What is your favorite deck?

[Tom]

https://www.amazon.com/Morgan-Greer-Tarot-Deck-English/dp/0913866911/ref=asc_df_0913866911/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=266120610675&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16867684612734044876&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007476&hvtargid=pla-372478619965&psc=1&mcid=ea3ac055176e368c9c388e1a7ed11d87&gclid=CjwKCAiAhJWsBhAaEiwAmrNyqydI4ejHyRYzqHDHX8xmqeL8hOiNb9iolIL8dYvJz-cPjRjApxiGjxoCvLMQAvD_BwE

 

If you could only have one tarot deck, which would it be and why? 

 

My selection would be with the Morgan Greer deck which I originally acquired in the 1980s.  It's my favorite because I like how the people are emphasized while still retaining the RWS imagery for the most part. I also like the vibrant colors. 

[Disa]

I do love the Morgan Greer.  It's one of my top 5 go to reading decks.

 

My all time Favorite deck, though is the DruidCraft.  If I had to get rid of all my decks I would keep that one.  It was the first one I ever really felt connected to, the first one I felt I could actually read.  I like the earthy feel of it and that many of the people are bare foot, grounded.  I like that the cards I had trouble with in the Rider Waite decks were renamed.

[DanielJUK]

One day I will add the Morgan Greer to my collection 🙂 

I am going boringly old school and my fave is the standard RWS deck, it's just such a tarot classic! I love many decks but I think I could do any kind of reading with one of those to hand

[Nemia]

Always the Thoth. I love all my decks, and I love the Tabula Mundi, but I love the Thoth even more. This deck is such a precise reader, it's frightening sometimes. And it's beautiful. And it taught me all I know about esoteric lore. 

 

Morgan-Greer is wonderful, RWS Centennial is great, Silhouettes and Abyss are easy to read with, and Förhäxa is magical. Soooo many good decks. But my favourite? I put eyes on it for the first time in 1982, bought it in 1996, a greenie a bit later.. and it's still my favourite darling Thoth. 

[Natural Mystic Guide]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I could only have one deck, it would be the Illuminated Tarot by Carol Herzer, original colors -- hand-painted.  It's a RWS clone, but not just any clone.  Carol hand painted her original paintings using the RWS as a guide.  She adds all of these energy lines, though.  See how this changes the feel of the Three of Swords?  I love it because I love the colors and it is beautiful.  It is upbeat and positive.  In a couple of weeks I shall have my replacement deck for this 18 year old deck (which is still going strong).  I just wanted to be sure to have a replacement just in case.  The replacement will have full on hand painted fluorescent colors, glitter and no borders or key words.  I can't wait for this gift!

[Nemia]

Oh, that's a beauty, so expressive, it really resonates when you look at it. Going on my list immediately! 

[Guest]

It is a toss-up between the Sola Busca and the Klimt. 

[Misterei]

On 12/22/2023 at 8:14 AM, Tom said:

If you could only have one tarot deck, which would it be and why?

Nooooooo!

How can people even make this brutal choice?

Ciro Marchetti Legacy of the Devine ...?

Although I was quite happy having only 1 deck from 1979-1994 [RWS] I now love my collection beyond all reason.

Having only 1 deck would feel lonely ... they're my little cardboard community. I have them organized into families.

OK ... I realize this sounds pathetic and like maybe I need to get a life ... get out more. Touch grass. Talk to humans rather than my cats ...

I feel traumatized at the thought of only 1 deck 🤣 There should be a trigger warning on this topic!

Edited December 24, 2023 by Misterei

[Chariot]

Funny, I was just thinking about this the other day.  And, surprisingly, considering I have quite a few decks I'd hate to part with—the one I'd always keep is my mini-sized blue/black-plaid-backed standard RWS deck that I've had for well over 30 years.  It's the one I keep beside my bed, the one I grab to do daily readings or read more thoroughly if I need an answer NOW.

 

The deck is easy to use—partly because the small size makes it easy to shuffle and lay out, and partly because the stark images and the flat colours make it easy to see.  No, it's not as pretty as some, but it's totally functional.  And we are SO 'familiar' with each other.  I tend to get an instant intuitive feel for each card in each position, and I'm confident enough to go with my first impression with this deck.  Sometimes just a glance at a layout is enough for me to know the answer to my dilemma or question.

I don't end up digging into interpretations or reflecting on issues with this deck as much as I do some others, but when I need a correct, quick, accurate reading on a down-to-earth topic ...this is the deck I'll grab and go with.  It never leads me astray.

 

I do also own a full-sized version of the plaid-backed RWS standard, which is actually my oldest deck.  I bought it back in the late 1970s, when I first started with tarot, and for several years it was my only deck.  However, I've kind of 'retired' it (reverently), due to size.  I prefer to use the smaller version as my go-to deck.

I have four other decks: the Anna K Tarot, The Druidcraft Tarot (modified for size), Ciro's Grand Luxe Tarot, and Poppy Palin's The Everyday Enchantment Tarot that I would hate to be forced to part with.  I could easily live happily with only these five decks in my possession, although I have many others I use as well.  But I would NEVER give up my mini standard RWS! 🙂

Edited December 24, 2023 by Chariot

[Eugenie]

If I am to imagine that I have all the desks I would like to have (which I don't), at this stage I would still keep the Centennial RWS. Probably even the one in the tin. It quickly becomes familiar (and probably even a familiar, if I can say so), and even if it is not visually striking, I feel good using it. 

[DanielJUK]

Totally enabled by @Natural Mystic Guide's post as well, I want the Illuminated Tarot now! Seems like you have to order them directly from Carol, I wonder if she is still selling them, this site looks older than AT 🙂. Will have to think about it and what colour scheme I want

http://www.soul-guidance.com/tarotdecks/page_7.htm

[FindYourSovereignty]

1 hour ago, DanielJUK said:

Totally enabled by @Natural Mystic Guide's post as well, I want the Illuminated Tarot now! Seems like you have to order them directly from Carol, I wonder if she is still selling them, this site looks older than AT 🙂. Will have to think about it and what colour scheme I want

http://www.soul-guidance.com/tarotdecks/page_7.htm

She definitely is @DanielJUK and it is a beautiful deck. I just received my first one a few weeks ago. With @Natural Mystic Guide’s help I discovered that gmail has outlook emails blocked. I’d been emailing since last August and the message would come back to me. As soon as I used a different email account, I heard from her within a few hours. I chose a hand painted glitter version.
 

[GreatDane]

these are all so similar but my go to re readings.  Pamela Commemorative, the same deck but without borders, Radiant Wise Tarot, the Universal Waite both regular and pocket. 

 

I've only kept the tarot decks I really want in my small collection, but the above three would be go to readers.

[Tom]

I have the 100th anniversary RWS deck.  I've never used it to read still yet. I tend to like the versions with more vibrant colors and detailed line work.  But that's just me.

 

I wanted the book that covers with the Anniversary Deck and the history.  That's why I bought it in the first place.

 

I have big man hands and I tend not to like small cards because it's more difficult for me to shuffle and handle them. 

[Natural Mystic Guide]

12 hours ago, FindYourSovereignty said:

it is a beautiful deck

So glad that you all are appreciating the artistry and vibe of Carol Herzer's Illuminated Tarot decks.  My original colored, hand painted, Illuminated Tarot is about 18 years old and holding up really well.  The card stock is just beefier than most.  Carol is older than I am so I was concerned to find a backup deck for this, my very favorite deck.  So when I approached her 2 years ago, she was no longer making the hand painted original colors deck.  So I ordered the full on glitter and fluorescent hand painted Starlight Rainbows deck.  I use it a lot now and I am very happy with it.  Then I learned recently that she was again making the original color edition.  So I have gone ahead and ordered the full on glitter and fluorescent hand painted deck of this edition.  A friend is muling it here to me in Bali and I should have it in 3 weeks.  Best wishes with choosing the best version for you @DanielJUK.  There are quite a few options and it is a very subjective choice.  Enjoy!

[Natural Mystic Guide]

12 hours ago, FindYourSovereignty said:

I chose a hand painted glitter version

This is so lovely, and I know that a photograph does not do the glitter and hand painting justice.  It does best when held in full sun or under a good light.  I could look at these cards all day -- and certainly do spend lots of time with my own Illuminated Tarot decks.  I have a student who has already bought 3 of Carol's decks after learning of them through working with me!

[Chariot]

20 hours ago, Eugenie said:

If I am to imagine that I have all the desks I would like to have (which I don't), at this stage I would still keep the Centennial RWS. Probably even the one in the tin. It quickly becomes familiar (and probably even a familiar, if I can say so), and even if it is not visually striking, I feel good using it. 

That's my newest deck I just bought a couple of months ago—the one in the tin (that is genuine.)  I like it a lot ...so much so, that I bought another copy for a friend.  It's a very usable re-working of the RWS deck, the card stock is excellent, and the size ...partway between a mini and a full-sized deck is also in its favour.  Yeah, good choice.  It may become a favoured 'traveling deck' for me.

[Eugenie]

6 minutes ago, Chariot said:

That's my newest deck I just bought a couple of months ago—the one in the tin (that is genuine.)  I like it a lot ...so much so, that I bought another copy for a friend.  It's a very usable re-working of the RWS deck, the card stock is excellent, and the size ...partway between a mini and a full-sized deck is also in its favour.  Yeah, good choice.  It may become a favoured 'traveling deck' for me.

Thank you! Huh, right, it is a legit deck in a tin! I read the blood-curdling topic on fakes, and it is true that there are many fakes in beautiful tins. I was looking at one, then googled and learned that it was never issued in a tin. I love mine, it is just a second deck for me (after the Spacious Tarot) and I am just learning about the card stock and sizes. So the "standard" mini decks are usually even smaller? I don't need a smaller one, it seems... will be difficult for me to see the details.

I will order another one for my daughter, as she's eyeing it greedily. 

Edited December 25, 2023 by Eugenie

[Chariot]

2 hours ago, Eugenie said:

Thank you! Huh, right, it is a legit deck in a tin! I read the blood-curdling topic on fakes, and it is true that there are many fakes in beautiful tins. I was looking at one, then googled and learned that it was never issued in a tin. I love mine, it is just a second deck for me (after the Spacious Tarot) and I am just learning about the card stock and sizes. So the "standard" mini decks are usually even smaller? I don't need a smaller one, it seems... will be difficult for me to see the details.

I will order another one for my daughter, as she's eyeing it greedily. 

Yes, the standard RWS mini deck is smaller than the Centennial one.  However, the Centennial one is smaller than the ordinary (original size) RWS deck.  I have all three!

I like smaller decks because it's not only easier for me to handle, shuffle and store, but you can do a bigger layout on a smaller table!  I like to do my deck of the day and other layouts on a lap tray I use, when sitting on my bed in the morning.  So the mini decks are great!  When I'm doing the full reading thing, complete with candles, etc, I do those on my large dining room table.  I can use larger decks then, provided they aren't so big (or thick) that I can't shuffle them well.  That's when the fancy decks come into their own, for me.

BTW, I can't vouch for all RWS Centennial decks in a tin.  For all I know, those, too, are being counterfeited.  So take care.  One other thing I've noticed about fakes ...they usually don't  have bar codes.  That's another thing to look out for.

 

Edited December 25, 2023 by Chariot

[Scandinavianhermit]

On 12/22/2023 at 5:14 PM, Tom said:

If you could only have one tarot deck, which would it be and why? 

Only one? Dame Fortune's Wheel Tarot by Paul Huson. It combines the Milanese sequence of trumps with semi-scenic suite cards based upon Etteilla's (not A.E. Waite's) keywords, bringing together the best aspects from both Renaissance painted north Italian trumps, woodblock printed French 18th century decks, Etteilla decks and the concept of semi-scenic pips. This far, it is unrivalled.