How many decks, you said????!!!!!

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 26 Jan 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

jmd	26 Jan 2003
Probably the longest thread in Aeclectic's Tarot Forum history was started by Kiama, seeking to have us list our decks. It has become just too long for easy reference, though it's always interesting to read the new posts which periodically appear. I thought a poll, just giving us an overview of the number of decks we have, would be useful. Of course, answering the poll is sufficient - lists of decks would probably better be kept in that earlier thread...

Diana	26 Jan 2003
jmd: 1000 and more decks? You're feeding the addiction of the numerous tarotholics on Aeclectic. Are you sure this is wise?

HOLMES	26 Jan 2003
i can only say myself i wouldnt' know what to do with a thousand plus tarot ,, i myself put down the 21 to 50 tarot as it been a while i counted them all but i am sure it is within that range, i will follow this closely to see who did put down the 1000plus tarot if any ,, as they must be close to 90 and will need to leave the 1000 plus tarot to someone , :O) eheh

Marion	26 Jan 2003
I think someone in Kiama's thread claimed to have over 500 decks but didn't list them. The longest list I recall right now was 148 decks, by someone who doesn't really post often here. Mind you Catlin has never posted her list. Jewel listed just under 100, but I haven't brought the lists up to date in a while.

Kiama	26 Jan 2003
It was Jeanette from Tarotgarden who posted that she owned over 500 decks. I voted for the 101- 200 decks. I have around 110 decks now, though have lost count since I got my 101st! And, I just found a shop in my town which sells loads and loads of decks. Until now, I haven't bought very many, because there weren't any shops which sold them, but now I have found my home... ;) My bank account will no longer be safe! Kiama

Summerdream	26 Jan 2003
I voted between 21-50 decks. Just to think a year ago I only owned 1 deck. I love looking at Kiama's post about what decks everyone owns. Sometimes I can look at everyone lists for hours. Marion has done a great job updating the lists and it's fun seeing how many of each of the individual decks everyone has and which ones are the one of a kinds. The one deck I did own origionally is a one of a kind. It is the the Power Deck by Lynn Andrews. I bought it at least 10 years ago! I did own the New Golden Dawn Ritual Tarot also but traded it as soon as I came to this forum a year ago because I never liked it. This forum has been great for being able to see the deck reviews before purchasing a deck. I admit sometimes you can read every review out there and a deck just still doesn't click but it takes most of the guesswork away. Blessings, Momof3girls

WolfSpirit	26 Jan 2003
I have 21-50 decks, it must be somewhere around thirty by now... I wonder who will be the first to have 1000+ :D

Centaur	26 Jan 2003
I only have two decks! But am willing to accept donations from other members in order for my collection to grow... hehehehehehe...

violinlily	26 Jan 2003
hehehe, only have 3..... for now, though I have not worked with my decks for about 2 weeks.... **cowering from the snow/sand/salt slushpies being thrown at her** I hate mid-terms..... grrr..... I don't think in the time I've been here (three months) I've seen Catlin post......

tarotbear	26 Jan 2003
If I ever owned 1000 decks, I would write a book about them, or have a museum! "Tarotbear's Tarot Museum" Open irregular hours Please do a reading to find best available time. :D

Major Tom	26 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Diana jmd: 1000 and more decks? You're feeding the addiction of the numerous tarotholics on Aeclectic. Are you sure this is wise? I think this is very wise indeed! Surely the person who has the most decks wins! Another deck! }) I'm tempted to donate a free calendar for the winner. Any other donations for prizes? :laugh: ;) And if anyone would like to donate a calendar for the winner just let me know. ROTFLMAO! I personally would like to see the number of decks available expand to roughly the number of people interested in tarot. :D

Hummingbird	26 Jan 2003
11-20 right now, but it's quickly growing.

Joywalker	26 Jan 2003
I've got 7 now,2 more on their way and I hope I could stop at 10!:P

Teranar	26 Jan 2003
Can my well worn 20-30 year old deck count as like 10? Oterwise I only have two. A tarot museum, that's a great Idea! We could start the Aeclectic tarot museum, and collect one of every deck! Think about it, we could charge admission and earn back the cost of the decks!

fairyhedgehog	26 Jan 2003
I've got 12, but that is counting the tiny tarot, and the Inner Child cards (which I hate), and a spare Hanson-Roberts which I've never opened. I never meant to have this many - I thought I'd just get the one :D This place has a bad influence on me })

Jeannette	26 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by HOLMES i can only say myself i wouldnt' know what to do with a thousand plus tarot... It's obvious -- you just start your own website... heh, heh... }) -- Jeannette Roth http://www.tarotgarden.com

Jeannette	26 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Major Tom I personally would like to see the number of decks available expand to roughly the number of people interested in tarot. :D This comment makes an interesting counterpoint to the thread on quality decks. I've got over 500 decks in my personal collection, but I'd be the first to admit that they're not all top-notch pieces of work. If Sturgeon's Law applies to tarot as well as to anything else, then a one-deck-to-one-tarotist ratio means that 9 out of every 10 tarot enthusiasts ends up with a product that contributes nothing of value to the art and discipline that is tarot. -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Phoenix	26 Jan 2003
32 now, and rising. I wish I had Jeanettes collection, though. ;)

Jeannette	26 Jan 2003
Actually, Lori says I should have quite a bit more than 500 tarots in my personal collection at this point. I'll do a long-overdue recounting tonight and get back later with the adjusted amount! -- Jeannette www.tarotgarden.com

Melvis	26 Jan 2003
I just crossed the 100 deck milestone...I'm catching up to you, Kiama! ;) Peace, Melvis :TSTRE

Phoenix	26 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Melvis I just crossed the 100 deck milestone...I'm catching up to you, Kiama! ;) I am so jealous!!! I need more money to get more!!!

bec	27 Jan 2003
I got 3 decks, my tarotlife long pal the waite, my soulmate the shapie and a gift of toth in dutch from my sweetie kaz. Dont really think I will ever come further than to just really like them, buying them for no purpose, sorry but that just dont work with a capricorn from the northern jutland of denmark. see me as a stubborn scrooge here :D sad but true, at least when it comes to spending me money. stubborn goes for all in life - lol, but I guess that is off target here. I counted 3

Jeannette	27 Jan 2003
So, Lori and I have been discussing this thread for the better part of the day, and she did make me go and count my decks. The final total was 747. A few of those are non-tarot cartomantic decks, but even with those removed, the total would still be over 700. Yes, I admit it -- I'm a complete junkie. But I've also been collecting for over 20 years now, so I also probably had a bit of a head start compared to most folks. -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

jmd	27 Jan 2003
... Jeannette, you surely have too many with such a Jumbo of a number - maybe I could relieve you of some :) and for bec, the only person I know (outside of Kaplan) who has more than 1000 decks lives in your very own little jutland of Denmark!

bec	27 Jan 2003
jmd - really ? my my :D a 1000 decks, that is.... dont even know a word for it. Overdemensioneret !

Jeannette	27 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by jmd ... Jeannette, you surely have too many with such a Jumbo of a number - maybe I could relieve you of some Thanks, JMD... but with apologies, I am an avowed packrat. However, I have copies of many, many of those same decks that I'd be happy to sell you, if you're interested... LOL! }) [p.s. -- i [i]did[/i] get your inquiry about the one tarot, and I'm running a price check now; I should be back to you with more info shortly.] -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

HOLMES	27 Jan 2003
to be your heir when you reach 90 ,, to my stunned mind i always thought one would have to be that old to get 500 let alone 1000 ,, *bows and does the not worthy dance by wayne and garth from wayne world to lori and everyone else who has or achieves 1000 plus decks * *toasts them as well* *

Jeannette	27 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by HOLMES *bows and does the not worthy dance by wayne and garth from wayne world to lori and everyone else who has or achieves 1000 plus decks * Actually, Lori's collection has dipped below 200 now, I think... she actually collects for quality and rarity, rather than quantity. Even though she may not have the "highest numbers" out there, as an actual collection (in the same sense as one would define an "art collection" for a serious collector of fine art), there are few who can touch what she's got when it comes to being interesting, unusual, and valuable. Most of the extraordinarily rare and interesting items shown in the Tarot Garden database came from her personal collection, not mine. Here's an example (warning: this one's sexually explicit): http://www.tarotgarden.com/database/dbsearchengine.php?view_title=iona+tarot ...And another (one that's not sexually explicit): http://www.tarotgarden.com/database/dbsearchengine.php?view_title=szabo Lori has probably given away or sold more decks from her collection than I've got in mine now! (Well, maybe not quite that many, but pretty close, I'll bet!). So, take heart! While it can be lots of fun to play "s/he who dies with the most tarots, wins!" (and there's nothing wrong with that game, as long as one stays within one's financial means), numbers are not the be-all and end-all of tarot collecting. A discerning collector with a smaller number of decks has every right to "brag" as much about his or her collection as an indiscriminate packrat like me... (...Although I do have a few tarots of the "interesting, rare, and valuable" variety that I'm particularly proud of... heh, heh...) -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Major Tom	27 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Jeannette and/or Lori If Sturgeon's Law applies to tarot as well as to anything else, then a one-deck-to-one-tarotist ratio means that 9 out of every 10 tarot enthusiasts ends up with a product that contributes nothing of value to the art and discipline that is tarot. I concede the point. :) I made my comment assuming the only way there'd be one deck for every reader is if the reader (or Collector!) made a deck for themselves. This self created deck would certainly have value to the individual who made it. }) I should know what happens when I assume. :|

Kiama	27 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Jeannette and/or Lori So, Lori and I have been discussing this thread for the better part of the day, and she did make me go and count my decks. The final total was 747. A few of those are non-tarot cartomantic decks, but even with those removed, the total would still be over 700. Yes, I admit it -- I'm a complete junkie. But I've also been collecting for over 20 years now, so I also probably had a bit of a head start compared to most folks. Cool! Wish I had that many. Though I've only been collecting since the age of 16 and a half, that's a year and a half in total. I' mnot doing bad... Let's think... If I collected 110 decks in 18 months, how man ywill I collect in 20 years? Um.. . *Kiama thinks* Ouch that hurt. I guess it would be around 2000 or more. :D:D:D:D Of course, I think I've done pretty well since th eonly income I've had to spend on decks has been my les than part time 15 hours a week during my A-levels! My boyfriend is hopefully getting compensation for th eaccident he had back when the First Aeclectic Tarot Project was being done (He was sposed to do the High Priest, but he accident meant he could not use his right arm at all for months, so he could not draw, and had to throw in the card to somebody else... I believe Truthsayer did a damn good job of it in the end!) He has promised e that whatever he gets (Anything over £3500) he will spend £500 on Tarot decks. And the rest w're saving up for our Handfasting. :D Jeanette, I'll catch you up one day! When I'm rich and famous ;) I shall have millions of pounds to spend on far too many decks! :D Kiama *Ever the optimist*

Jeannette	27 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Major Tom I made my comment assuming the only way there'd be one deck for every reader is if the reader (or Collector!) made a deck for themselves. This self created deck would certainly have value to the individual who made it. Ah, well, then... mea culpa. In that case, you'd be quite right. And, in browsing through the "Tarot Deck Creation" forum, I should guess that the tarot community is well on its way to achieving that noble goal. :D ;) -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Jeannette	27 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Kiama Let's think... If I collected 110 decks in 18 months, how man ywill I collect in 20 years? Um.. . *Kiama thinks* Ouch that hurt. I guess it would be around 2000 or more. One thousand, four hundred and sixty-six (and two-thirds) decks. (}) Hey... these sorts of questions are important -- LOL!) Quote: Jeanette, I'll catch you up one day! When I'm rich and famous ;) I shall have millions of pounds to spend on far too many decks! When that day comes, I'll be quite happy to hand over my "crown" (such as it is) to you. In fact, if you need any assistance in achieving that goal... you know where to find me. ;) -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Rhiannon	27 Jan 2003
I had to vote for 11-20 decks. I think I have around 13 or 14 right now. R :)

Macavity	27 Jan 2003
There's a "hole" in the middle of this distribution that seperates those on the brink from those beyond redemption? Looks like I'm in the hole! LOL :D

Jewel	28 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Major Tom I think this is very wise indeed! Surely the person who has the most decks wins! Another deck! }) :D You see that is exactly what I was thinking!!! :D ... It was that or JMD was trying to help us with goal setting *ROFLMAO* Well I am in the 101-200 category I would invite Kiama to a friendly count off to see who wins, but Jeannette has us both beat plus I think Kiama and I both already have calendars *LOL*. Ohhhh and I just added the Fey Tarot to my collection ... guess I should go update that list some day (actually go through my collection and make sure I have them all listed ... I did do that list off the top of my head and know I forgot some) I suppose I will probably stay in this category or drop to a lower one ~sighs~ ... I guess I have now seen and owned enough tarot decks to have started becoming incredibly picky. I have also started slowly trading off my collection. Such a tough decision!

Eowyn	28 Jan 2003
only one. Im saving money to buy online a new one, because here (chile) you have not many options. There is a "chilean tarot deck" which is espantosamente feo.

AmounrA	28 Jan 2003
I have one deck, although last year I did by another, ancient Italian. I had this second deck for a couple of months, then had to give it away, my other 'base' deck was just unbalanced and weakened by the second deck. So now I am back to one deck...and won't be experimenting with owning two again. My 'base 'deck seems to take it as a personal insult that I would even consider 'two timing it'. It knows. :-)

firemaiden	30 Jan 2003
Tarotbear, that is totally totally hilarious. I am going to have to do some research now, about a spread to find out the times... I am afraid I am going to need some serious flogging to stop me laughing....

jema	30 Jan 2003
i made a new count and found i have as of today 60 decks. how strange, i was sure i wouldn't have more then 51. wonder where those 9 came from... and what did i do just after reading this thread?? went ahead and ordered two new decks of course. (the much talked about phantasmagoric tarot and the sacred rose set) ACK! and i had promised myself no new books for a few months at least... i guess decks aren't really books though and could be extempt from my rule. ps. some days i actually envy those who only ever had one deck. i imagine they must really know that deck by heart in a way i can never know a deck.

Jewel	31 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by jema i made a new count and found i have as of today 60 decks. how strange, i was sure i wouldn't have more then 51. wonder where those 9 came from... and i had promised myself no new books for a few months at least... i guess decks aren't really books though and could be extempt from my rule. *ROFLMAO* Welcome to my world Jema ... know that you have plenty of tarotholic friends that complety relate to this and applaud you ;) ... ohhhhh and how wonderful to find the additional 9 decks! I love it when that happens!

VGimlet	01 Feb 2003
I am up to 74 at the moment. Not bad for having only one deck until 13 months ago. :D I could only admit that here, nobody else really knows how many I have. I would admit the number, if pressed, but I tend to try and distract them first, "Well, I just ordered a few, so I'm not really certain excactly, hey, check this one out, the artwork is really cool....."

jema	01 Feb 2003
Quote: Originally posted by VGimlet I would admit the number, if pressed, but I tend to try and distract them first, "Well, I just ordered a few, so I'm not really certain excactly, hey, check this one out, the artwork is really cool....." *LOL* that sounds so much like me. i always say: well, i am not sure really, i will have to do a count, and also i have been given many of them as gifts from friends and i do a fair bit of trading... bla bla bla.... excuses. but now, just this last year i finally admitted to my friends and family that i am a collector. somehow that have a nicer ring to it then tarot-a-holic.

Osher	07 Feb 2003
Being someone who analyses data, I just had to review the poll! Well, in the first few days most people had medium to large size collection (I define small as under 10, medium 10 to 50, and large is above 50). The later contributors made up around the half the poll, and had small to medium size collections. QED There is a rough correlation between the time people spend on the forum, and the size of their collection.

jmd	08 Feb 2003
QED if you want more decks in your collection, spend more time on Aeclectic !?!?! :):):)

Minos	08 Feb 2003
The big question for me is the breakdown of the 2-10 category. IMHO there's a big difference between 2 or 3 and 7 to 10. I picked 2-10, because I have 2. Or if you count my two copies of Thoth, 3. The other one, BTW, is the very delightful 19th century Soprafino deck, or as I like to call it: "The Most Fun You Can Have With Tarot Allowable by Law." PS: I have never particularly felt the need to expand my collection. Two is enough for me, one for serious reading, one for amusement. I used to have a RWS, but I tired of it after a couple of weeks, and it remains in the same box in my mother's house I left it in years ago. Though eventually, I am going to have to get a Marseilles deck.

fairyhedgehog	09 Feb 2003
I think '3 and under' should be a specific category. I know it was when I got my second deck that it all started, and yes, it is all your fault, fellow aecleticans that I now have too many decks :D

Kiama	09 Feb 2003
This reminds me of something quite amusing that happened when I fist came to Cardiff. The Pagan Society I joined had a Tarot workshop which was given by a man who I now dislike a little. I went to his workshop and was slightly disappointed because he gave lots of misinformation. I saw him in a nightclub a couple of days later and my boyufriend and I were speaking to him. We told him that I was giving a Tarot workshop for the Pagan Soc in a couple of weeks, and he grinned and said, "Me and my 9 decks will be there". He was very proud of his deck collection, and thought that 9 was an obscene number to own. I wasn't gonna say anything, but my boyfriend blurted out: "And Kim will be there with her 97 decks (I had 97 decks back then, and my real name is Kim)". The bloke nearly knocked over his drink when he fell backwards onto his chair. ;) Tiddley Pom. Kiama

Shadow Wolf	12 Feb 2003
I now own 6 decks and am hoping to accumulate a few more by the end of the month. A friend in the Catskills said she'd pick up the Herbal deck for me and mail it to me. I'm going to the Poconos with my kids from the 18-21 of Feb. There's a New Age store there where I hope to make a purchase or two as well. I wouldn't have believed it could be so addictive !!!!!!!!!!! But now I'm really hooked !!!!!!!!!!!

Kissa	28 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by jema i made a new count and found i have as of today 60 decks. how strange, i was sure i wouldn't have more then 51. wonder where those 9 came from... oho... i can only see one solution: keep the boys apart from the girls. Separate bookshelves will do it: though very dary, most of the decks are afraid of heigth and climbing is not their favourite sports. (NB: Some cards *usually and periodically always the same card in a deck* practise actively benji jumping without rubberband though). (I know about the boys and girls trick because it happened to me :D ) I stopped counting but i know it is somewhere around 35-40. Unless... ;) Kissa

hedgecub	28 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Kissa oho... i can only see one solution: keep the boys apart from the girls. Is it just me, or is 'oho' a very Finnish thing to say? :) Now, please tell me how I can tell my girl decks apart from my boy decks. I mean, it's not like they have their plumbing right up front so you can see.. right? ;) My decks are in flux right now. I have: - 02 decks up for trade - 13 decks in my collection - 04 decks just shipped - 02 decks pre-ordered - 02 decks in the might-buy-soon list *sigh* :)

lunakasha	28 Apr 2004
I am up to 58 decks now.....and planning to add another 3-4 in the next month or two! :D I cannot imagine ever having more than say 150 decks....but then again, a few months ago I would have said that I would NEVER have more than 100 decks, and now here I am within spitting distance, so to speak! :P I wonder if people with 200 or 300 decks or more ever get to the point where they just have to say: enough! Or maybe they never do??? Hmmmm.....fascinating! :) Luna

tmgrl2	28 Apr 2004
I didn't post..but 11 right now with The Gilded Tarot/LE on its way and Blue Rose Tarot also....I was worried I had too many! Sheesh....hundreds...I have about 700 Beanie Babies...does that make me a collectaholic? Don't think I'll collect too many more decks...I think...maybe...well...not too sure...

MuffinTops	28 Apr 2004
I have 25 decks...and that is my limit! I have to buy other things for my new house!

punchinella	28 Apr 2004
Well I just noticed this thread. Being a latecomer, of course, my collection is slim :D I actually went around just now counting & came up with a grand total of 20 decks. So, at this point in time I'm in the 11-20 category. In the last couple of months though I've given away six decks. So if this thread had started sooner I would have had to vote differently. Also, I plan to order another deck next week :| but I'm not counting it yet. Punch Oh, hey, I just tried to vote & the poll is closed!!! No fair!

jmd	29 Apr 2004
When I started the thread, I gave it a timed limit (of a year, if I recall), as many of us would have to vote anew to have an accurate poll... For the sake of re-voting, I will re-open another thread as this one :)

punchinella	29 Apr 2004
Oh, I didn't realize that this was a year old!!! Well, even if I don't get to vote I think I will still go on living . . . :)

Asher	29 Apr 2004
Well, I did post my list in the "List Your Decks" thread. I'm up to 467 at last count (last week), wondering how long it will take to get to 500??? I _do_ look through all of them at least once a year, and often pick out some that I have forgotten about or haven't used in a long while and take them to my Tarot Circle. Once school is out for the summer (1 and 1/2 weeks!!!), I can sit back and leisurely enjoy my decks. Asher

The How many decks, you said????!!!!! thread was originally posted on 26 Jan 2003 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.