Primary Deck?

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

Tarot_Cupcake	19 Aug 2002
What is your Primary reading deck and why did you choose it?

Phoenix	19 Aug 2002
My primary reading deck is either the Rider-Waite, or the Universal Waite tarot. I find that they are the easiest to use. Although I am slowly beginning to turn to the Halloween Tarot. It is so cure, and very much RWS based.

jmd	19 Aug 2002
The Swiss Schaffhouse Tarot (published as Tarot Classic by USGames). I usually opened a new randomly selected deck when I use to hold year long Tarot courses. About ten years ago, I selected this deck in this way. It has been my primary reading deck since (even though I prefer Marseilles decks). It is also my only deck which my wife cannot use, as she feels it is just too embedded with me.

mooncat2	19 Aug 2002
My primary reading deck is the Tarot of the Old Path - I didn't choose it - it chose me. Travelling in Britain last year, in a tiny New Age shop, there he was, the Old Path Magician calling me. I had no idea what the cards looked like and was initially disappointed by the Minors but it reads like a dream. Primary deck because it was the only deck I owned that I really connected with until coming to Aeclectic - now I've discovered the wonders of Amazon and being able to buy at less than half NZ prices. So I have 3 new decks and 2 more on the way. But somehow I think The Old Path will always be the one I return to.

Lee	19 Aug 2002
I have around 140 decks in my possession yet I have not found my primary reading deck. Is that pathetic, or what? The closest I've come so far is the Illuminated Tarot by Carol Herzer. There are a few decks I'm very fond of, including the Prediction Tarot, the Fournier Marseilles, and the Glastonbury Tarot. -- Lee

Starfish	19 Aug 2002
Old English - definitely. It is such a comfortable deck for me, I always return to it. :TQC Starfish

RedWood	19 Aug 2002
Mythic for me..It chose me...I just get tarot with that deck.

Mithrea	19 Aug 2002
I sort of have two: I use the Witches Tarot for readings for everyone else. I don't know how I chose it but it's taught me that artwork isn't everything. I learned to use it even though it wasn't gorgeous. But for myself I only use the Renaissance Tarot. I don't think it chose me or I chose it. I think it was sent to me. :D

Keslynn	19 Aug 2002
Currently, I'm doing most of my readings with my World Spirit deck. I love the colors and the cards emote to me. It's the weirdest thing. I look at a card and I immediately feel like I'm there. It's so cool! I definitely think this will always be a primary deck for me. I also love my Spiral though I haven't used it in a little while. (Shame on me!) :) Kes

Supletion	19 Aug 2002
Marteau/Grimaud marseilles deck, the first deck i've gotten, when i was about 9-10y/o. i put it aside for years and focused on Rider Waite, which i now can hardly use. but then, when i decided to learn tarot more to the depth and take it to the "next level", i started using it. but it might be replaced, im working on my own deck which might become my main, plus, im so anxious to get Thoth already and hope to put it to alot of use when i finally do :)

Strange2	19 Aug 2002
I've been switching primary decks every month or so, to experience the energies and enigmas that each deck has to offer. Plus it gives me a chance (and excuse) to explore the many decks that my Tarot collecting habit has acquired! My current primary deck is the Eclectic Tarot, by Josef Machynka. (Given the name of this deck, I'm a little suprised that this deck hasn't been mentioned before here on Aecletic!) The Eclectic Tarot is a nice mixture of the traditional and the esoteric. The Major Arcana features some really beautiful and detailed artwork, with hints of Rider-Waite, Thoth, and Egyptian themed decks. The Minors are simple yet very effective pips arranged in geometric patterns. I'm really starting to grasp the nuances of the numbers through these pips! Here's some reviews of the Eclectic Tarot deck: http://www.spiritone.com/~filipas/Masquerade/Reviews/eclectic.html http://www.wicce.com/eclectic.html The primary decks I used in the past several months are the Elemental Tarot, the Alchemical Tarot, and of course the Crowley/Harris Thoth deck. Looking forward to the next primary deck. Might be the El Gran Tarot Esoterico, or Visconti Gold or...

truthsayer	19 Aug 2002
the hanson roberts is my primary reading deck and the secondary is the nefertari. the HR chose me. i didn't like it at first and only bought it b/c it was on clearance. it grew on me tho and we really communicate. nefertari called to me from amazon and aeclectic from the moment i laid eyes on it. i thought the price was steep but couldn't resist it after days of being badgered by it. when i held it in my hands i truly knew what love at first sight w/ a deck is. the only reason it's not my primary is that i don't take it w/ me when i go out of town b/c i'm afraid someone will steal it! LOL i bought the sphynx in hopes i could use it as a backup when i leave home. it's just not the same tho!

MystiqueMoonlight	19 Aug 2002
My primary deck is the Visconti Gold deck. It is intuitive and speaks loudly to me. It's always there like a constant friend, reliable and trustworthy :) I have a few other decks in my collection, but to be honest I am not using them much.

Sulis	20 Aug 2002
HI My primary reading deck is World Spirit. I used the New Palladini before that but found some of the artwork a little cold. With the WS i just find that there`s so much detail in the pictures and each one is so evocative that it`s really easy to use. Crystalmynx xx

Liliana	20 Aug 2002
Rohrig for me, the detailed realism of the people speaks to me well, as does the modern feel. It mean it really speaks to me, entire sentance pop into my head, sometimes it even makes requests like for a certain tarottote that the own said would not fit a Rohrig, but when I got it it did anyweay hehe :THP

Gerbear	20 Aug 2002
I have ben picked by the Tarot of the Spirit, for readings. It seems to synchronize with me on many levels

Kiama	20 Aug 2002
I've been inseperable from my Robin Wood deck for almost 2 years now... I got it when I was looking for a deck which had Minors which were as good as the Majors... It just stuck with me guess. I read with it better than any other deck, because I really get lots of meaning from the symbols that are inherent in every single card. I also love the style of artwork, and its one of those decks which you cn use to read for anybody, no matter their views, age, etc... Kiama

Jewel	20 Aug 2002
My primary reading deck is the Cosmic Tribe. Although originally purchased only for collection purposes we connected the moment I looked through the cards and I use it almost exclusively for redigns now. I use the Robin Wood (which was my primary deck for 7 years when reading for those that might be offended by the CT). For spiritual and personal development work my primary deck is Waking the Wild Spirit. For study purposes my primary deck will soon be the Thoth. What can I say ... I have a primary deck for different uses I have for the Tarot. But the Cosmic Tribe is my ultimate favorite. The deck does all the work and speaks very very clearly and loudly.

Strange2	20 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Gerbear I have ben picked by the Tarot of the Spirit, for readings. It seems to synchronize with me on many levels Just wanted to echo your sentiments about the Tarot of the Spirit deck. I have used this deck for about a year now for contemplation/meditation as opposed to readings, and it never fails to reveal more insights. Excellent companion book for the deck as well.

Rhiannon	20 Aug 2002
My primary deck is the Goddess Tarot, for some reason these speak to me more clearly than any other deck... they give me a multitude of meanings for each card. I am also very comfortable reading with Robin Wood and the Legend Arthurian. I don't usually have any problems interpreting what these are saying to me. R :)

Jenny-Li	20 Aug 2002
After messing with too many different decks there for a while and almost thinking I had lost all intuitive sense I ever had, I have now got back to my Robin Wood and do most readings with that. I think I was just confused because there was too many decks involved there for a while, and I never quite took time to bond with any of them. Not good. I think the World Spirit will also be my primary deck in the future, it's the one that got me understanding how to work with Tarot and intuition from the very beginning, and I', pretty sure I will go back to using it, eventually! Jenny :)

WolfSpirit	20 Aug 2002
The deck I love the most is the Shapeshifter, I can't use it all the time though because sometimes i feel I need a more traditional deck. Of the traditional decks I don't have one favourite yet. I sometimes use the dragons (dragon or celtic dragon) but the imagery is not very clear. I also like the Cosmic. And sometimes I try another one of my decks still...

midnightmerry	20 Aug 2002
I've been using my Spiral as my primary deck lately and the HR second most.

Emily	20 Aug 2002
The Spiral is also my primary deck, I get very good readings from this deck and I love the artwork but I'm also getting more comfortable with the Robin Wood (eventually lol) :)

Maan	22 Aug 2002
Hmmm stil looking for that famous "perfect" deck but the decks i use the most are Robin wood, spiral and the world spirit. And maybe in the future the glastonbury!

Strega	25 Aug 2002
The Mythic Tarot for me. :)

DollChica	25 Aug 2002
The Sacred Circle chose me at the store before I even clapped eyes on an actual card.

Tarot_Cupcake	31 Aug 2002
For me, it is the VR. I was never really able to read without a book for the past few years, no matter how many decks I tried. The VR brought out the intuitiveness in me!

napaea	31 Aug 2002
My primary is the Osho Zen Tarot. This was my first deck, and had to have it because the illustrations are so beautiful. it is my primary because i get so dang much information out of it! I also use a few other decks at times, but this is my standard, and i probably need a new one! this one is looking pretty worn!

cyan	02 Sep 2002
I recently got Robin Wood and love it. Actually, i am using Robin in combination with Londa, and Morgan Greer. I do three cards each morning from one of the decks and then lay out the same cards from the other two decks. for some reason i am begining to learn faster this way. So my favorites are Robin Wood and Londa with the Morgan Greer backing them up.

fairyhedgehog	02 Sep 2002
The Hanson-Roberts was my first ever deck. I've got about 10 or 11 decks now, and I've had fun with playing with them and trading, but I really only need this one deck. But how to downsize my collection? I've got a deck that was a present, can't get rid of that. And decks I got in trade - they're kind of special too. And I don't need the Whimsical, but I like having it. And a small Thoth would be nice ...

rostie	02 Sep 2002
my phantasmagoric theater tarot, fits me really well...love it...i just purchased it a two months ago, but i felt it already when i took it out: this is the one... next to this the osho zen, love it too, it's so easy to use... with love, rostie.

Sally Gardens	02 Sep 2002
I discovered the Motherpeace deck via the book, which had just come out in (I think) '83 and was at my local library. I already had a feminist/Goddess spirituality bent that was emerging, and I was 20 years old at the time, and there was something about the imagery that was very empowering and very affirming and spoke to me as a young adult embarking on the Fool's journey in life. ;) I've worked with other decks, but this one is still my best one for intuitive readings. In the past, I preferred the larger deck, but since I got a copy of the "mini" deck I'm torn between the appeal of the larger picture and the more intense colors on the mini picture. Heck, so I use 'em both. ;) Keep in mind that I also read and enjoyed the works of Mary Daly during this era :D so your mileage may vary.

Cerulean	02 Sep 2002
I'm reposting my preference because I'm looking at Nina Lee's Tarot for Self Discovery and Rachel Pollack's Illustrated Guide to the Tarot. Just seems these work best with Rider Waite style decks. I've been playing with both the Diamond Tarot and Tarot of the Cloisters for these books. Mari H.

juice	03 Sep 2002
Wow where to start... This is my first post on this board. Adding here to simplify. Witch's for my true first and may be always. The mythic talks to me and I don't need to look at a book. Medicine woman wants to take me on a tour. And mage still has some important stuff to say. Sadly the only convenient one to carry is the tiny universal waite. I just picture the other decks when I look at it. I wonder what the thoth will say when it arrives... My first deck was a RW 30 years ago. I knew immediately that tarot was for me but the 2 of us kept knocking heads. I didn't have much of a choice in decks then. The only other known deck was a marsailles and the pip cards were no better than playing cards for me. It made the balance between the majors and minors all wrong. So I spent several years niave. I got out in the wide world and found so many decks that I was overwhelmed. Not only were a lot of them a tad ugly, it seemed many screamed go away. Eventually a friend pointed that I would like the Witch's by ECR and I fell in love. This was the most beautiful deck I had ever seen. It gives deep spiritual readings for me. Later I got the Mage deck because I am an avid rpg addict. That deck turned out to be a real find that works in mundane world when I don't want the spiritual overtones making it hard to read for anything else. I don't actually like 2 of the artists much, but oh well. Before I got the Mage deck I had been yearning for something else. I felt I needed to explore tarot more deeply. The medicine woman called to me but I told myself it was too expensive. There's no way I can just spend $20 - $40 a deck until one turns up right. (down) Rohrig called me but there si something I can't quite get used to. My friend has 40 or 50 decks and few actually say anything to me. Do note that most his were baught at half price and were probably discarded for a reason. :) I recently got serious about studying and have bought several on ebay and at half price and one full (Rohrig which doesn't speak to me yet) at my local store, (please support your locals :) ). The mythic was the first I got in this spree. I can now remember the meaning to some cards I always had to look up. I also got the medicine woman which is my current study deck but I'm cross referrencing with each of the other decks as I work through the cards. Admittedly I started with and am still at the Fool. Babble, rabble, mumble and dabble.

Logiatrix	04 Sep 2002
by the way, welcome, juice! i went thru the search for the perfect deck for about two-and-a-half years, 'till last january, when i scaled down my collection of a hundred-fifty decks down to thirty. my "babies" continue to be my visconti gold, which, ironically, was the third deck i ever purchased; and virtue's angel cards--not tarot, but a wonderful alternative. now, for collecting, i'm only really interested in the more traditional decks--renaissance style art and remakes of that era, like what lo scarabeo does a lot. i've finally come to realize that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." so, i'm no longer trying to find the "perfect" deck--i already have it, or them, 'cuz i love both the decks i use! collecting was just a euphemism for "maybe the next one is IT!" i still would like a second tarot deck, other than the visconti and my angel cards. my latest discovery is the aquarian. strangely, i never had it before--i passed it up for the new palladini, so i didn't look at it twice when i had so many decks. now, i have it and really like it so far.

Little Baron	05 Sep 2002
I still feel unsure about that question. Sometimes, I feel like I know which it is and then, on days like today, I feel clueless. I would say my main deck is The Morgan Greer. I have learnt with that and The Rider Waite, but as time goes on, I feel less of a conenction. As much as I love MG (my mum bought it for me), I feel like I have exausted a lot of the possibilities. I think that this has a lot to do with using the Faeries Oracle. There was so much to draw from that oracle and I can often hear what they are saying. However, when i returned to MG, there seemed less to delve inside. Maybe I need a standard tarot deck that speaks in the same way. I have been looking at a few - The Cosmic Tribe (I know so many of you love that; my only problem is a few cards that I was not grabbed by), The Adrian (that seemed cold, then I warmed to it and now it feels a little like an empty vessel to me again), The Fantastical (I like the possibility of walking into the darkness with it). If ........ I could take the fantastic art of the Rohrig, the intensity of The Faerie's (Oracle) voices, the darkness of the Fantastical, the richness of the Morgan Greer (and her lack of card borders), the sensuality of the Adrian deck, ...... I would have my perfect and main deck. I want a deck that talks, walks, jumps and aims. I want to be enlightened, touched and sometimes a little scared for it to be just right. Yaboot

jema	10 Sep 2002
i never did reply to this one cause i was so unsure. but i have a Primary Deck for several different things. for my shadow-work - the transformational tarot by ando for my card a day - thoth (only this week it is the "i am one" deck) for reading for myself - Gill and Spiral (i do comparative readings mostly) for readings for others - i am one or whatever strikes my fancy i have a lot of decks and will be trying to use more of them to get to know them better. so next week is a week for Motherpeace. (love that deck more and more for each day)

Jewel	10 Sep 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Yaboot001 Maybe I need a standard tarot deck that speaks in the same way. I have been looking at a few - The Cosmic Tribe (I know so many of you love that; my only problem is a few cards that I was not grabbed by) I want a deck that talks, walks, jumps and aims. I want to be enlightened, touched and sometimes a little scared for it to be just right. Hi Yaboot! The Cosmic Tribe does all those things for me :) ... If you ever want to discuss those cards that do not grab you please hop on over to the Cosmic Tribe Study Group and we will be more than happy to chat with you about the deck and any specific cards you would like :). But the Faeries Oracle has something so magical about it that it is in a class all of its own!

The Primary Deck? 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.