posted July 31, 2007 07:34 PM         

Blue... I like the images I saw of the Gilded Tarot though I do not have that deck at present, but I must say I am very tempted to add it to my collection.

I find that I use different decks for different purposes. One might be strictly for study/meditation, where another might be better for me to use for "general or mundane" type readings and yet another for readings with a more spiritual purpose in mind.

I think you have to go with what works for you.

Personally my "go to" decks are The Morgan-Greer Tarot (which speaks to me of a certain Renaissance flavor), The Robin Wood Tarot (which has a certain Wiccan flair), and The Hanson Roberts deck, which is traditional yet whimsical. In that deck I call the Sun card, "a Cabbage Patch Kid on a My Little Pony".

I would recommend a visit to your local New Age store where you can usually see many and various sample decks to see which feels best to you. Also you may find that you are drawn to particular decks at different times, and this would be very normal and natural.

I will share one experience I had with the Crowley deck many years ago. I went to a party where suddenly I was asked to do readings.. and I had no cards with me, but someone there had the Crowley (Thoth) deck. I tried to take the images on those cards and translate them into the more familiar Morgan_Greer images, and wound up giving good readings, but getting a major headache from all the "translation" going on! Needless to say, I do not own a Thoth deck, nor do I feel moved to add one to my collection.

Best wishes on your journey, and feel free to ask any questions you maky have along the way.

Blessings in the Light...

A

posted July 31, 2007 07:48 PM         

I'm tempted by the Crowley deck due to its complexity, I always like a challenge, and if the images have more depth and meaning, I'd say I should get the deck and begin studying it sooner than later. The addition of two major arcana is a bit odd, but I am intrigued by it, as I am by his writings and studies in mysticism. I get the impression that this deck holds great power. It does, however, seem very complicated, and not that intuitive, as if it requires much study to unlock its abilities.

More generally, is there an authoritative tarot book that you refer to? I'm looking for something with depth but not too archaic or convluted.

I just saw the robin wood tarot, it does have a page flair and the art is very earth and appealing...

posted July 31, 2007 10:06 PM         

Blue...

The Crowley deck is based on his interpretations and expansions on material taught by the Order of the Golden Dawn. I find that some of his attributions are a bit... shall we say, less than helpful, or dare I say BLINDS in some instances. In other words, at the time he created the deck, the idea of keeping correct info out of the hands of the "uninitiated" masses was in vogue.

If you like that deck because it speaks to your Soul, then use it.. but be wary of using his attributions.

In general, I'd avoid decks with a "keyword" printed at the bottom of the deck, as I find that a bit limiting. Rather, I would suggest allowing your Intuition (which really means Inner Hearing) be your guide. If you find that a keyword helps as a springboard for your own spiraling.. then by all means use it. That just never really helped me much.

My go-to book on the Higher Arcana is Paul Foster Case's The Tarot: Key to Ageless Wisdom especially in terms of Spiritual interpretation. For more generalized interpretations, there are a few books that I have consulted that seem good (in my opinion, however humble or not).

I like the "Everything Tarot Book" that is easily found at Amazon or your local B&N type store. I also liked Tarot Unveiled:
The Method to its Magic by Laura Clarson. The latter book also talks about combinations of cards, and what they may mean when they appear together in a spread.

There are many books out there, but those are my "go-to" books for help with interpretation when I'm feeling like my intuition is vacationing in Hawaii without me.

Hope that helps a bit.

Blessed Be...

A

posted July 31, 2007 10:55 PM         

I think The Mythic Tarot by Juliet Harman-Burke and Liz Greene is brilliantly inspirational, especially for making one more adept with realizing and remembering the path of the suits of the Minor Arcana.

Each suit is represented by a Greek Myth. For example, the Cups follows the tale of Psyche and Eros, each card depicting a stage of Psyche's inner spiritual transformation through her relationship with Eros.

Perhaps it sounds complicated, but it's very well written and deeply psychological and spiritual, which I love. And relating the cards to a story really helps with making the meaning of each Minor Arcana card stand out more in your mind, as the images of the experiences of the tale trigger remembering.

Never once is Astrology mentioned, I don't think, but you also get a good feel of the elements with this deck.
The Pentacles, being very Earthy, Material and Industrious -- Wands~ Firey, Daring, Creative, etc.

The Major Arcana is amazing as well.

I've used several other decks, but this is the one that has remained with me throughout my life, has taught me the most and feels the best in my hands. Everyone's different. The right one for you will prpobably come to you somehow magically at just the right time.
Anyway though, even experimenting with Mythic Tarot along the way, I don't think you'd be disappointed.

posted August 01, 2007 07:55 PM         

The artwork really is amazing though, any tarot enthusiast should own a copy of the Crowley deck. The minor arcana all have planets positioned in signs on the cards, in addition to a word to help remember the card, this is much easier for me coming from an astrological background. For instance the six of wands is represented by jupiter in leo, its not hard to figure out that this probalby means victory, success, creativity, expansion etc..

The Mythic tarot does sound cool Lia, I will consider that perhaps for my next purchase.

posted August 01, 2007 11:06 PM         

quote:

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Hi nam, are you feeling restricted right now? Like there are insurmountable obstacles in your path?

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posted August 02, 2007 11:25 AM         

But I still like my cards and the way I got to them was very odd as well so I think I am going to stick to them for a bit.

I will eventually get the books mentioned in here though.

posted August 03, 2007 12:37 PM         

How many decks? I think 3...although I have other oracle decks as well that aren't Tarot.
But I more often seem to be drawn to I Ching these days....or sometimes Runes.

I also love Osho Zen Tarot
and Osho Transformation Tarot.

posted August 03, 2007 05:39 PM         

quote:

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The artwork really is amazing though, any tarot enthusiast should own a copy of the Crowley deck. If you have the thoth deck "mirror of the soul" is excellent.

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I have the Gilded Tarot, which I like very much, but I don't feel as connected to it (not yet anyway) as I do to my Osho Zen and Thoth decks. I also have Peter Pracownik's Dragon Tarot, which is fun
I just got the Maat with its companion book but haven't opened the book yet and done more than examine the cards.....

Right now I'm obsessed with Chuck Spezzano's Love Pack -- doing readings with it has been great fun and also mind-bogglingly, eerily accurate in some cases.....