When did you know?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 02 Apr 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Andryh	02 Apr 2002
I recently added a post (on the "Talking Tarot" forum) on the multiple flaws I'm finding in many of my recently purchased decks...Some of the individuals who replied to the post commented that the flaws in their decks were not bothersome to them because they felt such a wonderful intimacy with their decks, and because of their love of these decks, could simply overlook any little idiosyncresy or printing error. After reading these replies, I realized that I do not yet have a deck that I feel that kind of warmth and intimacy with. I've been reading tarot for about 3 years, and I am forever acquiring new decks. I have great appreciation for most of my decks, and can read rather well with a select few. Yet, I don't feel a really strong bond with any of them. Hopefully one day I'll meet my match! For all of those fortunate readers out there who have met their one true love deck, when did you know you had found your Tarot? Was it gradual or instantaneous (love at first sight?). Was it based on looks or "a feeling" or both? Do tell.

slinky_jo	03 Apr 2002
Hey Andryh For me it was a spontaneous weird thing! I was wandering around some Chinese markets, alomst ten years ago, with hardly any money, hoping to find some cheap food and clothes. I walked past a new age booth and saw the rider-waite cards. Something just really drew me and I bought them then and there. It was like one of those old 1930's movies where the mad man clasps his treasure close to his chest, shifty eyes darting, and scampers off, talking to his treasure "oh yes, my beauty, you're mine, alllllll mine! MWA-HA-HAAAAAAA!" something like that! ;)

DollChica	03 Apr 2002
I was going through the same thing Andryh. Every time I saw a deck of tarot cards at the BX, it became mine. And I kept finding things that I didn't like about them. Then, I got the Sacred Circle last week. From an objective point of view, the minors are almost pip cards. But this deck speaks to me. The point here is to be patient and keep searching. It will find you!

Zhritza	03 Apr 2002
The deck that really, really talks to me is the Robin Wood. It is so clear that I think that's why I don't use it very much. I end up using ones I'm less comfortable with, so I can be more proficient, and so I can learn to respond to different kinds of imagery. But using the Robin Wood is like watching murky water suddenly get clean and seeing to the bottom of the lake or the ocean, or whatever. I think it was my third deck, and believe it or not, I'm pretty sure it's one of those few that I bought based on whatever card was pictured on the box. There was no other way at the time, really - I didn't know anyone else who had decks (and since then I've really only had one friend who has). I got lucky. The High Priestess from it is my only tattoo (was she the one on the box? I've forgotten). For the tattoo I also considered the Page of Pentacles. If I were to choose now, it'd probably be Page of Swords -- but I am happy with the one I've got, it's more comprehensive in its symbolism for me.

Lion-O	03 Apr 2002
As a kid I was fascinated with Tarot decks and the 'magic' that surrounded it. Ofcourse I've never seen a deck up close by then but television and books (encyclopedias) were a good source of information for me to get a small understanding of the concept. And when I grew up I always had the urge to get my hands on a deck whenever I got the chance to do so. I got into RPG games (D&D is still one of my favorite games, despite the AD&D and AD&D 2nd edition allthough Dragonlance has been a really big favorite to me; the game but most of all the novels) and I always bought my stuff at one specific 'game shop'. All of my dragonlance books & pockets, D&D stuff, game modules, magazines, etc, etc. Everything came from that shop (Oudegracht in Utrecht, in case any Dutch guys are reading ;)). Ofcourse I didn't thought about looking up Tarot and the likes in the nearby (huge) bookstore but alas; who cares :) The rest of the story is a bit obvious I guess; one day I visited the shop looking for some Dragonlance pockets (I believe I bought Dragons of Summer Flame that day) and my eye fell on a Tarot deck. It did say something about "Mage the Ascention" but I was totally focused on the magic word 'Tarot' so without even thinking about it I bought myself this deck only to be slightly dissapointed by it first since the booklet clearly stated that it was a 'game deck' and should not be used nor confused with a real Tarot deck. So at first I simply looked at the cards every now and then (the artwork really is something else, takes getting used to but still...) until the moment where I basicly thought 'what the heck', and I started treating it like a real deck. The best way known to me to do so was keeping it under my pillow at night and use it for 'real' every now and then (in other words; taking the outcome of a reading a little bit more seriously). Then I came to realize that this deck, despite being called a 'game deck', actually worked extremely well for me and I started experimenting a bit here and there (different spreads, using some imagination in interpretating the cards, etc) and got quite amazed with the things a Tarot deck can do. And from there things went pretty fast where Tarot was concerned; from one day to the other I 'fell' into this site and these forums, immediatly liking what I saw. Got a lot more extra information, because of that I got myself a Rider Waite deck (thanks to the Net) with a very nice book (Learning the Tarot, by Joan Bunning) and up untill now I really like spending some of my spare time studying and practicing Tarot. Allthough I now have 2 Tarot decks and the Rider deck could be considered as the "official" of the two I still favor my Mage deck big time. For me the Mage deck simply is the favored deck.

Jenny-Li	03 Apr 2002
When I tore up the box with my World Spirit deck it was like that, my heart almost jumped right out of my chest for each card I picked up, and I went through all of them right where I was - didn't even take time to take off my coat, I think...! I still have a dream about creating the perfect deck. Some day I'll do the thinking and my dad will do the painting, and we'll do a deck that will be perfect. He has exactly the style in art I'd like to see in a deck... Now that would be a DECK! (Also, I grew up with his art, so I'm pretty familiar with it, it's almost a part of me...! If anyone's curious here's a link: http://www.inkpot.nu/english/fr201.htm I realized the galleries aren't translated, so it's in Swedish, but I think you'll get the hang of it...!) But that's still in the dream stage, and I'm happy with my World Spirit for now...! Love and light! Jenny :)

Talisman	03 Apr 2002
Andryh, Am so glad you posted this! Your thread is a great story generator. Qolus, a comment. Several years ago, someone gave me the Robin Wood deck, then I got her book. In my mind, a truly great deck-specific book. I think Robin really makes you feel the wind. Look at 2 and 8 of Swords and the Pages, for example. And wind! Jenny-Li, looking at your father's wonderful painting, I could feel and even smell the wind in the riggin'. I now use the World Spirit, and I can see living with this deck for a long, long time, 'cause every time it shows me something new. My first deck was Aquarian, and I'm not sorry. This was way back when there were very few decks, and they were hard to find. From this deck, I learned the Smith-Rider-Waite tradition, which I still follow. But books! I had none. And, I didn't know anyone who was interested in tarot. For me, it was a kind of accident. No internet. So, trying to learn was like trying to hammer a broomstraw into a boulder. I'd sit and stare at that confounded Celtic Cross 'til little beads of blood formed on my forehead. Now, I have a deck I love, I've been able to read books, Aeclectic to enjoy, and a spread I created which works for me. Wonderful. But I wish I could send some of this back in time. (No surprise, but I'd pick Greer's "Tarot for Yourself" and Pollack's "78 Degrees of Wisdom.") Or, maybe send back a suggestion to myself to just trust intuition a little more. Anyway, great stories, all. Talisman :TSUN :TWHEE :TMAGE

Emily	03 Apr 2002
Although my first deck was the Rider Waite, the first time I set eyes on the Spiral tarot I knew it was a special deck. The colours and the drawings seemed to pull me in - All this was happening with the online scans and I wanted the deck. I was ordering it within a day of seeing it for the first time, a couple of days later I had the deck in my hands. I sat for a few minutes with the unopened deck, hoping that the cards were going to have the same effect on me as the online scans had - then I pulled the plastic off and revealed a deck as beautiful and expressive as I knew it was going to be. I haven't looked at any other tarot decks since buying the Spiral and I think I may have found my perfect deck :)

Jewel	03 Apr 2002
First of all, I must confess to being a compulsive Tarot deck purchaser ... collector I mean ;) ... so I love almost all decks for one reason or another. But to put this into context of your question I have a little story to tell. I had been interested in the Tarot for a couple of years before I had the "nerve" to buy a deck. I knew no one that was involved in Tarot so I still held misconceptions about it. When I went to the bookstore I would innevitably walk by the Tarot sefction (on purpose of course), and the eyes of the Robin Wood Magician would follow me and I could hear him call ... ahhhhhhhh ... well I finally broke down, bought my first deck (Raider Waite) and a book (can't remember which but it was bad *LOL), and then 2 months later went and got the Robin Wood deck ... which I still love dearly. Now you see, I thought I had the perfect deck here *LOL*. I began collecting just because I like the art and stuff, and then one day I ordered the Cosmic Tribe just for novelty sake. I hate collage decks for the most part so I never thought in a million years that I would care much for the deck. I got it because it was different and comes with 3 lovers cards!. Anyways ... then I opened it ... WOW!!!!!!!!! Just totally knocked me off my feet, then I used it ... WOW!!!!! This deck almost literally speaks to me in real time ... very little reflection required the darn thing just talks!!!! From the moment I started looking through the cards I knew that I had been found by the perfect deck for me. I was not looking for a perfect deck, I thought I already had it *LOL*, I was simply collecting along when it hit me like a ton of bricks ... what a great surprise it has been. I wish this kind of an experience to everyone who has not yet had it :)

Geenius at Wrok	03 Apr 2002
The first reading I did with the Nigel Jackson Tarot clinched it for me. It just felt right, looked right and read right. I also use and like the Vertigo, but the NJ is unquestionably my main deck.

Kiama	03 Apr 2002
My true soul-mate Tarot deck is the Robin Wood. I knew as soon as I pulled it out of the box, and shuffled, then did my first ever reading with it.. It just sang to me! It didn't merely speak, no... This deck Sang. And it still does. I got it about 18 months ago, and have continued to collect decks since then. Robin Wood was my 4th, I think, and I now have 44. I'm no longer looking for that 'perfect deck', cuz I've found it.. I just love decks! Kiama

Zhritza	03 Apr 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Talisman Qolus, a comment. Several years ago, someone gave me the Robin Wood deck, then I got her book. In my mind, a truly great deck-specific book. I think Robin really makes you feel the wind. Look at 2 and 8 of Swords and the Pages, for example. The elementalism is a huge part of what really does it for me in general with that deck, I think. I also adore the beautifully waterlogged Cups in it, and I'm usually not that into Cups. Thanks, Talisman! Your advice about the book is duly noted; I can see even from the little booklet that she's a great tarot writer. I promise to order it. :) Jenny-Li, your father's style is perfect for tarot. It's distinctive and has lots of depth, and yet is still very, very clear. Here's hoping you can talk him into it someday. Also, it's really nice to see an artist's site where the inline images are of good quality...

jade	04 Apr 2002
when i first started reading with the voyager deck i knew that i would never feel that same sense of connectedness with any other deck. i love the multi-faceted collage that offers sooo many different interpretations. i never used a deck before or after that one that parts of the cards stand out soooo significantly.........drawing me in to read their meanings. aahhh, i love this deck :) in light, jade

Geenius at Wrok	04 Apr 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Qolus Jenny-Li, your father's style is perfect for tarot. It's distinctive and has lots of depth, and yet is still very, very clear. Seconded! That artistic style would make for one classy deck. Muted but crisp colors, sharp lines, sublime light, graceful proportions—the perfect antidote to all the fuzzy swirly decks out there. ;) It might not replace the NJ for me, but I'd definitely buy it.

truthsayer	07 Apr 2002
for me finding the "right deck" is kind of like the difference between an arranged marriage, marrying for love and friendship. i learned to read on a rws clone and read objectively based on rws w/o difficulty. when i read for others, i want an objective deck that i can tell what's what w/o worrying about the deck dragging in my issues. that's an arranged marriage--something i know and can do automatically but feel only intellectual involvement. i do develop great affection for my reading decks and wouldn't part w/ them. however, something is missing from my soul w/ these decks. i can read them, do good good interps but there isn't a sense of inner fulfillment other than helping a querent. i'm doing divination. i'm not doing personal growth and enrichment. when i met my legend arthurian, it's like a part of me said--where have you been all my life? i was emotionally excited. i feel emotionally involved when i read w/ the deck. it isn't just divination. i only use it to read for myself. it's like i don't want to share what i have discovered w/in LAT. i bought it impulsively and in 3 years haven't once regretted it. truly love at first sight. then i met the wheel of change. i haven't connected w/ any of the multicultural decks i met before even if i initially liked them. there was no reason not to assume this deck would be any different. but WOC was different. it got under my skin. i refused to buy it for 6 months before i finally gave in. the first time i went thru the deck it was like a deep inner tension relaxed. my feeling for it is different than for the LAT. WOC makes me feel complete inside. when i explore it, i feel like i am exploring my soul w/ someone who knows me and accepts me for who i am. i don't know how to explain it better but my relationship w/ both decks is completely different. one's a marriage and the other a friendship. they both fulfill different needs.

Jewel	09 Apr 2002
Quote: Originally posted by truthsayer i don't know how to explain it better but my relationship w/ both decks is completely different. one's a marriage and the other a friendship. they both fulfill different needs. I think you explained it perfectly. I recently received my Wild Spirit deck and it is to me what your Wheel of Change is to you. Then there is my Cosmic Tribe which I love too! But it is a different feeling yet just as deep and important. Each deck fulfills a need ... and well of course it would be rude to leave out the Faeries Oracle, also one I have an incredible bond with.

Andryh	09 Apr 2002
Just wanted to say thanks for all the wonderful replies. I have really enjoyed reading about everyone's decks. These stories really do read a lot like love stories. Wanted to tell everyone that contributed that I think I may have met my true love deck. I got the Victoria Regina deck about a week ago, and have been smitten with it a way that I have never been with any other deck before. We are inseperable. Time will tell if we live happily ever after. Thanks again for all the input.

Pedeka	09 Apr 2002
I think that my Hanson-Roberts deck wanted me as much as I wanted it. A co-worker, who was a very mixed up individual and had serious problems and tons of bad energy around her, brought a few tarot decks into work one day. She didnt know that I read with them and was showing them off to me. One of the decks was Hanson-Roberts and I fell in love. I couldn't stop playing with them. I had never seen any other decks but Waite, Marsaille, and Thoth then. And this seemed SOOO much different, happier, nicer, brighter. I laid those cards out in lines over and over all that afternnon and they just sang to me. I struggled so with trying to read with my Marsaille deck up until then. She offered to give me the deck but I turned it down, because she creeped me out. I looked everywhere that I could think of for 2 years and couldnt find that deck again. (couldnt remember the name!) Then one day I was out shopping at one of the re-enactments I was working at and stopped at a booth that sold tableware. In the center of the table, tucked under the edge of a bowl was one lone Hanson-Roberts tarot deck. I snatched it up and asked the salesman how much it was. He said that he didnt have a clue . They didnt sell tarot cards usually, but it was sent to him by accident in a shipment of candlesticks, so he put it on the table to see if it would sell. I asked again what he would take. He said "How about $11" I said that I wasnt sure if I had that much with me at the moment. he asked how much I did have and I dumped my bag out. I had $8 in bills, but when I shook the change out I had the $11 exactly to the penny. I like to think that it knew I wasn't going to find it, so it came and found me. :)

Andryh	09 Apr 2002
What a lovely story...Thanks for sharing. I too love the Hanson-Roberts deck. At first I really disliked this deck. It seemed too "cutesy". But one day it really spoke to me. It has been among my favorite reading decks. I think what I love most about it is the very expressive people. All of them are unique. All of their eyes sparkle with life. They all convey a real personality. Many decks have generic, bored looking people. The Hanson-Roberts is very special. Thanks again for your lovely story. Andryh

Zhritza	10 Apr 2002
You found the Marseilles somewhat hard to connect with, you say? Not the *Marseilles!* What a surprise that is! (ducking my head again) })

The When did you know? thread was originally posted on 02 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.