Sacred Circle Tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 06 Dec 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Isisdownunder	06 Dec 2003
I'm interested in purchasing the "Sacred Circle Tarot" by Anna Franklin and Paul Mason. It's a little dearer at $76.00 and I wondered have any of you used it and what did you think? Isisdownunder

Rusty Neon	06 Dec 2003
I can't believe the Australian prices for tarot decks. Isisdownunder, please see my post on a new thread: http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19975 Hope it helps.

Isisdownunder	06 Dec 2003
Rusty, You are SOOOOOOO right! We are often ripped off price wise here down under. And with buying from net (american sites) by the time you convert the money and pay freight and that it works out at about the same $76 odd mark. It makes it hard. I have a friend in Arizona who is looking into prices and that for me. So hopefully she can help in some way. Have you used the deck yourself? Isisdownunder

Mimers	06 Dec 2003
Isisdownunder, If you really want this deck, try Tarotgarden.com Only 30$ US there and they will mail it to you! Overstock.com has it listed for only 19$ and change as well. If you don't mind purchasing on line and waiting for the shipment it is a much better price! good luck. BTW, I have seen this deck and it is gorgeous IMO. I especially reccomend it if you like the celtic themes and don't mind photos of real people. Mimi

Rusty Neon	06 Dec 2003
I don't have this deck. I'm not into pagan style decks, but the art is quite good for computer-generated art. I found the keywords interesting.

Rusty Neon	06 Dec 2003
With Australian prices, i guess it's important to do good research to see if you really like the deck. If you haven't seen the whole deck yet, you can see all 78 cards at the following webpage: http://www.llewellyn.com/tarot/images/ When you at the webpage, look for the files marked SC (i.e., Sacred Circle). There are upright cards, and reversals. It's not superconvenient for viewing, but I can't think of any other site that shows all the SC cards.

Isisdownunder	06 Dec 2003
Thanks I'll look into those places!!! :) Isisdownunder

tabbycat	07 Dec 2003
The Sacred Circle is a beautiful deck, and so is the Faery Ring Oracle by the same creative team. Just to cheer you up, Australia seems to have an abundance of rare and OOP decks. My Tarot for Cats came from there and I've seen several others from the area on eBay, and the same with the PoMo deck. I was beginning to wonder if all the stock had been shipped out to Australia! Jilly

Jewel-ry	07 Dec 2003
Hi Isisdownunder, This is a lovely deck. I always seem to judge a lot of decks on the artwork of a few cards and this one has a great High Priestess. There are a lot of photographs of Sacred Sites in the UK and I like that. Some of the meanings deviate slightly and some cards are re-named but its a lovely deck and I have had some good readings from it in the past. That said I am not using it much at the moment as there are too many other decks to work with!! J :)

Diana	07 Dec 2003
I got this as a gift from my husband earlier this year. I took one look at it and traded it immediately. (I didn't tell him yet :laugh: ). Wouldn't read with it if you paid me.

Isisdownunder	07 Dec 2003
I've seen the High Priestess card and it is beautiful I agree! Diana, wish you could've traded it with me lol! Thanks for the opinions.... Isisdownunder

Diana	07 Dec 2003
Isisdownunder: Perhaps you could find someone who would be willing to trade one with you. Try asking in the Trading section.

Isisdownunder	07 Dec 2003
I haven't got any tarot cards to trade. Is it card to card trading? Isisdownunder

Diana	07 Dec 2003
Most people trade decks. But sometimes people will accept to trade for books (tarot or esoteric mostly) - and occasionally also sell. It can't hurt to try. :)

firestorm	07 Dec 2003
Isis: I have a Sacred Circle deck and book that I don't use anymore. I received it last Christmas and used it a few months. The deck and book are in excellent condition. If you're interested, PM me.

Siwan	08 Dec 2003
The Scared Circle is my favourite deck so far on my journey of the tarot. I think that being Welsh/Irish the places are so familiar to me. I have only used the deck a few times and the tarot in general is all new to me, but I instantly connected to these cards and found the symbolysim easy to read. My favourite card is the Shaman (Hermit) I feel that the imagery on this card really captures the significance of the hermit. It is such a bueatiful card! Does anyone have a favourite card from this deck?

Jewel-ry	08 Dec 2003
Definately the High Priestess, I absolutely love this card. Whenever I get the deck out she draws me and I find myself just staring at the card. J :)

anjocoxo	08 Dec 2003
The Sacred Circle was one of the first decks I bought (my first deck was a Golden Rider which was a gift). In the begining I liked it... but with time and as I collected more decks, I feel it's not as good as I wish it was. The problem (to me) is the photos, I can't get along with them... :( I'm starting to think about trading it, but still wondering if I should or not... Anjo

Red Emma	08 Dec 2003
I've had Sacred Circle for a couple of years, and hardly ever use it. It's another deck whose cards are too large for me to handle easily. And I'm sorry to be the contrarian here, but I really don't like the art work. It seems kind of photographic, and, I guess, stiff. As if the characters are actors posing for a role. I seem to prefer kind of misty images...I particularly like the Shape Shifters style. When I do use Sacred Circle, it seems accurate enough. Best wishes in your search.

Isisdownunder	08 Dec 2003
Thanks everyone. I've recently become a Priestess in the Holy Waters and Alie suggested I use this deck to tune to the sacred circle more, which is the basic of all our work. I've just gotta get my hands on deck and book at a decent price. There are two possibilites in the works for now.. Isisdownunder

BlueLotus	08 Dec 2003
I own this deck and I like it a lot. The more I seem to 'consult' it, the more accurate the readings are. As I own many other decks, I use this one to read my horoscope spread, and I am more than satisfied with the results. Although I am not celtic, I can't help being possesive of this deck, and hold it dear to my heart with all the beautiful people, and history on the cards. It is definitely worth the money. But if you buy it, please DO NOT get other decks at the same time, as you need to decipher a few symbols on this deck and read the accompanying literature , and this will take time. Besides, this deck was chosen by the aeclectic 'community' as among the ten favorites for four years in a row ( It was #1 choice in 1999), and for good reason. http://www.aeclectic.net/topten1999.html

felicityk	09 Dec 2003
I loved the artwork on this deck, but I eventually traded away my copy as well. I have a real problem with decks that rename and/or renumber the Major Arcana, and this deck does both in a rather egregious manner. My feeling is, if you're going to change the structure that much, why call it "Tarot"? Why not create your own system from scratch (as the authors later did with the Fairy Ring Oracle)? Get this deck if you really like the artwork and symbolism, but be warned that you're not getting a traditional Tarot deck. The following review points out the differences, and the author pretty much echoes my sentiments: http://www.tarotpassages.com/sacredcircdw.htm Felicity

Isisdownunder	09 Dec 2003
That puts a dampener on things. I wish to God more places let you look at the cards before you get them!!! But if I interpret eg the cards from 'The Mythic Tarot' point of view, it would be positive anyhow. I judge all my cards from the Mythic Tarot. You know what I mean? I memorised those meanings and use them for any deck I use. If I do that it would probably work for me???? ?????/ Confusion reigns again lol Isisdownunder

felicityk	09 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Isisdownunder I judge all my cards from the Mythic Tarot. You know what I mean? I memorised those meanings and use them for any deck I use. If I do that it would probably work for me???? If I remember correctly, the Mythic Tarot majors do not have numbers, is that right? The only drawback I can see is that so many of the Sacred Circle majors have different names, so if you wanted to apply the meanings from the Mythic Tarot you would also have to memorize which card corresponds to which and you wouldn't have the numbers to fall back on. And the order of the Sacred Circle cards is different than the standard anyway. It sure is confusing! Felicity

Isisdownunder	09 Dec 2003
It could work with a bit of work!! lol I suppose you don't know until you try. Thanks for your help. Isisdownunder

Lee	09 Dec 2003
I've said this before in other threads so please forgive me for being repetitive, but... If you like the Sacred Circle style of art but want something closer to traditional decks in meaning, you might try the Tarot of Timeless Truth, which is a self-published deck that will be available in a few weeks. You can see all the cards and read about the author's approach (and order the deck) here: www.tarot-of-timeless-truth.com I love this deck. I've pre-ordered it, and I'm anxiously awaiting it. -- Lee

firestorm	10 Dec 2003
I am absolutely shocked at what shipping to Australia is. Is $71 dollars for shipping normal?? I went to a UPS store because the post offices around here have lines out the door and around the block and I'm absolutely livid.....for a deck of cards and a book?? Geez!

MeeWah	10 Dec 2003
Try Tarotgarden--a reputable & prompt online seller of Tarot decks, it offers excellent customer service! Its prices are reasonable & so is the shipping, usually via Global Mail. It also has a Tarot Credit program where purchases accumulate points towards unusual Tarot items featured in a special catalog. I acquired a copy of Sacred Circle Tarot after long viewing it at AT & seeing a demo deck at a local shop, The Heritage Store. (Suppose 'tis a measure of will power that I held out all these years, only to cave in.) The box of the one copy on the shelf had been opened--it lacked its plastic overwrap, the contents appeared undisturbed but the box was shelfworn & dented along one side. Since there was no other copy in stock, the salesgirl offered to discount the set if I wanted it, so I got it for $26 :) I was ecstatic, to say the least! Since 'tis very different from the usual Tarot deck, I may need to read the book that accompanies it. That should be interesting as I do not usually bother reading companion books (but the AET is an exception, for the qabalistic references). This shop used to keep demo decks of most of the decks it carries but I noticed few during the last visits there. 'Tis the only place I know of in town that has demo decks. The Waldenbooks & Barnes&Nobles carry a very limited selection & the B&N is not friendly towards Tarot customers so I stopped going there immediately. The Heritage apparently occasionally sells demo decks as in passing a clearance table I noticed a couple of worn-looking decks marked as demo decks but I dinna stop to check out what they were.

Isisdownunder	11 Dec 2003
I think that is shipped by courier. Usually something like that is between $10 - $20 US Airmail. But if it is that - it is truly ridiculous. I rang all the new age shops etc that would stock the sacred circle tarot in Brisbane and it's $79.95 for cards and book, that is Aussie dollars. It's a rare and hexy priced deck over here. Isisdownunder

Lee	04 Jan 2004
For a long time, I've had a love/hate relationship with the Sacred Circle. I love the artwork, but I hated the way it plays fast and loose with traditional numbering and imagery. However, in the last week or so I've done several readings for myself with this deck, and it worked beautifully. One thing that helps is that, unlike previously, at this point I'm not paying any attention to the book meanings, which I don't particularly like. Although, I did read through the Court card chapters, just to get a feel for where she was coming from with her keywords. I'm even starting to like the numbered Minors. I usually prefer illustrated pip cards, but these keyword-plus-evocative-arrangement-and-background cards (which I suppose is really more Thoth-ish than anything else) seem to be working well for me lately. I think my feeling as of this moment is that the benefits of the evocative qualities of the artwork outweigh the disadvantages of the changes they've made. One card that used to particularly irritate me is Initiation (Temperance), showing a maze with a caldron in the middle and a bird flying over it, hardly the traditional image. However, I recently came across the following passage in Wang's Qabalistic Tarot, referring to Temperance: "To reiterate the important meanings of Temperance: 1) it refers to an actual physical process, one which has been the secret of mystics for centuries. 2) This process involves an interchange of opposite energies directed by the will. 3) The process is set in motion at the level of the Higher Self. [...] 4) Until this process is accomplished, the Higher Self cannot be known to the Personality." So, maybe the title "Initiation" isn't so far off the mark, although the image is certainly different than the standard angel pouring liquid between two cups. In my earlier post I recommended the Tarot of Timeless Truth as a deck which is more traditional in concept, title and number, but done in the same general style as the Sacred Circle. Now that I have the Timeless Truth deck and have played around with it a little, I do think that it's better for those who must have more traditional Tarot structure. But actually I find that I like the Sacred Circle more. -- Lee

Isisdownunder	04 Jan 2004
Thanks everyone for their imput. Last week I got the deck. A new age shop that had none before Xmas had some instock on the 27th. I went in, thinking of merely looking at the rest, and there was the deck. I had enough money and bought it on the spot. It was laid before me so obviously. I love the deck. I'm using it daily. I do not like the meanings in the book, so work from my interpretations of the deck only (after basically scanning the book). I love it, and it was worth the wait! Next deck to get 'Legend: The Arthurian Tarot" by Anna-Marie Ferguson. lol Isisdownunder

Darla	05 Jan 2004
I'm glad that you like this deck. I have it too and like it very much. Since it was the first deck I really used it will always have a special place in my heart. Although I have a few complaints about it it gives me amazing readings and always a quick, clear and insightful answer. I love the majors! Have fun with your new deck!

Isisdownunder	05 Jan 2004
Thanks! I'm already having fun and insight with it. Isis

Huld	09 Jan 2004
I really like this deck too. My biggest problem with it is the huge borders, they make it very hard to handle for me, not to mention that they don't look so great, IMO. My solution was to simply cut them off! I must admit that I was nervous as I began to cut the very first card, but once it was finished, I was really happy with the result :) Huld

Isisdownunder	09 Jan 2004
Whatever works is my motto, if it works for you, it's fine. Isis

The Sacred Circle Tarot thread was originally posted on 06 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.