Decks You Have to Have

[feranaja]

Most of the people I know who study Tarot eventually get into collecting. For some that means having a few cherished decks, while for others it's a sort of obsession and they need to build a new room on the house to hold them all (I fall somewhere in the middle, it's a big collection by beginner standards but minor league compared to some I've seen.)

With Yule fast approaching I started thinking about this again; is there anything right this minute you have to have? Or if nothing so urgent, what about, say, ten decks youd love to add in 2007?

For inspiration I recommend www.tarotpassages.com (http://www.tarotpassages.com) - I can wade through that site for hours...my onw list would have to include:

The FairyTale Tarot
http://www.tarotpassages.com/Pages2/fairytale.htm

- my collection has three distinct categories, one of which is the whimsical, such as the Alice in Wonderland deck, the rare Pinocchio deck, and so on..I also like art decks such as the William Blake, and weird things, like the Terrestial deck which is downright creepy


The Physical Egg Tarot - it's not just weird, it's incredibly weird, and its also a good collection buy
http://www.tarotpassages.com/physicalegg.htm

The Abyssal - I just love the imagery
http://www.tarotpassages.com/Pages2/abyssal.htm


The Homage to Erte deck - gorgeous!
http://www.spiritone.com/~filipas/Masquerade/Reviews/erte.html

The Fractal Firebird deck - falls into the "weird" category:
http://www.tarotpassages.com/fractal.htm


Just a few I'm lusting after at the moment - what about you?
feranaja

[YsetEternal]

The Abyssal - I just love the imagery
http://www.tarotpassages.com/Pages2/abyssal.htm


Im with you on that one :D Very striking imagery.

Ill have to get back to you further on this when I have more time...

[feranaja]

It is beautiful isn't it...that site is bad for me, lol... if I had more time/money I'd be a serious collector, but as it is, we can still go look. and the odd deck, well - one just has to have it.

A lot of my own collection comes from working at the Occult Shop, I had a good discount and as soon as the stuff came in I had first dibs. So I was basically working for stock - as soon as my cheque arrived, I owed most of it back to the Store. Fun times, if a bit extravagant.
fera

[MythMath]

What a multitude of fluid variety among
the numerous designs of Tarot decks...!

I would love to see an art exhibit of modern,
historical and individually-designed decks...

They could be displayed in different spreads
and those could be 're-cast' daily, etc...

I suppose something like this exists online, already...
________________________________

For fera, or anyone that's produced their own deck,
may I ask for any tips on the general way you
approached custom printing/cutting issues...?

I began by trying to go DIY-style,
but printing onto card stock from my PC
produces nothing better than prototypes...

The 'cards' don't hold up very well to even the
most basic and gentle shuffling and handling...

MM
_______________


edit: I found this...

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/books/plaincards/

[feranaja]

Oh yes, MM, that's another great site for Tarot..looks like we could use a Sticky, links books and general resources?

fera

[Sibylle]

It has been a long time since I've added to my collection, but today I ordered Lon Milo Duquette's Tarot of Ceremonial Magick and the book to accompany it, and Godfrey Dawson's Hermetic Tarot. It seems that the decks reach out and grab me at just the right time for them to be especially worthwhile to me.

[Oblio]

I like the oddity category myself.. that fractal deck is hypnotic!!

The Alice deck is on my list for sure! :D


The last deck I got was the Da Vinci enigma tarot - I was a bit sceptical because of the whole DaVinci code madness that was around, it's actually quite nicely done.

And I'm a bit attached to my Bosch deck.. carried it around constantly for a few months after getting it (it's a bit tattered now though :/)

[Sibylle]

Both the decks and book I ordered have been slow in coming, but I got the latest edition of the Hermetic Tarot today. Here are some image attachments from the deck. I like the black & white to an extent, but it isn't what I'm accustomed to. The symbolism is excellent. I did a minor reading, more to explore the cards than anything else, but am going to do some deeper work tonight and tomorrow.

The "covercard" is the design on the back of each card. Each card has a title, but for some reason the titles didn't scan.

[Radiant Star]

I have Lon Milo's deck and book Sybille - I rarely use them but if something serious is going on and I want some hard answers, then I get that box out.

Talking of Lon Milo Duquette, he gave me a Tarot reading a few weeks back, it was quite good too and seemed to catch the essence of who I am very well indeed. He of course, used his deck ; )

[feranaja]

Sibylle, I'll be interested to see how your relationship with this deck develops. NuHad gave me one a few years ago and I admit, find it a bit overwhelming. But then it can be good to tackle a deck that you see as a challenge, right? It really is quite beuatiful in its won way, although I miss the colour, I dont like decks that are overly bright, either.

And Ricci -you know LMD personally? That's very interesting, will he do a reading for me too? I'm facing a lot of changes, I could use an outside opinion and I've bugged you to read for me far too often.

fera

[Radiant Star]

And Ricci -you know LMD personally? That's very interesting, will he do a reading for me too? I'm facing a lot of changes, I could use an outside opinion and I've bugged you to read for me far too often.
I wouldn't describe it as knowing him personally as you would a friend but I have certainly met him, been to a couple of workshops and even exchanged a few very brief 'howdy' emails some time ago, but we aren't on each others 'A Lists or anything.

Come to think of it, the Tarot readings were offered as part of being on a list, maybe an OTO list or something or as someone who he had met personally at a workshop or some other connection like that.

[Sibylle]

Ricci, I'm wondering why you don't use the deck more often. Do you think it's more suited to special than routine use?

fera, I love the content and symbolism of the cards, but I really do miss the color too. I find them a bit harsh on the eyes for this reason, but maybe I'll get used to it over time.

There's just one more deck I want ;) ... the Masonic Tarot. I read about it in some of the reviews at Amazon, and it looks gorgeous and rich with symbolism. Can't justify the expense for awhile, however. But here's the Wheel of Fortune from it...

[Radiant Star]

Ricci, I'm wondering why you don't use the deck more often. Do you think it's more suited to special than routine use?
I tend to use a day to day Rider Waite or Robin Wood deck and keep them beside me, especially as I have been doing a reading for someone I care about and am a little concerned about every morning.

The other decks I have are only brought out for special reasons, one of them being the Duquette deck which I have less experience with and I need time to read it well - definitely not a day to day quick check kind of deck, well not yet anyway. It is also a deck I would use if I wanted to do a magick working and felt it was serious enough to warrant a good checking over prior to the ritual.

From what Lon said to me, he is planning to do a Tarot workshop this year in Europe and I have expressed an interest in attending because he seems to lay out and read in a different way to me and I would be keen to learn his techniques with his cards.

[Nalyd Khezr Bey]

I would love to get my hands on a Soprafino (http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/soprafino/) deck. This is the only deck besides the Thoth that makes me feel a bit orgasmic. It's almost the opposite of the Thoth in it's fairytale-like quality.

[Copuldaemon]

Yeah, I think I've seen some of those cards (Soprafino) used in the opening credits to "Carnivale" but for me and not to sound cheesy here, but I'm wondering what the Luciferian deck will be all about.

[Neshamah]

I collect Tarot decks too, though I sold 20 or so decks a couple of years back. I still have at least that amount in my office. The "best" deck I have, from a collector's point of view, is my Ansata Tarot (Majors only) by Bernd Mertz and Paul Struck. Mertz was a world class astrologer who had an interest in Tarot as well. This deck reflects his "astrological approach" to Tarot. The deck I have was printed (in English) in 1985 (and I believe it is still OOP). Anyway, I thought I'd share a couple of images from the deck. Enjoy!

Love and Light,

Neshamah

[Neshamah]

I thought I'd share one more deck with you. This one was created by two brothers from the Netherlands, Onno and Rob Docters van Leeuwen. They went back to the "drawing board" for this deck, going back to the old Tarocchi decks and the Mantegna-Tarocchi variations, and then linked the Tarot to the 24 Runes instead of the 22 Hebrew letters (the correlation to Hebrew letters wasn't done until the late 1700's by de Gebelin, and then made popular by Eliphas Levi in the early 1800's). There have been decks with as many as 50 Major Trumps, so adding two Trumps to the Major Arcana isn't a big deal, once you get past the Hebrew letter bias which has been "built in" to this generation of Tarot enthusiasts.

Anyway, from a deck with 24 Trumps corresponding with the "Futhark" Germanic Runes, here's a couple of cards from their new Deck (which in English is Tarot in the Restored Order).

Love and Light,

Neshamah

[Sibylle]

I really like those Ansata Tarot cards. Too bad the minor arcana is not included in the deck.

[Neshamah]

Oh, I just have to post one last deck (I promise this is the LAST one :yes: ). I just acquired this one called the Masonic Tarot. The artist is Jean Beauchard and it was printed in France in 1987. This is one of the most symbol-laden decks I own, each card is a rich tapestry of correpondences. One may not agree with all the correspondences, but the art is still wonderful. Enjoy!

Love and Light,

Neshamah

[Oblio]

I hope this is a promise you don't keep :D I for one love seeing these obscure decks, post away!

I just wish I could hold the cards.. I guess that would be the problem with me collecting decks, I'd most likely use them to haggardness.

Death in the above deck is incredible, btw.

[Neshamah]

Ok, Oblio, just for you . . . ;)

Here's a deck from Paul Roland and AGM Mueller / Carta Mundi (2003). They are called "Kabbalah Cards," and there are some evocative images on them. They aren't for divination as much as they are for "inner pathway" work; but they do work well. I present a few images so you can get a feel for them:

Love, Light, and Peace,

Neshamah

[fr.novumorganum]

beautiful, thanks for sharing.

[Cameron]

There are so many decks now that it could be too much for some people to investigate,too confusing, and in some cases i think that maybe some decks are just their creators jumping on the bandwagon as so to speak.



haud ullis labentia ventis

[MythMath]

It's hard to resist the opportunity to organize a personalized
set of universal archetypes into something so ergonomically
tangible that it fits in the palm of your hand...

[Anibis]

You took the words right out of my mouth...
-Anibis

[Neshamah]

Once you get the hang of reading symbols, Tarot cards aren't confusing or difficult at all. But, you have to learn the language of symbols for this to be true (just like you have to learn the language of engineering in order to make sense of an engineering textbook). The language of symbols is a topic all on its own. ;)

Love and Light, with Peace Profound,

Neshamah

[Cameron]

yes you are absolutely right about symbols:yes: ,, but i do feel that the tarot scene is being plagued by many copies of the same thing , but with different titles and slightly different flavours. :cool:

[Cameron]

did anyone see the progamme on fraudulant tarot last night.I think they should do another one to prove that it isnt necessarily fraudulant,but depends on other factors.

[Radiant Star]

No I didn't see it but could you say more about it? Sounds interesting.

[Cameron]

I keep hearing about lon millo duquette, i will have to buy a set of his deck and material.

[Neshamah]

If you are interested in his deck, I have a few pics that you might like. His deck is a combination of Tarot, Enochiana, Qabalah, Qlippoth, and Goetia. Some say he tried to do too much with his deck, but I think it works, for the most part (I do have some issues with some his images - for instance he has himself as The Emperor, The Hierophant, The Charioteer, and The Hanged Man, his wife as The Empress, and Crowley as both The Magus and The Hermit).

Here are a few pics to give you an idea of what this deck looks like. ;)

Love and Light for a Peace Profound,

Neshamah

[Naomi]

I really have an issue with the artwork too, it looks like it was drawn with magic (lol) markers. That high priestess card is pretty 1337 though, concept wise. If the anatomy didn't look like a mannequinn it would be a nice design. I wouldn't mind flipping through the concepts.

And putting your own face on four cards does make him seem a little...well....desperate for attention.

I think I might paint my likeness on the devil card....just as a easter egg though, not like a vanity thing. I kinda see myself as more of a creature from a horror film.

[Frater SI]

The Lon Deck is out of print and is fetching prices well over $100 ..Scratches head

[Naomi]

ew....and it's so ugly.

[Frater SI]

Agreed its damn fugly .. But! the enochian and goetic symbology is pretty good and the deck works well .. I still prefer my Gilded (http://taroteca.multiply.com/photos/album/112) or Ator (http://taroteca.multiply.com/photos/album/317)

[Naomi]

I can only ever afford to have one deck at a time, I really like my anime tarot deck alot - eventually it'll wear out or get destroyed, my life is so strange. I think I will probably just buy the same one. I've become really attached to the pictography.

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/manga-lin/

I really like the magician, king of pentacles and the hierophant. the magician doesn't seem like a big dweeb, the kings are all elves. Oh and on the devil card, the guy and girl are back to back as if they are a team. Then on the lovers card there's the apple tree of eden next to a burning tree and there's this funny snake in the apple tree grinning. Anyways, it seems like a very....Luciferian deck.

The book is funny, too. It makes me feel like I'm in highschool sometimes.

I like the gilded tarot, its colorful and shiny.

[Frater SI]

I have had my eye on that anime deck for awhile .. Honey hide the credit card :)

[Ci Celli Ddu]

Well, I have a rather tiny collection.

I Tarocchi Dei Visconti (http://www.houseoftarot.com/Visconti/Golden+Tarot+of+Visconti+Grand+Trumps+by+Lo+Scarab eo.html) (Lo Scarabeo)
I like my Tarot to be old style, and this one dating from 1450 can be described as such. The cards in this edition are gilded and reflect light, but I have to say this isn't my favourite pack, but it comes a close third

I Tarocchi Celtici (http://www.themysticeye.com/pics/celtici.htm) (Lo Scarabeo)

A Celtic Tarot, more precisely an Irish mythology-based Tarot. I got this out of curiosity. Some of the images are cool but not what I like when it comes to Tarot. The elemental correspondences of the minor Arcana have been switched around to suit the author's notion of Celtic dynamics. I don't use this pack.

Titania's Star Tarot (http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/titanias-star/)
Despite being modern I quite like the imagery. Unfortunately Titania has decided to impose her own system of astrological correlations on this pack which robs it of any practical value as far as I'm concerned.

Marseilles (http://www.wischik.com/lu/tarot/index.html)

Like I said, give me old style. This has to be my second favourite pack from my tiny collection.

Antichi Tarocchi Ligui-Piemontesi (http://www.p-mana.com/card_liguri.htm) (Lo Scarabeo)

My favourite, but only until i get...

Luciferian Tarot (http://www.luciferianwitchcraft.com/storebooks.htm)

It looks great, and I'm looking forward to it's impending arrival through my letterbox.

[Ci Celli Ddu]

Well, I got the Luciferian Tarot, an interesting edition to my collection, but I have to say they don't replace the Liqui Piemontesi or Marseilles decks as my current favourites.
One thing that throws me about Ford's Luciferian deck is the numbering:

0 The Fool
I The Magician
II The High Priestess
III The Empress
IV The Emperor
V Hierophant
VI The Lovers
VII Strength
VII The Chariot
IX The Hermit
IX. Hanged Man
X Wheel Of Fortune
XI Justice
XIV Temperence
XV The Devil
XVI The Tower
XVII The Star
XVIII The Moon
XIX The Sun
XX Judgement
XXI The World
XXII Death

The cards don't come with a guide, but I assume this order and numbering is explained in The First Book of Luciferian Tarot.

[Frater CaO]

Just picked up my Raider Waite today! :)
I also have Crowleys Thoth it was the first one I got but I havent started using it yet. Now that I got the Raider Waite Im going to actually begin study the Tarot a bit, it seems fairly amusing.

/HL!

[Kuroyagi]

Same here, fr.CaO. I also have only the RW and the Thoth deck. The latter is very good. Just recently I have been browsing the Book of Thoth by Crowley and must say that the author has a very precise grip on the human psyche and its states in my view- its definitely worth a read. As I have posted elsewhere- I feel very close to the Prince of Wands, but also many others like The Fool, the Hermit, especially The Chariot, the Moon, the Star etc..to be honest over the years one really does "invoke" all of the various cards and their spectrum of character and differences in some aspect...and: thats called magic! ;)

But browsing this thread I liked the one deck that Nalyd mentioned, from an aesthetic standpoint- that Soprafino-deck, but also the classcial ones that CCD posted were nicely done (the Visconti-Sforza)- thanks for the recommendations!

[Nalyd Khezr Bey]

I finally acquired that Soprafino deck this past summer and I must say... not a disappointment at all.:cool: It's rather small in size compared to the standard size of most decks. The artwork is great and very much like I thought it would be. Looks a lot like woodcut plates in an old 19th century children's book. It also has the old Justice/Strength order which I like because I'm a Thoth user.

Not too long after I got that deck I came across The Housewive's Tarot (http://www.housewivestarot.com/). You can see most of the deck on that site. I immediately ordered it just for the pure fun of it. Love it. Comes in a recipe box and I put it right in my kitchen.:laugh: However, for actual use there is one minor discrepency with this deck; they have The High Priestess as card #4. I can live with their typical Strength/Justice order because most decks subscribe to it.

But even with these little excursions at the end of the day I'm still very much a Thoth Tarot kinda guy. No other deck talks Magick to me more than the Thoth.:)

EDIT: And K, I agree about The Book of Thoth. In my opinion it's one of Crowley's best books. There have been times when people have asked what they need to get started with practicing Magick and I've just wanted to say: "Get a copy of Crowley's The Book of Thoth and it's accompanying deck and get busy. That is all you need." But I always think that will go over heads or not live up to the expectations of what most people are seeking when they come to the threshold of Magick. That's a lot like how I got started though; a little red copy of Liber AL and The Book of Thoth is where I crossed over into my beginnings into Magick. I've really never been the same since.;)

[Sibylle]

The Housewive's Tarot is amusing. I had to download The Devil card wallpaper. It just seems to fit me in every way :P

I finally ordered the Masonic Tarot from an Italian vendor, and expect I'll have that pretty soon.

[Frater CaO]

Kuroyagi,

Yes sir Crowley was indeed an insightful man, especially when it came to understanding the human psyche.
I personally believe, after my own extensive studies in the matter, that Crowley gained a great amount of his knowledge through his own experiments with drugs. They can have the tendency too give a great leap in counsciousness, not to wonder if people get crazy and psychotic all the time.

Well, Im gonna order that damn book right now, damnit!
It is in my list of books that I need for my studies, but everytime I cross one off I add 5 new so alot of gems keep getting left behind :D
Im ordering books all the time, except for now when I got a new deck instead, well I got 1 book too ;)
Anyways, gonna get the Thoth and think I might order Lon Milo's book about how too understand Thoth too. It seems like It can get in handy sometime :)
Righty-o, off to order the book now! Wish me luck ;P

/HL!

[Kuroyagi]

:laugh: Yeah I also had checked the housewives deck, already- and kinda liked it. I seem to be a bit synched up/have similar taste with Nalyd for some reason, but I can even say the reason why I liked it: twas because of its (American) 50s style, or to be precise: "J.R."Bob" Dobbs!"- nough said.

Here's another alternative Tarot, and already was mentioned by Fr. Novum and Me in another thread but that has some good implications, though I must say its not that stunningly designed, yet the explanations are real good and inspirational:
The Pythagorean Tarot (http://www.cs.utk.edu/~mclennan/BA/PT/PT.html)

Fr. CaO: if you like to browse through Crowleys Book of Thoth before buying you can also get a pdf copy online for free:

e.g. here:
http://arcaneadvisors.com/archives/Book_of_Thoth.pdf

somehow didnt find any better link but the pdf is all over the net...

[Nalyd Khezr Bey]

Yeah The Devil as devil's food cake got me too.:D All of the cards are like that. I like Death too with a jar of Mayonaise that says "salmonella". And even though The High Priestess is in the wrong place she's still very cool as Mrs. Butterworth.:rofl: It was actually that card that sold me on the deck.

[Nalyd Khezr Bey]

Yes K, very much J. R. "Bob" Dobbs. I think it is the King of Disks (I don't have the deck with me at the moment) that actually has a guy lounging on an easy chair with a pipe looking very much like out Lord and Salesman.;)

I looked at that link you supplied there K and noticed that the Pythagorean deck also has The High Priestess as card #4. Perhaps this is a traditional attribution that I missed somewhere along the way. Anyone know anything about this?

Some of the coolest decks I've seen are HERE (http://www.alchemywebsite.com/tarot/). Most, if not all, of them are just the Major Arcana and limited editions but the artwork is amazing. I particularly like the Sylph Tarot.

[Frater CaO]

I noticed that there is two or more, versions, of the Book of Thoth.
The site that I usually order from (free delivery and the lowest price of the Swedish sites), have two different versions.
It says that they are printed in 2003 and 1986. But when I look them up at Amazon through their ISBN code it says they are printed in 1999 and 2000.
Anyways, I was wondering if there is any difference between them, in information that is.
And which one of them you recomend that I buy, the price almost doesnt differ.
It seems that the cover of the book might differ also, atleast according to Amazon.

Thanks in advance :)

/HL!

[Nalyd Khezr Bey]

Yes there is a new cover on the most recently published versions of the book that I've seen but that's the only difference. I've looked through various editions over the years and have noticed no change in the text in any of them.

[Frater CaO]

Allright then!
The book is on its way together with Lon Milo's "Understanding Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot" and also Israle Regardie's - "Golden Dawn: The Original Account of the Teachings, Rites & Ceremonies of the Hermetic Order".
They should be here in a week or so, happy happy joyous evening of opiates! Mmmmmm ;)

/HL!

[Nalyd Khezr Bey]

DuQuette's book is good to have as well. I wish I had had something like it when I was first starting out. Most of what's in his book I had to decipher the hard way; by studying Crowley undiluted.:o_O:

[Frater CaO]

Yeah, the information age is kicking ass! :D
Ive thought alot of Crowleys age, how the information was alot less accessable and everything. It sure is interesting to see the progress over the years.
And still we dont know much more today then the Egyptians did :)
We just have everything more accessible today, it truly is fantastic!
Oh what a time to live in! Abrahadabra! Ra-Hoor-Khuit!

/HL!

[Nalyd Khezr Bey]

Since we are beginning to derail this thread I started a new thread about the information age HERE (http://forums.abrahadabra.com/showthread.php?t=2260). I have mixed feelings about the information age kicking ass.;)

[Frater CaO]

Allright, well its me derailing as usual. I seem to get off track everywhere I go.
I cant keep a conversation going about one thing ever I think. hmm Curious business. Must meditate on this new found part of my doings and livings! Immediately!

I really liked the Soprafino deck, the Masonic deck was also an interesting one!

/HL!

[Frater CaO]

Well, now I got the standard Raider-Waite and I also got my new books too.
Im currently reading Lon Milo's "Understanding Crowleys Thoth Tarot".
He is an interesting writer, I enjoy his style but Crowleys own "Book of Thoth" is extremely valuable for me. Amazing book! And Crowley as always devour me totally with his writings. Man I enjoy threading this path Im on, so many fascinating and inspirational people who have delved into these ancient mysteries.
And all that there is to gain from it then! Im in a real good mood now, eventhough Death is around the corner. Snatching practically little children and sweeping them away with overdoses of drugs not even Death himself can kill my current mood.. not even when he takes people away in my close surroundings can he get me off balance.
Well, sorry for my ranting. Cheers!

Btw, I truly recomend everyone that hasnt allready to check out the Thoth deck. It is absolutely fanstastic!

/HL!

[Sibylle]

I finally got the Masonic Tarot from Alida (http://www.alidastore.com/indexen.html), and it took less than 10 days to get here from Italy. I like the store and love the cards. They are larger than I am used to, but this is now my favorite deck.

[Catalytic Subterfuge]

Sibylle:

I'd be very interested in seeing a couple of those. I'll do a search online. Could you post the fool card?

[Sibylle]

Here are the Fool, Hermit and Devil cards...

Edit: Those thumbnails don't really show large enough to appreciate them, so here are the Fool (http://zetakin.org/masonic-fool.bmp), Hermit (http://zetakin.org/masonic-hermit.bmp), and Devil (http://zetakin.org/masonic-devil.bmp).

[MythMath]

Thanks, Sybille...

That does look like a great deck... :yes:

Surprisingly kid-friendly vibe...

That is to say, I think certain kids
would be intrigued by the imagery...

[Frater CaO]

Sibylle, It looks like a really sweet deck! Loved the Fool card!