Choosing My first deck...
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 May 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| Phoenix_Down |
07 May 2003 |
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Thought I would get some opinions on what my first deck should be...
My criteria so far...
1) the deck should have plenty of recognizeable symbolism, but without too much cabalistic and astrological symbolism. I am agnostic, so some wiccan symbols would probably go over my head...
2) the deck should be easy to look at. Probably the biggest flaw of the rider-waite (to me, anyway) are its ugly colors and rather plain art. I really like the Art Nouveau style, ( the stained glass look makes it seem more magical, and i love the colors) but the symbolism is rather lacking. http://www.tarot.com/about-tarot/decks/browsedecks.php?newdeck=61
Whether it is that style or not, doesnt really matter to me.
I am leaning toward either the robin wood or the universal waite... I am inclined to go for the robin wood simply because my boyfriend has the universal waite. =] Any other suggestions?
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| Phoenix_Down |
07 May 2003 |
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Oh, yes... and for some reason it bugs me if the author renames and renumbers cards.... I am more comfortable with the original symbols because they are symbols I have grown to know. I can stand the strength/justice reversal, but any more than that and it grates on me.
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| jlbvt |
07 May 2003 |
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Check out the Tarot of the New Vision on this page...
http://www.tarotgarden.com/boutique/preorders.html
It's a Rider Waite Smith style, but from a new perspective. There is also on this page the Radiant Rider Waite, if you are interested in the RWS clones. I honestly don't know how the RWS decks are numbered, since I don't have one yet. But I do have three editions of the Thoth deck! ;) Good luck, I can't believe no one else has jumped in yet! We love recommending new decks.
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| Cerulean |
07 May 2003 |
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My favorite recommendation is this page with links:
http://www.advancenet.net/~jscole/tarotrwsclone.htm
Then I suggest those who feel comfort with the Rider-Waite style (as painted by Pamela Colman Smith) to check out the card samples similar to the RWS, listed and linked on the page.
If you enjoy the deep colors of the Art Nouveau, maybe checking through some reviews might add information--for instance there might be an interesting story that appeals to you in the theme of the cards. But from what I read from other people, Robin Wood seems to be a popular choice and has a very good background book about the images. She has very pretty colors in her deck.
Lee Bursten's essay on Advice for Beginners is listed before the section "If you are interested in the Western Esoteric Tradition". The page has samples of the Robin Wood by Ms. Wood, , Mythic by Juliet Sharman Burke and Liz Greene, and the Alchemical by Robert Place.
To be honest, I use my Visconti, art decks and Thoth more than my Rider Waite Smith decks...so of the ones Lee Bursten had pictures of, the Alchemical fits more with my fanciful taste for 'art twist' and historical.
It'll be fun to hear what you pick.
Mari H.
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| C.N. |
07 May 2003 |
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Regarding the Robin Wood tarot:
Since you are conservative regarding the symbolism, I recommend that you check out the pictures of the Devil card on this site and ask yourself if the changes to it are acceptable to you or not. Otherwise I recommend this deck.
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| divinerguy |
08 May 2003 |
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I'd still suggest the Rider-Waite, and here's why.
The books out there are geared toward it. Until you get a good handle of the card associations, it mayu be easier on which to learn.
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| Phoenix_Down |
08 May 2003 |
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Tarot of the New Vision and Radiant Rider-Waite: They both look pretty good, but it is kind of hard to say without being able to look at some of the cards.
Hanson Roberts: I really like this one... I like how the mood of each card is set by its character or characters... After reading several reviews from Mari's link, I think this one is a good choice... I would like it to be a little less on the positive side, however.
Robin Wood: Surprisingly, the changes don't bother me. In fact, I rather like Wood's take on the Devil card... Even without the figure present, his presence is still felt in the card. Changes that bother me are more along the lines of what is seen in the Conolly deck... this deck would be almost perfect except the artist changed death to "transition" and devil to "materialism". =/ I sort of feel like my particular take on the cards is being imposed upon when they change things like that.
Rider-Waite: Always a possibility. I can always practice with my BF's deck if I have to, though.
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| Astraea |
08 May 2003 |
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Hi, Phoenix_Down! It's exciting to purchase that first deck (be warned, I am a tarotholic and tend to use the word "and" more than "or," when it comes to deck purchases)!
On balance, I agree with those who think that the RWS tarot is a good first deck. Divinerguy's reasoning seems sound to me -- many of the best and most widely available tarot books use it for illustrations, and those meanings have worn deep grooves in the collective psyche. I think the RWS provides a valuable foundation for work with other decks. To me, a nice progression might be: RWS -- RWS clones -- Thoth -- every other deck you encounter. :D
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The Choosing My first deck... thread was originally posted on 07 May 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.
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