Via tarot deck by Susan Jameson / John bonner?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Jul 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Hedera	10 Jul 2003
Does anyone know anything about the Via tarot? It's a German deck; tarotgarden has it on the website but not in stock yet. It looks like a very interesting Thothy deck. Has anyone perhaps ever seen a copy somewhere? I did a Google search on it, but not much interesting stuff came up.

Jeannette	10 Jul 2003
We may or may not have a shipment of the Via coming in next week. I had heard rumors that an English version would be forthcoming, but at the time I placed our order (now actually about 4 months ago), there was no one who could confirm this for me. Anyway, I requested the English version if available, otherwise I gave the go-ahead to the German version. However, USG has recently announced that they will be distributing an English version in North America, with a target release date of October of this year. As such, I'm not sure what the status of the Tarot Garden order is. When I called USG, they couldn't tell whether or not any of the Vias in any language had made it into our order. Supposedly, our order is clearing customs now, so hopefully I'll know in a week or two whether we'll have any sets in any language available before October. -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Hedera	10 Jul 2003
(whispers: thank you Jeannette, but I kinda knew most of that :).... we've been emailing, although I use my real name there... Starts with M ;).... Btw, I seem to remember calling you Jeanette for most of that excange - sorry about that!) I think I would prefer the original German version, but English would be fine, too. Any of our members in Germany seen this in the shops? It's been out for quite a while now in Germany. If not, fingers crossed that it did make your shipment, Jeannette! :)

Jeannette	10 Jul 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Hedera (whispers: thank you Jeannette, but I kinda knew most of that.... we've been emailing, although I use my real name there... Btw, I seem to remember calling you Jeanette for most of that excange - sorry about that!) I know, luv... but I thought I'd take advantage of the publicly-posted question to provide the info to a larger audience. ;) Don't worry about the name spelling thing... it happens more often than not. It's never bothered me. -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

divinerguy	10 Jul 2003
Dear Juh-Knette, Sounds like a cool deck. Can't wait to see it. (sorry about the spelling, I couldn't resist)

Gerbear	10 Jul 2003
For our German members, there is a listing for the Via Tarot up now on ebay.de. The start price is 19 Euros and it has a Buy It Now price of 23 Euros. Unfortunately, for me, they will only ship within Germany.

Jeannette	10 Jul 2003
There are the usual half-dozen card scans of the Via Tarot in the Tarot Garden database. If anyone wants to see additional scans of any particular cards, just make a post to let me know which one(s). The Via is a Thoth-based deck, but it occasionally departs from Crowley & Harris' images in very interesting ways. -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Hedera	11 Jul 2003
Quote: but it occasionally departs from Crowley & Harris' images in very interesting ways. What ways??? You've just managed to tickle my curiosity even more..... :)

Jeannette	11 Jul 2003
Well, for example, the minor arcana "pip" cards follow the Crowley/Harris arrangements fairly closely, except that the pip symbol arrangements are confined to ovals in the center of the cards, with a human figure below (varies, depending on the meaning/"flavor" of the card) and what appear to be characterized renditions of astrological symbols above. Then, there's some unusual twists in the majors, such as only showing the back of the Magician. I'd scan and post a few samples on the Tarot Garden website for you, but our server appears to have gone down earlier this evening, and I won't be able to get ahold of anyone to get it back up-and-running for another six hours yet. Sorry. -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Hedera	11 Jul 2003
I can wait...... ;)

Cerulean	10 Aug 2003
At least for ordering. I saw it listed on Learntarot.com and was told that I can try to order from there after August 16th, as J.B. will be away. http://www.learntarot.com/vudesc.htm I don't know the expected delivery date, only that the English version is available. Because it has Thoth-like symbols done in fairy-tale like characterization, I was interested to see that there's ENGLISH language descriptions available. It may be my unusual eye or memory from seeing a listing, but I really liked this visually. I just was holding back, as I have two already beautiful German decks that I've not worked with... Anyway, I'm keeping my eye out. It seems unusual to me. What do others think? Mari H.

oceanpoetry	10 Aug 2003
I'm not sure yet what I think, it is definitely an interesting deck. On the scans posted, I see that there is a swastika-variation on the Ace of Swords, I know swastikas have an older meaning than the corrupted use by the Nazi party. Still, I think I would have a difficult time using this deck because of that.

Hedera	10 Aug 2003
Thank you for that link, Mari! :) This deck has been on my wishlist for a while. I've tried to get it here in Europe, I wouldn't have minded getting it in German, but I've been unable to find it here. Anyway, having the book in English will make it slightly easier to read. Too bad J.B. is away now! I do hope she continues the discount for a while when she gets back....

Cerulean	10 Aug 2003
I was carefully trying to find what Oceanpoetry was talking about...on tarotgarden.com, the rightmost picture under 'more pictures' has a sword has glyphs on it. As it pierces upward, the white swirling rays has a cubic, diamond-like center. Since I am drawn to the Arabic-style garb and the sword, it took me awhile to try to see what Oceanpoetry saw. The white on dark patterning and the rays make it more an elongated pattern for me. If anyone picks this out, with strong emotional or historical associations, than I definitely agree this is not their deck! One oracle deck I was curious about used world history symbols and one of the glyphs just looked too much like the misused swasticka done black on white. It wasn't for me. Card XIV, Temperance, I believe, seemed to have a rather unusual idea for me. I don't think of unmasking in terms of the Temperance Angel, but it may have another meaning than my internal reaction. So I am thinking about this deck carefully--I do want a futurisitic Thoth variant, but I don't want Tarot of the Spirit. That beautiful deck is so much a deck that speaks to a friend of mine, but never to me. In terms of another Thoth variant, I enjoy the Haindl, which is more a "past-times-merging" deck. So I'm very curious about Via Tarot if people work with it. Mari. P.S. I heard from Joan Bunning. The English version is supposedly available from U.S. Games distribution, made available in August of 2003? PPS. My order was processed and mailed...but didn't come in Monday's mail...too soon of course. Big cards might be delightfully interesting, as I sometimes use 3-5 big cards in multiple deck readings as a kind of 'screen' or layout background and pop a mini or smaller deck between or over them...interesting if color variations with mini Thoth... Mari H.

MystiqueMoonlight	18 Aug 2003
What a nice interpretation of the Thoth deck.....but those cards are way too big (9.5 x 14 cm), I'll need a suitcase to carry them in :) Oh well....

catlin	18 Aug 2003
The cards are very beautiful, but because of their size hard to shuffle, espec. when you have small hands.

Cerulean	20 Aug 2003
1. Same size as the green boxed Thoth deck by U.S. Games. By the way, the two alternate Magus cards have yet to surface in my Thoth... (Note added 8/26-I went back to comparing to the Swiss, blue-boxed Thoth, as it is more colorful.) In a card by card comparison on a newly cleared kitchen table, the Thoth really does look like an art deco stylization. Via Tarot has centralized figures and overall uses deep blue starry backgrounds. 2. Noted added 8/26/03: I used three stickers to modify the three cards-Ace of Swords, Sun & Heirophant. I don't think the Via is going to be a popular alternative to the Thoth or be considered family friendly to the young. The symbolism is too loaded for some. a.For instance, the Tibetian swastika is explained, but it's still not historically friendly to many twentieth-century survivors-it's on the Ace of Swords and referred to on the Sun card. b. Some of the frank positions of the female figures -- one motif has a woman with an open posture and brimming three of cups below with red liquid. Three of Cups. c. The Sun card has three figurines in a suggested Tibetian swastika alignment as well and one of the figurines top is just on the same horizon line where a woman is sitting, again, in an open posture. I covered the Angel and figurine with personal motif stickers with similar colors to the card. d. I covered the Angel and line of mothers/daughters in the Heirophant background with sea, shell, Victorian flowers and two feminine figures-one fair, one brunette. 3. Other notes: a.Many of the female figures are not fully costumed. Male figures have more clothes on or are shown sans clothing with less than full attributes, except for the Fool. b. I believe the Death card looks like a Georgia O'Keefe painting. c. The courts are beautifully costumed or depicted in landscapes or seascapes (Princess of Cups) in ways that evoke stories and ideas. There's a rich source of symbolism here and if you like a Thoth deck with more human figures and deep colors, this might be a big, vivid alternative. The book gives quite a bit of information and I am glad that I got the English language version--the deck would not have been usable by me without it. My zip up book holder holds both the large blue-boxed Thoth, the Via Tarot in velvet bags and a small journal. The small book bag was originally togged as a Bible holder. My hands are usually comparable to a ten-year-old child so my shuffling method is to hold the deck by it's sides, the bottom on a table. I slide a few cards inbetween the cards with my other hand and slowly mix that way. (But that's just me. I took two years to work up from three pound free weights to six pounds and a year to get up to good kayaking skills.) I could see people who hate weighty cards not choosing this deck. It's worth it to me as I do the card by card comparisons...

MystiqueMoonlight	20 Aug 2003
The images on the Via actually appeal to me. They are well thought of and inspiring due to the lack of keywords in the minors. But like I said earlier they are just way too big. I'm convinced this is done to showcase the artwork more so than to allow the artwork speak for itself. I mean if I want a painting to hang on my wall I'll go to an art gallery LOL. :smoker:

Xarokys	26 Aug 2003
I recently ordered this deck from Joan Bunning's site. (I have to commend her quick service. I ordered Monday morning and she has already sent me an e-mail confirming it's been shipped.) Hopefully it will be here in a few days. I've been looking for a Thoth-like deck, since Thoth just doesn't seem to work for me very well, even though I like it a lot. Maybe it wants a really fancy bag or wooden box to call home. I don't know. Anyway, when it gets here I'll post my impressions for anyone who's interested. Becky

Cerulean	21 Oct 2003
I'm definitely not a good candidate, as I made it into my own art project. For me, it became an art project so that the strong images that I liked were retained. I added Asian cultural or other motifs using art stickers from Japanese sources...it's a beautiful deck, but I wanted to modify it too much for me to say that I like it as it originally came. The black and white book shows the original pictures, so I know it's moody, deep meanings are still there...yet it feels more my own with my additions.

Jeannette	21 Oct 2003
A general FYI: We received our shipment of the Via Tarot at Tarot Garden a couple o' weeks ago, but I haven't had time to get it up on our website homepage to publicize it yet. So they're just sitting here in the boxes, waiting to go to good homes. Any Aeclectic member that wants to adopt one can write me (jkr@tarotgarden.com) and ask for a 15% discount. -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Cocobird55	25 Oct 2003
I found this deck and book last night at Borders and bought it, although I hadn't heard much about it. It appealed to me, so I took a chance. I'm not quite sure what to make of it. I like the artwork a lot, but the book, at least the intro, was --- I'm not sure what to say -- I just didn't get it. I do enjoy looking at the cards. And the deck is ordered differently from most. After the majors, the court cards and the other minors are grouped by the card, instead of being separated by suits. What I mean is -- all of the kings are together, then all of the queens, princes, princesses, 10s, 9s, etc. What I plan to do is use this, at least at first, as a study deck. I have several books that compare meanings by the way these cards are ordered, i.e., queens - queen of swords is ... queen of cups is .... etc. I'm glad that I found it - sometimes surpises can be a lot of fun. Sue

Cerulean	25 Oct 2003
book where he describes more about the religion/philosophy of Crowley. I have not yet seen the book, but Duquette is so clear and good in his writing, I'm certain it will be a wonderful read. I saw the Book of Lies by Crowley in a bookstore and it seemed so funny, almost like bad poetry on purpose. Given my reaction, I realize I need a modern interpreter. I have an old copy of the Book of Thoth and decided to wait on Lon Duquette's book as an assist. Anyway, I'm thinking this will help me. While the Via Tarot book is clear about the artist's ideas and I believe this is a very deep deck...well, this is going to take me awhile.

fyreflye	25 Oct 2003
Would you mind telling us the Borders price for this deck? Quote: Originally posted by Cocobird55 I found this deck and book last night at Borders and bought it, although I hadn't heard much about it. It appealed to me, so I took a chance. Sue

dolphingirl	25 Oct 2003
If someone could post the ISBN nmber it would be greatly appreciated Thanks :)

fyreflye	25 Oct 2003
Quote: Originally posted by dolphingirl If someone could post the ISBN nmber it would be greatly appreciated Thanks :) ISBN:1572814306 as listed by Amazon.com

Cocobird55	26 Oct 2003
I paid $36.00 at Borders. A little high for a deck and book set, but I'd put back two other books and one magazine, so I felt I deserved the deck. Tarotholism in process, obviously... :-) The ISBN on the set that I have is different from the one posted -- it is 3-908646-99-5 I wonder why they are different. Sue

fyreflye	26 Oct 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Cocobird55 I paid $36.00 at Borders. A little high for a deck and book set, but I'd put back two other books and one magazine, so I felt I deserved the deck. Tarotholism in process, obviously... :-) The ISBN on the set that I have is different from the one posted -- it is 3-908646-99-5 I wonder why they are different. Sue I just got back from Borders after purchasing a deck with the same ISBN. Since Amazon promises to deliver the set in two to three weeks it's likely that they're still ordering the German edition rather than the English one. Despite the $36 price and the large-Thoth-sized cards I think this deck will become fairly popular. Though the colors aren't as saturated as they appear online they're still beautiful. This an A G MŸller production and looks it. Though the cards are too stiff to shuffle easily they do slide against each other with little friction. The smell of the cards and box are unpleasant; don't know if the box smell has pervaded the cards or they're coated with the same material. The book is fairly substantial. I only hope a small version of the deck is in the works; this set is basically for study.

fyreflye	26 Oct 2003
Well, I've separated the cards from the box and it appears that it's the smell of the cards that's pervading the box rather than the opposite. I wouldn't myself reject these cards because of the smell but those less dedicated to the Thoth deck are hereby warned. The cards are currently marinating in a sandalwood box; I'll post the eventual results.

Strange2	27 Oct 2003
That smell from the Via deck could be linseed oil. It's a component of printer's ink that is also found in some paints. I've noticed that smell from other new decks, particulary those from Lo Scarabeo. In my experience the smell does fade over time.

fyreflye	27 Oct 2003
Good news! Thanks, Strange2 QUOTE]Originally posted by Strange2 That smell from the Via deck could be linseed oil. It's a component of printer's ink that is also found in some paints. I've noticed that smell from other new decks, particulary those from Lo Scarabeo. In my experience the smell does fade over time. [/quote]

catlin	27 Oct 2003
Yes, the smell does fade after a certain time so don't worry about that.

The Via tarot deck by Susan Jameson / John bonner? thread was originally posted on 10 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.