suggestion 4 a deck

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 18 Aug 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

maysrose	18 Aug 2003
hi everyone,,,, i am not native american ,but have been studing their ways and rituals for many years now,,i do have the animal medicene deck, which i love.......right now i have been studing the Sacrad rose deck,,"which i do feel some connection with",,,but i do feel it is pulling me away from my native americain spirit..and in that aspect, its hard to make the sacrad rose deck feel a part of my self and my spirit.. im asking for suggestions on a good native americain deck,,,,thanx,,

Kiama	18 Aug 2003
The Medicine Woman Tarot deck is based of Native American culture and spirituality, and I find it very easy to read and understand. The cards are easy-on-the-eye, and small enough to handle easily. I also find the artwork beautiful. Here's a link to some reviews and images of it: http://aeclectic.net/medicinewoman/review.html (On Aeclectic) http://www.wicce.com/medicine.jpg (Images of the cards) http://www.tarotpassages.com/medwoman-vsb.htm Hope this helps! Kiama

Logiatrix	18 Aug 2003
maysrose, My favorite Native American themed deck is "The Star That Never Walks Around," by Stella Bennett. It is a round deck (not huge), with a serene, primitive art style and re-named suits (turtles, frogs, butterflies and Thunderbirds). The majors retain their traditional titles, and the courts are King, Queen, Knight and Page. My own research revealed that this deck got mixed reviews, between the reactions here on the Aeclectic forum and the formally submitted reviews on all the sites I looked at (Aeclectic Main Page, Tarot Passages, Wicce's, etc.). Had I not investigated further, I would never have purchased this tarot set; however, it was my visit to the creator's website that convinced me to have these cards. I sensed a strong love and loyalty to her cultural heritage, as well as a sincere desire to share the art of tarot. :) A very popular N. A. deck is "Vision Quest," which is also very beautiful. I didn't "click" with it personally, but I know many here are very loyal to it. I have also enjoyed "The Medicine Woman" tarot deck, which is more of a Native American INSPIRED deck. It does not purport to represent any particular tribe, but rather places the card scenes in the ideal spiritual settings of our native people. It's like the artist is saying "What if we all lived and believed this way?" To that end, there are very few, if any, negative cards in this particular deck. If you look on the Aeclectic Main Page, go to the section of tarot decks, and click on "Categories," you will see a list of Native American themed decks you can peruse. ;) The rule is that you have to tell us what you finally choose... :D Peace, Tauni

dolphinprincess	18 Aug 2003
I'm going to second the Vision Quest deck. I, personally, find the artwork beautiful. The deck isn't that easy to get anymore, I know Amazon no longer sells it.. But, if you can find a copy, I'd definitely grab it :o)

Kiama	18 Aug 2003
Oh, I knew I had forgotten something! I'd third the Vision Quest: The art is beautiful, the meanings are clear from the images, and it is very Native American, with Natiuve American philosophy imbued in it. Sadly though, quite difficult to obtain. :( Kiama

truthsayer	18 Aug 2003
if i'm not mistaken, the vision quest is now out of print. i love the colors and images. definitely worth getting but it reminds me of a native american themed rider waite smith. i believe that the star that never walks around is the only one done by a true native american who learned the ways from her grandmother. the art looks smudged and primitive but the deck and book have sincerity going for it. is it stella bennett that created it? anyhow not only is she NA but she has studied tarot for most of her life. even though the VQ is far lovelier to view, this deck has more going for it in authenticity. if you like oracles, i like the 2 by jamie saams-the medicine cards and the sacred path. they work well together. The lakata sioux sweat lodge cards are also a good oracle.

lunalafey	19 Aug 2003
If you don't have to have a "pretty" deck..... http://www.aeclectic.net/nativeamerican/index.html The traditions blended into the symbolism of tarot works well in this deck. There is a little white book, but it's not really little. It's thick with small print & loaded with info. This was my first deck & my only for many years.

Maan	19 Aug 2003
I should go for the vision quest. Its a beautiful and very powerfull deck, Don't let the pretty colours fool you ;) O and i don't believe the vision quest is out of print. As a matter of fact i think its recently been reprinted

Mimers	19 Aug 2003
The Star That Never Walks Around is a great Native American deck. I can understand the bad reviews. There is not a lot of symbolism, and the artwork is crude. What the reviews missed, IMHO, is the love and dedication, the sincerity that this deck just shines. I don't know how else to describe it. You can feel the love, devotion and sincerity that Stella put into this deck. Here is her site. http://www.tarotstar.net/indexold.html The Vision Quest is also an excellent one. It is more Thoth based for the pips especially. I got mine quickly and with no problems from Tarot Garden. Let us know what you decide. Mimi

maysrose	21 Aug 2003
,,thanx everyone,,,i looked up the star that never walks around,and it is being worked on, and it not yet completed, ,,,,,,,i couldnt find the vision quest,,, ,,,,,,,,i looked at the medicine woman,,AGAIN,, i wasnt going to go with that deck because of the names being different ,, but thanx to kiama,,i looked at it again,, and this time i read it all the way through,,and yes, i saw that the original names are in small print at the top of each card,,,,DUH,,,,,,,,,,,anyway,, im going to go with that deck,,,,thats what i originally found BEFORE i put up this post, and i liked that deck,,,but like i said , i didnt read the ENTIRE summary,,,,,,trying to keep it simple for a new learner, :) ............THANX AGAIN............

Demonesse	21 Aug 2003
Hi maysrose, welcome to Aeclectic (and Tarot Decks.) ;) You can find the Vision Quest here: http://www.tarotpassages.com/vq.htm and http://www.tarotpassages.com/visionquestvsb.htm I find the art very nice in an earthy, calm manner. Hope that helps!

truthsayer	21 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by maysrose ,,thanx everyone,,,i looked up the star that never walks around,and it is being worked on, and it not yet completed, ............THANX AGAIN............ the star that never walks around is complete and has been out since at least since december because i have a copy. you must have read an out-dated website. i'm sure if you check barnes and noble on line or amazon you'll see that it is available.

maysrose	21 Aug 2003
,,those cards ( vision quest) are really beuitiful,, thanx demonesse. ,,,,,,well with 2 more reponds already,, i guess im going to search a bit more before i order,,,,

maysrose	22 Aug 2003
....i am truly gratful for all your suggestions,,,,,ive looked over several decks and read their summaries...when i saw The Vision Quest and read its summery i KNEW this was MY DECK,,, Thank-You all for your time,knowledge,and insight,, I HAVE CHOOSEN THE VISION QUEST and i ordered it yesterday...IF i have not found this forum i know i would STILL be confused as to what im doing and not knowing where to search to find my deck.. ...so my decision is made,,thanks again for taking the time to help.. :)

The suggestion 4 a deck thread was originally posted on 18 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.