Deck suggestions, what next?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Feb 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Aure	25 Feb 2004
I'm off soon to go and get my Radiant R-W from the post office and studying through that one will take me long. I'm going to follow Joan Bunning's book and use the resources available here. Some history: As you may have read earlier, I started off with miniature Connolly as a teen but that didn't go anywhere since I had only the LWB and I managed to scatter the cards all over my room... I bet if I go to my parents' place I'll find a couple stuck between a book shelf, a couple under the rug.... :rolleyes: Then, few years ago I stubled into the 'new age' section of one bookstore and started to look for a deck and happened to buy CH Thoth Deck. I bought the Ziegler's book with it and tried to learn some but it was kind of an on/off thing. Then I went to get another deck and guess what... ended up buying only a smaller Thoth deck... Now I'm a bit fed up with Thoth for a while (I still can't get any meanings out of the cards unless I look them up) and now I'm starting with RWS and Bunning's book. So what next? I've already had my eye on Kat Black's Golden Tarot and also am undecided between the Old English Tarot and Medieval Scapini. I'm just not sure... What decks would you suggest after learning the basics with RWS? The Marseilles type of decks don't atleast for now make any sense to me, maybe they will if I can interpret them the same way as the RWS.

Imagemaker	25 Feb 2004
It's so difficult to pick decks when you can't play with them first. The pictures on the Web help a lot, but it's frustrating. You'll get so many different reactions here, but here's mine. Years ago I started with the original Rider-Waite, but did little with tarot while working with runes, and then the I Ching for years. Last year I took a class in tarot using original Rider-Waite and saw other students' decks. I had no idea there were so many options. I bought and really connected with the Robin Wood and the Osho Zen (much Zen/yoga practice in my life made that one talk to me a LOT). I only recently, since joining AT, have branched into the many other RWS decks and increased my ability to connect with other imagery, nearly all RWS (some Thoth, a smidge of Marseilles). It simply takes time and practice to find what clicks. Good luck!

lark	25 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Aure So what next? I've already had my eye on Kat Black's Golden Tarot and also am undecided between the Old English Tarot and Medieval Scapini. I'm just not sure... What decks would you suggest after learning the basics with RWS? The Marseilles type of decks don't atleast for now make any sense to me, maybe they will if I can interpret them the same way as the RWS. Hi Aure, I have the Old English and the Medieval Scapini. So I can tell you about them from my perspective. I also have the Radiant Rider which I love. The Old English is very cute. It's a peaceful little deck. The Majors are done very well as are the Court cards. The Minors are different from what you will find in your Radiant Rider. All the minors have a pretty border around the card and the main picture is of the Wands or Cups ect. At the bottom of the card is a little scene. Sometimes this scene goes along with the RWS tradition and sometimes it doesn't. I would say 3/4 of the time it doesn't. So although it is not a Marseilles type it isn't a true Rider Waite clone either. It falls some where in the middle. The Medieval Scapini I love but it falls into the same category as the Old English. It follows it's own path it is not a RWS clone. Lucky for us there is a book coming out about this deck soon. So maybe it will clear up some of the mystery behind the pictures. At least for me, (some of them just don't make sense to me.) Altough I find this a funny little deck with a real sense of humor. :) I would say if you want a deck closest to your Radiant of the three The Golden will be the closest. Not to mention it is so beautiful. I don't think you could go wrong. And from the web pictures it follows RWS pretty closely. I think the other two decks are valuable and good choices to add to your collection. But so you won't be disapointed as I was when I was new to collecting tarot, know that they are not RWS clone type decks. Good luck with your choice. lark

Gardener	25 Feb 2004
I must admit, I love this questions because when you ask, what next? it gives all of us a chance to say - here's what I did next and here's what was BEST! I also started with Rider Waite, and although I know many people stay with that deck as their primary reading deck, it is too tempting to experiment with other options. When I came back to tarot it was Crowley that caught my eye - oh the artwork! oh the mystique! But like you I have trouble connecting to the cards intuitively. The Medieval Scapini is a beautiful little deck, but it really does go its own way. One can generally work out his connections to the traditional meanings, but it doesn't come easily. I noticed that on her website Kat Black mentioned that she changed many of the Golden Tarot version 1.0 cards to make the final deck much closer to Rider-Waite symbolism, so I agree it will be a great choice. BUT, apparently the decks are trapped in an avalance in Vancouver (no, I am not making this us!), so until they get here, may I suggest the Victoria Regina. I have never found a deck so easy to read with, and it is beautiful too. The images and meanings are very close to Rider-Waite tradition, but there are additional nuances which are rich and delightful. For me, this deck has been the most natural progression from the original Rider Waite. Enjoy the search!

Gardener	25 Feb 2004
PS - Lark, is there really going to be a book for Medieval Scapini???!!! That would make my day! I love the way Scapini writes in his little white books - Juliet and Romeo especially - but it's just not enough! Who will be writing the book, do you know?

lark	25 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Gardener PS - Lark, is there really going to be a book for Medieval Scapini???!!! That would make my day! I love the way Scapini writes in his little white books - Juliet and Romeo especially - but it's just not enough! Who will be writing the book, do you know? Yes there really is a book coming out. It's written by Ronald Decker. I have it preordered at Amazon. Is sells for $9.60. It's under~ Medieval Scapini Tarot Book.

Imagemaker	25 Feb 2004
Quote: may I suggest the Victoria Regina. I have never found a deck so easy to read with, and it is beautiful too. I just got the VR today! I'd looked at it a year ago and wasn't enticed. Last week it started whispering my name and I was hooked. Glad to hear it's easy to read with, that IS my primary objective.

Gardener	25 Feb 2004
Aure, When I got home, I pulled out the Medieval Scapini LWB and found a nice example for you in his Five of Swords. This is a GREAT card, and its divinatory meaning is parallel to the Rider Waite, but as you will see, his way of thinking is, well, unique: A man sprawls on the floor of a tumbling shack. He smokes opium wiht a hookah, and his slippers are like those of a decadent rajah. Behind him are prayer books and tomes on black magic. The hilts of the five swords are like vampires, creatures that prey on the life force of others. Divinatory meaning: conquest, defeat, degradation. See? It's vivid, and thought-provoking, and it's not in conflict with the Rider Waite, but it is not an easy companion, either. Imagemaker, Do you like your Victoria Regina? I'm so eager to hear how you respond to it!

Imagemaker	25 Feb 2004
Quote: Do you like your Victoria Regina? I'm so eager to hear how you respond to it! I'm at work now so must put playing off (offline) until tomorrow, but meanwhile I've gone to tarotpassages.com and found an interview with the authors that is only making me more excited about the deck. Good stuff!

paradoxx	29 Feb 2004
I recommend the Cosmic TArot by Norbert Loshe. He incorporates modern symbolism (planes, tanks, automobiles adn telephones to name a few) and actually uses the faces of some famous movie stars for some of the court cards (clark gable as the King of Cups, Sean Connory as the King of Wands). This method has a side effect, you may know some peopel who look like these court cards, and that brings out a more personal aspect to teh readings. I, for example, look like a cross between the prnce of cups and the prince of pentacles. If nothing else, the backs of these cards is one of the finest and most perfect example of tarot to date. A single rose in the center of a five pointed star within a geometric construction. A circle above at the top point of the star shows a yellow sun and a cirlce below between the two lower points of the star is a black sun with yellow rays. all of this s set agains a stary skyscape. Truly Cosmic.

HudsonGray	29 Feb 2004
Don't forget to check prices at www.overstock.com, go to the 'books' section and type in Tarot, it's got 20 pages of books and decks, up to 52% off in some cases. All of them are discounted, most of the decks are 35% off. Why pay retail I always say! They're new, and you don't have to hassle with eBay or anything.

Cerulean	01 Mar 2004
at abebooks.com or amazon.com or Tarotgarden.com--someone just posted about bad luck at overstock.com For a suggested secondary title, my sister and I had favored British or U.S. published decks to buy in early Spring. I think these were Celtic style tarots when I was browsing and in the market for something different. The Celtic Tarot by Helena Patterson was my sister's first choice; I choose the Arthurian Tarot by the Caitlin and John Matthews--I think they are both from the UK, but I'm not certain. We both also liked the Inner Child and Enchanted for U.S. titles. But I don't know what you are interested in. Best wishes, Mari H.

Osher	01 Mar 2004
I would recommend the Tarot of the Old Path. It is bright and easy to read. Yet, it has incredible depth, with every image full of meaning. If not, the Kazanlar is actually quite nice, or the Cosmic. If you want modern, the Rohrig is fantastic, and quite readable, but you need huge hands (and an open mind)

Cocobird55	01 Mar 2004
I like the Beginner's Guide to the Tarot a lot. The book is excellent for beginners, and the deck is also well-done. It is on Overstock for $11.49 right now... Sue

The Deck suggestions, what next? thread was originally posted on 25 Feb 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.