Artsy and Readable?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 Aug 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

sosowie	07 Aug 2003
Hi everyone. I recently just got my first tarot deck at my local bookstore and already I'm head-over-heels in love with my new discovery. I know I have still tons to learn about the art of reading these cards but I can't help but notice the number of decks that are FAR more appealing than the Rider-Waite tarot I have. Needless to say, my hands started to itch...and before long, I've decided that Waite could use some extra company =) To find the perfect tarot deck, however, is not as easy as it seems. First of all, the deck has to be aesthetically pleasing (so i will never get bored with it...which is hard, considering I have the attention span like that of Dory in Finding Nemo...errr..at least according to my friends =p). Second, but most importantly, the deck also has to be fit for readings. This latter requirement has been the downfall of many decks I have been considering, so instead of fretting over this problem any longer, I decided to consult the opinions of some more experienced tarot enthusiasts (i.e. members of this forum ^^) Thus, before my post becomes even more long-winded, let me get to my question, "Is there a deck out there that is BOTH Artistically stunning as it is Readable?" So far, the only deck I've browsed online that seems to match this requirement is the Victoria Regina Tarot. The Ancestral Path Tort and even the Artist's Inner Vision Tarot also look like good candidates, but I cannot be certain. Any advice/suggestions on this matter is greatly appreciated. Humbly yours, sosowie

Macavity	07 Aug 2003
Although one of the older decks... maybe the Aquarian Tarot would fit the bill? No, I don't actually have one but... ;) http://www.aeclectic.net/aquarian/ Macavity

Aerin	07 Aug 2003
The Tarot of Prague perhaps? There's a thread in this forum about it. I find it easy to read from my R-WC knowledge, and it is also beautiful. As a bonus, you can read all about the art the images are taken from in the book (which in itself is an excellent work on Tarot). Aerin ps depends on what you mean by stunning of course. Personally the Victoria Regina is not a deck I am drawn to. I find the Fey stunning, not to everyone's taste though. It is also lovely to read with, again speaking as someone who learnt on the RWC pps I use the Universal Waite instead of the Original R-W. Same drawings, different painting.

fairyhedgehog	07 Aug 2003
I have the Aquarian deck that Macavity suggested - I think it would be a good deck for reading for other people, but it doesn't have much in the way of symbolism or clues to meanings. You can use Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS)meanings with it though, straight out of the box, and I personally find it pleasing to look at. Ancestral Path is my current favourite deck. Not as easy to read with - the book meaning is often different from RWS and I use a mixture of remembered meanings, looking at the pictures, looking at the book and guesswork. Having said that, I love this deck and use it for my regular 'theme of the day' draw. Of course, the real taroholics amongst us would tell you to go for all the decks you have mentioned }) But if I were to choose one, it would be Ancestral Path.

Emily	07 Aug 2003
Have you noticed the Spiral, that is pretty and its a Rider Waite clone deck, very easy to adjust too, although the companion book is very good, the Universal Waite, nicely re-coloured. It just depends on watch catches your eye, there are so many Rider Waite clone decks out there, then some decks that move away from Traditional tarot numbering and naming, The Tarot of the Spirit is a nice one but its a Thoth clone, the Thoth deck is a challenging deck, but you can use it without going deeper in the kabbalah or astrological symbols. If you do look at the Victoria Regina again, remember how large a deck it is, if you have small hands, like me, that could be a problem. Some of the marseille soprafino decks are beautiful, the Ancient Italian and the Classical are just two, unillustrated pips but very nice to continue to learn with. Wicce's site and tarot.com are good places to start looking for decks :) Edited to say:- When there is a deck I get really interested in I google it and see a few more reviews and cards, then I can be sure its the deck for me - then again I have ordered decks with a few minutes of seeing two cards - the Ancient Italian and the Rohrig spring to mind :)

Le_Corsair	07 Aug 2003
that have drawings similar to the RWS but better art are the Robin Wood Tarot and the Hanson-Roberts Tarot, they are widely available. The Universal Tarot by Roberto de Angelis is another good choice, but it is harder to find. It uses the same images as the RWS but drawn by a different artist, with better details. The Morgan-Greer, Aquarian, and New Palladini decks have much better art and are based on the RWS symbolism/imagery, but the art is from a much closer perspective and reading the cards' stories by looking at them is a little more difficult. I dislike the RWS also, but I bought a copy of the Universal Waite, which has much better color and some improvement on the original Pamela Smith drawings by Mary Hanson-Roberts. This is a really nice deck that I am using more and more. Something that hasn't been mentioned yet (I think) is the importance of getting a book that really works with your learning method. Different books teach the tarot in different ways, and few are the same. If you get a book that you don't sympathize with, then you are stuck with memorizing 156 card meanings. If, however, you get a book that you click with, the process becomes much easier; at least it was so with me. And don't be afraid to look at some online sites for learning tarot; although doing it all yourself is a traditional way for many people, the online sites have some good information, and it may be that you learn more easily in this fashion. Good luck on whatever you choose to do! Bob :THERM

Woof	07 Aug 2003
World Spirit? Good imagery, nice colors, multicultural. It's colored wood block prints so that may not be to your taste but I find it one of the easiest to read and very faithful to RWS imagery. I think it's excellent for a newbie. http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/world-spirit/index.html Colors are actually more vibrant than you'll see here. Woof

Kiama	07 Aug 2003
Another vote here for the New Palladini, Hanson-Roberts, and Robin Wood! They are all very pretty decks, easy on the eye yet colourful and attractive, and they all stick pretty much to the Rider Waite imagery. (Apart from in some of the cards from the Robin Wood deck, such as the Devil and Judgement). The Hanson-Roberts also has the added advantage of being small, for small hands. Kiama

Jeannette	07 Aug 2003
I think all of the preceeding suggestions are excellent. I'll just add one more -- the Ananda Tarot: http://www.tarotgarden.com/database/dbsearchengine.php?view_title=ananda Beautiful images, potentially very readable. Downside for many North American readers: this is a European import; the card titles and accompanying book are in German. But the numbering is correct; it doesn't take long to figure out which card is which if you "know your tarot." -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

arcanalefait	07 Aug 2003
I find the ancestral path very easy to read with! It was my first thought when I read your post. But then after reading other opinions, maybe it isn't that easy for everyone. I never was heavily dependent on a book. My first deck was the Arcus Arcanum, and I loved the artwork, but the book was kind of confusing. So I grew more dependent on the images. Later I did extensive internet research on the meanings of the cards (Learntarot.com was very helpful!), and then I got the A.P deck. I love it. The only trouble I have is with some of the court cards--otherwise I get wonderful readings from this deck. The Aquarian is very similiar to the RW. I wonder if the New Palladini might be? I don't have it, but it is very beautiful. Arcana

Cerulean	07 Aug 2003
Well, if you are into sea stories and mostly feminine metaphorical symbols, the Mermaid Tarot by Lo Scarabeo is very pretty for storylike readings. There's only about 20 images that can be somewhat masculine in the deck, though...TarotPassages.com and Tarotgarden.com (where you can order it soon) have samples. You mentioned the The Ancestral Path. I found a link recently and will post it later from my home bookmarks--the reader had done spread examples that looked at 'past life' questions. I found the suggestions great, as the Ancestral Path deals with mixed heritages and cross-cultural awareness in an old setting. I forgot about that until now. But I don't like the majors--I'm wishing for Blue Moon tarot majors and Ancestral Path minors. I believe the artist Julia Cuccia Watts is working on the Maat Tarot with "universal" human figures in the majors. ------------------------------------------------------- www.divinationsystems.com (I was looking for an eight card spread. What I like about this one is you can get online readings with some really hard to find tarots, including the Blue Moon Tarot, Pagan Tarot 2000 and Dorothy Krause tarot. What is really interesting to me is the meanings change with every deck--from short sentences with the Pagan Tarot to very insightful suggestions. Some of the readings can be slightly predictive or meditative, depending on the spread that you choose.) __________________ Of all that you mentioned, the Artists Inner Vision gives great art samples, more gentle readings than the Victorian Regina and feels beautiful. I gave two copies to artists that I know of that love collage, art and wanted to sponsor American artists.

Diana	07 Aug 2003
One of the most beautiful decks I know is the Tarocchi del Vetro, also known as the Crystal Tarot. http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/crystal/index.html As to being readable, what is so wonderful about it, is that it doesn't spoon-feed you, but is still clear enough to read, if one is willing to "fall into" the cards.

sosowie	07 Aug 2003
Wow... Didn't expect such a large number of responses in such a short time! Thanks again for all your generous input!! After browsing through the search engines to look for the decks suggested here, I find myself being drawn to the cards of the New Palladini and World Spirit. In spite of my new-found excitement, the number of my existing choices soon presents a dilemma: Which one should I get? As voiced out by fairyhedgehog, the taroholic in me wants to acquire them all...but alas, I do not have the funds. Ahh... what should I do? There seems to be more support for the New Palladini than the other alternatives. If it is not too greedy of me, I would like to hear more thoughts about decks such as the World Spirit, Artist's Inner Vision, and Ancestral Path. Are they good reading decks? Good for readers of all levels? Or perhaps strictly for the more experienced? Mari_Hoshizaki, you write that the Artist's Inner Vision gives a more gentle reading than the Victoria Regina. Could you please elaborate on what you mean? I would love to know more about that interesting comment. And of course, thanks AGAIN for all of your suggestions and support! Feeling-spoiled-by-the-hospitality, sosowie

sosowie	07 Aug 2003
Hmm.. the crystal tarot does look exquisite. However, in the link you supplied with your post, it mentions that its just a deck of the Major Arcana (22 cards). Is that correct? Or maybe that's an error of the site?

Emily	07 Aug 2003
Hi Sosowie, I think it was released first as a 22 majors only deck but the Lo Scarabeo version that is out now is a 78 complete deck. It is very pretty, much prettier than the online scans show it. Its always reminded me of a gentle Thoth type, have no idea why because its not a Thoth clone deck lol :) Edited to add:- It doesn't mention in the review but the Crystal tarot minors are illustrated in the fashion of the Thoth and the Tarot of the Spirit, thats something to bear in mind if you want to move away from Rider Waite clone decks. :)

etal	07 Aug 2003
Hello, Sosowie: Like many others who have posted on this forum, I too share your difficulty in wholeheartedly responding to the artistic efforts of Pamela Coleman Smith, as have some of those I've done readings for. But as other posters have also pointed out, there are many decks out there that preserve the RWS imagery in a more appealing guise: I join them in recommending the Universal Waite and (the more inventive) Roberto de Angelis' Universal Tarot (not to be confused with an older deck of the same name--by Miller, I think). Amazon currently has just 5 copies left, but plans to order more. To these I would add my own strong vote for the Nigel Jackson deck, which draws on much of the symbolism you're now familiar with, but incarnated in characters and scenes that seem drawn from a medieval Book of Hours. Touching and, in a way, perfect, like a tour through the Cloisters. If you ever find yourself so attracted to the sheer artistic beauty and dark depth of a deck that you feel you can dispense with the need to use it easily in a reading, please take a look at the Vertigo Deck by Dave McKean. Even if you or I were to get so good that we could read these cards well, I'm afraid few querents would be able to share their own insights and interpretations (an exchange I always aim for), and indeed the cards are too flimsy for frequent shuffling and bending and banging. They're also difficult to find for many, though my own local comic book store (McKean is a comic book artist) finds itself with several sets, and yours may too. But whatever the minuses, these cards are the work of a great, insightful artist, and I think they will inspire you in your readings, no matter what RWS-type deck you choose to share with your friends and other querents. Best wishes in your quest, in which good art (I agree!) can offer such a wealth of wisdom--as well as pleasure. etal

Diana	07 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by sosowie Hmm.. the crystal tarot does look exquisite. However, in the link you supplied with your post, it mentions that its just a deck of the Major Arcana (22 cards). Is that correct? Or maybe that's an error of the site? I think there was perhaps an edition once with 22 cards. But the deck I have definitely has 78! (I just see that Emily has already replied to you on this one.) Here are some more pictures: http://www.trigono.com/tarots/TDI002-tarocchi-di-vetro.htm http://www.tarotgarden.com/boutique/onlinecatalog.php?view_title=The+Crystal+Tarots&pageenter=0 (Click on More Samples on the second link to see more pictures.)

Keslynn	07 Aug 2003
I highly recommend the World Spirit. Not only is it beautiful, but it's a great reading deck. It's the one I use most, and it's especially great for reading for others since the pictures are bright and easily understood. It doesn't have a learning curve at all since many of the pictures are similar to RWS, but definitely not a clone (at least I don't think so). You can definitely read it right out of the box even if you're a beginner. Take a look at some samples online, and remember that they look brighter in person. The Llewellyn website (www.llewellyn.com) has a free reading section and World Spirit is one of decks. Check that out as well and see what you think. :) Kes

Le_Corsair	07 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by arcanalefait The Aquarian is very similiar to the RW. I wonder if the New Palladini might be? I don't have it, but it is very beautiful. Arcana Yah, the New Palladini follows the RWS imagery as closely as the Aquarian does. The only disconcerting things I find about it are Palladini's propensity for using snakeskin imagery in the images, the Hierophant will definitely throw you for a loop, and most of the wands look like celery sticks, at least to me. It' still a beautiful deck, though! Bob :THERM

Aerin	08 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Diana One of the most beautiful decks I know is the Tarocchi del Vetro, also known as the Crystal Tarot. http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/crystal/index.html As to being readable, what is so wonderful about it, is that it doesn't spoon-feed you, but is still clear enough to read, if one is willing to "fall into" the cards. For some reason best known to themselves, amazon.co.uk claim that this is a 'hard to find item' and add a handling charge. That is, in the Lo Scarabeo version. They also distribute one under the Llewellyn name. Hope they don't start this with all Lo Scarabeo decks. Aerin

oceanpoetry	08 Aug 2003
Diana, the Crystal Tarot deck is incredible! I had no idea this deck was out there. It looks like it would be wonderful to work with, love the design and the colors! Emily, I noticed on the descriptions that this deck is merges both Thoth and RW styles, so it looks like it could be considered a "Thoth clone" of sorts. That is one of the reasons I am interested in it, because I want to get a Thoth-style decks, but don't like the darker imagery I see on the majority.

Cerulean	08 Aug 2003
let me know how you read the Swords-water imagery, if you follow the LWB. It's a beautiful deck. I have one copy, but was not able to find a parallel structure of Thoth, Etteilla or traditional Italian meanings---some allusions to Klimnt's style of paintings do roughly look like the style of the majors. The LWB alludes only to this in the general discussion, not the meanings I do like the LWB ideas, but this deviates too much from my other studies right now. There's a book in Italian with this deck on the link below. Mari Hoshizaki http://www.trigono.com/tarots/TA01CO025.htm

Sulis	08 Aug 2003
I`d recommend both the New Palladini and the World Spirit. I used the New Palladini to learn and found it very easy to use. It shows quite a lot of the images in close up and does lack a bit of the Rider-Waite Smith symbolism though. Another draw back with this deck I find is the lack of facial expression. The World Spirit is a wonderful deck. It`s multi-cultural, features people of all shapes and sizes, is very colourful and is one of those decks in which you just keep seeing things that you`ve never noticed before. It`s very easy to read with and the little white book is actually a proper pocket sized book so you can keep it with your cards. I`ve never regretted buying it, when my other decks aren`t speaking to me I go back to World Spirit. If you do a google search for it I think there is a website. I found it easier to stick with one deck whilst I was familiarising myself with the cards. Sounds like you`re well on the road to being a tarothollic. I predict that within a couple of months you`ll have both of these decks and probably some more :D Whatever deck you get - Enjoy! Love and light Crystalmynx xx

truthsayer	08 Aug 2003
artsy decks that i find readable are the legend arthurian(done in soft watercolors), margarete peterson, ananda, rohrig, and vertigo. i really like the work of mary hanson roberts but she is more pragmatic in her artistic technique than that in the decks listed above. when i think artsy decks i think of more abstract images.

purplelady	08 Aug 2003
Artsy and Readable, I just have the feeling that you need a Crowley-Thoth.

Molly	08 Aug 2003
Hi Sosowie, Welcome to aeclectic! I was in exactly the same boat as you when I got started not so long ago. I have the World Spirit and it is lovely. Another deck I personally love (some people don't/some really do) is called the Light and Shadow Deck. It is a black and white deck, but very vibrant. I would call it an art deck, but it is an extremely readable, accesable deck. It is in the block wood print style, like the World Spirit. (But a lot of people who own the L&S deck don't read with it as the card stock is thin and the size of the cards are large; however, I get wonderful readings with it and I just love it). I have the Victoria Regina Tarot as well, and I do think it is just amazing. I have to mention a deck that you would probably have to save up for, as it is an independently produced deck, thus costly... The Illuminated Tarot by Carol Herzer. Here is a link: http://www.soul-guidance.com/tarotdecks/page_7.htm Also, I don't know if you know this, but there is a newly colored version of the Rider Waite cards coming out in a few months called the Radiant Rider Waite... I can't really tell yet what is going to look like as there have been no internet reviews yet, but judging from www.tarotgarden.com , I think it will be a nice alternative to the traditional.

oceanpoetry	08 Aug 2003
sorry if this taking the thread off-topic... but swords as water? that is intriguing? I have been looking at the card scans of this deck, I am having trouble getting an idea of how readable it is as a tarot deck.

Diana	09 Aug 2003
oceanpoetry: this poses absolutely no problem for me at all. To me Swords are Air (for some people they are Fire), and whatever deck I use, they are Air for me. It is true that in the Swords cards, there is water depicted. But I have found that it adds greatly to my interpretations of the card, and has never confused me at all. You know, the intellect and emotions do tend to sometimes run parallel, and sometimes cross each other, and I think this gives more depth to the card. If someone had not told me once "In this deck, Swords are Water", I probably wouldn't have even noticed! I don't know what the LWB says about this, because I have never read it. (LWB's don't interest me much).

Kaz	09 Aug 2003
i got the crystal tarot also (thx diana :) ), its a lovely deck, great art, and very readable. swords=water? i never noticed that, i always read swords as air. i think i will have a look at the lwb now..... coz i think swords=water very unusual.

sosowie	09 Aug 2003
Thanks again, everyone, for offering your pearls of wisdom ^^. I'm still thinking whether I should get the Crystal Deck and maybe even the World Spirit and the Victoria Regina... but as we speak, the Ancestral Path Tarot should soon be processed by the people at Amazon.com! It took me a LONG time to arrive at this decision, but I do find the artwork on this deck very appealing and provocative. I do hope it is as readable as the reviews my google search turned up say it does (fingers-crossed!). Despite the sense of finality this post my seem to the thread, these are by no means closing words to this topic. Like most tarotholics out there, the search for the perfect artsy but readable deck continues. sosowie PS: Any validation that I made an excellent choice is highly welcome..... OF COURSE!!

Diana	09 Aug 2003
Ancestral Path is a beautiful deck. Really beautiful. As to whether it's readable.... why don't you let us know what you think, before we start putting ideas into your head? Please let us know when it arrives and what your impressions are after the first readings. And don't forget to save your pennies for the next hundred or so decks you will probably want to buy. ;)

fairyhedgehog	09 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by sosowie but as we speak, the Ancestral Path Tarot should soon be processed by the people at Amazon.com! Yay! Excellent choice! Once you've had a good look at it, why not start a new thread so we can all talk about it to our heart's content :) We can share tips on reading with it, talk about different ways of interpreting different cards ... I suppose any readings we do with it will need to be in the Readings forum ... I feel so excited that you are getting one of my favourite decks :)

sosowie	09 Aug 2003
I'm so excited too!! As for being able to talk in-depth about the deck when it arrives, I'm afraid that will be in a little while. I'm still waiting to get my hands on 78 degrees and other good books so I can verse myself in the art and language of the tarot. In any case, I'll definitely start that new thread about my initial impressions and add to it when I become more experienced ^^. Oh, btw, does anyone own Julie Cuccia-Watt's other deck, Blue Moon? I haven't done enough research to determine whether that is just as good as the Ancestral... Here's a preview: http://www.tarotgarden.com/database/dbsearchengine.php?search_type=blob&pageenter=0 At first glance, I do love her rendition of Justice. What do you guys think?

Diana	09 Aug 2003
Her Justice card is pretty (although pretty is not really sufficient when it comes to Tarot). But her Devil card is very, very strange....... I do not understand it at all.

oceanpoetry	09 Aug 2003
Thanks, Diana! It is good to know that the deck is readable and the swords/ water imagery didn't make the deck difficult to use. Yes, I agree air and water (intellect and emotion) can be inter-related. The artwork on this deck is really intriguing!

WolfSpirit	09 Aug 2003
Sosowie, congrats on your deck choice ! The ancestral path is lovely, I am waiting for this deck myself - unfortunately I have a bit of trouble with the postal services :( but my seller told me I should receive the deck (plus book) *any time now* so I am keeping my fingers crossed and trying to be patient :) Looking forward to your experiences with this deck !

Cerulean	09 Aug 2003
My feelings can be considered personal, pertaining to me only, so what you read here might not apply. The Victorian pictures from the Victoria Regina show the society very much as it was or wanted to be presented. Black and white photo stills from portraits and newspapers. Very appropriate. Guns as one of the suits is not gentle--it can be incorporated into a reading, but it's not a gentle symbol at all. I think it's a modern look back at that time and my modern filters really find it appropriate to look at it as a black and white deck. Sometimes I find it humerous and going to the online reading site, enjoy the wit and ideas of the Victorian style art. I may be associating an edgy cleverness about the card art that might not be intended at all--perhaps I watched too many Monty Python reruns and read to many Victorian horror thrillers such as Arthur Canon Doyle and Wilkie Collins. The Artist Inner Vision are people making art pieces with allegory and metaphor. For instance, Alexandra Genetti's card was a result of her thoughs and choice of colors--as a creative choice, it was chosen with the character of the card in mind. In the descriptions, lots of suggestions are given how someone might think of this symbol. They also have an online reading site and from their cards I just don't get the same feeling as the Victoria Regina. Nothing wrong with either: my opinion. I hope the Ancestral gives a beautiful relationship reading for you. Mari H.

Little Baron	10 Aug 2003
I receieved the Light and Shadow Tarot a couple of days ago and I find that to be both arty and readable. There are a lot of very good suggestions here already; I thought I would just throw my little bit in. Best wishes with your search Yaboot

The Artsy and Readable? thread was originally posted on 07 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.