Robin Wood Tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 26 Jun 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

starnight	26 Jun 2003
Where can see all 78 cards of Robin Wood Tarot? If I am not a witch,can I use Robin Wood Tarot easily? Thank you!

crickwitch	26 Jun 2003
Hi Starnight! You can see all of the cards in the Robin Wood deck here... http://www.nodntap.net/tarot/robin_wood_deck.shtml Enjoy! Rose

Kistarr	27 Jun 2003
Hi. I started Tarot with the Robin Wood deck and I'm not a witch. The artwork is lovely and really 'speaks' to me. I especially like that the minor arcana all have their own pictures. I have seen a few where they just show the suits number... 3 swords, 9 wands, etc. I grew up in a rather conservative environment so the nudity shocked me a little at first, [the lovers card was the first time i had ever seen a man fully naked before] but the human body is God's greatest work and they aren't being perverse so I got used to it in no time. If you do get the Robin Wood tarot, I suggest finding 'Tarot Plain and Simple' by Anthony Louis. It shows all of the cards illustrated and gives straightforward, easy to understand definitions. Enjoy.

anjocoxo	27 Jun 2003
The way you wrote, it sounds like the deck has spells and evil in it. It is a normal 78 cards deck, and it is very beautiful, no matter if you're Catholic, Protestant or Wicca.... I bought it a week ago and it has become my favourite tarot decksofar; the images are very clear and the artwork is fantastic. Besides, the thing about "using easily" a deck, in my opinion, has more to do with a "click" that you feel towards the deck, than about sistems of belief. To give you an example, I'm not catholic, I don't like catholic thing (especially churches) and yet I get along pretty well with Connolly Deck (which has many angels). To me, it's all about visual art; if I like it and the symbols are clear, then, well, that's my deck. If not, forget it (like, I'm starting to get to the conclusion that I don't like digitalised decks, even though I have Sacred Circle). Just check the deck first, see the pictures, feel if you are drawn to it.... then you'll see that you'll use it just fine :D Anjo

Silverlotus	27 Jun 2003
Although I am Wiccan, I think non-Wiccans would have no trouble using this deck. It follows pretty standard RWS symbolism on most of the cards. If you don't know much about Wicca, you really won't get confused by anything. And if there is something you don't understand, there are pleanty of us here that use that deck and could surely answer some questions.

Emily	27 Jun 2003
The Robin Wood is a beautiful deck, much wanted when I bought it but as soon as I looked through it I knew that I would never be able to read with it. I still don't think its the deck but me. It was one of the first 'themed' decks I purchased after using the Rider Waite and I think the pagan/celtic imagery was too different even though it is a Rider Waite clone deck. I haven't looked at the deck in months, maybe now I'm more tarot-aware ( :D ) - haveing started using the Thoth and clone decks maybe the imagery of the Robin Wood might speak more to me. Saying that it is a popular deck and the cards are a pleasure to look at so if it speaks to you then get it. :)

Minderwiz	27 Jun 2003
I also have the Robin Wood and I'm not a Wiccan - as has been said the artwork is good but the deck is a fairly standard RWS clone using very similar symbolism. If you want a deck which has clear witchcraft connections (in the nicest sense) have a look at the Witches Tarot by Ellen Cannon Reed. It does depart from RWS by clearly identifying Swords with Fire and Wands with Air. However there are good accompanying books, one of the same name and one called The Witches Qabala again both by Ellen Cannon Reed

dolphinprincess	27 Jun 2003
When I first stumbled upon tarot several years ago, this was the deck that 'spoke' to me... i had been given the mythic tarot, which was my very first deck ever, and i HATED it. it seemd so dreary to me. I had no connection. When I saw the Robin Wood images, I fell in love - and I am not Wiccan - (although I have done reading on the religion and respect and agree with many of the beliefs.) Still, I really don't think you need to be Wiccan at all to enjoy this deck. I sadly sold the deck bc my interest in tarot waned when other things in my life took over. Now that I have rediscovered my love and interest, this is one deck I would really like to re-purchase. The pictures are so detailed that reading with it is so easy - especially if you want to read intuitively. The High Priestess in this deck is still on of my most favorite cards in any deck! If you really enjoy the cards, I say give it a try.

SingingTarot	27 Jun 2003
I just received my Robin Wood deck today, and we are just getting acquainted. I like the art work, I have the companion book going with it as well. I cannot tell yet whether this will be a deck I will use often for readings, but I hope so. Right now, I am just flipping through the cards trying to get a feeling of what the author was trying to say. I did not even know if was based on wicca, but now, some things make sense! Aha moment! Yeah, ever so slightly off key... Alice

Le_Corsair	27 Jun 2003
I just got it recently, too, and think it is a good RWS-inspired deck. There are some differences, but I am not knowledgeable enough about Wicca to comment. I will say that there is an interview with Robin Wood in the Text section of Aeclectic, you might want to visit it and see what she had to say. At least there isn't a horrible plaid back to ruin the deck for me, as in many of the U.S. Games decks! Hope you enjoy reading with it! Bob :THERM :OL :WL :SL :CL

Kistarr	28 Jun 2003
Quote: Originally posted by anjocoxo The way you wrote, it sounds like the deck has spells and evil in it. No offense meant. Witches and wiccan are the same aren't they? Or is Wiccan more correct? sorry for any misunderstandings. :D

HudsonGray	28 Jun 2003
Wicca is a specific religion, whereas Witch is broad based. Sort of like Collie & Canine, sorta the same, but not really. I think the Robin Wood is pretty mainstream, actually, there's nothing scarey in any of it. A little nudity, but those are limited to the Devil, Lovers, Star & Judgement cards. All tasteful (though the artist did say the reduction of the art made the guy on the Lovers look more like a banana than realistic). One thing I like is the 5 of Wands, the guys fighting are all ONE step away from forming a Pentacle. And her take on the Devil card is very good. That's based on the Monkey Puzzle Box--monkeys are hunted with a box that has a piece of fruit in it and a hole in the side. They can reach in, but can't get the fruit out. Yet they'll sit there & try even when the hunter comes up & won't let go, so the hunter only has to konk them on the head to kill them. It's the monkey's own greed that dooms him.

tarotpharot	29 Jun 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Kistarr No offense meant. Witches and wiccan are the same aren't they? Or is Wiccan more correct? sorry for any misunderstandings. :D None taken. But in a way it's like saying, "Catholic or Jehovah's Witness are the same aren't they?" They're are many different branches of "Wicca," although many Wiccans consider themselves witches, many witches don't consider themsevles Wiccan as I don't. Since many non-pagans are at least a little familiar with "Wicca," sometimes it is easier to simply call oneself "Wiccan" rather than explain the differences which may be rather complicated. Sort of like indicating one is Christian instead of identifying a particular sect. Also, use of the term Pagan raises eyebrows in some circles, although it is more akin to identifying oneself as Christian than Wiccan. Hope this helps, Brad }) TarotPharot

skysilver	01 Jul 2003
I just wanted to say that I have the Robin wood tarot deck and it has given me very good readings. Its an awesome deck. If you get it, hope you enjoy it. :)

tarotpharot	01 Jul 2003
Quote: Originally posted by skysilver I just wanted to say that I have the Robin wood tarot deck and it has given me very good readings. Its an awesome deck. If you get it, hope you enjoy it. :) Agreed skysilver! Also wanted to strongly recommend Robin's book. It is filled with many, MANY tidbits of information about the symbolism of each card - why it was included, what colors, etc. Another thing I like so much about Robin's book is the fact that there is a significant amount of coverage devoted to the minors; something which seems to be an after thought with many deck creators. You can get if directly from Robin's site at: www.robinwood.com Blessings of the day, Brad }) TarotPharot

skysilver	01 Jul 2003
Thanks, tarotpharot I will definitely check that out... !

Shade	03 Jul 2003
I'm a wiccan and have been considering getting a "pagan" deck to use during seasonal celebrations and have often thought of the Robin Wood. My only resistance to purchasing the deck is the fact that it isn't an ethnically diverse deck. Now I know the Robin Wood isn't the only deck like this and I believe they were going for a subtle celtic theme with the deck so I think other races "weren't included" rather than "excluded" (does that makes sense?). I do notice the missing diversity though and I read for people with very diverse ethnic backgrounds. I originally disliked the Devil card because I felt that in a way it limited the interpretation but I don't mind so much looking at it again. I've just never had a problem doing readings for people and turning over a card with a big winged demon on it. I think I will be getting the deck fo private ritual use.

skysilver	03 Jul 2003
Hi Johnny :) While I was reading your reply I was thinking about this new tarot deck that I recently bought called - Medieval Scapini. Maybe this tarot deck might interest you - thats if you don't have it already. I noticed that its kind of mixed - ethnic wise. Check it out at aeclectic tarot.

tarotpharot	03 Jul 2003
hi JVD. You know, I read for people of diverse ethnic backgrounds all the time with this deck and this concern has never arisen, although your mileage may vary. One reason I believe this is a non-issue with this deck (at least for me) is that the symbolism is similar enough to what most non-readers (your querants) have become familiar with as Tarot, that an immediate legitmacy is achieved. Also, one must consider that Robin designed the deck originally for her own use, so consequently the symbology within reflects her personal feelings about each card. Also, the symbology of the devil card wasn't changed due to containing a "big winged demon". Had this been the precept, I doubt she would have kept the traditional RWS Hierophant theme. That's one of the beautiful things about decks - their personalities are very much like real people. As with real people, occasionally you meet some you have a real affinity for, but perhaps aren't crazy about one or two things about them. Others you just can't stand! Blessings of the day, Brad }) TarotPharot Quote: Originally posted by JohnnyVoodoo I'm a wiccan and have been considering getting a "pagan" deck to use during seasonal celebrations and have often thought of the Robin Wood. My only resistance to purchasing the deck is the fact that it isn't an ethnically diverse deck. Now I know the Robin Wood isn't the only deck like this and I believe they were going for a subtle celtic theme with the deck so I think other races "weren't included" rather than "excluded" (does that makes sense?). I do notice the missing diversity though and I read for people with very diverse ethnic backgrounds. I originally disliked the Devil card because I felt that in a way it limited the interpretation but I don't mind so much looking at it again. I've just never had a problem doing readings for people and turning over a card with a big winged demon on it. I think I will be getting the deck fo private ritual use.

skysilver	03 Jul 2003
That is so true, Brad I can definitely relate to this with my tarot decks. I like the way you put it. :) :CL :CL tarotpharot wrote: "That's one of the beautiful things about decks - their personalities are very much like real people. As with real people, occasionally you meet some you have a real affinity for, but perhaps aren't crazy about one or two things about them. Others you just can't stand!"

Shade	03 Jul 2003
I'm sure I'm worrying about the racial makeup of a tarot deck more than my reader is. They are probably too focused on what I'm saying about their life/career/drama to think "Another blonde, isn't that the 5th one?". Also the deck is very consistant and that's always a good thing, it's often disconcerting to pull that one card that doesn't look like it belongs in the deck with the others, I think all of the decisons made for the Robin Wood deck lead to it acheiving the artists best vision. It was just one of those little things that came up for me when deck shopping.

tarotpharot	04 Jul 2003
Hi Johnny. There's not quite as many different decks available as they're are readers. At least note yet! TarotPharot })

The Robin Wood Tarot thread was originally posted on 26 Jun 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.