Out of your collection, which would you recommend to others?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 01 Dec 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

tatsi	01 Dec 2004
Looking at ones own collection, there are those that stand out. Some may be favorites for one reason or another such as connection to its art, readabilty, and so on. Then there are those that are not only favorites, but those likely to appeal to a broad range of people. Out of your own collection, list your favorites that would likely appeal to a wide range of people. For a list of decks I recommend, see the 'Favourites' part in my Profile. My Profile also includes a list of the Tarot and Oracle decks in my collection. FYI: The Tarot decks in my Profile follow RWS, since that is the tradition I prefer. A great beginner deck* for those just starting out is the Universal Waite Tarot. Once you feel comfortable that you have a good foundation, you can more readily adapt and use so-called intermediate type decks, which loosely follow RWS in varying degrees. * Most introductory or beginner books on Tarot use and are illustrated with RWS. If you are looking for your first deck and happen to “connect” with a deck that isn't a so-called beginner deck, that is fine. If you consider yourself beyond a beginner, but still use RWS, that is fine as well. There is no strict rule. The most important thing is to choose a deck you connect with. tatsi

Rusty Neon	01 Dec 2004
tatsi wrote: BEGINNER: Universal Waite Tarot Robin Wood Tarot INTERMEDIATE: @Spiral Tarot World Spirit Tarot Tarot of Timeless Truth (Haven't used deck yet, but based on what I've seen & heard, I feel confident to add it here.) Osho Zen Tarot (especially for Card of the Day) I don't understand why you classify the Universal Waite as a deck for beginners, while classifying various other decks as intermediate decks. The Universal Waite, like the Rider-Waite, is suitable for all levels of experience.

tatsi	01 Dec 2004
Rusty Neon wrote: I don't understand why you classify the Universal Waite as a deck for beginners, while classifying various other decks as intermediate decks. The Universal Waite, like the Rider-Waite, is suitable for all levels of experience. The Universal Waite Tarot is a great beginner deck for those just starting out. I never intended that once one considers themselves an intermediate this deck should be regarded as beneath them. Far from it. In my mind I was clear what I meant by using the words 'beginner' and 'intermediate'. I intended this as a starting point not an either-or/versus situation. I know many people who typically think the either-or thing, but that is not what I believe or intended. The Universal Waite Tarot is a trusty, reliable deck for any level of expertise. I recommend this deck for all levels of experience. When someone is just starting out I recommend a deck that closely follow RWS, which the Universal Waite Tarot does. This is why I consider it a great beginner deck. Also most introductory or beginner books on Tarot use and are illustrated with RWS. However, some people just don't 'connect' with the deck and that is fine. Bottom line: it is essential to choose a deck you connect with. I hope this clarifies my intention and belief. tatsi

Tarot Sparrow	01 Dec 2004
Well, I don't have TOO many decks, so I'm just going to recommend my top pick. Out of my collection, I would most highly recommend the Fey Tarot. It's really just a fantastic deck. It's suitable for all age groups, it's great for beginners as well as intermediate and advanced readers, and it's easy to handle. It's a very evocative deck; not fuzzy at all.

Scion	01 Dec 2004
tatsi wrote: Looking at ones own collection, there are those that stand out. Some may be favorites for one reason or another; such as connection to its art, readabilty, and so on. Then there are those that are not only favoirites, but those you would recommend to others. Ones that would likely appeal to the most broad range of people.-) I have a collection of 40ish decks. Out of those, I might suggest the Gilded, the Fey (far more candid than expected), the Liber T for a fresh Crowley take, the Cosmic Tribe for the technopagan in us all... but my favorite and the one that meets all of your recommendation criteria is Robin Ator's International Icon, a RWS descendant that manages to embrace and extend the impact of the original. For any beginner asking for a recommendation, the International Icon is my go-to deck. It manages to sidestep the familiar issues of nudity, race, conflicting occult traditions with grace and grit. And any citizen of the 21st century has grown up decoding those featureless signage icons. This deck taps into ingrained perceptual habits. In my experience, it's a spectacular reading deck in any setting for any purpose, both from reader's and querent's perspective. What else?... Beautiful use of color that makes them instantly readable even by new students of Tarot, so you get the vibrance people miss in the original RWS without descending into recolored pastel goo. Familiar RWS iconography which makes it useable with practically every classic Tarot text if you're the studious type. Pleasing to the eye so that it succeeds as an art deck and thoughtfully constructed so that it practically reads itself. And the simplicity of the cards somehow helps people identify archetypes when they manifest in real life. Blah blah. I'll shut up now. I just can't stop singing paeans to this deck or to Robin Ator. A must have in every sense...

Cocobird55	01 Dec 2004
Out of my collection of 70 some decks, I would recommend-- Tarot of Timeless Truth - This deck, and even more the book that goes with it, is my very favorite. The book asks you questions and helps you to learn by thinking thing through. Buckland Romani - I get wonderful readings from this deck. Sharman-Caselli - This is a wonderful deck for beginners. It actually diagrams each card and shows you exactly where the symbols are. Gendron - There is something about the art in this deck that I love. Sue

Keslynn	01 Dec 2004
My recommendations are: * Gilded: I love it and so do many of my clients * Fey: I don't know if I would recommend it for beginners though; this deck is that much more awesome if you've seen it in contrast to other more common decks * Morgan-Greer: my second deck ever and still going strong * Druidcraft: especially recommended for pagans or those who just enjoy Celtic myths * International Icon: this gave me a totally new and refreshing look at RWS :) Kes

cheekyminx	01 Dec 2004
It totally depends on what the other person is interested in. There are so many tarot decks available now; cards depicting the Egyptians, Romans, Celtics, Asians, Cats, Dogs, unicorns, fairies and so on. I have; - Radiant RW (read with) I was drawn to the colours and its popularity - Celtic Dragon - I love dragons - Celtic Tarot - Weird obsession with anything Celtic or Irish I still haven't come across any more cards that interest me, which is OK as I don't have the funds to go purchasing more decks or oracle cards. lol

WolfyJames	01 Dec 2004
Out of my collection, tarots (23) and oracles (27), I would suggest: - The Celtic Dragon Tarot (Lisa Hunt & DJ Conway) is set in a medieval setting, easy to relate. The fantasy world is well drawn and the characters on the cards are all ages, meaning the deck is not just for kids. The book is well done, complete, but I think someone could get the deck and not the book and handle it well, contrary to The Legend: The Arthurian Tarot where the book and some knowledge of arthurian legends is a must (and this is why I don't suggest the Legend). - The Enchanted Tarot (Zerner-Farber) was my first deck. The cards are pretty and evocative, well illustrated. The book that comes with it is really nice. - The Fey Tarot (Mara Aghem and Riccardo Minetti) is also a fantasy deck. People who life elves and fairies, or simply fantasy, would be well with this deck. Behind its jewel colors it hides a deck that is deeper than it looks. - The Gilded Tarot (Ciro Marchetti) is a more masculine tarot where space takes a lot of place. The deck is rich and evocative, but the main male model tends to have wooden expressions and ruins a few cards he's on. - The Golden Tarot (Kat Black) is easy to love and to comprehend. It's hard not wanting to play with this deck. It is a deep and rich deck and yet, not too complex, so beginners would feel well with this one. I've never seen anyone who didn't love this deck. - The Light And Shadow Tarot (Goepferd & Williams) is a black and white deck, masculine, rich and evocative as well, and filled with raw energy. The cards are filled of details to discover, little by little, and the book is really good as well. This deck though is hard to like, so I heard. - Tarot Of The Old Path (Gainsford and Rodway) is for pagans, but I think it can include people who are tired of seeing christian stuff everywhere, including in tarot. The cards are simple and yet, filled with symbolic. The medieval setting is pleasing and easy to relate. I don't have the book but I think the study group here has been really helpful. As for my oracles, I would suggest: cartomancy, I-Ching (or Yi-King?), Petit Lenormand, runes, mah-jong, sibilla. Why? Because they have history. These are basic tools of divination that have been here for centuries for many countries. When you use them, it's like going back in time and touching an old wisdom. There are probably more but these are the ones I know. I think when you want to use oracles, it's important to study a little these ones and see if you like them or not (I ended up not liking I-Ching - or Yi-King; as for runes I'm so-so). There are many books on these tools, except for Petit LeNormand and sibilla. I have many more oracles, but it's a matter of personal choice for the others.

Ace	02 Dec 2004
If I had before me someone who has never read before and wants to start learning, I would give them a Robin Wood. It is very RWS, but more accessible IMHO. If it was someone conversant with tarot, I would hand them a WorldTree. I have some other decks, myself, I started with a Standard RWS, although I like Universal Waite better, the colors are prettier. But except for the Ancestral Path, I have few I love enough to say, "take it and read with it" So: Beginner *Robin Wood Universal or standard RWS Intermediate *WorldTree Ancestral Path Advanced? I wouldn't know, I am just a beginner myself.

FantasyWorld	02 Dec 2004
Dead Star wrote: Well, I don't have TOO many decks, so I'm just going to recommend my top pick. Out of my collection, I would most highly recommend the Fey Tarot. It's really just a fantastic deck. It's suitable for all age groups, it's great for beginners as well as intermediate and advanced readers, and it's easy to handle. It's a very evocative deck; not fuzzy at all. I have to 2nd that!!! It's a great deck:)

Emily	02 Dec 2004
From my collection of decks I think the ones I would recommend to a beginner who wanted to learn through Rider Waite symbolism or someone coming back to tarot:- Morgan Greer Rider Waite Universal Waite Radiant Waite Hanson Roberts But really it would be down to that person themselves - the Thoth, Haindl, Osho Zen, Quest, Rohrig - Would make good challenges for a beginner to start with. Its a bit of a hard question because I also have the Golden (Kat Black) and Tarot of Prague which would be good for beginners or experienced readers. Also the Marseille type of deck - again good to learn with or move on from.

lunalafey	02 Dec 2004
I have 20-30 someodd decks... but the ones I would recommend- Fey- I think a beginner would find this deck easy, but I do agree with the above statements as well: --this deck is that much more awesome if you've seen it in contrast to other more common decks. --(far more candid that expected) the Fey are very suprising and amusing Legends It's a beautiful deck with a well known story behind it- putting the legend and the deck together was done exceptionally well. I don't know if it's just me- but the scenery will speak literally, forget the cards symbology & traditional meaning. Infinite A wonderful lovely deck warm deck, but not true tarot. Easy to read; with the image & title lending towards easy symbolic connections & meaning. Such as a 'Telephone' - meaning communication, conversations with loved ones. missing loved ones- etc. It's just a matter of word association. again- might be just me- but this deck tends to touch on past lives quite often.

April	02 Dec 2004
Here's MY absolute favorites out of my collection of 30 some odd decks: Templar Tarot World Spirit Ukiyoe Tarot of the Spirit Hanson-Roberts Now it's story time, yeah! My first deck was the Tarot of the Spirit at the tender age of 14. There were other decks in the store, but I thought this one was beautiful and I wanted it. If I had asked someone they probably would have steered me towards something else because it's not a "beginner's deck". The store owner even looked at me funny because it was pretty obvious I knew nothing about Tarot. I bought the companion book and I learned a lot (at the very least, enough to keep my interest for nine more years). I've seen others learn on Cat People, Baphomet, and Inner Child Cards because they were drawn to them. I know I'm gonna catch some flack for this, but I don't like catagorizing decks by skill level. I think that if a beginner is truly drawn to a deck either by the artwork, or the theme, or whatever, they can start with any deck. The disclaimer being that I would recommend the person be dedicated and to have a good book to reference. I don't think it's about the skill level as much as the person's interests. I don't really get the Baseball Tarot, but I would not hesitate to suggest it to my giant Cubs fan of an ex-boyfriend if he suddenly wanted to start reading. I'm not sure he'd like any other deck. Manara or Decameron for my sick little brother :), and Silicon Valley for the IT guy. I guess what I'm saying is, don't push a beginner into a Rider-Waite if her heart is set on a Tarot of the Spirit. Disagree it you must, but I am very pleased to find that there is a deck out there for everyone. If I could, I would make a career out of matching people to the perfect deck. Like a dating service, maybe. :D Eternally grateful to Aeclectic for continually allowing me to vent, April

Sulis	02 Dec 2004
April wrote: I don't like catagorizing decks by skill level. I think that if a beginner is truly drawn to a deck either by the artwork, or the theme, or whatever, they can start with any deck. I agree with April. How do you judge what a 'beginners deck' is? It seems to me that a deck is considered to be a good beginners deck if it sticks to Rider-Waite-Smith meanings and symbolism. That's ok if you happen to be a beginner who can connect with those things. If, on the other hand you're a beginner who likes your artwork a little darker or a little more abstract then you'd probably find the Thoth or Tarot of the Spirit good 'beginners decks' as both have books written about them which you could use in your studies. Same goes for 'intermediate' and 'advanced' - if you connect to a certain deck or type of deck then surely it's going to be a good deck to you whether you've been using tarot for 2 days or 20 years (and who's to say someone who's been reading for 20 years is going to be 'more advanced' than someone who's been reading for 2 days). Love Sulis xx

tatsi	02 Dec 2004
WolfyJames wrote: As for my oracles, I would suggest: cartomancy, I-Ching (or Yi-King?), Petit Lenormand, runes, mah-jong, sibilla. Why? Because they have history. These are basic tools of divination that have been here for centuries for many countries. When you use them, it's like going back in time and touching an old wisdom. There are probably more but these are the ones I know. I think when you want to use oracles, it's important to study a little these ones and see if you like them or not (I ended up not liking I-Ching - or Yi-King; as for runes I'm so-so). There are many books on these tools, except for Petit LeNormand and sibilla. I have many more oracles, but it's a matter of personal choice for the others. Oracle systems having some sort of history feel real and true to me too, unlike made-up systems. Historically card-based Oracles such as Tarot, fortune cards, and fortune telling by playing cards are my preference. Generally, I don't like systems that have been converted to the card format because most don't translate well, but there are exceptions. When I consult the I Ching I use the Tao Oracle in conjunction with the three coins. tatsi

tatsi	02 Dec 2004
April wrote: I know I'm gonna catch some flack for this, but I don't like catagorizing decks by skill level. I think that if a beginner is truly drawn to a deck either by the artwork, or the theme, or whatever, they can start with any deck. The disclaimer being that I would recommend the person be dedicated and to have a good book to reference. I don't think it's about the skill level as much as the person's interests...I guess what I'm saying is, don't push a beginner into a Rider-Waite if her heart is set on a Tarot of the Spirit. You won't be getting any flack from me. I believe first and foremost you have to choose a deck that you connect with, that calls to you, that you are drawn to. If it's Rider Waite, then great. If it's not, then so long as you are dedicated in learning, it doesn't matter. It is easier to learn from a deck that you connect with rather than dredging through a deck that leaves you cold, or worse, one that you loathe. I'm not a fan of choosing decks by skill level either. For most people when they get into a new subject (Tarot, Needlepoint, etc.) they look for beginner type stuff, which is why breakdown by skill level is popular. Giving newbies a choice by skill level (arbitrary as it may be) is just ONE option, a starting point. If a deck calls to you that isn't considered a so-called beginner deck, go ahead and get the deck that demands your attention. What I am saying is I totatlly agree with you. When I got my first Tarot deck, I forced myself to get RWS, even though I did not like the coloring. Because of this, I never could look at the cards long enough to learn from it. I still longed to have a RWS deck, but with better coloring and the Universal Waite Tarot fit that bill. The coloring is much nicer and the shading gives the pictures more depth, but it was still work to learn from. If I just got the Spiral Tarot (or one of the other decks that I connected with) from the get-go, learning would have been much easier and more enjoyable. I don't know why I held off getting this particular deck as long as I did. I guess I was just too stubborn. Now I know better. From the first viewing this deck called to me. I like the art and the visuals really resonate with me. It has been a joy to work with. tatsi

Alta	02 Dec 2004
Of all oracles, I consider the I Ching to be totally reliable, with great interest, depth and nuance. To experience it to the experience 'the friendliness of the spirits'. Of my decks I have many favourites, most of which have been mentioned: the RWS, the Fey, the Celtic Dragon, BB Cats, International Icon, at least. Thoth is excellent, and I really like one of Rusty Neon's Marseille decks (naturally OOP and completely unavailable).

cSpaceDiva	07 Dec 2004
April wrote: My first deck was the Tarot of the Spirit at the tender age of 14. There were other decks in the store, but I thought this one was beautiful and I wanted it. If I had asked someone they probably would have steered me towards something else because it's not a "beginner's deck". Thanks so much for your post April. Tarot of the Spirit was my first deck too! Knowing what I know now, and what I didn't know then, it's amazing that I picked this deck. I have since read reviews and comments about it not being a beginner's deck, and I have to say that I fell for it, especially since years later I still feel I have so much to learn about it. I was going to recommend this deck for someone who is more advanced, but after reading your post, I agree that it is a great deck for all levels, definitely one you can grow with. I was initially drawn to the bold colors, and I thought the key words and phrases would make it great for someone who was just starting out. With the short, one paragraph divinatory meanings in the book, you can start reading with it right away. As time goes on and I spend more time studying them, some of the cards have taken on a three dimensional quality, like you can get inside them and look at them from different angles. I find this especially true with the court cards. Maybe this is a representation of how much depth this set truly has. That doesn't mean you should be intimidated by it, you can start at the shallow end and work your way down. :) What ever level you are, I would strongly recommend the companion book to go along with the deck.

Anna	07 Dec 2004
I would recomed a Tarot of Marseilles deck. I don't think it particularly matters which one. To me, the Tarot of Marseilles is the essence of Tarot (which I think is something else anyway, the cards are just a means of accessing it).

Seed Crystal	07 Dec 2004
I recommend the World Spirit Tarot deck often. It has inclusive imagry, with all shapes colors ages of people; very diverse cultural myth and symbol usage, yet is harmonious; correctly (IMHO) often uses dynamic scenes rather than static poses; does not impose strongly christian imagry on certain universal themes (although it is also a comfortable and preferred deck for some christians I read for); has invigorating colors and correct proportions in the art; is quite compatible with traditional card interpretations; has a very nice Little White Book; has rich symbols in each card, but they do not feel cluttered or not well thought out; has excellent court cards (Seer Seeker Sybil Sage; or as I order them, Seeker Seer Sage and Sybil; I think doing preceeds being, and insides can be harder than outsides); comes in english and spanish versions; a nice touch. I think it's a great deck for learning, or for "advanced" readers; these images speak, regardless of degree of knowledge of myth/symbols systems. I think it is a deck with staying power; a new classic.

noby	09 Dec 2004
Navigators of the Mystic Sea Incredibly evocative use of color communicates the moods, themes, and energies of each card Fantastical but realistic art features accurate depictions of human anatomy, objects, and animals A wild, carnival-like atmosphere is evoked without an overly cartoonish feel Full of original ideas and artistic skill; builds on traditional tarot archetypes and imagery inventively Consistently anatomically correct figures; no sloppy art or sloppy cards Each card's figures communicate with evocative poses and postures as well as realistic facial expressions The androgynous, bald figures with skin in every hue of the rainbow express what is archetypally human Not limited to one particular race or culture, the deck is open and inclusive The deck manages to be direct and complex at the same time Features informed and encyclopedic symbolism, including many symbols rarely seen in tarot decks The complex symbolism and surreal scenes make each card more open to various interpretations The deck has a dreamlike quality, communicating universal and subtle underlying qualities Lucid elemental take on the court cards informs a general understanding of the tarot court beyond this specific deck The situations and images manage to be modern without being distinctly modern, giving the cards a timeless quality The richness, detail, and complexity of the cards makes there something new to discover in each reading Card size and stock makes the cards incredibly easy to handle and use Simply a beautiful deck to look at and use

RedMaple	10 Dec 2004
Seed Crystal wrote: I recommend the World Spirit Tarot deck often. It has inclusive imagry, with all shapes colors ages of people; very diverse cultural myth and symbol usage, yet is harmonious.... I think it's a great deck for learning, or for "advanced" readers; these images speak, regardless of degree of knowledge of myth/symbols systems. I think it is a deck with staying power; a new classic. Yes, I recommend this deck also, and agree it is a new classic. Others I would recommend would be the Morgan Greer, the Golden, and the Universal Waite. I do agree that the most important thing is that you feel a connection to the deck. But I always feel bad when someone has learned on a deck that's so non-standard (for lack of a better term) that they can't transfer the knowledge easily to using other decks or even talk Tarot easily with other users. I'm thinking of someone I met who learned on the Fairy Wicca deck, and really had no knowledge of Tarot outside this very unusual deck with its own symbology and language. And what a lot of work must have gone into learning it. It would be fun to match up decks with people, like a matchmaker .... in fact, I do, on birthdays etc. I wouldn't give the Buddha deck to everyone for a first deck, but I did give it to a friend for whom it was definitely the right deck. (Also the book is superb, and gives a great history of Tarot and how the Buddha story works with it.) I think any deck that stays close to the RWS meanings (Celtic Dragon comes to mind) would be a good choice, since the learning you do can be applied to so many other decks. Also, these decks are ones you can grow with, and become old favorites as your reading ability develops. All of the ones I've mentioned (except the Celtic Dragon which I've only used online) have come to me at different times in my own learning, and I can't imagine outgrowing them. I just see more. As with any good book. :)

Maggie Bell	10 Dec 2004
This is a great thread! Please keep these kinds of polls coming ... I'm new to tarot and I love hearing the opinions of those of you who have 30 or 40 decks. Each poll sends me on a search mission ... I'm having way too much fun! I started with the Universal Waite because, I too, had trouble with the coloring of the original RW. My favorite deck of all time, though, is Medicine Cards. I bought them on a whim when they first came out many years ago and have never regretted it. Don't know if they qualify as oracle or what, but I do love them. Maggie

Little Baron	10 Dec 2004
If someone wanted to learn with the RWS system, I would suggest the Orginal Rider Waite. I have both that deck and the Universal Waite (also clones - The Universal Tarots, Morgan Greer, Buckland Romani, to name a few), but I always liked the orginal because of the many details that get lost within its recolouring. I appreciate the colours and illustrations by PCS don't rock everyone's boat, but I quite like them. I also have a great fondness for the Thoth. I found that a hard baby to crack, but when I did, it exploded into many thousands of beautiful colours and images. I started with the Rohrig, which, for someone interested in more modern tarots, may find to be a beautiful reading deck - just cut them borders off. hehehe. Every copy should come with a pair of scissors, lol. At the moment, I am working with historical decks. I am currently using the 'Ancient Tarot of Marseilles'; I like the 'old' feel I get from this, in comparison to many other Marseille decks. I would recommend that and also, the 'Ancient Italian Deck'. It is not as refined as the 'Soptafino' and has a few changes within it, but it is a lovely reading deck and the cardstock is nice and durable. If you are into 'pip' decks, I would recommend either. Of course, it is easier to recommend a deck if you know a bit about what a person likes and wants to achieve with their deck. Best wishes Yabs

Maggie Bell	10 Dec 2004
Hmmm ... Yabs, you say details get lost in the re-coloring? Interesting. I'll have to pick up the original RW and check this out since I am learning with the Universal Waite. Regards, Maggie

The Out of your collection, which would you recommend to others? thread was originally posted on 01 Dec 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.