Deck of the Week Sign-up Thread, Week 358: May 13 - May 19

[fire cat pickles]

A thread for those who would like to work through their collection of decks, participants choose decks from their collections to work with for the week. Some use one deck, others use two or more. Some combine methods: Tarot, non-tarot (e.g. oracle), playing cards, or any other divinatory method is welcome. All we ask is that you use at least one tarot or oracle deck.

 

No collection is too large or too small. The only rules we have are the Tarot, Tea & Me Rules; Be respectful of one other. Please join us!

• Please post with your choice of deck(s) for the week
• Chat away about your deck, how you're finding it (or not), etc., it's all up to you 
• Participants may either choose to share their readings here in this discussion thread or opt to have their own journal in the Journals Forum and link it here
• Yet others may even have an offline journal in paper & pencil/pen form

Share as often, as much, or as little as you like. You can drop in and out at anytime—reality and life permitting. New to tarot? Long time reader? Come on in!

 

Participants

1. fire cat pickles: Dame Fortune's Wheel
2. Bodhiseed: Somnia Tarot paired with the Spirits of Nature Oracle
3. Madame Squee: Tarot of a Moon Garden Borderless Ed.
4. Rachelcat: Great Goddess Oracle 
5. Misterei: Dame Fortune's Wheel
6. Luned: Creatures Tarot

 

Click here for DoW 357 (5/6 - 5/12)

Click here for DoW 359 (5/20 - 5/26)

Edited May 29, 2024 by fire cat pickles

[Bodhiseed]

Thank you Fire cat!

 

 

This week I'll be using the Somnia Tarot and its companion book, created and self-published by Nicholas Bruno. I'll also be using the Spirits of Nature Oracle, created by Steven Farmer and published by Hay House. Today's draws are the Two of Cups and Hurricane:

 

Don’t let people pull you into their storm. Pull them into your peace.

―Kimberly Jones

 

We all need someone to whom we can sincerely say, "You're my person." The Two of Cups can represent deep friendships, lovers, or faithful partnerships. These are the bonds that help us enjoy life to its fullest and keep our head above water when we're swimming in despair. Often, they are formed from yin and yang personalities, each companion helping the other to see the whole. Hurricanes are one of the most powerful and destructive forces of nature, generally 300 miles in width. Yet in the eye of these storms, the violent winds are calm. There is no way to prevent great disturbances - they are a part of the natural flow of life. But we can find our center during the turmoil by practicing the tenets of the Zen Peacemaker Order: Not-Knowing (letting go of fixed ideas), Bearing Witness (seeing all aspects of a situation, including our attachments and judgments), and Taking Action (responding appropriately from a place of equanimity). And of course, it helps to do these things when we have a person who walks with us through the storm.

[fire cat pickles]

Welcome back @Bodhiseed 😀

[Madame Squee]

Thank you for the thread @fire cat pickles 💐

 

This week, I'm in with one I received from my daughter yesterday:

 

Tarot of a Moon Garden (Borderless Deck & Book Set by Karen Marie Sweikhardt)

 

If I can locate my original edition, I'll compare the two, but I already know that these new borderless cards give me a completely different feeling. I find the power of the saturated colors and closeness of the images almost overwhelming. Initially, I felt like I might not be able to focus on the message. But one floated up as I continued to turn over three cards at a time and suddenly recognized that the Queen of Swords has been gossiping with the Queen of Pentacles again. I'm going to be okay. 

 

The companion book is absolutely fabulous, giving us "The Rendering", "The Reading" and "The Ritual" for every card!

 

And there's more: a whispery linen finish, purple gilt edges, and the fantastically unique dimensions of 2.5 by 6 inches.   

 

I love it! 🎉

 

Edited May 14, 2024 by Madame Squee
typo

[fire cat pickles]

Welcome back @Madame Squee, what a wonderful Mothers Day present!

[Bodhiseed]

@Madame Squee, the borderless addition is beautiful!

[Rachelcat]

Hi all!  Here I am!  A day late and a dollar short!  Mothers Day and moving offices have taken away from tarot time.

 

This week for me will be the other new deck I got with Llewellyn’s Beltane coupon, the Great Goddess Oracle by Lucy Cavendish, artwork by Jake Baddeley, published by Blue Angel.  I have several goddess decks, but I was interested in getting a closer look at the art.  (Current count of my collection’s Gods and Goddesses theme category:  6 tarots, 10 oracles.)

 

 

The concept is very structured:  a maiden, mother, and crone from each of seven cultures/ mythologies, with two cards for each goddess, “Card One – Her Blessing” and “Card Two – The Invocation.”  Each Card One is titled “Lady of . . .,” and the book has the goddess speak for herself.  Each Card Two has three keywords, and book tells us how to call upon the goddess to grant us those attributes.  So 3 times 7 = 21 goddesses times 2 = 42 cards. 

 

The cards have shiny gold borders and lettering.  According to the book, the art is inspired by illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages.

 

Let’s see what the goddesses have to say for themselves.

 

 

What is your most important characteristic?  Arianrhod, Insight, Wisdom, Destiny

It’s a deck that helps you understand change, the turn of the silver wheel.

 

What is your strength?  Cerridwen, Lady of the Triple Cauldron

The deck speaks of transformations and magic.

 

Your weakness?  Lakshmi, Nectar, Prosperity, Benevolence

It’s not that focused on practicalities.

 

What can you teach me?  Nephthys, Mistress of the Gateways

The deck can teach me about not just change and transformation, but also moving on to a really different place.

 

How can I learn it?  Persephone, Blossoming, Potential, Independence

Beginner’s mind.  By making the familiar strange, and by beginning again if necessary.

 

What will be the outcome of our work together?  Babd, Mother of Battles

It will be a struggle but will make me stronger?

 

Well, there seems like a lot under the surface, but just reading the card text also seems to work.  With a little bit of goddess knowledge.  We’ll see about all that this week.

 

[fire cat pickles]

Welcome back @Rachelcat 🙂 

[Misterei]

@fire cat pickles Joining on day 2. I'm in with Dame Fortune's Wheel which I recently saw here ... reminded me I've never much used it.

[Misterei]

23 hours ago, Madame Squee said:

... Tarot of a Moon Garden (Borderless Deck & Book Set by Karen Marie Sweikhardt)

I've never seen that deck. Thanks for sharing. The few cards in the picture seem classic RWS ... but lush. The butterflies and dragonflies!

[fire cat pickles]

Welcome back @Misterei! I have Dame's Fortune, too and I've only used it once or twice. Thinking I should get it out for a spin 😉 

[Luned]

I'm continuing on with the Creatures Tarot this week. Lots of lovely decks in the list this week!

[Misterei]

Deck Interview w/ Dame Fortune's Wheel

One thing that's kept me from working with this deck is that It's scenic pip deck, but the scenics are pretty different from RWS.

If it were a Tarotcchi or TdM I would just separate the Trumps and do Tirage.

Anyway, I read with the full deck but I find the scenic Pips distracting. Pretty. Nice art and color. But too different from RWS and the LWB is so tiny I can't read it.

 

1.     Energy: Describes the deck’s essence / overall vibe

3 Batons = Shared vision. It’s vibe is versatile and upbeat.

 

2.     Timing: Why has the deck come to me now? / Why do I feel drawn to this deck now?

King Batons = Mastery of my vision for my life. The quest to know and express authentic Will

 

3.     Teaching: What can the deck teach me? What areas will it help me explore?

Death = I’ll be reading on the death of a relationship [what's on my mind]. Maybe communicating with dead people???

 

4.     Challenge: How will the deck challenge me? What might I find difficult to work with?

4 Swords. It's not restful. It's too hard to read.

 

5.     Limits: What areas are NOT this deck's expertise? For what topics should I read a different deck? 5 Coins = purely financial questions.

 

6.     Grace: In what areas will the deck and I organically connect and flow together?

Juggler = It’s Mercurial. So am I.

 

7.     Whisper: the deck’s message / guidance for this moment

7 cups = This is a time of emotional transition. Ask astrology for guidance??? The illustration on this one puzzles me.

 

 

Edited May 16, 2024 by Misterei

[akiva]

1 hour ago, Misterei said:

One thing that's kept me from working with this deck is that It's scenic pip deck, but the scenics are pretty different from RWS.

Not sure if I can comment on here without being a part of the DOTW, but this is an Etteilla scenic pip deck, it's why they images are so different! 😊

 

1 hour ago, Misterei said:

5.     Limits: What areas are NOT this deck's expertise? For what topics should I read a different deck? 5 Coins = purely financial questions.

In his system the 5 of Coins is a lover/spouse, friend, suitability, concord, decorum and "to love and cherish"

 

1 hour ago, Misterei said:

7.     Whisper: the deck’s message / guidance for this moment

7 cups = This is a time of emotional transition. Ask astrology for guidance??? The illustration on this one puzzles me.

This card is thoughts, meditation, the soul, spirit, understanding, reflection, ideas, sentiments, and so on

[fire cat pickles]

3 hours ago, akiva said:

Not sure if I can comment on here without being a part of the DOTW, but this is an Etteilla scenic pip deck, it's why they images are so different!

 

Yes, I was wondering about this. I picked up the LWB and while reading the keywords for Nine of Wands last night noticed "long and drawn out." That's one of the Etteilla meanings from a few weeks ago I can recall from another reading I did not too long ago.

[akiva]

38 minutes ago, fire cat pickles said:

 

Yes, I was wondering about this. I picked up the LWB and while reading the keywords for Nine of Wands last night noticed "long and drawn out." That's one of the Etteilla meanings from a few weeks ago I can recall from another reading I did not too long ago.

Do you use the deck often? I don't get mine out much as I bought it second hand and they scribbled unrelated meanings on the cards, and a couple are damaged as if they were stuck together. 😬

 

There's a guidebook to go with this deck too, which is handy for people who can't read small print. It gives more meanings for the cards, but Paul Hudson did a great job sticking to Etteilla's pip meanings (apart from the 8 of Coins, which he expanded slightly). 

 

The 9 of Wands is an interesting card. Though can be excruciatingly slow at times! I think a snail would of made a good scenic pip for this card 😆

[fire cat pickles]

I haven't used it too terribly much but I do like it. I am looking for an Etteilla deck to stay with for my Card-a-Day (see the link in my signature 😉) And I like Huson a lot. If and since it's an expanded Etteilla deck it may be a better fit for me. I almost got his book this morning,  I have reward points! I may have to get both books...

 

@akiva

Edited May 16, 2024 by fire cat pickles

[akiva]

1 hour ago, fire cat pickles said:

I haven't used it too terribly much but I do like it. I am looking for an Etteilla deck to stay with for my Card-a-Day (see the link in my signature 😉) And I like Huson a lot. If and since it's an expanded Etteilla deck it may be a better fit for me. I almost got his book this morning,  I have reward points! I may have to get both books...

 

@akiva

Huson not Hudson like my phone wants me to think 🤣

I'll check out the card a day group, can anyone join? It would make a good deck for that. The majors are more TdM than Etteilla. Though that's not a complaint from me!

 

If you have the reward points, then why not? Especially if you plan to use the deck 😉

[Misterei]

10 hours ago, akiva said:

... but this is an Etteilla scenic pip deck, it's why they images are so different! 😊

I'd heard this ... and was kinda hoping it wasn't true. Alas!

10 hours ago, akiva said:

In his system the 5 of Coins is a lover/spouse, friend, suitability, concord, decorum and "to love and cherish"

OK, this makes sense with Pythagoras ... but soooo different from RWS system.

 

6 hours ago, akiva said:

There's a guidebook to go with this deck too, which is handy for people who can't read small print.

I've never felt an attraction towards Eteilla. I SHOULD learn more about it just as a part of Tarot history ... but I really don't like it.

In my minimalsit lifestyle it might be better for me to dump this deck rather than purchase an additionaly book. Hmmm.

4 hours ago, fire cat pickles said:

...  am looking for an Etteilla deck to stay with for my Card-a-Day ...

I admire you for learning Eteilla ... but do I want to? I'm thinking not. I'm thinking this might be a trumps only deck or a donation to charity shop. Still undecided.

[akiva]

6 minutes ago, Misterei said:

OK, this makes sense with Pythagoras ... but soooo different from RWS system.

This is why I like his meanings, I'm not a huge fan of Ettiella's deck, but his pip meanings fit so well with Pythagorean number symbolism!

 

7 minutes ago, Misterei said:

I've never felt an attraction towards Eteilla. I SHOULD learn more about it just as a part of Tarot history ... but I really don't like it.

In my minimalsit lifestyle it might be better for me to dump this deck rather than purchase an additionaly book. Hmmm.

It's a scenic deck, so would be easy to just read the images or form your own meanings like people do with the RWS 😉 

 

If you do buy the book, it's pretty small and doesn't take up much room.

[Misterei]

 

32 minutes ago, akiva said:

It's a scenic deck, so would be easy to just read the images or form your own meanings like people do with the RWS 😉 

Actually I'm quite rigid about going with RWS if I see an illustrated pip [exception being during the Intuitive Reading Circles].

 

Non-scenic pips no problem. Blank slate. But scenic pips that deviate from the RWS system do Something Bad to my brain. Prolly I should get beyond this limitation ... but OTOH i know RWS inside out and upside down. I kinda like my effortless ease with those images and that school of thought.

 

Anyway, I found a free online list of the Eteilla meanings ... and will soldier on to fulfill my DotW committment ... but we shall see whether or not I keep this deck at all. I wish shipping were cheaper across the pond. In USA I would just give you my deck which is in good condition.

Edited May 16, 2024 by Misterei

[akiva]

5 minutes ago, Misterei said:

Anyway, I found a free online list of the Eteilla meanings ... and will soldier on to fulfill my DotW committment ... but we shall see whether or not I keep this deck at all. I wish shipping were cheaper across the pond. In USA I would just give you my deck which is in good condition.

Would you mind sharing the link to the list? In case it's a resource I've missed 😂

And thank you, that's such a lovely sentiment! I'm sure if you choose to let it go, it'll find a good home 😁

[Misterei]

2 minutes ago, akiva said:

Would you mind sharing the link to the list? In case it's a resource I've missed 😂

No idea of its quality

https://stolen-thyme.com/etteilla-in-english/

also Benebell Wen has some eteilla writings as she redid the deck ... but I've not looked into hers yet.

[akiva]

3 minutes ago, Misterei said:

No idea of its quality

https://stolen-thyme.com/etteilla-in-english/

also Benebell Wen has some eteilla writings as she redid the deck ... but I've not looked into hers yet.

Thank you Misterei 🙏🏻 I do have this saved in my favourites, it's a good resource. It was written by the creator of the harlequin deck you own 😊

 

I didn't know Benebell Wen had writings on Etteilla, I'll check it out! 

 

Also @fire cat pickles if you're still looking for an Etteilla based deck there are two Italians ones based on his system (not sure if you know these):

 

Tarocco Indovino Ruffolo

Tarocco Egiziano

[Misterei]

May 16 w/ Dame Fortune's Wheel.

Trumps picked via dice and clarifying Minors selected by fan.

I decided to use Tirage since apparently this is an Eteilla deck and Tirage is the only French spread I know.

I'll put the full Question and Text on my journal page.

 

Comments: I don't care for having to look up Eteilla meanings for each card ... but it gave an accurate read.

I don't know that I would use it for predictions since I'm looking up meanings like a newbie ... but the cards hit for an introspective.

Thus I might keep the deck after all.

 

 

Edited May 16, 2024 by Misterei