How about the PoMo Tarot as a reading deck?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 08 Mar 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Logiatrix	08 Mar 2004
I did a search on the PoMo, and the results were all about its OOP status and some about its quirky humor and modern style, but nothing ever got mentioned about actually reading with it. Collectors for whom it was a boon to actually find the PoMo mention plans to treat the deck preciously, and that is understandable. But I'd like to actually use it if I can. I'm wondering if anyone else here has ever tried putting aside thoughts of this deck's rarity and just examined it as a viable, working tarot deck. Anyone? PEACE, T.

Dark_angel	08 Mar 2004
I don't own the PoMo, but I have a couple of other 'rare' decks, and I read with them. For me, it feels a bit of a waste to spend a lot of money on a deck for myself and then not try to use it. I've recently been reading with the Amber, and it's scarily good. However, I don't think I would dare to use a rare deck as a normal reading deck; that is, taking it out with me, letting other people shuffle it. My rare decks are used for myself, and for online readings, only, but I do use them a lot. Congratulations on your new acquisitions!

baba-prague	08 Mar 2004
I love the PoMo - I was very surprised to see how good it is - but I honestly don't think I'd read with it. In many cases images have been chosen more for their wit than their tarot meaning (I think) and I'd find reading with the deck difficult and a bit "off" I'd guess. However, now that you've brought it up, I just may try a reading out of curiousity. What I will say about the PoMo is that it's great fun and may lend another level in the understanding of certain cards (some are spot on in both tarot meaning and wittiness). If you do read with it, please tell us your impressions.

Gerbear	08 Mar 2004
Although this deck is OOP, it doesn't seem to be that rare. I see it on ebay constantly with prices that are reasonable. In fact, there is one up now with a buy-it-now of $30. Many times I've watched it go with for much less, or go without bids. I haven't read with mine, as it seems to be more of a 'statement' deck, a reflection of our times, according to Brian Williams.

Astraea	08 Mar 2004
At the time I got my PoMo, it was rather hard-to-find and pricey. I didn't mind paying a good bit for it, though, and have never regretted it. I mainly use it for political readings, as it is somewhat impersonal and quirky (and there are other decks whose warmth draws me to them for personal readings), but yes -- in my opinion, one can read with it.

weetabix	08 Mar 2004
For me I find the Major Arcana to be straightforward in readings. With the minors, I have the best success if I completely ignore the traditional interpretations of the cards and ask myself what the image means to me. Then, because it usually corresponds to the intepretation in the book, I get to feel smart for a few seconds.

Pagan X	08 Mar 2004
I found it remaindered at Half Price Books. I thought it was too m,uch of a smart-ass deck for readings, but I like the idea of doing political readings with it...

Cerulean	08 Mar 2004
http://www.telp.com/tarot/pomo.htm http://www.telp.com/tarot/curevent.htm Hope this helps. Mari

Logiatrix	09 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Mari_Hoshizaki Hope this helps. Mari Yes, Mari! That's what I was looking for....Thank You! :D

Sybilant	26 Aug 2004
Dear All I just got the Pomo Tarot today and it's delicious. I did a let's get to know each other 3 card reading: "who will you be? who will I be? and what will we be to each other?" The last card goes in the center. For "who will you be" the deck replied Ace of Bills reversed: it cracked a joke and called itself a worthless object, according to the manual. That fits well with the sophisticated humor of the deck. And it's very postmodern. For "who will I be?" I got All Hung Up, a charmingly s/m version of the Hanged Man. His shorts and the strap that binds him to the post are black leather with metal studs, and he's gagged. I felt the deck truly and deeply recognized me, for reasons I'm not telling. [g] For "what will we be to each other?" I got Three Bills. And here's my problem. The book says this means poverty, or the fear of poverty, perhaps unwarranted. But the traditional meaning of 3 disks has to do with teamwork, being productive, working together. I like that meaning a lot better and it fits the card position well. But what am I going to do about the divergence between Brian's meaning and the traditional one? Go with what Brian says? Pick and choose? Try to blend them? [maybe the true 'meaning' of the card was to throw this dilemma in my face and make me have to decide what to do about it.] The problems multiply when you consider that in this deck, as in Brian's Renaissance Tarot, he assigns the element Air to Staves/Wands/TVs (yes, in the pomo deck it's television sets, because they run on airwaves) and Fire is Swords/Guns. Vexation! At least in his Minchiate he leaves it up to you which is which. I really really really admire Brian's achievements in each of his decks. And I'd like to be able to use them. But how? Do I just give in, and accept everything he says? Do I ignore what he says and put together my own meanings? Perhaps I should ask the cards. But any thoughts you have, I'd love to hear. s.

magpie9	26 Aug 2004
I know that wrestling match, all of us who like to read with odd decks have to find a way to reconcile the viewpoints. May I suggest a nifty little layout for just such questions? It goes like this: 1) the card that is confusing you 2) This card does not mean THIS 3) This card means THIS 4) And THIS It really works for me. :) Luck with reading with the PoMo---I think I'll try it, too.

Sybilant	26 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by magpie9 May I suggest a nifty little layout for just such questions? Wow, nice. Thanks! I'll try it. s.

SongDeva	26 Aug 2004
It sounds to me like one meaning resonates more with you this time. That's the one to go with.

Shade	27 Aug 2004
Because the cards have very simple layouts and the usual Williams cool color scheme I have found that the cards are suitable for spreads using a larger number of cards. When I use a symbol heavy or intensely colored deck I usually only pull a few cards because it takes a bit longer to contemplate them. The flow of the PoMo was such that I could easily do a celtic cross and still take it all in. This does require a large table to lay the cards out as they are not small.

Sybilant	27 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Shade Because the cards have very simple layouts and the usual Williams cool color scheme I have found that the cards are suitable for spreads using a larger number of cards. When I use a symbol heavy or intensely colored deck I usually only pull a few cards because it takes a bit longer to contemplate them. The flow of the PoMo was such that I could easily do a celtic cross and still take it all in. That's an interesting point. Sounds like you've read with this deck for a while. I imagine that over time this deck might come to feel like a clever, witty, insightful, and possibly sharp-tongued friend. Does it feel like that? s.

Shade	28 Aug 2004
I really lik ethe way that Williams uses expressions in different languages fluidly with his interpretations. One issue people run into with the deck is that they see the cards as satirical and witty takes on symbols rather than as symbols themselves. I did this too for a while. I'm not sure if my explanation will make sense typed out but here goes. I think a lot of deck creators today strip away all of the esoteric symbolism that they feel has no bearing on modern readers (this is not a criticism of them by the way). Sometimes however they don't replace the symbolism and the card looks empty. If you take teh Emperor card and take away all of the astrological symbols and the sephiroth and runes and sacred geometry and rosicrucian mandalas and anagrams and whatever else was on the card you have a card with a picture of an emperor... and nothing else. While these cards seem very bare at first I think Williams has made use of a very interesting and modern system of symbolism.

Trogon	28 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Sybilant I just got the Pomo Tarot today and it's delicious. I read this and busted out laughing. I'm wondering... does it taste like chicken? :joke: Quote: Originally posted by Sybilant I did a let's get to know each other 3 card reading: "who will you be? who will I be? and what will we be to each other?" The last card goes in the center. [snip] For "what will we be to each other?" I got Three Bills. And here's my problem. The book says this means poverty, or the fear of poverty, perhaps unwarranted. But the traditional meaning of 3 disks has to do with teamwork, being productive, working together. I like that meaning a lot better and it fits the card position well. But what am I going to do about the divergence between Brian's meaning and the traditional one? Go with what Brian says? Pick and choose? Try to blend them? [maybe the true 'meaning' of the card was to throw this dilemma in my face and make me have to decide what to do about it.] As for the Three Bills card... meaning, according to the author, "poverty"... this may not be such a bad thing. Poverty has to do, primarily, with things in the "material world". The twists one sees in this deck (though I'm not completely familiar with it) made me think of this in a different light. If it's showing you "poverty in the material world" for a relationship between you and the deck, perhaps that just means that the deck will not be a money-earning thing, but rather a personal and spiritual relationship. Of course, there is the alternative of; "i'm going to get you soooo hooked on Tarot, you're going to go broke buying tons of new decks!" :D Now... as for trying to figure out whether to go with the Author's meanings or the "traditional ones", or... blending them? Don't forget... there is a fourth possibility... go with your own feeling on the card. But don't forget... there are many "aspects" or "points of view" to each meaning for each card. It is this variety and drifting and changing of points of view and nuances which, to me, makes Tarot such a useful and multifacetd tool for looking at experiences, emotions and life in general. Hmmm.... I seem to have drifted off-topic a tiny bit... so... back to the PoMo Tarot. I have gotten to see only one of these decks in person. I loved it... anybody want to give me theirs? :D

The How about the PoMo Tarot as a reading deck? thread was originally posted on 08 Mar 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.