Hudes Deck

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 28 Feb 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Moongold	28 Feb 2005
Just curious to know how many have this deck and how they find using it. The art work is beautiful. Some of the images are simply stunning: Death, Hermit, Devil , Star and Sun come immediately to mind. The deck is quite unique in its presentation of some of the images: 5 Swords is one that immediately comes to mind but there are many others. Unfortunately I have misplaced the accompanying book but if I am meant to find it I will. The symbolism is quite minimal compared with other decks but what is there is profound. For me, there is a pervasive feeling of sadness in the deck. The expressions on the faces of all the characters are pensive, sometimes sad. Whilst there is something very attractive about this moodiness , it also taps into that terrible Irish Catholic depressive that lurks around evey corner of the spiritual world for me. Forgive my estravagant rhetoric but you might know what I mean. I would be interested to know others' experiences with this deck. Do you read with it and how has that been? Any other comments you have to make would be of interest. I have already spoken with Indigo Rose and MercyMe but if either of you want to add anything to this please feel free.

Tarot Sparrow	28 Feb 2005
The Hudes Tarot was my first deck and is still one of my favourites. I learned with it and still feel a greater connection to it than any of my other decks for that reason. It is a sad-feeling deck; kind of melancholy, but also introspective. The symbolism is minimal but I love the profoundness of its imagery, and the maps and constellation charts really add to the experience if you look closely. I don't think the people are meant to look sad, as they've often been described, but rather are in deep thought and focussed on the task at hand. The cards are beautiful, and I also particularly enjoy the ones you've mentioned (especially the Star), among others. I think this is a good beginner's deck; I chose it online browsing Aeclectic years ago and picked it above all the others, and have noticed since that it is not very popular :) I learned quite well with it using Rider-Waite symbolism and it always brings a strong message to my readings. The colours are rather muted but the images are powerful and I find them very precise and clear in meaning and intent. It has always been accurate for me. Well, that's my opinion anyway :) I know there won't be too many others, although there was a nice thread on it awhile back...

RedMaple	28 Feb 2005
I love the Hudes deck. I got it because I so loved the Death card. It is not the deck I read with everyday, but it is a deck that particular people request. And I find that when I do read with it, I always feel good about it, and think, why aren't I using this deck more? I've had very good readings with this deck. I enjoy its understated quality, which although it is somewhat minimal, I always seem to connect with intuitively. In my opinion, it is a very under-rated deck. I'm glad I discovered it.

MercyMe	02 Mar 2005
Hudes and I just clicked. Magic. And I think there is more symbolism there than one thinks at first glace. For example, the butterfly featured in the Fool is the same butterfly emerging from the pelvic bone of Death, representing a new beginning/transformation in both cards. All the suits have a particular pattern of book endpapers. The pattern is muted on each Ace's background and is seen almost without fail on every card in the suit, usually on a figure's clothing, but sometimes not. For example, in the 8 of Cups the figure is purposely shown in very basic, simple clothing to symbolize his "back to basics" mentality but the Cups pattern, a mingling of grey, white, and blue, is seen in the sky. Likewise, the 5 of Pentacles figures are not adorned with the Pentacles pattern, a floral, because they are shown in material want. Sometimes the placement of the pattern means something. In the 7 of Pentacles the cuffs of the farmer are of the floral pattern symbolizing the work of his hands. The Kings and Queens have maps behind them showing their realm of rule. Behind the King and Queen of Pentacles is mostly land masses, countries, earth. Behind the King and Queen of Cups is predominantly oceans, water. Behind the Swords King and Queen are contellation maps, the heavens, air. Behind the King of Wands is the Equator -- as wands is the symbol of fire energy. The map behind the guy in the 2 of Wands shows very little land, mostly sea, and it's populated by sea monsters signifying the risks of the journey and the idea that he's going into uncharted territory. The map behind the woman in the Star is constellations (naturally ;)). The specific positions of the figures lends to wonderfully intuitive readings. Take for example the 3 of Wands. She's leaning on the one wand in order to pick up the other while the other wand is leaning on her. This card speaks of having expended one's energies and the necessity of now needing to regather one's energies. Picking up the pieces, as it were, leaning on the strength you DO have left, even though things are still depending on you (leaning on you), you won't be much use to future endeavors if you don't take the time to regather your energy. The woman in the 3 of Swords could be seen as sad or just preoccupied with trying to figure out what happened, where do these things fit. She's very closed up in her body language, so it appears that she is protecting herself. If you look closely, the progression from Page to Knight to King in each suit appears to be the same person in different stages of growth. There's one card I'm kinda stumped on...the 10 of Pentacles features a family unit and each member wears a different pattern. The man wears the Swords pattern and the child wears the Pentacles pattern (the child is represented as the "produce" of their union), but the woman wears a pattern that isn't any of the suit patterns. It seems to be resonant of the Cups pattern but it has pink in it, almost as if it's got something else added to it. The answer hasn't occurred to me yet. Sun brooches appear on several Court Cards signifying power. I'm not sure what the face on the Chariot means, yet, but the faces on the tree of the Hanged Man represent things he wouldn't have seen unless he was flipped upside down, getting a different perspective often causes us to see things we wouldn't have seen before. Behind the Magician are technical drawings and blueprints that are reminicent of DaVinci's sketches. DaVinci was deeply involved with the esoteric and the mundane and the relationship between the two, as is the Magician in this deck, taking the mundane things of life and through study and a kind of scientific curiosity and alchemical experimentation with the esoteric, transforms them as if by magic. Sometimes those who invent technology can seem like magicians, taking the raw material in front of them and transforming it into something exceedingly new and useful. He wears the hat of a wizard as well. Oh, I'm sure I could come up with more but those are some of the examples of symbolism I have seen in this beautiful deck. Some of this is brought out in the companion book, Wisdom In The Cards but much more of it I have seen just by studying the cards myself. ~Mercy

Fulgour	02 Mar 2005
In the Pentacles, 3 and 8 are remarkably similar, and if compared to the Colman Smith, strikingly at odds with that pattern. (just my 2 pents :))

Fulgour	02 Mar 2005
On the Hudes Tarot 10 Wheel of Fortune, glyphs are used to symbolize the seasons. Their placement, and therefore their order, is contrary to tradition (which is Ok) but also, because they criss-cross instead of rotate, out of order. In other words, why are the glyphs placed where they are? X. Wheel of Fortune http://www.tarotwelten.de/hudes3.jpg Spring (glyph) upper Left (traditional Bull, lower left) http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/53/5330.html Summer (glyph) upper Right (trad. Lion, lower right) http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/17/1717.html Autumn (glyph) lower Left (trad. Eagle, upper right) http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/05/0523.html Winter (glyph) lower Right (trad. Angel, upper left) http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/02/0212.html Spring -- Summer Autumn - Winter

MercyMe	02 Mar 2005
Fulgour wrote: In the Pentacles, 3 and 8 are remarkably similar, and if compared to the Colman Smith, strikingly at odds with that pattern. (just my 2 pents :)) Yes, especially the 3 of Pentacles. Those two cards confused me at first. The main difference is that the man in the 3 doesn't wear the pattern of Pentacles. He's a novice learning a skill. This is not the meaning I understood in RWS. However, some of the meaning can still be applied. If the man is learning or honing a new craft or skill, it must stand to reason that someone is teaching him. This could be the woman in the 8 of Pentacles who does wear the pattern of Pentacles around her neck/shoulder area which represents the shouldering of responsibility for the task and communication (throat chakra), so she would be the mentor. It does seem as though the cards have switched the meanings from the RWS, doesn't it? ~Mercy

MercyMe	02 Mar 2005
Fulgour wrote: In other words, why are the glyphs placed where they are? I looked this up in the book and it offers a significant clue: "Astrological glyphs for the sun and moon are pictured, as well as other indications of the opposites of life (emphasis mine). We see Jupiter, indicating expansion and Saturn, the planet of limitation. Signs for male and female, Mars and Venus respectively, are also included. The four corners of the card show the alchemical symbols for the seasons; spring and summer on the top, with fall and winter on the bottom." It appears the design was in an effort to emphasize the opposite energies at work in the Wheel. Because sometimes the ups and downs of life don't always happen in a smooth cycle, they can happen suddenly, one day you're on top of the Wheel and the next, maybe because of the Tower ;), you're on the bottom. So, as to the seasons placement, they are placed opposite each other with Spring opposite Fall and Summer opposite Winter. Indeed. the Wheel itself is half above ground and half below indicating that the ups and downs in life are usually in balance, though it may not seem that way since we often cannot see or do not interpret many of the events of our lives with a balanced perspective. Sometimes we are more likely to place personal emphasis on the bad times because they do feel more jarring and traumatic without giving due recognition to the good times or recognizing the good that came out of the bad. We also tend to have the opposite tendency at times, too. We tend to remember things with rose-colored glasses, even to the point of denying that bad things even happened through repression. So I think this arrangement emphasizes the balance in our lives, even of the events that are outside our control. ~Mercy

MercyMe	02 Mar 2005
As I was studying the cards this evening I noticed something about the compasses in the chalices of the Court of Cups. First, the Page's chalice has the emblem of a fish on it. The Knight's cup compass says "South" (don't know why yet). The Queen is gazing intently into her cup as she looks to her emotions for direction. The King's cup compass says "Unknown" Mercy

Tarot Sparrow	03 Mar 2005
Just wanted to thank you, MercyMe, for your added insights on some of the cards. Many are things I never realized before and it adds to the experience for me. Thank you! I think maybe the 10 of Pentacles symbolizes a coming together of the elements, and things happening unexpectedly (the uncommon clothing pattern); that people can form a union despite different attitudes and tendencies and can work together to form something greater than themselves. P.S. I have noticed the cup constellations, etc. and they are wonderfully insightful. And I was also mostly sold on this deck by the Death card :) I love it as well.

Fulgour	03 Mar 2005
Aeclectic Tarot Forum 01-11-2003 Hudes Tarot http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=18714 The following quote appeared in the above thread 08-04-2004: JosephMartin wrote: Leah, who wrote the wonderful book to the Hudes Tarot, has been recovering from being quite sick. I know she would love to hear from anyone who would like to wish her well. She is a truly loving and caring woman and friend. You have probably already seen her many posts on different Tarot threads and boards. You can email her at: leahsamul@speakeasy.net yours in the cards, Joseph Could someone perhaps contact Joseph to enquire further at this time? I know Leah from another list, and have not heard from her there for some time. NOTE: See Post #15

Moongold	03 Mar 2005
The thread has developed a life of its own and I have enjoyed reading every word. I am going to explore the deck further and search for the companion book which I've misplaced. This is does seem to be a deck where the companion volume is almost essential.

Diana	03 Mar 2005
When I used RWS based decks, this deck was my favourite. I loved it dearly. But then I traded it. I don't miss it, because sometimes one doesn't need the physical deck to keep it close to one's heart. And the High Priestess card lives with me daily. If I had to recommend one RWS based deck, it would be this one.

RedMaple	05 Mar 2005
Moongold wrote: The thread has developed a life of its own and I have enjoyed reading every word. I am going to explore the deck further and search for the companion book which I've misplaced. This is does seem to be a deck where the companion volume is almost essential. I also had misplaced my companion book, and now it is found. I'm definitely going to give this deck more time and study. Mercy Me, I will have to revise my earlier statement. Understated, yes, minimal, no. LOL

Fulgour	05 Mar 2005
Fulgour wrote: Could someone perhaps contact Joseph to enquire further at this time? I know Leah from another list, and have not heard from her there for some time. Although I have not corresponded with Joseph Martin in the past, I felt compelled to write to him asking how Leah Samul was doing, based on his post of last year. He has graciously responded that Leah "is doing great" and so I'm posting here to let you know she is fine now. ~Fulgour March 5 '05

NightWing	10 Mar 2005
The Hudes deck is one that can be deceptive, in that it can seem more simple and basic than it really is. It has more interest and depth than many give it credit for,...along with some lovely touches. The Moon card grabbed me. This is a deck that I return to again and again. Its a great deck for beginners too, as an alternative to the RWS. Thank-you to all on this thread who have shared their experiences of the Hudes Tarot. You've certainly enhanced my knowledge and enjoyment of it!

MercyMe	10 Mar 2005
NightWing wrote: The Hudes deck is one that can be deceptive, in that it can seem more simple and basic than it really is. It has more interest and depth than many give it credit for,...along with some lovely touches. The Moon card grabbed me. I love these "deceptive" decks because they are full of surprises. Another such deck is The Housewives Tarot -- a seemingly surface-y nostalgic, kitchy graphic, poke in the ribs deck, but which when thrown and read offers a direct and yet encouraging advice. This deck really does remind me of a 50's housewife -- there's more to her than you initially think! I imagine this holds true for many of the seemingly "fun" or "whimsical" decks. They can pack some deep insight underneath their fluffy exteriors. But the Hudes...ahhhh. Yes, she is like deep, still waters. On the surface, it seems plain. But look! Below are all manner of teeming life and beauty. ~Mercy

The Hudes Deck thread was originally posted on 28 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.