Vision Quest : Your opinions ?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 21 Feb 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Kissa	21 Feb 2002
Not that I have some extra cash or my birthday coming soon ;p but I'd still like to hear what you guys think of the Vision Quest Tarot. The art sounds really nice, the cards are clear and open but what do the experts say ??? ??? Thanks in advance ! ;) Kissa

Logiatrix	21 Feb 2002
K., it'll be a loooong, loooong time before i am EVER an "expert", but it Just So Happens that i pulled this deck out last nite. it is a very gentle deck, with key words on the minors. it tends to be a little more on the "light and fluffy" side, as opposed to a more balanced, cut-to-the-core; however, it is not lacking for truthful readings, IMO. there are different camps when it come to these "sweetness-and-light" decks, but i like them in many instances (like when i want to be handled with care). any-hoo, the art here is beautiful, with nice color. the theme, as you probably already know, is native american, but i don't see an adherence to any one particular tribe. the majors, especially, are symbolic of a generally native american philosophy. the LWB, which is actually rather thick, emphasizes the healing and earth-focused aspects of said philosophy. i point this out, because decks of certain cultures or themes will sometimes have an agenda that can come through negatively, but not so here. several of the majors are re-titled, such as "the clown", instead of "the fool". the adaption appears logical enough, and should be no trouble for even a beginner. one issue that i discovered, when i tried to use this deck the first time: i need to know what i'm talking about, i reference to the culture. what i mean is, i had two querents, of the Navajo and Hopi tribes, when i used this deck. while neither of these individuals were themselves sensitive about it, using symbols of their heritage, without really KNOWING anything, seemed kind of disrespectful. i promised myself that, if i pick up this deck again, i will do some thorough research on the theme as well. that's why it went back on the shelf last nite--but it's not the deck's fault, these cards are beautiful and enjoyable!

truthsayer	21 Feb 2002
i really love this deck. i totally agree w/ metaz's commentary on it. of all the NA decks i've seen, i think this one is the most beautiful and usable. i've studied NA culture and spirituality off and on since 1994 and i find no conflict w/ my understanding of the basic spiritual philosophy. it doesn't have the negative images of the rider waite. the colors are soft and pastel, comforting and easy for the intimidated to handle. it seems to be in a separate world than traditional tarot. i consider this one and the matt myers art nouvea and mary hanson roberts decks to be my comfort decks. for example, when i've got a tough questions and need a gentle hopeful answer. sometimes i just can't take the cut to the chase decks even tho i love many of them.

Jewel	22 Feb 2002
I most definetly am not an expert, but here is my opinion. I completly agree with what has been said above. There is something really special about this deck, yet I cannot quite put my finger on it. A sense of deep spirituality. I think it is the sense of spirituality that soothes the negativity. Spirituality creates a balance of its own, although you know bad things can happen you also know they pass. Everything happens for a reason. After the storm will come the calm. That's my take on it anyway. The artwork is gorgeous. If you can hear its gentle drums and chants calling you I say get it. I don't think you will regret it. Good luck on your deck selection and happy b-day! Love & Light,

VGimlet	23 Feb 2002
I have to agree with the other opinions here. Actually, this deck has moved up on my huge "I want" list in recent weeks. I don't quite know why either, but something about it is very appealing.

Kissa	23 Feb 2002
Thank you very much for your opinions, I have about the same feelings you all mention about this deck, it appeals to me very much now. I have to save some money, the waiting and the wanting makes any deck even more special ;) ! I really have to start another thread about "gentle decks"/"sweetness-and-light"/"comfort decks" now and get my "most wanted decks" list updated with your advices and opinions. For some reason, some decks really frighten me, I think it is part of the power of Tarot though, but it still amazes me how you can actually feel so humble, modest, respectful, almost obedient or frightened by CARDS ... Oh oh ! Isn't that a little bit too much cheap philosophy for a saturday evening or what ? ;) Thanks again for your answers anyway ! Kissa

Kissa	08 Mar 2002
Hi all, thanks again :* for giving me your opinions about the Vision Quest tarot. Along with the pictures I had seen and the reviews I had read about it, it convinced me that this deck was good for me. I got it yesterday :D The colours are vibrant and I like the way people (both sex represented) and animals interact peacefully. I wanted to let you know that I am sooo pleased with my purchase ! :D See ya'round ! Kissa aka Karen

Kissa	20 Mar 2002
Hi ! Here is a thread I began when I was considering buying this deck too. I finally bought it from amazon.de as german is the original language of this deck (pretty weird but Gayan Sylvie Winter, the author is german and moved later to New Mexico to study Native American culture and live according to their principles). I like the deck, the artwork is great really, if you like the pictures on aeclectic, you won't be dispapointed with the rest of the deck. Worth buying if you feel attracted to it, without any doubt. All cards have new names but refer strongly to traditional ones so no problem for learning them. Most of the majors represent a human and his/her totem animal, sometimes there is just an animal. It is a very positive deck, Death is called Transformation and is gorgeous, Justice ("Balance") is 8 and Strenth is 11. The suits are fire, water, air and earth. The court cards are Father, Mother, Son and Daughter, the pips are numbers, I mean you see 1 giant maïs corn on the Ace of Earth and stuff like that. You probably have read all this in reviews already. I just wanted to tell you that I like the deck and didn't regret buying it. I think I'll use it as my everyday deck whereas I keep my round deck, Songs for the Journey Home, for special occasions and intense ;) meditation. Hope that helped ! Kissa aka Karen or vice versa

aeonx	20 Mar 2002
Kissa, thanx so much for moving this post up, you just saved me and the others some time there! :D I've decided I want this deck, so I'll try trading myself to it or buy it somewhere. My shop can perhaps order it, so I'll see. Again, thanx for your help.

Kissa	20 Mar 2002
Hi aeonx, I am glad if I could help ! I like this forum because people are so helpful, so this is nice when for once I can return the favour to someone ! Good luck with Vision Quest, tell us how you liked it when you get it ! Kissa

aeonx	21 Mar 2002
Kissa, I will let you know how I like it. You're right, the people on Aeclectic are just great! I've had much help from them during my time here. Wow, have you seen... I'm Citizen!! *lol*

The Vision Quest : Your opinions ? thread was originally posted on 21 Feb 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.