Help me choose..

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 19 Feb 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Woof	19 Feb 2003
I need help narrowing down my choice for next deck. I have it down to three, so any input would be greatly appreciated. Here are my top two choices: Shining Tribe Tarot: Rachel Pollack's deck and book set The Haindl Tarot: Book and deck set Just below: The World Spirit Tarot I have been using the Universal (Smith) Waite and the Alchemical decks and like both very much. I purchased Crow's Magic and the Victoria Regina and they're both gathering dust. I don't want another deck that will just sit there. I want a deck that will further my knowledge and understanding of tarot, not just redefine the Rider-Smith-Waite. I'm looking for a challenge. Thank you ! Woof

Phoenix	19 Feb 2003
You could always try the Thoth if you don't already have one. Or the Osho Zen. Both are farily different from the RWS.

HudsonGray	19 Feb 2003
I have the Haindl, it doesn't want to give answers unless the questions were REAL specific, for me. The colors are muddy, and I found the Krishna aspect in the one suit sort of gets in the way. It's not an easy deck to read with. (And the Devil card is soft & cute to me, I do stuffed toys & the blue eye in the card looks exactly like my blue safety lock 18mm eyes! Hard to take that one serious because of that!).

Khatruman	19 Feb 2003
I vote for Haindl, though HudsonGray is always grumpy about that deck :D. I do like phoenix's suggestions of Thoth and Osho Zen..especially Osho Zen to get an Oriental philosophic spin, and it is so very spot on RIGHT... requires no work to read with. Peace!

HudsonGray	19 Feb 2003
Yeah, well, it don't work for me, so bleh! LOL Others love it, I know. If you're going to get it make sure you get the book too--there's one on the majors only, one on the minors only and one that combines BOTH books--be aware of which one you're getting because it may not be what you think.

Mimers	19 Feb 2003
I will start with Osho Zen is my favorite, but I feel it is very spiritual and I can't do any spread with it. Besides, it is not one of the options you are considering. (but I think you should) If you go to Tarot.com, you can go to the deck browse section and see the entire Handl deck. I don't own it so I can't give you my opinion. I have checked it out and it did not appeal to me. The same for Rachel Pollack's deck. I don't own it, but I have seen enough of the cards on line to know it's not for me. Too primative. You did however state you were looking for a challange. These cards are different and Rachel Pollack has never dissapointed me with her writing. The World Spirit is one that I do like a lot. I love the multicultural aspect and I like the bold pictures. I also like the way they portray woman. The women in this deck are beautiful, but not skinny. This deck celebrates the volumptuous woman. There is only one card that bothered me about this deck, and it bothered me a lot, but it was nothing a black ink pen couldn't fix. If it doesn't bother you, don't fix it. That one card did not put a damper on my love for this deck. I recommend it highly. Did I mention it is similar to RWS deck in symbolism, so if you like your Universal, I think you will enjoy reading with the World Spirit.

Kyrielle	20 Feb 2003
The Haindl strikes my tarot senses as an art or meditation deck rather than a reading deck. You want to really spend a lot of time looking at the pictures and thinking about them. And some of the cards I really like, and some of them I think are really weird and disturbing. It is a very deep and beautiful and soulful deck. But at the moment my copy of the Haindl is...just sitting there. Every so often I am moved to use it, but it's rarely so, and only for meditation. Shining Tribe is vibrant and energetic and readable, but the pictures on the cards are unlike any other deck's pictures. No RWS clone here. Some people like this (I'm one) and some people would rather have a deck they don't have to adapt to as much to read. If you want a challenge, this is really good. It's in my regular rotation of reading decks. The World Spirit is cool, too. There's some fresh and unique imagery, but it's not a huge jump to go from reading RWS to reading that deck. I read with this one a lot, too. I like the Templar Tarot and the Fey Tarot also, if you're looking for decks that are different and that refuse to just sit there. And Osho Zen too, like pretty much everyone else. And the Cosmic Tribe ABSOLUTELY refuses to just sit there, and it is very original, but the imagery is not for the faint of heart. Let us know what you finally pick! -- Kyrielle

rostie	20 Feb 2003
:D I would say the shining tribe...because i want that one too but i don't own one of the three so i can't really help you, sorry :| oh, and i love the osho zen, a really good deck, one of my favorites! (this one i own;)) so my vote for this one too... with love, sara.

Aerin	20 Feb 2003
I have the World Spirit, and I really like it. It is pretty easy to read if you know the RWC well, yet its use of multicultural images and different approaches make it different enough to be interesting. I also seem to remember it is very good value. I'd like a Shining Tribe, but it is expensive here in the UK compared to other decks. I also have an Osho Zen, excellent for self reads on psychological issues and some very different takes on the cards. Aerin ps another vote for the Fey. It is a lovely deck, and far more challenging than it first appears.

Trogon	20 Feb 2003
Well Woof... I'm not certain which of those decks I would recommend above the others. I have looked at and am intrigued by the Haindl Tarot. The images strike me as being very expressive and intuitive... besides several of the cards have birds on them and appeal to the bird watcher part of me. :D The Shining Tribe, for some odd reason just doesn't appeal to me. It's odd because I do like the artwork on them, but something just doesn't connect with me for this as a Tarot deck. The World Spirit Tarot is another one that I've been considering for myself. Again, expressive artwork that seems to reach into my intuition and shake things out for me to see. At least that's the way it appears to me. As you can probably tell, I do not own any of these decks... ;) Now to add to the confusion... or as was frequently heard on Monty Python's Flying Circus - "And now for something completely different!" Of the decks I have... I most highly recommend the Röhrig Tarot. It is an extremely well illustrated deck and really speaks to me intuitively. My other recommendation (if you'd like to stick with a RWS based tarot) is the Spiral Tarot. Again, the images really speak to me. Both of these decks are really helping me to move away from a dependence on books, LWB's or even my own cheat sheets. One other deck which I recently acquired and love is The Goddess Tarot. Again, it is RWS based, and a farily intuitive deck to use, and gives a more feminine outlook on things. Good luck with picking your new deck... you have lots of input to sift through now... ;)

Woof	21 Feb 2003
Thank you all so much for the input! Well, I ordered two decks, (now wasn't that predictable!). I ordered the Fey and World Spirit. Decided I wouldn't go for something that new until I got a RW type down cold. I just mean found a deck that I could feel comfortable reading with minimum usage of reference material. I'm almost there with the UW but not quite. Anyway, I've played nurse to a kid with the flu for the past 5 days and now my husband's got it so, since I expect at least 5 more days of nurse duty, I figured I deserved two decks! Thank you again! Woof

Cerulean	06 Mar 2003
I found your picks interesting...I would have recommended World Spirit to you because you like the engraving style of the Alchemical. The colors are very good. Fey is also fun and fanciful, with very rich color. I hope that if feels a little childish at first, that you take it out a little each day, as it truly doesn't shout out with vibrant colors. I'd make World Spirit a good 'wake up with the coffee' morning deck pick and Fe the 'wrap up the end of the day with a cup of cocoa or tea' sort of deck...just my take. Good luck with your concerns and hope that I see your reaction to your two lovely new picks... Mari who has to return to her World Spirit soon...

mansonatto	06 Mar 2003
maybe you might like the "tarot art nouveau" by castelli. the artwork is very romantic and subtle. it doesn't stick to the RWS meanings. Meanings are based primarily on facial expressions. I personally love this deck and I highly recommend purchasing it.

Woof	07 Mar 2003
I love this deck! I havn't touched my other decks since I got this one. It is so easy to read! No learning curve after the Universal Waite. It doesn't read exactly the same for me either. Much more intuitive. I've got the feeling that this will be my main daily draw deck. I'm so glad you all talked me out of my other two choices (Haindl & Shining Tribe). I'll leave thost two for when I'm more advanced in my studies. I haven't received the Fey yet so I can't comment on it. But I'm looking forward to it! Wish I had more opportunity to read for friends, and use my different decks, but the people I know in town I wouldn't even offer to read for; they're not very open to tarot. Some day I'll be comfortable enough to read on the reading exchange forum. Thank you all! Woof

jlbvt	09 Mar 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Woof any input would be greatly appreciated. Here are my top two choices: Shining Tribe Tarot: Rachel Pollack's deck and book set The Haindl Tarot: Book and deck set Just below: The World Spirit Tarot I have been using the Universal (Smith) Waite and the Alchemical decks and like both very much. I purchased Crow's Magic and the Victoria Regina and they're both gathering dust. I don't want another deck that will just sit there. I want a deck that will further my knowledge and understanding of tarot, not just redefine the Rider-Smith-Waite. I'm looking for a challenge. Thank you ! Woof YES, you must buy these, and while you are ordering, get at least five more. Yes, yes, that is the best thing to do I think. Hmmm. I think I will get some more decks too. yes. more decks... yes...

coldsuns	16 Mar 2003
Why are you guys getting so much decks while you only use one? I just wondering...

raeanne	18 Mar 2003
Coldsuns, The reason I have so many decks is because I really enjoy looking at the different ways different artists express the cards. Sometimes I see something in one deck that helps me understand a concept better than a different deck does. Yes, I only read one deck at a time but I learn from all of them.

coldsuns	19 Mar 2003
Oh..i see. Anyone has the Fantastical Deck? Can PM me as soon as possible? Thanks!

Trogon	19 Mar 2003
Quote: Originally posted by coldsuns Why are you guys getting so much decks while you only use one? I just wondering... Hi Coldsuns, I have several decks for a couple of different reasons. For one thing, like Reanne said, I enjoy the artwork and different interpretations. The other thing is that I do actually use most of them for readings. When I'm doing readings for other people I like to give them a choice of different decks. For instance, while the Röhrig Tarot is one of my favorites... some people don't like all the nude women in it, but some people don't mind it and really like the artwork. I have a couple of people who appreciate the feminine tones of the Goddess Tarot. The Spiral Tarot is also one to which people seem to respond well. Also, each of them seems to bring a slightly different way of looking at things and a different perspective on the issues one looks at. So each deck brings something a little different to a reading. I do not yet have the Fantastical Tarot, though it is on my "wish list". So, if any of you wealthy Aeclecticians out there nead an idea for me for my birthday in August... :D It does look like it should be a very good deck for readings... the few images I've seen on-line seem to speak volumes. And... that King of Wands! He looks a bit like Rasputin! :eek:

coldsuns	19 Mar 2003
Thats nice..giving the person a choice to choose the Tarot Deck. You are thoughful!! ^_^ The Fool in the Fantastical Tarot Deck looks like a juggler. The cards are imagination and work well for me. But it doesnt express well in some of the cards. Among so many Tarot Decks(my friends and i share around 10 Tarot Decks), i like Fantastical Tarot Deck the most. It gives me a very warm feeling when using it. It seems to be for me only..hehe **The moderators here are all quite rich..target them! =X

The Help me choose.. thread was originally posted on 19 Feb 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.