Deck recommendations anyone?

[River]

Good morning there!

I saw another thread like this and decided to give it a try too. I am looking for deck recommendations for me, as I'm a minimalist when it comes to tarot decks. I don't like collecting, plus I'm on a very tight budget recently. Anyway, to the point.

 

Likes:

- Art that is somewhat storybook-like or even a bit abstract, not photorealistic

- Natural images

- Whimsical images

- Quite deep symbolism to explore

- Balanced gender representation

 

Dislikes:

- Digital art

- Decks that are strictly based on one belief system, for example Wiccan or Celtic

 

Indifferent about:

- System - I like both the RWS and the Thoth and I'd try decks that don't fit into either system

- Reversible or non-reversible backs - I don't read reversals

 

Thanks in advance  ;D

[Raggydoll]

I’m gonna say the Sasuraibito tarot because it just reads so well. I use it as my main reading deck for all sorts of readings and it is both profound and straightforward, and it works for everyday stuff as well as for deep spiritual explorations. It is an indie-deck so it cost a bit more than the mass produced ones, plus it can be harder to find. But I still feel it is truly worth all the extra hassle!

[Guest Night Shade]

Hi, River

 

I love the Hanson-Roberts Tarot -it's done in soft, pastel colored pencils, and has story-book like images:

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/hanson-roberts/

 

Mary Hanson-Roberts also illustrates the Whimsical tarot; I don't have this one, but it looks like a nice deck:

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/whimsical/

 

[Guest Night Shade]

I forgot the Happy Tarot.  You may find it a little childish and sugary sweet, but it's definitely whimsical, and, in my opinion, the most adorable deck ever!

 

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/happy-tarot/

[Grandma]

The Rabbit Tarot checks all the items on your Likes list!

 

http://www.nakisha.com/the_rabbit_tarot.htm

 

I have the mini deck.  It fits perfectly into this mini rocking rabbit which is part of my rabbit collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jewel]

Hi River,

 

The first deck that popped into my head when I read your post was The Victorian Fairy Tarot.  It does not have the esoteric symbolism but it does incorporate Victorian flower symbolism.  The deck looks straight out of a storybook, and the imagery really captures the meanings of the cards.  The book that comes with the deck is also really nice, and includes some great spreads.  Do not let the faerie theme or pastel type colors fool you, this deck is a really well designed complete deck and serves well for all types of readings.  The plants and flowers are not generic, they are actually renderings of the real flowers and plants.  It really is a beautiful deck and extremely readable.

[Kicia]

It sounds like you might be interested in the Dreaming Way tarot.

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/dreaming-way/

[reall]

Shadowscapes Tarot; http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/shadowscapes/

& Monstarot http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/monstarot/

both have interesting story, Reversal back are not problem if you watch your shuffle?!:D

 

ETA; just remembered to add my fav Ellis Tarot; https://www.ellistrations.net/the-ellis-deck.html

[ali3n]

maybe you'll like the white cats tarot

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/white-cats/

 

i dont have it but i would like to, i've heard good reviews on it tho,

i'm just not too fond of the backs  :))

[Guest Night Shade]

You might like the World Spirit Tarot too

 

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/world-spirit/

[Saturn Celeste]

Likes:

- Art that is somewhat storybook-like or even a bit abstract, not photorealistic

- Natural images

- Whimsical images

- Quite deep symbolism to explore

- Balanced gender representation

 

Dislikes:

- Digital art

- Decks that are strictly based on one belief system, for example Wiccan or Celtic

 

Hi River!  I love these types of threads!  Ok, here's my take.

 

The Chrysalis Tarot:

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/chrysalis-tarot/

The deck is a little different from the RW system with added cards.  It is about a troupe of storytellers so the deck is all about telling stories.  The artwork is awesome!

 

Tarot of the Absurd:

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/absurd/

This is a fun deck that surprisingly has deep symbolism.  The black and white is also fun, puts a different slant on the entire reading.

 

2 decks by this artist: Christopher Butler

The Son Tarot:

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/son/

The Healing Light:

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/healing-light-tarot/

The artwork is amazing.  I have the Healing Light and I love the deck very much!!

 

Modern Spellcaster Tarot:

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/modern-spellcasters-tarot/

A fabulous deck!  So alive and the Knight cards are the very best of almost any tarot deck I have.  I love this deck!

 

English Magic:

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/english-magic-tarot/

This deck did not go over real good but it does have some old English magic in the deck.  If you like to delve into the symbolism, this deck will do it.  I don't know why it was so ill received but it's cheap and I find it very interesting.

 

[River]

Hey, I'm sorry for the late reply!

So, I like many of those decks. ^-^

The Sasuraibito is nice with really smart illustrations but I don't know why it doesn't appeal to me that much.

I like the Hanson-Roberts quite a lot, some of the people look kinda weird but I have thought of getting it. The Whimsical too, although I prefer the latter.

The Happy Tarot was such a surprize! I usually don't like "fluffy" decks but this one retains so much of the original symbolism and looks dreamy. :hug:

The Rabbit tarot is also adorable. Unfortunately, I tend to stay away from indy decks because of the cost and the custom charges. :-\

The Dreaming Way is really close to perfect for me. :) I adore the red cheeks! The 3 of pentacles is a bit strange.

Monstarot... hmmm no, a bit too childish.  ;D And the Ellis no cause I don't really like digital art.

Actually I have thought about the Shadowscapes too. I think the images are a bit too busy but I like the whimsical quality and I find them very fitting and evocative in most cases. Maybe I should give it a try.

As for the Tarot of the White Cats, I don't like animals that behave too much like humans or humans with animal heads haha. Although I kinda like the Animal Lords tarot.

The World Spirit is stunning! Besides the Sun card. The Sun card is a very creepy baby.  >:D Otherwise, very close to perfect!

Oh, I'm also thinking about the Chrysalis. I haven't watched reviews but I will if I have time. So many decks... :D

Tarot of the Absurd... So-so.

The Son Tarot and the Healing Light have a very similar style of digital art that I don't really like, plus the first is very focused on gay men and I'm not part of this community.

I like the Modern Spellcasters! I still don't get some images (this Page of Cups is just greedy isn't he :)) ) and the Hierophant looks so evil! But I'll definitely look more into it.

The English Magic doesn't appeal that much to me either but it's quite pretty and I can see the symbolism.

 

I did my research and found some decks I liked a lot.

- Greenwood

- Daughters of the Moon

- Wild Unknown (that I already have)

- Tarot of the Crone

- Minoan Tarot

- The good old RWS even though initially I hated it

- Britt's Third Eye

- Delta Enduring Tarot

[Faye]

I have my eye on the Ostara Tarot... I think it suits your specs nicely too! This blog has a lot of the cards pictured so you can see if it speaks to you too  :)

 

https://benebellwen.com/2017/08/29/the-ostara-tarot-a-beautiful-deck-for-year-round-use/

 

[Kicia]

I second the Ostara Tarot suggestion. That decision is wonderful and easy to work with.

 

You may also want to check out decks by Paulina Cassidy. It sounds like you would like her artwork.

Paulina Tarot: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/paulina/

Joie de Vivre Tarot: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/joie-de-vivre/

[Kicia]

I meant to say the deck is wonderful. Stupid autocorrect.

[Guest Night Shade]

The World Spirit is stunning! Besides the Sun card. The Sun card is a very creepy baby.  >:D Otherwise, very close to perfect!

 

Actually, there's a new version of the World Spirit Tarot, with a much nicer sun card (no one liked the "Nixon baby"!)

 

You can see the new version of the Sun card here, as well as the new versions of the Magician and the 10 of Pentacles.

https://www.tarotforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=86354&stc=1&d=1487989810

 

[River]

The World Spirit is stunning! Besides the Sun card. The Sun card is a very creepy baby.  >:D Otherwise, very close to perfect!

 

Actually, there's a new version of the World Spirit Tarot, with a much nicer sun card (no one liked the "Nixon baby"!)

 

You can see the new version of the Sun card here, as well as the new versions of the Magician and the 10 of Pentacles.

https://www.tarotforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=86354&stc=1&d=1487989810

 

MUCH BETTER  :D

The Sun could actually make me not get this deck at all. The Magician for me could go either way but I prefer the newer one I think, and I hadn't notived the old Ten of Pentacles.

[Guest Night Shade]

MUCH BETTER  :D

The Sun could actually make me not get this deck at all. The Magician for me could go either way but I prefer the newer one I think, and I hadn't notived the old Ten of Pentacles.

 

In the old 10 of Pentacles, the guy was sitting among those children with no pants on.  So yeah, it needed to go.

[River]

MUCH BETTER  :D

The Sun could actually make me not get this deck at all. The Magician for me could go either way but I prefer the newer one I think, and I hadn't notived the old Ten of Pentacles.

 

In the old 10 of Pentacles, the guy was sitting among those children with no pants on.  So yeah, it needed to go.

 

lol yes it did

[Lantana]

Funny that you listed the Delta Enduring as one you liked, as I believe the art was made digitally...  :shhh:

 

 

[River]

Funny that you listed the Delta Enduring as one you liked, as I believe the art was made digitally...  :shhh:

 

Hmm I don't know, I like the art style. When I said "digital art" I was thinking of something like the Thelema or the Gilded.