Deck with a firmer tone?
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 12 Oct 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| Stregaverde |
12 Oct 2004 |
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I am currently working with three decks: Tarot of the Old Path, Tarot of Mermaids, and Hanson-Roberts. I love every one of them, and while they pull no punches, they feel very gentle to me. That's wonderful, especially for learning, and it suits me, but I'm searching for a fairly true-to-RW deck that has more of an edge to it. I want to say a 'masculine' deck because two of my three working decks have a definite feminine energy.
What might you suggest? I'd appreciate any ideas, and your personal impressions of your suggestions. I tried the Black Tarot because I like fantasy art and it had a good review on the AT main site, but it was NOT for me.
I have the Tarot of Prague and BBC arriving soon, and I do have Ancestral Path, which I like. I get a family-type vibe off Ancestral Path, and I have it put away to study in a little while. Neither TOP or BBC strike me as 'edgy' decks, although I've read in the forums that they both can really tell it like it is--hooray! :)
Thank you in advance for sharing the wisdom!
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| RedMaple |
12 Oct 2004 |
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Originally posted by Stregaverde
I am currently working with three decks: Tarot of the Old Path, Tarot of Mermaids, and Hanson-Roberts. I love every one of them, and while they pull no punches, they feel very gentle to me. That's wonderful, especially for learning, and it suits me, but I'm searching for a fairly true-to-RW deck that has more of an edge to it. I want to say a 'masculine' deck because two of my three working decks have a definite feminine energy.
I would suggest the Morgan Greer, World Spirit as decks with a little bit of an edge. I have found my Greer to be a pretty honest and deep deck. The colors are intense without being garish, and there are no borders.
The World Spirit is a very diverse and inclusive deck, with a little more of an edge to it. It is pretty gender-balanced. It is mostly RWS, though there are some differences. The deck is woodcuts that have been painted, very engaging visually, with black borders. I like it because it does have an edge, yet it doesn't feel dark, just adult, and it includes images of all races, ages, body types, etc. There are a few cards I'm not crazy about, but that is true for most decks.
I find the Nigel Jackson to be a pretty male deck, and though I originally thought I would like it a lot because some of the beautiful artwork, I find that its maleness puts me off some.
The Renaissance deck is another very male deck, in my opinion. All the minors deal with Greek myths that, even when they include a woman, seem very male perspective. There are also lots of naked male bodies, in a very idealized Renaissance style. Not my thing, but a lot of people love this deck.
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| lunalafey |
12 Oct 2004 |
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Maybe the Fantastical?
or an Egyptian deck?
There is also World Spirit Tarot.
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| WolfSpirit |
12 Oct 2004 |
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Maybe the Gothic tarot by Vargo ?
Or the Gilded ?
The Quest ?
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| Ace |
12 Oct 2004 |
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Originally posted by Stregaverde
I'm searching for a fairly true-to-RW deck that has more of an edge to it. I want to say a 'masculine' deck because two of my three working decks have a definite feminine energy.
What might you suggest? I'd appreciate any ideas, and your personal impressions of your suggestions. I tried the Black Tarot because I like fantasy art and it had a good review on the AT main site, but it was NOT for me.
Check out Astra's WorldTree Tarot. I like it, but psychic friends of mine, used to a Soft fuzzy view found it very hard to deal with.
www.worldtreeproducts.com
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| Kissa |
12 Oct 2004 |
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i have to second Redmaple about the morgan greer. even before i read the answers to your question, it is the deck that came immediately to my mind.
kissa
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| ambermoon |
12 Oct 2004 |
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I was surprised by the BBCats. They have their claws and are willing to use them when necessary. This edginess reminds me that beneath the lace and the gilt trim, it's a turbulent world of intrigue, sharp rapiers, and deep passion concealed behind a facade of languid indifference and baroque fantasy.
This is THE deck for reading about plots and intrigues within close circles.
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| Stregaverde |
12 Oct 2004 |
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Thank you for the ideas--keep them coming! :)
Morgan Greer, Gilded, and Da Vinci are all decks that I have been looking at, so it's great to know that they have that type of 'feel' to them. After my negative response to the Black Tarot, I was a little paranoid about any deck 'based on the art of' anyone, so was hesitant about the Da Vinci, but it looks as if that fear is unfounded. I had not seen the Secrets deck before--wow!
Ambermoon, that's good to hear about BBC. I'm thinking more of cards to use when reading for male friends and family, and for masculine (I hate being so sexist here, but can't think of another way to put it) issues. I cannot wait to get my paws on BBC, and neither can my 9 cats. :)
Thank you to everyone who has offered suggestions, they are greatly appreciated!
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| WolfyJames |
12 Oct 2004 |
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So you want some masculine deck? I see the Gilded Tarot was mentionned, so I will suggest The Light And Shadow Tarot (Goepferd & Williams). A good deck with raw energy and yet, it is well balanced. It is a mix between RWS and Thoth, so it can help you with RWS and get a grasp of the Thoth as well. The Golden Tarot (Kat Black) is also a well balance deck that has an edge, don't let the gold fooling you and make you belive it is a fluffy deck, because it ain't. May I suggest Universal Waite Tarot or the Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot? These two are recolored version of the masculine RWS. There is also the masculine Thoth Tarot (Crowley). I think The Gothic Tarot (Vargo) might be too dark for you, but The Fantastical Tarot (Nathalie Hertz) is more colorful.
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| contrascarpe |
12 Oct 2004 |
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Some great suggestions here. If I understand it correctly, you are looking for an edgier version of Rider-Waite clones. I think you will be pleased with both the Prague and BBC. I have done some strong readings with both while at the same time forgetting they were RWS clones.
That being said, a few more suggestions:
Robin Wood - there was a time when I liked the Morgan Greer more, but this one is now my primary reading deck. It is very RWS-like and IMHO much edgier than the MG.
Victoria Regina - although I have not used this deck very much, it is the favorite of better half. It is in black and white, but the Victorian themes make this a more "masculine" deck.
Another deck I use often is the Lo Scarabeo Tarot of the Imagination. It is not RWS-like at all (it defies description) and can be very disturbing, but it is my most powerful deck for some reason.
Oh, and I agree with you on the Black Tarot - very disappointing.
Dan
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| Stregaverde |
12 Oct 2004 |
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I feel like I have a much better idea what decks to try now, thanks to the great input. I'm going to wait until BBCats and Tarot of Prague arrive, and see how they 'feel' before ordering yet MORE decks, but I know I'm not going to be able to hold back from adding a few of these suggestions to my collection!
This forum is wonderful.
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| contrascarpe |
12 Oct 2004 |
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Originally posted by Stregaverde
This forum is wonderful.
No truer words have been spoken here :)
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| punchinella |
13 Oct 2004 |
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For-the-record: my perception of Marseille-type decks is that they speak equally well to men & women, because, of all the decks I've seen & worked with, the energy in a Marseille is the most equally divided. Or, no, that gives the wrong impression . . . the basic energy is androgynous. Or, genuinely objective . . . or, something . . . (??)
Wolfy James has already mentioned Thoth, as masculine . . . one of the reasons I couldn't ever bring myself to use it :(
Of course, I know you're looking for a RWS clone, & so mentioning Marseille & Thoth is sort of pointless.!!
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| Umbrae |
13 Oct 2004 |
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russian st. pete's (brutal)
international icon (to the point - a true 'readers' deck)
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| Vilyariel |
13 Oct 2004 |
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I have the arthurian tarot, and while i havent done any readings with it yet, it has lovely imagery...
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| SongDeva |
13 Oct 2004 |
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The Fey Tarot is surprisingly gorgeous and doesn't hesitate to hone in on the sore spots.
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| Ace |
13 Oct 2004 |
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What I am seeing reading these posts, is that even with fairly "sweet" decks, if the true is there the cards will tell it. Edginess is in the eyes of the beholder.
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| Sulis |
13 Oct 2004 |
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Morgan Greer and World Spirit - I know, I sound like a broken record but hey ..........Morgan Greer and World Spirit ;)
Love
Sulis xx
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| ihcoyc |
13 Oct 2004 |
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Originally posted by Stregaverde
I'm searching for a fairly true-to-RW deck that has more of an edge to it. I want to say a 'masculine' deck because two of my three working decks have a definite feminine energy.
Actually, Morgan Greer probably is fairly good for this. The pip images are mostly consonant with RWS, but the art is somewhat broader, a bit more cartoony, abstract, and bright. The Majors make a number of nods to tradition that gets left out of RWS. (The Wheel of Fortune is vastly superior, for instance.) The human figures are fronted, and few are shown full figure.
Another deck that might give you what you want is Medieval Scapini. This is a semi-pip-card deck that arranges the pips in semi-traditional (Spanish) fashion but which adds details to suggest the meanings, and those meanings are in the RWS tradition generally. If you find yourself at home with it, you may want to move on to Visconti Gold later on.
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| Emily |
14 Oct 2004 |
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Another broken record here :D - the Morgan Greer - the colours make this deck and the artwork is different to the Rider Waite although it reads just as easily - you can take it a step further because of (again) the colours used on the cards - they mean something in this deck.
Also the Radiant Rider has a firmer edge to it.
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| baba-prague |
14 Oct 2004 |
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Originally posted by ambermoon
I was surprised by the BBCats. They have their claws and are willing to use them when necessary. This edginess reminds me that beneath the lace and the gilt trim, it's a turbulent world of intrigue, sharp rapiers, and deep passion concealed behind a facade of languid indifference and baroque fantasy.
This is THE deck for reading about plots and intrigues within close circles.
Oh oh oh! I have to just say that that's so interesting to hear. You know two of our inspirations for the deck were the films Dangerous Liaisons and Amadeus - both of which involved plotting and subterfuge? So - in fact I'm really pleased to hear that we got that feeling into the cards. I actually find that the Cats can be far harder than I expected - in the beginning I was quite taken aback by that. They can also be "fairytaleish" at times, and with some people, but I don't think that's their normal mode. I have myself had one or two - necessary - scratches from readings.
Anyway - sorry, don't want to derail the thread. I also have to say that I'd agree that it's not always the deck to use with rather macho type men - they can be a bit taken aback by it.
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| Stregaverde |
14 Oct 2004 |
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That's fascinating! I can't wait until the deck(s) arrive! :)
I'm really intrigued by LS Tarocchi dei Segreti (Secrets). I'm trying to be good and not order, but Alida has a direct hookup into my nervous system and is controlling my hands--I keep clicking "Add To Cart" without meaning to! :D
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| Bean Feasa |
14 Oct 2004 |
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Ciao Stregaverde e benvenuta in Aeclectica,
(I just put the 'a' there at the end 'cos it made it look more Italian!)
Like others here I think you'll be very happy with the Tarot of Prague. It's a beautiful deck and I always find it has a crisp, teacherly sort of tone - definitely firm! No nonsense whatsoever.
I do find the Rohrig gives quite a kick in tender places too.
saluti
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| Stregaverde |
14 Oct 2004 |
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The 'Aeclectica' did look very Italian! :D
I've put I Tarocchi dei Segreti in my Alida cart and then closed the window at least 4 times tonight. I'm going to sit on my hands now until TOP comes. Honestly, between that and BBC, and getting to know my Mermaid deck (which is coming along swimmingly, snerk), I'm going to be full 'o tarot.
baba-prague, I ordered the two directly from you guys...please have mercy and send them soon!!! Three, actually, as I got the two kits and an extra deck of BBC to give as a gift to a friend for Yule. Now it looks like I'm going to be buying a second edition TOP, too, and will keep my first edition kit pristine.
Thanks to everyone for the simultaneous enabling and disenabling in this thread! I've learned quite a bit, and am even more excited for my Czech Decks.
Maybe I'll get Secrets in my stocking...along with the Fey and Da Vinci that I already asked hubby for. It's wonderful yet dangerous to live in Lo Scarabeo country. Then there's still the Gilded to get in America...
A year ago I was a Tarot student with two decks, and thought I was fine. Now I am a Tarot addict who can't get enough. How did this happen??
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| annik |
14 Oct 2004 |
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Originally posted by Stregaverde
A year ago I was a Tarot student with two decks, and thought I was fine. Now I am a Tarot addict who can't get enough. How did this happen?? [/b]
I think we all started roughly in the same way.
Sometimes, I think like you (being a tarot addict); sometimes, I think I am nuts to have all those tarot deck and sometimes, I just enjoy being surrounded by my tarot collection.
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| lelandra |
26 Oct 2004 |
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I somewhat hesitate to post this as I'm not sure it's ready yet for prime-time, but in the interest of garnering feedback here is a page I'm working on right now... it's not linked from the 1000 Words top-level page yet as I haven't decided it's done yet.
http://www.lelandra.com/comptarot/tarotbiker.htm
(Biker and Body Art)
This is my skewed way of making a "buff and studly" category of decks, because I can never just do something straightforward :)
Of them, the closest RWS variations would be:
Fradella Adventure
Gilded (love the machine stuff... would love to see something that didn't hold so close to the generic-medieval theme, but really did the SteamPunk thing straight on...)
Sacred Rose (this deck can be very disturbing)
If you are willing to go with a deck that is more purely Golden Dawn, take a closer look at the Tarot of the Sephiroth. That is heady stuff.
On the discussion so far... Personally, I think that Morgan Greer is much less sweetness and light than Robin Wood. Someone in the Tarot group I facilitate claims that she finds Robin Wood even sweeter than Hanson Roberts (the deck I've heard described as the deck Barbie would play with) Not sure I would go that far...
I'm going to have to think about Tarot of the Secrets for this page...
Lelandra
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| Fulgour |
26 Oct 2004 |
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Originally posted by Stregaverde
...I'm searching for a fairly true-to-RW deck that has more of an edge to it. I want to say a 'masculine' deck because two of my three working decks have a definite feminine energy. Navigators Tarot of the Mystic SEA
brings a lot to any table...
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The Deck with a firmer tone? thread was originally posted on 12 Oct 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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