You ARE your tarot deck.

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 21 May 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

divinerguy	21 May 2003
Here's a theory about people. Your selection of a Tarot deck provides great insight as to how you want the world to see you. I buy artsy, fartsy Tarot decks because I want the world to see me as a dignified, cultured person. When I buy a smutty deck, I want the world to see a sexy kinda guy. People who buy kitty-kat decks want the world to know that they love kitty-kats. People who buy Thoth and witchy decks want the world to see them as mysterious and magical. And people who buy Rider-Waite decks want the world to see them as being in the mainstream. The collector is a little different, because the idea is to acquire decks, and the purpose is to show the world how much you love Tarot. But down deep, there's those one or two decks that they keep returning to. Am I right, or am I full of poop? Is a cigar just a cigar? (apologies to Sigmund Freud)

Mimers	21 May 2003
I don't think you are far off. I think my decks say alot about the kind of person I am. Or at least the parts of me that I am willing to let people know of. Here are the decks I own, what do you think it says of me Ancestral Path World Spirit Renaissance by BW Visconti Gold Old English 2 Marseilles Universal Waite Vision Quest Southwest Sacred Tribes Star That Never Walks Around Gendron (don't care for) Fey Gill Osho Zen (closest thing I have to an Oracle Deck) Light and Shadow Hanson Roberts (don't use) Mythic I love exploring different cultures and periods of time (Renaissance). I feel it is important to study the roots of something to truely understand it (Marseilles). I have a lot of respect and interest for the many Native American Cultures and the more I learn about them, the more I agree with them. I tend to stay away from the more esoteric decks with the exception of the Gill (I love the PIPs) and Universal Waite deck(my first deck). I don't like 'cutesy' decks with the exception of the Fey deck which I don't consider cutesy, but more a work of art and an outstanding Tarot deck. Mimers

divinerguy	21 May 2003
Mimers, Because you seem to be a collector, results could be skewed by keeping decks you don't like or use. Try it out this way. Pick your favorite five decks, and list them in the order you like them ..... and why you like them. If one is a tie, list it that way. Here's mine: 1. Jolanda Tarot - Artwork is whimsical, sexy and the language difference makes it look mysterious. 2. Rohrig - First class artwork, sexy, big and manly. 3. Cosmic - Good artwork, on some cards - incredible artwork, Hollywood feeling. 4. Albano-Waite - Old reliable, but with better color scheme that the original. 5. Kalevala Tarot - Again - quality artwork, theme is not forced into a Rider-Waite mold, foreign mysterious feeling. So, what could a person say about me by the decks I've chosen?

WolfSpirit	21 May 2003
I honestly don't think I buy decks to impress people. I have the tarot for cats, I found it so cute I could not resist it, but I would not like people to see me as someone fussing over cute catties all the time (although I fear I sometimes do just that ;) ) I think I should get "the classics" like the Thoth and Marseilles by now, but what is highest on my wish list ? Decks like the ancestral path and the merryday, decks I simply can't resist. I think my deck collection shows what decks I like but not what I would like people to think I like, I would like to impress the world with very deep or historically important decks, I don't think I really impress with the decks I have, I just like them for myself. But then I don't read for others that much, and when I do I normally use the robin wood because it is easy to understand and accessible for most people.

divinerguy	21 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Mimers Here are the decks I own, what do you think it says of me Ancestral Path World Spirit Renaissance by BW Visconti Gold Old English 2 Marseilles Universal Waite Vision Quest Southwest Sacred Tribes Star That Never Walks Around Gendron (don't care for) Fey Gill Osho Zen (closest thing I have to an Oracle Deck) Light and Shadow Hanson Roberts (don't use) Mythic Hmm, you want people to see you as a traditionalist. As a person who avoids fads, and who prefers the real thing. You take Tarot seriously, and think that theme/fad decks are just that - faddish. You're exploring your spirituality, and see yourself as being a spiritual part of nature. You probably have some doubts about mainstream religion, and you may find reverence in nature. Let me know how I did.

Sobeknofret	21 May 2003
OK, now I HAVE to know Divinerguy lol! What do my decks say about me? Decks I have: Victoria Regina Manara Erotic Tarots of Casanova Thoth, both large and regular sized editions (standard study deck) RWS (2) Universal Waite (Standard reading deck) Morgan Greer Hanson Roberts Tarot of Oz Legend Arthurian Ancient Egyptian Ramses Tarot of Eternity Halloween Goddess Tarot de Paris Tarot of the Old Path Tarot of the Witches (HACK! GAG!) Witches Tarot Mantegna Tarot Herbal Tarot Tarot of the Imagination (interesting in a bizarre, trippy, far out sorta way) Durer Tarot Avalon Tarot Tarot of Ceremonial Magick Personally, I'm reading "schizophrenic collector" from this list :D I'm noticing lots of Lo Scarabeo decks here now for the first time also...

divinerguy	21 May 2003
Sobeknofret, List your five favorite decks and why. I'll give it a shot.

Mimers	21 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by divinerguy Hmm, you want people to see you as a traditionalist. As a person who avoids fads, and who prefers the real thing. You take Tarot seriously, and think that theme/fad decks are just that - faddish. You're exploring your spirituality, and see yourself as being a spiritual part of nature. You probably have some doubts about mainstream religion, and you may find reverence in nature. Let me know how I did. Are you psychic? PS It's not so much that is how I want people to see me. That me!

Mimers	21 May 2003
Sorry, forgot to mention. I have to say I read with almost all of them. My top 5 reading decks in order are Gill, Vision Quest (tie) Old English Ancestral Path Universal Rider Waite As far as your selection and what it says of you. You are a romantic and cultured gentleman. You appreciate fine art. You are also spiritual and esoteric. You like to keep people guessing. How was that?

divinerguy	21 May 2003
I live next to an indian reservation, and its reasonably pristine. I get very reverent when driving through it -- seeing the wild animals and the virgin forest. Its something to see.

divinerguy	21 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Mimers Sorry, forgot to mention. I have to say I read with almost all of them. My top 5 reading decks in order are Gill, Vision Quest (tie) Old English Ancestral Path Universal Rider Waite As far as your selection and what it says of you. You are a romantic and cultured gentleman. You appreciate fine art. You are also spiritual and esoteric. You like to keep people guessing. How was that? Pretty close, no, its exactly on point. It is precisely how I want the world to see me. In real life, as compared to how I project myself to others, I'm pretty close. I have both a passion for fine art, and I've been known to notice a pretty girl in a summer dress. I like to keep people guessing, probably, as a way to hide my self-perceived faults.

Kiama	21 May 2003
I chose the deck I show to the world (Robin Wood) for purely practical reasons. People like it, it is easy on the eye, and no matter who I am reading for, no offense is caused and they can read the images aswell. (Which is essential with the style of reading I use). Athough I must admit, I do do something in order to impress the querent... I let my deck, the one I use the most, get a bit tatty. It's tatty through use, after all, I've had it nearly 3-4 years now, and it's been pretty much everywhere with me. But I don't bother to try and make it look cleaner. I leave the stains and marks on it. I leave that musky, smoky smell on it... I leave the black marks around the edges on it. Hell, I even leave bends in the cards. I do this because I want people to know I know what I'm doing. If they see a deck which looks beat-up and old, they assume you're a good reader with experience. In my case, this is probably true (I've been studying Tarot nearly 10 years now) and I want people to know it! }) It also makes them feel more comfortable getting a reading from me. Now, let me think about my favourite decks... Glastonbury William Blake Robin Wood Whimsical Hermetic (Godfrey Dawson) Merryday Legend Arthurian Hanson-Roberts Cosmic Tribe Phantasmagoric Theater Thoth Deva Ancestral Path Rohrig Shakespearian Gill Sugar Mystic World Spirit Nigel Jackson Visconti Sforza Wheel of Change Mantegna (Who says it's not a Tarot deck??!!! ;)) Minchiate Etruria Tarot of the Master (Gianni Vacchetta) I Gatti Tarot Now, some of these are my favourites because of their themes, such as the Glastonbury and Legend Arthurian. Some I love for their readable quality. Some I have an odd fascination with because they provide some sort of link to the past of Tarot. And a couple in that list are very close to my heart because they have severe nostalgia value. (Sugar Mystic for instance, though it's also a readable and very pretty little deck!) Still some I like because they are just works of genius... The only Tarot deck that has made me cry because of its sheer beauty and power is the William Blake. Anybody who's a fan of his writing will understand this. Go on then Divinerguy... Analyse me! }) Kiama

divinerguy	21 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Kiama Go on then Divinerguy... Analyse me! Okay, here goes. Tarot, obviously, is probably one of the most important things in your life. It is your anchor and helps create harmony in your life. If it was lost to you, you would be lost as well. Tarot allows you to interface with the outside world. It gives you strength, and it helps define who you are as a person. It bothers you when people make light of the Tarot, or don't take it seriously. When that happens, you probably withdraw a bit, and try to avoid that person in the future. Its difficult for you to trust people. They must accept your fondness for the Tarot (which is you) before you allow them to get emotionally close to you. You consider yourself a spiritual person, and you think about the philosophical implications of things going on around you. Am I close?

Khatruman	21 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by divinerguy Am I right, or am I full of poop? Is a cigar just a cigar? (apologies to Sigmund Freud) You are right insofar as the individual cares about public opinion. In which case, the tarot deck I use with the public might not necessarily reflect what I want them to think about me, but what I want them to be comfortable with. I would not use the Decameron in a public reading, but I own in, and like it. For my own vision, I am voracious for seeing things in different ways. I keep buying tarot decks not for The One, but to get a different aspect of that complex thing which is my mind and the collective unconscious. You want to know me, look at ALL my decks. As long as the deck has a strong vision, I am interested.

Keslynn	21 May 2003
Hmmm. My favorite 5: 1. World Spirit 2. Spiral 3. Gill 4. Nigel Jackson (though the darn thing tends to tell me what I want to hear) 5. Buckland (it's brand new but I've already had a great reading with it) What does this say about me besides that I like deep/bright colors? lol :) Kes

jema	21 May 2003
*thoth *gill *spiral and a big step down i got *kazanlar *spirit and then all the rest. those last two shift every week or so. but the top three is always the top three. and i feel they complement each other really well. i am not sure they will say anything about me as a person though.

Kiama	21 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by divinerguy It bothers you when people make light of the Tarot, or don't take it seriously. When that happens, you probably withdraw a bit, and try to avoid that person in the future. Its difficult for you to trust people. They must accept your fondness for the Tarot (which is you) before you allow them to get emotionally close to you. Everything apart from these two were spot on. I don't mind if people don't take Tarot seriously. Well, we could be talking about different concepts here... I'm assuming you mean I don't like people playing games with them and things like that. I don't mind that at all. I must say, sometimes I just want to 'play' with the cards and just laugh at them. But if you mean that people either dismiss it totally as 'silly' or 'rubbish'... That I find very annoying. I must admit, it is one of the things I've been fighting against with the people I meet, which is one of the reasons I've been running Tarot workshops and giving talks. Trusting people... One of my weaknesses is that I tend to trust too easily. I've bene hurt in the past by people I've trusted but have turned out to be different to what I thought they were. But it is true that 'Love me, love my Tarot collection' is my motto. I couldn't live in a relationship where my partner dismissed Tarot or didn't understand my love of it. :D Maybe you should take up a job as a psychoanalyst? Kiama

Maan	21 May 2003
Oke Divinerguy tell me please what kind of person am i? My top five list is in no particular order Phantasmagoric theater tarot, cosmic tribe, fey tarot, spiral and the fairy oracle i know thats not a tarot deck but i like it so much ;) (I'm so curious)

LittleWing	21 May 2003
oh divinerguy - you are busy with this one!!! well i found it quite difficult to find a deck that appealed to me. i could look at most and say 'nice', but not 'wow', or 'thats me'. here are the decks that made me say 'yes!! they are for me!!' (only a few, but i say quality not quantity) **COSMIC **GAIAN (not yet finished) - (there is a link to it from a thread yesterday on this forum) i also quite like the fairy ring oracle cos it reminds me of where i grew up so what do y'all think????????

CompassRose	21 May 2003
I'm still looking for the perfect deck, but I don't care what other people think of my (multitude) of decks. (I already know most folks peg me as "freak"!) I suppose I don't mind that, these days; I show my warts and let others get over it or not as they choose. All the decks I own have some aspect that I like, but most also include things that annoy the heck out of me. The most important initial feature is the quality of the artwork. I'm a graphic artist in "real life," so any deck featuring amateurish workmanship turns me off right away. (And there are SO MANY of those out there these days, now that Tarot is trendy!) Once I've got over that, I look at symbolism and interpretations used in individual cards. Again, I can think of several decks in my collection that are good overall, but include things on one or two important cards with which I have serious disagreement. What my collection probably says about me: eclectic obsessive. What I'd show people, though, is different from "what I use for readings". For most, I'd pick something pretty and friendly. I wouldn't, f'rinstance, use the Thoth even if I could read well with it, just because I know the images and the words on the cards creep some out. There's no point even doing a reading if your querent is staring horrified at the spread and not listening to you!

LittleWing	21 May 2003
i would not say i buy to impress, or influence others opinion of me - cos i rarely do readings for others - so i just go with what pulls my heart :)

divinerguy	21 May 2003
Lots of posts, and I must get to work. Anyone else care to give it a try? If not, I'll do them later today/tonite.

Sobeknofret	21 May 2003
OK Divinerguy, my five favorie decks and why: Universal Waite-- the symbology really speaks to me, and the colors in this version are so lovely Legend Arthurian-- I'm a grad student in Medieval Studies and Arthurian literature is one of my specialities... I know the legends backwards and forwards, and sometimes the archetypes in the cards tell me as much as the suits, numbers, etc. Besides the art is gorgeous Ancient Egyptian-- stunning artwork, and I identify closely with the Egyptian pantheon Goddess (Kris Waldherr)-- this is the closest to a traditional "feminist" deck I own. The art is great and I am able to do fabulous archetypal/Jungian readings with it. Besides, my mom gifted it to me, so it's got sentemental reasons behind it too. Thoth-- classic study deck for me. rich symbolism and infinite possibilities for meditation for me. Lady Harris is a genius in my book... Analysis please? :) --Sobe

galadrial	21 May 2003
Hi Divinerguy, this is an interesting thread! I think it's fair to warn you that very few people even know I'm interested in Tarot, much less what my decks look like, so how I wish others to see me does not enter into my deck choices (clothes are another matter:-) My five favorite decks are: Templar: I get the deepest readings from this deck, and I remember them longer; this deck just resonates nearly perfectly with me. Il Tarocco Fantastico: www.spiritone.com/~filipas/Masquerade/Reviews/fantastc.html I love this deck's humor, playfulness and liveliness and I think the artwork is delightful. Inner Child: very thought provoking, yet soothing. I was involved in Waldorf education when my son was younger and I ended up responding to it a lot more than he did. This deck speaks to that part of me. Cosmic Tribe: I enjoy the energy of this deck and always get clear readings from it. The Fool card is an especial favorite. Several decks tie for 5th place; just depends on what mood I'm in or what my situation is. Today I would pick the Buckland Romani because I always feel like I can walk into those cards. I can actually nearly smell smoke and leaves, or feel the icy breezes, or reach out to pick the flowers; and I'm in an outward, engage with the enviornment mood today (probably why I'm posting this too!). Good luck, you've taken on a lot and I admire you for it.

Logiatrix	21 May 2003
Cool thread, Divinerguy! ;) Here are my ABSOLUTE favorites. I could only come up with three; these are the ones I actually use outside of my collection: --Visconti Gold --Fournier Marseille --Ancestral Path Please tell me who I am...I've been wanting to know for a loooong time! :)

Cerulean	21 May 2003
Divinerguy: 20th century postmodern preference for brighter colors and smooth finishes--airbrushed art and curves have a pristine finish. I think you prefer graphics with a clean edge and do not mind tight, idealized bodies. Angles and scenes are sometimes surprising and the associations can be considered very modern. Colorful, a bright or high contrast palette, but NOT geometric mandala or soft fuzzy ambiguity or cluttered images. I don't have the Jolanda, but I think that the images you prefer in Rohrig, Cosmic and Kalevala seem to be related to more modern themes or interpretations. Cosmic, Kalevala and Rohrig images seem to tell stories, have very active and dynamic movement. If you have an art style preference, I'd say European and after 1970. Mari H. 1. Jolanda Tarot - Artwork is whimsical, sexy and the language difference makes it look mysterious. 2. Rohrig - First class artwork, sexy, big and manly. 3. Cosmic - Good artwork, on some cards - incredible artwork, Hollywood feeling. 4. Albano-Waite - Old reliable, but with better color scheme that the original. 5. Kalevala Tarot - Again - quality artwork, theme is not forced into a Rider-Waite mold, foreign mysterious feeling.

lunalafey	21 May 2003
I'd have lots more decks if it wasn't for the 3 kids. order of possession: 1) Native American Tarot; only deck, only tarot anything for 6 yrs very, Very connected to the deck. it's in 'retierment' now. 2) Legends (m. ferg) the only tarot deck used for the next 2-3 yrs. Working with this deck is thrilling! It presented itself to me, in the strangest of places, when I made the decision to retire the NA (but couldn't until I had a new one). I had no idea of what other decks where available or where to get them, but if I had....would have picked Legends 3) Medicine Cards; Not tarot, but these came around shortly after legends did. 4&5) unicorn & i am one, like them but, don't work with them much 6) Infinite, a 4 suited 76 card deck, created right down the road. Very colorful symbolic art. Instant connection. 7) Fey......love these playful ones! they have a positive nature even in the face of negitive.

HOLMES	21 May 2003
favourites, buckland roman gypsy tarot, witches tarot by reed, unviversal tarot by lo scarbeo (waite variation ) hanson roberts, beginners tarot olympus tarot, robin wood morgon greer, inner child cards, i don't use it to read with (the claim it is not a tarot ) but i love it soul tiding truth cards. UMM forgot , waking wild spirit tarot and ancestral tarot and arhturian tarot TOO HARD TO NARROW IT DOWN, lol

Woof	21 May 2003
My 4 favorites, no 5th favorite yet: 1) Alchemical Tarot -for personal readings: I like the visual clarity, classical artwork, period feel, and animals. 2) Universal Waite -for friends and others: I think it is traditional and clear, everyone is familiar with it's images, nicest colors of the Waite Smith decks. 3) World Spirit (wild colors and multicultural) 4) The Fey (fantasy style) - both for daily draws. Thought I'd love the Victoria Regina and the Crow but can't read with either. The former I don't visually register find the fine print work and black and white distracting. The symbolism on the latter just escapes me. Woof

LittleWing	21 May 2003
everyone is posting their decks - should we all try and have a go at analysing them ??????????????

LittleWing	21 May 2003
sorry guys - i have been trying to do this for you, but even though it is just fun - i have no clue what they mean !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

firemaiden	21 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by divinerguy Am I right, or am I full of poop? I think the latter :-) I think some of our choices may reflect our tastes; but other choices reflect what was available, what we were able to find about about. My first choice was the Crowley because it is the most standard deck, and the most ubiquitous in Germany. Clothing may be different, our clothes are part of our presentation. But unless we plan on presenting our tarot cards, (I don't, they are under my bed, they are my deep dark secret) I don't think they represent how we wish to "be seen" at all, but rather what we want to learn, and what we are attracted to, and perhaps, just perhaps, our shadow :)

Dark Inquisitor	21 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by divinerguy [b] Here's a theory about people. Your selection of a Tarot deck provides great insight as to how you want the world to see you. I buy artsy, fartsy Tarot decks because I want the world to see me as a dignified, cultured person. You may buy decks for that reason, but I only buy decks I like for themselves. I don't care what anybody else thinks of them . If an object costs 2.00 or 200.00 , it is of no value to me at all unless I personally like it. If we do things strictly with the idea of impressing others, we are working on a false self. My family is very big on that, & that is one of the reasons I do not get along with them. If your house does not look like Beaver Cleaver's , if you don't belong to their religion, if you don't paste a frozen smile on your face no matter what they say to you, they will not accept you. Who you really are does not matter. Who you are makes them nervous. Without acceptance from others or the acceptance of our true selves, there is no love . How my family appears to the mythical "others" is more important than how anyone feels being in the family. There is a danger that the false self can take over & we become disconnected from who we really are. We can become numb & experience a sense of loneliness because we are cut off from our true selves & have forgotten -- or maybe have never even known - our own true nature. I am not saying this is your personal situation Divinerguy, but this is what your post made me think about. Tarotphelia

Sobeknofret	21 May 2003
I don't think that it has much to do with impressing others, or trying to be something that we're not. My tarot deck collection does reflect my personality to a large extent, and occasionally it does reflect how I want to be seen by others. A great deal of my collection is "fun" or "childish" decks-- Halloween Tarot, Tarot of Oz, Whimsical Tarot, Children's Tarot, etc. This fits me very well-- I really like to laugh and have fun, and I project that to the people I read for with those decks. If I have a querent who's scared, nervous, uncomfortable with coming to a reader for the first time, or is a younger person, I will use those decks, because I want to be percieved as non-threatening and generally friendly in those situations. If I have a skeptic or somebody who also reads tarot on my hands, I will use a more "serious" deck, such as the Thoth or a RWS clone, because I want to be percieved as authoritative and serious as a reader. I AM all those things, it's just a matter of which side of my personality I want to present to the world at what time, and my choice of decks reflects that.

SherryZoned	21 May 2003
Interesting concept divinerguy.. My Top 4 are..No particular Order Soul Cards (1&2) act as one deck Durer Fey Faeries Oracle I like the different tastes and views. I trade a lot. I don't use it. I trade it. Many decks I have but have nto used YET I like the erotic decks..I own 3. Only my family has seen them but..If i knew someone who wouldnt mind me using that for a reading. I would go for it! I noticed that I prefer oracles and non traditional tarot decks. Like everyone else has said. You pull the deck to emote the impression on who you are showing it. From mystical to strict christian etc. I get decks I think I will like. NOt if they cost a bundle and i am always look for a good 2 dollar deal!

DarkElectric	21 May 2003
Jeepers... And here I am aquiring decks because I can read with em'... My Gods, what must people think of me? Spiral Voyager Celtic Dragon Lo Scarabeo Secrets Sacred Circle Thoth Quest (And so many more. I'm too tired to type them all in. I have a non-reading collection as well.)

jmd	21 May 2003
I probably tend to agree with Divinerguy that what we value as our personal favourite deck(s) does reflect something of ourselves, be it our background knowledge, our social milieu, our spiritual expressions, personal skills and dispositions... As to Freud, did he not also say, lighting one of his favourite, that sometimes a cigar is just a cigar!?! I suppose my five favourite decks are: Conver Marseille Hadar Marseille Camoin Marseille Schaffhouse/Classic T. de la Félicité (Marseille Majors only) Given that most of my decks are not Marseilles decks, what does this say?

Mimers	21 May 2003
I think Divinerguy is going to need a little help here. So, I will start with jmd. Quote: Originally posted by jmd I suppose my five favourite decks are: Conver Marseille Hadar Marseille Camoin Marseille Schaffhouse/Classic T. de la Félicité (Marseille Majors only) Given that most of my decks are not Marseilles decks, what does this say? I would look at this and say that you value tradition, but are still intrigued to learn different ways. You have a curious and open mind that thirsts for knowledge and understanding. You are the type of person that in order to understand how something works you take it apart piece by piece so that you will be able to put it together again. I have to admit, this has been my impression of you from the get go. Mimers

jmd	22 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Mimers I would look at this and say that you value tradition, but are still intrigued to learn different ways. You have a curious and open mind that thirsts for knowledge and understanding. You are the type of person that in order to understand how something works you take it apart piece by piece so that you will be able to put it together again. I have to admit, this has been my impression of you from the get go. Well Mimers, I have to say that you have certainly captured some characteristics I value - as to how well I do them... What most impressed me was the recognition that I value sensing into that which I seek to understand, and seek to re-generate it from first principles. I usually find that once this is achieved, even complex situations have an underlying simplicity worth the effort. Thanks for this 'reading' Mimers. It's quite interesting to also have read the wonderful ways others have posted and interpreted on this thread!

Cerulean	22 May 2003
Umm, this is the only sleeping partner of mine that changes almost weekly...sometimes I use them on the one night stand. Unlike the faithful folks here, I have a tarot harem. In all other respects I have loyal girl scout characteristics, but let this be a lesson to you: there never can be only one.

azuremariposa	22 May 2003
I would have disagreed w/Mari before joining up w/this place...for almost 15 yrs I only used one deck and was quite happy w/that... even now, I still fall back on "old faithful"...I've found uses for my other decks (which i've only acquired since joining AT)...but for deep, large or meaningful readings, I prefer my "old buddy"...this is not to say that I never tried any other decks during those 15 yrs...I did try the Aquarian (have never hated a deck so much until that one) on a whim...and I have also used oracle cards such as the Crystal Allys & the Medicine Cards (yaaaaaaaawn ;) hehe)...but nothing has worked for me like my old friend... now, i know i've mentioned it a billion times here at AT...(well, at least 100 ;) heh) but here is my list: Rider-Waite (Smith)...it was my first, my last, my everything....(thank you, Barry White) :D if i wanna rock peoples' worlds, this is the deck i use...goes straight to the heart, sometimes w/no mercy Victoria Regina...i use it for smaller spreads, i find the energy very feminine and refined...it is also good for delving more into the emotional side of things (for me, anyway) the Fey...childlike, beautiful, still learning to read w/it, however it does make a "lighter" substitute for my RWS...it is gentler, more playful...good for reading for more delicate natured individuals so, there ya go...i have a couple of other decks, but have not been moved to read w/them yet...so, my list is a short list, for sure...:) much love and many blessings, ~azure

falconwing	22 May 2003
huhu...this thread is interesting and funny...I guess I do belong to the "eclectic harem owners"... The decks I use reflect my current interest...as my interests change from time to time, or let's say the focus of interest may change, I also change my reading-decks.... So, if I am focussing on celtic stuff, I will use: - the Avalon deck - the celtic dragon - celtic animal oracle - shapeshifter tarot if I want to go even more to the North, I will choose to read with - the Northern Shadows if I am on my more ceremonnial magickal trip, I will prefer: - Golden Dawn Deck - Tarot Cabalistico - Alchemical Tarot - Pythagorean Tarot Another deck I am very familiar with is the -New Orleans Vodoo Tarot; it provides very accurate readings and I am fond of Afro-carribean cultures anyhow well, at present I prefer those pagan inspired nature-decks like - MerryDay - Wild Spirit or those more "feministic" decks: - Barbara Walker - WiseWomanTarot What is always with me though is Ted Andrew's "Animal Wise" - if I had to choose a "favourite" it certainly would be this one. I never liked to work with RWS or Thoth...its weird somehow; I simply can't connect with them it seems. I also like to combine different decks/oracles....for this I like to add e.f. Doreen Virtue's Healing Fairy Oracle to an ordinary Tarot-reading; or I add a rune-cast. Yes, I am definetely "a bit" chaotic...but as long as it makes sense to me *LOL Falconwing

Demonesse	22 May 2003
I don't think choosing a particular Tarot deck necessarily implies that you want the world to see you in terms of that deck. The selection of clothes, car, residence, home furnishings, perhaps. But a Tarot deck? I don't generally speak of or show my decks off in the first place, so I guess I don't fit that description... but my choice of decks does reflect my artistic taste in terms of colour, technique, and more often than not, subject. Besides, I don't really care what the world chooses to see me as...as long as I know who I am. :)

lunalafey	22 May 2003
I'm like azuremariposa. One deck did me just fine for many years. It was not until AT, did I start to dabble in other decks. My choice of decks does expess a bit about my personallity, but in regards to how others see me? just the fact I own tarot is enough. do I care? not really. It's kinda ironic, people like me because I'm 'nice & sweet' they find out I read tarot, and then I move from nice & sweet, to 'respect the mysterious'....heehee...

Cerulean	22 May 2003
Posted by Lunafey: ...people like me because I'm 'nice & sweet' they find out I read tarot, and then I move from nice & sweet, to 'respect the mysterious'....heehee... Ah...maybe it's not the choice of decks but the fact "you may not the most infamous person on the Continent, but you can wield a 'wicked pack of cards'." Mari, the aforementioned aeclectarot madam

lunalafey	22 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Mari_Hoshizaki wield a 'wicked pack of cards'." AH! Madam Mari, Now that's ironic! love it.

DarkElectric	22 May 2003
Oh dear... I think Aeclectic corrupted me too~ Content at first with 3 lonely decks. But then I came here... All too soon the desire crept in, it overwhelmed me. Decks, more decks, I must have them! I felt like Edgar Allen Poe when he discovered morphine. And now, here I am, the lost soul browsing the hallowed pages of the Tarot Garden, desiring rare and expensive decks that I don't have an ice cubes chance in hell of ever getting, unless I become a world famous musician really soon...oh Aeclectic, the delightful, beloved ruin of me :)

divinerguy	22 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by divinerguy Am I right, or am I full of poop? Quote: Originally posted by firemaiden I think the latter :-) Firemaiden, don't sugar coat it - tell me what you really think.:D

divinerguy	22 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Keslynn 1. World Spirit 2. Spiral 3. Gill 4. Nigel Jackson (though the darn thing tends to tell me what I want to hear) 5. Buckland (it's brand new but I've already had a great reading with it) What does this say about me besides that I like deep/bright colors? Okay - You're a family person, or want to be. While you're capable of living on the edge, you prefer a little more ordered life. You value your individuality, but you're not going to be another Madonna. If you're not into crafty things, I suspect that you may have tried it in the past. You're outgoing, and are considered loyal by yours friends.

divinerguy	22 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by jema *thoth *gill *spiral and a big step down i got *kazanlar *spirit It helps if you tell me why you like a particular deck, but here goes. You're independent, and live life as you see fit. Spirituality is probably more important to you than money and material things. Searching for answers, perhaps. You enjoy the outdoors. You love to think about people, and why they do the things they do.

divinerguy	22 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Maan Oke Divinerguy tell me please what kind of person am i? My top five list is in no particular order Phantasmagoric theater tarot, cosmic tribe, fey tarot, spiral and the fairy oracle i know thats not a tarot deck but i like it so much You think that people take life far too seriously. They don't enjoy just sitting down and having fun. You think that people don't look inside themselves and examine their feelings. You think that people would be mush happier if they listened to the little things around them, that their minds are closed to anything that is not mainstream. You're thinking about settling down in the future, but not quite yet. Life is too much fun.

xouroboros	23 May 2003
...very well,Divinerguy ...take a crack at these: 1) Morgan Greer 2) Arthurian Legend 3) Goddess Knowledge (Susan Seddon Boulet) 4) Dakini Oracle 5) Florentine Minchiate ?

princessofp0wer	23 May 2003
Personally, I think you are full of poop :) I buy Tarot decks because they speak to me, they ARE me...not because of what I want people to think of me. I love my Thoth deck. But I don't love it because it makes people think I'm cool or mysterious or whatever. I don't even use it in readings for other people. I love it because the images resonate with me on a very deep level. I also like my RW deck. But again, not because I want people to see me as mainstream...I like it because it just works well for me. I could go on about the other decks in my collection but there is really no point. My Tarot decks are for me, and not for the shaping of other peoples' opinions of me.

Cerulean	23 May 2003
Comment to Princess-of-Power (Great Name!) posted: I love my Thoth deck....I also like my RW deck. But again, not because I want people to see me as mainstream...I like it because it just works well for me. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ...I wonder what you would think of the Susan Levitt kit with the pocket-sized (smaller than the Poker Deck size) Thoth and Rider Waite, with the journal and card-by-card color comparison of the two decks. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In my handbag, two favorite subjects, illustrations of elvish sprites and flowers in the Spirit of the Flowers (by Lo Scarabeo). In my car, 78 Tarot of Leonardo Da Vinci with books & watercolor/journal bits in sketchbook kit. In a small bookbag Grand Etteilla III/Jeu des Dames Celtucci (Laura Tuan), Visconti Gold Tiny 22 major novelty, the Visconti by Isa Donelli. If I were away for a long while, the Susan Levitt kit would go with me...probably with the Fey, Ukiyoe and Folchi decks in a plastic lidded box. If you want to predict what that says about me, have a go! Mari H.

Logiatrix	24 May 2003
Originally posted by Mari_Hoshizaki: "Umm, this is the only sleeping partner of mine that changes almost weekly...sometimes I use them on the one night stand." That's it. I know what I am now...and I must hang my head in shame as I face the ghastly truth (while I shuffle my cards)... I am a TAROT-HARLOT!!! :)

Cerulean	24 May 2003
You may also be a tarot madam if that pleases you.

truthsayer	25 May 2003
i think if i am my tarot decks then my real name is eve or sybil because that would mean i have multiple personalities. maybe as many as a 100-the approximate number of decks i have. but i'm game to consider what the personality i am tonight likes best... rohrig ananda margarete peterson fey transformational rws dance of life arthurian hanson-roberts inner child wild woman sacred geometry soul cards 1 and 2 that'll do for now. and diviner guy, i'd never think you were full of poop but my evil twin does. }) btw, dg, if you discover bean-o for dogs, i want to order a case for my dog. i need some for cats, too, if it's not too much trouble.

lunalafey	25 May 2003
heehee, maybe. fun to watch and a good study of character & personality.

JewelTones	26 May 2003
My *first* real post. :) This thread is very interesting. I only have one deck that I use, though not the only one I own, and it's the Art Nouveau by Matt Myers. JT

astril	26 May 2003
Hi Divinerguy! I've found my way to this thread and would like to know your impression of who people say I am: So here goes! My five top decks are: Tarot of the Old Path Universal Tarot Tarot Nova ( Small deck) Nigel Jackson Morgan Greer Am interested to see what you come up with! happy divining!

amyel	26 May 2003
I'm not sure I have 5 top fav's. I like (but don;t work with all - just like the art of all): Shining Tribe Glastonbury Tarot of the Trance Rock Art (as in pictorgraphs, not rock & roll) This must mean I am either down to earth or long for a primitive way of life?????

Sobeknofret	26 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Tauni That's it. I know what I am now...and I must hang my head in shame as I face the ghastly truth (while I shuffle my cards)... I am a TAROT-HARLOT!!! :) Count me in as a Tarot-ho! I slept with the Whimisical for the past couple of nights (ewwww, does that strike anyone else as really wrong?), but tonight...it's the Cosmic! Maybe, maybe even the Shapeshifter too for a bit of added spice... The funny thing is, I usually do sleep with decks under my pillow to get them attuned to me before I use them. I know they're ready to go when I start dreaming about them. You can imagine what kind of dreams I had when I had the Tarots of Casanova deck under my pillow }) There are a few people I will never be able to look squarely in the face ever again without turning purple. --Sobe

jema	27 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by divinerguy It helps if you tell me why you like a particular deck, but here goes. You're independent, and live life as you see fit. Spirituality is probably more important to you than money and material things. Searching for answers, perhaps. You enjoy the outdoors. You love to think about people, and why they do the things they do. hey! i have been sick and haven't been checking the posts for a few days (other then the trading threads) but this was so spot on and without much help from me either.

Salamander	08 Jan 2005
Very interesting idea. I think that I choose decks that resemble me (or how I feel about myself and the world, how I want to be, something in the artwork must touch me very deeply and also provide a challange, something to explore). Perhaps the beauty of the art resembles my ideal fantasy of the world as well. Only I rather not show my personal deck to others. hiss, Salamander

tao51	08 Jan 2005
I am very fond of the Tarot of Marseilles (Camoin). The Tarot of Prague, The Baroque Bohemian Cats' Tarot, Liber T, The Bosch Tarot, The Gypsy Tsigane, and the list goes on are all my favorites. I select a deck less for its art but more for its "feel." My decks are not to impress anyone. They are part of me. I do not care for cutesy decks but I may be swayed by an artistically clever deck with a mystical sense. Within my collection none of my decks go unused. There are situations which require their unique flavor. --Tao

Cerulean	09 Jan 2005
Lovers of choice in the Lovers Path can change nightly, but my favorite is Dante Algheri's reference of Amor and Beatrice and Paolo and Franchesca...at the moment, my joyous friend. Alchemical is like such clean sculpture, my ancient Minchiate Etruria like a soft moody museum archive of woodcuts from the reproduced Theatre de L'Amor. Large, lighter older Visconti switches between the others...patiently awaiting its turns... Cerulean

RedMaple	10 Jan 2005
Cerulean wrote: Lovers of choice in the Lovers Path can change nightly, but my favorite is Dante Algheri's reference of Amor and Beatrice and Paolo and Franchesca...at the moment, my joyous friend. Alchemical is like such clean sculpture, my ancient Minchiate Etruria like a soft moody museum archive of woodcuts from the reproduced Theatre de L'Amor. Large, lighter older Visconti switches between the others...patiently awaiting its turns... Cerulean Ah, yes, Madame Mari, I have become a Tarot Madame, too, I believe. I have breakfast with the Golden - the only deck I've written poems for. I have the Hanson Roberts in my bag, along with the Morgan Greer. The Legend is in my office. The Buddha is in the night-table, along with the Nigel Jackson, World Spirit, and Goddess. The Inner Child is in its own wooden box where my grandchild can play with it. The Whimsical is in the guest bedroom where I often do readings on the bed. The Bosch and the Victoria Regina reside together, and like to tell political tales. I haven't even begun my love affairs with the old decks, but I know the time will come.

rabble	10 Jan 2005
What an interesting thread! I think my choice of deck probably does reflect who I am. I actually only read with one deck, the Osho Zen. After that, of the decks that I actually have, this is my next four in order of most difficulty giving away. my own The Garden Path Nature Speaks Mary-el Tarot of the Origins. Anyone want to analyse me? :)

mzoltarp	10 Jan 2005
Divinerguy's start to this thread points to a major part of tarot: the psychology of the reader. People will be drawn to specific decks based on their psychological make-up and we all read through the filter that that psychological perspective gives us. If a person reads with many decks, they are at least stretching their personal psychology and it would be interesting for them to study how the decks resemble each other psychologically to go deeper into their understanding not only of tarot but of their psychological filter. The would be a fascinating study.

The You ARE your tarot deck. thread was originally posted on 21 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.