Any lovers of Robin Wood?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 18 Jul 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

hyatt	18 Jul 2004
I picked this deck up on a whim the other day. It has been on my want list since I had heard it was RWS meets paganism. But upon just a glance of it I don't think it was what I expected. I guess I don't like the people. They are too barbie and too happy. I want some pensive looks and not perfect blonds with sculpted bodies. Now, I haven't even tried it out. I didn't do a reading with it I just looked at the cards with disappointment and returned them into their box. So I might be prejudging this deck. But I was wondering who likes this deck and why?

SongDeva	18 Jul 2004
Hyatt, Do a search in this forum for "Robin Wood" and you'll turn up tons of information. Literally. Sd

spoonbender	18 Jul 2004
Quote: Originally posted by hyatt I guess I don't like the people. They are too barbie and too happy. I want some pensive looks and not perfect blonds with sculpted bodies. That's the objection a lot of people have - it never bothered me, and it still doesn't. I see older people, children, people with dark hair, people with light hair, happy people, sad people. But it's true, most of the people look healthy and friendly, and that bothers some. I think it's best to read reviews of decks before you buy them, e.g. on Tarotpassages you can read in the review by our very own Lee: "However, I began to tire a little bit of the earnest friendliness of many of the faces. I think it’s a good thing for one to feel that a deck is approachable, but it’s a little disconcerting to see the High Priestess giving one a welcoming smile. Also, there is indeed a certain Ken-and-Barbie feeling to most of the figures, which starts to get a little old after a while." Also, this site shows all images of the Robin Wood - maybe it's best to look at that site and see whether you like it before you buy it. I realize this isn't very helpful for you now, Hyatt, but perhaps it's helpful for others, so they don't buy the Robin Wood and have to trade it a few days later because the people look too beautiful for their taste. I like the deck because I think the art is wonderful (except for a few cards). Every little detail on the cards has a symbolic meaning, and Robin Wood even wrote a book explaining the symbols in her deck. The deck is fairly traditional, but adds new, interesting elements. The court cards are effective and attractive, e.g. every Page has a special symbol that characterizes her personality (the Page of Wands has firecrackers). The cards are clear and the readings are down-to-earth. Warm regards, Spoonbender

Eco74	18 Jul 2004
I do recognise the rather happy feelings in the deck. Compared to some other decks this does make it a little easy to just see the positive side of the reading, and getting to the potential problems can be a problem in itself at first, until one gets to know the deck a little more. After having used it for some time, I am now starting to get past the "happy settings" and am seing a lot of details that give (in my oppinion atleast) a well rounded reading. See if you can get a deeper glimpse of a few of the cards, and if that works for you, check a few more. But don´t force it.. I get a feeling that the cards WANT you to be relaxed and happy in order to get the full message from them. I percieve them as more of an "everyday-be-it-sunshine-or-rainbows"-type deck than the more mysterious and hardhitting ones, but still as accurate as you need them to be, IF you can connect with them beyond the happy sheen.

Sulis	18 Jul 2004
I agree with you Hyatt, I bought this deck because I too had heard that it was a RWS clone with a pagan slant and just like you I didn't like the people in it, far too 'Ken and Barbie' for me. I just couldn't stand cards like the Wheel of Fortune and The Chariot :) Some cards are very good though - The Devil is one which immediately springs to mind. I traded mine away which is one good thing about this deck - lots and lots of people do like it so it's very easy to get rid of if you decide you just can't work with it. Tarot of the Old Path is another RWS based deck but with a much more pagan feel, I don't have that one so I can't really comment on it. The deck I got when I got rid of my Robin Wood was the World Spirit - I think this deck is just as pagan as the Robin Wood and the people in it are fat, thin, blue, pink, brown, male, female (you get the picture :) ) Love Sulis xx

WolfSpirit	18 Jul 2004
I have the Robin Wood but I don't use it often. I don't dislike it, there are some cards in the deck I like (Death and the Moon for example) and others I like less for various reasons. I understand what you mean about the beautiful happy people. Funny enough though, I don't find the deck fluffy at all - it is always to me honest and blunt, no sugar coating despite the sugary (well some ;) ) images.

TaranRavenfrost	18 Jul 2004
I just got home from the mall, and I picked this deck up while I was there. I love it! The images are beautiful, and the backs are reversable. I agree, most of the people are happy. But what about the 5 of Pentacles? Thats SAD! I am bonding with the deck well. My main deck is the Thoth, so this is QUITE a differance!

hyatt	18 Jul 2004
I haven't decided if I am going to keep this one or not. I like to pass decks along to others if I don't have a real connection with them. I agree that the devil is a spectacular card! Excellent interpretation - perfect. I did do some research on the deck before I bought it. It was one of those decks I thought I just should have - kind of a staple like RSW or Thoth. I love the magician too. It was on my list but others were higher up on the tarot food chain! I guess it just have an overall feel that I don't care for. But I might keep it around a while to cheer up those rainy floridia days :)

dolphingirl	19 Jul 2004
I have always loved the robin Wood I find the people on it don't look any more "Ken and Barbie" than most other decks to me. Like the Heirophant the 9 of cups, 4 of pentacles and the Kings etc... Decks are so personal to the reader. Some of my favorite cards are Death- beautiful The Wheel of Fortune (yes i know alot of people don't like this card but I love the range of enotions that the girl on the wheel goes through) The High Priestess- There are so many details to her and the background. 9 of cups- he really looks so smug and pleased with himself. I also like her keywords in the LWB. I still think of some of them when using other decks. If you look on Robin Woods sight she has an outtake of her book on the Fool card where she talks about the symbols she used in that card. You might take a look at that to see if it helps you to like the deck. I really found it interresting and one of the better books on a tarot deck. Good luck :) Samantha

Logiatrix	19 Jul 2004
Quote: Originally posted by dolphingirl ...If you look on Robin Woods sight she has an outtake of her book on the Fool card where she talks about the symbols she used in that card. You might take a look at that to see if it helps you to like the deck. I really found it interresting and one of the better books on a tarot deck. Yeah, what she said...LOL The book really helped me like this deck, and as Samantha said, it is one of the better books out there on a tarot deck. Just the artistic insights alone are worthy of a perusal; reading Robin Wood's own words about her artistic journey gave me a renewed respect for tarot creators. The book with the deck makes for a great study kit, even if you choose not to use it as a regular reading deck. :)

nexyjo	19 Jul 2004
the robin wood deck is my deck of choice, though the pagan tarot is fast becoming a close second. i like the beauty of the "perfect" human form, so this deck works well for me. i can definately imagine why some people don't like the deck however, for that same reason.

lark	19 Jul 2004
First deck I ever really connected with. Still in my top five. I grew up playing with Barbie, Tammy, and Penny Bite so this deck has a familiar feeling to me. It's Bewitched, Gilligans Island the Adams Family. Swimming in the afternoon. Kool-Aid Playing with my cut out dolls. It reminds me so much of my childhood in the 60's and 70's. The book is essential I think for fully appreciating this deck. There is nothing Ken or Barbie about the thought and care that was put into it. Hyatt take out the 9 of Swords... Look at that girls arm and elbow. It just says vulnerability to me..... She is at the mercy of her frightening night time thoughts. I could go on and on.... But you get the picture, I Love My Robin Wood. :*

The Any lovers of Robin Wood? thread was originally posted on 18 Jul 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.