Which decks are NOT suitable for mixed company?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 11 May 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

divinerguy	11 May 2003
I posted a thread some time ago about decks to use for readings with people you don't know. Let's kick it up a notch and ask the question - Are there decks you would NOT use around people you don't know? I'm not talking about the erotic tarots (Erotic Manara, Decameron, etc.). We all know about those. I'm talking about Tarots in common, everyday, use. Here are three nominations: The Rohrig Tarot (also known as "Boobs on Parade") The Witches Tarot (burn you at the stake, methinks) Daughters of the Moon (I hate men and I'm proud of it)

Maan	11 May 2003
I would never ever use the cosmic tribe for people i don't know. recently a roommates walked in and saw a daily card that i drew from this deck.....a had a lot to explain ;) Thinking of my tarot collection no other decks comes to mind. Although maybe the templar but its not that bad ;) or maybe the Barbara Walker some cards can be very disturbing.

Emily	11 May 2003
I wouldn't be too keen to use the Rohrig around people I don't know either, actually this is the only one of my tarot decks that my hubby likes (think I might know why :D ) but another that I wouldn't use is the Ancient Egyptian, a little too much nudity.

Khatruman	11 May 2003
Well, leaving out the decks you mentioned that are too erotic or contain nudity (wow, you mentioned three that I have...geez, must say something about me.. *L*) Anyway, in thinking about decks that people might find just simply freaky, I might place the Thoth deck in there. When I show decks to my folklore class, usually if they are skittish about tarot, the Thoth kind of gives them the willies.

RedWood	11 May 2003
I was thinking the Gothic tarot by Vargo. Some people may not like the whole "dark" thing. ohhhh Giger tarot either..I dont have that one yet.

SharonElizabeth	11 May 2003
I concur with the nominations of Thoth and Ancient Egyptian. The nudity in the AET is just too much for some people. And people who aren't into tarot seem a little freaked out by Thoth. Another one is Robin Wood, There isn't alot of nudity, but the nudity is pretty graphic.

Lee	11 May 2003
I nominate the Pythagorean Tarot. The Page of Wands is nude and is rather, um, excited. -- Lee

truthsayer	11 May 2003
i wouldn't use the cosmic tribe(not everyone appreciates the message that nudity is natural) rohrig motherpeace daughters of the moon wise woman

sunflowr	11 May 2003
You should make this a poll and mention the ones most of us are posting here and then see which one is the winner! ;) Well, I wouldnt use the Cosmic Tribe!!!!! eeeks! Especially with that Emperor flashing the querent. ;p

galadrial	11 May 2003
Besides some of the already mentioned decks, I wouldn't use the Melissa Townsend, even though she used it with strangers at the El Teddy restaurant. What it lacks for in nudity on all the other cards, it more than makes up for with the Empress card.

raeanne	11 May 2003
Hi all, The decks that have been mentioned so far with agressive nudity (Rohrig, Cosmic Tribe, Gieger, Decameron, etc.) would be on my list of "not suitable for all". The Vampire Tarot has too much blood for some people and I wouldn't use it unless I knew the person was OK with it. There are also some people that I wouldn't use Crow's Magic Tarot with. I am very careful with strong faith based decks (Robin Wood, Sacred Circle, Witches Tarot, Tarot of the Saints, Connolly, Master Tarot, etc.) if the person I am reading for isn't tolerant of that particular belief. I've had people back away from the Witches Tarot just because of the name. Personally, I have never had anyone react negatively to the Thoth deck unless they know the name Crowley is connected to it.

Logiatrix	11 May 2003
Greetings all, Bosch and Giger come to mind when it comes to "freaky" decks. The Renaissance Tarot by Brian Williams was suprisingly provocative when I used it for public readings; interestingly enough, it was always men who commented on the nudity. hmmm... Basically, I think more in terms of the company being suitable for my deck(s). Better to be with my tarot decks rather than in bad company, I always say. Well, I say it now, since I just made it up... :)

Cerulean	12 May 2003
I like the Olympus and Dante tarots by Lo Scarabeo and want to do more readings for people...but it takes a long explanation to those unfamilar. Some people think there's too much emphasis on violent, aggressive or painful topics in these stories. People who know me well think they are art decks and so I've only showed these decks to them. And as much as I liked the Tarot Mitilogical by Folchi and the Picini Tarot, I've only showed them to two people who are comfortable in their skin. They only looked at the art--I don't think they would be interested in their partly esoteric, partly dated general descriptions. If I read for them, I'd have to update or add descriptions from books such as Mary Greer's Tarot Reversals So I'm talking in general, not to my personal circle.

The Which decks are NOT suitable for mixed company? thread was originally posted on 11 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.