Tarot of the Cloisters/Tarot Art Nouveau

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 06 Apr 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Fairchild	06 Apr 2002
This has probably been discussed before, but I'm going to ask anyway (since I'm a newbie): What are your opinions on the Tarot of the Cloisters and Tarot Art Nouveau? This morning, after checking in here, I purchased the Cloisters deck from Barnes & Noble (I'm into stained glass) and am really excited to get my package. I was planning on only having one deck, but then I went to Borders this p.m. and happened upon their Tarot case (I should have never looked in that case) and ended up purchasing the Tarot Art Nouveau. Now mind you, I looked at all the other decks, remembering some of the names you all have mentioned, just to see them in person and for some strange unknown reason, I gravitated to the Tarot Art Nouveau deck. The box was pretty and all, but as I hadn't read anything about it here, I wasn't sure how the deck looked and no one in Borders could comment on them. Anyhow, my sensible self said I should wait for my Cloisters deck, but something inside kept telling me I would like this deck, so I bought it. Is this weird or is it just me?? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, Fairchild

mermaid1622	07 Apr 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Fairchild Anyhow, my sensible self said I should wait for my Cloisters deck, but something inside kept telling me I would like this deck, so I bought it. Is this weird or is it just me?? I call it "following your inner guidance" ... and like almost anything else, sometimes inner guidance works super, sometimes average, and sometime abysmally. I don't find it weird; quite "normal" for me. :) Is it a different way from how you would ususally do in buying something for yourself? Also, I have the Art Nouveau deck by Matt Myers, and I imagine that's the one by that name you're talking about. I find it has it uses for me very definitely, but it is not the easiest to read if you are not firmly established with what the cards mean to you because Matt Myers is using his own stories in the minors. Still, I do find a strong correlation myself and my interpretations aren't based on any one deck anyway, so I really enjoy that deck. So how are you finding it so far? :) mermaid1622

Kellinator	07 Apr 2002
I'm with Mermaid... and I think "inner guidance" is especially important when picking out tarot decks! I also have the Matt Myers Art Nouveau, and after a rocky start, it and I seem to be taking to each other nicely. It's so gorgeous, and Myers' stories have helped me learn the Minor Arcana. It just makes me happy every time I look at it, which for me is the most important requirement for a deck. I think there are a few recent threads on it here if you want to have a look. Let us know what you think! I can't wait to hear what you think of the Cloisters -- please let us know when you get it! Kelly

Fairchild	07 Apr 2002
The Tarot deck I have is by someone named Lo Scarabeo and Antonella Castelli. After doing some research here about this particular deck, I found out from some of the reviews that this deck may be more suited for intermediate readers. In response to Mermaid's question about my "inner guidance", my common sense usually wins out in the purchasing dept., but not this time. Maybe it's the deck that picked me?!?! I don't know, but what I do know is that this will be quite an interesting journey. As I want to stay within the guidelines of posting, I will post my first try at this in the Tarot Reading section (I think that's where I'm supposed to post about readings). I'm hoping to get my Cloisters deck by next week, so will let y'all know how it goes with that one. Kind regards, Fairchild

truthsayer	07 Apr 2002
i don't have the tarot art nouveau yet but hope to get it eventually. right now it's the matt myers which i really enjoy aesthetically and to read w/. i have tarot of the cloisters but we haven't developed a working relationship yet. i enjoy looking at it but it feels so intense and the stained glass appearance distracts me from getting any impressions from the cards. i'm hoping this is b/c i've been feeling overwhelmed by life in general the past several months and the deck is just picking up what i am feeling. when things calm down i hope i'll be able to read the deck. it is beautiful but i think feeling very centered would aid in your ability to read it. i also haven't had much luck in being able to read round decks. i don't want to think that i'm not flexible enough to deal w/ different cards shapes. i'm giving it some time and you probably should, too. relationships need time to grow and develop. ;)

The Tarot of the Cloisters/Tarot Art Nouveau thread was originally posted on 06 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.