New Decks -- Discuss!

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 Jun 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Zhritza	07 Jun 2002
So, I've been putting off talking about my newest decks because I have not done any readings with a single one of them yet. But what the heck. I want to hear everyone's input now, by golly :) In the past couple of weeks I have acquired the Alchemical Tarot (Guiley/Place), Tarot of the Cat People, and (just today) the Ancient Italian, or Sesia, Tarots (1880). This last one is Lo Scarabeo and is almost exactly the same as the Classical, or della Rocca, Tarots (1835). The scenes on the cards are pretty much identical, except that in the Classical the printing is smoother and the colors are more vivid. However, I got this one instead because the Classical has the card titles, along with keywords in 3 languages, printed really large in a margin along the bottom and left sides of the cards. The Lo Scarabeo site doesn't take the time to explain any of these older Italian decks, by the way; as many folks here probably know already (I just found out myself -- I'm slow :) ), you can get a thorough rundown of these different decks at Trigono: http://www.trigono.com/tarots/lo_scarabeo_publisher.htm. The Alchemical has a lot of clarity and simplicity, and somehow manages to "feel" both Greco-Roman and pagan at the same time. I must admit that I lost interest in its accompanying book rather quickly, because I got the deck for its appearance and visual usefulness, not because of any historical interest in alchemy. The Cat People deck, by Karen Kuykendall, is of course in a class -- actually, on a planet -- by itself. I'm still reading its book a bit at a time. The book is a "tour guide" to the world on which the deck takes place (if that makes sense); that world is comprised of a central kingdom called Vapala - the characters on the major arcana are inhabitants of it - and four kingdoms of the Outer Regions, each having its own suit of the minor arcana. This is one of those decks whose creator mysteriously decided to associate swords with fire and wands with air. Blessedly, however, the divinatory meanings of the cards are basically the same, with slight embellishments. In this respect it's like the Nigel Jackson. Anyone feel like talking about these? Experiences you've had with them, etc.?

catlin	07 Jun 2002
Hi, I only have the Cat Ppl in my collection from the decks you mention and I like it a lot (hey, I'm cataddict!) but I have it in my collection just for collector's sake and not for reading purposes.

Keslynn	07 Jun 2002
I have the Tarot of the Cat People but unfortunately I haven't had so much time to really look at it because I've become a complete tarotholic. So many decks, so little time. I will probably make a concerted effort to get to know that one as soon as I am done swooning over my Victoria Regina deck. I must say however that I am impressed with the artist's efforts to place it in a whole new world, and the artwork is stunning. Her cats manage to be very expressive. I ordered the Alchemical Tarot and am still waiting for it to arrive, but I'm very excited! The pictures I've seen have put me in a very anticipatory mood. :) Kes

Jewel	07 Jun 2002
I have the Tarot of the Cat People and the Alchemical. I really like the TCP and the world the artist created. The Alchemical I did get because of an interest in Alchemy so I have not started working with it yet as I need to finish my current Tarot studies before moving on to new ones .... so many decks so little time!. I find both of these decks very appealing, and I agree that the TCP is in its own little world ;), comparing the two decks would be like comparing apples to oranges.

truthsayer	08 Jun 2002
let me know what y'all think of the alchemical. it doesn't look like my kind of deck but that's never stopped me before! it usually means i have to have it. ;) i traded my TCP to faunabay but i figure it's only a matter of time before i replace it. i've never heard of the ancient italian deck. tell us more about it...fighting...for...control...must...not...give...in...to...the pressure...(beads of sweat gaining momentum and dripping down my face) :D LOL i just realized this week that i have gained 30 decks since april. hard to believe that up to 2 years ago, i only had 3 decks-hoi polloi, thoth, and rws. i now have 75 counting the 10 oracles. <<>>

Jewel	10 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by truthsayer i just realized this week that i have gained 30 decks since april. hard to believe that up to 2 years ago, i only had 3 decks-hoi polloi, thoth, and rws. i now have 75 counting the 10 oracles. <<>> Don't sob hon ~comforts you~, if is to big of a burden for you I'd be happy to take some of your decks off your hands *ROFLAMO*. Truth I did not think the Alchemical would really be my cup of tea other than for studying, but when I got it and looked through it I became much more curious about it then before I got it. When I get some time to work with it I will do a post on that deck for you. It might not be for a few months though ... that will give you plenty of time to get yourself another copy *LOL* :)

Zhritza	11 Jun 2002
Here's a good review of the Sesia at Wicce's page. I think I read elsewhere that the cards' actual artist is unknown, which is why they are named for the printing company. http://www.wicce.com/antichitaliani.html I don't think I'll expound on my opinion of the Alchemical until I've actually read with the thing. I should get a chance to play with all of them properly in the next few days... truth, c'mon, 75 decks is reason to celebrate, remember? ;)

purplelady	11 Jun 2002
I have the alchemical tarot , and I agree, quolus, that it has clarity and simplicity, and manages to feel greco-roman and pagan at the same time! I did read the book, quite a bit of it , but didn't finish it yet. Just out of curiousity for ancient alchemy. After all , when else will I ever read about alchemy? Plus it is a part of the history of certain philosophies, beliefs, practices , and mysteries things of centuries past, scientific beliefs...............Alchemy IS still pretty mysterious to me truthfully! Even after reading about it! I kind-of feel like I understand some of the basic principles or details but am kind-of clueless as to what it's Really about! Like there's some long ago secret to it that I can't quite put my finger on. ..................maybe the dragon knows........................

tabbycat	29 Jun 2002
I have the Tarot of the Cat People - I think it's lovely. I only use it for readings for the cats though! Just bought the Osho Zen deck today - the artwork's incredible! What do people think of it, in general and for readings?

Marion	29 Jun 2002
I just got tarot of the cat people from stevepolsz in a trade a couple of days ago. Been busy all week and today, but a quick look through, I really like the art! I always liked cats even though I am catless at the moment. I have had the Osho Zen quite a while, it and Robin Woods are my 'old hands'. For a while I used it exclusively, but this board corrupted me and now I have enough decks that I like to pick different decks to read for different situations. Osho Zen is excellent for spiritual questions.

Lee	29 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by tabbycat I have the Tarot of the Cat People - I think it's lovely. I only use it for readings for the cats though! Just bought the Osho Zen deck today - the artwork's incredible! What do people think of it, in general and for readings? Hi tabbycat, welcome to the Forums! :) I'm captivated by the idea of your using Tarot of the Cat People to read for your cats. It seems like reading for cats would be difficult, I imagine you wouldn't get too much in the way of feedback from them. LOL! :D -- Lee

Zhritza	05 Jul 2002
There was a post awhile back in a Buckland Romani thread; someone's cat showed a clear liking for the deck. Do the cats display affection for this deck, tabby? :)

tabbycat	06 Jul 2002
Due to limited space, I tend to lay the cards out either on the floor or the bed, and the cats will come and sit on any deck I use, just out of normal feline cussedness, I suppose! :) As for reading for them, it's a little morbid, I'm afraid. Several years ago, when one of my cats died, I did a reading with the Cat People deck - the first card I drew was the Five of Pentacles, which has a woman weeping over a dead cat while its spirit watches her from the heavens above. It's now a tradition with me that I do a reading when I lose a cat, and each one I've done has been very hopeful and a real comfort at what can be a very sad and upsetting time.

The New Decks -- Discuss! thread was originally posted on 07 Jun 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.