Majors Only decks...

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 19 Aug 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Starfish	19 Aug 2002
Okay, I want to add my first Majors Only deck to my collection. What are your recommendations? :TQC Starfish

Phoenix	19 Aug 2002
I like the Lovers Tarot by Jane Lyle. Now, the only downfall is the size of the cards. They are huge!!!! I mean, bigger than the Rohrig, but overall it is a neat deck!

Keslynn	19 Aug 2002
The only deck that I currently have that's majors only is the little "I Gatti" cards. They're the little Italian drawing ones of cats. Great description eh? ;) If you're looking for a deck you can actually use, I'd pass on this one. But if you're just looking for a neat item, then definitely look into getting it. I'm getting my set framed to hang up in my new apartment. A set I am interested in is the one featured during the last update of Tarot Passages. The English translation of the title is "Initiatory Tarot of the Masters" though it's actually titled in French. I really love the artwork. Here's the link: http://www.tarotpassages.com/initiatorytarot.htm :) Kes

Starfish	19 Aug 2002
OOOhhh, Kes! That deck's a beauty! I love the Star card (it's my favorite card in every deck) and that's usually an indicator on how my feelings for a deck will be. I went over to Tarot Garden to check and see if they have it in stock. It's an offline - which tells me it's going to be veddy veddy $$$... :( I'll have to check out the I Gatti and see what it looks like. I love cats and am a sucker for cat items. :TQC Starfish

Jeannette	20 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Starfish ...I went over to Tarot Garden to check and see if they have it in stock. It's an offline - which tells me it's going to be veddy veddy $$$... Not necessarily. Our offline inventory represents a variety of decks in all price ranges. The reasons they remain in offline inventory vary, but include: * Item is used, or is not in top-notch condition * Only have one or two, with uncertain reorder capabilities, so want to "save 'em" for the right, appreciative buyer * Just haven't gotten around to pricing it and putting it in the Boutique yet (I'm swimmin' in decks, here, folks...) So, it never hurts to ask. :) In any case, in order to better answer your question, Starfish, it might help to know what you're looking for in a majors-only deck. Are you looking for something to read with? Something for mediation/pathworking? Something "highly collectible?" Or a deck with just overall amazing artwork? -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com [p.s. -- we only had one copy of the initiatory deck in stock; it's sold now, but the price was $35.]

Marion	20 Aug 2002
I agree with jeanette. There are some lovely lovely decks with majors only in tarotgarden and some perfectly affordable. I have, and use regularly, Tarot for Cats. It is a majors only deck. Maybe because I had cats for a couple of decades, I relate well to the illustrations. It is OOP but actually fairly easy to get hold of still. Shows up on amazon re-sellers, plus ebay fequently, in fact I think there is one there now. For images http://www.tarotgarden.com/database/dbsearchengine.php?search_type=blob&pageenter=0 http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/tarotforcats/index.html

Pollux	20 Aug 2002
Uff! I want a tarot for cats too! :( Starfish, you have a PM. ;) Jeanette, do you know why the links to a tarotgarden search never work when we post them? I tend to post the link to the picture rather than the search, but at times it's more than one deck I am interested. Do you know how we could solve that? The links don't work in the chat room as well. Thank you! :*

Jeannette	20 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Pollux Jeanette, do you know why the links to a tarotgarden search never work when we post them? I tend to post the link to the picture rather than the search, but at times it's more than one deck I am interested. Do you know how we could solve that? The links don't work in the chat room as well. If you're looking to link directly to a particular Tarot Garden database listing, so you can access the descriptive information as well as the button to the scans, the trick is to use the following format: http://www.tarotgarden.com/database/dbsearchengine.php?view_title=<> In other words, you use the link "verbatim" up to the equal (=) sign, then type in the name of the listing you want to link to, with plus (+) signs where the spaces would be. So, to link to the Tarot for Cats, you would type: http://www.tarotgarden.com/database/dbsearchengine.php?view_title=tarot+for+cats (I've shut off the actual link, because Aeclectic puts those three-dot "ellipses" in for abbreviated viewing purposes; here, you can see the entire syntax of the link.) CAUTION: In order to facilitate "imprecise" searches (e.g., searches where the seeker may not know exactly what the title is), we've implemented some alternative title strings that can generate unexpected "matches." These are "hidden" strings, and there's no way at present for a "linker" to know what those strings might be. As an example, try copying-and-pasting the following link into your browser URL bar: http://www.tarotgarden.com/database/dbsearchengine.php?view_title=golden+dawn Not only does this bring up the listing for the Wang/Regardie Golden Dawn deck, but also our two listings for the Cicero Golden Dawn Magickal Tarot (both the English edition and Romanian "bootleg" version), the Tarocchi dell'Alba Dorata (which translates to "Tarots of the Golden Dawn" in English), and the Enchanted Tarot (which is the 78-card version of the Alba Dorata, and was, in fact, initially released in English under the title "The Tarots of the Golden Dawn"). Hope this helps. Thanks for asking! -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com [p.s. -- lee, jmd: feel free to split this off in a separate thread if deemed appropriate!] :)

wavebreaker	20 Aug 2002
The only Majors-only deck I have is the Portal Tarot. Minors will be added in the future. I don't use it for readings though, I bought it mainly for the amazing artwork. This deck is quite expensive, but that's because you get original prints, no copies, so the quality of the artwork is truly amazing.

Diana	20 Aug 2002
edited

Jewel	20 Aug 2002
Hi Starfish! so you are branching into Majors only decks ~giggles~ ... I second the recommendation for the Tarot for Cats. It is user friendly, cute, and funny! I know the Margaret Petersen also comes as a Majors only deck, that one would be great for meditation purposes. I bet Tarot Garden could help you find Tarot for Cats if you are interested. They carry the Margaret Petersen (both majors only and 78 card versions). I look forward to hearing what you decided on!

blue_fusion	20 Aug 2002
try the necromantic tarot. i love the imagery, but it's extremely rare. :)

Lee	20 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Jeannette and/or Lori I'm swimmin' in decks, here, folks What a problem! :D Quote: Originally posted by Diana For a Majors only, I would get the Oswald Wirth. Carol Herzer sells a really cool Majors-only Oswald Wirth. -- Lee

Jeannette	20 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Jeannette and/or Lori I'm swimmin' in decks, here, folks Quote: Originally posted by Lee What a problem! :D Hey -- Did I say I was complaining? }) -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com ________________________________ Live, never to be ashamed of what is written about you. Even if what is written about you isn't true. -- Richard Bach

Molly	20 Aug 2002
Hi all. I definitely want the Portal Tarot which is currently a majors only deck. It is featured this month at Tarotpassages. At one time I was interested in the Electric Tarot found at http://www.themysticeye.com/indexold.html I am not so sure I want that right now (many others on my list *G*) but there are several majors-only decks produced at this site. I would recommend also checking out the Eternal Dream Tarot found at http://www.codefreespirit.com/ Another gorgeous deck is at http://www.911gallery.org/tarot/tarot.htm Unfortunately, it is an online majors deck only. Good thread. Now we just need some majors-only spread ideas! *G*

Pollux	20 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Molly Good thread. Now we just need some majors-only spread ideas! *G* Tons of threads about that in the Using Tarot section. (I hope the seciton is not wrong)

Phoenix	20 Aug 2002
Doesn't anyone else here like the Lovers Tarot??

Starfish	21 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Jeannette and/or Lori In any case, in order to better answer your question, Starfish, it might help to know what you're looking for in a majors-only deck. Are you looking for something to read with? Something for mediation/pathworking? Something "highly collectible?" Or a deck with just overall amazing artwork? Perferably, all of the above ;) However, I'd love to find something for meditation/to read with. :TEMPS Starfish

Starfish	21 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Jewel Hi Starfish! so you are branching into Majors only decks ~giggles~ ... I second the recommendation for the Tarot for Cats. It is user friendly, cute, and funny! I bet Tarot Garden could help you find Tarot for Cats if you are interested. I'd LOVE to find a copy of Tarot for Cats at an affordable price. that deck is definitely on my wishlist. :TEMPS Starfish

Royal Cat	21 Aug 2002
Another vote for Tarot for Cats :) I just received mine last weekend and I love it. Of course, I'm biased toward anything with cats. :D Cat

Molly	21 Aug 2002
This is another beautiful majors only deck by Carol Herzer (artist of Illuminated Tarot): http://www.soul-guidance.com/tarotdecks/page_22.htm

Keslynn	21 Aug 2002
Oooh, thank for the link, Molly. That deck is gorgeous. I'm a sucker for bright colors. I don't know how I feel yet about the extra cards, but I'm sure she thought out her additions well so I'm going to look at it more. :) Kes

Molly	21 Aug 2002
You're very welcome! There are actually quite a few stunningly beautiful decks at the soul-guidance site. Carol Herzer is an amazing artist! I have her Chakra Arcana, Cosmo Meditations, and Illuminated on my wish list. (FYI: The first two are majors -only.) I'm glad I could pass the obsession on. *G*

WolfSpirit	21 Aug 2002
Quote: I also have the Lovers Tarot :) It was the first deck I ever had, I really knew nothing about tarot when I got it but I tried to do readings with it ( i also had a book with it), can you imagine with those huge cards - I needed the whole table ! I had forgotten all about it, but I'm glad I found it again. I think the artwork would be lost on smaller cards. Drawback is I need to make a bigger bag for this one ;)

Jeannette	22 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Starfish ...I'd love to find something for meditation/to read with... Hmmm... that's a little tougher. Most massmarketed decks distributed on the North American market these days (and, to an increasing degree, in the European market as well, according to my informal observations) tend to be a full 78 cards, because that's what sells for reading purposes. Riccardo Minetti of Lo Scarabeo stated as much in the recent interview we did with him for the Tarot Garden website (noted in another thread). So, a lot of the 22-card decks published by professional publishing houses tend to be more oriented toward the collectors' market. For example, Lo Scarabeo's "d'Arte" 22-card editions of their 78-card decks are often stunning -- once you see one, you realize how much of the beautiful color and detail is lost in the massmarket editions. And yet, the cards themselves are printed on card stock that's usually not well-suited for the extensive handling that the decks would be subjected to if used for reading purposes. You can find some independently-produced majors-only decks, such as those by Carol Herzer mentioned earlier, that are "workable" as reading decks, but even those are becoming more uncommon. Collectors aside, the demand for 78-card decks far outstrips the demand for 22-card decks. That said, here's just a few possibilities that I might recommend exploring: Dovilio Brero Tarot (France) This is largely designed as an "art deck," although the cardstock is suited to more extensive handling, and I personally find the imagery very evocative for reading puroses. We're currently running a "back door" -- i.e., unadvertised -- special price on the Brero at Tarot Garden at the moment, to anyone who writes to inquire about it. Tarot Namur (Brazil) This one's more expensive to stock, but it's specifically designed as an esoteric meditation/reading deck. Ditto above on the Tarot Garden "backdoor" special. Tarot Uranai (Japan) This link brings up two listings; you want the one by Gen Enishi -- the other's OOP. i Tarocchi della Luna (Italy) The interesting thing about this one is that it consists of two sets of majors-only cards. The sets are best described as sort of "positive" and "negative" variations of each other. If you look at the sample scans from the link above, you'll see what I mean... it's kind of hard to describe. But I think the structure offers some really interesting possibilities. All of these decks have potential as meditation/pathworking decks as well, depending on your particular tastes and style. If you don't find any of the above even remotely interesting, just relate your comments in a post, and I'll see what else I can come up with. ;) -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Pollux	22 Aug 2002
WOWOWOWOW!!!!!! Jeanette & Lori WOWOW!!!! :D Great decks, GREAT!!! I made a search in your database, but I could not find a gook key to select all of the Majors-only decks. What key should I use for that? Anyway, those links are AWESOME!!! I really love the Dovilio Brero Tarot, it is so Ananda/Rohrig like! And since Rohrig is virtually mine, and Ananda will soon be, I think you have a PM. :D *LOL* Starfish, I vote for Tarot Uranai (both are pretty, even though, predictably, I liked the OOP better... :(), and Dovilio Brero.

Lee	22 Aug 2002
Hi folks, I hope no one minds, I've taken the Radical Wirth posts and created a new thread for them, so Diana and I (and whoever else, of course) can have fun without worrying about being off-topic. :) -- Lee

Jeannette	22 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Pollux ...I made a search in your database, but I could not find a gook key to select all of the Majors-only decks. What key should I use for that? :| Um, well, yes -- unfortunately, searching by number of cards is something I haven't yet implemented in the Tarot Garden database. I guess I know what I need to push up to the top of the "to do" list on the next round when I make enhancements, eh? ;) -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com _______________________ Live, never to be ashamed of what is written about you. Even if what is written about you isn't true. --Richard Bach

midnightmerry	24 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Phoenix Doesn't anyone else here like the Lovers Tarot?? Hi Phoenix, I just got the Lovers Tarot tonight! My dh took pity on me and let me splurge. I actually passed up some other decks like the (everyone don't scream about this) the new Fairy Ring oracle and the Sacred Circle. I don't know why, but this deck was really calling to me and wanted me to take it home. I'm looking through the book now. Anyway, I do love the artwork. And miracle of miracles, I don't even mind that these cards are SO big. They kinda moved out of the 'just big enough to be bulky' stage right into 'mammoth cards that give you a lot to hold onto and are cool' mode. Weird, but true.

Molly	27 Aug 2002
Hey all. I thought, just in case no one has seen it yet, I should send out an FYI: Tarot passages has been updated and a review on the Eternal Dream tarot is there, written by Arnell Ando. There are quite a few pictures to view. It is a gorgeous deck, and affordable and I wanted people to see it. http://www.tarotpassages.com/eternal-aa.htm Enjoy!

Starfish	27 Aug 2002
Yes, Molly! This is the one I'm ordering this Friday (payday)! The Star :TSTAR is a Starfish - so it's definitely the deck for me ;) :TJUST Starfish

Molly	27 Aug 2002
Starfish - LOL! Too awesome! You'll have to post when you get it and tell us how you like it once it's in your hands... *G*

The Majors Only decks... thread was originally posted on 19 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.