Need reccomendations for a new deck

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 26 Nov 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

palershadow	26 Nov 2003
hey everybody. I'm looking to buy a new tarot deck, and I wanted some advice. my first deck was the Rider-Waite deck, for the sole reason that I was told it was the best deck to use for beginners. since I figure myself to be fairly proficient now, I thought it was time for an upgrade. the problem is that I started looking around for new decks, and then I bought the Tarot of the Witches deck solely because the artwork looked pretty nice to me. this proved to be a rather big mistake, because while I like the artwork in the deck, the pip cards have no detail whatsoever, and thus are exceptionally difficult for me to interperate. so this is what I'm looking for. I would like to find a deck like Rider-Waite in the sense that it's extremely easy to get the meaning of the card directly from the card, no needing to check the guide book or a site or such. but then I need a deck that is also extremely visually exciting. I liked Rider-Waite but the artwork was just too plain and uninspiring for my tastes. so I guess I need a deck that has the functunality of Rider-Waite but the artwork of something more. I'm looking at the Sacred Circle deck - http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/sacredcircle/index.html - right now, which is pretty, but I'm afraid it deviates too much from the traditional tarot imagery (like saying the Underworld instead of Temperance, for example, plus that card looks very little like Temperance. :) ) my other choices so far are the Witches Tarot - http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/witches/index.html - and Celtic Dragon - http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/celticdragon/index.html - if anyone can offer better choices or ideas, or if you've got these decks and can tell me more information about them (specifically whether or not all the cards are illustrated with scenes or they're like the Tarot of the Witches deck with very little detail in the Minor Arcana) I would appreciate it exceedingly. thanks everyone. happy thanksgiving!

Rusty Neon	26 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by palershadow but then I need a deck that is also extremely visually exciting. I liked Rider-Waite but the artwork was just too plain and uninspiring for my tastes. so I guess I need a deck that has the functunality of Rider-Waite but the artwork of something more. - Spiral Tarot - Stone Tarot - Napo Tarot - Thoth Tarot - a more brightly coloured close RWS clone (e.g., Universal Waite, Albano-Waite)

Logiatrix	26 Nov 2003
hey, ps... You seem to be leaning more toward pagan-themed decks, so I'm thinking perhaps the Tarot of the Old Path or the Robin Wood. A leisurely perusal of the tarot gallery here on Aeclectic would probably help you decide. If you click on "Categories" there, you will find a whole group of RWS variations to look at; there are also pagan and celtic themed decks, if that is indeed your preference. Happy Thanksgiving to you as well... :)

palershadow	26 Nov 2003
this is more like what I'm looking for, but the imagery in these are way too gaudy and pastel for me. :) plus I don't like crowley, but these are more towards what I'm looking for than before. thanks for your suggestions, and any others are more than welcome. :)

Logiatrix	27 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by palershadow ...this is more like what I'm looking for, but the imagery in these are way too gaudy and pastel for me... Which ones were too gaudy and pastel? :confused: If you like finer-lined drawings, look at the Royal Fez Moroccan, Aquarian or the Cosmic Tarot... :)

Lee	27 Nov 2003
I don't recommend the Witches Tarot, since you say you'd like to keep some continuity with the RWS. The Witches minor arcana are significantly different. If you like the Sacred Circle but want something more traditionally tarot, you might want to try the Tarot of Timeless Truth, which is an independently-published deck which can be ordered on the internet. It's currently being printed and should be available sometime in December, but you can see all the cards and order the deck here: http://tarot-of-timeless-truth.com -- Lee

Sulis	27 Nov 2003
Hi Palershadow, I agree with Lee, I got the Witches Tarot as my first deck and traded it away: It varies considerably from the RWS and I just couldn't use it. I too dislike pastel colours. Here are some suggestions of some decks which stick pretty much to RWS imagery and meaning. Morgan Greer - Borderless, deeply coloured cards http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/morgangreer/index.html Aquarian - http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/aquarian/index.html New Palladini - http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/newpalladini/index.html World Spirit - Linoleoum block prints - gorgeous http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/world-spirit/index.html Hudes tarot - http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/hudes/index.html Universal Waite - A recolouring of the Rider-Waite deck - I don't have this one but many people like ithttp://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/universalwaite/index.html Love and light Sulis xx

Le_Corsair	27 Nov 2003
Welcome to Aeclectic! Sulis covered most of my choices, the ones she mentioned that I particularly recommend are the Aquarian, the New Palladini, and the Morgan-Greer. Decks that are a little harder to find but fit your specifications are the Royal Fez Moroccan, the Restored Order Tarot (Tarot In De Herstelde Orde), and the Tarot of Prague. All of these are available at the Tarot Garden. Tarot of Prague is especially nice, the archetypes and symbols are very close to RWS, but not close enough to bore you with something you've seen before. The artwork is gorgeous, too. Don't be so quick to dismiss decks with pip minors. If you are truly well acquainted with fully illustrated cards, then a decks such as a Marseilles is the next step up in your tarot education. It's a great way to improve your memory power or increase your intuition, probably both. In addition, some of the Marseilles decks such as the Hadar, the Camoin, and the Fournier are quite lovely. Another attractive deck with pip minors is the 1JJ Swiss. A great way to decide for yourself which deck should be your next purchase is to scan the decks shown at Aeclectic or elsewhere, read the descriptions, and find out how readily available they are, and at what price. Many people form their wish lists doing just that. Whatever you decide on, good fortune with it, may it bring you happiness! Bob :THERM

Moonbow*	27 Nov 2003
Hi Palershadow How about : Ancestral Path Greenwood Alchemical - (Rosemary Guiley) Moonbow*

Tallarico	27 Nov 2003
I second The Morgan-Greer Deck. Symbolism similiar, colors deep and rich, perfect shuffling size, etc. etc...

Jewel-ry	27 Nov 2003
Definately Morgan Greer, its a lovely deck, borderless with very rich colours. It is very inspiring and comes in a little box which is uselful. My favourite at the moment. The Tarot of the Old Path is another good deck, the Majors in particular are just dripping with symbolism. J.

Emily	27 Nov 2003
I too recommend the Morgan Greer - if your comfortable with the Rider Waite, you'll be able to read with it out of the box. The symbolism is very near to Rider Waite but some of the cards look very different - soon you'll be looking for the Paul Foster Case influence , the colours, plants used. The borderless cards make them easier to use too, the colours are rich without being gaudy, the faces have good expressions drawn, the artwork is excellent. It's a very nice deck. :D

Moonbow*	27 Nov 2003
I've got it!!! Illuminated Tarot.......... have a look. I dont have it but looks like its the type you're looking for? Masonic...... Moonbow*

The Need reccomendations for a new deck thread was originally posted on 26 Nov 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.