Decks for Small Hands?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 23 Aug 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

MoreMagic	23 Aug 2002
Hi, all. What an amazing resource you are! Any advice for a dedicated reader with really small hands? I love the Universal, Hudes and the Aquarian (my favorite), but there's no way I can actually shuffle them. I'm looking for a small deck I can relate to. I've tried using the Hanson-Roberts and the Zerner-Faber and the Connolly, but none of them really speak back to me. Any new smaller decks out there? Price no object (well, maybe a small object.)

Rhiannon	23 Aug 2002
The Ancestral Path deck is nice and I think it's about normal playing card size. Not sure since shuffling normal playing cards actually feels very strange to me now... they seem so SMALL! LOL R :)

MoreMagic	23 Aug 2002
Hmm, that's a new one on me and the scans look interesting. I'd like to take a look at the lwb - having "the hanged one" as a baby in utero is an unusual concept, to say the least! Thanks Rhiannon.

Keslynn	23 Aug 2002
The Spiral is a wonderful deck and it's fairly small in size. It definitely has a different mood than the other small decks you mentioned. Check it out. I'm pretty sure there are scans here on Aeclectic and you can see the full deck at www.tarot.com in the Browse Decks section. Hope you find one you like. I have small hands too, and that can make things a little frustrating. :) Kes

midnightmerry	23 Aug 2002
Yep, my vote for the Spiral, too.

MoreMagic	23 Aug 2002
Only another mini-handed person can know! My original teacher could shuffle a deck like a Vegas dealer and I feel so lame when I strew the cards all over the floor! On the other hand, (no joke intended) I once had an amazing reading from a woman who shuffled by throwing the deck on the table and mushing them around with both hands. I will look at the Spiral, thanks.

raeanne	23 Aug 2002
Hi MoreMagic, I do have smallish hands and I also have a touch of arthritis. (Yep, it happens when you get old!) On some days I just can’t handle the larger decks. I would also vote for the Spiral as a great deck for small hands!

Phoenix	23 Aug 2002
Thoth(small version) Dragon Mini Rider Waite Ancestral Path Tarot of the Ages Ibis Tarot Hope this helps!

Maan	23 Aug 2002
yet an other vote for the spiral :) Its has alot of Aha cards ;)

Keslynn	23 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by MoreMagic I once had an amazing reading from a woman who shuffled by throwing the deck on the table and mushing them around with both hands. I will look at the Spiral, thanks. I usually shuffle my deck using the swirl/mush method. It's good for getting reversals (if you use them). It's also great for those large, impossible to shuffle, decks like Victoria Regina and Rohrig. :) Kes

Sulis	23 Aug 2002
The African tarot. Haven`t actually had this one in my hands but it`s top of my wish list at the mo. It looks as if it`s been drawn with marker pens and it`s really small, just right for taking in your bag. Another small handed one Crystalmynx xx

Rhiannon	24 Aug 2002
If you scroll down almost to the bottom of this page: http://www.bluecatsden.com/bluecat1.html (thanks Liliana) You can see all the cards from the Ancestral Path tarot. And if it's possible for you to get the deck/book set, I'd recommend it. The book is great! R :) *and I'll be nice and not dis the Spiral since so many people love it. ;) *

jema	24 Aug 2002
i have the ancestral path and find them difficult to shuffle since they are very wide. but i guess it depends on how you do when you shuffle. or perhaps there is a mini ancestral path? mine is larger then most of the decks i have. as for mini-decks - my choice would be the hanson-roberts. it is pretty and easy to use but of course it won't speak to everyone. did you try barbara walker? very different deck. i would hardly call it pretty but it is very strong and powerful. the "I am one" tarot is pretty small to. not a min deck but a comfortable format. and it is stunningly beautiful.

Strange2	24 Aug 2002
The Gareth Knight deck is a smaller deck (2.75 x 3.8 inches), with clean artwork and somewhat bold colors. Here's some reviews with images: http://www.tarotpassages.com/bursten25.htm http://www.wicce.com/garethkn.html http://www.astroamerica.com/t-knight.html The small and mini Crowley/Harris Thoth decks are also quite good. I keep the mini-Thoth tucked away in my work bag, for on-the-road consultations.

emily2otters	24 Aug 2002
my very fave: the tarot nova by julie paschkis. a little over 3 inches square.

MoreMagic	29 Aug 2002
A very big thanks to all for the great suggestions. If none of these work for me, I guess I'll have to face up to the message that it's time to make my own!

EarthAngel2911	30 Aug 2002
Have you thought of the Illuminated Tarot? It's small, it's gorgeous, it's perfect! If you have ever wanted to connect to the Rider Waite but just couldn't because of the colors, the Illuminated Tarot in the MEDIUM size is absolutely wonderful. In case you haven't heard of it, it is a recolorized version of the Rider Waite. But it is really more than that. It is Carol Herzer's vision of Pamela Colman-Smith's work, and it is beautiful. Yes, it's a bit expensive, but if you have the means, it is well worth the money. The size of the deck is the same height as the Hanson-Roberts, but just a tad wider. My favorite colors are shades of blues and purples, and this deck has plenty of those colors in them. It is a self produced deck, my first one, so I was a bit surprised at the thinness of the cards. But they are laminated on both sides and are high quality, and it seems like they will hold up well. Sorry for the review, but I just fell in love with this deck as soon as I held it in my hands, so I'm a bit over-enthusiastic! And the size is perfect for me. I too have small hands, and it's tough sometimes to shuffle decks. If you're interested, here are a couple of links to her site and a couple of reviews: http://www.soul-guidance.com/tarotdecks/page_7.htm http://www.tarotpassages.com/illum-pg.htm http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/illuminated/index.html Blessings, Karen

truthsayer	31 Aug 2002
what about MHR's universal waite and the whimsical deck since you've tried the hanson roberts? they are roughly the same size. another not mentioned but nice is the mini motherpeace. this one shuffles real nicely. you might want to check the cosmic deck, moon garden, and/or sphynx/nefertari, too. nefertari is the gold foiled version of the sphynx-mere words don't do it justice! if you like oracles, the celtic book of the dead has small cards. seems to be a good oracle. btw HR is my fav reading deck for shuffle-ability and readability. it seems to be mild enough not to frighten querents and still gives good readings. of course, if cuteness is an issue for you, HR is not for you.

Emily	02 Sep 2002
Some decks I'd recommend for small hands would be the Spiral, Hanson Roberts, Diamond tarot, Original Rider Waite, and the Robin Wood might be ok too :)

juice	03 Sep 2002
I just got an african tarot and is smaller than playing cards and bigger than minis. It's RW ish in symbolism and reminds a lot of the "let's africanize these white fairy tales" artwork I've seen. Actually it is on my trade list now.

DreamDancer	03 Sep 2002
Hi MoreMagic, Both the Universal Waite & the Hudes Tarot are 4 3/4 inches height by 2 3/4 inches width & the Aquarian is 4 5/8H x 3W. These are fairly average size for tarot decks, some I'm guessing you need smaller than average cards. Below is a list of small decks a gleaned from the US Games Catalog. These decks were picked solely for their size ( all smaller than 4 5/8 H). I didn't list the decks that you already tried but couldn't connect with. Spiral 4-1/8H x 2-3/4W, Barbara Walker 4H x 2-3/8W, Tarot of the Sephiroth 4-1/2H x 3W, One World 4-1/8H x 3-1/8W Australian Animals Tarot 4-3/8H x 3W, Dragon 4-3/8H x 2-3/4W Medicine Woman 4-1/4H x 2-1/2W, Native American 4-3/8H x 2-3/8W, Ukiyoe 4-1/2H x 2-3/8W,Chinese 4-3/8H x 2-3/8W, Gill 4-1/4H x 3-1/8W, Pocket Rider-Waite 3-1/2H x 2-1/4W, Mini RW 2-7/8H x 1-3/4W, Crowley Small Thoth 3-1/2H x 2-7/8W, Pocket Swiss Crowley 3-1/2H x 2-1/4W, Mini Albano-Waite 2-3/8H x 1-5/8W Hope this helps!

Jewel	04 Sep 2002
Well here's another one that has not been yet suggested ... ~drum roll~ The Rock-N-Roll Tarot. Perfect for small hands! Now speaking of more traditional decks I would second recommendations for the Spiral, Hanson Roberts, and the small Thoth.

Logiatrix	04 Sep 2002
...there's more, magic! how 'bout the osho zen? also, a lot of lo scarabeo decks are smallish. AND take a look at art noveau tarot by matt myers, and the chinese tarot (u.s. games). (my apologies if any of these have already been mentioned.) i have had the shuffling problem in the past, with small hands and rheumatoid arthritis, but i don't "riffle" at all anymore; i've been a "swirler" now for about a year. :) however, you don't necessarily have to discount oversized decks. the really big decks, like voyager or inner child, for example, can be shuffled sideways--really! good luck...

MoreMagic	09 Sep 2002
I am overwhelmed at how generous you all are with your advice and information. I've been diligently researching the recommendations, and its good to know I'm not the only one who is finding this all useful stuff. I haven't meant to be so silent - for some reason I'm having trouble logging on from home and I really can't do this from work, but I am today, to let you know I'm really grateful!

Hermgirl	10 Sep 2002
The nice thing about the Waite deck is, the last time I checked, it comes in about five different sizes. So if you want something smaller without being too mini, they have a size about the same as a deck of regular playing cards. I have them in that size as well as the normal size.

The Decks for Small Hands? thread was originally posted on 23 Aug 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.