My Gay Tarot has arrived and I am ECSTATIC!!
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 Aug 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| Goldenhair |
24 Aug 2004 |
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The deck is by Lee Bursten - Artwork by Antonelle Platano.
The artwork is fantastic and though I had only a few minutes to look over the deck the way it was structured struck me immediately.
If you take the majors 1 - 10 and line up the minors Ace - 10 with them, all the cards of the same number feature the same charactors and tell a story. For example, VI - The Lovers and all the minor sixes feature the same couple on each card in different scenes.
Also, the first card - The Fool - and the last numbered minor card, in this deck the Ten of Wands, features the same guy with his dog. The start and end of the journey.
I think this is going to turn out to be one of my favorite decks!!
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| Trogon |
24 Aug 2004 |
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Thanks for posting this, Goldenhair. I'd been wondering about this deck, it had piqued my interest since I first caught sight of it on the list of decks here.
Interesting idea, using the same persons through the numbered cards. That's another thing that caught my interest when I read your post.
So, over-all, what are your continuing impressions? Do you feel this deck is going to be readable? How does the imagery compare to the RWS images (aside from the lack of women)?
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| Little Baron |
24 Aug 2004 |
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I have pretty much suspended my deck purchasing (aside from still Hadar hunting) but it is interesting to hear about the numbered cards working through the minors like this. Would be great to see how that works sometime.
Enjoy your new deck. Would love to hear how it reads for you.
Yaboot
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| tabbycat |
24 Aug 2004 |
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There's a lot of RWS imagery in the deck, especially in the Minors. I particularly like the Three of Swords, which is an image of three broken umbrellas in a puddle in the gutter, and the Nine of Swords, which has a man sitting on the edge of a bed with his head in his hands and, above him, there are nine fighter jets - a very modern nightmare!
Jilly
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| The 78th Fool |
24 Aug 2004 |
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I've done a trade with Danubhe - she gets two of my old decks in return for ordering this deck from Alida for me. Hopefully I should have it in a week or so as I'm very excited about it and what artwork I've already seen looks really fabulous. I'll let you all know how it reads when the time comes!
Chris. xx
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| telcontar |
26 Aug 2004 |
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Just wanted to have a say in "if it is readable" :)
I think, it is. I haven't done a spread with it yet, but I've done my daily draws with it for nearly two weeks now and asked it some questions apart from that and as it is so close to the Rider Waite it is no problem to connect to prior experiences with the Tarot- or to other peoples experiences. But it brings its very own symbolism, too (the umbrellas, for example) and that gives me the opportunity to shed a new light on some cards. I just don't want to use another deck at the moment. But I do, when I read for other people. I still want to be alone with "my new friend". Is this a little strange!? Doesn't matter.
Do you think, there is enough interest to start a study group on this deck?
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| The 78th Fool |
10 Sep 2004 |
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My copy arrived two days ago. I've done a Celtic Cross with it and I have to say yes - It's very readable. I can see that I'm going to develop a special relationship with this deck.
Chris. xx
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| Oni |
15 Sep 2004 |
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this seems like the perfect holiday gift for my gay male freinds! but i want to see some more pics of it.
this deck is a true asset to us in the gblt communtity!
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| Shade |
16 Sep 2004 |
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Must wait for Tarot Garden to have the deck.... must not give in... must stay under control...
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| Jewel |
06 Oct 2004 |
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I just received my copy of this deck yesterday. After carefully going through it all I can say is "Lee you REALLY outdid yourself, and I expect to see more decks from you!"
Some of the major cards are renamed and the imagery gives the meaning of the cards from a gay context, but there is no mistaking what the card stands for even if you are not gay. Two of those cards are Self-Hatred (Devil) and Revelation (Tower). The courts have been renamed, but are easy to follow and understand. The backs of the cards are reversible and very beautiful.
This deck is very well done and in context. Like the Fey tarot it does not use the number of suit icons on every card, but lets the image do the talking. It is a very intuitive deck. Many cards are poignant.
I am a straight, married female, and I have to say that in my personal opinion the Gay Tarot is better than any feminist based deck I have ever seen. I find the deck very constructive to the image of gay men and their lifestyle, demonstrating that they aspire to the same things we all do (love, life and the pursuit of happiness), but are subject to unfair treatment and prejudice just because of sexual orientation. The Justice, or injustice card as I choose to call it, exemplifies this. Other cards that relate to this theme are the Self Hatred and Revelation cards, which show internal conflict caused by societal norms and lack of open acceptance. The deck also reflects things that concern us all, the 9 of swords is an excellent example as are most of the cards.
This deck is very tasteful, insightful, educational, and just overall well done. You do not have to be gay or male to understand, enjoy and appreciate this deck. In no way is this deck offensive to women or straight men, and there is no implication of hatred of women (something some feminist decks sometimes imply towards men).
My praise goes out to you Lee. You should be extremely proud of this deck.
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| Lee |
06 Oct 2004 |
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Thanks! :)
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| The 78th Fool |
06 Oct 2004 |
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Originally posted by Jewel
[i have to say that in my personal opinion the gay tarot is better than any feminist based deck i have ever seen. i find the deck very constructive to the image of gay men and their lifestyle, demonstrating that they aspire to the same things we all do (love, life and the pursuit of happiness), but are subject to unfair treatment and prejudice just because of sexual orientation
my praise goes out to you lee. you should be extremely proud of this deck. [/b]
What really left me overjoyed with this deck was precisely what Jewel has said - The deck shows gay men as ordinary, respectable people from all walks of life and blows all of the negative misconceptions and stereotypes of us out the window. I think this is why this deck will outlive many other attempts on a similar theme - It centres on gay men as people rather than focusing soley on our sexuality - I too think Lee should be very proud!
Chris. xx
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| Lee |
06 Oct 2004 |
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Thanks again! :)
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| Jewel |
11 Oct 2004 |
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Originally posted by The 78th Fool
The deck shows gay men as ordinary, respectable people from all walks of life and blows all of the negative misconceptions and stereotypes of us out the window. I think this is why this deck will outlive many other attempts on a similar theme - It centres on gay men as people rather than focusing soley on our sexuality - I too think Lee should be very proud!
That was so much more eloquently put than what I wrote, and is exactly the point I was trying to make Chris. Thanks for putting it in the right words. I agree with you that the deck should outlast other decks of similar theme for exactly that reason.
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| Astraea |
15 Oct 2004 |
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I love this deck. There are so many unusual and thoughtful, genuinely revelatory interpretations of the cards -- and not just the Majors, either: Lee has clearly devoted equal energy to the conceptualization and design of the Minor Arcana.
As others have stated, there are coherent threads running throughout the deck that render the cards not only readable, but warmly human and communicative. The deck is redolent with the atmospheres of daily life; apparent ordinariness is transformed, such that magic can happen -- or be found -- in each moment, even the difficult times. The day-to-day workings of relationships, in all of their complexities, joys, sorrows, disappointments and mystery are depicted here -- including our human relationship with spirit, which is at the heart of any union (could we but see it).
I will use this deck a lot. Thank you, Lee, for this reflective, beautifully conceived and produced deck.
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| Little Baron |
15 Oct 2004 |
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Glad to hear such positive things about this deck as I am trading a deck with another member for it. It feels like a real personal one; one that works at the heart of what goes on in our lives. I can imagine it answering a lot of questions that I have on a daily basis. Look forward to coming back here and letting you know what I think. Havn't seen many of the cards so it should be fun to recieve.
Yabs
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| Lee |
16 Oct 2004 |
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I just wanted to mention for those who might not have seen it, that there's a study group for this deck, and I've been learning an awful lot about my own deck from the fascinating comments of others. Telcontar has been doing a great job in posting threads and leading the discussion. So, everyone is invited! The threads are in the General study group forum, and hopefully we'll be getting our own study group forum soon.
-- Lee
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| Darla |
16 Oct 2004 |
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Lee, I don't have your deck (yet :)) and so far I have only seen the pictures that are online but I have to tell you that I'm thrilled by your deck! :) I agree with everything the others said and I just want to add that I love how contemporary the pics are. It seems similar to the LS Pagan and the Gothic Vampires but easier to relate to. I'm a straight woman too but I'm absolutely sure that I would have great and easy readings with it. Well done!
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| Lee |
16 Oct 2004 |
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Thank you, Darla, and thanks also to Astraea!
-- Lee
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| Elentir |
17 Oct 2004 |
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As I mentioned on another forum (before I realized that there had been new posts to this one), I received my deck on Friday, and I, too, was ecstatic! I haven't done any readings with it yet, because I am first trying to get a gestalt-feeling for the deck as a whole.
I began by laying out each suit by rank; then I realized how much more illuminating it was to lay out the four aces together, then the four 2s, the four 3s, etc. This was especially great for me, because that's how I teach the minor arcana in my classes. As others have mentioned, I also like the fact that the suit symbols do not clutter up the minors in the deck as well.
I'm sure all of our Gay Tarot study threads will begin multiplying like crazy very soon! It will be great to learn about the deck with everyone else as time goes on.
Last but not least, thank you for the signed title card, Lee! That, too, will make this deck very special among my collection. I also want to take a moment to mention how I've decided to keep it: With all the decks I read with, I wrap them in a silk scarf (I collect them; most have a zodiac theme; hooray for eBay!), I keep them in tarot bags that I make myself (crocheted in cotton chenille, to be specific), and I always include some kind of charm or other token in the bag with it. Since I ordered this deck, I came across a set of "freedom rings" that I've had for years but have been sitting in a jewelry box untouched. It's an unusual set, not little quarter-sized ones on a chain, but more like 1.5-inch rings joined together by little loops (I *think* it was originally a bracelet). Anyway, I'm using them to thread the silk scarf through to keep it from unwrapping, like a clasp or scarf clip. And I think the scarf I'm going to keep them wrapped in will be my Gianni Versace gold-and-black zodiac scarf... seems appropriate, somehow! Too bad I can't afford a "Dies et Hore" scarf by Hermes, Paris! (they go for around to $300!!!)
Anyway, looking forward to watching our ongoing study group unfold....!!!
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| baba-prague |
18 Oct 2004 |
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I've been dithering over what to say, because I think it's all been said really. But just to add my own response - this is an exceptionally well thought out and likeable deck. I agree very much with the review on tarot passages that says that it's great to see a Gay deck that isn't focused on the erotic - and that simply shows people going about a range of work, fun and activities. There are some really nice moments in the deck - things to make you smile as well as to make you think.
It's one of those decks that just has a very good "feel" to it - and I would guess that it will stand the test of time too - a really great achievement Lee.
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| cheekyminx |
21 Oct 2004 |
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It is great to finally see a Gay deck. Well done!
I asked my housemate if he was interested in purchasing the deck (he does not own any cards nor does he read) he thought the idea of a gay deck was awesome. He received his deck yesterday and was really happy at how gay men were portrayed in many different ways. He was that excited he asked me to do a reading for him using the new deck.
My housemate said that something like this makes homosexual people feel more welcomed in society. He was really excited to have received the deck, it was great.
I think it is a positive step and a great way to show people that being gay is not and should not be stereotyped nor categorised. I have been around gay people for the past 20 years and they are no different to myself. Two of my best friends are gay men and I honestly would not have it any other way.
Thank you for giving us the Gay Tarot.
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| Lee |
21 Oct 2004 |
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Thanks Cheekyminx, that's exactly what I wanted the deck to accomplish! Please give my best wishes to your housemate.
-- Lee
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| horoskope88 |
23 Oct 2004 |
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All I hear is applause for the Gay Tarot from the Tarot community; its creator should be very proud! ;)
It's a shame that the world at large isn't as accepting and tolerant to gays as the Tarot community is, and I'm speaking as a gay teen growing up in today's world.
I'd love to order the deck for myself..but that would mean placing the order over the internet (God knows when/if the local stores will carry it), and I don't want my parents getting the credit report and seeing that I have ordered anything with the word "Gay" in the title...for obvious reasons...
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| Lee |
23 Oct 2004 |
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You might want to try e-mailing Jeannette at Tarot Garden, her e-mail address is sales@tarotgarden.com. Besides PayPal and credit cards, they also accept personal checks, money orders, cashier's checks and cash.
Large bookstores like Borders should be getting it in soon, if not already. If you live near one of those stores, you might try going there and if they don't have it, ask if they can order it for you. Llewellyn Worldwide is the distributor, and the ISBN number is 0738705977. I know Borders stores carry Lo Scarabeo decks regularly, so they shouldn't have any trouble ordering it for you if they don't have it. And Barnesandnoble.com carries it, so I imagine a Barnes & Noble store should also carry it or be able to order it.
Also, and this just occurred to me, if you order a book or a deck over the internet with a credit card or PayPal, the title of what you order doesn't show up on the bill, only the name of the retailer, like "Amazon.com" or "Tarot Garden." But if you don't want anything at all to show up on your parents' bill, then you could try one of the methods I suggested.
Good luck!
-- Lee
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| horoskope88 |
23 Oct 2004 |
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Thanks for your suggestions, Lee. I think I knew if the title of what I order would show up on the bill, but I needed a second opinion. Ordering a copy of your deck shouldn't be a problem now. (Wow, it's like talking to a celebrity. LoL :-D )
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| rabble |
30 Oct 2004 |
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Lee, I don't have your deck, but today I got to look through it. It's awesome! I really loved it.
Well done.
There is a teenager around here who "walks his dogs" by skateboard. That card really made me smile. :)
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| raeanne |
01 Nov 2004 |
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Lee,
I bought the Gay Tarot this weekend and I am very impressed. This deck is ssssoooo well done! There is such sensitivity in this deck. The only drawback is the awful blue border. Blue is one of my favorite colors but on this deck it doesn't fit. Most of the cards are done in Earth tones which I think is very appropriate for this deck. The blue border just distracts. I've never had the courage to take scissors to a deck (and I probably won't even with this deck) but I would love to see these cards without a border or with something that is more complimentary with the Earth tones. But otherwise, it is a VERY good deck. Kudos!
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| Lee |
01 Nov 2004 |
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Thanks, raeanne! By all means, get out the scissors! :D Maybe the cards will feel relieved to be free of their blue jackets. Personally I like the blue, but the important thing is what each individual reader thinks.
-- Lee
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The My Gay Tarot has arrived and I am ECSTATIC!! thread was originally posted on 24 Aug 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.
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