Templar Tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 27 Jan 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

darwinia	27 Jan 2003
Can you have too many skulls in a deck? Nah. I started a new thread rather than resurrecting (pardon the pun) an older one on this deck by Allan Chester. I've looked at the pictures online and I've read the threads here, but on Saturday I actually got to look at one of these decks at the tarot shop I go to. I love the size of the borderless cards and the matte finish laminate is very different. What impressed me was how storylike the cards were and how detailed. Definitely an art-type deck but it was so interesting. Without the borders you are really drawn into the details and it feels so much like a picture book--wonderful colours and very vibrant. I've read the reviews here and Diane Wilkes had a review that was pretty scathing, but like all other decks, it's what you like or see in the cards. They are much more impressive in person than on the Internet, which quite surprised me. I don't know how accurate or informative about the Templars they are in the end but the art is pretty staggering. I might have to think about this one.

Kiama	27 Jan 2003
Indeed the art is wonderful, and the symbols are gorgeous... These cards do speak, but unfortunately, they can speak th ewrong things! Like you said, skulls skulls everywhere and nota drop to drink... :eek: which means that we have skulls in cards which usually represent life and fertility... As for the Templars, I don't think anybody knos for sure who and what they were, so I doubt this deck can tell us anything about them. I have got in for my collection becaue it is pretty unique. Kiama

la_huesera	27 Jan 2003
Well, I am normally not a fan of scull's but I really do LOVE this deck!!! And although there are sculls and bones all over the place I can not find anything scary about these cards. It's one of my favourite decks... Blessings, *Mareike*

Jewel	28 Jan 2003
It also makes for fascinating comparitive study with the RWS and 78 Degrees of Wisdom. I was simply amazed at how much I learned from that experience.

Maan	28 Jan 2003
I have this deck too( thanks to Truthsayer :*) And i like it. I have not actually used it very much but i take it out now and then to put compaire with oder decks. Its feels really powerfull and i think thats why i'm not using that much. Maybe one day.....

truthsayer	29 Jan 2003
i love my templar deck for its unique art and readability. i know it's not for everyone but the skulls, bones and fallen angel intrigue me. mary as the high priestess just rocks! i love the originality of thought put into her like the anchor. the extra card-the magic flute-is interesting, too. i heard that a book is being written on the deck but i haven't heard anything else about it. i don't think the deck is directly about the knights templar but borrows inspiration from it. the preoccupation with bones certainly fits in with that time in history. i agree that it's a powerful deck. i don't know any decks other than the rohrig that match it for the sense of power i intuit from it. as a founding tarot-holic, it's my duty to tell you that you must have this deck if it interests you at all! i can't recommend every deck i see but i can this one quite highly. i also have a soft spot in my heart for self-published decks and this one is amongst the best self-pubs i own as far as card quality, etc. p.s. glad to hear you are still enjoying your templar, maan!

Jewel	29 Jan 2003
Did you say book Truthsayer? ~perks up~ ... ohhhh my that would certainly be a must have for me. Another tool to use in studying this deck :)

darwinia	04 Apr 2003
I'm resurrecting this thread because I found some money in huge jars of coins on the spouse's bedroom floor, and I'm thinking of buying the deck again. Frankly, I don't really care about any of the sketchy, unverifiable information about the Templars, it's the artwork that compels me. Most of the decks I own are very good for storytelling and are artist decks, so whether the imagery "fits" any prescribed formula or belief system is irrelevant to me. I prefer actually that they not follow a rigid system of someone else's beliefs. So, any further thoughts on this by those that own it or want it? It's been a couple of months and I wondered if members had further insightful reflections about this deck. Thanks

truthsayer	04 Apr 2003
for me, the templar remains a visually arresting and creative deck. if you like the rohrig, i think this one will appeal to you. there are lots of skeletons and bones and angels with broken wings if stuff like this bothers you. however, it remains one of the jewels of my prized self-pub collection. i don't know any history of the knights templar and the deck works fine for me. i say-what are you waiting for? :)

Astraea	04 Apr 2003
This is such an odd thing to say, but true...I don't like the artwork or colors in these cards, but I love the deck! I think it's because there's a sincerity, almost a naievete about the cards, that is completely captivating. I have studied the Templars and see little relation between the historical knights and this deck, but it doesn't matter...they still speak. I say, get the deck! :)

darwinia	04 Apr 2003
Money! Oh dear, I'm dithering all over the place. I really want the Tarot of the Spirit and the Gill but I figured if I didn't buy the books for them I'd have enough left over for a third, which was going to be the Rohrig, but then I remembered I liked this. I truly find those skulls rather intriguing for stories and atmosphere and it's a bit skewy which appeals to me. I wonder if I could swing buying the four? Creative accounting with skulls. I open my ledger of skin and write with my bone handled pen, juggling things, shielding the eyes of the spouse with a spell of skull-like beauty and a drop of blood from my eye pierced by swords...... Shucks, I thought I was turning into Goth Babe when I bought Nizzoli's Secret Tarot, what the heck is this deck going to do to me? Next thing you know I'll be human or something. Sheesh.

Astraea	04 Apr 2003
Oh, I know this dilemma like the back of my hand! The thing is...for us tarotholics, there's no endorphin rush like the one that comes with unsealing a fresh deck. You have my sympathies and blessings, LOL!

darwinia	06 Apr 2003
Well, I had another look at the deck but just didn't buy it. I bought the Tarot of the Spirit instead (which goes fabulously well with the Sacred Gemetry Oracle by Francene Hart, and I've got 14 scans to prove it. ;-0))) I also ordered the Gill and the Rohrig, just the decks, no books, so they should be in by Easter. Plus The Wheel of Change is in the mail to me, so I'm on overload. Maybe next time for the Templar, and I'd still like the Bosch too. Here's another question. I often match my decks up, the Fey goes very well with the Osho Zen strangely enough, but I wondered if anyone has something that they find goes with the Templar? With me, it's the reminiscence of design and colour that seems to spark matches. I will go through a new deck and get a feeling of familarity and think one card or another is very much like that in another deck and then pull everything out to compare and find more similarities. Any Templar people do this with success?

Astraea	06 Apr 2003
All of the decks you've chosen are wonderful! Tarot of the Spirit is one of the most beautiful decks ever created IMO, and I love the Gill and Rohrig (don't have the Wheel of Change). Regarding your question about which decks would work best with the Templar in paired readings: the Templar is such a busy deck -- no borders, bold (some might say garish) colors, and imagery/symbolism galore, drawn in a wavy-lined style -- that I would suggest pairing it with a plainer deck, for contrast. The Hudes or One World would be good choices. I believe that the Hudes, in particular, would work well with the Templar from the standpoint of color, design and symbolism. Some people find the Hudes too stark in its use of symbols, but I find them evocative in their own way, and the cards work well for me in readings. Since the Templar is rich with symbolism, the Hudes would represent a nice counterbalance. Stylistically, the Hudes is different from the Templar, but complementary. In addition, many of the important themes in the Templar are also emphasized in the Hudes. One World is a stark deck that is still evocative; it would stand in contrast to the Templar, acting in a reflective capacity. It has a cool and remote feel, whereas the Templar is active, vibrant and dynamic. The colors of the One World deck would work well with the Templar. Enjoy your new decks! :)

Logiatrix	12 Apr 2003
freesia, i have found that the winged spirit tarot works well with the templar tarot. i thoroughly enjoy this deck. please let us know how you get along with it. :)

darwinia	12 Apr 2003
Quote: Originally posted by metaz freesia, i have found that the winged spirit tarot works well with the templar tarot. i thoroughly enjoy this deck. please let us know how you get along with it. :) The Winged Spirit is the one with all the angels, right? I really like the art in that, but somehow the angels put me off. So, why do you think the two decks go well together? The angels do seem rather dark, rather powerful and otherworldy, maybe even gothic in some respects. Is that why you like the decks together. Interesting comparison. I'd be keen to hear some more of your thoughts on the two together. Thanks.

Logiatrix	13 Apr 2003
freesia, the two work well together for me especially in pathworking. i will find one card to be an excellent portal for "stepping into," while the other card of the same image is what i focus on once i am there. neither deck is better for one or the other role because my goal in these visualizations always varies. my perception of each card also varies as i continue to meditate on them and apply them to my particular goals. a good example is my experience with the high priestess. this is the card of my intuition. when i am seeking a deeper intuition, i turn to the high priestess of the winged spirit; she is young and innocent looking, a novice perhaps? i step into the card and become the young priestess. i walk the path (this is the part of the meditation where i confront obstacles and other isssues) until i reach the learned high priestess of the templar tarot. she is one who has achieved the apogee of intuition. she speaks to me and shares her greatest pearls of wisdom; as i listen and learn, i become her. color, symbols and various details shift from one card to the other, until i am completely "in" (and have become) the templar's version of the high priestess. conversely, when i am on overload regarding my intuition and i seek balance, again it is the high priestess i turn to. i become the templar's high priestess (these cards are very easy to step into--no borders to trip over!) and i rise from my throne to walk my path back to innocence (again, there are blocks to contend with along the way). i reach the novice high priestess of the winged spirit tarot and i step into the card and become her, leaving my over-burdened (albeit incredibly wise!) self behind. i have returned to the beginner's mind. i have done this exercies with the first nine of the majors, up to and including the hermit. the "magic flute" card in the templar deck is also a good card for entering into any of the other cards. :)

darwinia	05 Jul 2003
I finally got the Templar today. I also finally got the Hudes in trade this month too, so I might try Astraea's suggestion of matching those two up for a study since I don't have the Winged Spirit. I couldn't get the blue, blue colour out of my head. I particularly like the Tower card and the High Priestess. My husband thinks the paintings look like daubs and other people do too, but it's those swirling colours that appeal to me. Besides Truthsayer said I could get it, the Universe moves. Oh, and Astraea, might I suggest you get the marvelous Wheel of Change with its equally fantastic book? We are doing a study group on it now, so it would be the perfect time for you to add it to your collection. Lovely deck with lots of detail and depth. Ohh-la-la. I love the Rohrig too and we are trying to get the study group up and running again for that. I'm very glad I bought that and I love the Gill too. I spend so much time dithering over which decks to get that I usually find I love them and I'm never disappointed.

contrascarpe	23 Mar 2004
I'm resurrecting this old thread because I picked this deck up today. I was browsing in a shop I had never been to before and this deck just jumped out at me - one of those situations where I had it in my hands and put it down several times before finally deciding to get it. It was one of those moments where I figured I may never see this deck again (I had never seen it before). I truly love the artwork and get the feeling this may be a good deck for me to read with. Dan

darwinia	23 Mar 2004
I have found this a strange deck but I would never part with it. Some of the Minors are really just swirls of colour but I find that appealing. I always seem to get a story from the characters regardless of the lack of detail. It's very vibrant and those bones are something else.

The Templar Tarot thread was originally posted on 27 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.