Decks and fashions

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 21 Dec 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Diana	21 Dec 2003
I was going over in my mind the last two years or so of Aeclectic - the people who have come and gone, the Tarot decks that have come and gone..... And I got to think more about the Tarot decks that seem to have come and gone. Or at least, nearly gone. There was a time when so many people would rave about the Halloween Tarot deck - it was so popular! It's name would crop up continuously. No-one hardly ever mentions it anymore.... (to my great relief, but don't mind me. :D ). The same goes for the Rohrig. One still sees this deck cropping up from time to time - but less and less. And surprisingly, the Cosmic Tribe tarot - which was such a very popular deck on this forum - sometimes I thought it would end up by overtaking the Rider Waite - has kind of sunk down into the pits of somewhere. Who talks about it anymore? And the Londa - I would see it's name constantly. Now it's an absolute rarity for it to be mentioned on Aeclectic (again, to my great relief - lol - ). Does this mean that there are fashions in Tarot? Like in clothes? "This year, ladies and gentlemen, the trend is towards Victorian lace"..... "This year, ladies and gentlemen, the trend is towards Pumpkins instead of Cups." I dunno.... how is it that some Tarot decks can be so popular and then not anymore?

Maan	21 Dec 2003
Intresting thought ( btw i'm using the halloween alot lately ;) ) Maybe it has to do with the energies on the forum and in the world. There is always some sort of collective consiousnes hanging over the wordl and i think if you connect with that...like most people do when they read the cards...you pick up the qualities you need to fit in that consisiousnes so you can learn from it optimaly. But thats my little theory..of course there are things like massa hysteria involved with some decks..one raves about it and others get intrested ;) Overall there are a lot of people very loyal to one or two decks. Like i am to my phantasmagoric theater tarot and you are to your marseille. Love a poundering Maan

Ruby7	21 Dec 2003
Hi Diana, interesting post! I think that a deck becomes " trendy" on the forum sometimes as a result of one or two members mentioning liking a deck, then other members become interested in the deck and before you know it more and more members get this deck. I guess there are decks that are trendy and in style at the time (just like fashion:)) and then there are classics which have time-honoured truths which will never go out of style. I have to admit I don't like when people disappear from the forum, friends leaving and moving on have always disturbed me. Ruby7

Jewel-ry	21 Dec 2003
Hi all, I think it definately has a lot to do with whats being talked about on the forum. It only needs a couple of people to rant and rave about a deck and so many of us think 'gotta have that deck'. I also think that our tastes change and that we go through phases. As I said on another thread not so long ago, one day I can really love a deck and others I cant stand looking at it. Of course, there are those old favourites which stand the test of time and you always looovvve them (Morgan Greer) and keep coming back to them. J :)

Marion	21 Dec 2003
Hi Diana and everyone, Yes, have noticed that as well. Sometimes decks, like the Londa, just do not stand the test of time. You *do* occasionally hear the Londa mentioned but usually in very derogatory terms (i.e. empty, flat, horrible colours in the wands suit). I certainly have succumbed to the odd fad myself, and some I bought for various not-useful reasons (i.e. I bought the Tarot of Oz because of childhood associations. It is not a highly read-worthy deck except for some relatively rare questions). Decks that are around for a long time, even with a few detractors, like the Robin Wood, Morgan-Greer and so on have proven themselves to their owners. Sorry Diana (hi Maan) I also still like the Hallowe'en Deck. :> That's another point, I don't mention it because I know it has already been often discussed and if I do mention it, someone is sure to post with three or four threads and say "See, we already discussed that". Sometimes when I pull up an old thread and see all the posters who I like so much, just vanished, I also feel a sense of loss. They got bored? lost their internet connection? had more pressing demands on their time? had a fit of tarot-aversion? Often you don't know. Ah the world of cyber-space. Like in Lewis Caroll's book, 'curiouser and curiouser'.

Silverlotus	21 Dec 2003
I also think it has a lot to do with which particular decks are being raved over or asked about. I've read several threads where people say they must have the deck now that they've seen. Heck, I've been one of those people. :) But, sometimes those decks don't stand the test of time. They may be interesting for a little while, but lack the depth that some are looking for. I don't really know.

Woof	21 Dec 2003
I agree with most of what you said but just because a deck is no longer raved over doesn't mean it is no longer loved. A better indicator would be to take a look at what ends up on the trading forum. You rarely see a Halloween, a Rohrig or a Cosmic Tribe. But then you will see some decks go back and forth accross that forum with regularity: Crows Magic, Witches, recently the Fey etc. Woof

baba-prague	21 Dec 2003
Well, my poor dad has never lived down his comment on a strange new band called The Beatles in 1964. He said in the spring of that year "By October, you won't even remember who those Beetle boys are". Oh dear :-) So it can be awfully hard to predict what WILL stand the test of time - in any branch of the arts. I think things that are trendy for trendiness's sake often do come and go quickly. If there is some inherent quality (in the case of tarot decks this can be quality of conception, symbolism, artwork or even production) then it's much more likely to stick around and continue to be appreciated. Of course Diana, there is that trendy new-fangled deck - "Marseilles" I think it's called? Do you think that will be out of fashion by next year?

Diana	21 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by baba-prague Of course Diana, there is that trendy new-fangled deck - "Marseilles" I think it's called? Do you think that will be out of fashion by next year? You mean that one where they call the Magician the "Bateleur"? They even call the Hierophant a "Pope", for heaven's sake! It's almost shocking. Woof: that was a good point about the Trading section.

Jewel-ry	21 Dec 2003
I think woof has made a very good point. There are some decks which just dont come up on the trading forum at all, and I'll bet there are some decks that have been all around the world!! What a good thread that would be!! Trace the deck I can just see it now.... Well, I got the ....deck from .....in NYC... who got it in a trade from..... in London, who got it from.....in Switzerland, who got it from......in Melbourne etc mmmm interesting J :)

baba-prague	21 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Diana You mean that one where they call the Magician the "Bateleur"? They even call the Hierophant a "Pope", for heaven's sake! It's almost shocking. I think they are just trying to be kind of French and fashionable - I'm sure no-one will follow this odd naming of the majors - and as for the numbering! Well, it's obviously just a passing trend (giggling madly, baba rushes off to her Solstice Tarot party wondering if anyone there will be using the new "Marsay" deck ... ) ________ edited to add. Yes, I thought that point about the trading forum was really interesting too. Some decks do seem to stay only a short time with people. Maybe they are the ones that are interesting to see, but not good to read with?

Majecot	21 Dec 2003
I think that we do go thru phases, phases in our lives where one deck will speak to us more than another. I do not think that any "trendy" deck will replace the more tradtional ones. I do think that sometimes our deck choices are influenced by the ones that are talked about here ( how else would we know that we needed them if our friends did not tell us ;)). And of course we always talk about our newest and brightest discoveries.. but I don't think that our old favorites are any less loved either.. I still love my Enchanted Tarot ( that is 8 yrs old) and my Legend, (also that old) even tho I gave Enchanted to my sister in law ( so it would not be neglected and be appreciated more) and I do take out my other decks and play with them. Except for one deck, I don't consider anyone of them just trendy , and that would be that little itty bitty one that I cannot even see. I think they all have enough substance to stand the test of time with me. Because I do use them all, it depends on the "phase " I am in, :)

Maan	21 Dec 2003
what would it be great if we had acces to the sales figures of us games, lo scarebeo etc. So whe knew wicht decks stay bestsellers and wich one day flies. Love Maan

Marion	21 Dec 2003
Yes, sometimes I am in the bookstore looking at the decks that to me are so poor, thinking "someone is actually going to come along and buy that deck... and heck, maybe even love it". The Vampire Deck. Now there is a deck with current 'buzz'. Frankly if you gave it to me it would be up for trade in as much time as took me to turn on my PC. How long do you think that one will be popular?

Le_Corsair	21 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Maan what would it be great if we had acces to the sales figures of us games, lo scarebeo etc. So whe knew wicht decks stay bestsellers and wich one day flies. US Games already does this in their catalogs for you; the bestsellers and most popular are given a notation to that effect. As to popularity of decks: If novelty wasn't a strong aspect of sales by the publishers, they would soon go out of business, because once everyone has that copy of the RWS, Thoth and Marseilles (for example) there is no reason to get another until you wear the first one out, so the publisher is stuck waiting for the next generation to grow and develop a taste for tarot. Obviously that is not how it works, either with cars or cards. I wouldn't mind if there was a way to get less-popular decks printed on an as-needed basis, so everyone has a chance to get that rare and treasured deck, whether it be (for me) a Morgan's Tarot or a yellow 1916 De Laurence RWS, or whatever is on your own list of rare and unobtainable decks. If it happens, it won't be soon, I don't think the state of the art is at that point yet. Bob :THERM

Marion	21 Dec 2003
I just posted this and turned back to Tarot Decks and there is quite a long thread on the Vampire Tarot. Very positive, too. hehe. I guess this means I am due for some flames.

Marion	21 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Le_Corsair I wouldn't mind if there was a way to get less-popular decks printed on an as-needed basis, so everyone has a chance to get that rare and treasured deck... Right Le_Corsair! Books on Demand allows you to do that with books. Now we need a cards-on-demand outfit. BoD only sends you bound photocopies though, and at very high prices. (as I know, having at one point in my life been prepared to pay a pretty stiff price for Volume II of Jung's letters)

WolfSpirit	21 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Diana I was going over in my mind the last two years or so of Aeclectic - the people who have come and gone, the Tarot decks that have come and gone..... I was just thinking today of all the people who would once post all the time and are now nowhere to be seen...sometimes they say goodbye and give a reason why they are leaving...often not...I guess it is that time of year when you think about people who have gone from our lives... As for trends in decks - don't really know...sometimes I get influenced by other members to look into a deck and get enthusiastic about it, but sometimes I find it by myself and like it for my own reason, and noone else seems to like it (so you would get short discussions here ;) ) Also once a deck has been discussed there does not seem to be more to say about it than: yeah wow still great still like it, so that is where the discussion will end unless new members with new questions join. I know about the Cosmic Tribe though: kayne was the biggest fan of this deck and would mention it all the time - so no kayne, no Cosmic Tribe ;) Actually I have had this deck on my wish list for some time now but as I know what has been said about it I don't feel the need to start the discussion again... Of the people who regularly buy new decks, I think most do it in silence and only a small part gets discussed here. Also if we start a new thread on a deck Demonesse will hit us on the head because she wants us to read the old threads ;)

HudsonGray	21 Dec 2003
The Victoria Regina deck was the same way last year. I guess it comes and goes, and if a deck is new, it gets double attention. The Vertigo deck, I noticed, is sort of here & gone, on again & off again, on a rather regular basis.

Cocobird55	21 Dec 2003
I think Aeclectic has definitely influenced my tarot addiction ... uh, buying habits. When lots of people post about a deck, have links to decks, etc., I will look and if I like it (usually the case) I will buy it. I've acquired a lot of new decks this way. I've even bought a couple of decks (Robin Wood, Cosmic Tribe) because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, even though I didn't much like them. I have become fond of the Cosmic Tribe- still not sure about the Robin Wood. New things usually receive more attention than those which have been around for awhile, and that's generally true in all kinds of marketing. New books on the best seller list, new rubber stamp pads or inks... it's all out there for us to buy. The nice thing is that we also post about decks we have had for a while, and newly discover or start using again. Sue

Cerulean	21 Dec 2003
and wonder among them which ones will have staying power. I seem to find the two King Arthur ones, Legend and the Hallowquest ones that came out in the nineties still seem to be mentioned periodically. There are many others, but I wonder if that segment of the market has peaked, except for the seasonal Springtime around "St. Patrick's Day" for the U.S.? Mari H.

WolfSpirit	22 Dec 2003
In October there is always a rush on vampire, gothic and other dark decks...and the Halloween for the gentler minds.

Moonbow*	22 Dec 2003
I haven't read every post here yet but I for one think its a shame that some decks are fashionable for 5 minutes. I know there is sometimes a new one out that everybody wants, but I still use the good old favourites. 'And' I still buy old ones. One of my recent purchaces was the Karma tarot, it seems I am the only one who has this deck on this site so I can't discuss it with anyone :( (Le-Corsair remembered it because of Jimmy Hendrix, but that was it). I have had some really good readings with this deck, OK I know its a bit strange but if you are an artistic person ( in any field) I think you would love it. There are decks out there which I think are very good and people don't give a try to anymore because they were made 15-20 years ago - shame. Having said that I do have the Quest but I buy on whether or not I like the deck and not whether or not its fashionable at the time. Many of my decks were bargains because they're not recent. Moonbow*

lark	22 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Maan what would it be great if we had acces to the sales figures of us games, lo scarebeo etc. So whe knew wicht decks stay bestsellers and wich one day flies. Love Maan Hi Mann I thought your question was interesting and my curiosity got the best of me. So I got out my US Games catalog and here are their top sellers. A few of them were surprising. Rider-Waite Pocket Rider-Waite Universal Waite Original Rider-Waite Quick and Easy Rider-Waite Crowley Thoth (green version) Goddess Tarot (Waldherr) DragonTarot Fung Shui Tarot (Connnolly) Hanson Robert Lord of the Rings Medieval Scapini Spiral Tarot Tarot of the Moon Garden Vampire Tarot

lark	22 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Moonbow* I Many of my decks were bargains because they're not recent. Moonbow* Good point Moonbow* I've had many decks on my wish list for years. And it seems like if they were really ment to be mine I see them some where for incredible bargains. Light and Shadow set $7.95 Voyager set $4.95 Enchanted set $9.95 ect. ect. I could go on and on. It doesn't matter to me if they're out of style and no one is talking about them any more. I love when people revive an old thread and start talking about an older deck. I've had the most fun talking about the Morgan Greer again. A deck I use all the time. Not only does it give people the incentive to get that deck out again and give it a good look see.. But it introduces other people to a great deck that isn't new or fashionable but is still one heck of a good deck.

dolphinprincess	23 Dec 2003
this thread really hit home.. (thanks lark, for pointing it out...)... i think we all experience phases in every area of life.. and impulses... and changes in taste... we all have CDs we've bought for that one song and never listened to again.. clothes worn once, that we just had to have... there is a certain 'high' about acquiring something 'new' and 'fresh'.. and having that 'i love this' or ' i can't live without this' feeling... but, as with most things, the 'high' fades... and most times we are left with far more stuff than we can possibly use in our limited free time. i think that is why talk about decks disappear.. bc we have since acquired something 'new'.. and that limited time is being spent elsewhere... i have bought way too many a deck after reading a positive post .. as many probably have.. and i realized very recently that i haven't had time to get to know any of them properly.. bc i''m always just on to the new bandwagon... in a huge attempt to stop this practice, i slashed my collection in a massive way.. and i hope to spend some serious time with a small list of favorites.. but i agree with lark.. its fun to do a search on a deck and then revive an old thread.. it always amazes me how easy it is to ignite a new discussion on an old topic :o) Especially since opionions do change so frequently... the posts could be entireley different the second time around...

Little Baron	23 Dec 2003
I have recently pulled quite a few decks from my piles that havn't been touched in years and they seem as fresh and new as they were when I bought them; the Russian Tarot of St Petersberg (never got on with that one but 8 years later, I started noticing just how beautiful it is and the accompanying book became a tube train buddy whenever I had to travel anywhere recently). The same has happened with the Cosmic Tribe, The Rohrig and the Winged Spirit (never thought I would be able to read with that one!!!). Sitting at my house in London are the Pagan 2000 and the Light and Shadow amongst others - two decks I am not attached to. Maybe in a year or so they will become my next best friend. I think I needed the Rider Waite to begin, the Phantasmagoric to develop a different kind of tarot relationship with and the Buckland for a different slant, for example, before I could appreciate some of the other decks that I have. I think decks need a rest some times as well so that they are energised again when I need them. I love seeing them through new and naive eyes again. With this in mind, I don't feel that I need any new and fashionable decks for the moment as recycling these ones seems to be working for me. Then again, I havn't been talking to you guys for a while so I am sure the tarot buying bug will hit me in a week or two LOL. Regards Yaboot

Shade	26 Dec 2003
I remember when all anyone seemd to talk about was the World Spirit Tarot by Llewellyn but I aven't heard anyone mention it for a while. Also it seemed like a plethora of erotic decks came out all at once and then nothing. We had Manara Casanova and Decameron one after the other. The renn. painter decks were pretty big this last year with the Da Vinci, Bosh and Durer etc.

The Decks and fashions thread was originally posted on 21 Dec 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.