The Crystal Tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 11 Aug 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

oceanpoetry	11 Aug 2003
I have just ordered this deck, I have read comments that is a beautiful. But am having trouble finding more information about this deck. I did a search of the form and didn't come up with much. If you have the Crystal Tarot, I would really like to know what your experiences using it. It doesn't look like it follows RW too closely, does that make it difficult to read with?

Scorpion	11 Aug 2003
Hi, Oceanpoetry! I assume you're talking about this deck http://www.loscarabeo.com/catalogo/files/crystal.htm in which case I've recently traded mine away as I find I need my Minors to be illustrated rather than pips. I don't have a lot of experience of the Thoth, having only just acquired that recently, but it was my feeling that it was more Thoth-based than RWS. But they are truly sumptuous cards and I'm sure you'll enjoy owning them.

oceanpoetry	11 Aug 2003
That's the one! Thanks for your response, LouiQ, I will definitely post here after I receive the new deck. I don't mind it too much if it doesn't have illustrated minors, because it will help me to practice using pips.

galadrial	11 Aug 2003
I like this deck a lot, but all the water imagery in the swords suit took some getting used to since I usually associate that suit with air. I didn't find the pips a problem, but I got the deck after I had been studying tarot for some while. I find her Devil card to be eerie and repellent (that's a compliment); so I was pleased when I saw a figure very like it in the book (not the deck) "A Renaissance Tarot", by Brian Williams (the Crystal tarot's LWB is scant and kind of strange and doesn't comment on the unusual depiction). He says of the Bronzio Venus and Cupid in the National Gallery of London, "The shadowy figure with the lovely face and serpent feet is Fraud, exactly as prescribed by Ripa int the "Iconologia"."" So I looked up the "Iconologia" and found, "Fraude (Deceit): Dante paints her in his Hell after this manner: that she has the face of an honest person, and the rest of the body is like a snake, with many spots of diverse colors; her tail being curled like a scorpion, which she has gotten out of the river Cocitus, or the hell, or puddle of foul water. Being thus painted she is called Gerion. By her fair face is understood that the deceiver, most commonly, with a fair face, honey words, decent clothing, stately [...], and other fair shows, deceive men; being always big with deceit, knavery and other sorts of Rogueries; being covered with deadly and venemous spots." A still, quiet and beautiful deck, I find it very peaceful to work with.

Diana	12 Aug 2003
Oceanpoetry : It doesn’t matter whether you’ve had a Rider Waite background, or a Thoth background, or any other kind of background, to read this deck. To tell you the truth, I had absolutely no idea for a long time that this deck is supposedly Thoth-based. To me it’s a Tarot deck. That’s all. (And there are many decks out there that I do not consider to be Tarot, except for the fact that they have the name "Tarot" on the box.) In fact, if I had bothered to think about it, I would have thought it was more Marseille-influenced..... All you have to do is to free your mind from any pre-conceived ideas, forget what you have been taught by the so-called Masters about the meanings of the cards, and just trust your own intuition and own understanding. The fact that it doesn't have any silly pictures on it, or any silly key-words, gives you the opportunity to free and expand your mind. This deck has given me some of the most exciting readings I’ve ever done. The so-called non-illustrated minors (I stress "so-called") are much easier to read than the Marseilles ones. All you have to do is to "fall into the card" and you'll get the idea. Oh. And just forget about the Water/Swords business. Just look at the cards..... and let them do the talking. In fact, I would suggest that you don’t even read the Little White Book. Do as Umbrae suggests when he speaks of Little White Books: toss it in the fire as soon as you get it. Just read…….. and enjoy the fact that you are not going to be spoon-fed with this deck, but that it gives you credit for being an intelligent human being. I wish you much enjoyment with this deck.

oceanpoetry	12 Aug 2003
That is interesting Galadrial! I have seen the "Devil" from this deck in some of the online scans, I am glad to know about this basis for interpretation. It doesn't sound there is much info in the "LWB" with this deck, but I would certainly like to learn more about where the artist got her inspiration. From the scans I have seen, the artwork on this deck has a magical, dreamlike quality. Diana you wrote "The fact that it doesn't have any silly pictures on it, or any silly key-words, gives you the opportunity to free and expand your mind. " - wow! I can't wait to get this deck! that sounds wonderful! I am really look forward to using a deck that will help to use my creative interpretation. With the RW and clones, it is easy to get used to assigning a rote interpretation with each of the cards.

oceanpoetry	17 Aug 2003
Wow- it is beaut-y-full! I love the color scheme used the deck, the purples, blues, reds, greens, the colors are bold yet delicate. The court cards, as a whole, are the best I have seen on any deck...and I find the Major Arcana thought-provoking, and invite mediation. One of my favorite cards in the Major Aracana is "The Moon "...I can scan it in if anyone wants to see it :D The only quibble, is that some of the pip cards are exactly alike, for example no difference between 9 and 10 of cups except the number cups on the cards. Though they are a lovely design, so this isn't too much of a complaint :) it give me incentive to better learn the Minors, so I will know the interpretation of the card. I find myself relying more on the numerological signicance of each. Another benefit, it encourages more free-connections and intuition because no scene is portrayed on the card. I have the phamplet that came with the deck, the artist describes cups (chalices) as "realm of spirit", pentacles as "realm of matter", wands "realm of desire", and swords "realm of the mind" ...so that explains to me why swords /water element are used together. The mind encompasses intellect, but also intuition and emotion.

Diana	17 Aug 2003
I'm really pleased you like this deck. As much as I do, it seems. It has become my favourite reading deck. Presently, even more than my Kris Hadar's Marseille deck.... which really means something!

Aerin	18 Aug 2003
I got this deck a couple of days ago, along with the Mermaids. I far prefer it to the mermaids deck. Haven't read with it yet, I really like the artwork and the cards do 'speak' to me. Aerin

Marion	18 Aug 2003
I have the Crystal Tarot (Tarot de Verre, mine is the French version) and Kris Hadar's deck both thanks to Diana. I join her in the testimonial of both decks. Truly amazing decks. I use them for private readings only though, they seem very personal to me.

oceanpoetry	24 Aug 2003
I have been working with this deck and Page Cups has been came up. I was struck by the similiarity of Page- Cups to Ace- Cups! I hadn't seen this relationship before between these two cards, it felt like a flash of inspiration :) although since then I have seen this comparison made between the two cards in another thread. I am surprised this deck doesn't seem to be more popular or well known?! It really speaks to me, gives very personal readings.

firemaiden	24 Aug 2003
You people are very baaaaaaaad, you are making me want this deck! And my birthday is coming up soon, hint hint!

Kaz	24 Aug 2003
lol firemaiden, i have this deck as well and i can only say: get it, get it, you wont regret it. its beautiful art, and reads very well. its one of my favorites.

oceanpoetry	24 Aug 2003
here are a couple of samples from the deck, the court cards are simply outstanding!

oceanpoetry	24 Aug 2003
and here is the page-cups

firemaiden	24 Aug 2003
Ooooh... Those are beautiful!

Diana	25 Aug 2003
firemaiden: As oceanpoetry says, this deck deserves to be known better. It is a very cleverly thought out deck. Not just beautiful (although it is in my eyes the most beautiful deck I have ever owned). It gives much wisdom - very similar to a Marseille deck, although it doesn't have the wisdom of the ages that the Marseille does. It gives more modern interpretations. But it is a very SHARP deck. It cuts through things like a sharpened sword. But it can also rock you like a baby if you need rocking. Wait till you see the Fool. :) That card is enough to make you want to buy it. Credit card ready?

Mimers	25 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by firemaiden You people are very baaaaaaaad, you are making me want this deck! And my birthday is coming up soon, hint hint! Hey Firemaiden, you want to get together Friday and do a little shopping???? })

Scorpion	25 Aug 2003
Glad you've taken to this deck, Oceanpoetry! My absolute favourite card here was the Knight of Pentacles with his coin hidden away underground ready to grow: truly beautiful and showing perfectly how this Knight can be so easily overlooked because he's not as flashy as some of the others.

oceanpoetry	26 Aug 2003
This deck has really given me a lot of new insights into the court cards - the court cards are the most difficult for me to read. And these cards are wonderful, because they give me lots of new ideas how to interpret. Does anyone know where to get more information about this artist and her ideas about the cards?

Cerulean	27 Aug 2003
For the full 78 cards and book, only in Italian: http://www.trigono.com/tarots/TA01CO025.htm http://www.trigono.com/tarots/TA01CO015_tarots.htm One seems to have a nicer slipcase, both by Lo Scarabeo and I guess, both have Berti's comments. While Lo Scarabeo's old site has some court card commentary and a few pictures, didn't someone post it already? http://www.loscarabeo.com/spreads.htm Mari

oceanpoetry	27 Aug 2003
I hadn't seen that link before, thanks, Mari_H! I didn't know that Lo Scarebo had posted all of the court cards, that's great publicity for this deck. :)

firemaiden	27 Aug 2003
Wow, they are beautiful, but as was mentioned earlier, it is unusual to see swords associated with water. For those of you who derive the meanings partly from the elements, wouldn't that switch all the meanings? Or does it just give a slightly different twist? the Queen of Swords associated with water..... hmm.

oceanpoetry	27 Aug 2003
At first I wasn't sure how this deck would be to work with because of this elemental association, it just seems right, with this deck that the swords would be portrayed with a fluid background. The Ace of Swords, for example, is pointing down to crab in the sand. I associate the crab with Cancer, the moon - I interpret this card use of intellect to cut through all illusions, using intellect and reason over emotion. I guess it depends on the reader, how this system would work. But I like having using this deck, to some some refreshing new perspectives. I use the elements as they are unique to each deck. I also have the Nigel Jackson with portrays the swords as fire, which hasn't be problematic for me either.

Diana	28 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by firemaiden Wow, they are beautiful, but as was mentioned earlier, it is unusual to see swords associated with water. For those of you who derive the meanings partly from the elements, wouldn't that switch all the meanings? Or does it just give a slightly different twist? the Queen of Swords associated with water..... hmm. To answer your question number one: No. To answer your question number two: Yes.

Mimers	28 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by firemaiden Wow, they are beautiful, but as was mentioned earlier, it is unusual to see swords associated with water. For those of you who derive the meanings partly from the elements, wouldn't that switch all the meanings? Or does it just give a slightly different twist? the Queen of Swords associated with water..... hmm. It did confuse me a bit, that is why I traded them to Gerbear. However, they are very beautiful cards.

firemaiden	10 Sep 2003
I just bought my deck!!! Mimers and I took a pilgrimage to Morgana's Chamber in the village, and now I have it in my hot little hands. :) YAY!! Thank you Mimers! We did a reading for her right out of the box, and my! what wonderful riches are to be found in those pips! I would never in a million years call them " un-illustrated". I find that the sword-water association gives a wonderful new dimension both to swords and to water -- not water as all that gooey stuff about love and feelings, no, water as psychic medium, water as scrying tool, water as the unseen dimension. Thank you for turning me on to this deck!!! (Can you detect a little bit of enthusiasm here?)

oceanpoetry	11 Sep 2003
I am glad you got it, firemaiden! it is a wonderful deck! I love being able to pull out cards from my readings and use for meditation. I always had a difficult time with court cards until I got this deck. :)

catti	12 Sep 2003
we all do this..go to websites ..look at decks ....think ...hmmm........you are very pretty....and very smart...perhaps someday we shall meet.... and then you all START A THREAD talking about how beautiful the deck is.....!!! really we should buy joint stock in loscarabeo or something! ps my birthday is coming up soon ;-) it seems that the second link mari posted is a book for the tarocchi di verto ( tarot of glass) that is how i am transalating it . the first one seems more of an introduction to tarot using the crystal tarot as base. <<>>

The The Crystal Tarot thread was originally posted on 11 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.