2 little decks...

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 29 Sep 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

ladycheryllynne	29 Sep 2003
Newbie here. Wow! I'm amazed at the number of decks some of you have. Very impressive. I think I got drawn into tarot for two reasons, one I enjoy the readings and two, the cards. I only have two decks, my first: Sharman-Casselli (which I think is a very pretty deck) and two: The Rider (which in my opinion is rather blah, but recommended as a good starter deck) I'm looking at new decks here at Aeclectic and I'm leaning towards the Fey deck. It looks like an easy read for beginners. I also like that it appears lighter in thoughts without the negativity. Any thoughts to this?

Dark_angel	29 Sep 2003
I've never heard of the Sharman-Casselli. Do you know where I could find some pictures of it? I love the Fey deck as well, although it's not in my collection. I like the general tone of the deck, and think that there is darkness to be found there but that it's a deck which could be quite celebratory of the beauty and positivity in life. I've only just ordered my first Rider-Waite deck. At first I could not connect with it at all; I think some people, myself included, need more artistic inspiration to learn about the cards. But one day they just seemed to call out to me. Another good reason to have Rider-Waite - the Tarot of the New Vision is coming out soon and I'm looking forward to doing comparative readings with the two. Luv, Fi. xxx

ladycheryllynne	29 Sep 2003
Thanks DA for the reply and your opinion on the Fey deck. It sounds close to what my thoughts are. Also, I did a search to find pics of the Sharman-Caselli deck and the results weren't bad. This first link also has a review: http://www.tarotpassages.com/sharmancaselli.htm Since you like the Rider-Waite deck, another nice site makes comparisons for RW deck. The Sharman-Caselli deck is listed last: http://www.lelandra.com/rwsclones/tarotrwsclosest.htm Since you mentioned that you're inspired by the art, the art is what caught my eye. Not to mention the book is helpful in teaching me to read tarot cards at a level I understand. I hope you enjoy! Cheryl

Dark_angel	29 Sep 2003
I had a look at the pictures and I really like the Sharman-Caselli; it's so positive, even the so-called negative cards aren't threatening. I could see myself using that when I was in a fragile state of mind and for public readings; it's so friendly and welcoming. I also like some dark decks, such as the Gothic, because they aren't actually as dark as they first seem, they have an inner optimism. I prefer using decks such as these to using decks that appear happy, as they often give me much more negative, less in-depth readings. That's just me though, and I'm a novice! xxx

truthsayer	29 Sep 2003
one thing i particularly like about the sharman-caselli is the book in the set. it's very beginner friendly. the cards are good even though there's a few i don't like. for example, the high priestess. overall, i'd rate it an A+ as a beginner's deck. i think that the fey is beginner friendly also. i think it is the first deck book set done by lo scarabeo and it was done extremely well.

Kyrielle	29 Sep 2003
I like the Universal Waite, which is the Rider-Waite-Smith (or RWS)deck recolored in colored pencil by Mary Hanson Roberts. I thought the RWS was blah, too, before I found this version of it. There are some other recolorings, but a lot of people find the Universal Waite the most pleasing of these. The Fey Tarot is one of my favorite decks. Check out the forum for it in Study Groups. -- Kyrielle

ultraviolet	30 Sep 2003
I'm a beginner too and I recently bought the Fey deck. I like the pictures, but I find the deck really difficult to use. My readings with the Fey all seem to be shallow and vague. I don't really "get" the images until after I read the meanings in the book and the book isn't nearly as descriptive as I would like. I actually do my best readings with the Sacred Rose tarot. I really can't say why, though.. maybe just because the images are so colorful. I don't really care for the book that goes with this deck either, but the images are deep enough for me to read without using the book. The Sharman-Caselli cards look pretty.. are they still in print? I might have to check those out.

truthsayer	30 Sep 2003
my fav little deck that would be good for beginners is the hanson roberts. it's small so it works well for those of us who dislike large decks.

ladycheryllynne	03 Oct 2003
Quote: I recently bought the Fey deck. I like the pictures, but I find the deck really difficult to use. My readings with the Fey all seem to be shallow and vague. I don't really "get" the images until after I read the meanings in the book and the book isn't nearly as descriptive as I would like. Well....I just got the Fey deck last night and I'll have to say that I understand completely what you're talking about here. I think maybe since I'm a beginner, I'm better off sticking with my original plan of using the Sharman-Caselli beginner book and cards (copy of the Rider-Waite theme), until I have a thorough understand of the meaning of one deck. Regardless of what others say, I'm better with an understanding of the numbers and the suit (I've almost completed the minor arcana, still have to learn the major), at least for reference. I'm a hairstylist, and a left brainer, so I have an understanding of art, but art to me is an interpretation of what the artist is feeling or thinking, and I can't always follow where someone else's mind is, not unless I'm directed there. I do love the deck, and I'm going to be persistent in learning. I'm finding that if I cross reference them to my other deck, I have a better understanding of both. I'm determined to learn this before this coming Halloween, since I told my sister I'm learning to read tarot cards, and I think it'll be fun for the kids as well as the adults when we party this year. I've been practicing on my teenage daughters and their friends and I feel the Fey deck to not have the same adult references as the Rider deck. More fun for all! Thanks for all your comments. You folks are the best! Hugs, Cheryl

The 2 little decks... thread was originally posted on 29 Sep 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.