I've been thinking for a few months about formally retiring my One Deck Wonder. It is not because I have been tempted by other decks. To the contrary, it's because my continued formal comittment to the Arthurian/Hallowquest, (a deck I respect greatly and which demands its due as a one-and-only, a betrothed, a full partner) has stunted my interest in and attention to the world of decks in my life.
Even though the most I managed with the Arthurian in the summer was a few interactions a month, I could have been far more immersed in tarot if only I could mentally relinquish my vow to finish my ODW only after I had learned the stories behind each of the 78 cards in this deck. I could have used, for instance, my other go-to summer deck, the Buckland Romani, or m designated birthday reading deck, the nostalgically-inflected Robin Wood, or my major acquisition for the year, the superbly painted Journey into Egypt Tarot.
But, because I cannot leave behind the unfinished piece of pie on the plate, I did not use any of these. Nor did I progress subtantially in the study of the Arthurian, which I began in January of this year. The latter is the true pity.
Knowing myself as I do, I am aware that only in formally renouncing my ODW will I, paradoxically, progress in my study of the Arthurian. I must free myself to do as I choose, not as I feel as I must. I am a peculiar creature, unable to take pleasure in things unless I feel I am getting away with something, playing hooky from the agenda of the day. Once it becomes part of the agenda, the pleasure is zapped.
Thus, I formally renounce my One Deck Wonder, with the understanding that I will continue in my intensive study of the endlessly appealing Arthurian Tarot.
Cheers to all.