Feelin' bad...

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 18 Mar 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

stenoboy	18 Mar 2003
I have a bit of a daft predicament, but here goes: I bought the Original Rider-Waite deck, didn't really like it (hard to work out what is in the pictures because the colours are too smudgy), and then bought the Universal Waite deck, the recoloured one. However, I just plain don't like it. I find it sort of creepy, and I can never get readings from it without feeling a terrible sense of doom and foreboding. I feel guilty (I feel such a fool telling you all this!) because I realise Pamela Coleman-Smith's work was revolutionary in the Tarot world, and without her contribution (and also of course of Mr Waite) we would not have so many decks at our disposal today. Because of that, I feel it would be disrespectful to her to get rid of the deck (my partner wants it to learn with), and everyone uses it and I feel left out if I don't use it! However, I just love, love, love the Robin Wood deck - I almost hear music with each card and can almost jump in and join in the action on each drawing. I just don't get that with the Rider-Waite deck. I know PCS had a hard life (according to the lwb) and she died not knowing what an impact her drawings would have on future tarot decks and tarot in general. I feel I owe it to her at least to try again, but I just don't like the cards. Sorry! Hey, maybe I AM crazy...!

jlbvt	18 Mar 2003
Why don't you put some of the PCS cards that you like in a frame and hang it where you can see it during your rituals/ readings? That would be like a tribute to her, and you could reflect on that, while using another deck that was inspired by her work. (the Robin Wood)

Athara	18 Mar 2003
Don't feel bad about it! Not using that deck is in no way disrespectful. Especially when you're giving it to someone else. If he learns to read Tarot with it, that's very good! Some people just don't connect with certain decks. That's ok. Don't feel guilty! Love, Athara

Hedera	18 Mar 2003
Hi Stenoboy, I agree, don't feel bad about disliking the RWS deck - many people do! That doesn't mean you disrespect Ms Smith's contribution to tarot, it just means that with that particular deck, you don't click, for whatever reason. It probably has nothing to do with her, personally. And, fortunately, you've already found a deck with wich you *do* click! The Robin Wood is a wonderful deck, and you will be able to use most of the material written for the RWS. Do you have Robin's book? I recommend getting it (maybe after getting to know the deck a little, yourself), she shows so many things that are in her deck, and she has a great, funny, clear style. And who know, maybe in ten, twenty years' time, you'll pick up the RWS again and find that this time around, it does speak to you.

sagitarian	18 Mar 2003
You shouldn't feel bad at all. When I first learned tarot, I skipped over that deck quickly cuz I just didn't like the art work or anything else about it. I got the Hanson-Roberts deck instead. Ten yrs later, I wanted to relearn tarot again, going back to the basics. It was then that I picked up the universal waite deck. I struggle with it. Then I saw a beautiful deck that I kept reading about on line, so I finally decided to pick it up, and the way you feel about your Robin Wood deck is how I feel about my Faeries Oracle deck. If the deck speaks to you, then go with it. Let your friend keep the other deck, perhaps that's why you got it in the first place to pass it on to some one else later. Or, you could always exchange or sell it here if you want to get rid of them. You seem to have a respect for Smith and Waite, that's all that counts.

Astraea	18 Mar 2003
Stenoboy, Pamela Coleman-Smith's contributions to the tarot legacy are inestimable, but I see no disrespect in your choosing other decks than the RWS to work with. It might help to think of it like this: we stand on PCS's shoulders; we admire and respect her work, which has led in so many ways to the evolution of tarot and the wondrous array of decks available today; that the Robin Wood deck exists, is a tribute to PCS. In addition, it seems to me that it is very respectful of PCS and her deck to let your partner, who resonates with the deck, use and enjoy it. :)

stenoboy	18 Mar 2003
Thank you all for helping assuage my guilt! I particularly like the idea of framing one or two cards I DO like as an acknowledgement and also will make a great talking point when friends visit! Hedera: yes, I do have Robin Wood's book, which I am enjoying immensely. I love her style - quite self-effacing and down-to-earth. Have you read her ethics book? I keep forgetting that the Robin Wood deck was inspired by the Rider-Waite deck, and using a spin-off of the Rider-Waite is tribute enough, I guess! Thanks to all! Best wishes, Stenoboy.

Hedera	18 Mar 2003
Hi Stenoboy, I have her ethics book, just haven't read it yet. So many books, so little time.....:( I mainly got it because I liked the RW-book so much, and because the book on ethics seemed like a rather unique voice. Do you have it? If so , like it?

stenoboy	19 Mar 2003
Hiya, Hedera, No, I don't have her ethics book, but have asked for it for my upcoming birthday. Would buy it myself, but I've been buying so many decks and books just lately that I don't feel I can justify it! I know what you mean: so many books, so little time. If I won the lottery, the first thing I'd do is quit my job and read, read, read! What luxury! Oh, yeah, read AND get my feet massaged at the same time, and then buy every tarot deck I could lay my hands on, and every book about it... But, if I'm to win the lottery, I'd better buy a ticket first! Out of interest, do you recommend any particular tarot books?

jlbvt	19 Mar 2003
Quote: Originally posted by stenoboy I know what you mean: so many books, so little time. If I won the lottery, the first thing I'd do is quit my job and read, read, read! What luxury! Oh, yeah, read AND get my feet massaged at the same time, and then buy every tarot deck I could lay my hands on, and every book about it... But, if I'm to win the lottery, I'd better buy a ticket first! What a great idea!!! That sounds like heaven! I will have to start playing lottery immediatly! By the way, I am so pleased that you like my idea! Thank you. JLB

coldsuns	19 Mar 2003
jlbvt, is not very good to start lottery, is a form of gambling. I disaprove this kind of behaviour that you never work and gain so much $$. I'll give the money i won to the handicap...

stenoboy	19 Mar 2003
Really, Coldsuns?!!!! I'd give SOME of it away, but if I were meant to have it, then... Gambling is only bad if you let it ruin your life, surely?

MST	26 Mar 2003
Quote: Originally posted by stenoboy I have a bit of a daft predicament... maybe I AM crazy...! With all of that extra time...........just joking! Why not donate the deck(s) of choice to a friend and work with the one that is useful to you and all of the people you may read for?

DarkElectric	26 Mar 2003
Hi Stenoboy :) How sweet of you to have such respect for Pamela Coleman Smith. She was very talented, and deserved that sort respect while she was living, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case. My suggestion would be this...if your partner likes the that deck a lot, maybe you should give it to them. I think it would make Pamela happy to have the deck she drew given to a person by someone who loves them!

The Feelin' bad... thread was originally posted on 18 Mar 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.