The Garden Path

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 06 Dec 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Asher	06 Dec 2004
For lovers of hand-made, self-published decks, there is a new addition to the collection. It's called The Garden Path, and it's made by Aeclectic's own rabble (there's a thread in the Deck Creation forum about its birth). I just received mine today (# 4/78) and am just captivated. Only a week from its shipment from down under to the American southwest -- that also amazes me! It is, in the words of its creator, "an Australian deck, with Australian seasons and Australian interpretations". The Garden Path is also a collage deck, yet very unique in its style (those of you who don't like collage decks should at least take a look at this one). This is a Majors only deck, and limited to 78 decks. {Rabble, any thoughts of doing Minors?} Great card stock, laminated on the front, with a spiral design on the back. It comes wrapped in tissue paper and includes a 23 page LWB, and a bag as well. The images are taken from rabble's garden (hence the title) and include some people also. Soft colors lend a magical feel to this garden, one I would love to stroll through! First rate design and presentation all the way...brava!!! Check it out at http://antipodeantarot.com/gp// Asher

ferrous	06 Dec 2004
I also have a copy of this deck & I agree totally with Asher's comments. I was never one to like photographic decks until I saw this one as it was being created. It's not like any photo collage deck I've seen before. It's absolutely stunning. :) I'll be in line for the full deck when (& I know it'll happen) there's one available.

rabble	06 Dec 2004
Thank you both. And yes, there will be a 78 card version. I posted my first of the minors on the site last week. I've had a pretty bad virus for the last week or so, and haven't been up to doing much of anything, but I'm recovering now, and will be getting back into creating minors! :)

Majecot	06 Dec 2004
Wow rabble that was pretty fast getting them published! Did you self pulish them or are you hand creating each deck? ferrous I am thinking it is a given that you have a set ...lol ((rabble)) I hope you feel better soon!

rabble	06 Dec 2004
thanks, Majecot. I'm hand creating each set. It's a long process!

magpie9	07 Dec 2004
Oh rabbble, It's just so beautifull!~! and you even have a magpie in it~I can't imagine why any bird would want to be any place else, but in your garden. Bravo, and BRAVO, Again!

rabble	07 Dec 2004
magpie9 wrote: Oh rabbble, It's just so beautifull!~! and you even have a magpie in it~I can't imagine why any bird would want to be any place else, but in your garden. Bravo, and BRAVO, Again! thank you, magpie. And isn't she just perfect as the High Priestess? :)

magpie9	07 Dec 2004
We both are! ~Snort-giggle-snicker-snicker-snort~ ...err, I'm really going to have to get some actual sleep soon, before I fall out of the silly tree and injure myself. ( so far, the only good that I have found in the hours I don't sleep, is that I get to play with the Aussies.) :) But yes, she makes a fine, fine, absolutely finest kind High Preistess.

souljourney	07 Dec 2004
I have seen this deck and it is Fabulous!! I am going to wait for the 78 card version. I also have to start squirreling away money so the hubby doesn't notice it when I do get it. *blush* Do I dare ask when the full deck might be? Or how much? It was really all I could do not to order the Majors set. I am so impressed with this deck, there is so much depth to it from what I've seen. Lovely. Has anyone read with it yet? What do you find the "personality" of the deck to be? Thanks for creating it rabble! SJ

rabble	07 Dec 2004
thanks, souljourney. I honestly don't know when the full deck will be. I've done two of the minors, so I have a long way to go. I'd also really like to get them printed by someone else next time, hand-assembling is an extremely time intenstive process. I think it would take well more than a day to do a 78 card deck. I'm not sure if this will entail actually "getting a publisher", or self-publishing yet. Either way, I do want to see them done! I have no idea what cost will be etiher. Obviously the publishing method is going to have a bearing on that, and since I don't know yet what that will be, I can't even begin to guess. And I'm *loving* creating it! :)

rosyelf	07 Dec 2004
Just to echo what people have said-it's a lovely deck. I'm very proud to have it in my little paws-especially as there are only 78 in the entire world ! Mine arrived yesterday, and I spent quite a while just sifting through the cards and dipping into the booklet. It's a very personal deck, rabble, you've stayed close to your own vision. And it's a beautiful one. :) I am moved that almost all these images presented themselves in your own garden-and that something as humble as a garden snail can be the Hermit, and that sharp-eyed magpie the Priestess ! :) I think the text also helps to keep the deck personal. And, as someone who has had all sorts of reactions (negative and positive) to the Hierophant over the years, I'm delighted to see your wise-and-humble one out in the landscape instead of bolt-upright on some throne ! And the text is absolutely lovely-"Friend. Ear." It's so right, yet it had not occurred to me.:) Congratulations on this lovely and earthy deck. I am VERY happy to have it.:) :) love rosyelf

rabble	07 Dec 2004
thank you, rosyelf. I am really deeply touched by all of the things you're all saying about my deck. It really is very humbling. thank you all.

ferrous	09 Dec 2004
Last night, after having only adored them in their original order since I got them, I shuffled The Garden Path deck for the first time & did a one card reading. Very perceptive deck, it seems. It was spot on. I also laid them out to look at them all together. The collection of colours is so wonderful. They look so lovely all together. They shuffle really well, too. I think it's the absence of lamination on the back that makes them shuffle so beautifully. I wondered if them being thick might be an issue, but not at all. I think it made them feel even nicer in the hand. Also, the pearly backs on them seem to change colour depending on the angle you view them. So beautiful. :)

rabble	09 Dec 2004
I'm really pleased you got such a good reading ferrous :) The backs do change colour a little - the card used for the back is acid-free metallic board, in a colour called Moonstone (which appeals, aside from the fact that I chose it for the colour, not the name of the colour!). Moonstone (the rock) changes colour in the light - which is why there's a variety called rainbow moonstone. Even though this board isn't shiny, it is sparkly, in the right light, at the right angle. Did all that make sense? I'm just taking a break from printing, cutting, laminating... :)

ferrous	15 Dec 2004
Some more of the minors have been published at the official website since the last post here. If you'd like to keep track of the deck's progress as rabble creates more cards, you can follow along here.

ferrous	21 Dec 2004
Our own rosyelf has written a really great review of The Garden Path. Read it here. Nice review, rosy. Really well written. :)

The The Garden Path thread was originally posted on 06 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.