Your most UNREADABLE deck

[Michellehihi]

Thoth and I don't get along at all, and the Chrysalis, although I love the imagery and could maybe get more from it if I got off of my bum and read up on who all of the very wise dudes depicted on there are.

I get really cross when the artists tell me how to read 'their' deck. When it comes to me, and I've spent time with it, it's what comes out of it for me and the querent that counts

Very interesting commentary. I decided not to buy the Chrysalis when I read somewhere that they had come up with statistic about the percentage of people who really understand life, or something like that.

 

[MaeWasteland]

Very interesting commentary. I decided not to buy the Chrysalis when I read somewhere that they had come up with statistic about the percentage of people who really understand life, or something like that.

Yeah, I really like the pictures, but reading the blog gave me the impression that maybe they're into a particular type of woo/self help type stuff which really is Not For Me... Can't quite put my finger on a good explanation of it, but they remind me of people like my ex's mother, which tends to be an automatic 'nope, getting out of here' for me. Perhaps a little unfairly, IDK, I didn't read a whole bunch of the posts, but... Yeah.

I don't think I know enough yet to have a good handle on readable vs unreadable decks, but my first tarot deck, the Fey Tarot, I love the art style and most of the individual cards (specifically I like that they aren't pretty, dainty, Victoriana type fairies, they kinda remind me of the various races of Elf in the Elder Scrolls universe), but I can't really see much in them beyond, like, 'oh, there's a purple fairy with some stuff'. I'm hoping once I've got a better grounding in the tarot (currently working with a couple of books and a PCS in a tin) I'll be able to come back to the Fey deck and get more out of it, but right now it's pretty much keeping its mouth tightly shut!

 

[ldiddy]

Most unreadable for me is Ian Daniels' Tarot of the Vampires. It's a bit ironic because I love his book more than any other deck accompanying tome. When I attempt a reading I look at all the hypersexualized/dramatized vampires and have a hard time getting much meaning. If I consult the book, it certainly helps to make the connections, but I've reached the point where I don't feel like I should need to get the book out for every reading...

 

[Farzon]

Still the Tarot of the Silicon Dawn. The change of Pentacles to fire and the proper meanings and Wands to earth etc. still gets me out of my "zone" every time.

The Margarete Peterson Tarot is readable in a strange way, but the eradication of nearly every male archetype irritates me still.

 

[Michellehihi]

Yeah, I really like the pictures, but reading the blog gave me the impression that maybe they're into a particular type of woo/self help type stuff which really is Not For Me... Can't quite put my finger on a good explanation of it, but they remind me of people like my ex's mother, which tends to be an automatic 'nope, getting out of here' for me. Perhaps a little unfairly, IDK, I didn't read a whole bunch of the posts, but... Yeah.

Oh yes I remember now, it is in their blog I saw this statistic!

 

[cosmicon]

thoth, unfortunately. i was really excited to read with it because it contains astrological associations, and i love how heavy the four elements play into this deck, but the kabbalah and alchemy and other stuff is just too much for me to digest. real shame because the tree of life stuff sounds interesting but it's like, i'm not familiar with it subconsciously so i can only partially read thoth intuitively. the art doesn't help either. it's nice but doesn't really speak to me.

celestial tarot is more readable than it is not. the card associations are perfect, exactly what i'm looking for, but i don't like the wispy, faded art style. they require a lot of focus, but celestial tarot likes to talk a lot.

 

[Viridian]

The Cosmic Tarot is one where, for the Minors anyway, it really helps to understand the Thith Tarot. Many of the figurative images in the minors are posed to make the same shapes as the more abstract images in the Thoth.. There is quite a bit of hidden astrological symbolism. The Six of Swords, Four of Wands especially, it will be hard to see what is meant by the image on the Cosmic without being familiar with the Thith system. Plenty of other reasons why the deck might not work for you but if you love the deck it might be worth looking at the Thoth for background.

Which cards reminded you of Buffy?

Thank you so much for that hint! I really love the Thoth deck and I can't believe I never noticed that. I will be pulling both out for a comparison asap!

There was a scene in Buffy The Vampire Slayer when Willow was trying to give up doing magic for a while because she was addicted to it. They are throwing out all her witchy things and there is a Cosmic Tarot deck in the box of stuff. You can tell from the beautiful card backs =D

 

[Nemia]

thoth, unfortunately. i was really excited to read with it because it contains astrological associations, and i love how heavy the four elements play into this deck, but the kabbalah and alchemy and other stuff is just too much for me to digest. real shame because the tree of life stuff sounds interesting but it's like, i'm not familiar with it subconsciously so i can only partially read thoth intuitively. the art doesn't help either. it's nice but doesn't really speak to me.

celestial tarot is more readable than it is not. the card associations are perfect, exactly what i'm looking for, but i don't like the wispy, faded art style. they require a lot of focus, but celestial tarot likes to talk a lot.

Cosmicon, don't worry!!! Give it a second chance, if you wish to, that's what I'd like to tell those who feel the Thoth is unreadable. It's perfectly possible to read the Thoth relying on what you already know plus shapes, colours, symbols, patterns etc. I read the Thoth for many years, and over time, kabbalah crept in and actually the deck taught me a bit over time (by no means a specialist here...).

In my case, curiosity about the Tree of Life and the whole concept of creation and our place in it etc came much much later than my fascination with the Thoth.

I had good readings before I knew my Hod from my Malkuth. The Thoth is much more generous than we tend to think.

Of course, it's a very personal matter. And it's so interesting to see how different we all are. Just had to add that little encouragement ;-)

 

[JadePixie]

Most unreadable for me is Ian Daniels' Tarot of the Vampires. It's a bit ironic because I love his book more than any other deck accompanying tome. When I attempt a reading I look at all the hypersexualized/dramatized vampires and have a hard time getting much meaning. If I consult the book, it certainly helps to make the connections, but I've reached the point where I don't feel like I should need to get the book out for every reading...

I feel the same, I LOVE the art and the book but the cards don't talk to me. I thought it was because I'm a newbie but I don't have this issue with other non traditional decks (Sidhe and Hidden Realms). I'll keep it because it's gorgeous and work with it over the next few months to see if anything clicks.

 

[Myrrha]

Thank you so much for that hint! I really love the Thoth deck and I can't believe I never noticed that. I will be pulling both out for a comparison asap!

There was a scene in Buffy The Vampire Slayer when Willow was trying to give up doing magic for a while because she was addicted to it. They are throwing out all her witchy things and there is a Cosmic Tarot deck in the box of stuff. You can tell from the beautiful card backs =D

I'm glad to know it was in Buffy! It really is a mysterious looking deck with an intensity to it as well as being charming. I posted some thoughts about the way it incorporates the Thoth minors and astrology symbolism in the study group if you want to look at it after you do your comparison.