Which Golden Dawn deck?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 12 Oct 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

faunabay	12 Oct 2002
For whatever reason just recently I decided I want to get one of the Golden Dawn style decks. I've seen and don't like the Wang deck though. Oh and not the Thoth either (had it in the past and didn't like it) Which one would you recommend - anyone? LOL I'm thinking about the Golden Dawn Magical/Ritual or maybe Tarot of the Sephroth, but don't know. Suggestions anyone? ROFL

Lee	12 Oct 2002
Hi faunabay, like you I recently went through a Golden Dawn period (which is now over! :) ) The Wang deck is bland, and doesn't have astrological symbols on the Minors. I like a lot of the New Golden Dawn Ritual, but the Minors are fairly ugly, with horrible colors (they call them "flashing" but I call them "clashing"). The hands on the Minors look really creepy, like old horror comics from the '60s. Try to look at these online as much as possible before buying it. I think I would vote for the Tarot of the Sephiroth. I bought the deck and book set and was quite disappointed with the book, because it doesn't really explain the paths between the spheres, which one would have thought would be the point of the whole thing. But I was pleasantly surprised with the art, which looks much better, at least in my opinion, than it does on scans in online reviews. I think it's an unusual, striking, and interesting deck which is quite usable. I found many of the interpretations of the Minors to be useful and interesting. Hope this helps -- Lee

Kirali	12 Oct 2002
I'm not sure if the Hermetic Tarot by Godfrey Dowson would be considered a Golden Dawn deck but I've been trying to get it. Unfortunately it's OOP and I contacted US games about it and they said they have no plans to reprint it in the near future, maybe a couple years and they were also curious for how much it went for on Ebay. They might possibly reprint if there was an influx of inquiries about it. ;) It's a nice black and white deck if you've not seen it with loads of symbolism and imagery. Here's where you can see pictures of the cards. Hermetic Tarot at Aecletic Hermetic Tarot at Wicce's Full Deck scan of Hermetic For the full deck scan, you have to scroll down the page and it's all the way on the right of the website! Hope that helped! :) ~Kira

MystiqueMoonlight	12 Oct 2002
I would suggest the Golden Dawn Magickal Tarot by Sandra and Chic Cicero http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/goldendawnmagic/index.html It's a really great deck with very pertinent symbology and the book that comes with it contains far more than just card meanings....spreads...rituals etc Personally I prefer Thoth because it's a far more powerful deck, but if you want something else which may be a little "softer" this is the one to go for..

Liliana	12 Oct 2002
Yes Hermetic is Golden Dawn, and when I was researching Golden Dawn years ago I found its symbolism to be the closest and best. Wish I woiuld of bought it back then since its now oop and hard to find. Maybe Ill dash off one of those letters requesting it be reprinted hehe :THP

faunabay	12 Oct 2002
Thanks everyone!! :D But I'm still not sure which one to get...... I've got one vote for the Golden Dawn Magical (MystiqueMoonlight) - which is the same as the Ritual from what I've heard, just renamed ??? And one vote for Tarot of the Sephiroth!! (Lee) Anyone else want to vote on this????? LOL The bad thing is I think I'm going to have to get both!!! And I was trying to NOT have to do that!!! LOL Sorry but I'm discounting the Hermetic because it's WAY too hard to find!!! :D

MystiqueMoonlight	13 Oct 2002
Faunabay, No I don't think it is the same one as the Mystical one.... here is another link to the one I recommended http://www.tarotpassages.com/cicero.htm and here is a link to Wang's Golden Dawn deck http://www.tarotpassages.com/goldendn.htm This is the Magickal Tarot which is also Golden Dawn based http://www.tarotpassages.com/magikal.html I hope I haven't confused you more :)

Lee	13 Oct 2002
I think I know what faunabay's saying... yes, the Golden Dawn Magical Tarot by the Ciceros is the same thing as the New Golden Dawn Ritual Tarot by the Ciceros, just renamed. The older version was available as a deck/book set, but that seems to be out of print, although I'll bet you could still find it out there. I think the new version is only available as a deck with a LWB, or maybe it's a minikit like the Nigel Jackson. -- Lee

faunabay	13 Oct 2002
Yes Lee, that's what I was talking about. :) The Golden Dawn Magical (renamed from the New Golden Dawn Ritual) is available as a mini kit like the Nigel Jackson (from what I understand) But MystiqueMoonlight you gave me another one I wasn't even aware of -- The Magickal tarot. I don't think I like that one. I need to go back and look at the review you gave me and maybe see if I can find another one to make sure though. LOL You know I can't count any out for sure!! :D Especially after just one look! ROFL

Lee	13 Oct 2002
Faunabay, I think you'd have a tough time finding the Magickal deck, it's long oop. -- Lee

faunabay	13 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Lee Faunabay, I think you'd have a tough time finding the Magickal deck, it's long oop. -- Lee OK that takes that one off the list!! LOL As I didn't really like it to begin with anyway! :D Thanks Lee!

The Which Golden Dawn deck? thread was originally posted on 12 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.