So you think you know your Tarot?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 05 Jan 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

cirom	05 Jan 2004
Well here's your chance to put that to the test. I've put together what I hope will prove to be a challenging but fun puzzle for all you Tarot Gurus out there. The first prize will be a Special Edition of the Gilded Tarot, runner up prizes will be 12x18 inch signed prints of the Gilded Tarot Major Arcana Poster. The competition is open to all members of the Aeclectic Forum, and will be spread over a few weeks There is no entry fee. On the assumption that even you experts might get stuck on some of the clues, offers to exchang answers between members is quite acceptable even encouraged -primariliy this should be an enjoyable diversion between the friends of this forum- Please link to this page on my web site http://www.ciromarchetti.com/gilded_tarot/intro.html for additional information and the first set of clues. If when you download the files you don't see any image, it may be that computer requires a Shockwave plug in, which can be obtained for free from Macromedia's web site. GOOD LUCK.

Rhiannon	05 Jan 2004
Wow! That must have taken alot of effort to put together! I could identify maybe 3 of the decks in the 1st week's clues from just that small hint, but identifying them all and then putting it together like a puzzle is going to be much more difficult. But FUN! Thanks! R :)

cirom	05 Jan 2004
Hi, me again. Just so that what is already a difficult challenge doesn't drive you all completely nuts, please don't bother attempting clue number 5 yet, I need to tweak it to work correctly. So if some of you think you know the answer and it failed to respond, its not your fault. I'm afraid its not even a technical problem, its just that I spelt the name of the deck incorrectly in the scripting...Duhhhh!!! It will be fixed tomorrow. :-) ooops

Majecot	05 Jan 2004
cirom.. thank you for the game.. I only breifly looked at it today, but I can see it is going to be a challenge... I hope I am up to it... to have one of your special edition would such a bonus!

cirom	06 Jan 2004
Me yet again, The technical hitch (namely my bad spelling) has been fixed. All clues are now working correctly. And all you members sending me private messages for clues....shame on you :-)

EarthAngel2911	06 Jan 2004
Ciro, This puzzle is going to be great! :) But I am having a bit of a problem, and it could just be me.... After I guess a clue and my puzzle piece changes, I can't seem to print it out. There's nothing on the paper except for the site address. Do you have any idea what I might be doing wrong? Thanks! Karen

cirom	06 Jan 2004
Hi Karen, I'm sorry if I mislead you. As I mentioned on my web site, my intention with the puzzle part of the competition was to level the playing field a little for those who don't own a vast collection of decks, and will need more time to identify the images and in so doing also adding some extra spice by introducing a bit more of a race at the end, hence I've restricted the print option untill the last set of clues. The fact that you've tried printing out indicates you've already solved some clues, and maybe in the lead :-)

EarthAngel2911	07 Jan 2004
Thanks for the clarification, Ciro! And as far as being in the lead, I don't know about that! I definitely recognized quite a few clues, but ask me to find the deck?? Aaiiggh! Which led me to ask this question of myself.... When you own sooo many decks, do you really even have the time to get to know them? It's not as if you're clues are displaying entire cards, but little clues within one card. ;) I have a lot of decks to go through to find those little clues! I LOVE a challenge! :D Blessings, Karen

Moonbow*	07 Jan 2004
Well this is hard..... I've only got (ashamed to say!) two!. I've got number 2 and number 6. Anyone want to do a swap? Yeah yeah, I know, you've all got those two. Worth a try though. Moonbow* :(

catdoc	07 Jan 2004
An initial viewing netted only a single correct guess( image #9.) That beautiful deck is such a tempting prize one could become obsessed with trying to decipher these clues..... your web site is beautifully done Ciro. Deb

jmd	07 Jan 2004
...well, that was one quick way to discover that shockwave is yet to be written to work with Safari on OS X... I'll have to swap to using Netscape and see if it makes some difference (Shockwave should work with Netscape on a Mac).

cirom	07 Jan 2004
jmd, I'm also using Safari as my browser of preference with OS X and shockwave works fine. Just do a check that the plug in is in the correct Library folder (Internet Plug Ins). Alternatively, I've provided some download buttons for Shockwave from my web site http://www.ciromarchetti.com/gilded_tarot/quiz/week_1.html You could try downloading the plug in for OS X Explorer instead. Hope that helps.

EarthAngel2911	07 Jan 2004
Moonbow*, don't feel bad! I only have three, and two of them are the same ones you have. But some of them look very familiar, so I have my work cut out for me looking through some decks this weekend! Deb, glad to see you here! :) #9 looks very familiar to me, but that's one clue I don't have yet. Anybody else doing well? Blessings, Karen

EarthAngel2911	08 Jan 2004
Yay! I got #9! Only 6 more to go :( And this is supposed to be the easiest week??

fairyhedgehog	08 Jan 2004
Hi ciro, This is a brilliant idea! I have no idea what any of the pieces is, but I shall follow the progress of the others with interest. Thank you for making this competition for us :)

cirom	08 Jan 2004
OK, just call me a softy, but I can't stand seeing you struggle. Seriously I'm getting the feeling I may have overdone it and made this competition a liitle too difficult. Here are a few clues so you don't all give up too soon. A) All the decks are either Llewellyn or Lo Scarabeo. (no offence to the other publishers, just a pragmatic issue of avoiding possible copyright infringment) For Clue 1- El duomo ? That rings a bell, but where? For clue 2- One of Bob Hopes movie roles For Clue 3- Just a LITTLE clue For Clue 5- Actually a very modern dog. For Clue 10- If this deck was used to read for others, I assume it would be for only the most intimate client.

EarthAngel2911	08 Jan 2004
Ciro! You ARE a softy! LOL I had already figured out that there weren't any US Games decks in there (and you were probably smart to do that), but luckily I've been building my Lo Scarabeo collection recently. :) Actually, it's going to be good for me to spend some time going through the decks that are just collecting dust right now. :) Thanks for the clues, by the way. ;) That's going to help, I'm sure! Blessings, Karen

jmd	09 Jan 2004
Thanks cirom... I am now using Safari 1.1 (I had been using 1.0.2) - and the images come up... But I'm afraid that hasn't helped me much at all ;) Best of luck to those who recognise many :)

catdoc	09 Jan 2004
Ciro, I have not been able to print the puzzel pieces. The images download just fine and the couple of correct guesses have produced a change of image to the puzzel piece, but when I try to print, the image does not print just some text at the top and bottom of the page. I use a PC running windows 2000 professional / microsoft internet explorer. Help??

cirom	09 Jan 2004
Hi catdog, I'm pleased to read that you're getting some right. I'll be making the images "printable" in a couple of weeks. Just keep a note of your correct answers. I don't know if you saw, but also included a few clues in an earlier response.

EarthAngel2911	10 Jan 2004
Well, I have six clues correct so far. Now I just have to look through some of my decks to get the rest. Ciro, the clues did help me, except for #10. I still can't get that one! Did you check your spelling on that?? :joke: ;) How's everyone else doing?? Blessings, Karen

cirom	10 Jan 2004
OH MY. Now I feel like a complete idiot. Maybe I should stick to doing illustrations, because as a wordsmith I'd obviously die of hunger. Yes I did mess up. I'll fix it Monday morning soon as I'm back in the office. Meanwhile I'll send you a private message with my variation of the spelling, so that you at least have the satisfaction of seeing the image change.

lark	10 Jan 2004
How do they change? I've typed in what I know is a right answer but nothing happens. And if I run the arrow across some of the pictures I don't know they change for a minute into the puzzle piece. I'm confused :confused:

cirom	10 Jan 2004
Hi Lark, Thats wierd. I'll e-mail you one correct answer just to be really sure. Then try again. What browser are you using. Is anyone else having the same problem?

EarthAngel2911	10 Jan 2004
No, I only had that problem until I guessed one correctly. Then, it was like, "Aahhhhh, so THAT'S what's supposed to happen!" ;) Karen

urbandryad	11 Jan 2004
I haven't gotten a single one of these clues yet! I only own two decks, this is going to take me forever! Guess I'm not winning the deck. *criiiiies*

urbandryad	11 Jan 2004
Okay, so, I now KNOW what #3 is, and its still not loading as being the RIGHT anwer. It just won't show, so I've probably done the right answers for alot of them and they just aren't working. Is there some reason fro this? I feel kinda stupid.

lark	11 Jan 2004
Dee Dolly7 I'm having the same problem. I'm going to try it again right now.

urbandryad	11 Jan 2004
Did you have to install an upgraded version of shock to see the clues? I did, so maybe thats a problem, its for a different version of shockwave player, maybe. Lee

cirom	11 Jan 2004
dee-dolly I will send you a private message with the correct answer to Number 3. So you can test it for sure. If with the correct answer, you're still having problems then let me know what Computer system i.e,.Mac, Windows etc and what browser you're using, as there may be some kind of incompatability that I'm unaware of.

urbandryad	11 Jan 2004
Ah, there we go! I got it to work, it turned out my answer wasn't right afterall, lol! I'll have to work out the rest for myself, thank you! :) Lee

lark	11 Jan 2004
I wonder what I'm doing wrong? After you type in the answer does it just automaticaly turn into the puzzel piece or do I have to do something else?

cirom	11 Jan 2004
After typing in an answer, press enter. Then if the answer is correct the image should change.

Moonbow*	11 Jan 2004
Nice tactics Dee Dolly!! :joke: Cirom This is a difficult time for you, don't be nervous. Its my opinion there are alot of 'closet' guessers out there. Moonbow* :) PS I only have two :(

EarthAngel2911	12 Jan 2004
Ok, I'm stumped on clue #8, that bull's skull thingy? It seems like it should be obvious, like I've seen it before, but I just can't seem to find the answer. Does anyone want to give me #8 for another clue? Just PM me! Blessings, Karen

Melvis	12 Jan 2004
Ooh, this is tricky! I just got one of them by putting in the full name and not just the usual moniker I've seen people on the forum use for it! (Hint: it was #9) I think I have 6 of them, but the clues you gave certainly helped! ;) Except for #1...that one's stumped me! BTW, are the decks you're using current Lo Scarabeo or Llewellyn decks, or could they have been discontinued? I don't know if the answer will help me, but I thought I'd ask anyway! ;) This is fun! Even if I don't win, I like the challenge! Thanks, Ciro! Peace, Melvis :TSTRE

EarthAngel2911	12 Jan 2004
Melvis, Would you happen to have clue 8? :)

EarthAngel2911	12 Jan 2004
Yay! Week 2's clues are out! I'm off to be a tarot detective! :D Karen

cirom	12 Jan 2004
As from tomorrow, images resulting from correct answers will be printable. Here are a few clues for week 2 11) Not a Kansas Tarot anymore. 12) Sounds Heavenly. 13) American Basket Ball, Scottish Soccer. 18) At home in a garden. Good Luck.

lark	13 Jan 2004
Zipity do da!!! yippie yahooie!!!! My daughters boyfriend came over and fiddled with the computer and my puzzle pieces are now changing!!!! Don't know what he did, but bless his little heart. I'm ready to do some trading. Week two #12 and #20. I'm stumped. Pm me if you want to trade.

EarthAngel2911	13 Jan 2004
Wow. You mean you have all the other clues but those two?? Gee, did you get clue 8 from last week, because maybe I have one that you don't. But I don't have 12 or 20. :( And congratulations for finally being able to play! Isn't it fun?? Karen

lark	13 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by EarthAngel2911 Wow. You mean you have all the other clues but those two?? Gee, did you get clue 8 from last week, because maybe I have one that you don't. But I don't have 12 or 20. :( And congratulations for finally being able to play! Isn't it fun?? Karen Hi Karen. It is so fun that I have been sitting here for 3 hours surfing around trying to find all the clues. If you figure out #12 or #20 pm me I'll give you #8.

Melvis	13 Jan 2004
This week's pictures are hard to figure out! I just have #14 so far. I'll have to come back to this when I have more time, I guess! :) Peace, Melvis :TSTRE

Blondie_1977	16 Jan 2004
Well, I don't have a lot, but I certainly have #3, only the picture doesn't want to change, and I know the answer is correct, because I have the deck. Any clues about the spelling maybe?

cirom	16 Jan 2004
Hi Blondie I've checked, and clue number 3 seems to be working correctly. Once you've typed your answer, are you pressing the enter key ? If you're still having problems send me an e-mail or private message with the answer you're typing just to re-confirm.

Blondie_1977	16 Jan 2004
Ciro, I've sent you a pm. Have an new idea though, some Lo Scarabeo decks are sometimes republished with a new name? Maybe this is one of them, and I still have the old one? Will go do some searching on the name...

EarthAngel2911	16 Jan 2004
Hi there, Blondie! :) I do believe that's what happening to you on this clue. He used the most recent title of this republished deck. (Republished twice, I believe.) Karen

lark	17 Jan 2004
spoonbender your mailbox is full... I figured out #12 and #20 but I still have something to tell you. :)

spoonbender	17 Jan 2004
Quote: spoonbender your mailbox is full... I figured out #12 and #20 but I still have something to tell you. Oops, didn't know that! I deleted some messages now, so feel free to pm me :)...

linda29	18 Jan 2004
Ciro, I have 2 questions: Could the same deck be used more than once in any of the 4 weeks? Can you submit multiple guesses, the latest always superseding the previous ones? Thanks!

cirom	18 Jan 2004
Hi Linda. There are no repeat uses of the same deck. Each clue is from a different deck. Yes you can submit multiple entries. The winners will be the first to e-mail me with the hidden quote and series of number, which will only be revealed when the majority of puzzle pieces have been put together. While someone might guess at the quote without all the pieces. It is unlikely that you'll guess the numbers in their right sequence, as I picked and placed them randomly. Week three clues will be posted tomorrow. Good luck everyone. I hope you are all enjoying the challenge rather than being driven crazy by it.

Melvis	18 Jan 2004
Quote: Good luck everyone. I hope you are all enjoying the challenge rather than being driven crazy by it. Ah, but methinks some of us enjoy being driven crazy! }) I'm feeling pretty good, as I have four of the decks from the second week...wow! I hope some time away from them will help my poor brain recognize some more. I can't wait till tomorrow! :D Peace, Melvis :TSTRE

EarthAngel2911	18 Jan 2004
I'm having great fun! Thanks, Ciro! :) But you seem to put out the new clues on Mondays... I'm just a little worried about week 4... that will be the race to the finish. Once those clues come out, it won't take long before the answers start rolling in. I just hope that I have time on my lunch hour to work the puzzle! ;) Karen

Majecot	19 Jan 2004
Well I must be absolutley retarded! I only know one of them for sure, (I recognise several peices) and that is because I own that deck and I am looking at the card. I am frustrated because because I cannot get the answer in right. Lark I wish I knew what you daughters boyfriend did to make it work.

cirom	19 Jan 2004
Hi Majecot, Send me a pm with some of the answers you think are right, and I'll reply with a confirmation. That way you'll know for sure if its the way you're typing the answers or a technical issue. By the way everyone, the clues for week three will be ready in couple of hours.

cirom	19 Jan 2004
Just a recap of an earlier clarification, for any of you who are sure you have a right answer, but the image clues don't respond to it. Make sure of the following. If for example the correct deck was - The Ancient Tarot of Lombardy. Dont type in the full title. The correct answers as far as this competition works do not include words such as THE, OF or TAROT. So in this example the correct answer would be simply -Ancient Lombardy- The Tarot of Prague, would be just -Prague- etc etc.

Blondie_1977	19 Jan 2004
After lots and lots of deck browsing/searching online and in my collection I finally got #8. Seeing that alot of you have troubles with that one, who want's to trade for #12?

lark	19 Jan 2004
Hi cirom Week 3 piece # 28 won't print. Page cannot be found keeps popping up. The others are printing fine.

cirom	19 Jan 2004
Whoa!!! You guys are getting too quick at this...trying to print out todays clues already. I'm afraid some of these techy details are beyond me. I'll have my web expert (who also modelled as the Empress on the Gilded Tarot) fix it first thing in the morning.

EarthAngel2911	19 Jan 2004
If anyone has clue 27 from the third week, I'll trade you with a clue you don't have... PM me! Karen

cirom	22 Jan 2004
Hello everyone, as you will probably be aware, the next set of clues (week four) will be the last. Then the puzzle can be completed, and the full hidden message revealed. At which point its a race as to who can e-mail me with the correct answer first. Due to the fact that the members of the Aeclectic web site span the globe, and as such various time zones, I thought it would be fair to change the usual monday morning uploading of the new clues, and do so over the weekend instead. That way most participants will not be handicapped by inconsiderate employers who would'nt appreciate their Tarot enthusiasts spending several hours at their jobs solving puzzles. So I plan to upload the last clues this coming Saturday at about 1pm US EST. Good Luck Ciro

linda29	22 Jan 2004
Thank you, Ciro! I was seriously considering calling in sick Monday! My employer thanks you, too! Linda

EarthAngel2911	23 Jan 2004
Ciro, You're so thoughtful by releasing the new clues over the weekend! Thanks so much! (I'll have to wait until my son's birthday party is over at 4PM, but even if someone has won in that time, I'm still going to finish! :) ) Blessings, Karen

lark	24 Jan 2004
I know it's Saturday night and everybody's out having a good time but... Did anyone send in their email yet?

Blondie_1977	24 Jan 2004
no, not yet Did you?

lark	24 Jan 2004
Yes, I did but I haven't heard anything yet... My connection got shut down right after I sent it, so as soon as I reconnected I sent a second one in case my first one didn't make it through. What a heart pounder that was. Just like dial up to do that in the middle of an important, life altering, tarot contest!

EarthAngel2911	24 Jan 2004
I sent mine earlier, and I haven't heard anything yet either. But I'm sure he's waiting to get at least five correct answers. Good Luck everyone! Karen

cirom	25 Jan 2004
I have a winner and three runner ups so far. I'll wait a few more hours to see if I receive any more entries, and then announce the winners. I must admit that the winning responses did arrive much quicker than I expected, considering that some of the last set of clues were quite obscure. Even assuming that someone actually had every deck in their possession, its still represents a remarkable familiarity with the material, along with carefull observation. Another interesting statistic, not one male response. While thats not a complete surprise, its still something I'll definately keep more in mind when I start working on my next deck :-)

cirom	25 Jan 2004
For all those who are "watching" this thread. I have announced the winners in a new thread titled "And the winner is...." Thanks to all who participated.

The So you think you know your Tarot? thread was originally posted on 05 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.