What would everyone think of a sweet but symbolic fairy tarot?

[Alamaris]

My mother and I were looking at decks online, and we realized that although there were some nice decks that included or exclusively portrayed fairies, the fairies were sometimes somewhat non-traditional or overly modern, sometimes distractingly alien, sometimes joined by other fae-land denizens, or that the decks were totally devoid of appropriate symbolism. (Spirit of Flowers Tarot, I'm talking to you.) As an artist, the beautiful artwork calls out to me, but I'm sorely disappointed with how hollow the meaning becomes when the system of Tarot is simply used as a medium to display the artwork.

Suddenly, my mom said, "You know, I wish there was a pretty deck with traditional, delicate, Tinkerbell-like fairies."

I said, "There is a couple that have that sort of theme...*points at Mermaid Tarot*...and they're gorgeous, but most of them either have odd symbolism or none at all."

"Yeah..." she replied wistfully. We browsed in silence for another few moments.

"You know," I said with a laugh, joking with her, "I bet I could make a decent fairy deck, just like we want to see."

A pause. We look at each other. Start laughing.

"You could!" she said, and I overlapped her with, "Oh my God, I could!"

So, how about it? Are there too many fairy decks already, or could the deck world stand a good fairy Tarot with pretty pictures that actually included relevant and intuitive symbolism? I don't know a heck of a lot about Tarot yet, but I'm learning fast. I've been casting around for a deck theme (to make my own; a long-time dream) that hasn't been beaten like a dead horse, and while I was going for "totally original fantasy world", fairies are still wonderful. Judging on how quickly Doreen Virtue's overly happy/positive fairy-themed decks sell out at the metaphysical store where I work, fairies are "in", and I think they'd fit well into the Tarot niche.

What say you?

[Sidhe-Ra]

Have you seen the Mystic Faerie tarot?

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/mystic-faerie/


Right up your alley, that one. Those who like that sort of portrayal of faeries seem to rate it very highly as a reading deck. (Personally I'll scream if i see another overly twee Faery deck, but each to their own).

But if you feel the need to create a deck, it's quite a journey- good luck! It's certainly a wonderful way to get to know tarot inside out, and if nothing else you will have it for your own use. If you can find decent cardstock. Grumble.

Blessings,

Em x

P.S. How exactly is Tinkerbell a traditional Faerie? Look a bit further back...in fact look at the living world of Faerie that is NOW. Just a thought.

[Sidhe-Ra]

Sorry, did that get a bit ranty? At least I didn't start on Doreen friggin' Virtue...

Time of the month. Good luck with your project!

xx

[Alamaris]

Originally Posted by Sidhe-Ra

Have you seen the Mystic Faerie tarot?

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/mystic-faerie/


Right up your alley, that one. Those who like that sort of portrayal of faeries seem to rate it very highly as a reading deck. (Personally I'll scream if i see another overly twee Faery deck, but each to their own).

I had seen that one, but it wasn't...quite what I had envisioned, but for the life of me I can't pick out exactly why. *laughs* And I'd gave to agree with you on the gang-inducingly cute decks out there...way too many! I may still go ahead and explore ideas, but I hope to avoid "super-cute" at all costs! My mum may not be impressed, but hey, its my deck.

But if you feel the need to create a deck, it's quite a journey- good luck! It's certainly a wonderful way to get to know tarot inside out, and if nothing else you will have it for your own use. If you can find decent cardstock. Grumble.

I'm looking forward to the journey! I tried making a deck in the past but I realized I was just creating my pet peeve...pretty images thrown onto the jelly-mould of "Tarot". Its a perfect way to get to know and personalize tarot for oneself, if one knows what one is doing.

P.S. How exactly is Tinkerbell a traditional Faerie? Look a bit further back...

[chuckles] I'm just quoting her. I'm get the impression her idea of tarot is a Disney deck with no colours darker than maroon and no themes darker than a stubbed toe. I think what she meant by "traditional" was "cliche traditional" or something like that. Maybe I should have written the original post more clearly...oops!

[Alamaris]

Originally Posted by Sidhe-Ra

Sorry, did that get a bit ranty? At least I didn't start on Doreen friggin' Virtue...

Time of the month. Good luck with your project!

xx

Don't worry about it! As a recovering Doreen Virtue fangirl, I'd be the first poster on a rant thread about her, and every other overly sappy, seemingly pointless deck out there. Thank goodness someone else agrees!

Thank you!

[Sidhe-Ra]

Oh, good! I am so glad I didn't offend you!

I hope you will have something to share with us soon, whichever theme you choose.

Blessings,

Em xxx

[6 Haunted Days]

Originally Posted by Sidhe-Ra

Have you seen the Mystic Faerie tarot?

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/mystic-faerie/


Right up your alley, that one. Those who like that sort of portrayal of faeries seem to rate it very highly as a reading deck. (Personally I'll scream if i see another overly twee Faery deck, but each to their own).

But if you feel the need to create a deck, it's quite a journey- good luck! It's certainly a wonderful way to get to know tarot inside out, and if nothing else you will have it for your own use. If you can find decent cardstock. Grumble.

Blessings,

Em x

P.S. How exactly is Tinkerbell a traditional Faerie? Look a bit further back...in fact look at the living world of Faerie that is NOW. Just a thought.

Yes agreed Em. Don't we have enough tinkerbellish delicate fairy oracles/tarots? It's the other more in-depth, traditional historical kind I would love to see (exactly like your deck Em!). The delicate, dimunitive pretty flower fairies are not traditional and are more a Victorian invention, which has unfortunately carried over into today in the majority of the publics idea when they think "fairies".

I just say this as I am sure you're very talented, but creating 78 cards is a huge huge undertaking as well time consuming and as the market is fairly glutted on these kind of cards it would be hard to find a publisher. But perhaps as this is the kind of fairies the general masses want, you might have luck. I know Sidhe-Ra's faery tarot has had an uphill battle for publishing, but that one is an intensely spiritual/Otherworld tarot.

Good luck either way!

[HearthCricket]

I love fairies, but I have to admit, I prefer the darker fairy decks, like Fairy Ring Oracle and Froud's Faeries. Froud's is amazing. Now if someone could put that into tarot with traditional RW symbolism, I would be first in line. I love Victorian things, but overly sweet just doesn't quite work. And there is already the Mystic Faerie. When I think of traditional faeries, I think of the kind depicted in the Fairy Ring Oracle...full of mischief, history and legends from various countries, and so forth. A card with someone surrounded by tinkerbell fey would be nice as a positive card in a deck..cups or pentacles. But beyond that....I dunno.....

[Alamaris]

Originally Posted by 6 Haunted Days

Yes agreed Em. Don't we have enough tinkerbellish delicate fairy oracles/tarots? It's the other more in-depth, traditional historical kind I would love to see (exactly like your deck Em!). The delicate, dimunitive pretty flower fairies are not traditional and are more a Victorian invention, which has unfortunately carried over into today in the majority of the publics idea when they think "fairies".

Yes, I should have explained that when I made the first post. [laughs] I tend to think of "traditional" fairies as the creatures in Froud's oracle, more like neutral imps.

I just say this as I am sure you're very talented, but creating 78 cards is a huge huge undertaking as well time consuming and as the market is fairly glutted on these kind of cards it would be hard to find a publisher. But perhaps as this is the kind of fairies the general masses want, you might have luck. I know Sidhe-Ra's faery tarot has had an uphill battle for publishing, but that one is an intensely spiritual/Otherworld tarot.

Good luck either way!

Oh don't worry, I'm well aware of how huge an undertaking it is...after trying to design my own tarot deck once and barely waging success with an oracle deck (still in the making). I admire the sheer volume of work that goes into creating decks of any sort.

I'd be inclined to agree that these are the type of fairies the general public is ga-ga for at the moment, but when I asked the original question that's what I hoped to clear up...and I've discovered, on thinking it over overnight and reading these comments, that there's far too many sweet AND symbolic "Disney fairy" decks out there already. I may end up doing that reserve idea anyways.

Thanks!

[Alamaris]

Originally Posted by HearthCricket

I love fairies, but I have to admit, I prefer the darker fairy decks, like Fairy Ring Oracle and Froud's Faeries. Froud's is amazing. Now if someone could put that into tarot with traditional RW symbolism, I would be first in line. I love Victorian things, but overly sweet just doesn't quite work. And there is already the Mystic Faerie. When I think of traditional faeries, I think of the kind depicted in the Fairy Ring Oracle...full of mischief, history and legends from various countries, and so forth. A card with someone surrounded by tinkerbell fey would be nice as a positive card in a deck..cups or pentacles. But beyond that....I dunno.....

"I love Victorian things, but overly sweet just doesn't quite work"...agreed wholeheartedly! The lighter fairy decks don't seem to jive with the idea of tarot as a balanced light-and-dark system, which I wish more people understood. I'd like to see more "darker" flavored decks myself.

On the traditional point, that's what I think of as "real" fairies too (like I said above, I think my mum's idea of traditional is a far cry from this); mischief, pranks, impishness...certainly not the nubile nymphs portrayed in most generic fairy art these days.

Thanks for your input.