londa tarot: a minimalist deck

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 22 Jan 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

mansonatto	22 Jan 2003
i recently received the londa deck as a gift from my cousin. i haven't seen this deck before. i was thrilled and equally disappointed as i went through the cards. i love the theatrical artwork, but the symbolism is lacking. take the suit of wands, it's looks dull and doesn't capture the fiery energy of the wands. the majority of the court cards are disappointing too, in terms of symbolism. the best court card in my opinion would have to be the knight of cups which depicts the romantic and sensitive soul. i don't think i'll be using the londa tarot as a reading deck, even though i really wanted to in the beginning. i'm curious to know who else uses the londa tarot as a reading deck and if it's effective.

Demonesse	22 Jan 2003
I discussed this sometime ago - the dull brown-costumed models posing in Wands are a horrible disappointment aren't they? I like the androgynous Lovers and the Pentacles suit the best. If you don't like it you can always trade it with me })

Kaz	22 Jan 2003
if i remember correctly, the londa deck is THE deck to use when you play a game called zarcana. here is the webby's url: http://www.wunderland.com/icehouse/Default.html so there is some use for your deck, enjoy the game of zarcana :-) ~kaz

Khatruman	22 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Kaz if i remember correctly, the londa deck is THE deck to use when you play a game called zarcana. Oooooooooooo, reading the link to the reasons why Londa is such an awesome deck... Londa Deck they ALL HAVE LONG HAIR!!! *LOL* And exotic locations, like, uhh, that place with all the sand and pyramids!!! And the numbers on the majors are NOT roman numerals... wow, that'll save hours trying to figure out what XIX means... And with a card that asks, "Who are you really?", well, this is philosophizing to a level of Socrates (pronounced, SOH-Cr+ATEs, of course) ~does an air guitar riff~...Excellent!!!! DUDE! Tossing my Thoth deck now, too juvenile compared to this:D

Jewel	22 Jan 2003
I always thought it would be cool to decoupage something with the Londa or put it on a table under glass. Then again I have thought of doing that to several other decks as well ...

Diana	23 Jan 2003
Does this mean that the Londa deck is actually supposed to be a real Tarot deck? It's not just a joke?

Lee	23 Jan 2003
Hey, folks, the Londa Tarot is not my cup of tea either, but I do recall that there are people who like this deck, so let us not ridicule what may be someone's favorite deck... -- Lee :)

Khatruman	23 Jan 2003
I'm sorry, Lee... I guess I came across as perhaps ridiculing the deck, but who I was really ridiculing those who evaluated the value of the deck according to the length of folks hair. Look back in my post, my ridicule is to the vapidness of the reviewers, not the deck itself. I would pose the same ridicule to those who liked the Thoth for its "neato psychedelic colors" Peace!

Demonesse	23 Jan 2003
Tsk. Nothing better than an informed, discerning and deeply intellectual philosopher(s) to deconstruct a deck! ;) The Londa is for those who like their cards pretty on the surface and near-unreadable, true, but I don't see a problem with anyone liking the Thoth, or any deck for that matter, for its colours. Colours often make art, and we all have our quirks. Even if it is long hair.... })

Khatruman	23 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Demonesse I don't see a problem with anyone liking the Thoth, or any deck for that matter, for its colours. Colours often make art, and we all have our quirks. Even if it is long hair. Grrrr, I don't either.... have to love communication... it so easily can go wrong. Perhaps I should have specified that I find it laughably superficial to love it, and declare it the best simply for its colors, or long hair. For something as deeply symbolic and esoteric as the tarot, to say it is the best through the dual criteria of the exotic places and length of hair on the drawings is simply laughable. Ok, shutting my mouth on this... I can be wrong and maybe I did not stumble upon Bill and Ted's Excellent Tarot Adventure. Peace!

Jewel	23 Jan 2003
Well I was serious about the decoupage thing, and not as a slight to the deck ... I really like the deck a lot but cannot read with it so I would love to put it on display in some fashion. I have had mine for years, and would never consider trading it. Actually I think I am more likely to use it to cover a table and put glass over it. I think if my non-tarot friends saw it it would really peak their interest in tarot ...

Diana	23 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Lee Hey, folks, the Londa Tarot is not my cup of tea either, but I do recall that there are people who like this deck, so let us not ridicule what may be someone's favorite deck... -- Lee :) Lee: this is a marvellous occasion then for the Londa fans to show those who run away screaming from this deck that it is not what it seems to be on the surface. I am quite prepared to listen to any good arguments, and even join in! *Diana runs away screaming*

Demonesse	23 Jan 2003
For something as deeply symbolic and esoteric as the tarot, to say it is the best through the dual criteria of the exotic places and length of hair on the drawings is simply laughable. Ok, shutting my mouth on this... I can be wrong and maybe I did not stumble upon Bill and Ted's Excellent Tarot Adventure. ---Khatruman *Grin*Wrong or not, I'm having fun. You know what, I like tarot because it's fun. Almost purely because of that. I don't seek the path to my inner soul through tarot. I don't even think it's esoteric. Sometimes it's like an intricate puzzle game where I have to sit back, ponder, rely on a combination of knowledge, luck, intuition. And sometimes the decks are there just for me to appreciate the art, the colours, the little eensy-weensy details, even the feel of the deck in my hands. I'm not in Bill and Ted's Excellent Tarot Adventure mode - something like Moulin Rouge, perhaps :D

urbandryad	11 Dec 2003
I'm actually looking forward to owning the Londa tarot. I get such a quiet feeling of awe looking at the Londa deck, its ambiguously gendered characters and subdued colors make it a poignant deck. There's not glossing over the meanings of these cards with pretty colors or symbols, the emotion is written on their faces. I could never read with the Thoth deck. The deck images don't seem 'right' to me, and I love abstract art with a passion. Thoth just doesn't do it. But beyond the gothic glamour of the Londa, I like how Londa's deck takes the staple card meanings and revitalizes them. I'll be getting this deck in a couple of months, if anyone on this list is willing to sell...I have Hanson-Roberts, will soon be getting the Fey deck, and look forward to Londa as well. These are my types of decks! Lee (a raving fan of Londa's work, even if this post does sound a little weary, rather anxious and bored waiting to get my next tarot deck!)

Imagemaker	16 Dec 2003
I saw the Londa deck used by a student in a class and it fascinated me. My daughter was dressed/lived Goth for about 5 years and I could relate to the mood of the Londa art and people. I bought a deck mostly just to remember that period in our lives. The pictures don't have enough detail to trigger guidance for me in a reading, but I've seen a skilled reader use them and get amazing stuff. As one's practice deepens, I think the connections with any deck increase.

The londa tarot: a minimalist deck thread was originally posted on 22 Jan 2003 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.