Nefertari's or Ancient Egyptian???

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 09 Aug 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Summerdream	09 Aug 2002
Hello! It seems these are the 2 most popular Egyptian decks on Aeclectic. I was wondering money aside.....which of these 2 decks would you recommend as the better choice. I've seen a couple of scans of both on this site and they both seem lovely.

Starfish	09 Aug 2002
Good questions, Mom of 3. I think it would depend on whether you want a deck that looks like the images painted on Egyptian tombs, etc. (the ones with hieroglyphics and such (look flat and not dimensional)) or images of Egyptian everyday life as portrayed by individuals (actual Ancient Egyptian people). Hmmm... In reading over my post, I hope I haven't confused you ;). I personally have them both on my wishlist. }) :TTOW Starfish

truthsayer	09 Aug 2002
the neferteri is one of my favorites but the images are one dimensional tomb art. it's a the tarot of the sphynx done over w/ gold foil trimmings. the results are stunningly beautiful. you'll need sunglasses if you want to read them in bright sunlight or lamplight. i can't read them w/ my cats in the room b/c the shimmers of light excite them too much and they want to stalk and attack my cards. the ancient egyptian is not flat imagery. it depicts life in everyday life in ancient egypt. the deck has some rws similarities but i went thru the deck and compared it card by card against the thoth. all the AE cards have at least one thoth symbol. the AE uses kabalah and astrology i believe. this once isn't as beautiful as the neferteri but it's prettier than neferteri's twin sibling=tarot of the sphynx. AE is more of a regular tarot deck that you can read just knowing the rsw or thoth systems. w/ the neferteri, it helps to know some egyptian mythology or else the cards may not hold much meaning for you. the LWB doesn't really help and there isn't a book. on the other hand, the AE has a pretty good book that comes w/ the set. if you aren't familiar w/ egyptian mythology, then i'd go w/ the AE unless you want a collector's treasure. i can read w/ my neferteri but i'm familiar w/ tomb art and egyptian myths. i haven't tried to read my AE yet. so many decks, too little time! ;)

MystiqueMoonlight	10 Aug 2002
Now I prefer Neferatri's Tarot because I think the gold foil (which doesn't show well on the scans you see in the previews) makes the cards come to life. They seem to come out of the cards and make them almost 3 dimensional. The Ancient Egyptian Tarot is nice, they are a larger sized card, but I would definetly go for Neferati's Tarot. They are more intuitive IMO.

truthsayer	10 Aug 2002
i agree w/ you mystique moonlight but you are one of the few ppl who agree w/ me! i tried to be objective in what i said about it in comparison to AE tho.

Cerulean	10 Aug 2002
Springtime, two sisters walk into the New Age store. Glittery magpie eyes saw something shiny. Spill the cards on a table and whirling, shiny movement ripples---this is light! On cards! Ancient Egyptian paintings in lovely colors and dark-haired, doe-eyed profiles in a deck dedicated-- "To the beloved light of Egypt." Over the top, glorious look but my sis didn't want it. She wants the Silver Mantegna and is happy. BUT I DID. I did free readings for my sister's friend and her and treasure all my gold decks. Months later, I did buy the Ancient Egyptian. Now I have the facts, ma'am, a lovely everyday tarot, thank you very much. Still, I remain delighted at the romance of the Nefertari. Mari H. ------------------ Easily distracted by shiny metallic objects

Starfish	10 Aug 2002
I forgot to mention in my prior post that although they are both lovely, I prefer the Nefertari because I love the paintings on Egyptian tombs. (I love all things Egyptians, actually ;)). :TLOVE Starfish

Pollux	11 Aug 2002
Hey Momof3girls!!! Long time no see! :D I have neither, but I hope I will get an AE soon - through US friends maybe... ;) I don't think you have to choose... Probably you should take them both. I have little experience with the Nefertari. I actually own one HALF of the deck (LOL): Pents, Cups and Wands from Ace to Page.; I am/was not really enthusiastic about it. This may well be because I am not an expert in egyptian mythology, but I think that some things might have been done better. For example, I have a hard time with the pips/scenes. Some are basic basic basic RW imagery (and I love it :D) like 5 &10 of Wands, 2 & 3 & 7 Cups; they read very very well, not only because the image is familiar, but also because the gold trimming adds a sort of... aura: as if it added the expressions and the emotions that the aloof characters lack. But some get too basic, or very different... For example, the Aces don't speak to me, or the suit of Pentacles (that I find so difficult :(). The Aces are associated to animals, and it is my fault not trying harder to understand them, or find informaton. But the Pentacles really put me off, they don't speak... apart from the fact that they might differ from general RW, I think it is probably a matter of repetition. The Suit, or maybe the deck itself, is too repetitive, and this becomes apparent n the Pents. My analisys is limited to the above cards anyway. Probably Truthsayer will help me... Truth, if you do, I might try to get the deck, and be added to your silent tarot-holic slaves... ;)

Pollux	11 Aug 2002
I forgot to say that I will order the Ancient Egyptian as soon as I make up for my tarotical debts, and have a sufficient sum. I decided I would get the deck when I saw Lovers. I like the atmosphere, the colors (so warm and earthy! :D), and the pictures. It is not cutesy-like, and might be a nice deck as first egyptian in my collection-to-be. I prefer it to the Nefertari for the slight Beginner-friendly feel (I know I should drop this, but I still feel irresistibly attracted to simple decks, with traditional structure and as traditional imagery as possible). In addition, there is the possibility to get the set, with the advantage of having a dedicated book - thing not possible for the nefertari... In conclusion, I think you will simply have to get both - obviously not both now ;). If you are not extremely familiar with Egyptian myths, you might take AE now, as Truthsayer suggested; and Nefertari later, when you have a bit of experience and practice. (I vote for AE :P)

Summerdream	11 Aug 2002
After hearing everyone's rav reviews on both of these decks I agree with Pollux that I will end up getting both. I'm really interested in tombstone art and like the idea of the gold foil in Nefertari's. I've seen a few scans and it seems to be calling me. I would love to study more Egyptian history too. This would be my first gold foil deck. My biggest concern with this deck is how well it will hold up after a few shuffles. I'm sure this would be the loveliest deck in my collection! The Ancient Egyptian is more of a life-like deck and I like that too. I like the idea of having both. It seems easier to read and I'm happy it's almost a R/W clone. The book that comes along with it is a big plus. I've tried looking at the Tarot of the Sphinx (the sister deck of Nefetari's) but as long as I'm going to get one I may as well get the one I like the best that being the Nefertari's.

truthsayer	11 Aug 2002
mom, i think nefertari is hands down the loveliest deck in my collection but it is more fragile than even other thin decks b/c of the gold foil. since i like it so much i bought tarot of the sphynx to use as a back up. it's a bit sturdier and it's far cheaper so i recommend you buy this one if you really love neferteri. when i was using it on a reading once my cat attacked nefertari in play. i was so horrified! i could see then how fragile they are and the need for a gentle hand. i would use the gentlest shuffling method i had w/ it. neferteri is my special occasion deck or when i need to be dazzled by beauty. if it weren't so danged expensive, it's the one deck i'd definitely buy a spare of just to keep as a collectible and use the other like i wish. i'm fascinated w/ tomb art, too. if you love watching archeology shows about ancient egypt then you definitely need nefertari. i read it intuitively which seems to work okay b/c i don't know the meaning of all the symbols. if i relax and trust myself i can do it whether i know the symbols or not. one card has some breath taking blue foil on it. i wish alaysia sylvano had done more like it. AE is made out of much sturdier stock. it should hold up indefinitely.

truthsayer	11 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Pollux Hey Momof3girls!!! Long time no see! :D My analisys is limited to the above cards anyway. Probably Truthsayer will help me... Truth, if you do, I might try to get the deck, and be added to your silent tarot-holic slaves... ;) my tarot slaves are not silent. i know you haven't been here in a couple of weeks so you don't know how loudly they have been complaining about my bad influences. i'm blamed for every tarot buying epidemic out there. i still can't believe i got blamed for world spirit! LOL ;) as the tarot goddess of the east and air, i'm proclaiming that the next tarot-holic that blames me for his/her addiction will be made shoes of a cement mix of little white books and flimsy tarot cartons and summarily dropped in the deepest part of the nearest ocean! that is unless you all start forking up some tribute in the form of the amber tarot or the jung or the dreampower! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! ...ahem. got a tad carried away there. of course, pollux, just let me know of you nefertari concerns. i'd be happy to help you. ;)

Scorpion	11 Aug 2002
Hi, Momof3Girls! Hi, Truth! Hi, Pollux - et al! Truth, you should have known that I'd just HAVE to rise to the bait after our previous discussions on these decks! What better way to celebrate being back from a couple of weeks' holiday?! Mo3G, I've got both and I just wanted to weigh in in favour of the AET as I have never been happy with the Nefertari. I think something Truth or one of the others said has just made me realise what it is - that it's tomb art: stylised and stiff. That it's not "alive" in the same way as the AET is. It's strange, because I do love Egyptian tomb art, but I find I simply can't read from it. I also find that all the gold foil distracts me from the images - I rely on paticular things jumping out at me or sometimes there'll be a face, say, in a hazy sky: and that simply doesn't happen with the Nefertari. I'm also not happy with the fact that some of the cards have been stamped so hard I can see the impression through the back - bearing in mind that this is the single most expensive stand-alone deck I have, I think it could have been executed better. Another minor point - why got to all the trouble of gold-leafing it but make the images themselves worn? OK - I realise that's how many tomb images look now and a lot of people will regard it as authentic but to me it just makes the deck look a bit shabby - why not show them in their original beauty? I have taken the Nefertari out with me on public readings, but normally leave it in the bag in favour of other decks. The one time I did bring it out and someone selected it, I failed miserably, so obviously it's rewarding my lack of confidence! That said, I have spent a large part of my holiday reading up on Egyptian mythology etc and it's certainly depened my knowledge of the AET and hopefully in the long run will help me get to grips with the Nefertari. Mo3G - I'll be interested to hear your views once you've acquired both!

MystiqueMoonlight	11 Aug 2002
Well how about that the images on Neferatari's Tarot are worn. :) I never notived that! LOL I don't shuffle this deck any differently than any other non foiled deck I own and it certainly hasn't suffered for it. Many times when I use I get that wow factor. The foil just seems to capture the glow of the moon, or the glint of the sun and the images seem to "speak" to me from within. It's hard to explain. I know nothing of Egyptology (and I've never seen that Elizabeth Taylor/Richard Burton movie either :) ) To me the AET just looked "rehersed" almost as if they are actors on a stage (I back this up by the border around each card which looks like a stage or picture frame) playing out a role conceived by another person's interpretation of the what each card may represent and IMHO it just left me cold. The pentacles in Neferatri's seem to penetrate into my inner self rather than just focus on the mundane representation of what pentacles may mean. Go for Nefertari's deck first I say. If you want the AET I have it still in the box (seal broken cause I looked at them once) and you can trade me for it if you like. Good luck.....

Cerulean	11 Aug 2002
Well...I came back from the local Border's sale...just to look up Nerfertari, because there are two queens of that name. The bride of Ramses came after the queen of Akhenaten---Akhenaten was unique for his belief in one supreme being and introducing unusual, more naturalistic styles to art. He was also not kingly-handsome. The very beautiful bust portraits of Nerfertari that we've seen in shows and museums seem to be the first Nerfertari, who mysteriously disappeared from courtly chronicles even after bearing six or seven kids. Ramses II had the second Queen Nerferteri and he lived sixty years later. The second Queen has a gorgeous tomb in the Valley of the Queens. Here are links: home.earthlink.net/.../pages/scrapbook/ nefertari_tomb.html www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/~in7019/ egypt/women.htm I like Ancient Egyptian as much as a Discovery series show and its tarot book information. I realize lots of people like its neat completeness of having the book and deck. True that Lo Scarabeo decks keep me looking for more information...but the learning is fun if I take it one step at a time.

truthsayer	11 Aug 2002
are you certain that there were 2 queens named nerfertari? i thought nefertiti was the wife of akhenaten. neferteri was the wife of ramses II. if you check the link you gave, it backs up what i'm saying. the names are very similar except one nefer ends w/ titi and the other teri.

Cerulean	12 Aug 2002
Thanks o sayer of truth with the eyes of Nefertari upon you! Nefertiti is retiring back to her tomb and my Nefertari tarot is scolding me for crossing my i's and dotting my t's. Mari who really was distracted by too many shiny tarot cards

The Nefertari's or Ancient Egyptian??? thread was originally posted on 09 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.