Decks on different countries

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 20 Mar 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Ariana	20 Mar 2003
Hi there, I have recently joined this forum, and for those who doesn't know I am from Argentina. From the very beginning I have always used Marseille. I have studied with it, and done all my readings with this great Tarot Deck. For me this is the "Father" of all Tarot Decks, and it is very difficult for me to get used to another deck than this. I have noticed that in many countries, specially the States, tarotists are more drawn to Rider White or Universal Waite. I see them as basic decks. I mean once you have learnt and practiced Tarot with Marseille to use Rider would be like a step back. I also use Egyptian Deck by Kier, but I don't see it is very popular in other areas. Have seen that there are many other egyptian ones, I have to investigate deeply and see what I can find in my country. I have to admit that before starting to search and studying about Tarot in internet I had no idea that so many tarot decks existed. I really admire tarotists who can read with so many decks! ! When I read with other deck than Marseille I feel like I am cheating on it ;) So I am faithful to it. What are the most popular decks in your countries/areas? Love Ariana

Astraea	20 Mar 2003
Hi, Ariana! I think it's wonderful that you learned tarot with a Marseilles-style deck -- that gives you a strong foundation in number symbolism. I also understand what you mean about feeling as if you'd be "cheating" to use another kind of deck -- isn't it funny, our cards are such extensions of ourselves that they seem to develop their own personalities. Where I live in Colorado, there are many tarot readers and quite a few use the Thoth and Robin Wood decks, and next in popularity would probably be animal oracles like the Medicine Cards and Druid Animal Oracle. There are so many decks available these days, it makes decision-making difficult. If you like Marseilles-style decks, there are lots of cards to choose from that don't have illustrated pips. Have fun in this forum! :)

Maan	21 Mar 2003
Hi Ariana nice to meet you, have you heared of Maxima? She is married to our prince :) In The Netherlands you can obtain alot of different sorts of decks. But the books that are written in dutch or trancelated are about ether the Toth or the Rider Waite and none about the marseille type of decks.

RiccardoLS	21 Mar 2003
Hello Ariana, You may not know that yet, but you made JMD happy :) If you look on the Historical and Iconographic section (but maybe you have already) you will find a huge amount of information regarding the Marseille, and many people sharing your preference. I think that the main difference between a Marseile style deck and a RWS-Thoth style deck cames from the use of illustrations in readings. Bluntly put, the way the images are, and the way you look at them, would change your way to use cards. Maybe you should try, with time, to change the way you read Tarot, when you use a deck with illustrated pipes. Better still to use what I call evocative decks, that don't make use of symbols, but of pictorial suggestions. Regarding Your question I have seen that in Southern Europe (France, Italy and Spain) the Marseille style is still the most used. In English speaking coutries it's the Rider-Waite-Smith, while the Thoth has a certaina dvantage in northern Europe. Best, Riccardo

Ariana	21 Mar 2003
Quote: Originally posted by RiccardoLS Hello Ariana, You may not know that yet, but you made JMD happy :) What is JMD?? May be when you tell me I say "Ahhhhhhh.." :) If you look on the Historical and Iconographic section (but maybe you have already) you will find a huge amount of information regarding the Marseille, and many people sharing your preference. Haven't been there yet. There are so many things to look here. I think that the main difference between a Marseile style deck and a RWS-Thoth style deck cames from the use of illustrations in readings. Bluntly put, the way the images are, and the way you look at them, would change your way to use cards. Maybe you should try, with time, to change the way you read Tarot, when you use a deck with illustrated pipes. Better still to use what I call evocative decks, that don't make use of symbols, but of pictorial suggestions. I was considering getting a Rider White, and see what kind of readings I get with them. Anyway still have to make my mind and get used to the idea. But never say never. Regarding Your question I have seen that in Southern Europe (France, Italy and Spain) the Marseille style is still the most used. In English speaking coutries it's the Rider-Waite-Smith, while the Thoth has a certaina dvantage in northern Europe. Best, Riccardo

Icestorm	22 Mar 2003
Until recently i did not even know there was more than one type of marseille! (JMD rather quickly corrected me of that notion :-p ) Theres some very, very beautiful marseille decks out there, and although I dont like the traditional marseille, I agree that theres a large degree of choice between very good decks. My personal favourite of the marseille selection is the Tarot de Paris, as I find the simple colors of the original a bit weak. Marseille tarot's popularity in where I live (Australia) is very limited, though. The Rider-Waite is by and large the most popular system. I would argue, however, that Rider Waite is not 'simpler' than Marseille. Indeed, I think the illustrated pips have deeper meanings, but I guess thats a discussion for another time. I admire your loyalty to only one deck! :-]

The Decks on different countries thread was originally posted on 20 Mar 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.