What Do You Think?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 21 Aug 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

ming	21 Aug 2002
I really feel drawn to the Tarot of the Saints. I like the artwork as its not too fancy. But I've lost all my Christian beliefs ---could this deck work for me ?? Maybe I'm just drawn to it out of nostalgia ? I really need to know what the readers think.....

Sullanciri2002	21 Aug 2002
you need to look at Christianity from another angle, and see if there's really nothing left for you to believe in. I can relate with the idea of completely losing any interest in the ways of the Roman Catholic - or even the organized Protestant - Church ... but there's still a lot to be said for christian values and the overal morality. Then again - I'm no preacher and very aeclectic in my beliefs, no matter how I was raised. It does seem logical to work with a deck that speaks to you on more than just the artistic level ???

cjtarot	21 Aug 2002
Ming, I think you go for it... I'm Christian and I use a Pagan deck..to this day I still have to reffer to the book that came with the deck to figure out what the symbols mean, but it talks to me... If the deck appeals to you go for it..let's face it your background in Christianity will help you..you won't get stuck having to learn what all the symbols mean like I did. As for Christian morality, well any white light religion has a strong sense of morality attached..I have learned alot over the past few years and have incorporated it into my christianity to the point of saying I am on my way to becoming a true Christian wiccan. Blessings and good readings,

Keslynn	21 Aug 2002
ming, you don't necessarily have to share a belief in the saints to appreciate the deck. This one is at the top of my wishlist, and I'm a Protestant! I've always been fascinated by the saints even though I do not "believe in them," at least not in the sense that a Catholic would. Even if you don't have any more Christian beliefs, the saints are certainly still striking historical figures. I love the stories, the symbology, and trying to find the real historical roots. It's up to you, of course, but I think you should go for it, especially if you love history. Also, Robert Place's decks are always well done. I have his Alchemical Tarot. While I haven't had a chance to work with it, I have found the images very clear when I've looked through the deck. His books are well-written too. They cover the historical significance and how the archetypes embodied in alchemy (and saints) overcome their time boundaries. Of course, I might just be biased because I really want this deck! ;) Let us know what you decide so we tarotholics can drool. :) Kes

ming	21 Aug 2002
yes, you all very helpful, as usual !thanks. .I'm not pagan or wiccan or anything really; its just Ive lost all faith in organised religions---a bit muddled really (but then Ive been so for 50+ years, why change now !) I think I try a set, because I do love history very much, &because I do know the saints, whether I want to or not! and the cards I'm usin now are the russian st.petersburg---I picked them for the colours !!!!Deep & subtle,or wot ? The next problem is how/where to get them without a credit card...

Keslynn	21 Aug 2002
Glad you decided to get them, ming! You'll have to let us know how they turn out for you. As far as places that don't require a credit card: I think almost every place does. I believe amazon takes checks though they will wait for it to clear before shipping. Many eBay sellers will also take checks but with the same stipulation (waiting for it to clear). Just be careful that you don't get gouged on the price at eBay. Tarot Garden also takes checks. I believe that you can purchase the deck directly from Robert Place if you want to (www.thealchemicalegg.com). I'm not sure what kinds of payment he accepts though. But I do know that he will sign it for you. :) Kes

Jewel	21 Aug 2002
Ming go to www.tarotgarden.com to order it :) ... In another thread I saw where Jeannette posted that they accept other methods of payment and even in foreign currency (I think) ... e-mail Jeannette and see! ... Also, if you order from Tarot Garden please let them know you heard of TG through Aeclectic so that a portion of the proceeds goes to maintaining the Aeclectic web site. Good luck on getting your new deck! I would love to hear your thoughts on it as I have been contemplating getting this deck for a while too!

truthsayer	21 Aug 2002
i have tarot of the saints but i find it a bit dry and conservative for my taste. the book is well written but well--dry unless you find history extremely interesting. the art is okay--not my fav but well done in soft pastels and pen. please don't go by my assessments though b/c i like my decks to be bright, colorful and living on the wild side! ;) jewel, i don't know if you'd like this one or not. ppl have recommended the alchemical and angel decks by robert place to me. however, since this place deck doesn't inspire me, i find it difficult to be inspired enough to buy another deck by place.

purplelady	21 Aug 2002
It seems to be a very common misperception that you have to have a credit card to order anything online. I think it may have been that way years ago. But now I have found that almost every online store (especially the big ones like amazon, e bay etc, but also most of the "smaller" ones too) accept all forms of payment including money orders, personal checks (once they've cleared) credit cards and debit cards. I always check out the "payment options" or "shipping options" and the fine print under such on the site. I'm in the US so I cannot say for international though. I don't have tarot of the saints, but I do have alchemical tarot , which I like, though I don't use it frequently. I think if you feel really drawn to tarot of the saints , then go for it! I don't think it matters what religion you are if you are drawn to a deck, though you might ask yourself Why you are drawn to it? I consider myself pagan , but I will use whatever deck I feel drawn to , regardless of what religion it may or may not encompass. I suppose you have 2 choices- you can go by the deck you feel attracted to (in this case tarot of the saints) OR you could purposely say you want this , this , and this in a deck (maybe it's pagan symbology or christian symbology) and then find a deck that you like AND that fits that criteria!

ming	22 Aug 2002
ok all---thanku. I'm ordering the cards ! Its very addictive, innit ???

The What Do You Think? thread was originally posted on 21 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.