What deck do I want next?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 05 Oct 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Keslynn	05 Oct 2002
So I'm thinking I would like to get another tarot deck this month and I do have a smidgen of money to spend. The only problem is, which one do I get? I think I have it narrowed down between 3 choices (at least for this time) and input would be appreciated. I'm too wishy-washy to decide on my own. ;) Here they are: Osho Zen Nigel Jackson Fairy Ring Oracle :) Kes

Marion	05 Oct 2002
Look at it this way Kes, you are clearly drawn to all three. Buying any of them will likely make you happy. So, draw coloured marbles, or write them on slips of paper and do a random draw or something. Enjoy!!

Kirali	05 Oct 2002
Nigel Jackson! Even though he switches air and fire, I still *LOVE* this deck. I use it as my main reading deck for myself. I stopped wanting the Osho Zen deck after I found out that Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh has something to do with the deck. No offense! Anyway, choose what you want! I just highly recommend Nigel Jackson! :) ~Kira

Scorpion	05 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Kirali I stopped wanting the Osho Zen deck after I found out that Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh has something to do with the deck. No offense! Kirali: Sorry - I know this name should ring a bell but I can't quite place it. Can you enlighten me as to why this put you off? This is the only one of the three decks I've got and I don't think anything could turn me agains this deck: I love the philosophy behind it and the artwork is attractive and some of the colouring is out of this world. Keslynn: I guess it depends on how many decks you've already got and precisely what you're looking for. To me, the Osho is beautiful and the thinking behind it clear. If I want to get to the heart of a problem with no clutter, I go for this deck. Whichever one you choose I'm sure you'll have fun!

Lee	05 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by LouiQ Kirali: Sorry - I know this name should ring a bell but I can't quite place it. Can you enlighten me as to why this put you off? For info on Osho, here is a really good article by Jeannette Roth (an Aeclectic member!) at her TarotGarden website. -- Lee

Scorpion	05 Oct 2002
Fascinating, Lee - many thanks for that! I still love my Osho deck....

Pollux	05 Oct 2002
MMMMMmmmmmmmmhhhhhhhhhhhh... I need to clarify an aspect before I speak out. Your original question is :"What deck do I WANT next?". My answer is: how can I know? *LOL* You will surely know better than us... But the real point is, Keslynn, that you are one of the most repsectable tarot-holics! Therefore, we all know the answer already... ;) *LOL* Personally, among the ones you mentioned, I want Nigel Jackson most. I am growing more and more attracted to it. I think it will replace Roots of Asia on my list... It is so cute and attractive! That 3 of Swords makes me want it so bad! I think it is the Karma for making Rhiannon want and get one. Actually, right now you make me feel like checking some more pics of it! *LOL* I repeat, I have neither of the ones you ask about - but I DO suggest NJ, without any doubt.

Cerulean	05 Oct 2002
Here's a fun trio to choose from---why not ask the online oracles for input? I'd put the question---what do I want to learn or explore or reflect most on in my life, with a divinatory slant? www.osho.com www.llewellyn.com/tarot I'm not certain that llewellyn.com or the publisher of your choices has any articles about the new Fairy Oracle. But if you go to google, maybe there's some more information or reviews to help you decide, as well? And also if you can get some feel from the online readings if this specific type of art seems like what you like... Mari H.

WolfSpirit	06 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Mari_Hoshizaki I'm not certain that llewellyn.com or the publisher of your choices has any articles about the new Fairy Oracle. If you go to the Divination section you will find more info on the fairy ring, I think Jewel is our specialist in this. :) I own the fairy ring, if you want something else than tarot it is certainly interesting. I had expected it to have more "sweet" pictures, there is certainly some fierce fairies around !! I haven't had much time to explore it, I think I will use it more for fun for the time being rather than divination.

purplelady	06 Oct 2002
Hmmmm, it seems to me your choice is between 1) Nigel Jackson which is more of a "typical" regular tarot deck. It is close enough to rider-waite, even closer to thoth, as to not cause any major confusion if those are the decks you are familiar with. It Does however, switch swords/air, to swords/fire and wands/fire to wands/air. 2) Osho Zen which renames the suits and does vie off the typical path from what I understand OR 3) Fairy Ring which isn't tarot at all Personally I would chose Nigel Jackson. I have this deck and LOVE it! I am in the process of using the majors for meditation. But I think it would be a perfectly good reading deck too. You would have to be able to use the switch of the swords /wands however. Also it is a bit christian. I don't own osho zen so can't really comment on using it personally, though I hear it is beautiful and can be very honest. Fairy Ring I personally do not like. I just couldn't relate to it as an oracle deck, but maybe it's just me.

Lee	06 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by purplelady Also it is a bit christian. Hi purplelady, I was interested to see you describe the Nigel Jackson as a bit Christian. It's always struck me as rather Pagan, particularly the Moon and Sun cards. I'd be curious to know which cards seem more Christian. -- Lee

purplelady	06 Oct 2002
Well , the HP is "the popess". The "moon" card seems a little more menacing than usual. Most of the people are very medevial looking. The hierophant is "the pope". The nine of swords is a nude female demon or devil. The devil is very devil-like. Also I think I heard that Nigel Jackson was a member of a christian/wicca site! Though I may be confusing him with the creator of the "Tarot of the Saints", not sure now.

truthsayer	07 Oct 2002
personally of the 3 i like the brian froud faery deck the best. the book and deck are well done. the divination system very interesting. the faery cards have distinct personalities. the cards are intense whether humourous or serious. it reminds me a bot of the vertigo deck b/c of the colors being mostly blacks, whites, browns and blues. you could probably check out a book at the library with froud's work. that could help you see whether you could relate to this deck or not. i have the osho zen. it's beautiful but it's not traditional tarot at all. evrything has been changed from the suits and the major names. there is an extra card called the master which is the bhagwan ragneeshi. that card purely gives me the creeps. people here have gotten on me about writing a deck off b/c i don't agree w/ the creator's philosophy. to me this deck had a deep shadow side along w/ it's light before i realized who ma padma deva? took inspiration from. i've tried taking the master card out and just taking the deck as is but it's hard. i have more problems with this one than the thoth. i used the thoth for 15 years before i learned about crowley's history. i had difficulty reading w/ thoth for a while after i learned but can read it again. i've had osho zen 3+ years but still can't relate to it. i keep hoping i'll feel better about it one year. ma padma deva has a new deck out, too. can't remember the name tho. nigel is nice pen and ink pastel deck that has links to the rws. i hesistate to call it a clone b/c it has it's own individual personality. the drawing is excellent. if you are comfotable with rws, you shouldn't have any problems using it.

Liliana	07 Oct 2002
Nigel Jackson is a bit Christian, Nigel himself joined my Christian Tarot elist at yahoogroups and said it was nice to see a group devoted to the topic. He said he does use Christian symbolism in his cards and finds that too many modern tarot artists try too hard to dispose of all of it. Of course Rider Waite is very Christian when you know what you are looking for too. I cant comment on the Christian symbolism of the Nigel Jackson as I dont own it yet. :THP

Jewel	07 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by WolfSpirit If you go to the Divination section you will find more info on the fairy ring, I think Jewel is our specialist in this. :) WolfSpirit I am flattered ~giggles~ :P ... thank you! (see that Faunabay and Truthsayer I am a specialist! ;) ~giggles~) Well lets see ... I have all 3 decks ... I must say that your choices are really interesting as they are all VERY different. If you are looking for a traditional style deck I would recommend the Nigel Jackson. If you are looking for a non-traditional Tarot deck I would recommend the Osho-Zen, if you are simply looking for a divination deck (tarot or oracle) then I would have to vote for the Fairy Ring Oracle. The Osho Zen is one of my favorite tarot decks. To me, although renamed and such, it seems very much like a traditional deck just looked at from a totally different perspective (hard to explain). The renaming of cards and suits are in accordance to this different perspective. The art is also superb in my opinion, and I love the colors. I do not like the extra card, and do not use it. It is more of a here and now kind of deck as well (at least for me). Now for the Fairy Ring Oracle ... if you do not have the Brian Froud Faeries Oracle I would have to recommend it above all else. But if you have it, and like it, then I think you will also like the Fairy Ring. It is TOTALLY different from the Froud Oracle. The readings are brutally honest and so far right on! The deck is not gentle by any means. If you are not familiar and comfortable with working with faeries I would not recommend this deck. There needs to be an understanding of how things work in the faerie realm before working with this deck, the Froud Faeries teach that well. The book that comes with the Fairy Ring is good, but again if you are not familiar with the faerie realm workings there are cards that could scare you off. The spreads offered in the book are excellent as well. If you like faeries and undestand that in the faerie world there are not "good" and "evil" faeries, but that together they all form a whole, and they all have a purpose to serve, then you may really like the honesty and straighforwardness this deck offers. Sorry about the faerie ramble, but I could not help myself!

The What deck do I want next? thread was originally posted on 05 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.