The Fey Tarot: Sickly Sweet?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 20 Mar 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Centaur	20 Mar 2004
I am drawn to the Fey Tarot, and I am considering putting it on my wish-list. My reason for this is that I find the images to be quite compelling. However, I just can't seem to make up my mind whether some of these images are just too sweet and cutesy or whether there is some sort of darkness going on underneath it all. Could anyone with this deck please share their opinions. Cheers C

firemaiden	20 Mar 2004
They are charming, but not sickly sweet, because there is depth. There is a variety of emotions, not just cuddles. I find the images wonderfully evocative.

Centaur	20 Mar 2004
I do like the deck. There is 'something' about it. I am very curious as to the imagery. Does this deck have dark aspects also? It strikes me as being quite light-hearted. C

lunalafey	20 Mar 2004
not light hearted at all. It is a very strange thing with the Fey- first they are not the faries of Gaia, these ome from a whole 'nother world. they are bright in thier colors only- but there is a bit of mischief about them. for example- the king of cups, one would think, oh- a loving kind gentleman. At first look, this fey king seems sort of devilish. BUT, he also hold the whole worlds emotions in his strong hands and is 'blind' towards judgements. With most decks I use reversals, partly becuase of the intense conflicts that surround us in society. I do not or have ever used reversals with the fey. They still come through with the hardcore negitives in life loud and clear. What I think you might be experiencing {imo} is the core nature of the fey- they are perfectly balanced- they accept life and it's ups and downs- unlike humans, the fey take on these challenges willingly and with no worries, for what ever is to be is to be. They fight, but they don't fight against the fight. the cute you see is the humour the fey have about everything in life. It's what they thrive on, so the images come across 'soft' The darkness that balances that soft is the seriousness they fey have about what they do. It may seem as if they are carefree and live on a whim, but really there is a very complex system of understanding about how the Universe works, and they use this to the advantage. why don't you wander around the Fey study group there are some really good threads- check out the Swords Courts

Astraea	20 Mar 2004
There is nothing sickly sweet about the Fey, in my view -- in fact, no Lo Scarabeo deck that I can think of is without its dark (or at least ponderous) side. The Fey is a beautiful deck that is as deep as it is inviting.

baba-prague	20 Mar 2004
Well, just to throw in my two pence worth, I've been more impressed with this deck than I expected. I really bought it last year just to see what all the fuss was about. I thought I'd take a look, then trade it on. But funnily enough, it's grown on me. It isn't my style at all, but it has a feel that it was done with heart, if you know what I mean. I like it - I don't think it's sickly sweet (well, some cards are a little, but it balances out fine). If I were you I'd try it. It's so popular that if it doesn't work for you I bet you can trade it really easily. But give it a try.

Nevada	20 Mar 2004
I don't have them, but that 3 of Wands image gets to me each time I come across it. This is an intriguing deck. I'll probably buy it on one of my deck-purchasing go-arounds. :D About the term "sickly sweet". Not cricizing, I've used it too. :) There are things in life I would categorize this way, but it would be difficult to design a Tarot deck I would put that label on. The name Tarot alone implies that you'll have a Death, Devil, 9 of Swords, 10 of Swords, and various other cards that are difficult to think of as sweet. You have reversals of the others. How can any deck be all that sweet unless it's simply not Tarot? To me the name Tarot implies a certain balance. Just a thought. Nevada

Centaur	20 Mar 2004
OK, ok, ok, ok! LOL. Perhaps 'sickly sweet' was not the best choice of words to put in the title... it just popped into my head. A better word might have been 'sweet'. Hell, you know what I mean. ;) Thanks for the input so far. My curiosity has definetly been further fueled. I think I will try this one out. Lunalafey, thank you pointing me in the direction of the study forum. I had a look, and I quite like the gestalt perspective thing you have all got going on! C

lunakasha	20 Mar 2004
OK Centaur....level with me: Have you made a decision yet????:D :D :D hehehe! LOL....I knew there were a lot of Fey fans out there, and now I am beginning to understand the appeal of these cards....not exactly as "mild" as they first appear! I've enjoyed reading everyone's input here....starting to rethink the Fey again....uh-oh, here I go again! :eek: :) Luna

mooncat2	20 Mar 2004
Not even sweet!!! I wasn't sure about this deck at first , now its becoming my favourite reading deck and the only one yet that I have been able to read with 100% intuitionally. The Fey have a simplicity and clarity that strikes right to the heart of the matter. Plenty of depth there, too. Wholeheartedly recommend .

contrascarpe	20 Mar 2004
I was unsure about this deck as well at first. Actually centaur, sickly sweet was how I first viewed this deck as well, but after I purchased it and started looking at it, I found it to be deeper than that. Not sure I would say it is dark, but it does have an "edge" to it. I have not done a real reading with it yet, but expect to soon. Dan

Aerin	21 Mar 2004
Not sickly or sweet, definitely edgy. I was trying to think of a word that describes it and first 'innocent' came up. Not quite right, but the word comes from my sense that the Fey speaks with a clarity that isn't muddied by game playing or politics or sentimentality or sarcasm or any of those less-than-pure and rather human emotions. Readings get straight to the heart of what you need to know (hence the edge). It's as if The Fey don't have an investment in your emotions, so no OTT positive or a negative spin on things. They are the antithesis of Alistair Campbell (reference for UK people). Rambling here. Aerin

Centaur	21 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by lunakasha Have you made a decision yet????:D :D :D hehehe! I thhhhhhhhiiiiinnnnnnnnk... that I am going to get it. However, I want to purchase from Amazon UK, but I am unsure if it the book-set that they have in stock. I will have to find out. Oh, and while I am on that subject: does anyone have the book, and is it worth the extra cash? C

MeeWah	21 Mar 2004
Centaur: I have this deck & getting acquainted; also started reading the threads in the Fey Study Group (albeit slowly, as time permits). Similar to Hanson-Roberts, I was attracted to the Fey because its looks belie its depth. It has a certain freedom from the usual associations that encourage thinking out of the box--perhaps more so than most decks. Fey is not a particularly "light" deck; that is, it has a bite that at times surprises & challenges. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I recommend the deck & book set. The book not only has a charm all its own but also provides glimpses into the fey mind. Although the English is a translation, the translators superbly convey each card in a lyrical style that does not undermine the seriousness or intent yet encourages the reader to gather an understanding from the colours, shapes, objects, figures. A discussion of the preliminary sketches of various cards precedes so that their development is seen & explained. It reminds me of the tone of Robin Wood's book for her deck. She also discusses how some of her cards evolved & her text serves as a beginning.

Lee	21 Mar 2004
I agree with MeeWah, the book is excellent and indispensable, and very much worth the money. -- Lee

Centaur	21 Mar 2004
I just ordered the book-set. I hope I like it. Thanks for the advice. It should arrive in the next few days. C

Maan	21 Mar 2004
good choice Centaur I really recommend this deck too. I think the bright colours get you fooled at firts but the scenery isn't at all sweet..the three of swords is such a sad card that i feel the loneleness in my tummy everytime i look at it...actually most cards of the fey tarot make me instantly feel an emotion. Its a rather primal deck. I like this deck so much that i use it almost as much a my phantasmagoric theater tarot...and thats saying much if you know me a little ;) Love Maan

Star Spirit	22 Mar 2004
It's been said a lot :D but I agree that it is not just a cutesy deck, and it is growing on me. The images are VERY evocative and offer many new insights. It is very beautiful, but that doesn't take away from its effectiveness.

Cerulean	22 Mar 2004
The swords suit can be surprising to people, especially since one or two of the Fey can be transparent or actually dissolving--a spirit of sacrifice is suggested, kind of somber in contrast to the playfulness in some of the other suits. Hope you like the use of colors of the deck and then when you check out the book, it will be nice to hear what you think of the 'story' behind the designs. Best, Mari H.

Centaur	22 Mar 2004
From the various reviews I have read, the book is supposedly quite informative and a bit more in terms of detail than other tarot book-companions. Would any of you Fey owners agree with this? C

Cerulean	22 Mar 2004
The design background is also given, rare in my opinion. Sketches of preliminary Fey also enhance the reading experience. Mari

Imagemaker	22 Mar 2004
I just bought this today. Before it hadn't called to me (that sweet look) but then I got interested because of discussions here. Now the Fey have crept into my backpack and will ride with me awhile. Looking forward to new adventures, having pulled Pook in this morning's Faery Oracle drawing (then went to jury duty). What is illusion/ what is real? Fey and Faery . . . hope they all don't gang up on my cats.

diane drizzy	22 Mar 2004
I guess I prefer my faeries a little "darker".

dolphingirl	22 Mar 2004
I also really love the book and all the background information that it has on how cards came about. I have to say that althought I have had the Fey deck for a bit it seems like it just isn't telling me all that it can and atleast with me keeps some stuff back (not a bad thing mind you) While it gived you some it also makes you learn for yourself some of the things other decks would tell you. Definitely a deck worth owning.

Centaur	29 Apr 2004
Oooo... just thought I would resurrect this old thread for an update. I got my Fey, and I really like it. I performed a reading with the cards last night and felt an amazing connection with them. I felt that they kind of just 'spoke' to me. Oooo. Also, the book is very good. I would thoroughly recommend it. A very pleased Centaur. ;)

Imagemaker	29 Apr 2004
Now that I've been reading them awhile, I like them better and better--and Lunalafey's readings help a lot in opening up my mind to these. Don't know where the book went--I started reading it, enjoyed the background, then it disappeared. The Fey want me to wing it!

Centaur	29 Apr 2004
Hey ImageMaker, :) I think that the images are powerful enough to use on their own without the book. The book is very cool though, and a lot more useful than some other book/deck combinations I have stumbled upon. I have been reading some of the threads in the Fey study group, and it looks very interesting. I am particularly drawn to the 'gestalt perspective'. Interesting!

Khatruman	29 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Centaur I got my Fey, and I really like it. I performed a reading with the cards last night and felt an amazing connection with them. I felt that they kind of just 'spoke' to me. Oooo. A very pleased Centaur. ;) I too am one who was hesitant before buying, convinced only through reading posts by Riccardo, who is a very intelligent tarotist. I got the impression it was a gimicky anime deck when I saw the pictures. Once I bought it, I didn't even use it for the longest time. Finally, last week I used it for a meaningful reading, which I posted here in Your Readings: The Sustainable Joke I was amazed at the depth of symbolism employed and how spot on clear and meaningful the cards are, and plan to work with them much more. Hoping to really get into the study group as well. I left a welcome post in the New to the Fey thread, but nobody welcomed me :(

Imagemaker	29 Apr 2004
Quote: I left a welcome post in the New to the Fey thread, but nobody welcomed me Hey, welcome triple welcome! Sometimes when it's a familiar name, the rest of us forget our manners!

Khatruman	29 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Imagemaker Hey, welcome triple welcome! Sometimes when it's a familiar name, the rest of us forget our manners! LOL..all's forgiven...was just being a grumpy gus!

Imagemaker	29 Apr 2004
I'm still enjoying your fabulous fey reading on the Sustainable Joke--anytime you have time for another such "big question" reading, you have an audience of appreciative readers.

Centaur	30 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Khatruman Finally, last week I used it for a meaningful reading, which I posted here in Your Readings: The Sustainable Joke I was amazed at the depth of symbolism employed and how spot on clear and meaningful the cards are, and plan to work with them much more. I just read your thread. Very interesting! I can tell that you have made a connection with the deck. :) In my reading the other evening, I too was amazed at how the symbolism spoke to me. It all just seemed to fall into place. And to think I was considering trading it away at some point. *SHIVER*

Khatruman	30 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Imagemaker I'm still enjoying your fabulous fey reading on the Sustainable Joke--anytime you have time for another such "big question" reading, you have an audience of appreciative readers. If you want a BIG reading, look up an old series of threads I did when I did an alternate "journey" with the majors, using the Portal tarot. It is called the Moon's Journey. I think some of the links to the Portal images are outdated, but it was still a fascinating reading to do. Edited to add: I fixed all the links to the Portal Tarot, so those images should show correctly. I hope the links to the other images are still valid.

hedgecub	30 Apr 2004
After reading all the positive comments on this deck, and looking at some of the wonderful artwork, I am *sigh* forced to add it to my amazon wishlist... I really should leave Aeclectic - it's horrible for my bank balance :) But oh, the addiction...

Centaur	30 Apr 2004
Hedgecub! I promise that if you buy the Fey then you wont be disappointed. LOL. })

Jewel	30 Apr 2004
As a faerie lover I purchased this deck when it first came out, however I had not gotten around to working with it until the last couple of weeks. It sat on the shelf for over a year, not because I did not think it would not be a great deck, but I have been on a Tarot vacation for a long time. Now that I am working with the deck I trully love it, probably as much as my Cosmic Tribe, and for those of you who know me I am sure you are shocked *LOL*. I have been using the deck in connection with the book Tarot For Self Discovery, and I am AMAZED at the depth of this deck. Sweetness? not in the swords that is for sure, and many of the majors (Emperor and Temperance for example) are quite deep. As Lunalafey said, there are many dimensions to faeries in general. I have been working with the Faeries Oracle and Fairy Ring for quite some time and already knew that. That knowledge really helped me not form any impressions of "sweetness" where this deck is concerned. What I have learned about faeries is that they are not good or bad, they just are. Their natures are inherent and pure. The Fey deck captures much of this through the use of the elements (fire, water, air, earth), which are very much part of who faeries are and how they are. This deck was trully an inspired work, and blends faeries and tarot in way that I do not believe any other tarot deck has been able to achieve. My hat is off to Riccardo and Mara. As for the book, again a great book and very much worth having. It is detailed and very informative. As someone else mentioned probably one of the best companion books written for a book/deck set.

Khatruman	30 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Jewel As Lunalafey said, there are many dimensions to faeries in general. I have been working with the Faeries Oracle and Fairy Ring for quite some time and already knew that. That knowledge really helped me not form any impressions of "sweetness" where this deck is concerned. What I have learned about faeries is that they are not good or bad, they just are. Lots of key ideas here in dealing with the notion of the fae. If you look back mythologically, you see that the realm of the fae is out of, but connected to our realm. Therefore, notions of "good" and "bad" are out of their kin. Sometimes they are explained to be the children of Lillith, who was before Eve, and left Eden, and the realm of God/Satan. Therefore, they do as they wish. They are capricious, and quite honest. They are who they are and should be taken as such.

The The Fey Tarot: Sickly Sweet? thread was originally posted on 20 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.