exploring tarot deck worlds

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 Jul 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

truthsayer	24 Jul 2003
if you were to choose a deck to explore the world it is created in, what would that deck be and what do you imagine that world being like? for example, i might choose the tarot of the cat people because it is wild and imaginative. i would like to explore the 4 different lands ruled by cat people and their cats. i would like to explore what their villages and towns would be like. what about the customs of each land? are the lands of the cat people friendly to strangers? or what would a world created by the marseilles deck be like? would people dress in mostly red, yellow and blue? would they live in a feudal system? what type of spiritual life would the people lead? how would you be expected to behave in a world like this? or a multi-cultural deck world like the world spirit where people are even blue. colors are vivid. are differences in culture tolerated amongst peoples? is this a harmonic world? how would you dress? these are just a few ideas to get you started. you are only limited by you imagination!

truthsayer	24 Jul 2003
another way of defining the question is to imagine what deck you would like to visit on vacation. why would you want to vacation in that deck? what types of things do you hope to do while there. what cards would you like to discuss politics or the meaning of life or just chew the fat with?

Trogon	24 Jul 2003
Hmmm... I'm kind of torn here. My first inclination would be to say the Röhrig Tarot could be a "fun" one to explore... :| But then my mind comes back to the RWS... there are some very intriguing scenes to explore there. The Spiral Tarot would also be one that I think could be a real adventure. Of course, now that I have Tarot of the Cat People, I can sure see what you mean with that one. Hmm... I wonder what my local travel agent would say if I walked into their office with Tarot of the Cat People and said "I want to take my vacation here..."

truthsayer	25 Jul 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Trogon Hmmm... I'm kind of torn here. My first inclination would be to say the Röhrig Tarot could be a "fun" one to explore... :| But then my mind comes back to the RWS... there are some very intriguing scenes to explore there. The Spiral Tarot would also be one that I think could be a real adventure. Of course, now that I have Tarot of the Cat People, I can sure see what you mean with that one. Hmm... I wonder what my local travel agent would say if I walked into their office with Tarot of the Cat People and said "I want to take my vacation here..." ROFLMAO! to me, the rohrig is like tame erotic--sure it would be interesting to explore and bring your significant other! yes, rws would be interesting. i'd really like to use it as a vehicle to get inside pamela colman smith's mind. she seems like an interesting person. i think the spiral major arcana would be very interesting. something kind of off beat, celtic and mystical about it yet i can imagine it being real. i would like to be a fly on the wall if you walk into your local travel agency and hand an agent your cat people deck. "i want to go to the land where the swords cat people live!" s/he'll either faint, laugh or call security! :D ;) LOL

wavebreaker	25 Jul 2003
The World Spirit is still one of my favourite decks and I'd like to go there. It would feel like a trip around the world... ;)

fairyhedgehog	25 Jul 2003
I would like to go into the Hanson-Roberts' world. A medieval fairy-tale world, where there are lots of friendly people ... But I would want to take up fencing first - it's the kind of world where you need to be able to defend yourself, too. And maybe I'd want to disguise myself as a man, much easier to escape danger if you're not all tied up in long skirts :)

wavebreaker	25 Jul 2003
Here's another one: the Rock & Roll Tarot. It would be great to go from concert to concert and meeting all these artist! ;)

WolfSpirit	25 Jul 2003
What a lovely question ! I would visit the land of the merryday tarot - dream by the lake the moon is shining in, sit at the feet of the mentor (hierophant) with all the little creatures of the wood to hear what he has to say, take an adventure trip on that winding tower to see the dragon...so much to explore out there. If I had time to visit only one suit I would choose cups (native americans) but I want to visit them all...

Little Baron	25 Jul 2003
Hmmm ... so many worlds ... so little time. When I first bonded with my Fantastical deck, I used this as a way of getting to know it; wrote out a full story of my visit through each minor suit. In each, I met up with the characters. Sometimes, I would move through the deck with one and they would introduce me to the others. Some of the characters would be in the distance and we wouldn't talk. When i think of the Fantastical, I remember it so well because it was like I was there. the swords suit journey is the most vivid. I agree that the Universal Waite would be a nice place to be because I love the images and the scenery. I think that my 'pal', the Page of Cups could be my companion for that trip. I think, at the moment, if I was going to jump into a tarot world, it would be that of the Buckland Romani. The people there look so open and could teach me a lot about tarot. I love the scenery and I think it would be good to move around with those travellers in that landscape. Yaboot

Dark Inquisitor	25 Jul 2003
The Sacred Circle would be wonderful - cool & misty & ancient, --but the Aquarian might be like a retro drug trip of brilliant & intricate visual moving patterns overlaid on objects & people. Tarotphelia

Emily	25 Jul 2003
I'd like to go into the Celtic Dragon tarot, meet a few of the people and dragons to see if they really work well together, also I'd like to go into the world of the Ancient Italian tarot Majors, see how the high-born Italian ladies lived lol Then it would be the Universal Waite, have a wander around and talk to my favourite cards like the Empress and the Queens. :)

galadrial	25 Jul 2003
I did a twelve card reading, with each card representing a month in the coming year, with the Buckland Romani. This month is the Ace of Chivs, and I have been "visiting" that card a lot. I've taken the chiv out of the tree stump and I like it's heft. I particularly like the crown shaped pommel, which reminds me to have faith in bleak times; I like to rub it with my thumb. I hear the crunch of snow underfoot and the creak of the wheels of the departing wagons (they seem to be heading into the next card, when they are laid out together) moving forward with their doubled horses, and I'm preparing myself for a hard entry into the year. My senses are keen for whatever is going to require the courage that the Oak leaf warns of. I'm looking forward to visiting the other 11 cards (even the Tower!) as they come up.

Le_Corsair	25 Jul 2003
and I'd ask the King of Wheels, "Hey, you look an awful lot like the wild West gunfighter, Bat Masterson. How did you wander into this deck? Buy you a drink? Play some poker?" ;) Bob :THERM

dolphinprincess	25 Jul 2003
This is such a cool question! I think I'd got to the Tarot of a Moon Garden... dolphins, fairies, unicorns, bubbles..etc ..idea for me!

Tallarico	25 Jul 2003
ditto on the Rock n Roll Tarot!

Thoth1884	25 Jul 2003
This sounds like a project I once had to write in school.... but it was what book would you want to take a vacation in... ~Danny :)

Maan	25 Jul 2003
I would love to disapear in the dreamy world of the vision quest And wen i am in a party mood i thing i go on man-hunting in the world of the cosmic tribe. The phantasmagoric world might be a liitle to much although i think this might be how you feel wen your on drugs LOL

wavebreaker	25 Jul 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Maan And wen i am in a party mood i thing i go on man-hunting in the world of the cosmic tribe. LOL I hadn't thought of that, that could be a really wild party!! })

Hedera	25 Jul 2003
Maan and Tarotlady, I might join you there! ;) The world of the Merryday looks appealing too, with all the unicorns and fairies etc. I wouldn't mind spending some time in the Shining Tribe world: it reminds me of Australia, and I love Australia. The Healing tarot would also be fascinating, like carnival in Venice with all those masked people.

truthsayer	25 Jul 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Le_Corsair and I'd ask the King of Wheels, "Hey, you look an awful lot like the wild West gunfighter, Bat Masterson. How did you wander into this deck? Buy you a drink? Play some poker?" ;) Bob :THERM ROFLMAO that is so funny! sounds like a short story in the making to me. i'd like to know more about how the k of w wandered into the BR. what kind of poker player would the k of w be? honest? a cheater? ;)

jema	26 Jul 2003
I bought the Celtic Wisdom tarot this week and it is a place I wouldn't mind going to for a vacation. a beautiful place with magical creatures. I know for sure I wouldn't wanna go to Barbara walker for my vacation though. ugh!

Woof	26 Jul 2003
I don't know about any that I'd WANT to visit but I do know this. Il Tarocco Bizzarro reminds me an awful lot of my extended family just dressed weird. Maybe that's why I'm so comfortable with that deck. Woof

Gerbear	26 Jul 2003
There is a science fiction series by Roger Zelzny named Amber, consisting of several novels. The storyline is that Amber is the one true world, and all others are mere shadows of Amber. The royal family of Amber uses the Tarot trumps to travel between shadows. So, I would like to enter into the world of my 'Trumps of Amber' deck, meet these people and have an infinity of worlds available to visit.

truthsayer	26 Jul 2003
YOU have the amber deck?! oooohhhhhhhh! i am so jealous. i'm a roger zelazny fan, too so i quite agree that i would love to visit amber. i sure don't want to get caught in the middle of one of their family feuds tho! that family is a cross between the sopranos and the ewings from the show dallas. are the cards as beautiful as i have heard? which part of the series do you like best--corwin or merlin? it's hard for me to decide. what character would you like to sit down and have a drink with?

Gerbear	26 Jul 2003
Quote: Originally posted by truthsayer YOU have the amber deck?! oooohhhhhhhh! i am so jealous. No, no, I wish. I don't have the Amber deck, but the Trumps of Amber, a majors - only deck that's features Corwin, Gerard, Bleys, Fiona and the rest. The Tower is the Lighthouse of Cabra, where Dworkin lives. It's a limited edition of 200 that appears on ebay infrequently and is reasonable at $20 or so. If I hear of another one I will let you know.

Molly	26 Jul 2003
well, I did a search for the Amber deck, also known as Le Tarot Ambre and it is reviewed wicce: http://www.wicce.com/ambre.html It is certainly gorgeous! If I had read the series, I would certainly long for the deck as well... But I think the first place I would want to travel to would the Tarot of the Mermaids. I haven't yet seen all the cards, but from what I have, I want to go there! I have many dreams of being underwater, swimming with whales, drifting/flying in the middle of the sea with the unknown bottomless depths spread out before and under me... knowing that there is potential danger, but not feeling fear, just peace... Kind of like how I think the Moon card feels. I have even remembered sea creatures that I have made up, I guess, couldn't say I have ever seen pictures like the things in my dreams... I don't know what it means about me but I knew when I saw the Tarot of the Mermaids that I wanted that deck. I can imagine swimming with them, talking above water in the hushed sea at night by the light of the full moon, with the gentle sound of water smacking my arms. Another deck that feels like it would be an adventure in the surreal (besides Phantasmagoric Theatre) is the Karma tarot. That would be an interesting deck to wander through, although (if you are familiar with Harry Potter) I would want a portkey to get home quickly, just in case... ;-) Great question!

SongDeva	12 Feb 2004
Hmmm...keeping it to tarot decks only: * Means especially Buckland Romani * Bosch, Bruegel Ancient Egyptian (Barrett) * Vision Quest * Ancestral Path* Blue Moon Tarot Daughters of the Moon (Color version) Feng Shui Decameraon/Casanova (hehehehe) Halloween Tarot (how nice to go back to childhood) Hello Tarot Navigators of the Mystic Sea Dolphin Daze Maybe Moon Garden and Hanson-Roberts

WolfyJames	12 Feb 2004
The decks I would like to explore? There are so many... I would love to explore the Gothic (Vargo), its dark, mysterious and dangerous world. I would need to bring weapons with me if I want to survive through it. So many things to discover there. Almost the same thing with the Bosch, not as dark, weirder, and I would need weapons for my survival as well. Any creature there is capable to eat me or chase me with a spear. ;) And the Enchanted (Zerner-Farber) world, I'm sure, would be as enchanting as the deck. The world of the Crystal Tarot would probably be bright and colorful, I would need my sunglasses to go there. The world of the Old English would probably be filled with fruits, music and beautiful country scenes.

Dark_angel	12 Feb 2004
I'd visit the Amber, if I had it; I've always loved the books, especially the earlier ones, and I think I'd get along very well with Fiona (seeing how we have the same name and significator - she's on the Queen of Pentacles :) ). Out of the decks I own, I'd most like to visit the Vertigo and the Gothic, because they're so beautiful and fascinating. I'd love some postcards of the Ananda, but I think I'd get depressed if I lived there - there aren't enough people! :)

Cocobird55	12 Feb 2004
My first choice is the Buckland Romani. I'd like to live with the Romas for awhile, travel around and experience different places. I'd also like to visit the Tarot of Prague. The beauty of the cards makes me want to go there. The Mountain Dream tarot would be another good one for me. The deck makes me think of regular people, just like me, getting all dressed up and pretending to be in Tarot-land. That would be fun. Sue

punchinella	12 Feb 2004
I'd visit Victoria Regina, mainly because I want an excuse to wear the dresses. Also, as a black & white only place, I know it's completely different from the rest of the planet/universe. P.

Phoenyx*	12 Feb 2004
I used to do some LARPing in Germany (Live Action Roleplaying), and there was this one particular weekend event that our characters were involved in that literally had your heart pounding from the moment it started on Thursday night to Sunday at noon. The Game Masters used this one track on repeat from Dead Can Dance, the entire weekend. The track itself was....spooky, and hearing it over and over again, during these epic battles, and terrifying moments, it just sent shivers down your spine, not to mention, when the stereo was playing full blast right next to your ear. >.< This is how I imagine going through the world of the Thoth would be like. I think it would keep you on your toes, heart pounding, your nerves on edge the entire time. And only when I'm bored, and need a little jangle emotionally would I want to go there. Heh.

punchinella	12 Feb 2004
Oh, gees, good point, Thoth is probably just about one of the last places I'd ever want to go, for that reason . . . P.

Cerulean	12 Feb 2004
If it is just for a day, I would take the Gitani but my stipulation would be I would magically fit in and it be at a time when the sunlight filters through the leaves and the grass underneath is miraculously soft and free of bees and viruses...and mosquitos are nonexistant. On second thought, if I could ride my bicycle by an encampment and be invited on a picnic or be kayaking under the Full Moon in aforesaid card...and the sea beasties were friendly...than I wouldn't mind for a few hours.

Mimers	12 Feb 2004
Oh this is easy for me! Tarot of Prague! I would love to see this city. To be a part of the magic! Another one would be the Fey world. They seem so free. I would want to be like that! Mimi

Darla	13 Feb 2004
I think best for me would be the Shapeshifter! It would be so cool to shapeshift into all these animals physically. The Gothic would be also a temptation I couldn't resist }). Would have to cover my scars afterwards though! ;)

BlueLotus	13 Feb 2004
I would go back to my childhood days - or rather my fantasial childhood- to my Inner Child. Those were the days that I always visit when I am feeling down and depressed; It's good to be a child again, what a wonderful world it is/was.

The exploring tarot deck worlds thread was originally posted on 24 Jul 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.