The Extra Card Thread

[AlbaTross]

After trying to help someone on another site with a reading involving a card not found in any other deck, I was intrigued enough that I figured it would make for an interesting discussion.  

 

I don't currently own a deck that has an extra card in it, but I recently ordered one and will have to reflect on it when I get it.  One pro seems to be that it makes certain decks stand out from others, and that gives the card itself a mysterious edge.  On the other hand, I can't exactly look it up in Holistic Tarot or on the Biddy Tarot website, so I'm limited to whatever information comes with the deck, if any, and that can also make the card very esoteric.  As I've learned firsthand, trying to help interpret a card I don't know and don't have the guidebook on means relying that much more on personal intuition.  That said, I've been learning the importance of intuition in readings lately, and it's kind of lit that there are cards out there that almost force one to rely on intuition first and foremost in lieu of other information to fall back on.  

 

In any case, as I'm getting a set (Prisma Visions) that will come with an extra card, it might be a good idea to gauge what others think of these extra cards.  I've heard some people take them out and tend to use such a deck like any other, while others think it's important to leave them in as they're an intentional part of the deck for a reason.  Also, maybe this can be a place to discuss extra cards in general, if there are particular ones you think are worth discussing.  

[TheFeeLion]

Great idea for a thread @AlbaTross!

 

I only have one deck that has an extra card and that's my True Black deck. The extra card is called Anant with the keywords "Endless" "Infinite" "Exempt" "Cyclical". I keep it in the deck and see it as kind of a precursor to the Fool. Its cyclic aspect can also be used in place of the cyclic nature of the WoF (which in this deck has been renamed Destiny). The guide book has just enough information about Anant that I can use that info and intuition. 

[AlbaTross]

5 hours ago, TheFeeLion said:

Great idea for a thread @AlbaTross!

 

I only have one deck that has an extra card and that's my True Black deck. The extra card is called Anant with the keywords "Endless" "Infinite" "Exempt" "Cyclical". I keep it in the deck and see it as kind of a precursor to the Fool. Its cyclic aspect can also be used in place of the cyclic nature of the WoF (which in this deck has been renamed Destiny). The guide book has just enough information about Anant that I can use that info and intuition. 

Sounds interesting.  I've noticed deck creators seem to take different approaches to their extra card.  It sounds like the intention of that card is to create a circle that rolls back around to The Fool.  I'll have to look up that deck.  I think the extra card in the Prisma Visions deck is what's called a Mystery Card, where the intention is to meditate on the image and let it speak to you.  I'll have to look up this True Black deck though.  I've been looking up decks that are brought up to see which ones interest me.  

Edited September 11, 2020 by AlbaTross

[TheFeeLion]

@AlbaTross the deck creator (Arthur Wang) put the extra card at the end of the Majors, he doesn't number them though so you could theoretically put that one wherever you want. If you want I can take a pic of the card and book entry for for you 😊

[AlbaTross]

7 minutes ago, TheFeeLion said:

@AlbaTross the deck creator (Arthur Wang) put the extra card at the end of the Majors, he doesn't number them though so you could theoretically put that one wherever you want. If you want I can take a pic of the card and book entry for for you 😊

Ok, sure, thanks.  I try not to buy decks just because of one card, but it can't hurt to learn more about it.  

[TheFeeLion]

Here you go, I included Destiny so you could check that out too

And here's his website if you want to see more

[Lady Butterfly]

My Faery Wicca Tarot deck has, I believe, five extra cards. A power card and four 'gift of the faeries' cards. One for each suit.

 

Unfortunately I can't show you pics of the cards, they are packed in a box ready for moving (again).

 

When I first got into tarot, this was my first deck, and I attempted to read with all the cards. I didn't get far back then. When I started back to learning properly last year, I decided to read without them initially, because I was having a hard time fleshing out their interpretations in my mind. Eventually I got a more RWS inspired deck to read with as my primary. Now that I have a better grasp of tarot as a whole, I do include the extra cards when I works with that deck.

[AlbaTross]

44 minutes ago, TheFeeLion said:

Here you go, I included Destiny so you could check that out too

And here's his website if you want to see more

Cool, thanks.  That's really neat.  I like how it's vague about how to apply it to a particular situation so there's still a ton of room for personal interpretation.  While I don't believe it's always best to approach a reversal as the inverse of the upright, that may actually be the easiest way to interpret it here.  So, Limited, Finite, Unexempt, Linear?  That could actually be something helpful to know, especially if it's a reading into a problem that seems insurmountable.  But, the upright could also be helpful in putting said situation into perspective as it's certainly nothing that can hold a candle to eternity.  

[AlbaTross]

52 minutes ago, Lady Butterfly said:

My Faery Wicca Tarot deck has, I believe, five extra cards. A power card and four 'gift of the faeries' cards. One for each suit.

 

Unfortunately I can't show you pics of the cards, they are packed in a box ready for moving (again).

 

When I first got into tarot, this was my first deck, and I attempted to read with all the cards. I didn't get far back then. When I started back to learning properly last year, I decided to read without them initially, because I was having a hard time fleshing out their interpretations in my mind. Eventually I got a more RWS inspired deck to read with as my primary. Now that I have a better grasp of tarot as a whole, I do include the extra cards when I works with that deck.

It's all good, there's no obligation to post pictures.  Plus, I can always look up the deck.

 

I think I'll approach extra decks in the same way.  Not as something that will elevate one deck over others as each deck I own and intend to own offers/will offer something that other decks don't that makes readings with it unique, whether it be one or more extra cards or something else entirely.  The traditional RWS deck for example has 110 years of tradition that makes me feel as though I'm connecting with something powerful, and that's something that none of the more modern decks can claim.  My Gothic Horror deck gives readings an unsettling vibe that's great for giving me a sense of facing my fears if I'm reading into a situation with a sense of foreboding.  Both are 78 card decks, but they're great in their own way nonetheless.

 

However, when it comes to reading with a deck that includes extra cards, I think I'll treat them as a part of that deck, as they are just as much a part of the creator's vision as the rest of the deck.  I'll have to see what I think when I get my Prisma Visions set, but the extra card aside, I'm thinking it will be my go-to deck for organizing abstract thoughts, or at least, helping bring unfocused thoughts into greater focus.  That's the vibe I'm getting from it as a deck given the general style of the cards.  I think the Reverie card ties in nicely with the rest of the deck in that sense, as I think the intention behind the mystery cards like that one is to rely on intuition.  I've heard the deck doesn't even come with an interpretation of that card, although the creator is apparently planning to release an additional guidebook that does include his interpretation of it and others he's created.  

[gregory]

I have LOADS of decks with extra cards. I just read them as they show up, or not, based on their appearance in a spread. I even have a couple with whole extra suits.

 

And let us not forget the Happy Squirrel.

[AJ-ish/Sharyn]

I believe it has more to do with how cards are printed, usually 80 to a sheet. Hence 2 extra cards

LoScarabeo mostly used the extra cards to list their recent decks, The Thoth included extra Magus cards. 

But when self publishing became more the norm the extra cards got more fun, or deeper. Happy Squirrel is a favorite for me. 

My deck this week includes 5 extra cards, the Infinity in the majors and a 0 card to begin each suit. 

Like Gregory, I keep them in the deck, and apply their usage according to the query, as I do with all cards. 

[AlbaTross]

On 9/11/2020 at 2:29 AM, gregory said:

I have LOADS of decks with extra cards. I just read them as they show up, or not, based on their appearance in a spread. I even have a couple with whole extra suits.

 

And let us not forget the Happy Squirrel.

I heard about that card.  Lulz.  It's kind of funny how much influence The Simpsons has had on things like Tarot.  I'll have to see if I ever come across a deck with that card.  It kind of clashes with the theme of the rest of the cards but maybe that was the joke.  Then again, the first edition of Prisma Visions apparently came with a card called Strawberries, so what do I know?  I might keep an eye out for decks that have the Happy Squirrel though if mostly for the novelty.

[AlbaTross]

On 9/11/2020 at 6:31 AM, AJ-ish/Sharyn said:

I believe it has more to do with how cards are printed, usually 80 to a sheet. Hence 2 extra cards

LoScarabeo mostly used the extra cards to list their recent decks, The Thoth included extra Magus cards. 

But when self publishing became more the norm the extra cards got more fun, or deeper. Happy Squirrel is a favorite for me. 

My deck this week includes 5 extra cards, the Infinity in the majors and a 0 card to begin each suit. 

Like Gregory, I keep them in the deck, and apply their usage according to the query, as I do with all cards. 

Ah, yes, that makes sense.  Even my traditional RWS deck comes with two extra cards, though they contain advertisements for Pamela Coleman Smith-related products, effectively making them the tarot equivalent of the playing card that contains a bar code.  I turned those the other way and leave them at the end of deck so I don't accidentally shuffle them in, as they have the same back as the rest of the cards.  

 

May I inquire what deck it is you're using?  I'm always looking up decks I hear about.  It's first and foremost about whether I like the overall aesthetic of the cards, mind you, but I still like to learn about them.  

Edited September 12, 2020 by AlbaTross

[LogicalHue]

My only deck that has an extra card is a Happy Squirrel card. I definitely leave it in, I believe I've only pulled it once. The deck doesn't come with a guidebook at all but I feel like I have a good enough idea of that card from the source 😉 If it wasn't something like the Happy Squirrel, where it came from something and was a reference I understood, I think I'd have a tricky time with them, but I can't speak from experience.

 

To your point about the Happy Squirrel being jarring subject-matter-wise, I don't know of any decks that have one that aren't already animal themed. I'd be curious if any exist.

 

From The Wooden Tarot

[ilweran]

The Greewood I made for myself has both Lovers cards, an extra Strength from the alternate version printed in We'Moon and The Storyteller from the back of the published deck. Of course that wasn't the intent of the creator, so it's totally up to me what they add to a reading if they show up.

 

I've been using th Daughters of the Moon a bit recently but I've been taking out the extra cards and making it female only.

 

It's interesting to think about why the extra card/s and why we choose to use or not use them.

[AJ-ish/Sharyn]

On 9/12/2020 at 12:53 PM, AlbaTross said:

  May I inquire what deck it is you're using?  I'm always looking up decks I hear about.  It's first and foremost about whether I like the overall aesthetic of the cards, mind you, but I still like to learn about them.  

Alba, I think you are asking me? The deck I referred to above was the Telluric, they don't have card titles, but going by the artists input in the book, I personally called the extra major Infinity, and the 4 extra minors for each suit are numbered 0 which I think of as Release/Connect/Novel Outlook/Unique Place. Your mileage might differ. 

 

I just received the 5 ₵ Deck which has four wonderful extra cards included as Majors, The Unknown, The Beyond, The Universe, and The Messenger. Very appropriate considering the back story on the decks creation, based on old timey Madam Clara type readings. 

 

I have zero idea what the Squirrel card might mean, it just makes me laugh to see it in a deck. They aren't just in animal themed decks, not at all. Here is a link to a bunch of them. https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS891US891&sxsrf=ALeKk03lfSymnZARlru76ktg1Ho-LcBcSg:1600433790822&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=happy+squirrel+card&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjyktq84PLrAhXEvp4KHZuPCuUQsAR6BAgKEAE&biw=1536&bih=722#imgrc=9z8hbBpgPPnxyM

edited to add I see one of them is titled Obsessive Collector.  An Obsessive! That makes me laugh too, and good card in a reading, might be the clarifier for many of the questions we get... 

 

Edited September 18, 2020 by AJ-ish/Sharyn

[RavenOfSummer]

On 9/12/2020 at 3:46 PM, AlbaTross said:

Then again, the first edition of Prisma Visions apparently came with a card called Strawberries

 

As part of his recent Kickstarter campaign for the Cosma Visions oracle deck (considered a companion deck for the Prisma Visions), creator James Eads decided to release a small set of cards that contains just the 79th cards from each edition of the Prisma Visions that's been released to date. I am so excited for that!!! Prisma Visions is one of my favorite decks 💕 and I was always sad that I missed the 1st edition Strawberries card especially. These 79th card reprints will be alternate versions of the originals, so that the earlier editions of the deck still each have something totally unique and retain their value. The 6th edition of the PV will be released later this year, and the special pack the Kickstarter backers are getting will include all 6 extra cards.

 

I also have a collaborative deck, Emerging Toronto Artists Tarot, that has two extra cards I really love, The Curator and The Thriving Artist. These are cards I really relate to from a creative perspective, mostly regarding my work as a writer.

 

 

Tarot of Trees by Dana Driscoll includes the 79th card Regeneration. That one also really speaks to the energy of the deck over all and ties in with the rest of the majors. Like Fee was saying with the True Black, I think you could also see that one as a bridge to complete a cycle going back to The Fool.

 

 

Those are the ones off the top of my head I can think of. If I remember any others I have, I'll come back and add them!

[AlbaTross]

On 9/17/2020 at 6:34 PM, LogicalHue said:

My only deck that has an extra card is a Happy Squirrel card. I definitely leave it in, I believe I've only pulled it once. The deck doesn't come with a guidebook at all but I feel like I have a good enough idea of that card from the source 😉 If it wasn't something like the Happy Squirrel, where it came from something and was a reference I understood, I think I'd have a tricky time with them, but I can't speak from experience.

 

To your point about the Happy Squirrel being jarring subject-matter-wise, I don't know of any decks that have one that aren't already animal themed. I'd be curious if any exist.

 

From The Wooden Tarot

I am very much interested in the idea of having a deck with the Happy Squirrel, and think I want to invest in one at some point...but I also want it to be the right deck for me, so I'll make sure to look for one.  Apparently the creator of Revelations Tarot has a PDF for a Happy Squirrel card he made that could be stuck to one of the extra cards containing spreads that come with his 78 card deck, but the edition I recently got doesn't have those extra cards, so I'll continue to chase that squirrel until I find a deck that fits me that has it.  

 

19 hours ago, AJ-ish/Sharyn said:

Alba, I think you are asking me? The deck I referred to above was the Telluric, they don't have card titles, but going by the artists input in the book, I personally called the extra major Infinity, and the 4 extra minors for each suit are numbered 0 which I think of as Release/Connect/Novel Outlook/Unique Place. Your mileage might differ. 

 

I just received the 5 ₵ Deck which has four wonderful extra cards included as Majors, The Unknown, The Beyond, The Universe, and The Messenger. Very appropriate considering the back story on the decks creation, based on old timey Madam Clara type readings. 

 

I have zero idea what the Squirrel card might mean, it just makes me laugh to see it in a deck. They aren't just in animal themed decks, not at all. Here is a link to a bunch of them. https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS891US891&sxsrf=ALeKk03lfSymnZARlru76ktg1Ho-LcBcSg:1600433790822&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=happy+squirrel+card&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjyktq84PLrAhXEvp4KHZuPCuUQsAR6BAgKEAE&biw=1536&bih=722#imgrc=9z8hbBpgPPnxyM

edited to add I see one of them is titled Obsessive Collector.  An Obsessive! That makes me laugh too, and good card in a reading, might be the clarifier for many of the questions we get... 

 

Thanks, I'll check out that link.  The Happy Squirrel is such a strange phenomenon that I kind of want it, even though its meaning is uncertain.

 

Those other decks sound neat too so I'll look them up as well.

20 hours ago, ilweran said:

The Greewood I made for myself has both Lovers cards, an extra Strength from the alternate version printed in We'Moon and The Storyteller from the back of the published deck. Of course that wasn't the intent of the creator, so it's totally up to me what they add to a reading if they show up.

 

I've been using th Daughters of the Moon a bit recently but I've been taking out the extra cards and making it female only.

 

It's interesting to think about why the extra card/s and why we choose to use or not use them.

Interesting, I'll look up both of those decks.  But yeah, just because a deck has one or more extra cards doesn't mean they have to be used.  It's perfectly reasonable to just use them as 78 card decks, and I suppose it comes down to what the reader thinks of the extra cards and/or their applicability to a reading.  I can understand why some people may take a completely hard stance and never use extra cards as well.  

16 hours ago, RavenOfSummer said:

 

As part of his recent Kickstarter campaign for the Cosma Visions oracle deck (considered a companion deck for the Prisma Visions), creator James Eads decided to release a small set of cards that contains just the 79th cards from each edition of the Prisma Visions that's been released to date. I am so excited for that!!! Prisma Visions is one of my favorite decks 💕 and I was always sad that I missed the 1st edition Strawberries card especially. These 79th card reprints will be alternate versions of the originals, so that the earlier editions of the deck still each have something totally unique and retain their value. The 6th edition of the PV will be released later this year, and the special pack the Kickstarter backers are getting will include all 6 extra cards.

 

I also have a collaborative deck, Emerging Toronto Artists Tarot, that has two extra cards I really love, The Curator and The Thriving Artist. These are cards I really relate to from a creative perspective, mostly regarding my work as a writer.

 

 

Tarot of Trees by Dana Driscoll includes the 79th card Regeneration. That one also really speaks to the energy of the deck over all and ties in with the rest of the majors. Like Fee was saying with the True Black, I think you could also see that one as a bridge to complete a cycle going back to The Fool.

 

 

Those are the ones off the top of my head I can think of. If I remember any others I have, I'll come back and add them!

Ah yes, while I didn't back the Cosma Visions deck (mostly for budget reasons) I decided to back the guidebook that will include more in-depth explanations of the cards, and I should be getting that pack of mystery cards with it.  

 

I like that extra cards often reflect the theme of the deck.  I suppose that makes perfect sense, but it's still a good idea.  

[katrinka]

Either the old Melissa Lenormand or her Postmark Lenormand, I don't remember which, has a Happy Squirrel. It was intended as a joke, I'm sure, but people were apparently asking her how to interpret it. (Just gasp and say "THE HAPPY SQUIRREL! OH NOES!") So she made a video where she recommended tossing it, using it for a bookmark, etc. Then she used it to cover a glass of wine. 

 

Edited September 19, 2020 by katrinka

[AJ-ish/Sharyn]

Zack Wang (Revelations) posted his extra card to download at the old AT forum, now defunct, but the post is probably there. Because he designed the deck for reversals it is in effect a squirrel making it across the road and what happened when it didn't. 

[katrinka]

16 minutes ago, AJ-ish/Sharyn said:

Zack Wang (Revelations) posted his extra card to download at the old AT forum, now defunct, but the post is probably there. Because he designed the deck for reversals it is in effect a squirrel making it across the road and what happened when it didn't. 

Makes notation: "Squirrel (R) is not happy." 😁

[AlbaTross]

8 hours ago, katrinka said:

Either the old Melissa Lenormand or her Postmark Lenormand, I don't remember which, has a Happy Squirrel. It was intended as a joke, I'm sure, but people were apparently asking her how to interpret it. (Just gasp and say "THE HAPPY SQUIRREL! OH NOES!") So she made a video where she recommended tossing it, using it for a bookmark, etc. Then she used it to cover a glass of wine. 

 

That's so odd.  I love it!

7 hours ago, AJ-ish/Sharyn said:

Zack Wang (Revelations) posted his extra card to download at the old AT forum, now defunct, but the post is probably there. Because he designed the deck for reversals it is in effect a squirrel making it across the road and what happened when it didn't. 

Yeah, I think I saw that.  Of course I would have to get the proper card-sized PDF, as there's a full-sized on that's just for if you want an image to look at.  The problem is, my Revelations set doesn't have the two cards depicting spreads that apparently come with some sets, so I'm assuming what I have is a later printing.  Regardless of the reason, I just don't have any cards to mount the Happy Squirrel onto and I'm not going to sacrifice any of the traditional 78 cards to do it, so I guess that's out and I'll have to keep chasing that squirrel, so to speak.

 

7 hours ago, katrinka said:

Makes notation: "Squirrel (R) is not happy." 😁

I do really like that image.  Lol.  Well, it's not the only Happy Squirrel I like the look of, so I guess it's not the end of the world that I can't have it.  

[Hedera]

I have several decks with extra cards, and I usually take them out and use them as bookmarks - unless the creator has really put a lot of thought into it and makes a compelling argument about why it is in the deck.

 

The Cosmic Tribe (can't post picture because they would be nsfw ;)) has two extra Lovers cards, that I do keep in the deck; once all the Lovers came up in a three-card reading! 😄

 

 

[Hedera]

I have several decks with extra cards, and I usually take them out and use them as bookmarks - unless the creator has really put a lot of thought into it and makes a compelling argument about why it is in the deck.

 

The Cosmic Tribe (can't post picture because they would be nsfw ;)) has two extra Lovers cards, that I do keep in the deck; once all the Lovers came up in a three-card reading! 😄

 

 

Edit: oh yes, and the Tarot of the Silicon Dawn has LOADS of extra cards!!

I keep cards in there at whim, basically... usually all the fool cards, and I Am Legend, and the 99 and the Void cards.

Such a fun deck, haven played with it in ages - might get it out this week!

[AlbaTross]

10 hours ago, Hedera said:

I have several decks with extra cards, and I usually take them out and use them as bookmarks - unless the creator has really put a lot of thought into it and makes a compelling argument about why it is in the deck.

 

The Cosmic Tribe (can't post picture because they would be nsfw ;)) has two extra Lovers cards, that I do keep in the deck; once all the Lovers came up in a three-card reading! 😄

 

 

Edit: oh yes, and the Tarot of the Silicon Dawn has LOADS of extra cards!!

I keep cards in there at whim, basically... usually all the fool cards, and I Am Legend, and the 99 and the Void cards.

Such a fun deck, haven played with it in ages - might get it out this week!

I have certainly noticed from the decks I've seen that there are cards that are more in line with the theme of the Tarot than others, while some are just novelties.  Some are clearly designed to be in service to a theme while others are just thrown in without much thought as to how they relate back to the Tarot.  While I think there are some extra cards that do fit in with the rest of the deck, I can understand being selective about which ones to include in readings.