Big Decks?

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

Rhiamon	28 May 2005
I don't have A LOT of decks, but the ones I have are smaller in size, like the Gilded. The biggest deck I own is the Goddess deck. I recently acquired the sacred Circle and was amazed at the size and how much I love working with a big deck....so I was wondering....what other decks are larger in size like that? I ordered the Druidcraft but it hasn't arrived yet, but I hear it's a bigger deck too?

Moonbow*	28 May 2005
Hi Rhiamon Yes the Druidcraft is large. There have been many threads about large decks and how to shuffle them and for the moment I can't find them (or at least not the one I was specifically thinking of). Also on the large list are: Victoria Regina Inner Child Rohrig I'm sure others will come along with more too. :)

bodhran	28 May 2005
I love the Light and Shadow; it's about the same size of the Victoria Regina. I never thought I would care for just the black and white cards or the large size, but I love working with this deck. Many Blessings, Bodhran

BlueLotus	28 May 2005
In addition to the larger decks mentioned above, here are a few more of what I believe are larger than the average sized deck, although not as large as some of those previously mentioned - Nigel Jackson - The Wheel of Change - Thoth - The Tarot of Oz - The Stone Tarot - The Baroque Bohemian Cats - The Phantasmagoric Theater Tarot - The Gothic Tarot (Vargo) - Tarot of the Orishas - Phoenix Tarot - Guardians of Wisdom - Karma

Rhiamon	28 May 2005
thanks guys! This gives me a few to look into ;)

tarotbear	28 May 2005
The cards for The Lovers Tarot by Jane Lyle are 8 1/2" x 5 " if you want big! ISBN 0-312-08258-4

Annabelle	28 May 2005
Most of the ones that came immediately to mind have already been named, but the PoMo tarot by Brian Williams is another deck with large cards. Also, I know that one of the Visconti editions is said to be very large--perhaps it was the Cary-Yale version? I don't own it, so I'm not certain.

BlueLotus	28 May 2005
. . . A couple of other largish decks came to mind - The Voyager - Tarot de Paris So, you have lots of decks to choose from Rhiamon. ;)

Adam McLean	28 May 2005
Among the largest decks I have are The Masonic El tarot de los Gitanos H.P. Lovecraft Margarete Petersen Zigeuner Tarot - original version by Wegmuller Sexual Tarot - R.B.B. Der Bildteppich (Tapestry) Tarot Revisioned

Little Baron	28 May 2005
The Cary Yale is very big. LB

HudsonGray	28 May 2005
The Vertigo is large too. As well as the Giant Rider Waite and the big Thoth decks.

Mesara	28 May 2005
Don't forget the giant Rider-Waite :) Very nice for studying all those little symbols up close (especially if you can't be bothered to put on your glasses, like me)

Mesara	28 May 2005
Oh, I see Hudson Gray didn't forget it after all! LOL Nevermind... :)

HearthCricket	28 May 2005
I also found the Medieval Scapini bigger than the average deck. Not in width, but definitely a longer deck, making it stand out among others. But, not a huge deck, either. I had trouble shuffling these, but I got great readings.

HudsonGray	28 May 2005
It was a stealth posting, Mesara, I had an invisibility shield on the post. LOL I think the Gendron is the same way, longer cards than normal, but maybe the same width as a standard deck. Don't know if it qualifies as 'bigger' this way, but it's non-standard.

Annabelle	28 May 2005
Ah, and the Via tarot . . . how could I have forgotten to mention it before? It's quite a bit larger than a standard deck. Also, the Enchanted tarot is pretty big (although the very similiar Zerner-Farber deck is smaller than average).

The Dreamer	28 May 2005
The Shakespeare Oracle is big. A bit wider than the Victoria Regina, and a bit shorter. (It is a true Tarot.) http://www.tarotpassages.com/shakespeareoracle.htm Hudson Gray wrote: I think the Gendron is the same way, longer cards than normal, but maybe the same width as a regular deck. Don't know if it qualifies as bigger this way, but it's non standard. The Gendron I have is the exact same size as my standard RWS.

HearthCricket	28 May 2005
Yeah, my Medieval Scapini is larger than my Gendron. Goddess is short, but wide. All my others are pretty normal sized. I have small hands, so I do have to take it all into consideration, which sometime rots, because I would love to read with a large deck. I've been wanting the Baroque Cats, but someone said it is a large deck? How large, please? It is on my "I need" list. A taroholic in the making...

Cerulean	28 May 2005
Scapini's Romeo and Juliet Mitelli Tarocchino Da Vecchi sets Tavaglione's Stella and Enoil Gavat Dal Negro's Mantegna Various Viscontis

baba-prague	29 May 2005
HearthCricket wrote: I've been wanting the Baroque Cats, but someone said it is a large deck? How large, please? It is on my "I need" list. A taroholic in the making... It's roughly 10 by 18 cm. I don't have that in inches right now (and it's getting a bit late here in Prague) but I can work it out tomorrow. Maybe the most useful thing to say is that it's a bit bigger than Lo Scarabeo decks - but not hugely much bigger. We tried to find a size that is as big as possible but still easy to handle for most people - but of course it depends on the size of your hands and so on. I'm just wrestling with the website right now - trying to redo it all! I am adding some information on Hermes, and I'll remember to add information on card stock (specialist playing card stock) and size etc. But the new site may be another week or so yet. Glad you like the deck!

SunChariot	29 May 2005
What I want to know is where people find Tarot pouches for the large decks. I have trouble finding places where the pouches are large enough for the bigger decks. I only know one place so far: http://shop.wiccked.com/archives/tarot_bags/index.php Bar

HudsonGray	29 May 2005
A lot of people make their own. With the huge variety of fabrics and prints out, you can have several pouches made up with just 1/4 yard of fabric & some cording and have one that's tailored to fit AND with a print that matches the theme of the deck. Find someone with a machine & do a trade (reading for a bag?) with them.

Rhiamon	29 May 2005
I know someone here makes really nice ones (Hawks_Girl_Dove maybe?)...I got a couple in trade awhile ago and she makes them a great size for fitting the bigger decks :)

Emeraldgirl	30 May 2005
I have quite a few larger decks and while I notice the advantage when reading them just in the visibility factor it's a pain in a** to shuffle most of them and they are not really suited from carrying around in your handbag on a daily basis. Another deck that is a bit large is the Templar Tarot but really great if you like busy artwork.

HearthCricket	30 May 2005
There are quite a few stores in Salem, MA, that sell Tarot cards and various pouches, etc. I have found some nice velvet ones with satin lining, and drawstrings with tassels. They really are not that hard to make, either, if you really have something in mind and decide to get creative with a needle and thread! Finding a fabric shop is getting harder than finding a place that sells tarot, around here!

MaryElTarotFan	31 May 2005
Someone mentioned the Voyager Deck which is indeed not only largish but also made of some damn sturdy cardstock. I am usually not a big fan of photographic collage types of decks but I really liked this one though those I read for have been less than enthusiastic. They generally find the imagery too busy. I myself have to be well grounded so not to be overwhelmed when using this deck. For me however, there is no threat of ending up with beat up cards in the future with this deck, no matter what shuffling practice you use.

SunChariot	31 May 2005
MaryElTarotFan wrote: Someone mentioned the Voyager Deck which is indeed not only largish but also made of some damn sturdy cardstock. I am usually not a big fan of photographic collage types of decks but I really liked this one though those I read for have been less than enthusiastic. They generally find the imagery too busy. I myself have to be well grounded so not to be overwhelmed when using this deck. For me however, there is no threat of ending up with beat up cards in the future with this deck, no matter what shuffling practice you use. Me too, not fond of collages either. But I knew SO many people who love it that I decided I needed to try it. Which I will soon. just got it. I love busy imagery, the busier the better, as long as I find the imagery beautiful. Bar PS, Just got Tarot of Transformation today, off to check it out. :-)

Mesara	31 May 2005
Tarottotes.com has wide pouches made especially for larger decks. Their tarot bags are quite nice.

SunChariot	31 May 2005
Mesara wrote: Tarottotes.com has wide pouches made especially for larger decks. Their tarot bags are quite nice. Thanks for the tip. :-) I have a really good site for Tarot pouches. They're stunning, and come smelling great with lavendar petals in them. I love them all and have a number of them too. But they do not make the bigger sizes. :-( Here it is anyway though in case it helps someone: http://www.tarotbags.com/tarot%20bag.htm Bar

Adam McLean	10 Jun 2005
Today I received in the post from Alida a tarot deck I have wanted for a while, though it is among the more expensive of decks - the Tarocchi omaggio a Federico II. Now these are big cards !!!! I had not realised they would be so big - 9 x 6 inches. These must be close to the record for card size. I have not heard of any larger cards. That said, it is a remarkable tarot with very detailed paintings. The Moon card, which is shown on the Alida site is truly beautiful. A very expensive deck, but worth every Euro.

Vadella	10 Jun 2005
The Lovers Path is another big one. It's very beautiful.

WolfSpirit	10 Jun 2005
Has anyone mentioned the Celtic Wisdom Tarot yet ? That's also a big deck and the size does justice to the artwork. I find that I like decks of different sizes. I like handy smallish decks but I also like the big sumptuous decks. Guess I just like variety :) Shuffling is more of a challenge with big decks but I don't shuffle very much, as I always fan the deck then pick the cards out from all over the deck.

The Big Decks? thread was originally posted on 28 May 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.