Zerner Farber and Gill?

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

Vita-morte	26 Jan 2003
I'm thinking of ordering one of these decks, can I get some opinions?

Maan	26 Jan 2003
well i have both and there both nice decks but with IMO a different personality. Gill is a very deep and spiritual deck. The zerner farber is more of a mother type deck. Its not to sweet or something it just has a very maturnal feeling. Good luck choosing ;)

truthsayer	26 Jan 2003
if you are interested in the tree of life and cabalahism then the gill would do nicely for you. the images are drawn. the zerner-farber(small) or the enchanted(larger) are the same deck-just different sizes. the ZF is a collage style that's very feminine, lacy and ruffly. it does have a romantic even motherly feel. it's kind of like this-the gill will educate you and give a matter of fact opinion. the ZF will make you a nice cup of tea and pat you on the hand empathically while you spill your guts. personally, i prefer the ZF. i like the size of the enchanted best. i also like the enchanted's book better than the one that comes with the ZF. the ZF's book is more for beginners.

darwinia	26 Jan 2003
The Zerner Farber was my first deck and I like it. The book is for beginner's and you would probably find yourself not using it after a time. I've never found it overly frilly, just a bit feminine and I also quilt so it appealed to my spirit, it was #1 on my list when I first started buying decks. The cards are very small, and after buying the Victoria Regina, I am in love with BIG cards, but I think I prefer the Z-F to the Enchanted which has borders on it. I've been interested in the Gill myself. Interesting pips in that deck, I always go for decks with such original vision. I love the Death and Hermit cards too. I don't suppose you could get them both? I think both are very original and worthwhile. One other thing to consider is the keywords on the Gill--would that end up frustrating or annoying you? Some people can't stand them, I rather like keywords on the odd deck, I mean, you always have plain decks available to you for other times.

Liliana	26 Jan 2003
I dont have the Zerner Farber, it is just not in my tastes at all sorry, but Gills is amazing, the majors really make you feel when you look at them. I highly recommend it :) :THP

Kiama	27 Jan 2003
I have just purchased the Gill, and LOVE IT! Truthsayer mentioned that i is a Cabbalistic deck, but it can be ued without any thought of abbalah, as I have found. If you're looking for Cabbalistic symbols in the cards, and I mean actively searching, then they're there... But if you're not focussing on Cabalah, you will not notice them, but instead will notice other symbols, and be able to read the cards very effectively. The artwork is gorgeous, and the Minors extremely unusual but still strikingly readable. I would highly recommend the Gill. Kiama *Who now understands why Pollux has been raving about the Gill for months!*

Sulis	27 Jan 2003
I don`t know anything about the ZF deck but I`m with Kiama, Liliana and Truthsayer. The Gill is a gorgeous deck, I would say that the card meanings are more in line with Thoth than RWS. A lovely deck IMO, gorgeous artwork, very original minors and gives readings which don`t pull any punches, are very direct and to the point. ((((((((((((((((((((((GET IT)))))))))))))))))))))))) Love and light Crystalmynx xx

Keslynn	27 Jan 2003
GET THE GILL! I have both of these decks. I've merely looked through the Zerner Farber and never actually used it. The images are pretty and frilly, but they're not really my thing. Also, because the ZF is basically a smaller version of the Enchanted Tarot, some of the symbolism is obscured or distorted. You'd think they could size it down and have it look the same, but apparently not. The Gill is vibrant with color but very simple in ways. It's definitely different because of the Arabic numbers as the central feature of the minors. But with the coloring and those little details, they manage to be VERY expressive. As Kiama mentioned, you can use Qabalah or not with this deck. It's nice to have the option, I think. Well, I think I expressed myself quite clearly. I recommend the Gill. But as a true tarotholic, I must ask... why not both? ;) :) Kes

Summerdream	27 Jan 2003
Now you guys are making me want to get the Gill Tarot!! Hehehe!! Guess I'll have to add it my wishlist. It's not one I've ever really considered till I read all the great reviews here about it. Blessings, Momof3girls

truthsayer	27 Jan 2003
not that i'm trying to be negative but i don't want it misconstrued that i like the gill deck. i do not. i prefer the zerner farber. i had the gill deck but traded it b/c it was just one i could not relate to at all. that doesn't mean that i think either deck is superior or inferior. i'm just a zerner farber kind of gal. i've never had the gill book so i can't comment on it. of course, there are those who don't care for the ZF and i can live with that, too! :D it takes different strokes for different folks, that's all. })

Vita-morte	27 Jan 2003
Why not both? You folks are trying to twist me into an addict }) (not that I'm opposed to the idea). I'm not sure that I'll get either just yet, I'm still looking at some really nice decks. I'd love to get loads of decks but I can't use them at school really (I need the money for books there) and then there's gas and insurance and clothes. I just don't have the money right now! Thanks for the advice!

Pollux	28 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Momof3girls Hehehe!! Guess I'll have to add it my wishlist. It's not one I've ever really considered till I read all the great reviews here about it. :confused: What? What did I hear? :confused: WISHLIST??? NO WISHLIST AT ALL!!! Mom, you just have to go to the local bookshop and get one! :D *LOL* }) It's so great to be a tarotholic. And an Enabler! *LOL* And feeling a couple of people here got the Gill because of me! *LOL* :D :D :D P.S. No, I don't need to say which one you need ;) *LOL*

Liliana	28 Jan 2003
Yes I got the Gill because of you considering you sent it to me ;) :THP

The Zerner Farber and Gill? 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.