Choosing a First Deck...

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

Noblelement	11 Sep 2003
I am looking to purchase my first Tarot deck. I've been looking at images from many popular decks so I know which ones appeal to me more, but I am at a dillemma. I absolutely love soem of the images in the Robin Wood deck especially most of the Minor Arcana and Court Cards, however I really do not like the images on some of the other cards... The images just don't trigger much in my mind. I have looked at Ryder-Waite and Universal Waite - i don't seem to like the Universal version much, even though the images are easier on your eye. I learned off of books and websites that use the Ryder Waite deck for image references, so I'm used to the pictures and learned meanings from these cards. I don't really think that this deck is "the one" that I will prefer, but it isn't half bad either and I am considering purchasing this one also. The thing is, I have tried a Ryder-Waite deck, but it just don't seem to be anything special to me. My problem is that I can't decide which deck to buy. I love the Robin Wood deck, but only parts of it. Should I invest in this one rather than a Ryder deck, or should the other one be my first? Email replies please - noblelement@aol.com LiMei Kishida

oceanpoetry	11 Sep 2003
I am going to answer your question here, because I prefer that to email. :) Have you seen the Hanson Roberts deck? that uses traditional RW symbolism, but has a little different perspective. Easy to read pictures, I think it would be a great start deck. Also the Nigel Jackson is a wonderful deck to work with, and like the Robin Wood, uses the association of Wands / Air and Swords / Fire, if you prefer that. Lots of decks out there, I am sure you will find one that works well for you!

Melvis	11 Sep 2003
Welcome, Noblement! We're glad to have you here at Aeclectic! You could try one of the Rider-Waite "clones", of which there are many available. They basically follow the same scenic arrangement on the cards, but the artwork is usually completely different. Here are a couple of my favorites: The New Palladini Tarot by David Palladini This is such a gorgeous deck! The artist also created another much loved deck: The Aquarian Tarot also by David Palladini Although this deck is older, it's still a modern classic, in my opinion. Morgan Greer Tarot by Lee Bursten This deck doesn't really break any new ground, but it also has some nice artwork. Those are the first few decks that come to mind, although I know there are dozens more. All this being said, the Robin Wood deck is extremely popular, so I don't think you'd go to far wrong in getting that one. I hope this helps with your deck decision! Good luck! Peace, Melvis :TSTRE P.S. I would have linked the decks above to their listings here on Aeclectic Tarot, but I couldn't get onto the main site tonight. Sorry!

Noblelement	11 Sep 2003
I have looked at all 5 of these great suggestions, but I'm sorry - I don't really like any of them. I have recieved 2 emails so far - one telling me that my annoyances might interfere with a reading, and the other saying that I should go with my instinct to buy a Robin Wood since I have already recieved a strong response from it. In truth, only about 10 or 13 cards really bother me...But many of them are major arcana and I don't know if that matters or if I should pay attention to it or if I should just buy it anyways... Thank you all for the advice...more please? LiMei Kishida

Nevada	11 Sep 2003
This is sort of like love, you have to take the flaws with the good. I think the only deck that would suit me close to perfectly is one I design myself, and then my own artistic or spiritual imperfections would probably get in the way of my satisfaction with it. You just have to take the plunge, get a deck you like better than others, and start using it. Or not, you don't have to do this at all, of course, lol. When I first started using each of my decks there were cards that I didn't *get*, or didn't like. Once I started using them, I learned things about those cards that perhaps I wouldn't have if I'd started out liking them. For instance the Futility (Seven of Swords) card in the Crowley-Thoth deck gave me problems for many years. I would see it and freeze up. It even has the color of glacial ice. I still don't like it, but I've come to understand it better and don't dread having it come up in a reading the way I once did. In spite of not liking it, I've still learned from it. You may find that the cards you don't like are the ones you learn the most from.

MystiqueMoonlight	11 Sep 2003
When you find the perfect deck let us all know. Actually in every deck you look at through your lifetime there will be cards that you may find disturbing, annoying or just boring. For a new user I recommend Robin Wood from the choices you have posted. That's not to say this deck is simple, but I remember that same feeling from the RW decks as you have mentioned. Your instinct is usually what to go for here, but remember to idenitify your instinct from just plain desire.

Cerulean	12 Sep 2003
...and take the plunge. The majors might be your first consideration. For me, if most of the majors are not satisfying, the deck usually will not sit well with me. Of the decks that you mentioned, I have only kept the 1971 Rider Waite that I bought for less than $8.00 off of E-Bay. I simply keep it for reference. I'll be glad to hear what you finally choose, if you post to the board. Sorry, I also prefer to post to the Aeclectic board, as well. Mari H.

Dark_angel	12 Sep 2003
I understand your dilemma. The Rider-Waite decks don't seem to appeal to me at all, despite the fact that most books use them, and every so often I think that I should buy one but I never do, because they don't click with me. There are lots of gorgeous tarot decks around, so why not have a look at all the decks on show here and on tarotgarden and the other online shops. You probably won't find "the one" right away, but if you pick decks that you feel a strong connection to then you can still enjoy them and work with them. xxx

galadrial	12 Sep 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Nevada34 You may find that the cards you don't like are the ones you learn the most from. I've found this to be true, as well. A recent case was the Knave of Chalices in the Crystal tarot. I was never crazy about him because I thought he looked too effete and overly sensitive; hiding from harsh reality in his little garden (this is just a projection on my part; I'm raising a sensitive only child in a small, pretty desert town, far from the maddening crowd, and I worry about over sheltering him; he even has long hair and a bit of a beard like the young man on the card- some cards just hit right home). Then I did a choice spread with the deck, the whether or not, either or type, and he came up as the outcome for not taking the action. Such perfect clarity! Not taking the action would indeed have meant that I was being overly sensitive. Also, as I've studied certain cards I've frequently come to respect what the artist intended, even if it isn't visually to my liking. So, your feelings about the cards you don't like may change over time, but even if they don't, those negative impressions may make for enlightenment in a reading, or even, if you choose to go there, of your own psyche.

raeanne	12 Sep 2003
Noblelement, I understand how a few cards can affect your opinion of a deck! The World Spirit deck had a card that I just couldn’t look at. The baby on the Sun card was just too creepy for me. He looked evil with his crew cut hairstyle and his chest hair. The Sun card is suppose to be joyful and happy and this baby just looked too spooky! I really liked the deck but I didn’t use it much because of this one card. Thanks to everyone here at Aeclectic, I was able to get past my strong aversion to this card. Someone (I don’t remember who it was) said the baby on this card reminded them of Richard Nixon. Well, the Nixon era was a great time for me. I was an energetic, healthy, free, flower power, peace loving, hippy college student. I can’t think of a better time in my life to represent the Sun card. I still think the baby looks weird but it doesn’t creep me out any more. Let us know what problems you are having with the cards in the Robin Wood deck and maybe we can help you overcome the drawbacks.

Noblelement	12 Sep 2003
Thank you all so much for your help. I think i'm going to go for the Robin Wood deck (and if I can't stand it, It'll make a good gift or something. Or i can trade it for a new one ^_^ ) I'll post somewhere on these boards as soon as I get it. Thanx for the advice all

CompassRose	12 Sep 2003
My opinion, though late... I agree with those who said that if you simply find the images "difficult" or they don't as you say trigger much in your mind, try working with the deck first. You may find that you eventually get the most out of those particular cards, and your initial reluctance is due to a personal block. However, my experience has been (in my expensive and wide-ranging search for "the perfect" deck) that there are some images I simply -- hate, for artistic reasons. An otherwise-lovely deck is marred by an example of freakishly misproportioned drawing, for instance (the reason I absolutely could not work with the Legend Arthurian... the landscapes and animals are wonderful... but those hideous Frankenstein's-monster people completely wrecked it for me). And decks with those sorts of "problem" cards I never do get along with; like a bad date, closer acquaintance only makes those flaws take on more significance.

The Choosing a First Deck... thread was originally posted on 11 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.