Okeyou win :-) I'm getting the halloween

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 22 Oct 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Maan	22 Oct 2002
So i gave in i'm going to order the halloween tarot:) But i have a question for all of you halloween tarot lovers : Do i need the book? Are there any new insights or exercises or something like that in the book? Or only nice little thinks about halloween? Love and light Maan

Phoenix	22 Oct 2002
*Starts speaking like Darth Vader* I knew you would succum to the dark side! LOL! I don't think that it is actually necesary to get the book, but it is an interesting read! Now...what shall we get Maan to buy next!! })

Demonesse	22 Oct 2002
I know exactly what position you're in Maan...I have already bowed to the Sith-like power of the Halloween. Bah!

Cerulean	22 Oct 2002
I thought that it would be around any novelty/card conferences or shops...but nooooo....so I rubbed my Amazon.com lamplight and hope it's here by the weekend. You can buy it used as a kit and it shouldn't cost so much...but I decided I'd like my funnies to be fresh and new. I thought the Secrets Tarot or my newer Scapini ones would give me the same jollies, but they don't have the same feel. A kind of teasing taste of my eclectic upbringing, complete with horror with a humor. One or two people mentioned a nostalgic aspect---when innocent scareyness was also funny and fun. Is that why you all choose this? To give your shadowy aspects a sense of fun? Mari

WolfSpirit	22 Oct 2002
Ha Maan I'm so happy we could persuade you... ahum, I mean of course help you with your balanced choice }) If you're not interested in halloween stuff (history etc) the book will not be of much use, there's a long description of each card (but you can see that yourself) and only a very short bit about the basic meaning of the card.

Rhiannon	22 Oct 2002
Ordered the Halloween from my local Borders (I'm still jealous that I dont' have an outlet nearby) and it should be in within the week. I think I might be interested in the book. I always like learning new things about Samhain/Halloween. R :)

napaea	22 Oct 2002
yay! i adore! my new Halloween deck! it's so very cool

Riversea	22 Oct 2002
I got my deck for my birthday at the beginning of October, and have been using it fairly exclusively since! Come the end of Oct., I'm not sure. I probably should let some of the other decks have some say in matters, (especially the poor Napo, which was bought at the same day as the Halloween). I don't know about the book...I guess it comes down to if you enjoy book and deck sets. I do, and so, enjoy the book. ;) I did get the deck and book at different times. The deck came from Boarders, and the book I ordered directly from US Games. I also got the book for the Russian Tarot of St Petersburg at the same time. I think that you'll enjoy this deck. It has a very sweet, playfulness about it. Not sugary sweet, but a nostalgic niceness about it. By the way check out these Halloween lanterns at Illuminations! The pumpkin especially looks like it came right out of the Halloween deck! :) http://www.illuminations.com/jump.jsp?itemID=20200&itemType=CATEGORY&path=1%2C2%2C14

Violet Gargoyle	22 Oct 2002
Never had the book, just the cards. With the cute little wittle black kitty witty. Awwwwww......

Zhritza	23 Oct 2002
I've never had the book and I find the cards fantabulously easy to use. Also, the LWB is unusually good. originally posted by Mari Quote: Is that why you all choose this? To give your shadowy aspects a sense of fun? That's a big part of why I've come to love it, yeah. Much of the deck, the Death card most of all, gives me a deep sense of warmth and comfort and lightness of heart. I feel like I can always, always whistle in the dark, as it were.

Demonesse	23 Oct 2002
Yes, the Death card is so cute, isn't it? That card alone is a big motivator to get this deck! I'd whistle in the dark too - except I can't whistle. :P What's the book like? Does it give more information on the meanings of the cards or does it babble on and on about Halloween imagery instead?

WolfSpirit	23 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Demonesse What's the book like? Does it give more information on the meanings of the cards or does it babble on and on about Halloween imagery instead? Well, strictly speaking the book does not really add anything to card meanings you already know, it's very basic in that respect. The book does give a description of the card, and often does this in a playful way. It always tells sometimes what the card is in the rider-waite deck and how this is translated into halloween symbols. I find the book very entertaining, but you really don't need it to read the cards.

Riversea	23 Oct 2002
here's what the Halloween book says: "A natural reaction to this card might be "uh oh," but relax. The Death card doesn't literally mean beware the grim reaper-it is a symbol for the regenerational and transformational properties of life. If this card turns up in your spread, you may be in store for an irreversible change in thinking, experiencing, or existing that will come as a total surprise to you. Rather than protraying Death as mysterious and threatening, this card reminds us that death is part of the natural processes of life. In the spirit of renewal, the Skeleton waters the pumpkins to make them grow up to be fine jack-o'-lanterns. The vulture feeds off of dead animals so that it can live. The death's head moth (a real species of moth that has a skull on its back) is also a symbol of metamorphosis and change, and the Egyptian ankh of eternal life and regeneration is pinned to the fence. On Death's watering can is the mystic five-petaled rose, its inner and outer petals forming two pentagrams, the symbol of Mars and "life force." There may be no way to prepare yourself for the changes ahead, fo just keep in mind that all endings make new beginnings possible." Then it goes on to give a few sentences on upright and reversed meanings. I 'm giving this as an example of the writing style and content. I guess if you like it, then may be you would enjoy having the book too. If not... then... ;) Most of the book is on the cards themselves, with short bios of West and Lee at the end of the book, and the required couple of pages on the CC and three card spread. There's also a listing of other books on the subject of Halloween and tarot. There's also about 17 pages on the history and symbolism of Halloween, and a bit on some other traditional "fortune-telling" methods (like apple peels).

purplelady	23 Oct 2002
I Love the Halloween deck! It was one of the very first decks I got when I started collecting tarot decks. And it's one that I actually USE, and it has never let me down. I have the book too because I always get the deck/book set if available. IMO the book is worth getting. This deck is just so cute , and funny, and unique, but not too cute, 'ya know. The sun is a 2 headed green monster and the empress is bride of frankenstein, and it works!

Cerulean	25 Oct 2002
So all, didja have a great story that goes with Halloween Tarot? Mine came...no great story, just a great smell of new ink and a promise of a fun read/look-see... Mari H. P.S. I found a local bookstore that also had two more.

tarotbrat	25 Oct 2002
i have the halloween tarot also! i received mine from a very good friend for christmas last year and i love it, i honestly have to say, that my friend truely gave this from her heart knowing that i love learning about the tarot and that halloween is my all time favorite holiday. i will always be grateful to her. i had to buy the book just because i wanted it and it goes nicely with the deck explaining how the characters fit into the card. i really needed this because i am a newbie. have fun with your deck.

Jackal	26 Oct 2002
At first glance I thought it was a bit 'cartoony'. I take my Hallowe'en seriously, see. But one of the benefits of working at Borders is getting to see stuff that other people have ordered. Someone ordered the Hallowe'en Tarot, and I badgered her with questions until she finally caved and ripped the package open to let me look through the cards. Mine's on order now. :D

napaea	26 Oct 2002
hee hee, jackal that is funny! she's pretty great to let you look through! i used to work at Barnes & Noble and did the same (but i also just ordered stuff cause i was in charge of the gift dept. so if i wanted to check out a deck, i just ordered it!) "the empress is bride of frankenstein, and it works!" this is soooo true! i love the empress! it's funny that she is the bride of frankentstein, and yet so regal and powerful looking, and refined. and i love the high priestess! she is so light hearted looknig, but look how she is levitating on the moon! and i love the ace of pumpkins! and the hierophant! and the hermit! this is a great deck!!!

Pollux	27 Oct 2002
Probably this week I will work as psychic reader in a club for their Halloween Party - WEEEE MONEY $$$!!! *LOL* I have some problems, cos there are a couple of club-owners I should hear from, and one I should call myself and I am a bit ashamed. *LOL* And I have never done this before - gotta post about it. Anyway, if I had the deck I would read about it, and it would be a great support. ;) This is among those decks that I really really really abhorred when I first saw them and then, after a while, I became obsessed with (others are Legend The Arthurian, Nigel Jackson and Celtic Dragon). And sadly I still have neither of them! *LOL* It would be great to read for the people with the Halloween deck on a Halloween party, so fun!!! I must definitely get this back before Halloween 2003, so I can use it then! ;)

starr	27 Oct 2002
You'll love the deck. Never had the book. The LWB actually has some good points. Enjoy Starr

Ravenswing	27 Oct 2002
yes, at first it seems playful, a bit tongue-in-cheek. but then you look again... i've never considered vampires as angelic figures. great food for thought. everyone is smiling on the death card...!! i never though of odin as a strawman...?? the symbols are all there-- just keep looking. i've always considered the fool as being the identity principle of the tarot. the cards exist only as his/her reflection as s/he dances through all the cards, only to transform and transfigure as the world. is the clown the fool or is it that ever present cat? (i finally found it on the eight of imps!!) i think i'll have more fun in discovering all the 'hidden' aspects for myself rather than rely on the book. (that's a real first :) ) and it's here friday! raven

Umbrae	28 Oct 2002
Today starr pulled her Halloween Tarot off the shelf and blew the dust off. Gingerly, she opened the origional box, and took out the LWB. It is after all her deck, and I could not bring myself to put her belongings to the flame. Then she opened the LWB and began to read. I stood – frothing at the mouth – matches in hand… Then she began to read select passages from the Halloween Tarot LWB. Oh my gawd. It is quite well written. I shall not torch it…in fact – folks – I must recommend you all get the Halloween Tarot. And keep the LWB. :smoker:

Cerulean	28 Oct 2002
Was the gentle/fun post about Starr also talking about a cat? I did like the instructions, "Follow the black cat as a guide..."It made this a gentle game. Mari H.

Logiatrix	03 Feb 2004
I just got the Halloween Tarot, after a looooong resistance to even look at it.... Was I missing out, or what?!!! This deck is so cool! Anyway, just wanted to share my happy surrender as one of the newest fans of the Halloween Tarot! :D

Cerulean	04 Feb 2004
I remember the Halloween fondly, although I don't really want it back. Some theme decks are great, but I have my own version of celebrating the autumn holidays that I'd like to explore... I actually gave my Halloween and Fairy Tarot away, but that's okay, because sometime later this year, I'd like to get the Fairy book and deck set (Lo Scarabeo) instead...during October, instead of black cats and pumpkins, I'll think of gypsies (Gitani) and elven folk. There's enough critters that while you all are following black cats and great little ghouls, I'll be following along your moondust... Mari H.

Darla	04 Feb 2004
Congratulations on your new deck! It is cute, isn't it? I plan on having it for next October as well. Have fun with it!

inanna_tarot	04 Feb 2004
I love my Halloween deck! I havent bought the book - but thats beause i always find they talk to me so clearly that i dont need anything more than my intuition and the LWB if i'm desperate lol. Definately a deck for those of light heart and what a clone of RW thats slightly different. I personally love Halloween if i'm given the chance to go all out - why save the Halloween spirit for one day eh? (bit like christmas - OH is there a christmas deck - must start a new thread lol) Sezo x

The Okeyou win :-) I'm getting the halloween thread was originally posted on 22 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.