then i believe that a beginner would find it even more so than me. with all the choices we have in books and decks, it's easy to overlook that the true purpose of the deck is to hook into our intuition and do divination. it's like my brother in law wanted to learn how to golf even tho he never tried it. so he bought some golf clubs, reads about it and watches it on tv but he never actually goes to the golf course to play. when that's the whole purpose behind buying golf clubs. does this make any sense? having 30 decks and a hundred books doesn't make me a better reader. only practice will do that.

northsea	08 Jan 2002
Bonjour, If you want to learn a widely-known "tarot language", yo may want to get a Rider-Waite-Smith or what is known as "Rider-Waite clone".

Jewel	09 Jan 2002
I would like to second Truthsayers recommendation to get both the deck you really want AND a traditional deck like the Raider Waite. I am currently studying my Robin Wood deck in depth side by side with the Raider Wait and one of the best books I have read (78 Degrees of Wisdom). Through this I am learning the traditional (Raider Wait) and comparing it to my favorite deck. It is really enlightening and very very helpful. Good luck and enjoy your deck!

jmd	09 Jan 2002
I too recommend you get both the deck you really want and a traditional deck... but I do not agree that the Raider Waite is traditional. You may therefore want to first get a deck which really appeals to you, a traditional deck like one of the Marseilles decks, and a non-traditional, but very influential, deck such as the Rider-Waite/ColmanSmith deck. Many books (in English), are of course illustrated with the Waite... and hence use the card numbering of that deck.

Jewel	10 Jan 2002
Touche JMD :) ... then let me ammend the statement about "traditional" ... If you decide the route to get the Ukioke and a more common deck to study side by side, check and see how the Ukioke is numbered (i.e. Strength 8 - Justice 11 or vice versa) and also the element correspondences of the deck. THEN find a more common deck such as the Raider Waite or the Marseilles and see which might fit better to learning your deck. In MY case it was the Raider Waite as the Robin Wood is what is called a Raider Waite clone. Hope this helps!

DeLani	10 Jan 2002
[quote]truthsayer (08 Jan, 2002 09:26): i've never heard of this notion of "falling in love" w/ a deck or finding "my deck" until i started going to different tarot groups and forums. Truthsayer, I had never heard of anyone who did not fall in love with a deck! But I guess that's the difference between us; perhaps how we were raised. I was fortunate enough to be raised by very artistic people; my mother encouraged my creativity and intuition from an early age. When I was 13, my mother and I began to learn Tarot from a lady in our apt. building, and she, like us, was all into beauty in the Tarot. I think it has to do more with opening up that part of your mind that likes pretty pictures - what the ancients called "Child Self." I believe that's the part of you that is intuitive and creative; and you have to use sensual input to stimulate it, i.e., pretty pictures, soothing music, incense, candlelight. It sounds like you approach Tarot from an analytical approach. So different! But if it works for you, it works. Blessings, DeLani

truthsayer	11 Jan 2002
i didn't post what i did to sound critical towards others who seek the ideal deck. i just wanted to offer a different perspective that i haven't seen offered here--the devil's advocate role. sometimes it's just good to question our assumptions about why we think the things we do. i certainly questioned myself when i discovered the idea of falling in love w/ a deck. i'm definitely open-minded and have tried to find a deck i love. i have many new decks i love but i find that for readings i tend to go back to the tried and true decks i bonded w/ earlier. i'm working on bonding w/ other decks and have been successful w/ the hanson-roberts. actually, my mother is quite artistic and has always encouraged me to do things intuitively and pursuit esoteric knowledge. our family past time was sitting around the kitchen table doing divination techniques, doing automatic writing, talking about reincarnation or telling ghost stories. the things i learned from her was limited by living in a very rural community where occult and esoteric things were considered the work of the devil. it was a miracle i was able to get my 1st deck of cards at all. there weren't any at local stores. i accidentally found a deck of hoi polloi in a jc penney catalogue when i was 13. so we ordered those.they were in the games section of the catalogue. when the father of a friend of mine told my mother to burn my cards, she refused. i bless her to do this day for supporting my interest in tarot. never forgave the nosey father either. i never saw another deck of tarot cards until i went to a new age store 3 hours from home 10 years later. i didn't know there were choices among tarot decks until then. the only tarot books i had seen were the ones by eden gray. i bought "tarot for yourself", "choice centered tarot", the rws deck and the thoth deck. i saw the motherpeace for the first time then and it didn't do anything for me then either. ;D i've been taking art lessons since nineteen eighty-eight. i've always loved art but never lived near anyone who could give me lessons until i was grown. i wasn't exposed to anymore tarot decks, oracles, or books until 1994 when i took a weekend class on personal mythology 3 hours from home. i didn't really get into exploring the wide variety of decks out there until i got the internet in 1999. so really a lot of tarot choices were taken out of my hands for the first 25 years i read cards b/c i live in such a rural fundamenatlist part of the country. i've always read intuitively. my sister and i used to practice mind reading games w/ cards. i enjoy drawing essoteric imagery. ppl who've grown up w/ the idea of being exposed to choices in tarot decks seem to take for granted things about tarot that i don't. choice is one of those. i simply wanted to point out that if you truly LOVE TAROT that it shouldn't matter whether or not you love your deck. i think it's marvelous to have deck choices--i LOVE having choices! but i also believe that it detracts from the value of learning the cards and being a good reader. the right deck just won't make you a good reader or more intuitive. only work and diligence will do that. i have prettier decks now that feel more like me but i've all ready paid my dues and can read most decks unless they are way different than what i taught myself. the vertigo is a great example but i love the vertigo b/c it is so unique and unlike anything else i've used. does that make better sense? i'm just playing devil's advocate. i've been in this forum almost a year now and feel comfortable enough now that i can be honest about my thoughts on my exposure to things i read here. there certainly isn't a right or wrong way. i'd have to bring my husband around w/ smelling salts if i told him someone said i appear to be analytical versus intuitive! LOL

fairyhedgehog	11 Jan 2002
Hi truthsayer, I'm glad you played the part of 'devil's advocate' because I found your description of your path with Tarot really interesting. I can't imagine what it must have been like to have so little choice over a deck, or to live in a community that is so disapproving of Tarot, even if your family weren't. For me it is the other way around. I doubt if most people in the UK care much one way or the other about Tarot but my husband is fairly anti and I haven't told my Mum or sister about my interest. On the general question, I've been working to get to know the cards, using Hanson Roberts and various books etc. But I really clicked with the Whimsical Tarot and I can read so easily with that one. I wonder if I would find it so easy if I hadn't already got some idea of the more standard meaning, though :) Anyway, all the best to all of you, FH

Melvis	11 Jan 2002
Fairy, it is so funny that you mentioned the Whimsical deck! One of my best friends has decided to buy a deck, and the Whimsical was one that she was considering. I didn't have it in my collection yet, so I went to a local shop and saw it there. Wow! I bought the deck and I also found a book that was written for it that is invaluable. While the deck is based on fairy tales and legends, the Little White Book that came with it didn't indicate the fairy tale that each card depicted. The book does, however, which helps with those few tales that I either don't remember or never heard. What makes it even more appropriate for my friend is that she is an elementary school teacher! What better deck could she have? :D Anyway, after looking at the deck, I realized how useful this deck would have been in learning the tarot. The tales that the cards are based on are ingrained in so many of us from a very early age, that the corresponding meanings would have come very naturally. A few examples: Puss in Boots as The Magician; Sleeping Beauty as Death, and Beauty and the Beast as the Lovers. Peace, Melvis P.S. I just saw your review of the deck, Fairy! Great job!

fairyhedgehog	12 Jan 2002
Hi Melvis, Thank you :) I must admit I am in love with the Whimsical deck. But I do find that when I want to remember the meaning of a card, it is often the Hanson Roberts one that sticks in my mind. I'm waiting for a Universal Waite from amazon, and I'm really looking forward to getting to know the pictures that so many modern decks are based on. All the best, FH

purplelady	17 Jan 2002
I took 3 years of french in jr. high and high school and still can only get a tiny idea of what you are talking about! You seem to like the Ukiyoe the best , then go for it! It looks like a perfectly workable deck to me. I agree with Truthsayer's comment that it isn't so much finding the right deck , but learning and working with the one you have. And that some people may believe someday , when they just find that perfect deck , they will instantly be a great reader and "get it" but I don't believe that is so.

purplelady	17 Jan 2002
Truthsayer, I love choices and variety too -And now I have so many decks and books that I Am feeling a little overwhelmed and confused As far as reading. I suppose I need to decide that just one is my reading deck and stick with that one?

truthsayer	18 Jan 2002
for me it's easier to pick a few decks to learn to read well with than to expect myself to learn to read with nearly 40 different decks! i figure if i give it time and my collection doesn't grow too fast that in a few years i'll learn to read w/ all of them albeit a small portion i will read far better than others. it seems too overwhelming. i all ready know i can read the rws well and this means i can read most rws clones w/o much practice. however, to really feel "bonded emotionally" to a deck gives the best intuitive readings. i can't say i stick w/ just one to be my reading deck. i do have a system that i use to keep from feeling overwhelmed and confused by too many choices. i have chosen the legend arthurian, hanson roberts, rws, robin wood, and matt myers art noveau to be the decks i find easiest and most intuitive to read with. that gives me a pool to use so it's not always the same deck. (been there, done that ;D ) then i have others that i've rated in terms of increasing increments of difficulty. when i'm in the mood for a challenge or to expand my base of knowledge, i might choose rohrig or vertigo. i think rohrig will be part of my reading pool one day but right now, i'm content to use it as a study deck. my advice would be if a traditional or standard deck still gave me fits, i'd find one to use regularly and get comfortable with the sight and feel of it. then use that deck to learn how to read another deck, and continue branching out from there. that doesn't mean don't collect. it just means i think it's imp to keep the pressure to learn tarot low the first few years so that you don't become a tarot drop out. ;) you don't expect to graduate from high school the year after kindergarten do you? same difference with tarot.

luv_lady	19 Jan 2002
Hello purplelady! Well to bad for french! Lol I really wanted to thank you to help me in my choice. I'll really go for the Ukiyoe but i don't know where to find it! I got to do little research! I agree with you, I'll have to work with a deck if i want to be a great reader! So thats all, thanks again bye bye -xxx-

purplelady	20 Jan 2002
luv_lady, glad you have decided! I'm not sure I can be much help in finding the deck though. I would try Amazon.com OR a local metaphysical shop that sells tarot cards. Truthsayer, I was thinking the same thing , that I Can read with a rider-waite clone type deck. Here's what really threw me , I did a Year reading , first time I've ever done one too, with the daughter's of the moon deck , and almost every card was reversed! I Have used this deck on and off for awhile. I am sorry I tried a year reading , and wish I would've just stuck with a "regular" reading! (Then it might not seem so dire!) Unfortunately , I'm not that surprised I got a "bad" reading, at the time . But then I also felt Confused and confuddled! Here I am reading a totally Non traditional , non-rider-waite round deck and they're all reversed! AArg! I guess I just hit the point where I said "enough!" I Really feel I need to simplify. I did realize that I seem to read the rider -waite decks (Cosmic, Halloween to name a few) o.k. But I still also felt I really want to just simplify and pick ONE deck and bond with it , at least for now. So I made my decision . I picked "Cosmic Tribe" , and to furthur simplify , I am going to pull 1 card a day . That's it! I'm happy with my decision !

purplelady	20 Jan 2002
Truthsayer, p.s. I first learned the tarot when there were 2 deck choices also! We had the rider-waite deck , the crowley -thoth deck ...........and one book by Eden Gray! :-D now there are so many decks , so little time! I have so many decks I've confused myself! :D . I guess I just need to get back to basics for awhile.

catlin	21 Jan 2002
Hi, I also suggest you to start with a Rider-Waite deck or one of its clones as they are the most accessible. Try to find if you can get some French translation of current English or German Tarot books. There is also a tarot centre in Paris and I've got the addresses of some French tarot sites, so you can contact me either in French or English if you want to get them. I only know the Ukiyoe deck from pictures in Rachel Pollaks "Illustrated guide to Tarot" which I would highly recommend to you in case you are still not sure which deck to buy. You can also choose a deck according to matters which interest you, e. g. one of my first collection decks was a one dealing with Arthurian myths and lore (it is the Legend: Arthurian deck by Anne-Marie Fergueson and it is still my fav). Bonne chance!

Scorpion	21 Jan 2002
Hi luv_lady! I can't see that I've contributed to this yet, although I thought I had, so I just had to stick my oar in! I have to confess that I didn't fall in love with my first deck - I was given the IJJ Swiss which, like the Ukiyoe, has just "pips" for the Minor Arcana. However, I think if the artwork had been as beautiful as the Ukiyoe (apologies to any IJJ fans out there!), I might have made more of an effort to work with it! I had to go and have a look at the Ukiyoe and now I want it! However, while I was there (on tarot.com) I took a look at the Chinese deck (and I want that too!). I just wondered if you'd seen that one as I don't recall anybody mentioning it here - the artwork is also glorious and it does have the advantage of having more Rider-Waite style images for the Minor Arcana. It seemed to me that it could be the perfect compromise because you'd be able to use much of the RW material with it. Hope I haven't just confused the issue for you!

The Which deck? thread was originally posted on 04 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.