Decks you probably *should* hate, but don't

[Sword King]

I just received the Hallmark Tarot today, and I should hate it. It's brightly colored and cheerful to the point of being way past fluffy - it's like the Nick Jr. brain trust got together and tried to figure out what Dora and Diego would divine with if The Map just wasn't giving them a good read on things (first you go AROUND the Wheel of Fortune, pass the SCARY Devil, then through the CRUMBLING Tower!). But I don't hate it at all. Something about its ruthless optimism must resonate with my Ascendant Sagittarius or something.

So I ask you, forum folk - most of whom have way more decks and experiences in opening new ones than I - what deck(s) should you hate (or dislike), but don't? And why do you think that is?

 

[Alta]

Apparently I am supposed to dislike the Robin Wood. I don't.

 

[poopsie]

For me, it's the Dion Fortune tarot deck. I bought it because the card featured on its box looked attractive. But when I opened the entire thing, I have to admit I wasn't too partial about the artwork in some of the cards. I got a little disappointed -- just a little.

But I don't hate it or dislike it... in fact, as the days get longer, I'm starting to get curious about it.

 

[Rasa]

I do not like decks with disparate art styles mixed together. I do not like anything too cutesy. I don't like really 'non-traditional' imagery on my minors, if they're illustrated. I don't like fairies..

any yet, I somehow enjoy the Fairy Tarot from LoS!
It's a baffling anomaly of a deck for me...

 

[jackdaw*]

Apparently I am supposed to dislike the Robin Wood. I don't.

What she said. We're a dying breed, Alta. Or maybe just the brave vocal minority ... despite the blonde-ness, the pagan-lite vibe, the cheesy Wheel of Fortune and the atrocious Hierophant, you can't beat those court cards, or those fabulous sevens (or the hot Magician!). I love that deck, for all that it's not cool to love it.

 

[Sword King]

I have to add the Connolly in here, too. So much to loathe: The Fred Flintstone outfit of the dude (I think it's a dude) in the Star; the toothless Materialism and Transition; garb that's alternately Ren Faire then Sunday School biblical; the wtf pips; the cherubs - my god, the cherubs. Yet it reads well for me and I really like the use of colors. I should hate it, but I can't.

 

[Le Fanu]

Oh the Connolly I'm quite happy to dislike (not hate) but the Robin Wood I loathe to the pit of my stomach...

However, I really should hate the Paulina - everyone lists it as a "girly" deck - and finds it too finicky in the detail, too fussy, too muddy, too brown. Yet I love it. I love the florid scrawliness, the excess of "fuss", long attenuated figures rearing out of the brambles. I have always liked anything decorative and the Paulina is so very decorative but at the same time readable for me. I'm slightly ashamed to like it so much. Or rather, I was, but that has long since passed. Yet it's so odd that it snuggles up next to the Thoth in my favourites box. They must have something in common...

 

[sapienza]

The Robin Wood is an interesting one. I want to hate this deck, in fact I'm working hard on hating it. I used to love it even though from an intellectual point of view I didn't like a thing it. Over time, the annoyances have taken over and while I wouldn't say I 'hate' it, I can now say I have a strong dislike for it. Of course now and then I get it out and look through and feel a bit of sentimental affection, but it doesn't last.

I thought I'd hate the Druidcraft because I really don't like decks where the minors are just copies of the RWS imagery, but over time this deck has become one of my favourites. It doesn't really fit with a lot of my other favourites, but I've come to accept that I may actually love it after all.

 

[Queen of Disks]

I have to add the Connolly in here, too. So much to loathe: The Fred Flintstone outfit of the dude (I think it's a dude) in the Star; the toothless Materialism and Transition; garb that's alternately Ren Faire then Sunday School biblical; the wtf pips; the cherubs - my god, the cherubs. Yet it reads well for me and I really like the use of colors. I should hate it, but I can't.

Same here, I am using it right now! Quite cheesetastic. But it's got lots of mystic occultish Christian symbolism which I love, and somehow I understand it. It's good when I am anxious and can't handle scary cards. Love it very much.

 

[Onyx]

I like my Heart Tarot.

I know that it is not standard shaped. I know that it is really a theme deck with big borders and sometimes can seem a bit cheesy, but I love the deck.

I use it for romance readings and I get good results. I have learned to riffle shuffle it and I so it works well with me.

I keep thinking I am going to pack it away in storage with a majority of my deck but I simply can't quite do it. I have to keep it close.

Onyx.