Nameless Rider-Clone Deck... Very pretty

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 09 Jan 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

FourLeafClover	09 Jan 2004
I just recently got a deck that I found at the bookstore. It's attatched to a book called "The Beginnner's Guide to Tarot". It's by Juliet... phooey, can't remember her name. It's an unabashed Rider-Waite-Smith clone, and the pictures are very simple. But they're also lovely and watercolor-y. I've only used it a few times (but then, I'm a TOTAL newbie at this!). I quite enjoy them. Favorite cards are The Chariot (pulled by HORSES! a very high-speed energy card!), the 3 of cups, the 2 of swords (pictured on the cover, SO pretty) and the queen of cups. Oh, and the Queenof Wands is lovely too. She has a cat. :) Anyone seen this? Any insight you can give?

Majecot	09 Jan 2004
Hi FourLeafClover, Julia Sharman I believe is her name. I actually have this deck, and I also bought it for my niece for her birthday ( which was on Jan 1st ). I think it a pretty deck, very easy to learn with which is why I bought it for my niece. I especially liked . I bought one for myself so I would the same deck as she for when she calls me with questions about cards. I don't really read with it tho. I think there are a few others here that have deck also deck.

Cocobird55	09 Jan 2004
I like this deck a lot, too. The book is well done, and I like the way the different symbols are pointed out. I always recommend it when someone asks about a good learning deck. Sue

Le_Corsair	09 Jan 2004
It's a good deck, the book is by Juliet Sharman-Burke, and cards are by Giovanni Caselli. The artwork is much better than the RWS deck, but some of the cards vary from standard RWS imagery too much for my taste. I like the fact that you can learn the elemental attributes of the cards simply by looking at each image: earth, air, fire and water are represented in the various suits by small symbols, usually an animal. In the book, Sharman-Burke doesn't teach using reversals, so if you are a fan of reversed card meanings you will have to use another book in addition to Sharman-Burke's. The cardstock is a bit thin and is uncoated, so the cards are not as durable as they might be, but with reasonable care should last for many years. I wish that the backs were more attractive, but that is a minor matter. The great thing about this set is the price, I bought it for around 12 dollars US: a bargain, IMO. There are better decks out there and better books, but not in combination, and not for this good a price. I hope that you enjoy it! Bob :THERM

Moonbow*	10 Jan 2004
Hi I had the Sharman-Caselli deck and book for a while too. Like Bob, I liked the coloured suits. Especially when they are all laid out on a table. I gave the set to my young nephew as it is an excellent set for learning. The book also made note of what each number meant i.e one = the beginning, root etc and two = duality etc and I think I'm right in saying she linked this to the Majors too. Enjoy it FourLeafClover Moonbow* :)

Kissa	10 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by FourLeafClover Oh, and the Queen of Wands is lovely too. She has a cat. :) Anyone seen this? Any insight you can give? I bought myself this set as a Xmas gift. I like it too, very clear. I showed DH the Queen of Wands and told him "here is why i bought it" as the lady has a marmelade cat with her (whereas in other decks she usually has a black one). The cat suits the suit colour scheme and I live with the world's most gentle marmelade cat at the moment (I lived with another marmelade one as I was a kid). Marmelade cats are the best, don't know why, they just are even if all my cats (and animals) are wonderful. I think the cardstock is not such an issue if you shuffle gently. It is not as slippery as coated decks, which is good too, this Radiant cards keep falling around as i shuffle them. Despite being aimed at beginners, i think this deck offers new insights to more experienced readers as well. It is very friendly and usable straight away. The author (Sharman-Burke) also created the Mythic Tarot, which is a bestseller. My two cents... Kissa (means "Cat" in finnish ...) PS: the deck is known as the Sharman-Caselli deck, there are reviews here : http://www.tarotpassages.com/sharmancaselli.htm here : http://www.advancenet.net/~jscole/tarotpostmods.htm and here : http://www.astroamerica.com/t-begin.html

FourLeafClover	10 Jan 2004
Okay, so it DOES have a name! Cool! It DID annoy me that there were no reverse meanings. I'm new enough at this to want as many viewpoints as possible. I don't know yet if I'm "a fan of reversed card meanings" :confused"

Kissa	10 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by FourLeafClover Okay, so it DOES have a name! Cool! It DID annoy me that there were no reverse meanings. I'm new enough at this to want as many viewpoints as possible. I don't know yet if I'm "a fan of reversed card meanings" :confused" "Tarot Reversals" by Mary k. Greer. Excellent book. Check out the review here and on Tarot Passages for example. Kissa

Le_Corsair	10 Jan 2004
Joan Bunning also has published a book of reversals, Learning Tarot Reversals. It's not absolutely necessary to learn reversed meanings, many very good readers don't use them. Bob :THERM

cjtarot	10 Jan 2004
Hi, Thanls for the pictures. Your right, its a beautiful deck.. Blessings. CJ

Kissa	10 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by cjtarot Your right, its a beautiful deck.. CJ ... and cheap as well, considering it is a set. A very good buy. Kissa

Shade	10 Jan 2004
Just wanted to add, the backs of these cards are a real eye sore. They are this glaring magenta color that just bugs me when I read with them.

FourLeafClover	10 Jan 2004
Blurk. Agreed about the magenta. One of my least favorite colours to begin with and not nice to be staring in my face. But the fronts are so pretty... :)

CreativeFire	11 Jan 2004
I also bought this deck as a Xmas present for myself as I had seen it and the cards really connected - like it better than my standard RWS deck. Not a fan of the bright pink backs on the deck either (the colour is not a personal favourite), but think it is better than the blue and black cross hatch of the RWS. Was also very surprised when I bought it - is the least expensive deck I have ever bought! so can live with the slightly less quality in the card stock. Even though it is primarily designed for beginners I am a big believer in the being "drawn" to a particular deck - and this one did that for me when I saw it (particularly the pictures) and has inspired me to go back to some basics in getting to know a new deck. CreativeFire

The Nameless Rider-Clone Deck... Very pretty thread was originally posted on 09 Jan 2004 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.