Tarot of the Old Path

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 04 Jan 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

BlueLotus	04 Jan 2004
This was one of three decks I had my 'eye' on for a while, until I decided to order it once it was available. Looking at the images and some reviews on the net, I was impressed. Although I am not wiccan, I 'think' I may relate to it. Has anyone else been using this deck? Is it easy to read without the 'accompanying' book ? as I was unable to find the book and had to just order the deck...! Any other input about this deck will be highly appreciated. TY

Jewel-ry	04 Jan 2004
Hi Feebie, I really like this deck. I think the Majors are brilliant. There have been some really good threads on these in the general study forum and I would recommend you have a really good look through those. I dont like the minors so much. Its the faces of the people that bother me a little, but not so much as to put me off competely. The majors more than make up for the minors. I have done readings but not very many. It has not been one of my main reading decks, but I think thats just because I have acquired a couple of others which I like much more. I wouldn't think that reading it without the book will be too much of a problem. I found the following quite useful. http://www.tarotpassages.com/oldpath2.htm J :)

Astraea	04 Jan 2004
I don't use the deck regularly, but I really like it and have not had trouble "hearing" the message of the cards (I don't have the book). The illustrations are spare, but rich in symbolism. The deck manages to be elegant and intimate at the same time. I do not believe that you will have any difficulty relating to it, especially if you are familiar with symbols from the natural world and how they operate within a wide variety of belief systems.

Silverlotus	04 Jan 2004
If you take a look through the General Study Group section for the past year (there is a little pull down box near the bottom right hand corner of the forum that lets you select this) you will find some posts for a TotOP study group. We never did get around to finishing all the cards, for various reasons. (Or do a serach for posts with TotOP on the subject.) I no longer have the deck, because it never really spoke to me. However, it is a beautiful deck full of symbolism that will speak to many people, even those who aren't Pagan or Wicca, imho. As for the book, it doesn't add to much. Most of what it does add you will find in the old study group posts. The book was very slim when it came to the minors. I hope you enjoy working with this deck. ;)

BlueLotus	04 Jan 2004
Jewel-ry The reviewer go into great length explaining the major arcana in the deck. I am very impressed. I am also going back to the TotOP study to aquaint myself with the deck . Thank you Astraea and Silverlotus for your inputs.

Moongold	04 Jan 2004
Greetings Feebie, I have the deck and like it very much. As you are aware there is a quite in depth review of the majors at Tarot Passages by someone called Den Elder (or something like that). Silverlotus mentioned the study group here which looked at all the majors in depth, and I think those studies arre really worth looking at too. The deck is a joy to look at and has some very original perspectives. Death is called the Close and there are some others which I can't quite remember. I hope you enjoy the deck as much as I have. Best wishes, Moongold

Bean Feasa	08 Jan 2004
Hi Feebie, I just bought this deck last weekend. I'm not officially Wiccan, in that I don't do spellwork or anything like that, but I am very sympathetic towards paganism, and have been looking for a deck that lays off the Christian symbolism, and reflects the rhythms of the natural world. I think I am going to like this deck, but I do have reservations, and I don't imagine by any manner or means that it'll be my perfect deck (sigh - think I'll just have to design one myself!) I found the amount of white space on the cards a bit disconcerting - I think a wash even of pale colour would have added a lot to the atmosphere. I'm also not mad about the very courtly medieval costumes - I associate this with restriction and artifice and orthodoxy, rather than the freedom of wicca or paganism in general. But, as many people have commented the majors are appealing, and I do sense that if I put some time and energy into it this could be a rewarding deck. Good luck with it anyway - I'm off to check out those study group threads!! :) blessings, Kate

Thea Lynx	11 Jan 2004
Hi Feebie, Well, I'm not Wiccan either - just your basic Pagan doing the occasional magick - but there is something about this deck. I don't usually like decks with soft colors - Thoth, Spirit, Morgan Greer, Radiant seem to be more my style, but I fell for this deck and it worked wonderfully. I haven't had much time to devote to it yet - and I was disappointed not to have a companion book (actually, I picked the deck off the shelf and didn't even ask if there is a particular book that goes with it as I always like to have these for the descripton of the creation of the images) as I feel I may be missing something, but the Tarot definitely speaks through this deck. Enjoy Thea

skytwig	11 Jan 2004
The TOP was the first deck I owned.... it was gifted to me.... I love it...... I don't have the book, but I think the cards tell us alot on their own! :)

lark	11 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Thea Lynx I haven't had much time to devote to it yet - and I was disappointed not to have a companion book (actually, I picked the deck off the shelf and didn't even ask if there is a particular book that goes with it as I always like to have these for the descripton of the creation of the images) as I feel I may be missing something, but the Tarot definitely speaks through this deck. Hi Thea and Freebie. Pick a card that you would like to know more about and post it. I have the book I'll tell you what it says. Then you can get a feel for it, and decide if it's worth buying. I think it's a good book. It helps with the symbols on the cards, and there are alot of little inside things that make you go oh..thats why that's there.

BlueLotus	12 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by lark Hi Thea and Freebie. Pick a card that you would like to know more about and post it. I have the book I'll tell you what it says. Then you can get a feel for it, and decide if it's worth buying. I think it's a good book. It helps with the symbols on the cards, and there are alot of little inside things that make you go oh..thats why that's there. Thank you and I will definitely remember your generous offer once my deck arrives which should be fairly soon.

Osher	23 Jan 2004
The TotOP was my first deck, and still the one I have the greatest affinity to. It is easy to read, but with depth for those who wish to explore further.

The Tarot of the Old Path thread was originally posted on 04 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.