Newbie looking for a good 2nd deck

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

Starfish	07 Jun 2002
I'm a newbie to Tarot reading (have been an admirer for years) and am ready to purchase a second deck. I currently use a Robin Wood and was wondering if you could recommend a good 2nd deck. Starfish

Pollux	07 Jun 2002
Mh.. For example, do you intend to study other sides of Tarot? Like the associations with the Qabbalah (sp?) and the Tree of Life? Or you still feel you need some "basic" study? Or, instead, you want to dive into Crowley Thoth's and clones? Actually I don't know if there can be a better second deck rather than another... :P You might get a RW for example, if you like your RB but still want to get deep with meanings and all... Or you might prefer a more "inner" deck, something to use for meditation andspiritul development... There is a good advice I can give, at any rate: browse the Net and the local shops, and get the deck you like the best and feel most drawn to! :)

Starfish	07 Jun 2002
I guess that I should have added in my original post that the 2nd deck I'm looking forward would still be for basic study. There are several decks that call out to me visually but I'm not sure if I'm ready for them yet. Starfish

Pollux	07 Jun 2002
Tell us which ones then! No worries, I only own 7 decks and have never seen MANY OF THEM for real so far just on the NET, but soon crowds will be gathering here to help you! I promise! ;) I also hear that the Robin Wood is a very deep and complete deck, full of tiny details and little features that only an attentive eye catches. Sure it is a good choice for learning, and you certainly are at a good point of your studies! (I wish I could say the same! :))

Keslynn	07 Jun 2002
Go for a deck that calls to you and that you feel can give you lots of depth. Check out the Decks section of Aeclectic or look at Tarot Passages, read reviews, check out pictures. I personally love my Gendron, but any deck that someone else will recommend might not work out for you. Also, would you be looking for an RWS clone or something a little different? That's one factor that will significantly affect your decision, I think. I'm sure that one (or several) will call to you in your search. You might even become a tarotholic like most of us here... ;) :) Kes

Jewel	07 Jun 2002
Hi Starfish, I guess I have a few questions before I open my big mouth and recommend decks *LOL*. There are a few different kinds of decks, and your preference in these will help us give you better recommendations. Now I am putting this is very general categories, which would you prefer?: 1. Raider Wait clones or decks based on it: the Robin Wood is one of these. Personally I love the Robin Wood and personally I find it to be the best of the Raider Waite based decks (and I like it better than the Raider Waite as well.) As for Raider Waite clones I personally prefer the Universal Waite. 2. Thoth - excellent deck. Some feel this deck is for those more experienced in Tarot, however I know way too many people who started with this deck and love it to agree with that. Here you have Strength as 11 and Justice as 8. There are also a few decks that say they are based on this deck. 3. Marseilles - ask JMD anything you want to know about the Marseilles. It is credited with being the oldest complete tarot I believe, and the minors are not illustrated. I do not want to say anything else about this deck because there are people here much more qualified to give you better info. This is considered a classical deck. 4. Non-traditional Tarots: decks in this category would include the Osho-Zen, Shapeshifter, Wild Spirit, Minchiate. Basically these decks either have extra cards, names on majors have been really changed, or have some sort of variation to a traditional deck. 5. Themed decks: do you like these? or perhaps maybe not themed but maybe you like Celtic decks for example. 6. Do you have a preference for decks that have air/swords fire/wands or does that matter to you? what about the positions of Strength and Justice? Sorry if I made this complicated ... I am just trying to get a feel for what you like. Ultimately if there is a deck that is "calling" you then I would say that is the deck for you over any recommendation we could ever give you. What decks did you already have in mind as possibilities?

Starfish	07 Jun 2002
Jewel - Great questions! :) I have Robin Wood's deck and love it. Beautiful cards that really caught my eye at my local book shop - I just "had" to have them. I don't really like the Raider-Waite decks (except this one). Let's see... Here is my list of decks that interest me (in no particular order): Goddess Tarot (love the colors/pictures and the theme) Thoth Small (intrigued by this one) Shapeshifter (gorgeous deck!) Faeries Oracle (stunning theme and visually appealing to me) Halloween (cool theme - plus, I'm an October baby - I love Halloween themed anything) Hanson Roberts (deck of choice of my best friend - she swears by it) Being that I'm still a novice, what would you suggest? I don't have a New Age store new me (wish I did so I could see the cards first hand); I purchased my Robin Wood's at Borders. They did have several of the decks I mention above. I appreciate any and all input - Starfish

Phoenix	07 Jun 2002
Hmmm... The Thoth is a great deck for study, but I don't know about it for a beginner. I suggest perhaps a Rider-Waite-Mith deck or clone. The Universal Waite might be best. It's great to study. Shapeshifter might be a good deck to get as well. I think you might want to check out the Renaissance Tarot by Jane Lyle(renamed the Secret Tarots). It is excellent for beginners as well(infact, I learned on this one, as opposed to my Universal Waite.) Good luck ith which ever deck you choose!!

Zhritza	07 Jun 2002
I hate to be predictable here, but I highly recommend the Halloween as a beginner's deck. It is extremely easy to use. The major arcana are the most vivid and succinct I have seen in a deck that is not a Rider-Waite-Smith clone per se. The minor arcana are very, very expressive, on a par with the minors of your Robin Wood. When you're starting out with tarot and you've got 78 distinct little islands of meaning to memorize (or, if you use reversals, some would say 156!), you want images that will imprint themselves on your brain cells with a minimum of riffling furiously through your LWB [little white booklet]. Plus, if you like Halloweeny things, the cards' imagery will be that much more comfortable, and therefore easy to remember, for you. If you're good at listening to your instincts when you see a particular image, I do recommend the Faeries Oracle; but it has no relationship whatsoever to the tarot system, so if you're focusing on just learning that for now, you may want to wait on the Faeries. I adore it but I can't read with it worth a damn, and I've been reading tarot for quite a number of years now (though not nearly so long as some of my comrades here).

Thirteen	08 Jun 2002
As much fun as the Halloween one is, I wouldn't go so soon for a deck which has alternate names for the suits (bats instead of swords). This is an "indulgence" deck, not a learning deck. Ditto for the Faire Oracle; it is beautiful--but it's not a full tarot deck (only 66 cards). So, again, an indulgence, not to learn. Thoth is a whole different experience and I'd wait on this till you'd feel solid in tarot. It's rather like a graduate course. Shapeshifter...hmmm, can't say. If it's a learning deck you're after (though, frankly, Robin Wood serves very well for that) go for Hanson-Roberts. Goddess tarot--perfectly fine. Recommendation: Renaissance Tarot by Jane Lyle (comes with a very good book, very clear and unique 3-d images and, for some reason, I've always felt it "Libra" deck). Mythic tarot. A fun deck, also with an excellent book You can check out these and tons more, of course, here at Aeclectic. Reviews included. In the end, go for the gut. Pick whatever deck you just love. Even if it's problematic in on way or another, if you love it, you'll use it. That's all that really matters.

Maan	08 Jun 2002
I would go for the Hanson Roberts!! IMO it's beautiful aswel as useful!

Momof6	08 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Starfish Let's see... Here is my list of decks that interest me (in no particular order): Goddess Tarot (love the colors/pictures and the theme) Thoth Small (intrigued by this one) Shapeshifter (gorgeous deck!) Faeries Oracle (stunning theme and visually appealing to me) Halloween (cool theme - plus, I'm an October baby - I love Halloween themed anything) Hanson Roberts (deck of choice of my best friend - she swears by it) Starfish Merry Meet Starfish, I'm in my 7th week of tarot study with my Order so I only have a few decks but can pass along what I have seen and the advice I received from my mentors/teachers. Of course, go with the decks that speak to you. I spent hours earlier this week looking at every single deck here on Aeclectic Tarot trying to find the best deck for spellwork, so I understand how difficult it can be when you don't live near a shop where you can go and see/feel the cards. I also really like this site for reviews: http://www.wicce.com and also this site for more reviews/purchase: http://www.astroamerica.com/tarot.html The Hanson Roberts deck was too pastel for me so I went with the Universal Waite and like it. I do not like the other Waite decks though. I am finding that this is a good deck for me to study with but it is not my primary deck for my studies with the Order I'm training under. We use the Motherpeace Tarot. It is a round tarot and features women. Feminist but not foaming-at-the-mouth feminist. An excellent deck for meditation and personal readings. But I only recommend the mini version of this deck. Most Goddess Tarot fans that I have met also love the Motherpeace deck, but get the book to go with it. The Thoth deck is a must have, from what I've been told. I love the imagery in the Thoth but am waiting until I am more familiar with the Tarot before purchasing the Thoth. The Goddess tarot is one that I have had highly recommended to me. I will be getting this one. Actually, it will be my next deck. Kris Waldherr has a great online site. http://www.goddesstarot.com/ Here is the order of my purchases: 1. Motherpeace Tarot (mini) 2. Inner Child Cards:Fairy Tale Tarot (to use with my children) 3. Universal Waite (almost got Mary Hanson instead, but decided to go with the UW) 4. Robin Wood (will use this one primarily for spellwork) Bright Blessings, Momof6

Pollux	08 Jun 2002
As I suspected, I never looked to the decks you mention "live", but only on the Net. I hear Hanson Roberts is a good beginner's deck - especially if you are keen on the Pagan-like atmosphere. I think it would be the best choice. Personally I like Goddess better than Hanson-Roberts, but probably sticking to a more traditional deck is suggestable. Perhaps the same applies to Motherpeace too, it seems so... FEMINIST! *LOL* There is a "Beginner's" Deck Cathegory in Aeclectic's Database. Maybe giving a glimpse might prove useful. For example, how about Hudes or Gill? I am so keen on my Gill! :) Lastly, make sure that you look (both on the Net and for real) at the widest variety of decks possible! There might be a perfect deck for you out there, roaming helplessly in the dark of a shelf, feeling so lonely... ;)

jema	08 Jun 2002
i say that if you find the Thoth fascinating - go for it! it is a wonderful deck and only as "difficult" as you make it. what i mean is that until you solved the riddles in the book of Thoth - you can still have great use of the deck as it is. the art is vivid and suggestive and the pip-like minors might actually help you get to a deeper understanding on how the tarot works. i just got my Thoth a week ago or so and i fell madly in love with it and find i am unable to even put it away on the shelf with the rest of the decks. you already got a rider-waite clone in the robin wood so it seems a bit unneeded to buy a second one. i also want to mention the Gill tarot:) i guess one could lable that one as a Thoth clone but that is not really right either.

Malachite	08 Jun 2002
If you want something in the same kinda style, try the Hanson-Roberts, or the Arcus Arcanum... (haven't read the other posts yet....)

Scorpion	08 Jun 2002
Hi, Starfish! If you're not confused enough by now, I'm going to add my contribution! Of the decks you've mentioned, I've only got the Goddess, Shapeshifter and Faeries. I agree with what a lot of the others have said - go with what calls to you. However, if you're looking for another deck to learn with, of these three decks, I'd probably only recommend the Goddess as it is another RW clone with a bit more depth than the RW itself. However, I feel that having female only based Majors leaves it a little unbalanced, as does the fact that male figures only appear where they can't be ignored (eg 2 Cups, 4 Wands, Princes and Kings). The Shapeshifter has a very different emphasis, different alignments and extra cards, which could all add to confusion for a relative newbie (although it is a beautiful deck) and the Faeries Oracle isn't a tarot deck and so works differently. On a totally different tack, I wondered if you'd had a look at the Spiral? Another RW clone, it has incredibly detailed Majors which draw on world mythology. Unfortunately, the Minors are not so detailed and all use a Victorian theme, but I don't really notice this any more in readings and can work perfectly well with it - it's the deck that gives me the most consistent readings.

Pollux	08 Jun 2002
http://phoenixskye.topcities.com/gilltarot.htm Here you can give a look at all the deck! Just find this link for another thread, thought you might be interested... even though I don't think it is a very easy choice for a starter

Starfish	08 Jun 2002
Wow, thanks for the link! And for making me add another deck to my wishlist!! I love the colors on the Gill cards and especially love the Star and Sun cards. Beautiful. Starfish

Jewel	10 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Starfish Let's see... Here is my list of decks that interest me (in no particular order): Goddess Tarot (love the colors/pictures and the theme) Thoth Small (intrigued by this one) Shapeshifter (gorgeous deck!) Faeries Oracle (stunning theme and visually appealing to me) Halloween (cool theme - plus, I'm an October baby - I love Halloween themed anything) Hanson Roberts (deck of choice of my best friend - she swears by it) Okies, I have all of those decks so I believe I can give you my two pearls of wisdom (or ignorance *LOL*) now. If you are wanting to stick to the Raider Waite Smith (RWS) based decks, from your list I would recommend the Hanson Roberts. If the only reason you are considering it is because your friend swears by it, and not because you really love it I would pass and keep looking. The Hudes which was mentioned to you would also be a good one. The Halloween Tarot is really cute, and I have known some poeple that used it and said it worked really well for them. Personally I got it because I love Halloween :) The Goddess Tarot - I find it beautiful, but I like gender balance in my decks and this one is very lacking in that department. If you decide to go with it I recommend you get the book that goes with it. If you are well versed in Goddesses this might be a really good choice. Thoth - personally this would be my recommendation. Yes it is more complex but really worth the study. I have the large and small versions (got the large to see the pics better while studying). The important thing here is to not be intimidated by what you hear (ie: not for beginners, etc). The Gill which you also seemed interested in is Thoth based I understand (read the Gill thread in this forum). The Shapeshifter is a non-traditional Tarot deck with 84 cards. The artwork is stunning. I would hold off on this one until you are more comfortable with traditional decks, but if it really speaks to you don't let me stop you ;). If you like the art, you might want to look at the Celtic Dragon which is a traditional 78 card deck by the same artist. The Faeries Oracle is not a Tarot deck, but an Oracle deck. As Thirteen mentioned it has 66 cards. I absolutly love this deck and cannot help but recommend it to everyone. If your heart is not set on a Tarot deck then I would recommend this one. It is fun, playful, and gorgeous. Go into the Study Group Forum and check out the Faeries Oracle study group for more info on this deck. You will see how loved and easy to use it is. Now just to stir the cauldron some more, let me add another deck for you to check out, the Glastonbury.

Starfish	10 Jun 2002
I spent a lovely afternoon yesterday (my DH told me to take the afternoon off and that he and the kids would clean, etc. - a lovely thing in and of itself!) at my local Borders and Barnes and Noble. I have added the Goddess Tarot and Faeries Oracle to my studies. My Robin Wood deck doesn't feel lonely anymore! :) I also picked up Tarot Combinations and (thanks to Pollux ;)) ordered the Gill Deck. Starfish

Zhritza	11 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Thirteen As much fun as the Halloween one is, I wouldn't go so soon for a deck which has alternate names for the suits (bats instead of swords). This is an "indulgence" deck, not a learning deck. I don't want to be argumentative but I started using the Halloween when I was still pretty much a novice, and the suits didn't give me any difficulty. I suppose this could be because I was able to transfer the elemental associations of the regular suits over to the Halloween suits pretty easily. Theoretically it's no more difficult to associate imps with fire than it is wands... it may even be simpler, if you're not super-accustomed to wands yet. So, if you're looking for a third deck... }) Congratulations on your choices. The Goddess seems very warm visually. And yes, the Faeries Oracle is rightly beloved by hordes and multitudes of cartomants everywhere. Let the tarotholism begin!

Pollux	11 Jun 2002
Originally posted by Starfish : ... and (thanks to Pollux ;)) ordered the Gill Deck. This Gill praise cost me so much Bad Karma! *LOL* :D My powers of tarot-holics are quite seductive, I think I'll be experimenting a bit longer... })

Starfish	11 Jun 2002
**So, if you're looking for a third deck... ** Ah, Qolus, you and Pollux are leading me down the path of Tarotholism ;) I definitely want to get Halloween! I think it is just darling and appeals to my Libra/October baby self. Pollux, trust me, only good karma will come from your Gill deck suggestion... Starfish

Jewel	11 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Starfish I have added the Goddess Tarot and Faeries Oracle to my studies. My Robin Wood deck doesn't feel lonely anymore! :) I also picked up Tarot Combinations and (thanks to Pollux ;)) ordered the Gill Deck. Congratulations on your new purchases, and welcome to Taro-holics. Your enthusiam and early multi-purchases show that you have a great future in our distinguished organizations ~giggles~ :P Pollux I see you are also doing your part by promoting items essential to the full enjoyment and exploration of tarot *LOL*. No seriously Starfish, I hope you really enjoy your new treasures, and please feel free to come join the Faeries Oracle study group, we would love to have you.

purplelady	11 Jun 2002
Sounds like you have the start of a Great collection starfish! Enjoy your decks! Halloween was one of the first decks I got when I started collecting. If you do get it , I recommend you get the set with the book, not just the deck. I think it's a very readable deck. I remember when using the deck I seemed to get more imps (wands) than usual.

Momof6	12 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Starfish I spent a lovely afternoon yesterday (my DH told me to take the afternoon off and that he and the kids would clean, etc. - a lovely thing in and of itself!) at my local Borders and Barnes and Noble. I have added the Goddess Tarot and Faeries Oracle to my studies. My Robin Wood deck doesn't feel lonely anymore! :) I also picked up Tarot Combinations and (thanks to Pollux ;)) ordered the Gill Deck. Starfish Ooooohhhhh!!! I LOVE to hear about others tarot shopping sprees! We don't live near any bookstores but when we do go to "the city", I just have to go to the bookstores. (just wish there was a metaphysical shop too) The Goddess Tarot is on my "wishlist" for down the road sometime. I'll have to see what the big hullabaloo is about the Faeries Oracle. I do think non-tarot decks give great balance. (I only have one of those, but enjoy it) I'll also have to see what the Gill deck is. Never hear about that one. I sure enjoyed reading about your shopping spree! Then to come home to a clean house on top of it all!! Yeah!!!! Hugs, Momof6

Jewel	12 Jun 2002
I have gotten so lazy about going out shopping, Amazon has me spoiled because it usually has what I am looking for and they deliver it to my door *LOL* ... I should really buy some stock in Amazon! :P

mondk	14 Jun 2002
I haven't heard this deck mentioned much yet, but it was one of my first decks and I think it is a really good deck to use if you are still learning. It is the Witches' tarot by Ellen Cannon Reed. It has wonderful pictures that tell tales all their own. I have also used this deck in spells and I kid you not, my candles flamed high at the peak of the spell I was performing (sort of scared me). It is also the kind of deck that "tells it like it is" even if the querent does not want to hear what it has to say. It does have a book with it, but I only look at the book meanings once and then put the books that come with my tarots up. I go by what the cards seem to be saying to me or what I am feeling off of them. And this particular deck "screams" at me at times during readings. I highly recommend it!!! Blessings to all!!!!!!!!

Starfish	14 Jun 2002
Mondk - What a coincidence! :) You mention the Witches Tarot and I purchased it this evening (the boxed set with the book) while out with some girlfriends at my local bookshop (we meet for coffee there and book discussion groups). I can't wait to look it over! I opened up the box and unwrapped the cards. Very cool deck :) I like how there is no border on these cards. The only thing I dislike about this deck is that I wish they had been more creative with the royal minors... It also came with a full-color layout sheet with the four-season spread on it. The best part is that I was able to use my in-store credit, so my purchase was basically free - who can beat that. Wow, my third deck of cards in a week - yikes! :TQS Starfish

mondk	15 Jun 2002
I have discovered that in most of my readings with the Witches' Tarot, that the royal minors are easy to read because of the cards around them. I guess I should add that probably only applies to a spread as opposed to the Celtic Cross spread....I am not a big fan of the Celtic Cross spread, actually...LOL!!! That is really cool that you did buy it at probably about the same time I was typing my previous post...hmmm....coincidence? Good luck with them and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me!!! Many blessings, Michelle

Starfish	15 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by mondk That is really cool that you did buy it at probably about the same time I was typing my previous post...hmmm....coincidence? Good luck with them and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me!!! Thank you for your kind offer! :) I definitely will have questions (I always do). Light and blessings - :TQS Starfish

The Newbie looking for a good 2nd deck 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.