Amazing Ansata

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 20 Aug 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Macavity	20 Aug 2003
If you're interested in something different, you might find the Ansata Tarot... indeed different! }) http://www.wicce.com/ansatapics.html - I was first attracted by the images (Yeah, I worry sometimes!) BUT discover there's a lot more to ponder. This, majors only deck, is based on a book: "Astrologie und Tarot" in German. The Astrological card assignments are really, uhm... quite different from (G.D.) convention, however, with a little consideration, they might represent an interesting new perspective? ;) In the LWB, there are intriguing hints to techniques for reading that may also be adaptable to more conventional tarot decks. In essence, much of this seems to be about representing birth charts in Tarot form. The LWB doesn't say too much on this, but the one interesting example uses chart attributes to suggest cards: "Moon in... Sign" (2 cards), "Sun in... Sign" (2 cards), ASC and MC (one card each). The IC and DSC cards are (naturally) then fixed. (N.B. In the Ansata deck the Magician is the Sun, but the High Priestess retains her lunar association). These eight cards are then spread (roughly) in an astrological chart and read with special attention to positional interactions. The "proper" book (apparently) has ideas for representing other, more complex, astrological geometries... Doubtless "one for the more advanced reader", and one with some astrological knowledge too? Intriguing, Nevertheless! I suppose if I wanted a (REAL) challenge, I could get the book... in German? :D Macavity

jmd	21 Aug 2003
I had noticed this deck mainly because of its name - but do not, as yet, own one. From the e.cards I have seen, it seems quite artistically masterful the way in which images from numerous considerations have been integrated: Aegyptian, pagan, Christian, astrological, and alchemical. Personally, I also like the way in which the astrological associations seem to match quite well the images of the deck. It is always wonderful to add to one's collection something which brings different considerations for reflection - even if I then go back and appreciate all the more the majesty of a more ancient woodcut deck.

catlin	21 Aug 2003
So far the Ansata still has not piqued my interest but its LWB would maybe do.

Macavity	21 Aug 2003
Catlin, perhaps not the LWB - which doesn't say much more than I tried to (badly) describe? But you might be ideally placed to benefit from the bigger "Astrologie und Tarot" book and perhaps even translate... }) The book is cited on a number of Websites, I haven't yet taken the time to figure out if it exists in English translation... Macavity

catlin	21 Aug 2003
macavity, you naughty kitten, you just want me to buy another book!!!

Scorpion	21 Aug 2003
Oh WOW! Thanks for that, Macavity - it's a truly awesome deck. I don't normally go for Majors only decks, but if I saw this on the shelves I don't think I'd be able to resist. Sigh - another one to go on my wishlist: and I'm trying to cut down!

MeeWah	22 Aug 2003
This thread is being moved to Tarot Decks. ~ MeeWah, Co-Moderator

The Amazing Ansata thread was originally posted on 20 Aug 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.