Dragon vs Fairies ....

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 Jun 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Laelyan	24 Jun 2004
Well, it is that time of year again - Laelyan's Birthday - and the desire for a new deck has drawn my heart back to the tarot reviews that riddle the Internet in order to find a new tarot/oracle deck to call my own. And then of course is the issue of how to afford it .... *grins* At the moment, my heart is being torn apart - TORN APART I tells ya - between two decks and unfortunately I can only afford one. The two decks are: The Celtic Dragon Tarot (DJ Conway & Lisa Hunt) (I love the artwork, and I have owned the Shapeshifter Tarot before, but this one seems a bit more Rider-Waite mainstream than Shapeshifter. However, it is as expensive as hell. $75 Australian. Damn import tax...) and; The Fairies Oracle (Brian Froud & Jessica Macbeth) (I fell in love with the artwork as well, and although I already have the Goddess Oracle, one more probably won't kill me. I would have preferred a tarot deck though, but this one is only $47.) So, merry peeps of the Tarot community - are there any suggestions? Anyone who has either of these decks that can find a light for me to cling on to in the darkness of confusion of this decision? From Laelyan

Marion	24 Jun 2004
Wow... the trouble with that choice is that it is between two such different decks. The Faeries deck is an oracle deck while Conway's is a tarot deck. A little unusual, but definitely tarot. Hard to give you advice. Are you looking for a tarot deck specifically? Marion

Cerulean	25 Jun 2004
Lisa Hunt (Celtic Dragon) website: http://www.lisahuntart.com/intro.html Sample Tarot reading: http://www.llewellyn.com/free/tarot.php Faery Oracle site: http://www.worldoffroud.com/faeries/faeries/oracle/index.cfm Sample read of Faery deck information: http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0743201116/ref=sib_dp_pt/102-4678108-8181744#reader-page I'm curious, as I'm considering the new dragons deck from Lo Scarabeo. I had the Celtic Dragons deck during 'the year of the dragon' and it was a nice deck...but after awhile I wanted something different when I thought of fantasy style tarots. I think the Froud Oracle is almost completely different, but a fantastic and imaginative concept. Maybe reading through the study group will assist on the oracle...you might decide after awhile that the desire for a tarot is stronger. I seem to like my oracles to have animals and plants and prefer my tarots to have imaginary beings similar to humans...although the Celtic Dragon has both, so you wouldn't lose in that aspect. Regards, Cerulean Mari Regards, Cerulean

Chronata	25 Jun 2004
well Happy Birth-day to you laelyan! your plight sounds very familiar to me...as I first found this forum by looking for a b-day present for myself! now...this is a pretty hard question... My Head says the Celtic Dragon...I mean...you already know you like the artwork, and while I do not have it myself, I do think it is a very beautiful deck, and a nice addition to a tarot reader's collection (I am thinking you need to shop around a bit though...there MUST be a better price out there!) However... My Heart says...the Froud's Faerie Oracle. Itis one of the most useful personal decks that I own...and drop dead gorgeous besides. The Faeries WILL take over if you let them, though (and then you could join the rest of us Fae- touched crazy folk in the Oracle study group!) Good luck in whatever you happen to choose!

Star Spirit	25 Jun 2004
I have both decks. They're both wonderful. Maybe you can find them in Australia? Those prices are a bit much. Or you could try some different websites perhaps, or since it's your birthday, ask for one as a gift :D

WolfSpirit	26 Jun 2004
I have both decks too... Yes, the Celtic Dragon is much more mainstream than the Shapeshifter and not too hard to use if you are familiar with RWS. The artwork is consistent and mainly gentle - ironical, more gentle than the faeries ! The faeries have stunning art work, different styles are used in the deck and it is very surprising. It is not at all a sweet deck - I would say it delves deep. I would say the Celtic dragon is an all-purpose tarot deck whereas the faeries oracle seems to concentrate more on self-exploration and psychology. Although I am not really a faeries lover I like the deck. Good luck with your tough decision. Maybe you can still get the other one later, if you want both ?

The Dragon vs Fairies .... thread was originally posted on 24 Jun 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.