Is there a better 'Builders of the Adytum' deck?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 03 Dec 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

rota	03 Dec 2002
Does anybody know if there's a 'Builders of the Adytum' deck that's printed not on the papery card stock, but on the ordinary glossy varnished stock? According to this review (http://aeclectic.net/tarot/bota/index.html) the paper stock used isn't suitable for shuffling. I really rather like this deck, but I want to use it for divination purposes, not for meditation or for coloring. I'm hoping someone here will be able to point me toward a source where I can get a shuffle-able BOTA deck.

HudsonGray	03 Dec 2002
Since it's published by US Games I'm shocked it's NOT on the glossy stiff paper. Usually the artist done decks are on the thinner papers because getting them done up better costs an arm & a leg (I've been pricing it at the printers, lowest estimate for a deck is $34 & that's without any lamination at all). US Games should have an email address, maybe asking them directly will get you a solid answer. Could be they bought out a printing of it & their reprint will be on sturdy stuff. If it isn't, I've got 2 artist done decks on the much thinner paper, they DO shuffle if you're careful about handling them. Treat them gently & they'll do the job for divination.

Trogon	04 Dec 2002
Quote: Originally posted by HudsonGray US Games should have an email address, maybe asking them directly will get you a solid answer. Could be they bought out a printing of it & their reprint will be on sturdy stuff. You can visit the U.S. Games Web site at http://www.usgamesinc.com/ They do have a button for contacting them on that page....

Major Tom	04 Dec 2002
I got my copy through http://www.bota.org Once I'd coloured it I used clear contact paper on both sides and I've never had any trouble shuffling. :)

Ophiel	05 Dec 2002
As some of you probably know, the BOTA deck was really designed as a tool for study and the main draw of these cards is the opportunity to color them yourself. BOTA supplies detailed instructions on this. The cards are used in conjunction with the study of the Kabalah, each major arcana assigned to one of the twenty-two paths that connect the Sephiroth on the Tree of Life, the 1-10 numbered cards assigned each to one of the ten spheres, and the court cards assigned in a specific way that is more involved than I care to go right now. I studied the BOTA system of Tarot/Kabalah many years ago, and my post-intro lessons were based on the symbolism of each of the arcana that I had colored. It really is a powerful experience to color your own cards, though making them yourself, as all members of the Golden Dawn magickal group did, has to be the ultimate in working with the cards. The originator of BOTA, Paul Case, was himself a member of the Golden Dawn before starting his own organization. He has an incredible book on the symbolism of the Arcana, a book still in print simply called "The Tarot." He also wrote a book on meditations on the Arcana. These really are essential reading for anyone approaching the cards for magickal or spiritual development rather than as a system of divination. I do believe you can buy some sort of fixer from art stores that should seal the cards up decently. And what's wrong with a worn, tattered deck anyway? IF it got worn badly, you could just color another deck!

truthsayer	05 Dec 2002
hair spray is as good a sealant of art as more expensive art supply store sealants. i've used both and really can't tell a difference. hair spray is a pretty decent stain remover for clothes stained with inks and dyes, too! i had a white lab coat that got dyed pink in the wash. i doused it thoroughly with hairspray and it was white again like magic when i took it out of the wash again. all this for around $1.00 usd. ;)

little	06 Dec 2002
I haven't used the BOTA deck. But I HAVE attempted to color on glossy paper before, and it's next to impossible. The color doesn't seem to want to 'stick' to glossy paper, and it's hard to get any strong or bright colors. It's also much too irritating to also be meditative, imho.

zander770	06 Dec 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Ophiel As some of you probably know, the BOTA deck was really designed as a tool for study and the main draw of these cards is the opportunity to color them yourself. . . . The originator of BOTA, Paul Case, was himself a member of the Golden Dawn before starting his own organization. He has an incredible book on the symbolism of the Arcana, a book still in print simply called "The Tarot." He also wrote a book on meditations on the Arcana. These really are essential reading for anyone approaching the cards for magickal or spiritual development rather than as a system of divination. thank you: FINALLY, "a voice of reason!" (you've proably read as many false, "ignorant" reviews regarding the bota and the deck as i . . .) i have (and, it's "traveled" w/me, thru the yrs!) the bota tableu--dipicting the major keys (w/the "pattern on the trestleboard" and "the emerald table of hermes"), plus their/our colorful, 11"X24" "tree of life," laminated--i really DO need to get these framed--on the wall in front of my desk, and i refer to them, many, MANY times on a daily basis. i'm a current g.:d.: member earning degrees, but NOT (alas, i lalowed my dues to pass) taking bota lessons (of course, i have the hundreds of "old ones" in three-ring notebooks). however, for me, i think that the bota was the best, fastest, most clear-cut yet profound and, elegant, ETC "formal instructional system" for learning tarot and qaballa available--anywhere!--today. i cannot say enough great things regarding the text and the members involved, esp at the "home temple," los angeles, ca. (they do have study groups and "temples" thruout the world, tho, of course!) however: the bota deck IS really soley to be used for study and meditation (i mean, i do not allow ANYONE to even VIEW my bota deck)!!! ~Z~770 :WL

Cerulean	08 Jan 2003
Since I'm designing a card based on original city that I am from, with Temperance in mind, I checked out the angel on the new L.A. cathedral. I may look for a more old-fashioned angel. I also checked out BOTA website and like their version of Temperance better and Paul Foster Case's information. I think the new year is bringing me to study the 78 keys in this way...the L.A. Temple is sending me the very moderately priced deck of about 8.00 for 78 uncolored cards. So I think the City of Angeles Temperance should have a BOTA as well as an older Our Lady of Guadalupe influence... I would have checked more sites when I was down there, but had to be at a Buddhist temple wedding in downtown...talk about walking the middle way in Temperance... Mari H.

Richard	24 Mar 2003
I just visited BOTA today (since none of the shops near me seemed to have the deck, I figured I might as well go to the source, which is only a ten minute drive from my house), and the people there were very nice, but I always get suspicious around anything that seems kind of cultish...has anyone actually been to the services?

The Is there a better 'Builders of the Adytum' deck? thread was originally posted on 03 Dec 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.