This is the DE-ENABLE thread concerning buying and reading of tarot.

[gregory]

I bought it years ago. I looked through it and have never once been moved to use it - or even look at it much. It feels completely unusable. And mine was even cheap - £7 in 1989. If I saw it now - even at that price - I'd pass. And there are only 38 cards - that's a heck of a per card price, Also - after not very long at all the thick black lines really start to grate; They feel like some kid went round the figures with a fat sharpie.

 

Tell you what - if you can wait a bit (probably) I'll put you on my list to get my copy when I pop my clogs. The anticipation will do you for now !

[Chariot]

8 hours ago, gregory said:

I bought it years ago. I looked through it and have never once been moved to use it - or even look at it much. It feels completely unusable. And mine was even cheap - £7 in 1989. If I saw it now - even at that price - I'd pass. And there are only 38 cards - that's a heck of a per card price, Also - after not very long at all the thick black lines really start to grate; They feel like some kid went round the figures with a fat sharpie.

 

Tell you what - if you can wait a bit (probably) I'll put you on my list to get my copy when I pop my clogs. The anticipation will do you for now !

Ha ha!  Your perspective, and a night's sleep have done the trick.  I'll pass on this one.  Whew ...narrow escape!  Thanks.

The fact that I would never actually use the deck (and the price) is probably the main reason I've turned it down.  I don't collect decks I don't use, and have given away many more decks than I've kept.  I really don't need this one. And I find, in the cold light of morning, I don't really want it either.  Mind you, for £7, I'd still grab it. But for £50 plus postage?  I think I'll pass. Will I regret it?  Dunno.... 🙂

[Raggydoll]

1 hour ago, Chariot said:

Ha ha!  Your perspective, and a night's sleep have done the trick.  I'll pass on this one.  Whew ...narrow escape!  Thanks.

The fact that I would never actually use the deck (and the price) is probably the main reason I've turned it down.  I don't collect decks I don't use, and have given away many more decks than I've kept.  I really don't need this one. And I find, in the cold light of morning, I don't really want it either.  Mind you, for £7, I'd still grab it. But for £50 plus postage?  I think I'll pass. Will I regret it?  Dunno.... 🙂

 

You did the right thing for sure! No regrets, just onwards and upwards!

 

 

[Misterei]

22 hours ago, Chariot said:

It's  not a conventional deck. I will probably never use it for reading.  It's not my culture.  It's at the upper edge of affordability for me just now.  But it's the original version, in French.  Looks to be in perfect condition.  It's located here in the UK, so the postage is affordable.  I will probably never get another chance to get this one.  And I think it's gorgeous.  That deck grabbed my attention from Day One, when I first saw pictures of it.  Help.  Talk me out of it?  I think....

I think this deck just went through a re-release and its fans were ecstatic. I thought about purchasing it as I do like French decks. *BUT* upon watching the flip through I realized it was too different from regular tarot or LN or any other system i use. I liked the artwork and colors but not enough to want it as an art deck. And I knew I would never use it since I don't wish to learn a whole new system  just to read with it. It was a *pass* for me.

[Chariot]

3 hours ago, Misterei said:

I think this deck just went through a re-release and its fans were ecstatic. I thought about purchasing it as I do like French decks. *BUT* upon watching the flip through I realized it was too different from regular tarot or LN or any other system i use. I liked the artwork and colors but not enough to want it as an art deck. And I knew I would never use it since I don't wish to learn a whole new system  just to read with it. It was a *pass* for me.

I didn't know about the re-issue, but yes, the basic un-usability of the deck for personal readings was what tipped the scale for me.  I don't need to spend £50+ just to look at 38 interesting pictures, do I?  I have spent some time learning about aspects of Rom culture, so some of the pictures make sense to me in a cultural/historical context.  But it's not my culture or my history, and I would feel a bit of a fraud trying to use it.   I guess we can't do/be everything, can we?   I will keep an eye out for the re-issue though ...if I could get it for a much reduced price I still might be tempted.  The deck I found for sale was an original deck.  I'll let it be a 'find' for somebody else. 🙂

[Misterei]

1 hour ago, Chariot said:

...  I will keep an eye out for the re-issue though ...if I could get it for a much reduced price I still might be tempted. 

I think I saw it on Amazon, but it might have been Amazon France ... ??? The price itself was decent but shipping from France is an extra cost, so that was another factor on the *no* side.

[Chariot]

@Misterei - Just appeared on the UK Amazon site, but isn't available till March 2025.  Price is half of the other option and delivery will be free. Well, I've put it in my basket, and this will give me a bit more time to think about it.

[Rupicapra]

Can I get some help please? Talk me out of the Erenberg Tarot please:

https://www.usgamesinc.com/erenberg-tarot

 

I like the close-ups and zoomed in views that still leave enough to get the card. I love the aces! I like the colours and the artwork. I like the price too because it's mass market. I just don't need any more decks, I've barely used my cards at all the past few months and I worry I just want that one because I think it'll get me into reading again. Uh!  

[FindYourSovereignty]

1 hour ago, Rupicapra said:

Can I get some help please? Talk me out of the Erenberg Tarot please:

https://www.usgamesinc.com/erenberg-tarot

 

I like the close-ups and zoomed in views that still leave enough to get the card. I love the aces! I like the colours and the artwork. I like the price too because it's mass market. I just don't need any more decks, I've barely used my cards at all the past few months and I worry I just want that one because I think it'll get me into reading again. Uh!  

Too many close-up body parts: eyes, feet and hands! Such a moody feeling - who needs that this time of year?! And just a little too literal with the Fool card depicted as a jester, a star for The Star, a moon for the Moon, a skull for Death. And why ballet feet for the World card? Not sure how much the images actually help with a reading if you don’t already have a solid foundation with card meanings. Seems like it will be a deck that ultimately ends up on the shelf, in a drawer, or out-the-door.

[Misterei]

8 hours ago, Rupicapra said:

Can I get some help please? Talk me out of the Erenberg Tarot please: ...

Normally these are easy for me as most new decks leave me cold. But I can see the attraction to this deck. Since you've asked for a DE enable - I will do my best.

The Strength card. Closeup of bustline. Umm. No thank you.

The World as ballet shoes. Yep. You experience a world of hurt if you dance en pointe.

 

Mostly, tho, I actually like this deck. So the main thing that would stop me from purchase is the format of details taken from RWS system. 

In other words, this is a deck for people who already know RWS quite well. It wouldn't work for clients. It wouldn't work for students.

Edited September 30 by Misterei

[Rose Lalonde]

5 hours ago, Rupicapra said:

I worry I just want that one because I think it'll get me into reading again.

I have to say that that happened to me when I got a deck in 2016 after a while not reading; a new deck kickstarted my enthusiasm for tarot, because I loved (still love) it so much. If you think you'll have a great time working with this deck, it might get you into reading again.

 

BUT, since this is the de-enable thread, I'll say... The staring. 👁️ 👁️ So many cards staring at you, 👁️ 👁️ staring intently, never blinking. 👁️ 👁️. Daring you look away 👁️ 👁️, like Dr Who's weeping angels. 😂😅

 

Edited September 30 by Rose Lalonde
typo

[Rupicapra]

😄 @FindYourSovereignty thank you for taking the task serious, @Misterei and @Rose Lalonde thank you for your contributions, altho they are still leaving me a bit torn 😆 🤣

The Jester Fool is really not my favourite, world-ballet is a bit odd and definitely too many eyes 👁️👁️👁️ 😄 
I'm ok for now. If I'm desperate, I just think of the Fool card. If I still feel strongly at the end of October, I might give in, but not now. 

Thank you all 🙏

[FindYourSovereignty]

I am seeking support in de-enabling me from buying Jamie Sawyer’s deck Pocket of Peers tarot. I have an opportunity to purchase at a not-great price, but doable, however, without guidebook. I happen to want the guidebook with my decks even if they aren’t always helpful. Anyway, please help. I know there are weird things about the deck and in some ways it is gimmicky: That said… - I think it is mostly the photo images of some of the people that bother me the absolute most, but overall, there is something about having a deck that references so many of the tarot community and creators in such a thoughtful way that speaks to me. What say you? Thank you in advance!

[Raggydoll]

43 minutes ago, FindYourSovereignty said:

I am seeking support in de-enabling me from buying Jamie Sawyer’s deck Pocket of Peers tarot. I have an opportunity to purchase at a not-great price, but doable, however, without guidebook. I happen to want the guidebook with my decks even if they aren’t always helpful. Anyway, please help. I know there are weird things about the deck and in some ways it is gimmicky: That said… - I think it is mostly the photo images of some of the people that bother me the absolute most, but overall, there is something about having a deck that references so many of the tarot community and creators in such a thoughtful way that speaks to me. What say you? Thank you in advance!

That’s the deck that has Benebell Wen as Justice, right? (I googled to verify, and yes it is). To me, it wouldn’t be a readable deck, and I wouldn’t consider it a desirable collectible. I don’t think you have to have tarot readers ON the cards in order to appreciate the tarot community. Honor the creators by using their decks, read their books and watch their YouTube content. Like and subscribe, that sort of thing 😄
 

And based on the cards I have seen, there are almost none that I resonate with. I don’t see why a lawyer could ever represent the archetype of Justice, it doesn’t make sense. So much of what they do are not in line with actual justice and they also don’t get to decide anything. 

 

As far as the art, well, it’s not my thing. I have seen her art process where she drew digitally on a transparent layer directly onto the photos. This gives a very special look, almost like she used a filter. Some might really like that style, it’s just not for me. 

[Rose Lalonde]

@FindYourSovereignty, the only positive thing you said about it was that the idea behind it speaks to you. For the money you're talking about, are you going to be thrilled to receive it, or is it possible that this is a case of FOMO since it's out of print? Plus this seems like a deck where the guidebook would be helpful, assuming it includes info about each member of the tarot community pictured. (I agree with what @Raggydoll said about using the creator's deck, books, etc. and not finding this deck very readable.)

[Ferrea]

The style is too contemporary for my taste. It would feel dated too quickly.

[FindYourSovereignty]

Thank you all very much!
 

Yes, @Raggydoll, as you discovered, it is the deck with Benebell Wen as the Justice card. Excellent point of honoring the artists in other ways. There are many that I don’t even know who they are. I watched a YouTube video about the guidebook and she had little to say in favor of the guidebook indicating that it was lacking as to why a specific creator was representing that card. And I think she may also have family members that people would have no connection with  - I may have misunderstood that part, but I thought that she mentioned this.

 

@Rose Lalonde, I think you nailed the biggest draw: FOMO! There are a few decks I had the opportunity to back on Kickstarter and chose not to for any number of reasons, but usually funds, and this deck was one of them. 
 

It is a contemporary deck, good point, @Ferrea. Much of my interest right now is learning older methods which this deck wouldn’t easily support.

 

I shall pass on this deck, once again, and not look back this time. 😊