introduction, and request for deck choice help!!

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Dec 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

daneo52	10 Dec 2003
Hi! I cannot believe I found this forum. So much fascinating reading! It has made me even more excited to buy a deck. I used to read the Rider Waite deck in college, and read lots of books on it. But I do not think I was ready for it then. I ended up giving it away. Now some years later, I feel drawn to it again. I also study astrology and natural healing like homeopathy and reiki. I hope to get much guidance and intuition development from tarot. I live in Europe, so will have to order online. I have looked at all of the decks on various sites, and so far feel most drawn to Hanson Roberts, the Goddess tarot, and the various fairy oracles. I am a sensitive Pisces type, so prefer pretty drawings, and something a bit more "feminine" and emotional than the Rider Waite. It is so hard to make a choice from the internet, what will be the most meaningful and connected to me. I want something that can be useful for all types of readings. I thought since I am already familiar with the RW, perhaps the Goddess will give me a different perspective, but also have read alot more positive reviews for the HR, especially for someone who is rather a beginner. Any tips are greatly appreciated, and I really look forward to learning alot from this board!

Le_Corsair	10 Dec 2003
The Hanson-Roberts is a good deck, if you already like that one it would be a fine choice, because it is not all that different from the Rider-Waite-Smith, here usually known as the RWS. I can't speak for the Goddess deck. Welcome to Aeclectic! If you like, please introduce yourself in the New Members forum so everyone can say hello! Bob :THERM

jmd	10 Dec 2003
Welcome indeed to Aeclectic daneo52! You will find that many of us will recommend various decks, ranging from personal preference, to reasons that some of us genuinely hold that some decks are 'better' for beginners, or somehow provide a foundation from which one may move to and fro. I personally hold that beginning with the Marseille, though seemingly difficult for some, yields a better foundation. Others will mention that the RWCS's scenic illustrations on the pips make it easier for beginners. I suppose that I tend to view that it forges particular ways of seeing the pips that it later becomes more difficult to move away form the way in which Pamela Colman Smith has (wonderful though they may be) depicted them. As you also mention that 'perhaps the Goddess will give me a different perspective', Diana may recommend a different deck (as a new member, this ma be an unfair comment: Diana also tends to somewhat favour the Marseille - but I'm sure she'll post this herSelf :)). Alternatively, what is also important is to be comfortable and want to use the deck you obtain... there is nothing as fruitless as obtaining a deck which will just sit in a draw unopened due to it seeming unbreachable... In this case, getting whichever deck you seem initially drawn to has its advantages :)

Diana	10 Dec 2003
Hey! I heard my name. (Although coming after jmd's comment that the Goddess may give you a different perspective, I just want to make it clear that I'm not a Goddess! :D :D :D ). If you buy a Marseilles deck, we could meet up somewhere between Zurich and Lausanne (Berne maybe) and we could talk about it together. I really would recommend a Marseilles deck because it is the foundation of Tarot - that way you have a strong traditional, historic basis which will never ever let you down. If you want to add a beautiful, quite feminine and very very intelligent (and full of emotion) deck to go with it, I would suggest the Tarrochi di Vetro. http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/crystal/index.html And welcome to Aeclectic!

Jewel-ry	10 Dec 2003
Hi daneo52, pssst come here, let me whisper in your ear --- you have to excuse Le_Corsair he is showing off as we have been having lessons on how to use COLOR --- Yes this is a fascinating forum. There is so much to learn and so many people with so much experience. As to decks I would say the Hanson-Roberts is a nice little deck but you may find it too similar to your RWS. The goddess is a light deck but I personally find the pips a bit boring. Each suit depicts the same person right through the suit, they look the same, wear the same clothes, the background is the same and well, it can be boring, (but nice). I agree with my friend Diana, the Tarrochi di Vetro is a beautiful deck and the more I look at it the more I see in it and.....Oh by the way... there is an attempt at a study group in the General section. There are only 2/3 members at the moment. We could sure do with another member to this very elite (and special) group. :D ;) J :)

Logiatrix	10 Dec 2003
Welcome, daneo... How wonderful for you to come back to tarot, how wonderful for us to have you here! :D You've come to the right place for ideas on that new deck--everyone's ready to enable you on a brand new tarot addiction! Here's my contribution: Since you expressed interest in the Goddess and the Hanson-Roberts decks, also check out the Robin Wood, New Palladini and Hudes tarots. The oracles of the fairy variety are a much more subjective thing, because application is so varied from deck to deck. Consider, though, that the Froud's Faeries Oracle is the subject of a study group here on the AT Forums, involving some very fey-and-fun-loving people... ;) Speaking of fey, there also the Fey Tarot, a very pretty, very popular fairy deck, perhaps combining all that you are looking for in one tarot...wouldn't that be cool? It is also has a study group here, with the creator of the deck, no less! Please keep us informed about your new deck--we love celebrating new decks! :)

daneo52	11 Dec 2003
thanks for the warm welcome and all the advice. i forgot to add that i have ordered the mary greet tarot for yourself workbook, and i am wanting a deck i can use with this book. something like the marseilles might not work, because the book requires vivid pictures for all the minor arcana. to diana-i would love to meet up in lausanne or bern, both wonderful cities! currently i work in an english bookshop, but my job will be finished by end of the year, so i will have lots of free time in 2004. even if i do not have marseilles, would you be interested to meet? i will go post an introduction now.

Star Spirit	11 Dec 2003
*whispers in your ear..."pssst....get the Hudes Tarot..."* It's similar to the RWS imagery, but much prettier! Insightful yet easy to understand. But I suppose there are a lot of decks like that :) You're best to go with what you're drawn to.

Logiatrix	11 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Dead Star *whispers in your ear..."pssst....get the Hudes Tarot..."* CAUTION!!! As the soon-to-be owner of multiple decks, Dead Star is now legitimately a Licensed Enabler of Tarot Accumulation... Be careful. :D

BlueLotus	11 Dec 2003
Welcome on board daneo52. I hope your will enjoy your stay. I own a few decks that I keep on looking at in amazement due to their art work and rich symbology. One of these decks is the . These cards come in soft pastel colors painted inside velvety colored frames. Each and every card, is done with much care and details and is a sight to behold and it will definitely appeal to your more artistic, and sensitive piscean nature. Take a peak here http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/spiral/. And if you decide to get this deck, you will definitely want to add the book ( which is medium size only ) that is sold seperately , and is worth the money.

Star Spirit	11 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Tauni CAUTION!!! As the soon-to-be owner of multiple decks , Dead Star is now legitimately a Licensed Enabler of Tarot Accumulation ... Be careful. :D My cover's been blown. Oh, woe is me...

The introduction, and request for deck choice help!! thread was originally posted on 10 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.