Your Proverbial Desert Island Decks

[EmpyreanKnight]

If you're destined to be stranded on a desert island and you can do nothing to avert your fate BUT you can prepare for it by packing at most five (5) decks in advance, which would you bring with you? The only rule is that you must have at least one Tarot and one non-Tarot deck - the other three may be any deck at all. You may also bring two cartomantic books with you if you like. ^-^

 

Note: I know bringing decks and books in a survival situation sounds quite impractical, but just humor me lol. After all, this is a Tarot forum. :))

 

[EmpyreanKnight]

For me it's the following:

 

Tarot: Thoth Tarot

Non-Tarot: Pixie's Astounding Lenormand

Deck 1: Smith-Waite Centennial Tarot

Deck 2: Barbara Walker Tarot

Deck 3: (still undecided)

 

Book 1: The Book of Thoth by Aleister Crowley

Book 2: Tarot Wisdom by Rachel Pollack

 

[Flaxen]

This is a tough question as I have so many lovely decks I enjoy reading with!

I’ve narrowed it down to:

 

Tarot: Thoth Tarot - plenty of meat to it and wouldn’t sugarcoat the situation I’m in.

 

Non-Tarot: Dondorf Lenormand - solid, reliable and very practical.

 

Deck 1: CBD Tarot de Marseille - I wanted one TdM or historical deck. This one has lovely expressive faces although my Il Meneghello Soprafino would be a close second.

 

Deck 2: Matthews’ Arthurian Hallowquest- the landscapes would remind me of home.

 

Deck 3: Tarot of the Sidhe - would push me to be the best version of myself even in trying circumstances.

 

Book 1: The Book of Thoth by Aleister Crowley

 

Book 2: Hallowquest Coursebook by Caitlin and John Matthews - I would have plenty of time to work through the course and it would keep me busy.

 

 

[Rose Lalonde]

Tarot

1 Tabula Mundi

2 Roots of Asia

3 Asherah

 

Non-Tarot

4 I Ching (Holitzka)

5 I'm going to need a smile to get me through being stranded... Naruto CCG Oracle :)

 

Books

Book M: Liber Mundi by M. M. Meleen

Mystical Qabalah by Dion Fortune

[TheFeeLion]

Hmmm this made me think for a bit...

 

For me it would have to be

 

1. True Black Tarot - I know it’s not out yet but you didn’t say they had to be ones we owned ;)

 

2. Froud’s Faeries Oracle - including the book because they come as a set :D

 

3. Thoth - it works too well for me not to include it plus it’ll keep me occupied with trying to plumb its depths lol

 

4. Children of Litha Tarot - omg that deck is beautiful and I want it! Even if we didn’t click I would still have something beautiful to look at :D

 

5. Angelarium - this one may even help me out with deciphering Thoth! It’s the “11 Emanations of the Tree of Life as well as 22 attending Seraphim to represent the paths between them” which now I have some faint understanding of.

 

As for books... I guess the first and foremost would have to have the Book of Thoth so I can keep studying. The second? Ummm no idea lol but probably something that would help with RWS stuff

[EmpyreanKnight]

5. Angelarium - this one may even help me out with deciphering Thoth! It’s the “11 Emanations of the Tree of Life as well as 22 attending Seraphim to represent the paths between them” which now I have some faint understanding of.

 

I didn't know that the Angelarium can help with the Thoth. Also - 11 emanations? So it also includes Daath? Interesting.

[TheFeeLion]

I didn't know that the Angelarium can help with the Thoth. Also - 11 emanations? So it also includes Daath? Interesting.

 

I don’t know if it actually can yet, I don’t have the deck (it’s on my wish list though) but from what I can tell it should be able to help at least a little.

 

The artist does include Daath (although he calls it Da’at instead).

 

All of the Emanations can be seen here. If you click on the images he has a description about each one. The Seraphim can be found here.

 

 

[sandrang123]

Thoth

Medieval Scapini

Spiral

Cat People

Blue Bird Lenormand

Book of Thoth

Not sure which second book. Probably one dealing with predictive astrology

[DDwarks]

I didn't know that the Angelarium can help with the Thoth. Also - 11 emanations? So it also includes Daath? Interesting.

 

I don’t know if it actually can yet, I don’t have the deck (it’s on my wish list though) but from what I can tell it should be able to help at least a little.

 

The artist does include Daath (although he calls it Da’at instead).

 

All of the Emanations can be seen here. If you click on the images he has a description about each one. The Seraphim can be found here.

Where and how did you even hear about that decks???

I couldnt find a purchase option. Is it available yet?

[DDwarks]

Ive found it... $85  :-\ :o :'(

 

[ToadieOdie]

Ive found it... $85  :-\ :o :'(

 

 

 

That's for the deluxe kit.

 

 

Why is the art for these always so... weird?

[TheFeeLion]

Where and how did you even hear about that decks???

I couldnt find a purchase option. Is it available yet?

 

I think I may have found it through Book Depository when I was searching through what decks they had available? I know you can still get it through that site (I just looked to check the price). You can also get it directly from the artist (which is what you’ve found already), if you want the deluxe version though I think his site is the only place you can get it?

 

I honestly think it would be a great deck to use in conjunction with the Thoth, which is partly why I’ve got it on my “desert island decks” list (just to get back on topic ;) ) the other reason is because I absolutely love the artwork with it’s alternative view of angels as more abstract/less human/not so cutesy, it just fits my less than black and white view of life I guess (this is also one of the reasons I love Froud’s Faeries too :D)

[The Sibyl]

Hmmm... I love my entire collection but there are loves that are bigger than others.

 

1. Robert Place's Tarot of Vampires. Didn't even have to think about this one!

2. Victoria Regina. I wanted this deck so bad for such a long time that I want it around.

3. Crystal Visions. Because it's one of my go tos.

4. Bad Bitches Tarot. Another one of my go tos.

5. Under the Roses Lenormand. My go-to Lenormand deck.

[Saturn Celeste]

I didn't know that the Angelarium can help with the Thoth. Also - 11 emanations? So it also includes Daath? Interesting.

 

I don’t know if it actually can yet, I don’t have the deck (it’s on my wish list though) but from what I can tell it should be able to help at least a little.

 

The artist does include Daath (although he calls it Da’at instead).

 

All of the Emanations can be seen here. If you click on the images he has a description about each one. The Seraphim can be found here.

Where and how did you even hear about that decks???

I couldnt find a purchase option. Is it available yet?

 

https://www.amazon.com/Angelarium-Oracle-Emanations-Peter-Mohrbacher/dp/0738754331/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533260656&sr=8-1&keywords=angelarium

[AJ-ish/Sharyn]

I have a food one...

 

but Thoth, Songs for the journey home,

Greenwood, Grand Etteilla

 

Runes w/Nigel Pennick book

and I suppose a thoth book

[Penthasilia]

Tarot deck- Seventh Sphere Marseille

Non-tarot deck- Seventh Sphere Lenormand

 

Rounding it out-

my old Etteilla

pack of playing cards

and- here is the rub, I just don't have a third to add to this list

 

Books- I would just take the one I made that has everything in it for cards, lenormand and tarot.

 

How strange- a few years ago this would have been really hard. Now- I just don't have the same love for decks that I did. I love using my SS Marseille and Lenormand- but really I just don't read as much as I used to. Honestly- I would rather pack my paints and brushes if I was going to be stuck on a desert island these days.

 

Perhaps I am falling out of love?

 

 

[DDwarks]

 

https://www.amazon.com/Angelarium-Oracle-Emanations-Peter-Mohrbacher/dp/0738754331/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533260656&sr=8-1&keywords=angelarium

 

Thank you!

[DDwarks]

TheFeeLion[/member]

 

This might help you make your mind up. There's a video showing all the cards if you scroll down.

 

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/matauryn/2017/09/22/angelarium-oracle/

 

Im not convince (yet) that it would be useful but I like art very much .....hmmmm.....

[EmpyreanKnight]

How strange- a few years ago this would have been really hard. Now- I just don't have the same love for decks that I did. I love using my SS Marseille and Lenormand- but really I just don't read as much as I used to. Honestly- I would rather pack my paints and brushes if I was going to be stuck on a desert island these days.

 

Perhaps I am falling out of love?

 

This has happened to me too, but my passion for the Tarot always comes back, sometimes with a vengeance. I hope it's just a phase for you too, Penthasilia.

[Penthasilia]

Thanks- I have been reading for a long time, since my first deck the 1986 Thoth.

 

I think my lack of desire for new decks stems from having one I love- really, it was like this for many years until the Gilded came out- I never looked at new decks then- that was the one that started the craze for me.

 

I don't know- it just seems like anymore I don't need to consult the cards for questions that often- I do a big read maybe every other month and that is it. I figure the answers will come when they do. Perhaps I need to start offering readings here instead to be more consistent. :)

 

 

[DanielJUK]

oooh this is such a hard question, EK you do make us think  :))

 

if I could only have one deck for it, it would be easy, I would have a RWS, I think it's essential in my life. I could survive anything with just a RWS!

 

Tarot: RWS ~ my ultimate tarot deck probably

Non-Tarot: Psycards ~ such a great powerful oracle and love the Jungian links

Deck 1: Pearls of Wisdom Tarot ~ love this deck and it really flows with my intuition. So busy and colourful in every card, I <3 it

Deck 2: Wild Unknown ~ took a long time to be convinced to get it but love the artwork

Deck 3: Mystical Kipper ~ I found it so hard to pick one kipper or lenormand to put in! But this is probably my top of that category

 

If I could add two more I would add Earth Magic Oracle as a second oracle I love and a Lenormand, probably Ciro's Gilded Reverie.

 

Book 1: Biddy Tarot's Ultimate Guide to the Tarot Card Meanings ~ I learnt with these meanings and still use it as a reference often

Book 2: Mary Greer - I can't decide between Tarot for Yourself or 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card ~ love her writing and knowledge!

edited - inspired by Thoughtful, I decided to add reasons for each choice.

[Siavahda]

The non-tarot is easy - Doreen Virtue's Goddess Oracle. My oldest deck, and one that's always given me very clear readings. We've been though thick and thin together :)

 

But tarot... Excluding all the beautiful decks I have pre-ordered or which are still in progress...

 

[*]Dreams of Gaia

[*]Numinous Tarot

[*]Tarot of Transformation

[*]Joie de Vivre

[*]Lisa Hunt's Fantastical Creatures

 

Obviously I would need the DoG's guidebook, and I'd want the ToT's too. I think that's me covered!

[EmpyreanKnight]

The non-Tarot deck is already part of the five, so you would have to drop one of your Tarot decks to make room for it, Siavahda. ;)

[Thoughtful]

l would take with me...

 

Roots of Asia - it brings me tranquillity, peace and spiritual upliftment.

 

The Everyday Enchantment - for its colour, energy and remembrance of life and folk back home.

 

The 1JJ Swiss a long time companion l love for its quirkiness, we go back a long way.

 

The Fin De Siecle which l am just learning.

 

ArchAngel Michael cards to keep me strong and grounded.

 

 

Books. 

Toni Puhle's book on Kipper readings, would give me lots to read and study.

 

 

Violet Flame to heal body, Mind and Soul by Elizabeth Clarke Prophet,  which l may need to use and to meditate on.

 

 

[Siavahda]

The non-Tarot deck is already part of the five, so you would have to drop one of your Tarot decks to make room for it, Siavahda. ;)

 

...AND SUDDENLY IT GETS DIFFICULT.

 

Argh. Okay. Ummmm... Oh gods, I don't know. I guess I would leave...the...Tarot of Transformation. And the only way I can make that decision is by telling myself the ToT's cardstock wouldn't hold up on a desert island!

 

Swap out the ToT's guidebook for the Numinous'.

 

YOU ARE DASTARDLY, EK. DASTARDLY.