Using Buckland Romani

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Jun 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

LittleWing	25 Jun 2003
I am fairly comfortable with reading these cards now, i have had them a few weeks. but some of the differences confuse me. i suppose with all tarot decks, there will be some images that speak of a different meaning to what you're used to. i love these images!! - the book that comes in the set gives good descriptions, but some of the meanings are very different to the RWS it is based on. i will post some examples of what i mean, as i encounter them again, but for now - - - the 9 of swords. this man does not look overwhelmed, nor like he is encountering problems. this looks like a steady card - good or bad. any thoughts / experiences?? these cards will take me a long time to get my head around ..... but they do speak to me!!

Belladonna	25 Jun 2003
I know what you mean! I have another deck, The Wheel of Change by Andrea Genetti. Her nine of swords depicts 3 wind mills with 3 blades each. Her interpretation is that this card represents awareness of our surroundings, understanding our past role in creating them and careful strategy, planning for the future. I think the Buckland Romani deck is similar. Perhaps it is the flip side of nightmarish anxiety. This man looks like he is preparing for something more than anything. He carefully pulls out the tarnished blades from his past and methodically polishes and sharpens them, placing them on his other side waiting for a deed yet to come. He is probably thinking of the battles, or jobs these old chivs have seen as he works alone to transform them into new instruments. And perhaps he knows deep down that these chivs will perform the same deeds in the future, but rather than worry or dread overwhelming him, he prepares himself to accept what he meets.

Shade	26 Jun 2003
I always feel taht the artist/creator made spefific card decisons to support the deck as a whole. So my usual ruke for cards that have been changed slightly was that I interpret the card as it is before me rather than reverting to my "standard interpretation".

LittleWing	26 Jun 2003
yes johnnyvoodoo - i agree - i will learn them as a new deck.

DarkElectric	28 Jun 2003
I just got the Buckland Romani, and I really, really love it. I think it lends itself to individual interpretation in such a unique way. This is how I'm going to relate to the deck, because some of the cards are so different. In reading the accompanying text, I get the impression that Mr Buckland designed this deck for precisely that purpose. A very unique approach.

LittleWing	28 Jun 2003
DarkElectric!!! - i got the same thing from reading the book - i am going to not pay so much attention to the 'name' of the card - and pay more attentian to the actual picture, and what it is telling me. if it is totally different to my knowledge of RWS - so be it!! i hope to discuss the Buckland Romani with you in the future.

Alissa	29 Jun 2003
Just happened to be given this deck recently and while spreading the cards out on the floor one nigh, my husband and I made a huge circle of cards that followed the seasons (by suit, the color schemes). Some cards' pictures go together so well, they're spooky. Lay out the Star next to the Hermit, and match up the forest line in the background of the cards. Weird eh? It's like seeing a widescreen version of a movie, pieced together! Although I haven't read with the deck, I've been drawn to it for a while and am glad I finally have a copy of my own.

LittleWing	29 Jun 2003
wow Alissa - that is interesting ....... i will try this out. i think it will be a very long time before i KNOW this deck

Keslynn	30 Jun 2003
Little Wing, I totally agree with you that there are some differences from RWS. It's also helped me to just read these cards intuitively rather than strictly by traditional meanings. This is the one deck where symbols call out to me. And the people's expressions! They're so well... expressive. I have only read with this deck a few times so far, but I really feel bonded to it. It speaks to me in a way that only the World Spirit (old trusty) has done for me so far. Maybe if enough people are interested, you could start a study group? :) Kes

LittleWing	30 Jun 2003
a study group - i would be up for this - i have time on my hands at the moment! i found that for my cosmic deck - i needed no book and only wished to discuss a few things on this forum - as it was so similar to the RWS i had learned with. ...... but the buckland romani ...... i think we would all benefit from discussion. it is a very powerful deck.

galadrial	30 Jun 2003
I'm participating in two deck study groups now (Wheel of Change and Margarete Petersen), and it has really helped me with my current phase of wanting to let the card symbols speak to me regardless of the artist's intentions, and to stretch the meaning of a card's energy deep and wide without overly relying on the standard interpretations. Not only do I get to let my own mind roam, but it is so insightful to see the cards through other's eyes. I agree that Mr. Buckland's deck lends itself to this really well, the pictures are so potent and original, and I would enjoy participating in a study group for it.

Belladonna	30 Jun 2003
I don't have too much time these days, but I would be interested in participating in a study group, too, if you don't mind if I appear to be a little random in my comings and goings. This remains one of my favourite decks to read with. (Look at the similarity of the 5 of Koshes and the Devil! Notice the fire?)

LittleWing	01 Jul 2003
ok everyone - i have began the study group for Buckland Romani Tarot - in General Study Forum. Feel free to post as and when you feel - not everyone has the time, nor feels the need to discuss every card. see the general thread i have started. all welcome!!!!!!!

galadrial	02 Jul 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Alissa while spreading the cards out on the floor one night, my husband and I made a huge circle of cards that followed the seasons (by suit, the color schemes) I didn't use a circle, but spread the cards out one suit at a time and then tried matching the Majors to them; not by meaning, but just by whether the Major's artwork made it look like it belonged with a particular season. This is what I came up with: Chivs: Hermit, Hanged Man (possibly), Death, Tower, Moon. Koshes: Emperor, Strength, Devil, Justice (possibly) Bolers: Fool, Hierophant, Lovers, Chariot, Wheel of Fortune, Sun, Judgement. Koros: Magician, High Priestess, Empress (possibly), Temperance, Star, World. Pretty interesting, I thought.

Little Baron	08 Jul 2003
My wish list continues to grow - It stacks up and then I lose a few. Then I want them again. Then I want something else. I had wanted the Vertigo, bidded on e-bay and was outbidded. As much as I think it is stunning, I wonder how easy it would have been to read with. I always look at the Art Neveau (Castelli); I have the same problem with that as I do with The Vertigo, and as a few people in other threads have pointed out, I think it would be difficult to read with. I have thought about getting the Haindl, Londa, New Vision and also a Native American deck or Oracle. At the moment, it is The Buckland Romani I am after. I can see that a lot of people on here use this deck and I have read some excellent reviews. I saw all cards on a site and there wasn't any that detered me. I felt like I was entering into the past - it was a past I felt I had been in before. Any comments or advice around this deck from other readers? Yaboot

LittleWing	08 Jul 2003
when i got my cosmic deck - i thought it really spoke to me - but then i got the romani tarot ... and wow!! - i find it brilliant to read with!! i am a nomad at heart and love the portrayal of gypsy life. this deck is rich with this fantastic culture. also - it feels 'real' - some characters look mean, and some scenes look ugly - but i like this , because that's life!! this deck has taught me how to read more intuitivley. before i used to see a card, and think immediatley of what meaning I had learned - rather than what i see, as i do now. when i first got this deck i felt overwhelmed and unsure whether i had made a good choice - but now i feel comfortable and truly in love with it.

Little Baron	08 Jul 2003
I checked out all the cards today, read the reviews and everyones comments on this board. I have looked around for a while amd every so often I get 'that' urge to add to my collection. I think that this 'urge' is a big one. I want this deck!!!!!! Yaboot (my student loan is running down fast!)

LittleWing	09 Jul 2003
haha - dont talk to me about student loans ! ! if you get it - join in our study group. there are only a few of us - and it is pretty casual - just post on what cards you want to discuss.

The Using Buckland Romani thread was originally posted on 25 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.