Bright Ideas Tarot Deck--Congrads!

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 13 Feb 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Cerulean	13 Feb 2005
Wow, a new deck on schedule or early.... Lee Bursten's review http://www.tarotpassages.com/Pages2/brightidea-lb.htm Secondly, congradulations to Mark McElroy! I've ordered mine... Regards Cerulean Mari

OakDragon	13 Feb 2005
Oh, wow! Glad to see this is out already! Thanks for the heads-up, Cerulean. Congratulations, Mark!

souljourney	13 Feb 2005
I may have found the one card deck my husband will allow in the house. No mention of that evil word "tarot", the occult, witches, etc... If you've seen some of my other posts you'll know when he's home (only a few weeks a year) everything tarot stays at a friends. Maybe I can curb my withdrawl by getting this deck. Hmm... yep, it's going on the want list. It seems pretty neat in it's own right, tarot or not. I like the modern imagry and the style of art. And of course the similarities to tarot are great...not exact of course but no more of a stretch than Gothic Tarot of Vampires or Waking the Wild Spirit. Good job. SJ

Cerulean	13 Feb 2005
Here's Llewellyn's samples http://www.tarottools.com/tbid/ Mark's link: http://www.tarottools.com/brightideas/archives/000030.html Regards, Cerulean

souljourney	14 Feb 2005
Has anyone actually used this deck? I checked it out online and on his website. I think it looks really "tarot" without ever saying that. I did notice on his website (even though it's called TarotTools.com) he trys to de-occult it, and take away the spiritual aspects...focusing only on the "practical" uses. I kinda thing the idea of marketing "tarot" to businesses as a brainstorming, problem-solving tool is interesting. The Oval Office: "So Dick, should we go to war with Iraq or not, and what we be the best strategy?". "Gee, W. I don't know, let's ask the Bright Idea deck"... Wonder what that reading would have been....LOL. Ok, maybe I only amuse myself... SJ

AmberWolf	14 Feb 2005
interesting hehehe But souljourney give your hubby some credits, I doubt he would fall for it. I think he would think "Tarot" no matter how unsaid it is.

Keslynn	15 Feb 2005
souljourney wrote: The Oval Office: "So Dick, should we go to war with Iraq or not, and what we be the best strategy?". "Gee, W. I don't know, let's ask the Bright Idea deck"... Wonder what that reading would have been....LOL. Ok, maybe I only amuse myself... SJ *lol* That's really quite funny, souljourney! As for the deck, I would like to get my hands on a copy and check it out. Even though people might recognize it as tarot, you have to admit, it's pretty non-threatening. Also, I like that more esoteric meanings were encoded in the cards for those who are looking for them and want to use them. If you're not looking for them, then you'll just never know. Very low-key. This deck would be perfect to use with Mark's books, which I love. :) Kes

souljourney	15 Feb 2005
Keslynn...thanks. I wasn't sure if I was funny or just tired when I posted that. LOL I read in the review one of the Hebrew letters mean tooth and that Examination card has the dentist and mouth. Guess this means I need to learn the Hebrew letters so I can see all that subtle stuff. Actually I think there are more hidden things there, I just don't know enough about astrology, kabbalah, numerology, etc. to see it probably. Could actually be a challenge to find it. :D Well...and seeing if I can pull the wool over hubby's eyes. Yeah Amber, I wonder if he'd pick up on that? Probably. Well it was a good thought while it lasted. SJ

April	15 Feb 2005
I've been trying to save some money, and thus trying to not even look at new decks. I should stay away from this site as to not be tempted in the next few weeks. Anyway, I'm totally digging this deck! I think this is just what I've been looking for. It's going to be the first one I buy after my vacation. I never pay full price for a deck, so this one must have really grabbed me. As Lee says in his review, it's not really marketed toward Taroists, and I think that's great, because I very rarely read for Taroists. Yaayyy Mark! I predict this will be a very popular deck. Peace, April

tarobones	15 Feb 2005
Greetings to the forum. I just received my Bright Idea deck in the mail. I believe it definitely IS tarot, although the word is not mentioned at all. It is structured like tarot and follows the basic plan of tarot. It's wonderful too! BB, Michael

Cerulean	16 Feb 2005
Excellent deck-book kit set for the money. I am very impressed. I hope Mark finds this thread and comments--this is an excellent package. Have to go back to work, but will try to log in tonight with more comments. Regards, Cerulean

souljourney	16 Feb 2005
I am really looking forward to what people have to say about this deck and the book. Glad to see some of you ordered it so I can start to see if I really do want it by your comments. SJ

MarkMcElroy	16 Feb 2005
Thanks so much for the kind comments and enthusiastic welcome so many of you have given the Bright Idea Deck. My primary goal was to create an approachable, authentic deck based on contemporary symbolism ... something even first-time users could pick up and use in minutes. Anyone already familiar with Tarot will have an advantage, of course -- and will have a lot of fun spotting the "in jokes" and "Easter eggs" I've hidden for the Tarot-savvy community, both in the deck and the 45,000-word companion book. (The kit contains both the book and the deck.) I also wanted to create a problem-solving and creativity tool that would appeal to people who might never consider working with a Tarot deck. Frankly? Even I've been amazed by how quickly everyday people "tune in" to what this little deck has to say. In public tests and appearances, people literally take the cards out of my hands and start reading and brainstorming for themselves in minutes. I won't post too many comments here -- sometimes, having the author around can "chill" the discussion, because folks worry about brusing egos! I assure you (and other folks here who know me will assure you) that I'm not like that. I welcome your feedback and comments -- positive, neutral, or negative -- because what you have to say always helps me improve future work! In the meantime, if you have questions about the deck or its use, please let me know. I'll be happy to help you use the cards to find your own Bright Ideas! :) Thanks again, Mark -------------------- "Better than a Whack Pack on steriods!" Get the Bright Idea Deck today! edited by forum moderator to remove personal website link --------------------

Asher	16 Feb 2005
Just got word that Amazon has shipped my set, after informing me when I ordered it that it would ship on Feb 28th!! I had the pleasure of playing with a prototype of the deck at BATS last fall, and it's great! I can't wait to play with in in person. Congratulations Mark!! Asher

Cocobird55	16 Feb 2005
I ordered mine from Mark today. I'm looking forward to playing with this one -- the cards look like a lot of fun, as well as easy to read. Sue

Asher	18 Feb 2005
My deck shipped on the 16th (Amazon), the tracking page gave an ETA of March 2-5, and the deck arrived today!? But I digress...this is a wonderful set! The colors on the cards are extremely vibrant, good card stock/laminate, great book on brainstorming with the deck (can be used with any deck really), all packaged in a bright yellow box. This deck is readable right out of the box, with some interesting twists on some of the "traditional" meanings of the cards. Take the 10 of Cups for example, most people are happy when this card shows up, the "over the rainbow" card, happily ever after, etc. In the Bright Idea deck, the Blue 10 (suits are named for their colors), we see 3 office workers standing in knee-high water in a flooded office, watching things float by (key word: Overwhelmed). This card talks about the effects of a flood of emotions, which can be very overwhelming. This meaning is also in the "traditional"/RWS inspired card, although not as evident at first glance. Mark identifies the 10s as representing "Finality". A few other cards also offer unique or subtle variations on meaning...I love it! And to my great delight, a terrific 3 of Swords (or Yellow 3, keyword: Variance). A woman gazes at a cookbook, showing a beautifully decorated cake. In her hands she holds her "variation" of the cake, which sags in the middle, disappointment on her face. My Tarot Circle is going to love this one tomorrow! Asher

Skydancer	22 Feb 2005
Mine shipped on the 15th -- should be arriving soon! I'm more excited about it now than ever, after reading this thread!! S:OS

dolphinprincess	09 Mar 2005
This set just arrived in the mail yesterday - and I really have nothing but nice things to say about it. While the word "tarot" does not appear anywhere - it truly is one. This deck really focuses in on the issues of daily life - and I think it is a great tool for learning the "less spiritual" meanings of the tarot. I think after working with this set for awhile, I will find myself a better reader of my other decks. The book is excellent, as well. It provides a TON of different ways to work with the cards. This is a set I'd definitely reccomend to others :)

Elektra	09 Mar 2005
Wow. This is a deck I'd never even consider buying just from seeing the scans - it's just not my style - but the Tarot Passages review and this thread have sold me! :::::adds deck to wishlist:::::

Elektra	11 Mar 2005
Annnnnd I just caved and ordered it. It actually pushed past everything else on my wishlist (Housewives, Osho Zen, Celestial, and a couple of oracle decks) because I think it will be a really great study deck, and the others (at least Housewives and Celestial), while pretty, won't add as much to my knowledge and interpretations. As a beginner, that's a big priority :).

Emily	12 Mar 2005
I was doing so well - No decks for 2 months - oh well I deserved a treat :D - Just ordered it. :) (Early Easter pressie :D ) I've been looking around for a few weeks for a deck that was very modern and slightly non-traditional, I feel like I need a new challenge and from the images I've just seen this deck could be it. I like the keywords associated with each card, they seem to fit and the colours used for each suit seems right too. Can't wait to get this deck set in my hands. :)

Elektra	18 Mar 2005
I got this deck in the mail today and am absolutely thrilled with it. Great size (small enough for me to handle comfortably) and nice slick coating on the cards, so they shuffle like a dream. Do all Llewellyn decks feel like this? The size and feel is quite similar to my mass-market Gilded. I do wish that there had been a bag included for the cards, but that's a minor complaint, and I luckily happened to have one sitting around. Like I said earlier in the thread, the artwork really isn't my usual cup of tea...but I just did the most AMAZING new deck reading with it, and apparently we were meant to be. A link to my reading - http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?p=469367#post469367 I'm in love. This deck looks like it's going to read much more bluntly than my Gilded, which is fantastic - I love how gentle and positive my Gilded is, but sometimes I need to be smacked around a bit, and this deck seems more than capable of doing it (but in a humorous and good-natured way, of course! It's not nasty, just very straightforward and no-nonsense.).

Skydancer	18 Mar 2005
I went ahead and got this deck also after reading about it here - and am very happy with it!! It arrived about 10 days ago. Love the variances!! And yet it's very straight forward and true. It's one of only 3 decks that I keep by my reading chair so it already holds a place of honor!! The book (and his other one - Putting the Tarot to Work) are a delight! :) S:OL

Xarokys	19 Mar 2005
I should be getting mine in a few days. :) I looked through a friend's deck and I liked it. It looks like a good deck to use around people who are leery of Tarot. Becky

sunflowr	19 Mar 2005
You guys are all enablers!!!! Wiping my wallet out of every bit of green!! ;) But I saw this deck and I can tell this is going to be a deck I can easily read with, and a trusty companion down the path I'm choosing. Sooo.. I guess I will be picking it up at my Barnes and Noble later this evening. :) Only thing that threw me and made me almost not get it was the 10 of cups. In other decks, that is such a happy card. Doesnt seem so in this one. So, I really need to "let go" of this as being a "tarot" deck and focus on it as an oracle. All the cards I've seen or heard description of really resonate with me. I havent seen the 2 of cups but I hear that it shows 2 soulmates running towards each other, arms outstretched, on the beach. Lovely image! :) And the beach is somewhere I always envision being with someone I love, and I feel so happy and peaceful and alive at the beach. :) Anyway, if I approach this as an oracle, and read the imagery and not "worry" so much about some cards not being quite like their tarot counterpart, I think I will do really well with this deck. I cant wait to get it tonight! :) ps: a note about the 10 of cups. In the Herbal Tarot, it's not the best card neither. It shows a marijuana plant, a rainbow, and 10 cups stacked up unstable. At first glance, looks groovy. hehe! ;) But then you realize you're "high", and "too much of a good thing". I can see how the author/creator could arrive at "overwhelmed". Too much emotion. But still, I think I will probably do better NOT approaching this new deck as a tarot deck. Those basic meanings of RW are so engrained in my mind.

sunflowr	20 Mar 2005
Well, I went and got the deck tonight at Barnes and Noble (in Burbank). Already looked through it, read a bit of the book, and did a mini reading. Just pulled 3 cards randomly, to see what they would say to me. Talk about blunt! ;) Basically told me I need to lose some weight, get my act together, and to not be afraid about taking that Improv class I've been wanting to take! (green9 - enough, trump21- wholeness, blue learning- impression). I didnt ask the cards anything and didnt focus much. Just pulled 3 cards. And what a message! Because it's exactly what's been on my mind lately. How I need to get going on my life path. It even addressed that I have been overeating and that I need to eat lighter! I can tell these cards will be well loved and well used! :) Once I get into Improv classes, I'm thinking these cards might be great to use to create improv comedy sketches! I want to get into comedy writing as well, and these cards will be a big help. :)

baba-prague	20 Mar 2005
Well, I did mean to get these the minute they came out, but just got too swamped in other things. But reading all this makes me feel again that I have to see this deck in person! I'm sure the book is good too.

Emily	20 Mar 2005
Hi Sunflowr, I'm glad you like it. :) I'm finding that patience isn't one of my virtues - I can't wait to get this deck in my hands and keep checking Amazon to see if they've shipped my order yet. I'm still hoping to get it here before I go away at Easter. My worst nightmare would be if I wasn't here to greet the deck when it gets delivered. But hopefully that won't happen. (fingers crossed)

souljourney	20 Mar 2005
Just purchased the deck the other day. I haven't had a lot of time to look through it or do much lately. It sounds like it will fit some of my intended uses for it perfectly. I wanted a deck to represent the very "business-like", driven, logical side of a person. I also wanted something that I could possibly take to the school I teach at to do some brainstorming with. Just my first impressions of this deck are great. Not sure how regular a deck it will be, but we'll see. SJ

Shade	20 Mar 2005
Hmmmmmmmmm. I really wanted to hate this deck. I am generally put off by any deck that wants to take the magic out of the tarot and replace it with user friendly, non-offensive symbolism. But, so help me, I took a look at the cards and I like them. I guess wht made the diference for me is that he really took the theme and ran with it and took it to a place where it could be complete instead of getting only half way there. Kudos to mark it looks to be a lovely deck.

Keslynn	22 Mar 2005
I just received my copy last night. I only had a quick (and tired) chance to look through it but I'm impressed. I love that there are esoteric symbols hidden in the cards, but for many, you'll only know they're there if you know what to look for. Searching for the hidden esoterica makes for a fun game. I noticed that the 10s seem to be "negative" in general. However, to balance that, many of the Yellow cards aren't as negative as the RWS Swords. I always did think that Swords got a bad rap so it's nice to see something different. I do like the bold colors and the straightforward feeling. Still, there are some symbols on the cards that make me go "huh?". I'm sure they'll be useful for brainstorming though. One pet peeve: Llewellyn packaged it with a generic box which is too big and no bag. Other than that, thumbs up. :) Kes

Emily	22 Mar 2005
Just checked with Amazon - My deck has been dispatched today. :D - It might make it before I go away. I also think those white tarot boxes are a waste of cardboard - the decks never fit them anyway and they look so plain. I have a bag waiting for my Bright Ideas deck.

seneris	22 Mar 2005
This deck sounds really interesting. Perhaps I'll check it out. (a bit off-topic) I like Mark McElroy's site.

sunflowr	22 Mar 2005
Keslynn wrote: I just received my copy last night. I only had a quick (and tired) chance to look through it but I'm impressed. I love that there are esoteric symbols hidden in the cards, but for many, you'll only know they're there if you know what to look for. Searching for the hidden esoterica makes for a fun game. I noticed that the 10s seem to be "negative" in general. However, to balance that, many of the Yellow cards aren't as negative as the RWS Swords. I always did think that Swords got a bad rap so it's nice to see something different. That's why I just can't think of it in terms of tarot. If I do, it will totally mess me up. Besides the Blue 10, Blue 6 (6 of cups) in this deck isnt so good either. One of my favorite tarot cards, but not here. So, I am using it as an "Oracle that is similar to tarot". I love this deck! :) But not as a "tarot" deck.

Emily	23 Mar 2005
My deck came late this afternoon - I knew I would like it I just didn't realise that I'd really really like it. I agree with you both Sunflowr and Keslynn it feels more like an oracle deck. I love the colours of the Majors/Trumps - Purple my favourite colour - I didn't know they'd used this colour until I opened the plastic. The other colours fit the feel of the suits too. The size of the deck is just right and the cardstock makes them shuffle like a dream, I could sit and shuffle these forever. I've had a quick look through the book but its a very visual deck - I've been playing around with it for a few hours now and some of the readings have been very clear. I'm not thinking of it as a typical tarot deck because its not - so like the Empress is Trump III Nurturing and this opens all different possibilities up for this card. It is making me think outside of the box. I asked what this deck could teach me and it gave me XIII - Passage - which in traditional decks is Death. As I was shuffling the deck I was thinking that this deck is going to give me the challenge I need, and not the RWS clones that I usually go for. The Morgan Greer is my favourite and the Bright Idea Deck couldn't be more different. I'm really looking forward to working with this deck. :)

Khatruman	24 Mar 2005
I just ordered it from Overstock.com, who had the cheapest price, and I am awaiting its arrival. Perusing the general comments, I find it interesting that the general negative commentary involve the fact that it is not readily apparent to be tarot, but classify it as oracle, though it has the requisite 78 cards, major and minor arcana, suits with numbers and courts. I think it has found a great niche that he was shooting for: a tarot that doesn't come with the occult baggage and can be used for its great insightful uses without the "muggle" (to borrow a Potterism) getting the heebie jeebies involved in tarot. And I am sure this deck won't send new initiates shuddering and screaming in here asking whether or not they can remain Christians and use it! ;)

Elektra	24 Mar 2005
Khatruman wrote: Perusing the general comments, I find it interesting that the general negative commentary involve the fact that it is not readily apparent to be tarot, but classify it as oracle, though it has the requisite 78 cards, major and minor arcana, suits with numbers and courts. I think it has found a great niche that he was shooting for: a tarot that doesn't come with the occult baggage and can be used for its great insightful uses without the "muggle" (to borrow a Potterism) getting the heebie jeebies involved in tarot. Khatruman, I'd been thinking about this as well. I'm a relative newcomer to tarot, so I guess my opinion should be taken with a grain of salt, but I think that this is ABSOLUTELY a tarot deck and I don't understand why people seemingly consider it not to be so. As you said, the trumps and pips all follow the tarot structure, and for the most part follow RWS imagery and meanings pretty closely. One exception is that Boldness (Strength) and Balance (Justice) are switched in position - but Strength at 11 and Justice at 8 were the original positions anyway, before Waite switched them for reasons known only to himself. Another comment that people seem to be making a lot is that the 10s are much more negative than RWS 10s tend to be - true, but I think that it's quite useful to have a version of the cards that portrays aspects other than the obvious ones. And besides, a deck certainly doesn't have to slavishly follow the RWS model in order to be a true tarot deck! I'm actually doing a side-by-side deck study with this and my Gilded (I've just started, so I haven't gotten very far) and so far I'm blown away by the depth of understanding that the Bright Ideas deck is adding to my understanding and interpretations of the cards. So a very long-winded post to agree with you :). It's non-threatening, but I think that it's DEFINITELY tarot. I'd love for someone who considers it non-tarot to post their thoughts on that. Or maybe I'm misreading and they think that it's tarot but they're choosing to use it as an oracle deck because it doesn't adhere to the set of tarot meanings that they're comfortable with? Either way, I would love to hear more discussion on the issue :).

sunflowr	24 Mar 2005
Elektra wrote: Or maybe I'm misreading and they think that it's tarot but they're choosing to use it as an oracle deck because it doesn't adhere to the set of tarot meanings that they're comfortable with? Either way, I would love to hear more discussion on the issue :). That's really more like it for me. I "know" it's tarot, but I choose to use it and view it more as an oracle. Because yes I am uncomfortable with a few of the meanings.. cards that I've always felt good about recieving in readings are now "not so good" in this deck. When I use Gilded or Housewives or whatever tarot in the future and recieve the 10 or the 6 of cups in a reading (as an example), how am I to feel about that reading? That maybe this is not such a good thing, where it previously was? It just really confuses me. So, rather than get confused, I'd rather just use the deck as is, with the imagery as is, and consider it more an "oracle" for me.

Elektra	24 Mar 2005
Fair enough. Thanks for the insight, Sunflowr :).

Khatruman	25 Mar 2005
Uh Oh, I feel I have opened a can of worms here! :D Looks like the thread may go into the "what makes it a tarot" argument, which will bring out the Marseilles groupies, RWS people, Crowley-ites et al. My point was not to debate whether it IS or IS NOT tarot. I agree that is a moot point. What I wanted to emphasize was how Mark McElroy has done a fabulous job of masking the "tarot" aspects, or perhaps I should say the occult aspects, so that it can be used in forums where people may be skittish about tarot and all of the voodoo baggage it carries for them. Here is a tarot that can be utilized in business, in schools (which directly concerns me), and other mundane areas without the people using it having to even know it involves the skills inherent in tarot. I am excited about this deck because I feel, for the first time, I could use this in the public school where I teach and not fear retribution by certain individuals fearing that I am bringing religion or Satanism in a public school. I can imagine working with this deck with someone, suggesting it for him, letting him use it for so long that he gets used to it, and then telling him, "Hey, look, it's tarot!" :D

souljourney	25 Mar 2005
The only thing that gives this away as maybe being something "occult"... is the astrological symbols. Some of the placements are very clever though... such as the Saturn symbol on the team jersey's (don't remember which card... Red something I think). But other times they are placed just in the background somehow. I've had people ask about that. Ah well... But yes, I too want to use this at the school I teach at... to help my students with study skill ideas. SJ

Elektra	25 Mar 2005
Khatruman wrote: Uh Oh, I feel I have opened a can of worms here! :D Looks like the thread may go into the "what makes it a tarot" argument, which will bring out the Marseilles groupies, RWS people, Crowley-ites et al. My point was not to debate whether it IS or IS NOT tarot. I agree that is a moot point. Eep, sorry! Just ignore me :). I haven't been on AT long enough to experience that particular argument.

Emily	29 Mar 2005
I think this would be an ideal deck to teach with. My eight year old son who was with me when I opened them was totally enthralled. He thought they were cards for telling stories, and before I realised what we were doing I was telling him stories made up from the cards and he was making them up too. I've used them all over Easter, and have come to realise that its a really blunt deck. It gets right to the core of the situation. I love the keywords too - but like Sunflowr, its easier to use if I don't try to force the traditional meanings onto a card and just go with what I see - Which is easy with this deck because the artwork is very different from traditional decks like the RWS.

The Bright Ideas Tarot Deck--Congrads! thread was originally posted on 13 Feb 2005 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.