DeToX
Hi there. I am interested in hearing people's viewpoints about how best to view and read with a TdM or TdM-like deck. I am slowly learning the TdM so am very much a novice. Are TdmI and II decks more simple in their rendition of facial expression and emotion? A casual glance would perhaps suggest so in many cases (but not all clearly) - but is this a bit like expecting a subtle wine to taste like Whiskey?
There are a few Italian decks full of expression and emotion - but is it really in keeping with the intended hermetic and divinatory meanings of the cards? For example, Der Lombardische Tarot has nearly every character in every card smiling or looking happy. The CBD is a little like this although not so extreme. Does such a rendering of across the board emotion mean that a deck is more limited in its application - i.e. for only certain moods or questions? I'm guessing it depends on one's personality type - I personally like things to be a bit gritty - but balanced - a wide range of emotion. I guess some of it comes down to the skill of the artist and the difficulty involved in the small medium - we all have our own way of drawing faces and this seems to be reflected in many decks.
A deck like the Soprafino is from what I can gather probably one of the emotionally rich TdM-like decks. However, many of the expressions on the cards differ from the 'standard' TdM meanings (from what I can see) so I am wondering whether this can simply be ignored or worked with in a more creative manner? I would assume the earlier decks were created with card games in mind, although following a tradition of hermetic imagery, perhaps explaining the individual choices of the deck creators.
In terms of readability, do you think it's better to have a deck that follows the mood of the card in terms of facial expressions on the characters, or do you think a more neutral deck is better as you can imagine the emotions of the character yourself?
I think it's all about perception and expectation. I am probably expecting far too much from a deck and possibly missing the point and not focussing so much on many of the other details.
There are a few Italian decks full of expression and emotion - but is it really in keeping with the intended hermetic and divinatory meanings of the cards? For example, Der Lombardische Tarot has nearly every character in every card smiling or looking happy. The CBD is a little like this although not so extreme. Does such a rendering of across the board emotion mean that a deck is more limited in its application - i.e. for only certain moods or questions? I'm guessing it depends on one's personality type - I personally like things to be a bit gritty - but balanced - a wide range of emotion. I guess some of it comes down to the skill of the artist and the difficulty involved in the small medium - we all have our own way of drawing faces and this seems to be reflected in many decks.
A deck like the Soprafino is from what I can gather probably one of the emotionally rich TdM-like decks. However, many of the expressions on the cards differ from the 'standard' TdM meanings (from what I can see) so I am wondering whether this can simply be ignored or worked with in a more creative manner? I would assume the earlier decks were created with card games in mind, although following a tradition of hermetic imagery, perhaps explaining the individual choices of the deck creators.
In terms of readability, do you think it's better to have a deck that follows the mood of the card in terms of facial expressions on the characters, or do you think a more neutral deck is better as you can imagine the emotions of the character yourself?
I think it's all about perception and expectation. I am probably expecting far too much from a deck and possibly missing the point and not focussing so much on many of the other details.
