Question about "Dark" Decks...

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 04 May 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Azrael	04 May 2003
Consaluto Quisque... I passed long time seeking for a real "dark" tarot: My own experience with the occult and the magickal arts showed that my Gnosis cometh when the sugestion raised from dark imagery, but not the cheesy "Dark", nor the easy and revisited vulgar Darkness anyone in the occult ways know and hate. I'm trying to find a real Dark tarot deck, one of shades and mystery, of darkness and secret, of shadows and beauty... Elegant, sorrowfull, enigmatic, deep; not the usual demon, vampire, and undead stuff. Some time ago, i found the Joseph Vargo's Gothic Tarot: More beautyful than every other "Dark" tarot i know, and my actual favorite, but yet not what i'm seeking... Can anyone guide my path? Thanks in advance, forgive my bad english... Azrael Ille Sage

divinerguy	04 May 2003
Have you considered the Black Tarot? http://www.aeclectic.net/black/

Faerie Lin	04 May 2003
Have you checked out Dave McKean's Vertigo Tarot yet? http://www.wicce.com/vertigopix.html

HudsonGray	04 May 2003
Yes, I was thinking the Vertigo deck also. They sell them yet on ebay, and there was a posting on a Vertigo thread here where you can see all the cards. Hmm, otherwise have you looked at the Terrestrial Tarot? It's rather bizaar, but also dark. No undead, it's ... um... not quite sure how to describe it. Someone did say they use it and it gives powerful readings once you adjust to it.

Astraea	04 May 2003
Leilah Wendell's Necromantic Tarot is my suggestion. It was published in a limited edition and is difficult to find, but www.tarotgarden.com might be able to help you locate it.

ihcoyc	04 May 2003
Have you considered a historical reproduction deck? Some of them are rather dark; not because they are prettily dramatic, but because they are enigmatic and often primitive; they don't aim to be scary, they are simply mysterious. The darkest deck I know is the seventeenth century Tarot de Paris, which is darker than Thoth IMO, and has much of the same "atmosphere" while being totally different. It is out of print, currently, but might be locatable. Other fairly dark decks are the Ancient Tarot of Bologna, the Ancient Italian, and the Conver Marseille; if you are looking at a true Marseille, you probably don't want the Fournier and Grimaud; they are too brightly coloured or pastelized for what you're after, I think.

Rose	04 May 2003
You might want to check out these: Mage (the Ascension) Tarot Deck, Nicky Rea, John Cobb (Illustrator), Jackie Cassada, White Wolf Games Studio Fantastical Tarot, Nathalie Hertz, U.S. Games The Secret Tarots, Marco Nizzoli, Lo Scarabeo The Aleister Crowley Thoth Tarot—AGMuller The Vertigo Tarot, Dave McKean & Rachel Pollack, DC Comics Solleone Tarot, Elisabetta Cassari, Solleone Future Solleone Tarot, Elisabetta Cassari, Solleone Rose

Umbrae	05 May 2003
For a majors only deck, try the Giger, also known as the Baphomet: http://www.tarotgarden.com/database/dbsearchengine.php?search_type=blob&pageenter=0 You most likely won't like: http://www.tarotgarden.com/database/dbsearchengine.php?search_type=blob&pageenter=0 but it's worth looking at. Also look for the Lovecraft: http://www.tarotgarden.com/database/dbsearchengine.php?search_type=blob&pageenter=0 (although not a 'true' Tarot deck, it's nice and dark). Tarot Garden can help you find what you want...http://www.tarotgarden.com/index.html

HudsonGray	05 May 2003
The Lovecraft deck needs to have some knowledge of the stories to best be used. If you're not a fan half the cards would mean nothing much. Lovecraft started the 'horror genre' back around 1920, and other authors have used his characters after he died. It's quite an involved storyline at this point.

HOLMES	05 May 2003
the templar tarot :O) lots of skulls and such in it

Maan	05 May 2003
Hi Azrael, I would reccomend the templar and the secret tarots...but to name one that the others did not , have you looked at the barbara walker tarot. Its a pretty dark deck. Good luck with your search :) Maan

tabbycat	05 May 2003
Yes, the Giger is dark! I feel as if I need to wash my hands when I've been looking at the cards! Not sure I could read with it though and it is majors only. I'm tempted by the Light and Shadow Tarot by Michael Goepferd and Brian Williams - I like the woodcut-style art. http://www.themysticeye.com/pics/lightshad.htm Jilly

Dakini	06 May 2003
Check out this site for dark and wierd decks. http://www.web-divination.net/tarot/special.html#dark There's a couple listed I haven't heard of ...... the Ansata tarot and the Dark Siren tarot. blessings Dakini

Azrael	06 May 2003
Many Thanks to you all... I think that now i have a good foundation to explore all these Decks i not even heard never before. I will go on with the Search, your guide has been invaluable. May Wisdom shine over your path... Voster Adsecula, Azrael

The Question about "Dark" Decks... thread was originally posted on 04 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.