The Adrian Tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 26 Jan 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

scheherazade	26 Jan 2003
The review of this deck on this site wasn't a very encouraging one - I've been planning to order this deck, admittedly because it is beautiful. But like I've said before, my mind often responds well to the aesthetic. Yet the review mentioned that the deck did not trigger much insight; unlike the Sacred Circle Tarot and Fairy Ring Oracle, which, in my opinion, trigger mine very well. What would your advice be, pertaining to this deck? And while I'm on it, since I'm so in love with photographic, computer-enhanced decks, (they're perhaps not so very traditional, but their vividness never lets me forget them) what would be some other photographic decks that you would recommend to me?

Osher	26 Jan 2003
Being a collector, of sorts, who also uses his decks, I wanted a picture deck. I thought hard about the Adrian, but then decided that it really wasn't for me. I pictured the pictures in the my mind, and realised I didn't click with the people pictured. I chose the Vision deck, and have been quite happy with it.

Dark Inquisitor	26 Jan 2003
I have the Adrian, it's rather unique & I have never regretted buying it. I think you are responsible for triggering your own insights & what works for one might not work for another anyway. Does a deck "work" for us , or do we put that limitation on ourselves? There are decks I hate, of course & would never own. But I think if forced to read with them, I could. Tarotphelia

scheherazade	26 Jan 2003
The Vision deck is also a photographic deck, right? While we're at it, what are your views on the Cosmic Tribe Tarot?

Osher	26 Jan 2003
I do not like photographic tarot. Simple enough! :) What I mean, is that when I see a photograph it is so obviuously one person that I see that one person. A drawing, on the other hand, is a representation. It might be a drawing of someone, but it is still a representation. A photograph, even one altered by computer, is just the light of a person, there is no way that it could be anyone else. I was gearing up to be disappointed that Rohrig has pictures of money in his cards, but it works well. Yes, the Vision deck is partly photographic, that is, a mixture of drawing and photographs. Just had a thought, I think some of the more 'interesting' decks could only be drawings, some of the pictures are either impossible, or verging on illegal (little boys walking around naked, and so on)(we had a case in England, of a newspresenter being arrested for taking a photograph of her baby boy in the bath!)

scheherazade	26 Jan 2003
Yes, that is easily understood. But something similar can be said of painted or drawn Tarot - it may be beautiful art, but it's not my art. I'm used to making my own arts, be they writing or dance, and if the art belongs to someone else, I can't become personally attached to it. I can appreciate it, as well as connect with it and let it speak with me, but I can't ever really touch it - it's not mine. Whereas with digital or photographic art, there are flesh and blood people - identifiable, and alive, somewhere at some time. They have more ability of speaking to me than paintings do. I've never been good at the paper-canvas forms of art - I've always been more attuned to other forms - body arts, music arts, literary arts.

Osher	26 Jan 2003
Which is why old chap there are hundreds of tarot decks on sale. We are all individuals! (Err, I'm not! (for all you Life of Brian fans))

scheherazade	26 Jan 2003
I can identify with that. :) Part of the reason I've gone on this Tarot-collection mania is because there are so many, and they are so different.

darwinia	26 Jan 2003
I've often looked at this too because I liked the art on the Majors. http://www.tarotpassages.com/adrian2.jpg However, the pips leave me cold. For someone who loves Marseilles decks and is used to unillustrated pips (I understand there are those who *prefer* them), it would be great. I tend to agree with Tarotphelia and her comment about triggering your own insights. There is also something to be said for just owning a deck because you like the art, rather than readability. You can always do journalling or stories with the cards if you find the insights don't come to you via regualr readings. Have you ever tried that sort of thing with an art-type deck that pleases you? It can be very uplifting and bring a lot of satisfaction and insight. I like to match up cards from different decks too and do comparisons--that sort of thing can be quite a happy experience with the sort of deck that the Adrian appears to be. What do you think?

Liliana	26 Jan 2003
I got this in a very convoluted trade with Dark Electric for one purpse really, this is the deck I use for performing Tarot Spells. The glyphs that superimpose the cards make excelent circuits to charge with energy for specific purposes. It was the deck I used for the binding spell on the Tarot Sniper way back when and it worked very well. I love the look and feel of the deck, and the major arcana puzzle is cool too, but Im not sure if I could use it for actual readings, I would probably have a problem with the pips. With some extended thought I might be able to read using the glyphs tho, I havent tried :THP

Kiama	27 Jan 2003
*Stepping on the soap box* YUCKY YUCKY YUCKY! Bad deck, no biscuit! The Adrian Tarot, IMO is inreadable. If you wanna try to memorise the meanings to every single card, then this deck is for you, cuz the cards whilst looking pretty, so not have images that convey meaning. So, you'repretty much left in the dark when it comes to posible help or hints or cues from the cards. If, however, you would prefer to do it a little easier and get used to the card meanings by being able to look at the card pictures and instantly see meaning in them, then this deck is not for you by any means! And, from a more aesthetic point of view... What on Earth ias going on wit hall those balck lines in geometric patterns ruining the cards? Presonally, I don't care if it's meant to be som geometric meaningful symbol, cuz it doesn't look like one and therefore shouldn't be on the card. *Steps off soap box.* I sure hope the creator of that deck hasn't just read this. I hve written a review of this deck... Not sue if I've sent it to Solandia yet thouhg... Kiama

Dark Inquisitor	27 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Kiama The Adrian Tarot, IMO is inreadable. If you wanna try to memorise the meanings to every single card, then this deck is for you, cuz the cards whilst looking pretty, so not have images that convey meaning. Kiama [/b] __Hmm. I thought we were supposed to memorize the meanings of every card until we knew them like the back of our hand - then add our own insights onto that once we became proficient. Perhaps I am confused, but this has worked ok for me. Tarotphelia

Kiama	28 Jan 2003
Hi Tarotphelia: I guess it's all down to personal preference in the end. I peroinally prefer to know as much as I can possibly remember about each card, wihout having to limit my readings to parrot-like responses, because I tend to want to be able to look at the card images, and find some sort of hint as to the meaning of the card, or to be able to get something 'spoken' to me intuitively from a visual perspective. Learning Tarot just takes far too much pain otherwise, and it is amazing how many people I have spoken to who have said these words or something close to: "I once started learning Tarot, but gave up cuz it was so difficult remembering what all the cards mean!" We are losing valuable new recruits! Noooo!!!!!!!!!! ;) Kiama

Dark Inquisitor	28 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Kiama Learning Tarot just takes far too much pain otherwise, and it is amazing how many people I have spoken to who have said these words or something close to: "I once started learning Tarot, but gave up cuz it was so difficult remembering what all the cards mean!" We are losing valuable new recruits! Noooo!!!!!!!!!! ;) Kiama [/b] __Exactly! It's supposed to be challenging - it's a weeding out process. In the old classical perspective, one has to go through meaningful & difficult journey to unlock the secrets of occult/spiritual knowledge that are hidden for a reason from the average person. (I assume lest it be used frivolously or to evil ends.) Perhaps it is supposed to be a disciplining & transforming personal alchemy. Maybe a bit like that Fool's journey people like to talk about. Could be that the challenge of learning the cards is just one of the traditional guardians at the gate. Or maybe not. Tarotphelia

Cerulean	28 Jan 2003
I didn't mind Adrian when first exploring photographic decks. Simple, an array of human archetypes and somewhat ideal body types. Vision as a Marseilles style, photographic deck is fine...they are all caucasions. I think the same is for Sacred Circle...if you like sculpture, Tarot de Paris is interesting. I haven't rated my preferences yet...want to see if I like the Quest Tarot or Jasmin Lee Cori book/Willow Arlenea's Transformational tarot paintings when they arrive at the local bookstore.

The The Adrian Tarot thread was originally posted on 26 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.