Recommend a deck?
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 27 Dec 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| Mr. Sluagh |
27 Dec 2003 |
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Okay, here's my dilemma:
When I first started out with on the Tarot, I got the Smith-Waite deck. It seemed like the obvious choice, being the closest thing to a "standard" deck and the one most commonly recommended for beginners in Amazon reviews and so forth. I didn't entirely agree with the sysmbolism, but it was easy and before long I got to the point where I could read a spread practically at a glance, rarely having to reference my book at all, while at the same time being annoyed at some of the symbolism and often consciously re-interpreting cards the way I wanted them to look (I'd sometimes pretend that Pages were Princesses, for instance). Eventually, a couple of cards got torn or creased, which finally motivated me to buy a new deck. So I asked around here on Aeclectic, listing several things that I wanted in a Tarot pack, and the most common recommendation was to just make my own deck, but the second most common recommendation was the Haindl.
So I got the Haindl.
The art is nice. I like Haindl's interpretations of the cards and the symbolism seems to ring true with me — if I understand it. There lies the problem. At first, I found the Haindl difficult to read, but I figured I'd eventually get the hang of it like with the Waite. Not so. I don't get the references to other forms of divination or most of the mythological references, both of which are integral aspects of the deck. Even the symbolism that isn't related to such esoterica is so subtle and complex that I don't even notice it until I look it up in the book, at which point I'm usually still just taking the book's word for it. I wanted a challenge, but I think I've bitten off more than I can chew with this one. I'm in over my head. I've been using the deck for months and I still have to look up almost every card in a spread most of the time.
So now what?
I like Haindl's interpretations of the cards. I like having Strength eighth and Justice eleventh. I like pips with names as well as numbers and gender equality in the court cards. I like most of the symbolism in the deck, I just wish it was more explicit. I guess I'm basically looking for a deck that's somewhere between the Waite and Haindl. I'd like to see symbolism that can be interpreted at a glance but is still fairly complex and manifold if you look more deeply into it. I guess it also deserves mention that, although I occasionally use the Tarot for actual divination, I mostly use it as an aid for roleplaying games (you know, like D&D, but... Different.). I'm mainly interested in the modern gothic occult horror genre, stuff like the World of Darkness, Unknown Armies, In Nomine, Buffy/Angel and Call of Cthulhu, as well as Exalted for those few on this board who might have the feintest idea of what any of that meant. For these reasons, I've been looking at the Osho Zen Tarot, the Mage: the Ascension Tarot, the Lovecraft Tarot and the Vampire Tarot, although I don't really know much about these decks (it's hard to learn much about a deck without actually buying it), although I'd like to hear other suggestions and maybe some analyses of those decks as they pertain to my tastes.
Wow, that was long-winded. I hope it was remotely comprehensible. Thoughts??
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| WolfyJames |
27 Dec 2003 |
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My main deck is gender equal. I use The Enchanted Tarot (Zerner-Farber), and the Pages are actually Princesses, which is something I deeply appreciate too. I think my deck is fairly easy to use, but I'm afraid this deck could be considered as fluffy by many. I don't see it very well as a D&D game. Strength is Eight and Justice is Eleven. Cards have names with numbers. For scans, here:
http://www.learntarot.com/endesc.htm
http://www.wicce.com/enchanted.jpg
The Gothic Tarot by Vargo is a dark deck that could please you, but the court cards genders are not equal. Strength is Eleven and Justice is Eight. Cards have names with numbers.
http://www.monolithgraphics.com/index.html
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| jmd |
27 Dec 2003 |
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...I agree with the suggestion for the Enchanted Tarot.
It is a deck which I personally find fascinating - though I have yet to own my own (as opposed to its diminutive Zerner-Faber version).
It seems to have may of the qualities you are looking for...
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| lark |
27 Dec 2003 |
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Originally posted by Mr. Sluagh
For these reasons, I've been looking at the Osho Zen Tarot, the Mage: the Ascension Tarot, the Lovecraft Tarot and the Vampire Tarot, although I don't really know much about these decks (it's hard to learn much about a deck without actually buying it), although I'd like to hear other suggestions and maybe some analyses of those decks as they pertain to my tastes.
Wow, that was long-winded. I hope it was remotely comprehensible. Thoughts??
If you go to this site you will find many sites that show the whole deck. You can see every card in the deck to your hearts content. I'm not saying it'll be easier to make a decision but it sure will be fun! http://trionfi.com/01/j/i
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| Mr. Sluagh |
27 Dec 2003 |
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Hmm... It might deserve mention that the comparison to D&D may have been a bit misleading, as most of what I play has about as much in common with Dungeons and Dragons as the Tarot has with the I Ching. Roleplaying is essentially a form of cooperative storytelling combined with improvisational theatre. Basically, you have a Game Master (or GM), who creates a fictitious world in which the game takes place, or uses one from a variety of books on the subject. RPGs can be of any genre or style, from comic book superheroes to cyberpunk to westerns, and Tolkien-esque high fantasy covers only a small fraction of these settings (although it's probably the most popular overall). You also have a number of players, usually ranging from one to as many as ten who make up characters who exist within the setting described by the GM. The GM then tells a story about the characters, controlling everything that happens in the story except what the players' characters do. Although many games encourage hack-and-slash play in which the, players attempt to "win" rather than to tell an interesting story, a large and growing number espouse drama, acting and character development first and foremost.
I often use the Tarot in roleplaying games, both to give me ideas for interesting characters (when playing) and to plan settings and storylines (when GMing).
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| BlueLotus |
29 Dec 2003 |
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You will probably like .
Although this particular deck had a few unfavorable reviews, I see no reason for this at all.
I like the images, and the book that comes with it which is a pleasant read. It does have a few somehow complex notions, but I guess this will be all about deciphering a challenge, which I am sure you are up to ...
If you are interested, or think you may be interested in the you need to check this one out.
It is a welcome variation from the Haindl and is modeled after Thoth ; the stunning images on the cards will probably speak more to you.
Check out a few images here
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/navigatorsmysticsea/
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| Kiama |
30 Dec 2003 |
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Originally posted by Mr. Sluagh
I like pips with names as well as numbers and gender equality in the court cards. I like most of the symbolism in the deck, I just wish it was more explicit. I guess I'm basically looking for a deck that's somewhere between the Waite and Haindl. I'd like to see symbolism that can be interpreted at a glance but is still fairly complex and manifold if you look more deeply into it.
You may like the Thoth deck then: it's quite dark, so it would definitely appeal to your gothic taste. The Minors have names aswell as numbers (so, 9 of Swords is entitled Cruelty), and the artwork...! Wow! Deep, beautiful, not simple, but stunning. And the symbolism is definitely manifold: each time I look at this deck, I see something new. I know somebody who's been using the deck for 10 years, and still sees new things in the cards when he studies them! It really is a deck that keeps on giving.
It is quite 'riddlesome' however... It often pays to understand basically what Crowley's philosophy was. But this can be done simply by reading any book by Duquette. There are also quite a few books available about the Thoth deck, though I would advise you to stay away from anything written my Amado Crowley (says he's Crowley's only son and heir, though Crowley never mentioned him, and Amado's stories of his memories with Crowley seem to be utter rubbish...)
Anyway, you might like to check out the Thoth deck.
Blessings,
Kiama
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The Recommend a deck? thread was originally posted on 27 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.
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