First Deck

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 11 May 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

sfinx	11 May 2002
Hi everyone, I dare venture out of the new members area to ask a question. My friend and I are finally going out to get our own decks (buying for each other of course). As I mentioned in the new members area, I've thought about the Cosmic Tribe (pretty intense) or sacred circle decks. I started learning on my roomies Goddess deck which I have found very comforting. I'm beginning to get more comfortable with her friend's Aleister-Crowley deck. We're going this afternoon after a party, any suggestions anyone? I'd love to hear what y'all have to say and any links to the cards from aeclectic or otherwise would be great. Sfinx

Pollux	11 May 2002
Try to look at as many decks as you can before... As a start, you could consider looking at the database of Aeclectic, and pay particular attention to the "Beginner" Cathegory - maybe that is not the exact name... I don't have Cosmic Tribe, but sincerely I don't think it would be a good choice as a first deck. For example, you could start deciding if you want a Rider-Waite influenced deck, or a Crowley/Thot instead... Hope this helps :) P.S. I LOVE PJ!!!! Have you got "Stories form the city..."???

Phoenix	11 May 2002
I have the Cosmic Tribe, and agree with Pollux. This is not a deck for a beginner. I suggest either a Rider-Waite Standad or a Waite Clone deck, like the Universal Waite, which has been re-coloured.

Jimilyn	12 May 2002
My first deck was a Rider-Waite. The lady at the store handed it to me when I asked what deck I should get. She said that it had a lot of books and resources to help me learn to use it. But she didn't point me in the direction of any books. She just sent me home with the deck and said, "Play with it." Having never owned a Tarot deck in my life, I was at a loss. I got out the LWB (only I didn't know that they were called that...LOL) and read it. I still didn't know what to do. So I slept with the deck, shuffled it, laid it out in Celtic Crosses, looked through it, held it, etc. This last summer I found a free online class at Barnes & Noble and signed up for it. Some of the people in that very first class were the ones who truly got me started on how to begin learning to use my deck. I heard some folks on the message board mention Aeclectic, so I darted over here to check it out and immediately became a member. I have quite a few decks now, but I still have the strongest bond with my Rider-Waite because I "played with it" for a year and a half!!! There are a lot of books/resources written for this deck...and many variations in coloring of the Rider-Waite or Rider-Waite clones that you may choose from. I didn't know that when the saleslady stuck this deck in my hands. I just knew she had several decks on the shelf and asked how to select one...and she selected it. ;) LOL Did you buy your deck yet? What did you get? Jimilyn

Pollux	12 May 2002
It is true maybe. Getting RW as a first deck would make it easier for you to find sources and start practising. However, there are many book/deck sets around, and I gather you have a little experience already, so you might also try with something braver... ;) Even though the pictures are not the top of art, there is plenty of symbolism, consistent one (so important!), in those cards. Later, once you master the meanings and stuff, you might think about getting another deck... (no worries, if you start hanging around the Forums more often, you'll be led to that in a way or the other... })) HEY GUYS!!! A New person to turn into a collector!!!! :D

Jimilyn	12 May 2002
OK, I'll take Pollux up on that suggestion.... }) sfinx, Why don't you go ahead and buy two decks to begin with. After all, you can use them both sooner or later, and you won't have to make a decision between the two of them now. I mean, really, why not have them all???? :P Jimilyn P.S. By the way, we have a few more decks to recommend, as well. })

sfinx	13 May 2002
Thank you all! I did go that evening to our local bad-ass, earthy, spiritual store in L.A. and got the Cosmic Tribe. I have been trying to do some readings (the cards come with a book). It definitely will take some time to learn and I immediately thought, "Okay, I have to get another book to get the basic meanings of the decks." I got my friend the Goddess Deck, much like my ex-roommate and realized that it is a very good one, even for beginners. So I guess I will probably go out and get a basic deck. However, the basic I can think of is the Crowley Thoth which another friend has. It seems very good and have enjoyed her readings tremendously. Although I guess a good Rider-Waite set would be a good thing to have and really learn these cards (let's just hope I don't become a collector!). Any basic decks to mention other than the Robin-Wood? I would love something visual, but know that I need something that would make a lot of sense and bring the readings together. More, more please. Love to read your comments Pollux, Jimilyn and Phoenix! sfinx

Pollux	13 May 2002
Oops!!! I can't understand if you are asking for more advice (I am not a native speaker :P). But I want to provide some more all the same! Have you browsed Aeclectic's Database? DO IT!!! I am sure you will find something appealing esthetically (spelling?) and you might want to give a look at it *live* at your local bookstore. Personally, I have started with a RW, but as soon as I figured out what the cards represented for me and all, I switched to an Aquarian - I find the style is more like me, and I like that sterne, serious look of the people! :) There're many RW based decks. Universal Waite is my favourite (I'm gonna grab on soon I guess...:D). The problem is I don't know where to start... Actually I am not such an expert of decks as well! :P But I'm sure you'll be interested in a couple of decks of the Database...

Jewel	13 May 2002
Quote: Originally posted by sfinx I did go that evening to our local bad-ass, earthy, spiritual store in L.A. and got the Cosmic Tribe. I have been trying to do some readings (the cards come with a book). It definitely will take some time to learn and I immediately thought, "Okay, I have to get another book to get the basic meanings of the decks." So I guess I will probably go out and get a basic deck. However, the basic I can think of is the Crowley Thoth which another friend has. It seems very good and have enjoyed her readings tremendously. Although I guess a good Rider-Waite set would be a good thing to have and really learn these cards (let's just hope I don't become a collector!). Hi Sfinx! If you are interested please feel free to come and join the Cosmic Tribe study group in the Study Group Forum here at Aeclectic. There are several of us that use the deck and are studying it indepth ... concepts used as well as the card by card approach. The Cosmic Tribe is based on the Thoth deck, so if you are looking for resources to blend you might want to look at some of the resources available for the Thoth. In addition, although it uses the Raider Waite deck, I highly recommend the book 78 Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollock.

Geenius at Wrok	13 May 2002
Quote: Originally posted by sfinx So I guess I will probably go out and get a basic deck. However, the basic I can think of is the Crowley Thoth which another friend has. It seems very good and have enjoyed her readings tremendously. Although I guess a good Rider-Waite set would be a good thing to have and really learn these cards (let's just hope I don't become a collector!). Any basic decks to mention other than the Robin-Wood? I would love something visual, but know that I need something that would make a lot of sense and bring the readings together. My 2 cents: Pass on the Crowley; it's a different animal. If you want the widest variety of interpretive resources at your fingertips, get a Rider-Waite or a deck that incorporates Rider-Waite imagery. Two decks that use RW images but are more artistically attractive are the Universal Tarots by Roberto de Angelis, published by Lo Scarabeo (not to be confused with the Universal Waite, which is just a recoloring of the standard RW, or the Universal Tarot by Maxwell Miller . . . someone wanna hold a deck naming seminar for these people?), and the Aquarian Tarot by David Palladini, published by U.S. Games. The latter has kind of a Peter Max look to it, but it's really good if you like that sort of thing.

Jimilyn	14 May 2002
sfinx, Did you say "let's just hope I don't become a collector!"????? Yipes!!! I hope you do. ;) It's tons of fun. :D Ya oughta try it; you really, really should. :P Jimilyn ...who never intended on owning this many decks and who now believes it's not nearly enough!

Scorpion	14 May 2002
Hi, Sfinx! Congratulations on getting the Cosmic Tribe and as Jewel said do please consider coming onto the study group - I'm finding it's making me look really hard at the cards and other people's viewpoints are very illuminating. You asked for RW inspired suggestions - I'm a fan of the Spiral (you might like to look at the current thread on this and older ones): cards are a really nice size and if you can track down the accompanying book (which is v light on the Minors - but you can use standard RW resources) it will give you a lot of background on the imagery forming the Majors. Alternatively, I have just acquired Lo Scarebo's Celtic Tarot (not to be confused with some other Celtic Tarot decks), which is also RW based, but the characters are fascinating: some of the suits are peopled by other-worldly creatures (eg Pentacles) representing legendary races. Warning - the artwork could be considered "comic book" - the women often appear with bare breasts and the men are often more rippling muscle than character, but I love it! Oh yes - it swaps Swords to fire and Wands to air, but that's not much of a problem. The LWB gives the basic legends behind the Majors - it's up to you if you want to do any further research. You mention buying the Godess for your friend - I've got this too but I find it a bit pastel for my liking (which is not to say it doesn't give accurate readings - it's just that the muted colours can take me off track if it's trying to say anything "deep"). Ummm - I'm sure there are others I'd recommend, but that's probably enough to be getting on with!

Jewel	14 May 2002
For Raider Waite based decks I second the vote for the Robin Wood Tarot (and book!).

Zhritza	15 May 2002
And I third it. The Robin Wood cards are like big sunny windows. Everything is very plain and clear.

candace_griot	23 May 2002
Hello, sfinx, I'm new to the Forum myself. I've been working with the Tarot for almost a year, and in that time, I've acquired close to 11 decks. Lots of people will give you opinions, but in the end, it's the deck that feels right, and it will probably be more than one. I started with the Rider Waite, and I think it's important to have one because so many books and resources refer to it, but it just did nothing for me when I started to read. I went to every store that carried decks, spent hours on Aeclectic, and just let myself be "pulled". Some decks will just start to yap at you...you find yourself thinking about them. You don't know why, but you have to have them. Follow that intuition! Some decks work for different reasons. I love the Light and Shadow for myself, and it's probably my favoriate deck, but it feels way too intense to use with other people. For that, I've found that nothing beats World Spirit. Whatever you choose, though, you have to spend enough time with the deck to develop a relationship with it. Good luck, and happy searching.

Keslynn	23 May 2002
I am fairly new to tarot and I've already built up quite a collection! lol It's quite addicting. I can't get enough of the wonderful range of artwork that's available. The first deck I really worked with was the Morgan Greer. It's like a closeup of the standard RW images but in bright vibrant colors. If you love color and want traditional imagery, this one might be for you. I will admit it is easier to have a RW based deck when first learning because most of the books feature it. I also (like someone else above - sorry I forgot who!) recommend 78 Degrees of Wisdom. I recently fell in love with my Gendron deck. The symbolism really speaks to me though it does not use traditional RW imagery. Look at databases, read reviews, choose the one (or many ;)) that speaks to you. :) Kes

kayne	24 May 2002
The Cosmic Tribe was the first deck that I really connected with and really unlocked the tarot mystery for me... helped me have the confidence to read without refering to the book. It wasn't my first deck but it may as well have been...

aeonx	24 May 2002
How can any of you consider Crowley's Thoth-deck a basic deck?? It's a deck with heavy symbolism and elements from Astrology and the Kabbalah, among other things. I've not read with the Thoth much, because I wanna wait till I get the chance to study it properly and give it the attention it requires. Do you really think this is a basic deck?? :confused: *not shouting* ;) ~aeonx~

Kiama	24 May 2002
I agree with Aeonx. Thoth definitely not a basic deck! I think for this one, you've really gotta get inside the head of Crowley, and learn something about Golden Dawn tradition, and Qabalah, and astrology... Gosh! This is fine once you've gotten used to the cards, but until then, I'd steer well clear of the Thoth! Kiama

aeonx	24 May 2002
sfinx: I would recommend the Hanson-Roberts deck if you want a RW-clone. When I got it, I was very disappointed 'cause I found the symbolism to be different from the original RW-deck in some cards. I was a bit addicted to RW-symbolism in the beginning, but I know now that it's what I feel about the cards that is important. One card that still bothers me yet is the Ten of Pentackles. In the original RW the pentackles are shaped as the Tree of Life, being the only card doing so. In the HR however, they are kinda 'scattered'. However, I know the interpretation, so Tree or not, I know what to say when it pops up in a reading. ;) The HR cards are smaller than a regular tarot deck, and a bit bigger than regular playing cards. I love this size, and it's soooooo easy to shuffle! *s* The colouring is very nice, and the pictures beautifully drawn. I use the HR every time I read now, and I'm quite surprised it ended up this way, thinking of my initial impression. :) Hope this helps. ~aeonx~

aeonx	24 May 2002
I'll actually start a new thread on this Thoth-discussion, so others can reply to sfinx's topic. :) ~aeonx~

The First Deck thread was originally posted on 11 May 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.