trouble finding/connecting with a deck

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 09 Feb 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

graylensman	09 Feb 2005
Greetings, all! I have dabbled off and on (mostly off) with tarot for about twenty years now. Have recently decided that delving deeper into tarot might help me with spiritual struggles. I went to a bookstore here in town that specializes in such merchandise. I perused the decks, but absolutely none of them felt right for me. Ahs anyone else had this problem? What did you do about it? Thanks!

Stregaverde	09 Feb 2005
Check out Aeclectic's deck reviews. They have previews of cards from each deck, and might help you to choose one. Also, what are you looking for in a deck? What type of artwork appeals to you? Do you have any special interests (mythology, etc.) that might steer you towards a themed deck? A few suggestions to look at: The Gilded Tarot The Golden Tarot The Tarot of Prague The Morgan Greer Tarot Sacred Circle Tarot These are all 'pretty' decks, you might want something more stark or more historic. But they are all great, and might give you a starting point.

tarotbear	09 Feb 2005
usually a bookstore carries the most popular or best selling decks, but that does not mean you will find them popular. Hopefully they have someone on their staff who chooses the decks anf not a marketing department. best thing to do is check out the reviews and check out scans of the cards and see what interests you - a sealed box does not a good selling tool make!

souljourney	09 Feb 2005
I had that problem for the longest time. I wasn't actively seeking a deck but whenever I'd go to the "new age" bookstore I'd look at the decks. Must have at least 100 different ones. I could never make up my mind or never POPPED OUT at me and said take me home. Until the Gilded. And actually it was a toss up that day between it and the Quest. I am so happy with the Gilded. Since then I've gotten decks I had seen before. Reading the reviews here, seeing the pics and getting different peoples ideas has really opened up my mind to what I will buy and won't buy. I've expanded my ideas a lot. Good luck on your search. SJ

MeeWah	09 Feb 2005
A warm welcome to Graylensman! As this represents a general inquiry regarding decks, it is being moved to Talking Tarot.

ravynrain	09 Feb 2005
hello i also had trouble connectin with a deck when i finally found one someone stole them from my bag, and i didnt know if i should buy another set or not

graylensman	09 Feb 2005
Stregaverde wrote: what are you looking for in a deck? What type of artwork appeals to you? Do you have any special interests (mythology, etc.) that might steer you towards a themed deck? Thanks for the suggestions, Stregaverde. Art that appeals to me? I like bold; my own art these days tends toward very linear and solid. Special interests that may be applicable toward tarot: I'm a long-time SF fan. In fact, i'm re-reading "Nova" by Samuel Delaney, in which tarot figures prominently. However, I feel a bit wary of themed decks- they seem to require a greater understanding of the cards than I feel I currently have.

Scion	09 Feb 2005
Hey Graylensman, I'm gonna jump in here with a passionate rec... Have you checked out Robin Ator's International Icon? You can see images and review of it here: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/international-icon/ http://www.tarotpassages.com/IIcon-mm.htm It's a fantastic bold deck that recreates the familiar Rider-Waite-Smith in a fantastic, fresh way. Terrific for reeading and since most of the literature in the states is RWS-based, support for it is varied and widespread. This has been my go-to reading deck for some time and is consistently singled out by people for whom I do readings because of its hip "feel" that doesn't eschew the RWS Tarot tradition. If you want bold art and feel esoterically eager, the Crowley Thoth is a fantastic challenge. http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/aleister-crowley-thoth/ http://www.tarotpassages.com/thoth.htm And if you do I'd recommend picking up Duquette's Understanding Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot at the same time, as a superb introduction to the man and the deck. The book is reviewed at http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/books/understanding-thoth-tarot/ or http://www.tarotpassages.com/ThothLMD.htm If you're looking for more historically traditional Tarot, and are interested in the challenge of nonscenic pips, check out Kris Hadar's Veritable Tarot de Marseille: (which is most easily purchased from Amazon.ca) http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/hadar-marseilles/ But definitely check out the International Icon... Scion

similia	09 Feb 2005
Some suggestions for bold sci-fi style decks... http://www.archeontarot.com/ http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/adrian/ http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/cosmic/ http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/fantastical/ http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/gilded/ http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/giger-baphomet/ http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/one-world/ http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/quest/

SongDeva	10 Feb 2005
How about the Fey? It's the one where everyone looks at it and goes "Ewwwwwwwwww, far to cutsey. Not me. No way." And then for some inexplicable reason they buy it and are invariably blown away. The accompanying book is excellent, new take on things, purely top notch...and as someone - LunaLaFey? - put it: "These are not earth fey." Good thing is, if you buy it and are the first person to loathe it, then you'll be able to trade it here in a nanosecond.

Jewel-ry	10 Feb 2005
What about Sakki-Sakki http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/sakki-sakki/ Its bold and quite modern. A bit different to the norm and has quite a sense of humour imo. And M-Press is a frequent user of AT ~

graylensman	10 Feb 2005
thank you all for your suggestions. I like the Gilded, and the sakki-sakki is marvelous, though again I feel a deeper understanding of the tarot is needed. Clicking around the various links, I really enjoyed the cartoon-like Ator deck. I'll let you know what I finally choose!

Stregaverde	10 Feb 2005
I honestly think that you can't go wrong with the Gilded. :)

souljourney	10 Feb 2005
And don't worry about if you feel like you know enough yet. Getting the deck, going through it, looking at it, and using it help you learn. That's the best way to learn. You can of course read the book that comes with it to get an overview, and visit here lots. It's more fun to learn with a deck. Go for it.

huredriel	10 Feb 2005
Well although its not the deck I'm using, it is on my wishlist - I'd recommend the Gilded. Have heard nothing but praise for it!!!

Athara	10 Feb 2005
huredriel wrote: Well although its not the deck I'm using, it is on my wishlist - I'd recommend the Gilded. Have heard nothing but praise for it!!! Yup, I'll second that. In fact, I heard so much praise I couldn't help but buy it myself. Songdeva~I loved the way you described the Fey. So true (although I loved them rightaway, didn't think them too cutesy). It's a must-have, but it's intuitive. And definately NOT sci-fi... :D

graylensman	10 Feb 2005
Well, I found an on-line resource that posted fairly large jpegs of Rider-Waite in outline form. So I broke out the colored pencils, and am coloring away... at this point, I think it'll help learn the cards, as I can reflect on meanings and symbols as I draw; and starting to journal my thoughts.

Athara	10 Feb 2005
Colouring them in yourself is also a great way of connecting with the cards. Great idea, keep us posted on your progress!

SteveGlick	11 Feb 2005
I consider myself fairly lucky and I found a deck that I really connected with on a deep level. Honestly tho, it wasnt love at first sight. I really needed to spend a little time with it (few days) before I really felt that connection... The deck definetly isnt for everyone, its the Phantasmoric Theater Tarot (spelling?) Regardless of all that though, good luck, and if I happen upon something like this, ill be sure to mension it

smokey	11 Feb 2005
...hmm...I went through all this, and got Soo frustrated I finally let the deck pick me, LOL! (I can only add you know this when it happens!) Best of luck!

Kissa	11 Feb 2005
Stregaverde wrote: I honestly think that you can't go wrong with the Gilded. :) Well I have to disagree with that. I am one of the few here who don't connect at all with the Gilded and had serious issues about its popularity, yet my collection carries many different styles from many different periods: from classical reproductions to delirious modern. From fanstastic artwork with poor symbolism to amazing simplicity with unexpected depth. Kissa

graylensman	11 Feb 2005
Kissa, can you recommend decks with amazing simplicity and unexpected depth?

SongDeva	11 Feb 2005
Athara wrote: Songdeva~I loved the way you described the Fey. So true (although I loved them rightaway, didn't think them too cutesy). It's a must-have, but it's intuitive. And definately NOT sci-fi... :D I think there's an extraordinary amount of sci-fi ness in the Fey. Just goes to show you...we all have our own sets of eyes for a reason, I spose.

tmgrl2	11 Feb 2005
Some days I sit at my computer and browse here from A to Z... http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/list.shtml Then I check out the new decks (like DruidCraft)... Sometimes when I order a deck online and receive it, something about it disappoints me....doesn't look like the online scans...or doesn't shuffle well for me (LOL...yes, this is important to me).... Sometimes, the deck is more than I expected...like the International Icon Tarot...awesome to read with. Also, just got Place's Alchemical Tarot and love it! Like my Hadar to read with and also Morgan Greer. You will find one, but I do agree, it helps to familiarize yourself with a deck and a tradition and branch out from there. Welcome to AT! terri

Kissa	11 Feb 2005
graylensman wrote: Kissa, can you recommend decks with amazing simplicity and unexpected depth? Be my guest, grayleensman! If you are into RWS tradition: undoubtly the International Icon by Robin Ator is the best "amazing simplicity + unexpected depth" that comes to my mind. After that, I'd say the hard to find "Simple Tarot" by Willie Hewes, self published on standard printer paper. Both ca be viewed here, on AT: International Icon: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/international-icon/ Simple Tarot: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/simple/ International Icon Tarot (IIT) is sold out (re-order pending at Tarot Garden) and the Simple Tarot, well, you will have to contact the extremely friendly Willie to ask if the deck is still available. I used the term "unexpected depth" because I always thought of myself as an art lover who needs some detailed pictures to be inspired... THEN I gave the IIT a try and was amazed, like lots of others, I guess. It REALLY works!!! Same with the Simple Tarot. The black backgrounds used by Willie Hewes helped me concentrate very quickly. If you want to try something new, of course, the deepest, simplest, most honest and humble decks of all are the Marseilles decks. Lots of them on the market! My personal favourite are the Sanchez-Rodes Tarot de Marsella, Hadar's Véritable Tarot de Marseille and the Jodorowsky-Camoin Restauration. Don't be frighten, lots of english speakers who don't speak a word (at first...) of french study and enjoy this tradition. I can also recommend the Sakki-Sakki deck. It is so brilliant. A RWS with a brand new touch on many cards. Monicka Sakki managed to render the traditional RWS atmosphere even after "cutting" the main character's head on many cards. Can you imagine that? You still get the feeling you are used to, I even got "brighter" intuitions despite there were no faces, no human expressions, no stares to inspire/lead me... I love this deck. Last but not least, I have heard the WorldTree Tarot is a very good deck. You can check it out: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/worldtree/ And this one just came to my mind for its simplicity (it's a black and white deck, very good reviews, from the late Brian Williams): The Light and Shadow Tarot: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/light-and-shadow/ Some cards look very busy though.. And because I found it on the same page as the Light and Shadow while sorting the decks alphabetically, a fellow nordic nieghbour's deck: the Lars Holmsen deck http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/lars-holmsen/ I have absolutely no experience with this one, it looks interesting though, naive and colourful. Oh well, you have your hands full now! Well, you asked for it, right?! ;) One last thing I wanted to tell you, I have found myslef in your situations many times: trying to find and just getting bored, disappointed, frustrated. The best decks I have, the ones that real helped me progress on my path and in my Tarot studies (though I might not use them anymore) are the ones I swore I would never buy and hated for some reason. Of course, there are some decks I hated, bought and didn't connect with... So really, be brave, do as you feel, your tastes might surprise others but your tastes might also surprise yourself at the end!! Good luck! Keep us posted about "your quest" ;) Warm blessings, Kissa

Little Baron	11 Feb 2005
Kissa wrote: I am one of the few here who don't connect at all with the Gilded and had serious issues about its popularity Me also. As much as I appreciate the talent of the artist, I didn't connect with this deck either. We are all different, i suppose, LB

The trouble finding/connecting with a deck thread was originally posted on 09 Feb 2005 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.