Looking for the perfect deck...

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

Belladonna	10 Dec 2003
O.K. Off the top of your head, or out of the bottom of your drawer which tarot deck comes to mind that would fulfill these requirements. Just for fun now- I'm searching for what could be my perfect deck. Something earthy- lot's of fresh green foliage, flowers, animals, preferably with a european or western world feel to it. Something colourful- I like bright! No black and whites or pale pastels. Pagan, too- Very loose here. I'm wiccan, but I love to explore all kinds of practices. I want to see the green man, and pregnant goddesses. I want to see drums and feathers and bon fires. A pleasant blend of celtic and shamanic would be ideal. Just the right amount of nudity! I can't wait for the suggestions to start!

Jewel-ry	10 Dec 2003
Tarot of the Old Path... sort of fits the bill. J :)

Moonbow*	10 Dec 2003
Don't know if you can still get it but it would have to be the [/color] Tarot or if you'll consider an oracle how about the Froud Faeries? Moonbow* :)

galadrial	10 Dec 2003
I second the Greenwood. The Celtic Wisdom might appeal, as well.

Moonbow*	10 Dec 2003
Belledona Here's a link for all of the Greenwood cards: http://www.herebedragons.co.uk/chesca/cp/green.htm Moonbow*

WolfSpirit	10 Dec 2003
I think the to-be-published Druidcraft Tarot may be close to perfect... I also like the Merryday, but that is also a bit playful and fantasy IMO

RedWood	10 Dec 2003
Sacred Circle maybe.

Silverlotus	10 Dec 2003
Robin Wood.

Lee	10 Dec 2003
Tarot of Timeless Truth! :D www.tarot-of-timeless-truth.com -- Lee

Sulis	10 Dec 2003
Glastonbury tarot. Wheel of Change - although I can't read with it ;) World Spirit. And yes, Greenwood. Why oh why is this deck out of print? Sulis xx

Cerulean	10 Dec 2003
http://www.mary-el.com/majors.html While American, this domestic title feels as beautiful. --------------------------------------- Wild Spirit by Poppy Palin is by an Englishwoman who seems to write creative fiction...the book with the deck was never intended to be conventional tarot book in my view.. Llewellyn sells it. ------------------------------------------- Pagan Tarot 2000 by Robin Payne...www.tarotgarden.com has it, I believe. I gave away my Wild Spirit and I don't use the Pagan or Mary El. My suggestions are based on the image descriptions you outlined. Best wishes and hope you enjoy a good title or two after you settle on a choice. Mari H.

Asher	10 Dec 2003
I agree with above suggestions and add my support for the Waking the Wild Spirit deck (just put the book aside and don't bother -- it's annoying and unnecessary). The deck might be considered non-traditional, but the images are wonderful! This is a deck I turn to when I need a breath of fresh air and some new inspiration. It could never be an everyday deck for me. Asher

Belladonna	10 Dec 2003
AARGH! After being out all day, I was so thrilled to receive such marvelous suggestions from all of you and spent awhile composing a summary of the suggested decks with my thoughts and accidentally lost it before being able to post! There are some you mentioned that I'm not familiar with and I'm going to check them out first thing in the morning! It's the Greenwood, though, isn't it!!! I discovered that deck just after it had gone out of print. Oh woe is meeee. I am already a proud owner the Wheel of Change. It's great, but not perfect. I understand another controversial one is that darn waking the wild spirit. I've been eyeballing it suspiciously lately. Well, I'll have to wait to check out some of the others before my final judgement! Once again, thank you for your wonderful input!

divinerguy	10 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Belladonna I'm searching for what could be my perfect deck. Something earthy- lot's of fresh green foliage, flowers, animals, preferably with a european or western world feel to it. Something colourful- I like bright! No black and whites or pale pastels. Pagan, too- Very loose here. I'm wiccan, but I love to explore all kinds of practices. I want to see the green man, and pregnant goddesses. I want to see drums and feathers and bon fires. A pleasant blend of celtic and shamanic would be ideal. Its gotta be the Swedish Witch Tarot (Jolanda den Trejdes). Earthy, Euro, green, colorful, and with a few naked boobies scattered here and there. The perfect deck.

Majecot	10 Dec 2003
You will know it when you find it.. they just speak to you.. or rather it will find you. The best way is when you can see the whole deck (or even touch them). Keep browsing the net untill "the one" calls your name.

Emily	11 Dec 2003
The Robin Wood might be a good one for you to start with, it has most of the theme's you mention in your posting - it's a nice colourful deck. (I was going to recommend the Morgan Greer too) :D

WolfSpirit	11 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by divinerguy Its gotta be the Swedish Witch Tarot (Jolanda den Trejdes). Ah yes how could I not think of this one. One of my favourites too although I have neglected it a bit lately...

jmd	11 Dec 2003
Now, if this was in the Games section, I would answer without hesitation - but here, I must consider the post very carefully :D [...] Just for fun now- I'm searching for what could be my perfect deck. Would have to be the Marseille... Something earthy- lot's of fresh green foliage, flowers, animals, preferably with a european or western world feel to it No doubt... the Marseilles... Something colourful- I like bright! No black and whites or pale pastels Yeppp... the Marseille :D Pagan, too- Very loose here Again, the Marseille... I'm wiccan, but I love to explore all kinds of practices ...you seem to be describing the Marseille soooo well :) I want to see the green man, and pregnant goddesses ... even in her guise as Queen of Swords! - must be that deck! I want to see drums and feathers and bon fires. A pleasant blend of celtic and shamanic would be ideal Seems like you already use the Marseille for your pathworkings ;)... Just the right amount of nudity! ...This seals it... you must surely be referring to a Marseille deck... I remain of course totally unbiased in this appraisal :)

Belladonna	11 Dec 2003
JMD, what a wonderful way to wake up! I'm laughing and trying not to choke over my toast! Actually I have the revised Camoin deck. I am in love with it. I think it is mildly macabre, has a wonderful spooky feel to it that completely suits me, and I must work with it more. I admit, though, I want more out of my pips. ACK! There, I said it, don't shoot!!! I checked out the Mary-El this morning... I liked what I saw. It's on my wish list, I just think it might be a tad too exotic to be my PERFECT deck. Let's see. What's next?

Belladonna	11 Dec 2003
Tarot of the Old Path... Oh, yeah, that one. I wanted that one for ages. Now I want it again... It seems a little on the pale side though, at least on the computer. Where can I see the to-be-published Druidcraft? I appreciate the suggestion of the Froud Fairies oracle, but I usually don't work with oracles. You'd think the MerryDay would be perfect, wouldn't you. There's just something about the style of the artwork that doesn't jive with me. I'm starting to feel extremely finnicky. I must have caught it from my cat. Same with the Sacred Circle. I was so excited when it first came out, but I don't know if I really like that hyper-real look. A good friend of mine has the Robin Wood. Not quite what I'm looking for. Just checked out the Greenwood again and I groan with pleasure and longing.. What a fresh look the Glastonbury has! Whoops, skipped over the Tarot of the Timeless truth! Wow. Interesting. Reminds me of a cross between the Gendron and the Sacred Circle. I find that real people in a Tarot deck give me the heebie jeebies, though! Gonna take a little break here and think about it some more...

Belladonna	11 Dec 2003
Could somebody help me out with a link to view the Swedish Witch Tarot? Merci beaucoup.

galadrial	11 Dec 2003
You can view all the Majors at www.hansarnold.com/htmls/tarot/tarot_galleri.html

Cerulean	11 Dec 2003
http://druidcraft-tarot.druidry.org/ Almost forgot if you like computer-perfected painting: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/gilded/ The Gilded could be more fantasy-inspired. I like to know that there's fun and fantasy decks out there to look forward to as well. Mari H.

The Looking for the perfect deck... 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.