The Vertigo Tarot
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 02 Jul 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| HudsonGray |
02 Jul 2002 |
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I found a first edition on ebay (promptly got outbid) & 3 sets of the newer edition (resized cards to standard tarot size)--and like the artwork even though I'm not a follower of the Sandman comics.
Has anyone got this set? How does it work for you?
The original decks were packaged rather stunningly, but the print run was limited to 5,000 which is why the first editions are all going for over $125. This site has a good write up on it & almost 5 stars on the deck - http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/vertigo/
It's sort of got a dark feel to it, but it looks like it could hook better into the subconscious for readings.
I'm sort of just looking for feedback on it. Ebay isn't the way to go on this, if I'm ordering it I'll go directly to the comic book source, it's something like $29 (book included).
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| HudsonGray |
03 Jul 2002 |
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Duh!
I know I should have searched on the topic first, it's right here on this board! Sorry.
Still, anyone want to comment?
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| truthsayer |
03 Jul 2002 |
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i love it even though i don't know that much about the sandman series. i tried sandman after i bought the deck b/c i was intrigued by who certain cards could be. i love the fact that mad hattie(a homeless woman who's immortal and wise) is the high priestess. i'm trying to think of what the art word for this is but the deck looks like the cards might have been a slightly different color but something like photoshop added an antiqueish or sepia filter. it gives the deck a more uniform color scheme of "darkness" that adds depth to the cards. the images themselves are anything but uniform.
what i want to know from you after you get your own vertigo is if the binding of the book is good quality and is the print large or small. are the cards of strong card stock or thin? if you check another thread, we have a controversy about this. inquiring minds need to know, PRETTY PLEASE with sugar on top!
if this publishing of the book and deck's quality is better than the one i have, i may get another copy.
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| Geenius at Wrok |
03 Jul 2002 |
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Originally posted by truthsayer
the deck looks like the cards might have been a slightly different color but something like photoshop added an antiqueish or sepia filter. The word you're looking for is "toning," as in "sepia toning."
I really, really dig this deck; in fact, it's the only one aside from the Nigel Jackson that I use for regular readings. On the counsel of the new-deck spread I did with it, I tend to use it for questions about things that are over the horizon, while using the NJ for more immediate and/or specific concerns. Like, consulting the NJ is asking a question of a guidance counselor, while consulting the Vertigo is asking the Oracle at Delphi. :)
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| MeeWah |
03 Jul 2002 |
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I was attracted to The Vertigo because of its comic book origin (love comic books). I am not very familiar with the Sandman series, but I like the mysterious look of it. I inadvertently acquired 2 copies of it & traded off one a while ago.
Generally, I see this deck as a shadow deck. I cannot say this is the only deck I have with this quality since acquiring Templar Tarot. I think the latter also has shadow deck qualities.
The stock that The Vertigo is printed on is very thin, like that of the Sasha Fenton Tarot so I recommend careful shuffling to avoid damage.
What I have read of the beginning of the book that accompanies The Vertigo is wonderfully written by Rachel Pollack. This is one deck I have had to consult the book on though I prefer to try without. The book has teeny weeny print.
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| truthsayer |
03 Jul 2002 |
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Originally posted by Geenius at Wrok
The word you're looking for is "toning," as in "sepia toning."
thanks! i just couldn't think of it.
Like, consulting the NJ is asking a question of a guidance counselor, while consulting the Vertigo is asking the Oracle at Delphi. :)
yes! yes! great comparison!
meewah, i agree w/ your analysis of vertigo and templar being like shadow decks. i think rohrig probably falls in that category, too. choosing the right deck for a reading is often like finding the right tool for surgery or tuning up a car. i think that's the nice thing about exploring the qualities about other decks. not that only using one deck is limiting. i just like expanding the possibilties.
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| Lee |
03 Jul 2002 |
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This is just my opinion and obviously many feel differently, but I'm not fond of the Vertigo as a reading deck. There are many cards where Rachel Pollack makes a valiant but obviously tentative stab at providing a divinatory meaning. It seems to me that for those cards, the artist didn't have much of anything in mind except making an interesting picture, without giving any thought to the fact that people were going to be looking at it and trying to ascertain an interpretation from it.
I admit I haven't really sat down with it more than a few times, mostly because I was a little turned off by the deck's darker side, like for instance one card featuring a person wearing a hockey mask like in a slasher film, or the headless-and-armless Star card, which, I'm sorry, strikes me as suggestive of sadism.
The art is striking, though. :)
-- Lee
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| isthmus nekoi |
05 Jul 2002 |
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Since we're all chatting about vertigo again, would anyone be interesting in creating a study group? I chatted about the idea w/Qolus and Riversea here: http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?threadid=3213&perpage=10&highlight=vertigo%20tarot%20study%20group&pagenumber=3
I was shooting a movie at the time, but now I'm done and have time to devote to this :) so I'd love to get a group started. To recap from the previous thread, the grp would cover:
- background of the comics used and how they relate to the respective cards
- maybe a little background on Dave McKean
- details about the cards that aren't mentioned in the book
- dealing w/reading the minors which deviate a lot from the traditional Rider Waite meanings
plus anything else you guys can think of!
I agree Vertigo can be very oracle like. From my own experience, I've found the more attn and care I give V, the clearer the reading is. This would seem like a no brainer, but for some reason, w/Rider-Waite, I can read it in any state of mind and it is very forgiving to me. Vertigo isn't so lax, it's much more demanding :P Also, I find Vertigo has an excellent memory, and enjoys making visual puns w/me.
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| Faerie Lin |
05 Jul 2002 |
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Originally posted by isthmus nekoi
Since we're all chatting about vertigo again, would anyone be interesting in creating a study group? I chatted about the idea w/Qolus and Riversea here: http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?threadid=3213&perpage=10&highlight=vertigo%20tarot%20study%20group&pagenumber=3
I was shooting a movie at the time, but now I'm done and have time to devote to this :) so I'd love to get a group started. To recap from the previous thread, the grp would cover:
- background of the comics used and how they relate to the respective cards
- maybe a little background on Dave McKean
- details about the cards that aren't mentioned in the book
- dealing w/reading the minors which deviate a lot from the traditional Rider Waite meanings
plus anything else you guys can think of!
I agree Vertigo can be very oracle like. From my own experience, I've found the more attn and care I give V, the clearer the reading is. This would seem like a no brainer, but for some reason, w/Rider-Waite, I can read it in any state of mind and it is very forgiving to me. Vertigo isn't so lax, it's much more demanding :P Also, I find Vertigo has an excellent memory, and enjoys making visual puns w/me.
Hi isthmus nekoi!!!
I had posted a little while ago about if there were enough people to start a Vertigo study group but no one responded. :( I am so glad you came along and have more time for this! I am up for this study group. Anyone else?!?
Lin
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| HudsonGray |
05 Jul 2002 |
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Would you have to have read the comics? I've only got 2 Sandman issues on my shelf, it's not carried around here in the local comic stores much (they order 1 or 2 issues & they're gone fast). Not sure I want to order back issues, they're expensive. Comics USED to be under a dollar (ok, wayyyyyy back in history), and the budget right now is rather tight.
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| Zhritza |
05 Jul 2002 |
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No, I don't think you need to have read Sandman, although I think Pollack's book is absolutely essential -- everyone who wants to do this does have the book, right? Incidentally though, hg, all of The Sandman (75 issues plus a couple of specials) are collected in graphic novels. It ends up being cheaper than if you had bought the monthly comics at their original prices anyway. And the graphic novels do have Dave McKean's covers in them, too. I think there are 8 or 9 of them, and they are all either $15 or $20, depending on the length of the storyline in each one.
My move is over: let's roll! I'm in.
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| isthmus nekoi |
06 Jul 2002 |
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I actually read a number of Sandman issues by borrowing them from the library. The Sandman series has been rereleased, and in Canada, I think they're now about $40 CN ea... they used to be $30. I also read a couple of those when they carried them in Chapters (big box bookstore). Just "browsing" ^_~
I agree that the Pollack book is really necessary at first, although I find w/the minors, I get something really different from her divinatory meanings...
Maybe for our grp, we can share our Vertigo stories - times when you've gotten something spot on w/V, or anything that has helped you learn more about the deck... I remember there was a time when I decided to turn to Rider for everyday concrete things and V for more... ah spiritual (for lack of a better word) concerns and they both like, *revolted* against that idea. The second I got into that mind set, V gave me a reading w/o majors as if to say: I can handle the concrete stuff too!
Anyways, I've set up a thread in the general study group, and I'll PM Riversea, see if they're still interested. Hope to see y'all there.
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| HudsonGray |
07 Jul 2002 |
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Pollack's book? Does that come with the set or is this a separate book (title?).
Even if the Sandman series is collected in graphic novel form, that still means $200 out of pocket to buy them......the budget does need to be considered on this.
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| isthmus nekoi |
08 Jul 2002 |
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The book should come w/the deck - they're sold in a set. As for the comics, there's no need to buy the whole Sandman series! After reading a few issues, you'll get a feel for the characters, plus some issues don't feature the Endless directly. Also, there's lots of stuff on the internet written about Sandman, so you could give that a try.
Anyways, I've posted an intro for the group, so everyone interested, hustle on over to the general study group forum!! :)
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| HudsonGray |
08 Jul 2002 |
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Dammit, I got outbid on the deck on ebay, I'll have to order it from the comic book store after all.
The Vertigo book did show up in hardcover over at the Half Price Bookstore on the north side here, I found it today but none of the rest of the set was with it, just the book all alone for $5. Interesting to look through.
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| Cerulean |
07 Sep 2002 |
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My favorite used bookstore had a first edition release available, about $35.00. I saw the large format in the book and decided to take a chance.
I've heard they are releasing another version of the Vertigo in 2002 from a tarot fan at the Psychic Eye bookshop. This 2002 version might be a larger, better format...and you might find it worth it. I compared the original to the second printing that I bought last year. I like the original for the larger format, the nonglossy stock and the way the colors are cleaner.
I don't know if this helps...but thought you might like to know. My 'second printing' version now seems to show dust and smears very easily and the card stock is as flimsy as my $3.00 Lord of the Rings bubble-gum style trading cards. Do you use a soft cloth to wipe the cards or not have the same problem?
Mari H.
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| ChrisZ |
07 Sep 2002 |
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Yeah, I've been after the Vertigo tarot set for ages...does neone know where I can easily get one? I've checked various places and they either don't mail outside US (cos I live in england) or are sold out! I think background knowledge of Sandman and other characters (eg John Constantine) would "help" but not be necessary. Oh I love Sandman! I just got into it over the last month or so, and am gradually attaining the entire "Sandman Library" I get it in graphic novel form, cos I hate all the little issue thingies, and novels look cool on the shelf! I've currently read volumes 1 + 2, and have ordered 3 + 4, and shall hastily pick them up form the bookshop today (Saturday). It's great, cos this bookshop works together with the school, so you can put things on the school bill instead of using your own money to pay for them! I guess the school didn't see people putting comics on the bill! lol!
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| Liliana |
07 Sep 2002 |
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Has anyone heard of the 2002 edition coming out? I really do not wanr the poor quality 2001 one, and the original edition is hard to get your hands on.
:THP
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| VGimlet |
07 Sep 2002 |
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I've also been trying for this deck off and on for awhile. I know I want a first edition (I collected comics, including Sandman, so I'm picky about editions sometimes) but I'm patient.
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| Liliana |
07 Sep 2002 |
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Yes I had seen and knew of this, but i havent seen the new edition that was to be released in July, Ive only seen the 1995 edition and the 2001 one. I figured by now someone would of bought the 2002 edition if it as released.
:THP
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The The Vertigo Tarot thread was originally posted on 02 Jul 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.
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