Just got the Portal ...

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 02 Oct 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Sullanciri2002	02 Oct 2002
and the artwork does indeed look splendid. The cards themselves are not all exactly the same size, with some just a mm. longer or wider ... resulting in an unwieldly sensation when you hold the pack. Visually these cards are - in my mind - very interesting and strongly suggestive of both classic and new interpretations for each of the major arcana. I feel that - if they were to release a full set of 78 cards - the cutting of the cards will need to be more precise, in order to make it possible to handle a thick deck better (without edges sticking out here& there). No matter how good the art is, the price is a bit "ouch" - 45 $ would fit better than 65, unless they can provide a bit stronger pouch for the cards (the one included is little more than a thin cloth roughly stitched together, and doesn't provide any real protection for a deck that pricy).

Strega	02 Oct 2002
Congrats on your new deck, Sullanciri2002. :) Is the cutting that bad? Perhaps you can get it replaced. :)

wavebreaker	02 Oct 2002
I checked my deck and you're right: the cutting isn't very precise. I suppose that's because they are cut by hand. But I agree with you that this should be better, especially when it's made into a full deck.

Jewel	02 Oct 2002
I got my copy too!!! The artwork is breath taking. The computer images just do not do them justice in my opinion. These cards will make for wonderful meditation tools. I agree that they hint of traditional meanings and new ones as well. The entering a card exercise should be amazing with these cards. The only regret I have in ordering this deck is that I could not afford the larger version. The cards are vivacious and draw me in. I would highly recommend this deck to anyone into meditation and entering cards.

evangelion	02 Oct 2002
Does anyone have a link so I could take a look at some of the art? Sounds interesting though, congratulations on the new addition! Yay! :D

wavebreaker	02 Oct 2002
Evangelion: you can find it here.

evangelion	02 Oct 2002
WOW! I see why you're so excited now Sullanciri2002! That really is some amazing art! I think I'm gonna start saving :)

WillieHewes	04 Oct 2002
Sullanciry, have you contacted the makers of the deck about the uneven cutting? I'm sure they'd want to hear from you if you're not completely happy. (I know I would.) Just send an email about it, and maybe they will suggest a solution themselves. I agree that the artwork is beautiful, but comes at a very high price. Willie

blue_fusion	04 Oct 2002
OH MY GOD! what a beautiful tarot! just checked out the site, and my mouth watered. my first impression was: very otherworldly. :D

blue_fusion	04 Oct 2002
yet another OH MY GOD! i went to their ordering info page, and, well, found it quite lethal! i mean, 65 dollards for a 22-card deck? but then, i guess one would pay anything if one wants something that much. oh well. :D

Jewel	04 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by WillieHewes Sullanciry, have you contacted the makers of the deck about the uneven cutting? I'm sure they'd want to hear from you if you're not completely happy. (I know I would.) Just send an email about it, and maybe they will suggest a solution themselves. One of the creators of the deck, Traci, is our own Dajax here at Aeclectic! You can pm her as well. She is very nice, and responsive.

Sullanciri2002	04 Oct 2002
but there's probably not a lot to do about the cutting: I can hardly start sending the deck back & forth to the US to redo the cutting - besides, a tarot deck doesn't travel well, and I don't want the cards to go through any more rough treatment (not to mention that I don't want to pay another extra import tax-charge of 27 $ because some dopy customs-dude thinks I'm importing a second deck) Traci - if you're reading this - the next time you ship a deck to Europe, put a lower price on the shipping documents (anything over 35 $ gets taxed - and that threatens to shove the price of the whole thing over the top). The customer knows what it costs, so you can "lie" a bit on the shipping documents - to avoid the extra tax: with the extra tax - I ended up paying .... No, I won't spell it out here, people already think I'm nuts buying such a expensive deck, right blue_fusion ?

Jewel	04 Oct 2002
Sullanciri, sorry to hear about your shipping costs and worse yet, the tax thing. I also bought the deck so I totally understand why you spent the money ;) ... I guess the little un-evenness of the cards does not bother me because I see them more as a tool of meditation, so I will not be shuffling or reading with the deck (probably). I know when I trade decks over-seas I always check the box that says "gift", I understand that saves you from having to pay tax.

blue_fusion	04 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Sullanciri2002 but there's probably not a lot to do about the cutting: I can hardly start sending the deck back & forth to the US to redo the cutting - besides, a tarot deck doesn't travel well, and I don't want the cards to go through any more rough treatment (not to mention that I don't want to pay another extra import tax-charge of 27 $ because some dopy customs-dude thinks I'm importing a second deck) Traci - if you're reading this - the next time you ship a deck to Europe, put a lower price on the shipping documents (anything over 35 $ gets taxed - and that threatens to shove the price of the whole thing over the top). The customer knows what it costs, so you can "lie" a bit on the shipping documents - to avoid the extra tax: with the extra tax - I ended up paying .... No, I won't spell it out here, people already think I'm nuts buying such a expensive deck, right blue_fusion ? i'm sorry to hear that you still had to go through a lot of trouble to get it. :( but well, if after all of these, you're still happy, then, good for you. :)

darwinia	04 Oct 2002
The long hours of designing, meditating, and modifying these cards by both Traci and David really shows. There is such a deep reflective wonder in the compositions and colours. I recently received my copy in the mail and was just stunned by the beauty of it. I pulled a card today before I went to work, and it was Strength. If anyone didn't have strength today it was me, it's been a very wearing week at work I am just tired. So I look at the portal on this card and it looks like a cog--almost breaking free of the concrete and muck that holds it. How many times do people say that they feel just like a cog in a wheel at work? It reminded me of the depths beyond that. Another day I might see something different in that card, but this was today. I read the booklet and it says: "I face a mountain but see only a hill. I get angry but do not rage. I accept." As I read the page, I saw the beads and the ribbon like no other bookmark ever made, and I felt better for the loveliness of the individual, the unique. The trimming and lamination is done with machines but the hand of a person, in this case Traci, handles it and trims it. There is an actual person behind the making of the cards. One of the things I said to Traci when I bought this was that I liked the idea of connecting to the effort she put into the physical production of this deck. I particularly liked the booklet with its bookmark which has to be put together by hand too. The bag is sewn on a machine but Traci cuts the fabric and handles it and she spent a lot of time picking the right beads to use with it and the fabric itself. When you make something by hand, good thoughts and best wishes and the touch of a person who cares about their work goes into it. Conventional bags you buy in retail stores don't have that, and yet are made from similar materials. I myself make a lot of things by hand. Perfection doesn't exist in the world and I find a certain charm in a few millimetres difference in the cards. A person who cared made them. An artist made them, and I like the connection to that impetus of the artist and the arduous hours of craft and repetition that this involves. You are repeating things like a cog in a wheel and yet you are breaking free and going beyond that. Strength. That's what I see. This deck always makes me feel joy, and part of the joy is the handwork involved, the touch of someone who shares their work with me. Judy

Sullanciri2002	05 Oct 2002
I've even got a small size print framed on my wall, of that card, because it perfectly symbolizes the softer, deeper size of the aspect ... combining the "marble" gear-shape and the flower floating on the water: perfect imagery. And yes, blue_fusion, all things considered - even the price and extra cost for shipping and added tax - I'm glad I ordered them. I've done a few 5-card readings and the result is a clear message, they're great to read with.

Scorpion	05 Oct 2002
I'm sat here with this deck open on a separate screen and I WANT IT! It's definitely going to the top of my wishlist. I'm not sure I could read with it, but WHAT a meditatiion aid! So I'd probably go for the larger version. What I really want is the large print of all of them - but that's a bit out of my league unfortunately! I'm off for another drool...........

darwinia	05 Oct 2002
[quote]Originally posted by Sullanciri2002 I'm jumping in again! My "real" favourite is the Temperance card. Something about the red and green in that and then the swirling teal water just grabs me, and that's probably why I bought the deck. I also love the Death card and the second portal on the green mound in the background--isn't that mysterious? So far, I've just done a one card draw--I like to do that when I'm familiarizing myself with a deck. I am encouraged by your comments about the five-card spread though, and I'm so glad you like them. Judy

The Just got the Portal ... thread was originally posted on 02 Oct 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.