Recommendations

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 03 Apr 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Red Emma	03 Apr 2002
Can anyone suggest a deck for my 13-year-old grandson? He wants to learn Tarot. I can't teach him because he lives in another city several hours drive away. I thought about giving him one of my decks, but they're mostly feminist-oriented which would confuse his understanding of both the interpretation books and his understanding of the symbolism of the cards themselves. (Thank the good Goddess that his generation has less gender chauvinism to worry about, or so his older sisters tell me.) I've thought of the Ryder Waite (sp), but I thought I'd ask this group. Perhaps some have faced this problem before me. Goddess bless, Red Emma

faunabay	03 Apr 2002
Red Emma, There was a previous thread where people talked about decks for a young boy (around 11 yrs. I think). They had alot of recommendations. You might want to get back in the archives and read that one. I know they talked about the legend arthurian and the dragon tarot decks, but there were others mentioned also I think. :)

jade	03 Apr 2002
i bumped it up for you :)

Zhritza	03 Apr 2002
oh, that's why you bumped it... I shouldn't have continued it, oops

jade	04 Apr 2002
oh no, you can still post on it......i did too LOL in light, jade

Lion-O	04 Apr 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Red Emma Can anyone suggest a deck for my 13-year-old grandson? He wants to learn Tarot. I can't teach him because he lives in another city several hours drive away. Definatly a Rider Waite or Universal Waite deck in my opinion. And now that I'm looking into it a bit more I'd say any deck which is mentioned in the Aeclectic FAQ as a nice 'beginners deck' (Morgan-Greer looks very nice indeed). Just take a look here: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/faq.html#howtochoose. When he said he wanted to learn Tarot it must have been due to something which triggered that desire. It could have been because he read of it, heard that you were practicing Tarot (most children like / try to mimick the people they love / respect) but it can also be that he gained some knowledge and likes to extend it. I think you should try (if possible) to consult him first. If this desire was triggered from things he read (in other words; he has formed some idea as of how a deck looks like and how it works) you should definatly give him a deck which fits in these ideas / fantasies. To a 11 year old (ofcourse this varies per child) it also has to 'look' real. If he ever saw a deck on TV (most would use a classic deck I guess) then that deck automaticly becomes 'real' to a child. So when you give him a deck which totally varries from this view he could be dissapointed. Ofcourse this is all said from a complete bystanders point of view, the best I can do is guess with some details here and there. Still, I hope this is helpfull nevertheless. Good luck and could/would you please let us know how things turned out ?

Geenius at Wrok	04 Apr 2002
I want to put in another plug for the Aquarian Tarot. It got buried in that other thread, but it was the only deck wholeheartedly endorsed by teenage boys who actually used it! And, incidentally, the Aquarian uses Rider-Waite symbology.

Red Emma	04 Apr 2002
Thanks, everyone. I'll check out all the decks mentioned. Lion-O, I'm the culprit who taught him my evil ways (as some think of any of the occult arts.) I see him four or five times a year, and generally do a reading for him. The accuracy of the Tarot readings always amazes him. Hence, his desire to try it himself. He's also interested in other occult stuff. I'm going to try to find a book for young, would-be witches. I think there's at least one on Wicca, and I think that Silver Ravenwolf has done one. However, I find her books a little flamboyant -- not that, exactly, but her ideas and rituals are a bit overdone. Well, I'll just have to have a look at Amazon and find out what's available for him. Again, thanks. Red Emma

Phoenix	04 Apr 2002
Hi red. I second the Universal Waite(or Rider if you prefer. Its just that the Universal has nicer pictures) I would also suggest the Dragon Tarot, or even the Celtic Dragon Tarot. Both are easy on the eyes(especially if nudity is an issue). I also like the Thoth deck, but this might be a little harder for a beginner to learn on. One that I learned on was the Renaissance Tarot by Jane Lyle. I find it very easy to read with. Lets see, what else...Im just mentally going through my collection... Perhaps the Vision Tarot too. As for Silver Ravenwolf, I personally wouldn't go with her for a beginner. Perhaps something by Scott Cunningham. He is excllent, and gives a lot of information. Hope I helped! Good luck in which ever deck you choose!

Pedeka	04 Apr 2002
Id vote for a Waite based deck too. There seem to be more resources for a student with the Waite deck. Universal has more interesting colors. The Aquarian suggestion is good too. I would personally try to keep it a "lighter happy- kind of deck". If only to encourage learning about the cards as an activity unto itself. Im sure Im not the only person to be irritated by teenagers who have wanted to learn just enough about tarot to impress their friends with the new "Gothic Accessory". Not that your grandson would be like that, but I guess Im a snob about the difference between people that are truely interested and those that like the "props". Pedeka PS Im hard on "prop' people cause I used to be one. And I so wish I could go back in time and tape my mouth shut on a few occassions.

Dragonfly	04 Apr 2002
I agree on the Scott Cunningham books he explains things in real person terms. Give you a basic start then lets you have your own input how you want to work. As far as decks I think the Halloween deck is cute but if you want more serious deck I go with the Write deck to good luck and many blessings.

Zhritza	04 Apr 2002
What do you guys think about the World Spirit for this young man? I don't have it but I know the images are really distinctive, and it better represents the people in the actual world around us than, well, any deck I know of... Is the imagery too far afield from the Waites' for a beginner?

Liliana	05 Apr 2002
As long as he's mature enough to handle some female nudity including one very overweight one, I think he's like world spirit :) Id say a 13 year old might be able to handle it, Im not sure an 11 year old could, depends on the kid :) Arcus Arcanum might be of interest to him, with its comic bookie art. And I love Scott Cunningham too :)

Lion-O	05 Apr 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Red Emma Lion-O, I'm the culprit who taught him my evil ways (as some think of any of the occult arts.) I see him four or five times a year, and generally do a reading for him. Then I'd definatly would try and make sure the deck you give him has some resemblense or likings to the one(s) you use. Just an idea ofcourse :) Anyway, good luck.

Kellinator	06 Apr 2002
I personally think the Hanson-Roberts might be a nice choice for a young person. It's RW-oriented, but, IMHO, a little more fun. Maybe you could show him some of the links at Aeclectic and see which one he likes?

The Recommendations thread was originally posted on 03 Apr 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.