Margarete Petersen in English

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 17 Feb 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

lark	17 Feb 2004
I just ordered Margarete Petersens deck in English at Tarot Garden. There is a special price for those who ordered their deck in German from Tarot Garden but would like and English version. Just wanted everyone to know. I'm very excited I've put off getting this deck because it wasn't in English and so I scurried right over there and ordered it as soon as I saw. Heck with the electric bill. I'll read by candle light!!! :D

Astraea	17 Feb 2004
Lark, you are wise! That deck is absolutely gorgeous. I have just ordered the English version from Tarot Garden. Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention!

firemaiden	17 Feb 2004
Finally!! That's good news. Now maybe people will finally join the study group?

lark	17 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by firemaiden Finally!! That's good news. Now maybe people will finally join the study group? Firemaiden it will be so interesting to see how the new book interprets the German won't it. Thank you Astraea, I'm not very wise, just in love with my tarot.... I'm glad to hear you really like this deck.

firemaiden	17 Feb 2004
I like the new grey border. Although Tarot Garden says that the images remain unchanged, their scans lead me to believe, it is possible that the English version cards are more faithful to the original paintings, which, if I can judge from the one and only original I have see, were a good deal softer and gentler than the reproductions on the German cards...

Moonbow*	17 Feb 2004
Yes!.............. Another deck for the list, I just love these cards. its the art work that really gets me. I must slow down a bit on the buying now I've got too much new stuff to take in but I will get these...... one day........ is Mothers Day coming round soon? .............................................................................................. Moonbow* ............................................................................................................................................. Edited to add,..... my 'enter' key isn't working so everything is getting jumbled up - sorry guys -......................................................... Moongold - I really am trying to space everything out but it doesn't seem to be working very well

CompassRose	18 Feb 2004
Here I'd been quite content with my "no more decks at all" decision -- and lo, in one day, I have ordered the Pocket Universal Waite and this! Not that I will be dumping my German version... for Temperance can never replace Grenzgangerin -- but I think this will be just what I need to boost me along a bit. And the folks at Tarotgarden are so nice! (Bouncing with excitement!)

Cocobird55	18 Feb 2004
I ordered this one, too. I can't wait till it arrives... Sue

Moongold	18 Feb 2004
I have just ordered this from Tarot Garden as well. I have an electronic version of the deck but it's just not the same to use them for the study group so I have watched the study group proceed with interest and regret for not having the cards. However, hopefully it will come soon!. Thanks for letting us know it was available. Moongold

Moongold	18 Feb 2004
[quote]Originally posted by Moonbow* [edited to add,..... my 'enter' key isn't working so everything is getting jumbled up - sorry guys -......................................................... moongold - i really am trying to space everything out but it doesn't seem to be working very well [/quote] Moonbow* - I've watched your posts and the epic struggle with the keyboard with interest for the last few days. New keyboards are cheaper than Tarot decks :D. Can you not invest in a new one? Your consideration is very much appreciated. incidentally, by those of us (or me, rather) for whom colour varies daily. Thank you ~ Moongold

firemaiden	18 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by lark Firemaiden it will be so interesting to see how the new book interprets the German won't it. I'm trembling in my boots.... it will show up my mistakes...

Moonbow*	18 Feb 2004
Moongold I am fixed now! Thanks to a tip from Contrascarpe96. Its a new keyboard and we were on the verge of phoning the shop for an exchange but it is OK now, and I can paragraph to my hearts content! Moonbow* PS sorry to go off subject......... I just looked at the price of this deck and much as I want it, it will have to wait - I have bought so many lately........

Moongold	18 Feb 2004
I just this minute got an email from Jeannette at TarotGarden - the deck should arrive within 7 days. :) Moongold

Cocobird55	20 Feb 2004
Mine came today. I've glanced through the cards and book, and I'm very happy to have it. I've been buying a lot of decks lately. This weekend I will make bags for them. Sue

lark	20 Feb 2004
Mine came today too. And it's been such a busy, crazy day I haven't had a minute to myself. I'm going to save it for tomorrow and give it the attention it deserves. Of course I might not be able to sleep tonight. Thinking of it sitting in the tarot closet. Still all wrapped in it's plastic. Oh dear! Can I resist?

Star Spirit	21 Feb 2004
Wow, an English version! Good to know :D

EarthAngel2911	21 Feb 2004
I just got my new MP English version yesterday (yay!), and I spent some time going through it and comparing the cards, one by one. At first I thought I wouldn't like the grey borders because I was so drawn to the wine ones. But I find that in a lot of the cards, the grey border softens the images and even compliments them better than the wine borders. Even the outer box and the book are grey. Firemaiden, the images are very similar. I think that the scans of the German version on Tarot Garden may have been enhanced a bit, appearing "harder" than the actual images. But to compare the two decks side by side, the English version images do seem to be _slightly_ lighter and softer but have lost none of their detail. The cards are the same size between decks, but the English version cards are slightly thinner and more flexible. German version, almost 3.5 cm high when stacked, English version, 2.5 cm when stacked. Even though my hands are small, I have a better chance of actually shuffling this deck, as opposed to the German deck where there is no chance of me getting my hands around the cards. Firemaiden, your interpretations are excellent and in some cases, (dare I say it...) even more poetic. :) I also like the way the card titles have been literally interpreted rather than just placing traditional titles. Most are traditional, but a few have been renamed: The Magician becomes Magic The Chariot becomes The Chariotess The Hermit becomes The Crone Wheel of Fortune becomes Wheel of Life The Hanged Man becomes Trial Temperance, Mediatrix and Judgement, Renewal I'm glad that the English Version has different colored borders and that I have both. Goodness knows I'm fickle when it comes to which deck to use for what mood. ;) Blessings, Karen

Astraea	24 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by EarthAngel2911 Goodness knows I'm fickle when it comes to which deck to use for what mood. ;) Me too, Karen! It's the main reason I can't stick with study groups. But I love this deck and find that the English version is just as appealing as the original.

Gardener	24 Feb 2004
I also just yesterday received my english-language Petersen. While I will always love the wine-colored borders of the German edition best, the softness of the gray borders on the english edition are much more pleasant than I had feared. Those cards which benefit from a lighter touch are particularly beautiful, especially the Suit of Feathers. And the Wheel of Fortune absolutely glows. Occasionally, as in the Nine of Flames, I think I see more detail because the painting is not overshadowed by the dark framing. Nothing is more powerful than the wine-bordered Tower, however! I have not yet compared the entire translations, but from the poetry of the majors, I believe Firemaiden has done an absolutely beautiful job of capturing the essence, the rhythm, of Margarete's poetry. Although I am sure I will look to the little grey book for clarification on occasion, I intend to work more closely with the interpretations of Aeclectic's own in-house translator. Thanks, Firemaiden!

Astraea	24 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Gardener While I will always love the wine-colored borders of the German edition best, the softness of the gray borders on the english edition are much more pleasant than I had feared. Those cards which benefit from a lighter touch are particularly beautiful, especially the Suit of Feathers. And the Wheel of Fortune absolutely glows. Occasionally, as in the Nine of Flames, I think I see more detail because the painting is not overshadowed by the dark framing. Nothing is more powerful than the wine-bordered Tower, however! Gardener, I agree completely. The images are so strong that they are enhanced, rather than overpowered, by the wine-colored border of the German edition (especially, as you say, the Tower). But like you, I was happy to see that the grey border of the English edition does not detract from the imagery, and in some cases brings out design elements that are less noticeable in the German version. On balance, I prefer the wine-colored borders, but am not disappointed in the grey. Quote: I have not yet compared the entire translations, but from the poetry of the majors, I believe Firemaiden has done an absolutely beautiful job of capturing the essence, the rhythm, of Margarete's poetry. Although I am sure I will look to the little grey book for clarification on occasion, I intend to work more closely with the interpretations of Aeclectic's own in-house translator. Thanks, Firemaiden! And amen to this, as well! Firemaiden's translations are lyrical and speak to the heart.

firemaiden	24 Feb 2004
My friends, thank you for your kind words. :)

The Margarete Petersen in English thread was originally posted on 17 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.