Beer Tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 27 Nov 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Laurel	27 Nov 2002
I just found this while working and thought you might all enjoy a chuckle. http://www.beertarot.com/ Laurel

Sorceress_Jade	27 Nov 2002
I've seen this one before and at first it struck me as horrible. But now that I look at it again I find an appreciation for it. It certainly would add to a collection, and could be a fun deck to work with at times. It's interesting, and a neat idea at any rate.

zander770	27 Nov 2002
i caught that, too! pretty funny, i thought (and i bet it'll surly sell, too). ~Z~770 :T2P

Umbrae	27 Nov 2002
What fun! ...and if you explore the site... enter the site>go to Cult of the Druken Prophet> go to "double vision" and prepare for double vision...often in this world, full circle is not chaotic. It's also why IRL, to judge others...well...

WolfSpirit	27 Nov 2002
I took the free reading...(three cards). The death card is... a toilet bowl, well makes sense LOL I asked the drunken prophet if he has decks available, he had a limited number made by himself but they are all sold and now he is trying to get the deck published - so I will have to wait. It would be such a cool deck to read to my boozy friends, I may even convert them to tarot :D

Ladyhawke	27 Nov 2002
I liked it.....until I got to the Hanged Man..... ugh.... Ladyhawke

allibee	27 Nov 2002
Its on here as Alcohol Tarot, btw, very cool, and reminds me where I spent all that time and money over the years, hic allibee

Kaz	27 Nov 2002
this is a GREAT deck, i'd love to have it. did some 3 card spreads on the webby, they are funny :-) and, it would be a good one for kiama's pubreadings......... kaz

Violet Gargoyle	29 Nov 2002
I wonder if they can be printed on beer coasters......

juice	02 Dec 2002
Like the idea but that is prolly a dangerous thing to do around drunks. Oh forget the drunk part. People have spent too many years trying to teach guests to use the coasters. Let's not confuse the poor fools.

Shadow Wolf	17 Dec 2002
I don't like this deck at all. Maybe I've just had too many alcoholics in my family to appreciate the humor in them. I just don't think it's appropriate for a deck of tarot cards. Again, just my 2 cents worth !!!

ShyButSly	17 Dec 2002
lol, I like it, its funny. Would be a nice deck to own, as part of a collection... I want it!

Osher	17 Dec 2002
I think I might buy it, just for the novelty value. I've just of another use as well: for a someone who afraid of Tarot it might just break the ice

Ophiel	17 Dec 2002
Shadow Wolf...you have company. This is a disgusting deck, but judging from the popularity here, it will sell. Good thing taste isn't determined by popularity. Either that, or there are a lot of alcoholics in this group. LOL. I am quite fond of Tarot cards, fascinated by them and see no point in turning them into a mundane collector's item of this topic. How about Tarot of the Gas Pump, or Tarot of the Drug Paraphernalia? These cards have nothing to do with the four elements that make up not only the deck, but the entire universe of the occultist. I'm normally not a prude, but just think this sort of topic is inappropriate for Tarot.

allibee	17 Dec 2002
by the same token, a deck full of male 'members' is inappropriate....... to me, I think it's totally uncalled for and unneccessary and downright disgusting and offensive........however, it's something you may feel ok with. Horses for courses as they say. allibee

Osher	18 Dec 2002
I have to admit that the Beer Tarot is pushing the boundaries of acceptability, even though I might like one for the novelty value. It could just be seen as a bit of fun, however, I suppose the danger is that it debases Tarot generally.

Ophiel	18 Dec 2002
I think of the four elements, as they are depicted in decks, of essential importance. So we have here the suit of Spirits as Swords, the suit of Wine as Pentacles, the suit of Beers as Fire (" The suit relates to matters of business, career, creativity and work and any other situation where partnerships, projects and deals are involved.") and the Lagers as the Cups. There is no thought here in the assignments of these suits, other than deciding four different types of alcohol. Beer tends to weigh one down and Fire hardly seems the appropriate elemental assignment. How about Beer as Earth? The assignment would make a great deal more sense, even if one were to take this deck seriously. Traditional elements, most of you know (Fire = Willing, Water = feeling, Air = thinking, Earth = the physical.) Visit the homepage of this deck and you will be greeted by the sound of flatculence. Many 'fun' decks at least make some attempt to follow the traditions of the deck, the elements and all. I just don't think any thought went into this deck. Maybe whomever made it failed to tell us the entire deck was conceived and constructed in a state of drunkenness! Makes sense, doesn't it?

Macavity	18 Dec 2002
I think in my day it would have been termed "student/college humour" Best viewed slightly inebriated and in like-minded company? :) The notion is still QUITE funny to me - But I wouldn't BUY one. Not a bad subject - funnier or more satirical images could have been possible? I'd agree with the suggestion that not much THOUGHT went into this. I think a better deck of it's kind might be something like the Silicon Valley Tarot? Quite a lot of thought seems to have gone into THAT one. It might even be useful in certain readings? I can relate to some of that subject matter too ;) Mac Images of a certain bar with a pillared entrance guarded by a "High Priestess" do bring back memories. Sadly no gateway to enlightenment and certainly a fool's journey :D

Osher	19 Dec 2002
Doing a search for something, I came across a thread from a few weeks ago (a very interesting one) called 'silliest theme for a deck'. I wonder if the Beer Tarot counts? (I'm sorry, I couldn't see how to grab the thread details to post a link, maybe some kind soul could help out?)

tarotbear	20 Dec 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Violet Gargoyle I wonder if they can be printed on beer coasters...... Oh, NO! Not another round Tarot Deck!

tarotbear	20 Dec 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Ophiel Shadow Wolf...you have company. This is a disgusting deck I'm normally not a prude, but just think this sort of topic is inappropriate for Tarot. I guess some people cannot take a joke. I remember long ago (before I exiled myself from this place) we had a thread of 'Impossible Tarot Decks' or something like that where people created a deck that was odd, weird, or disgusting. There was the Transvestite Tarot, among others. I created the 'Doggie-Doo Divination Deck' where you divined the future in the shape and design of the poop after you walked your dog. A lot easier than disemboweling a swine on a burning pyre. After all, tarot is nothing but interpeting symbols........

WolfSpirit	22 Dec 2002
And let's not forget also a beer tarot has a temperance card ;) If you look at the rws-deck and many of its clones: they have for the 10 of swords a person stabbed by 10 swords. Now piercing someone with a sword is not a very moral thing to do, but many tarot readers have accepted this card as it is a symbol for something else. So we accept this violent picture, but not a glass of beer as a symbol for something else ?? I'd rather be a drunk than a murderer. Having said this, I must say I have gone of this deck a bit as it has for the hanged man someone vomiting...this has nothing to do with the meaning of the card, but it is also an image I would not like to see coming up in a reading...this card spoils the deck for me, I would have to replace it with someone patiently waiting at the bar to be served or something. I agree the deck as a whole is not very well done, but I still think it is funny as well.

Shadow Wolf	22 Dec 2002
I guess I object to this deck so much because I come from a family with more than it's share of alcoholics. My favorite Uncle died because he drank too much. I've also had to stand by and watch loved ones humiliate themselves because they were too drunk to stand. Alcoholics die a very slow, very painful death. It's not only painful for them, it's painful for all those who have to watch, and know that there's not a damn thing you can do about it !!!!!! The traditional tarot cards have spiritual meanings already attached to them. Do we really need a "beer" tarot besides ????? Oh and BTW-- Thanks a lot for making me remember how hard it was to watch my uncle slowly poison himself. There's nothing wrong with my sense of humor, but I seriously question yours if you think this deck is funny !!!!

Shadow Wolf	22 Dec 2002
My last post is meant for tarotbear. I apologize if it upsets anyone else, but I sat here crying , as I read his post. Alcholism is no joke, and neither is anything that glorifies the consupmtion of alcohol.

WolfSpirit	23 Dec 2002
Shadow Wolf - sorry you got so upset :( I sent you a pm.

Shadow Wolf	23 Dec 2002
Thank you Wolfspirit. I'm usually not this sensitive, but tarotbear's post just hit me ther wrong way. Thank you.

tarotbear	23 Dec 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Shadow Wolf I'm usually not this sensitive, but tarotbear's post just hit me the wrong way. I don't know why. If Alcoholism is going to distress you so badly, due to the occurrance in your family, than anything with references to alcohol in it is going to affect you the same way. The deck has nothing to do with it. Any magazine ad with smiling people enjoying a cold beer will do the same thing. The Three of Cups with 3 smiling maidens all holding a cup of something alcoholic could also do the same thing. you should learn to deflect your anger in better, constructive ways. My sisters both died of brain tumors. Not long after the second one died there was a comedy show skit where the person with a brain tumor was a contestant on a quiz show. It was sad. It was sick. But I did not lock myself in a closet and cry nor write poison-pen letters to TV producers. I merely turned to another channel. Problem solved. This deck is a PARODY. It probably could be used to read cards in a pub. It might even reveal something profound. You must come to grips with your own tragedy. Consuming alcohol and looking at pictures of others consuming alcohol is hardly the same thing. You must learn to find an outlet for your anger. To damn me for finding humor in this deck shows me that you are the sick person ... not I. I sincerely hope you find a conselor to help you overcome this.

Shadow Wolf	25 Dec 2002
After reading your last post, I realize that I'm the one who owes you an apology. I was not in a great state of mind when I posted that last message. I was missing my uncle, he died around this time of year and it's still really hard. I have to apology for taking it out on you. I'm angry because he died an alcoholic, and I mourn the person he could have been. It's only been about 5 or 6 years since he passed. I think this is a hurt only time will heal. Thank you for understanding and please accept my apology.

tarotbear	26 Dec 2002
No problem. * sending light of friendship & healing your way*

jema	03 Apr 2004
I am suddenly very tempted to buy this one. http://www.beertarot.com/deck/majcards.htm it looks really down to earth and funny and like you could actually use it in readings! Anyone here have it?

The Beer Tarot thread was originally posted on 27 Nov 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.