Tarot of Old Path - a short review

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 15 Apr 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

northsea	15 Apr 2005
The Old Path tarot is one of my favorite decks because (1) its pagan theme, (2) the Majors are great (and I don't mind the card retitling), (3) symbolism, (4) English renaissance setting, (5) the color assignment for each Minor suit, (6) the court cards are generally good, (7) card backs are good (and the cards themselves), (8) being a RWS-based deck, it follows through completely (not veering off on individual cards like the Osho Zen 10 of Swords - Nietzche fable), and (9) I actually like the goofy faces on many of the Minors cards like the 9 of Cups as they seem appropriate in those cases. On the other hand, there are a few Old Path cards that I don't really like: VIII Strength - it looks like the lion is going to take a p--h, 7 of Pentacles - I generally like the goofy faces but this one bugs me (even though the message may be on target: "work smarter, not harder"), the Page of Cauldrons - maybe this youth wouldn't be so "sensitive" if he didn't look like a complete dork (and funny how the flower in the background matches his pointy hat)(there's other cards with the same style hat but this is the only one that bugs me), 5 of Cauldrons - Austin Powers would be pulling off the headscarf, yelling "it's a man, baby", Page of Pentacles - huh, I thought page of cups was the gay card?, Knight of Pentacles - he evidently cut his own hair by placing a bowl on his head (so practical he won't pay for a decent haircut?), King of Pentacles - the flowers in the backgrounds of the Pentacles court cards look silly to me. I hope these aren't anyone's favorite cards, but just some thoughts on a great deck.

Gwynne	15 Apr 2005
If you don't already have it, I highly recommend getting the book that goes along with that deck. The artist added flowers for a very specific reason, each one is symbolic and adds depth to the meaning of the card. You might also like to try her Tarot of Northern Shadows. It's my primary reading deck at the moment.

Deana	15 Apr 2005
I love Tarot of the Old Path. It was my only deck for five or so years. It's been through a lot and has the battle scars to prove it. I've retired the poor thing for now, but I've thought of getting another copy. Even though it's Rider Waite based and could be read easily if you knew the Waite deck, you would probably not be able to pick up any Waite-based deck after this and just read it out of the box (at least I couldn't). It does have some changes, but they make sense. The only thing that bothers me about it is that I bought the Rune Vision Cards as soon as I found out it was the same creators (I don't even use Runes) and I was bummed to see that the artist's art has gotten so much better in the years since she did Tarot of the Old Path that I wanted a revised deck to reflect the improvements in her art.

huredriel	16 Apr 2005
I absolutely love this deck, my first, my absolute favourite even though I'm now starting to collect more. I love The Close (Death) card and High Priestess, though that Knight of Pentacles is a bit strange.

Leopard	16 Apr 2005
One of my favourites too.... I've just picked it up again for personal readings... needed to put the Thoth to bed for a bit. :) Leopard

MeeWah	16 Apr 2005
I love Tarot of the Old Path! Not seen it but saw it listed in Tarot Trading. That it called & the impression it would make a great reading deck prompted me to take a chance to acquire it. I am so glad I did. Up until I acquired it, the Robin Wood, also a Pagan-themed deck has been the alternative deck for many readings including of the personal variety. Robin Wood & a few other decks compose a stable of reliable reading decks. The Old Path's artwork, imagery & symbology including the flora continue to fascinate. It speaks so clearly that it is now amongst my most-used decks & showing it, too.

northsea	16 Apr 2005
I probably sounded a bit critical in describing a few cards I didn't like so now I'll point out some of my favorite Old Path cards: 0- Fool - the innocent child symbolism, 1 - Magician - shaman imagery, without the RWS disco pose, 2 - High Priestess - wonderful, it's cards like this that make it a favorite, 7 - Mastery - one of my favorite Chariot cards, check out those horses, 9 - The Wise One - the symbolism, 12 - The Lone Man - brings out the connection between the Hanged Man and Fool (they're both mavericks, but the Hanged Man is intentionally so), 14 - The Guide - this one has a Northern Shadows feel, 17 - The Star - my favorite card!, 19 - The Sun - I'm not sure why the phoenix is there since I don't have the book, but it looks wonderful as does the rest of the card, 21 - another favorite, and some minors: 4 of Swords - she's cloistered off, and her hands symbolise a retreat, Knight of Swords - the lemon hat symbolizes a "sour" disposition, King of Swords -the supervisor from hell, bossy, Ace of Rods - beautiful, with stonehenge in background, 2 of Rods - elvish, 4 of Rods - restful, with RWS castle in background, 5 of Rods - an assortment of characters engaged in RWS clubs competition, 6 and 9 of Rods - like how the rods are drawn, has a Northern Shadows look, 3 of Cauldrons - fun card, and I like how the fruits are reflected in the bowls, Ace of Pentacles - the painting and colors used.

MeeWah	16 Apr 2005
Northsea: Meant to thank ye for this discussion of Tarot of the Old Path & doing so now: thanks for a closer look at the deck! Also for sharing your favoured cards. I like the deck in general. Of the Major Arcana, The Close (Death) a personal favourite for its retitling & imagery. Ditto most of the minors & the court cards whose facial expressions seem to fit the readings thus far, too.

northsea	16 Apr 2005
Hi Meewah, no prob, I keep mine in a green acorns-theme tarot bag.

Kissa	16 Apr 2005
i'm waiting for this one in the post. had it once but traded it, wasn't meant to be back then. now i hope i'm "mature" enough to understand more of it. i'm extremely attracted to the northern shadows as well. i remember a very old thread where someone was thinking of mixing the two decks to get a whole 78 card deck with his/her favourite cards among both decks because the artwork and the theme are very close. the only put-off was the diddimilar backs. i read that the rune vision cards are not very accurate rune worthy soeaking, btw, otherwise, i'd be actively after them too. actually, if someone has an unwanted pack of rune vision cards though... lol kissa

huredriel	16 Apr 2005
northsea wrote: Knight of Swords - the lemon hat symbolizes a "sour" disposition You know, that's one of the first things I noticed when I got my deck, but couldn't get what it meant. Thanks :) x Huredriel

northsea	16 Apr 2005
huredriel, welcome :), I also like how whether the court cards face the viewer or sideways closely matches my ideas on which ones are extroverted or introverted. For example, the king of swords as the extroverted manager looks directly at the viewer, the knight of swords as the introverted lone ranger looks sideways. The rods courts are extroverted and look at the viewer.

huredriel	16 Apr 2005
northsea wrote: huredriel, welcome :), I also like how whether the court cards face the viewer or sideways closely matches my ideas on which ones are extroverted or introverted. For example, the king of swords as the extroverted manager looks directly at the viewer, the knight of swords as the introverted lone ranger looks sideways. The rods courts are extroverted and look at the viewer. Very interesting, as I tend to see which side they are facing as representing looking to the past, future or present. Something else to remember - cool :)

WolfyJames	17 Apr 2005
I love this deck very much. I wanted a pagan deck and I can't stand the Robin Wood, but I found the Tarot of the Old Path appealing on the Internet so I bought it. I wasn't disapointed when I got it and it's one of my favorite deck to use, because there is no christian imagery in it. The majors are very well done and the minors quite interesting. I don't find the court cards threatening but quietly smiling. I also love the colors used for the deck for the minors as well, but I still have difficulty with the yellow for the air suit. Unfortunatly, I tried to buy the book set but each time I went to the store, it was never there, so I only bought the deck. I want to have the book that goes with the deck. I've seen the Tarot of Nothern Shadows. I expected to see some winter scenics but I was rather disapointed. I love winter but in decks, this season is never never shown, except for IX The Wise in the Tarot of the Old Path, so I wanted to check out her other deck. Personaly, I don't like her deck Tarot of Nothern Shadows, I think the Tarot of the Old Path is better in every way. There are some good cards in it but in general the Tarot of the Old Path is better.

Kissa	19 Apr 2005
am i crazy or did i read somewhere that there was silver effects on some cards? here i go thru the deck i just received and cannot see anything looking like silver .. i am not expecting the silver mantegna type of effect but still something shiny or metallic ?? (that is if my memory isn't playing tricks on me) can you guys help ?? thanks in advance, kissa

huredriel	19 Apr 2005
Kissa wrote: am i crazy or did i read somewhere that there was silver effects on some cards? here i go thru the deck i just received and cannot see anything looking like silver .. i am not expecting the silver mantegna type of effect but still something shiny or metallic ?? (that is if my memory isn't playing tricks on me) can you guys help ?? thanks in advance, kissa I've heard the same thing, but don't have this on my deck. Perhaps it was on older decks, and they don't include this on the new printing runs anymore?

WolfyJames	19 Apr 2005
Kissa wrote: am i crazy or did i read somewhere that there was silver effects on some cards? here i go thru the deck i just received and cannot see anything looking like silver .. i am not expecting the silver mantegna type of effect but still something shiny or metallic ?? (that is if my memory isn't playing tricks on me) can you guys help ?? thanks in advance, kissa The metallic effect is for the first printing, years years ago. The next printings don't have the metallic effect. I have the deck as well and I have no metallic effect too.

Kissa	19 Apr 2005
oh! thanks WolfyJames for this info, had no idea really! it is good to know i am not as senile as i first thought... ;) Kissa

Kissa	20 Apr 2005
just a short one: could someone who has the nice version with siver effects give me the publisher/publication date/isbn of their deck, please please please??? the deck i have is AG Mueller, 1990 and NO silver. boooohoooooh :( thanks in advance!! kissa

Kissa	24 Apr 2005
anyone can help with the isbn? any Jeannette around? ;) lol... kissa

The Tarot of Old Path - a short review thread was originally posted on 15 Apr 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.