Thoth - big or small?

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

slinky_jo	04 May 2003
I have my eyes (and wallet) set on FINALLY purchasing Mr Crowley's Thoth deck. But what I'd like to know is - should I get the large/over-size cards, or the smaller/regular-size cards? Obviously the larger ones would have clearer images, and be good for meditation etc; but then the smaller cards would be more useful for reading - easier to shuffle and lay out etc. So, what's your advice? And please don't tell me to buy them both! ;)

jmd	04 May 2003
I would recomment the larger version. The cards have details which are otherwise nearly lost in the smaller version. It used to be the case that the large had a greenish tinge, but I have been told this has been rectified many years ago... I still own the greenish tinged large version (as well as others). With regards to shuffling, even the large version (which I consider standard for this deck, by the way), one finds ways to overcome their larger than average size...

jema	04 May 2003
my first Thoth was a mini-deck, then i bought the medium sized but now i want the HUGE deck also:) jmd is right, there is so much detail that i can hardly make out in the medium sized deck, like the word Thelema on the quiver of the cherube on the lovers card. had the book not told me it was there i would never have spotted it. so i say - go for the HUGE deck:) i know i would.

Astraea	04 May 2003
Hi, slinky_jo. I agree with jmd and jema, the large size is the one to get -- particularly since this will be your first Thoth. After you are familiar with the images and have studied their details (which can indeed be minute, almost invisible on the smaller cards), you can alternate between the large and the small with greater fluency. I have all three because I love the Thoth and like to carry it with me, but the larger version is the one I prefer -- it really isn't difficult to shuffle once it's broken in, and you will (as jmd says) find ways to work with the cards. Enjoy your deck, whichever version you get! :)

Cascade_Jon	04 May 2003
Sorry to disagree with the others, but I bought a large deck first and then went with the normal-sized U.S. Games version, simply because the large cards are difficult to work with. I have decent-sized hands, but it's still a pain in the neck to shuffle the large cards. I simply do not think the added details you'll notice in the large cards are worth the hassle of trying to shuffle them (especially if you use a bridge shuffle technique). Don't be concerned about the "green tint" problem people have pointed out with the small deck either... that has been fixed in the latest printing. And, if you get the smaller deck, you get all 3 versions of the Magus (Magician) card, and you can choose which one you like best. My 2 cents... go with the normal-sized deck. The large deck is TOO large!

raeanne	05 May 2003
Hi all, I have both the larger Thoth deck with the greenish border and the smaller version with the gray border. For me, the larger deck does show more detail BUT the colors don't seem as vivid. I prefer the gray background of the smaller deck. The smaller deck is also much easier to shuffle. I'm glad I have both, but if I had to pick just one, I would take the smaller one. That green border on the larger deck is really, really ugly. Now, if there is a new large deck with a gray border, then I guess I would maybe get the larger one for studying.

Sulis	05 May 2003
I don`t have the large deck, I have the standard sized US Games version with the 3 Magus cards. The large version really is large and since I have such small hands I went for the smaller version. I find the cards to be just the right size, I hate shuffling oversized decks and I don`t think that detail is lost. I`d go for the smaller one if I were you, just for the ease of shuffling. I`m sure that the larger cards would be very good for meditation or study but for me at least, not for reading. Love and light Crystalmynx xx

Emily	06 May 2003
If you like the Thoth tarot, I'd go for the larger and the standard sized decks. I have the large green Thoth, not used for reading, and the smaller standard sized deck. I don't think you lose any of the detail on the smaller cards and they are easier to shuffle but if they have cleared up the problem with the green tinting on the large deck, I think maybe it would be an impressive deck to read with. But the smaller one is easier to carry around and use in small spaces lol Actually I wouldn't mind a large Thoth, without the green tinting because I think the colours on the standard deck really add to the overall feel of the card :) Edited to ask:- How many sizes of the Thoth are there? Is it the large version and the standard version with the three Magus (this and the large I have) or is there 3 sizes?

C.N.	06 May 2003
I find the smaller size decks harder to shuffle than the larger ones. The ratio of deck thickness compared to card size makes the smaller decks really stiff to handle and the cards have a tendency to drop when I shuffle a smaller deck. I use riffle shuffle, it is in my opinion the only handy way to shuffle the cards without damaging them.

Strange2	06 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Emily How many sizes of the Thoth are there? Is it the large version and the standard version with the three Magus (this and the large I have) or is there 3 sizes? There are 3 sizes of the Crowley/Harris Thoth deck, as follows (size in inches): Large (3 3/4 x 5 1/2) - published by AG Muller (ISBN 0-88079-469-0), and also by Weiser/US Games. Small (2 3/4 x 4 1/4) - published by US Games (ISBN 0-88079-308-2), comes with 3 Magus cards Pocket (2 1/4 x 3 1/2) - published by AG Muller (ISBN 3-905219-06-9) I have all 3 sizes, and use the Large for reference/mediation, the Small for readings, and the Pocket while I'm away from home (it's always in my bag). The Large is a bit difficult to shuffle, but the images are stellar! And I love the Pocket version for a quick read on the road. =Strange2= (one size fits all)

Emily	07 May 2003
Thanks Strange2, I didn't realise there were three sizes. I might get the pocket size one as well as the large non-green version. :) Edited to add:- Thanks for putting the ISBN numbers in, it'll make it easier to search for the pocket sized one. :D

The Thoth - big or small? 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.