~The Deck-of-the-Month Club~

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 31 Aug 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Logiatrix	31 Aug 2003
It is inevitable, with all the new, wonderful and beautiful tarot decks out there, that our #1 decks change from month-to-month. This has been especially evident lately, as we have revisited old threads with claims of favorites, now "favorite" no more. All the while, new tarots are being published even as we post... Not that anyone's complaining, of course! :D So, per Mari_Hoshizaki's wise suggestion... What is your favorite tarot deck (or decks) THIS month? What, or who, brought you to try this deck? What are you enjoying about it? Is it a "keeper," or more of a current study interest? Go ahead, gush on about the deck you love right now, 'cuz it may be a new one next month! ;)

lunalafey	31 Aug 2003
heehee--- I do not have many decks, so my favorites don't really change...it might be better to ask which one I'm using more than the other's.... I have just started a kick with Cat People. I reciently came into possession of it by way of kaima. My friend, named Cat, did my first ever reading with this deck...first deck I ever got to really see. This alone makes it a keeper. I love the artwork. {Karen seems like a woman ahead of the times} The felines, I have been looking at them mostly. I worked in a Cat shelter, a unique one at that. The cats lived in "kennels" the size of a 2 car garage...CAT COLONIES!!! I would watch thier behaviors, got to know them very well, even the wild ones. I'm looking forward to spending more time with these cats, I'm a cat person who has 3 dogs. :(

Mimers	31 Aug 2003
Can I have 3 decks of the month????? You know, I have been using the Thoth a lot since I first bought it back in July. I truely love this deck. I am, however, still diliginly using my URW and Ancestral Path. The Thoth I would say is mostly a study deck at this time. I am using New Age Tarot by James Wanless to get to know the deck (and myself) better. The URW I am also using along with Mary Greer's book Tarot Mirrors to practice my intuition and reading of the cards. It is also the deck I primaraly read with. I have a bond with it. It was my learning deck. This deck has been a constant since I began reading. The Ancestral Path is just gorgeous. I love this deck. It is wonderful to read with. Deep and insightful. Moongold's recent excitement in obtaining it has kind of renewed my interest, but I still see this being a reading deck for a long time. Mimers

Kiama	31 Aug 2003
At the moment, whilst I will always use the Robin Wood deck, I have a favourite deck for 'other' purposes... The Celtic Wisdom Tarot. I first got this deck from a friend, but ended up trading it away for a deck that I desperately wanted. I then realised how much I missed the Celtic Wisdom, and traded it back through Mari_Hoshizaki! I like this deck so much because of the way Caitlin Matthews has tied the Celtic myths and legends into the cards. (Very very rarely do I see a good 'Celtic' deck.) It's also a no-nonsense deck and Caitlin Matthews knows her stuff when it comes to Celtic myths and legends, so it's not another Faery-Wicca-made-up-Celtic deck! I also love the artwork, and I'm trying to get new takes and insights into the cards. The 'Celtic' side of my understanding of the cards is very limited, probably because there are no decent Celtic decks out there except for this one! This deck is a keeper (this time round!). I don't think I'll be getting rid of it at all, and will return to it whenever I want some new insight. I think I'll also dig out my texts of the Celtic myths and legends (Tain bo Cuailgne, Mabinogion, etc etc) and study the deck and texts side-by-side for a while. Kiama

Ruby7	31 Aug 2003
My deck of the month is The Phantasmagoric Theatre Tarot. I just got this deck last week. I don't think that this will be a deck that I would use for reading for others, to me it is more of a personal reflective deck. There is definitely more to this deck than it seems. I am getting to know each card individually and I am amazed at how much each character has to say to me. Ruby7

Little Baron	31 Aug 2003
I understand you completely Ruby; the Phantasmagoric really is an unrecognised gem and I am so glad that a study group has been set for it here on Aeclectic. I hope you continue to have fun with those little characters. It's an odd choise for me this month. People know that I am studying the Phantasmagoric, that I use my trusty URW and that I have an interest in getting to know my Thoth deck better. However ... I posted a few questions about the Adrian deck in a different thread; a deck that has been sitting unused in my cupboard for ages. Like a lot of people, I could see it's coldness and lack of anything symbolic in the images. The pips were too basic. The courts look like models etc etc. Looking through it last night, I decided that for this month, it is the perfect one for me to work with. There are shadows working on the pips which seem like they could be good for divination - kind of like seeing patterns and faces in the clouds in the sky - different ones each time. Also, whenever I look at my URW, a minor card often tells me the same story again and again, even if I focus on a different aspect. These pips are basic (probably a little too basic for my tastes) but there is a chance that I can tap into the colours, shadows, line and positioning of the suit symbols to unlock something deeper. As much as I love the RWS and a lot of it's cloans, I can get a little bored with seeing the same 10 swords peircing another dead body. I have learnt so much about the tarot since I bought this deck that I think it might be interesting to work with it now. I perfectly understand why so many people do not warm to it and for those reasons, I think it might be a good one to work with for this month, rather than a deck that is 'spoon-feeding' me or that can no longer give me fresh messages. Does that make sense? Yaboot

WolfSpirit	31 Aug 2003
My deck of the month has to be the Merryday. It is the deck I am using the most at the time for readings for myself. I haven't had it for very long, so I cannot really say if it is a keeper, but since I love the images, I expect it will. I haven't studied it, just started using it. I don't have the book for the deck yet, maybe I will get it one day but I enjoy reading with it now without books or other views but my own. Runners-up are the Ancestral Path and the Thoth, both still new decks. Or maybe I will go back to one of my oldies I have always enjoyed.

Cocobird55	31 Aug 2003
My deck for August was the Buckland Romani. I don't love the artwork the way that I do a few other decks. But this deck consistently gives me the clearest readings I've ever gotten with any deck. For the first time (I'm not that experienced) I can just look at the card and the answer is immediately apparent. I don't need to consult the book at all. Sue

Cerulean	31 Aug 2003
What is your favorite tarot deck (or decks) THIS month? What, or who, brought you to try this deck? What are you enjoying about it? Is it a "keeper," or more of a current study interest? But I wanted a pretty art deck too that did have something artistic, maybe different...it could be sober but I didn't want a medieval or Renaissance theme. It turns out New Century was available at Borders while I was looking for 'lighter' DVDs and an academic calendar. So some discussion recently at Aeclectic made me aware of this decks and I looked at Amazon.com, Tarotgarden and other online sources...and the images felt rich, but not overloaded. Rolf Eichelmann's website has sketches as well as trump cards. I can appreciate his artistic shaping more, so this is appealing to me as a creative work. I'm happy to find the colors, curious modern tones and that the New Century references Rider Waite scenery and ideas with artistic surrealism. But it doesn't yell at me, it smoothly slips into my ideas and I feel rather relaxed and happier for having found it. Okay, the fourth day into the month, and already I put my Thoth equivalents in my newly cleaned night stand area and Rachel Pollack's Illustrated Guide...and pulled out Comparative Tarot to use with my New Century. I also pulled out the Magical Course with the Tarot and my Tarot and Dreams book for this month to study. Comparative has the Claude Burdel Marseilles, Universal Tarots workalike version of the Rider Waite Smith, Origins and Sphynx. The Tarot and Dreams book has illustrations from the Universal Tarots by Di Angelo and using the Comparative expands my idea range of certain cards. Also, New Century has both Marseilles pips in the center veil of its minor cards and scenic elements similar to the Rider Waite and color backgrounds that are keyed to certain suits...so it's useful to compare with the Comparative. I cannot tell quite about these being keepers over the long term, but I think these are very good decks for me to have--I really think I'll be using them this month.

arcanalefait	31 Aug 2003
Recently I went a little overboard as far as tarot collecting goes. After discovering Ebay, my collection went from 6 decks to 33 decks in a matter of months. Because of the speed in which I bombarded myself with decks (and I have been slowly weaning myself from continuing to do so--but its not easy! I think I need help :)!) I have a LOT of virtually unexplored decks. But the one that I have been especially enjoying this month is the Shakespearian tarot. I enjoy the fact that there is a quote (stichomancy) as well as a picture on each card, and I feel like I'm increasing my literary knowledge as well as my insight into tarot. I think I should literally pick a deck each month to explore! Otherwise I'll never get to know the masses! Arcana

Logiatrix	01 Sep 2003
...is the same as last month! My deck-of-the-month remains the Royal Fez... It's Lee's fault that I got this deck, and I am seriously hooked on it! Thank you, Lee! IMHO, it is one of the best RWS versions in Tarotland. I've already decided that it's a keeper; I'll probably continue to use it as a primary reading deck. I'm studying it card-by-card right now, so that I will be comfortable with this version of the RWS symbolism and all those line-drawn details. :)

Dark_angel	02 Sep 2003
At the moment I'm exploring my newest deck, the Tarot of the Spirit. I bought it on a whim, just saw it in the store, didn't look at the cards or anything, just took it to the counter. It's so beautiful in a way that's completely different from my other decks (I love the Adrian for it's purity and modernity, and the Vampire for its Tim Burton - esque darkness - as a "semi-goth" I love darkness), in that there's so much colour and illusion in the cards. You can really feel the meanings rather than merely seeing them, and it's the deck I used to read for my father for the first time (he's a bit of a sceptic) even though I'd only had it for 3 days! It always gives me readings that make sense, and the cards are so filled with life. Definitely a keeper!

bighairymonster	02 Sep 2003
The Bosch Tarot has to be my favourite!!! The illustrations are set in an alternate world...where everything seems impossible. Love the artwork as well! It seems most of the decks I own are by Lo Scarabeo...

Macavity	02 Sep 2003
>> What is your favorite tarot deck (or decks) THIS month? The Cosmic Tarot by Norbert Losche. >> What, or who, brought you to try this deck? Knowing that it was identified as a Thoth-clone and, moreover one that had an associated book. I had put off it's purchase for some time, since I always have my doubts about "modern" decks. But, in this case, most of these fears and prejudices have proved groundless. >> What are you enjoying about it? The fact that it works as a Thoth clone. Plus it comes with a great book, by Jean Huets, which adds a number of interesting possibilities to the basic Thoth interpretation. Despite a reputation for simple symbolism, it's symbolism is well thought out, expressive and indeed corresponds well to the Thoth keywords. However, there's often "more to it" than simplicity might suggest - Succinct, might be a better word? Although it explores the "dark side" (what could be darker than it's three of swords - A unique card!) it also provides a certain light relief from some of my other decks. Finally, it makes a change to look at some fairly attractive people - Even the Devil has a certain... punk-geniality? :laugh: >> Is it a "keeper," or more of a current study interest? Well, it was envisaged as a keeper and, for the moment, it works! It won't displace my Barrett Egyptian Tarot as the best conceivable deck in the UNIVERSE, but is pretty uhm... Cosmic (man?) :D

brennamor	04 Sep 2003
What is your favorite tarot deck (or decks) THIS month? Okay this month I'm using Enchanted (by Zerner-Farber) and Romanian Dream Tarot along with the Zerner-Farber & Gendron Tarot decks. I like to do comparative readings so I always try to use two decks each new moon for my Free Reading Network and Free Tarot Network readings. And because I have two homes I try to partner each deck up with a companion deck that has a similar vibe (so Enchanted & Zerner-Farber are partners and Romanian Dream and Gendron are partners). I like to change decks every new moon because this allows me to actually use my collection, which tops 200 right now. What, or who, brought you to try this deck? I like the Enchanted/Zerner-Farber decks because the artwork is lovely. In fact I often forget how much I truly love the art when I don't see this deck for a while. The original art must be breath-taking. And I enjoy Gendon's unique and interesting artwork. Romanian Dream is a new deck with which I'm slowly becoming acquainted but so far I like what I see. What are you enjoying about it? In all cases the artwork is very interesting - different but interesting. And the imagery is similar enough to RWS that they are relatively easy to read with. Is it a "keeper," or more of a current study interest? As far as I'm concerned all of these decks are keepers.

astril	14 Sep 2003
For this month my favorite is the Tarot of the Mermaids, and the Faeries oracle, the two of thse form my daily ritual and card pulls. I read with Old path and have for about six months now, they always give everyone sound advice. I have recently gotten the Oracle Tarot and they have proven to be a good deck also.

Mimers	14 Sep 2003
OK, I am starting to swing towards the Tarot of Prague now. Can't seem to get enough of it!

Logiatrix	14 Sep 2003
I have shifted to the World Spirit Tarot. I tried this one before, and didn't "click" with it then. But this time, the deck is in Spanish, and it's working for me! My Royal Fez Moroccan is one I will continually use, so it is not ignored, by any means. 'TILL NEXT MONTH...(or sooner!) Tauni :)

Wildchild	15 Sep 2003
I'm still on the Thoth deck. Probably will stay with this one for a while. :)

Chronata	15 Sep 2003
I have not had a new tarot for a long long time...but I did just get a Buckland Romani in a trade, and I absolutely love it! This was a deck I had wanted before I ever saw the images, simply because I am fascinated with the Rom culture, and history. I have switched from my usual decks for a while, and, thanks to the inspiration from this forum, I have also been trying a lot of different ways to read them...including some excellent new spreads! I love how this deck transports me into a different place, and into every season so brilliantly. I have decided to take some extra time to really get toknow this new deck in my collection.

nexyjo	21 Sep 2003
i've been using the robin wood deck pretty much exclusively for several years now. from an overall perspective, i've found no other deck that resonates with me like the robin wood. i have maybe 25 decks, and occasionally i'll pick one, and use it for a reading or even just look through it. but when the day is done, i always reach back for the robin wood deck.

Logiatrix	22 Sep 2003
(((((((nexyjo))))))) :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Sulis	22 Sep 2003
My deck of the month is the Cosmic by Norbert Losche. Macavity has already mentioned the reasons why he thinks that this is a good deck and I agree with everything he's said. The artwork isn't the type of thing I usually go for; I usually prefer paints to pen and ink. It works really well in a Thoth style but there are no keywords - I've decided that I can't get on with keywords, they just stick there in my head and I can't get past them. The court cards in this deck are amazing. At first I was a little put off by the fact that they resembled famous people but I've found that because they look so real their personality traits are so much easier to see. Definately a keeper, I can see this one becoming my main reading deck. Love and light Crystalmynx xx

Khatruman	22 Sep 2003
I thought this was going to be a Columbia House kind of thingy, where you sign up and get a new deck each month... Hey, wouldn't that be an idea!!!! Then again, we would probably be stuck with the Michael Bolton tarot one month, the John Grisham tarot the next... :P

Requiella	22 Sep 2003
My tarot of the moment is the Tarot of Transformation by Willow Arlenea and Jasmin Lee Cori. Both of these individuals have psychology backgrounds, and the deck has a heavy psychology influence. As a psychologist myself, I very much like that this deck speaks my language. The art work is beautiful, powerful, and uplifting. There is plenty of room for idiosyncratic interpretation. Archetypal ideas are drawn on heavily. The other thing that's cool about this deck is that it does not feature the traditional court cards in the Minors. Instead, there are "teacher, healer, master, and server." This gives the court cards a more gender-neutral and less hierarchical feel. I'm using the deck for meditation and self-exploration only. It would be a challenging deck to read with (big understatement), given its extreme nontraditional approach. The authors give the cards their own meanings, and most of this travels far afield of traditional tarot meanings.

Logiatrix	23 Sep 2003
...has changed, again... I'm now totally immersed in the Ancient Minchiate Etruria, with Brian William's Minchiate book. I've just started reading with it, which isn't as difficult as I thought it would be. :)

Cerulean	23 Sep 2003
to post...but it is nearing the end of September, so maybe I'm already into October ideas... For a trip. I'm using Tavaglione's Stairs of Gold as a modern comparison deck and Sylvia Alasia's Tarot Egyptien--I found both decks much easier to use this time around. If take less clothes, I can also take my current delightful, slightly too-expensive (about $40) Porta Celeste or Celestial Gate, also known as Tarot of the Stars by Giorgio Tavaglione. I have a small Italian dictionary and it takes me hours to translate paragraphs...but I'm enjoying it. There's a book I'm using for fun with these decks called "Everyday Tarot Magic" by Dorothy Morrison. It's very cheerful and I'd say more of recipes for positive re-thinking and revisualizing areas of improvement. The subtitle has 'meditations' in it and I could recommend it as helpful for creative enjoyment to working with more challenging decks.. Mari H.

Logiatrix	23 Sep 2003
Mari, Enjoy your trip... Please bring back plenty of pictures! :)

Nevada	23 Sep 2003
This month, so far, it's Tarot of the Old Path. Last month was Goddess Tarot. I'm gravitating in the direction of Thoth for next month. ;) Nevada

Khatruman	24 Sep 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Tauni ...has changed, again... I'm now totally immersed in the Ancient Minchiate Etruria, with Brian William's Minchiate book. I've just started reading with it, which isn't as difficult as I thought it would be. :) Hey Tauni, I have both of those also. I bought the Ancient Minchiate first and bought the Williams deck (though I am not keen on its artwork) for the comprehensive deck. I haven't gotten around to using it in this method. Do you find it works well?

Shade	24 Sep 2003
The deck currently giving me the most insights is the Fey, I had previously gotten the esoteric down with a few other decks so this deck is bringing me into the poetic subtleties of tarot. Next month it's going to be all about the Halloween Tarot, as that's the deck I use every October.

Logiatrix	24 Sep 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Khatruman Hey Tauni, I have both of those also. I bought the Ancient Minchiate first and bought the Williams deck (though I am not keen on its artwork) for the comprehensive deck. I haven't gotten around to using it in this method. Do you find it works well? That's right, I do remember your posting about this deck last year...I pulled that thread up in a search for further information about the Minchiate. Many thanks to you and the others who posted there--all my questions were very happily answered! :) Any-hoo, about my current curiosity... Yes, it DOES work, in terms of a reading deck, which suprised me. I thought my learning curve would present more of a struggle with it, but it hasn't been a problem at all. Knowledge of non-illustrated pips is clearly necessary. A solid understanding of general tarot card meanings is all else one needs, IMO. A problem may arise with the lack of card titling in the Ancient Minchiate. Suffice to say, I was lost until I dug into William's Minchiate book. It's good to read all the workings behind this strange deck, anyway. The book also helped to clear up the minor differences the Minchiate has to the regular tarot trumps, as well as understanding the additional cards. For example, I had to do a tad bit of tweeking with my brain to get all those Emperors straight, and also figure out Who's-Who amongst the Virtues, but after that, I was good to go. I don't find that the added astrological cards, elements and Virtues are necessarily an advantage to the tarot we know now. However, the study of this deck has still somehow enhanced my knowledge of tarot in general. The verdict is still out, though...I'm already starting to get tired of all that BEIGE...But, hey, October is just around the corner, so no worries! :D :D :D

WolfSpirit	25 Sep 2003
I have partly stayed faithful to the Merryday... I also used the Ancestral Path a lot, but that was because I was travelling around a lot, and of all my reading decks this one would be the easiest to replace. I do really like the AP too though. Yes, next month is going to be the Halloween for me too, but only for daily readings I think. I have to see what I feel like for other readings.

The ~The Deck-of-the-Month Club~ thread was originally posted on 31 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.