Tarot Association's Top 50 Essential Tarot Decks Redux

[Misterei]

4 hours ago, fire cat pickles said:

There was another thread somewhere that discussed what was meant my "essential". Can anyone find it? Basically we talked about how what is essential for one person will not be essential for the next.

Actually, I think we can define some "essentials" in an objective way.

For example

• 1 original RWS deck b/c this is the most popular deck in the world
• 1 Marseille style deck (CBD, Fournier, or any of the classics) b/c this was the standard deck for 400 years
• 1 Thoth deck because this is the 3rd of the three major systems
• 1 Tarocchi (like Visconti Sforza or similar) for historic value
• 1 modern "classic" both Lightseers and Wild Unknown have achieved "modern classic" status. They are very popular and will likely withstand the test of time whilst other decks come and go.

The above decks won't seem essential to the "tarot tourist" ... but I think any serious student or collector would want them as essential examples of tarot's evolution from the 1400s to 2000s.

[gregory]

I might omit the "modern classic" as an essential, as they are so HUGELY various...

 

I might also include a Papus. For the effect it had on some other decks.

[fire cat pickles]

2 hours ago, gregory said:

I might omit the "modern classic" as an essential, as they are so HUGELY various...

 

I might also include a Papus. For the effect it had on some other decks.

Modern Classic category?  Yes, but leave the choice up to the consumer.  For instance,  I cannot stand the Wild Unknown and have no idea what the appeal is. (I can't get past the "butthole" card!) I suspect it will not stand the test of time. 

 

Other possibilities for a modern classic: Primordial Tarot, Voyager Tarot (James Wanless), Osho Zen

 

 

Edited November 8, 2022 by fire cat pickles

[FLizarraga]

This time I sat down and counted, and at some point or another I have owned 34 of them.

 

Of course I own more than one Minchiate and several editions of the Visconti Sforza, as well as several Thoths, Waite-Smiths and Mary-Els (both MM editions)...

[fire cat pickles]

2 minutes ago, FLizarraga said:

This time I sat down and counted, and at some point or another I have owned 34 of them.

 

Of course I own more than one Minchiate and several editions of the Visconti Sforza, as well as several Thoths, Waite-Smiths and Mary-Els (both MM editions)...

I would argue that a Minchiate is an essential!

[gregory]

Fair enough - and what about Papus ?

 

Osho Zen - no no no no.

 

Um, no.

 

Modern Classic - I could run with Primordial. MAybe even Vertigo ?

[Guest]

6 hours ago, fire cat pickles said:

I would argue that a Minchiate is an essential!

 

I heartily second this.

 

I'd include the Sola Busca too. So many historical firsts. It was also a huge influence on the RWS.

[Misterei]

9 hours ago, fire cat pickles said:

Modern Classic category?  Yes, but leave the choice up to the consumer.  For instance,  I cannot stand the Wild Unknown and have no idea what the appeal is. (I can't get past the "butthole" card!) I suspect it will not stand the test of time.

 

7 hours ago, fire cat pickles said:

I would argue that a Minchiate is an essential!

 

6 minutes ago, Akhilleus said:

I'd include the Sola Busca too. So many historical firsts. It was also a huge influence on the RWS.

LOL ok, per the suggestions ... a REVISED "essentials list" for the serious collector or student:

• 1 original RWS deck b/c this is the most popular deck in the world
• 1 Marseille style deck (CBD, Fournier, or any of the classics) b/c this was the standard deck for 400 years
• 1 Thoth deck because this is the 3rd of the three major systems
• 1 Tarocchi (Visconti Sforza or similar) for historic value
• 1 sola busca for historic reference
• 1 "modern classic" perhaps Lightseers to show the movement toward ethnic diversity in the 2000s

I didn't include the Minchiate suggestion for the same reason I'm not including LeNormands.

This list is specific to 78-card tarots.

 

Vis a vis "modern classics"

I also dislike the Wild Unknown ... every time I try to read with it I get flashbacks to Blair Witch Project movie and the deck creeps me out. I feel similarly about Sola Busca. That deck is basically a grimoire of black magick and even looking through it disturbs me ... but I do own both decks. I would argue that Wild Unknown "might" become a modern classic ... but yes ... it hasn't withstood the test of time so it got deleted. I DO include Lightseers because this deck has already spawned a bunch of "clones" which tells me it hit a nerve for many people. But yes, it may still be too early to tell.

[Teemu]

Well, I like the Osho Zen Tarot. Not particularly for the artwork, but the book brings a buddhism aspect to the christian tarot.

 

Tastes differ, and I neither like the "Wild Unknown" nor the "Lightseer". I think they stick too much to RWS.

Among the decks I like are the "Hermetic Tarot" or "Tabula Mundi", and "True Black"  for its artwork.

 

[Misterei]

4 minutes ago, Teemu said:

Well, I like the Osho Zen Tarot. Not particularly for the artwork, but the book brings a buddhism aspect to the christian tarot.

Tastes differ, and I neither like the "Wild Unknown" nor the "Lightseer". I think they stick too much to RWS.

Among the decks I like are the "Hermetic Tarot" or "Tabula Mundi", and "True Black"  for its artwork.

Good point. Osho Zen is a contender for Modern Classic. It's been around since 1995 ... so 25+ years at this point.

Does it show ethnic diversity?

This strikes me as one of the major movements in Tarot. It's been eurocentric for 500 years (and rightly so ... it's an Italian invention) but now that it's gone global ... I do think the movement toward ethnic diversity is a noteworthy development. I don't own the deck ... but maybe I'll look for a flip through to see.

[Teemu]

3 minutes ago, Misterei said:

Does it show ethnic diversity?

A bit. Just browsed through it - it blends european, indian, and east asian themes, which makes sense for the buddhistic background.

[gregory]

Does no-one except me find the Papus important ?

[fire cat pickles]

3 hours ago, Misterei said:

1 sola busca for historic reference

 

19 minutes ago, gregory said:

Does no-one except me find the Papus important

I do, but we could modify this entry and say "1 Sola Busca, Papus, Minchiate or other historic deck for reference"?

[Misterei]

3 hours ago, gregory said:

Does no-one except me find the Papus important ?

I'm not familiar with Papus deck. I just looked at some images of it.

Why do you feel it's an essential deck?

[gregory]

Just that I THINK it is the first to incorporate a shedload of extras, sort of based around Levi's work - and that had quite the influence on later GD decks, I THINK...

[Misterei]

On 11/8/2022 at 12:35 PM, Teemu said:

Well, I like the Osho Zen Tarot. Not particularly for the artwork, but the book brings a buddhism aspect to the christian tarot.

 

On 11/9/2022 at 2:12 AM, gregory said:

[Papus deck] ... based around Levi's work - and that had quite the influence on later GD decks, I THINK...

OK ... after many good suggestions ... perhaps an Essentials list (for the serious student or collector) most folks would agree on:

• 1 original RWS deck b/c this is the most popular deck in the world
• 1 Marseille style deck (CBD, Fournier, or any of the classics) b/c this was the standard deck for 400 years
• 1 Thoth deck because this is the 3rd of the three major systems
• 1 Tarocchi (Visconti Sforza or similar) for historic value
• 1 obscure yet influential historic deck (sola busca, Papus, Eteilla, GD, or Minchiate)
• 1 modern deck to show the recent movement toward ethnic diversity (Osho Zen, Motherpeace, Lighseers)

[stephanelli]

While I think you've written a great list, I have to say I disagree with your list of essentials for 'serious students' because I think it really depends on what the student wants to get out of studying tarot and where they are on their learning journey.  I consider myself a serious student of tarot but don't own any on the list.  Although I reference the RWS, I have studied the RWS symbolism and I can read with an RWS deck; I don't actually own a copy because the artwork doesn't suit me (although it makes perfect sense to me that this should be on an essentials decks list!)

 

While all students should get a grounding in the basics of tarot, including the history, I don't feel its necessary that they need to own all these historic decks in order to understand the context that the decks came from.  I agree that better understanding will come through studying the cards and symbolism in each deck, but if they are not interested in learning how to read with historical tarot decks then saying that these decks are essential for them may be off putting.

 

To be honest, I think a list of essential decks vary depending on who you are and what you want to get out of tarot.

I think my essentials list would be much smaller and something like:

- RWS (because its a universal language in the tarot world nowadays)

- a well-rounded modern deck with ethnic diversity

- a Marseille style deck (because as you say, it was the standard deck for many years)

 

Anyway, I just wanted to come in here with a different perspective.

[euripides]

On 11/11/2022 at 9:27 PM, stephanelli said:

 

To be honest, I think a list of essential decks vary depending on who you are and what you want to get out of tarot.

I think my essentials list would be much smaller and something like:

- RWS (because its a universal language in the tarot world nowadays)

- a well-rounded modern deck with ethnic diversity

- a Marseille style deck (because as you say, it was the standard deck for many years)

 

Anyway, I just wanted to come in here with a different perspective.

 

I like your list, Stephanelli - there's room for choice while covering the essential qualities.

 

I can see the value in 'standard essentials' - almost a sort of curriculum that might be prescribed if there were a formalized course on Tarot: it wouldn't necessarily 'suit' everyone but contains a core, representative selection. I've found this in all of the diverse courses I've studied formally: there's always something (and often way too much!) content that is variously not my thing, but we're required to cover in order to develop a good grounding. They're useful when you're learning, too, when you're trying to figure out what you need to know, and there are SO many Tarots out there nowadays. I think I'd be totally lost!  I'm enjoying these various takes on the idea, from 'completionist journey through Tarot history' version and a 'short course essentials' version, to a 'choose your own adventure'.

 

I'd maybe add a Thoth to the short list?

[rylla]

On 11/8/2022 at 12:00 PM, Misterei said:

 

 

LOL ok, per the suggestions ... a REVISED "essentials list" for the serious collector or student:

• 1 original RWS deck b/c this is the most popular deck in the world
• 1 Marseille style deck (CBD, Fournier, or any of the classics) b/c this was the standard deck for 400 years
• 1 Thoth deck because this is the 3rd of the three major systems
• 1 Tarocchi (Visconti Sforza or similar) for historic value
• 1 sola busca for historic reference
• 1 "modern classic" perhaps Lightseers to show the movement toward ethnic diversity in the 2000s

I didn't include the Minchiate suggestion for the same reason I'm not including LeNormands.

This list is specific to 78-card tarots.

 

 

I agree with this essential list. The "modern classic" seems to be different for everyone.  For me it would be the Primordial too.  I guess most of the tarotists  agree on RWS and Thoth and Marseille decks but I don't think there is a "modern classic" that would be agreed by all at this point in time.

(ha ha, when I wrote the word "tarotists" it got highlighted in red and it indicated the word "teapotists" and I found it funny because this word fits this website too )

 

I have most of the decks from the beginning of the list; I did not read the list to the end as I've got to some deck which I had and got rid of them because personally I did not like them and I definitely don't consider them to be essential and my (tarot) life was all the same without them, then some oracle and Lenormand cards came up as well and I lost my interest "list-wise" 

Edited November 17, 2022 by rylla

[Misterei]

On 11/10/2022 at 11:05 PM, Misterei said:

 

OK ... after many good suggestions ... perhaps an Essentials list (for the serious student or collector) most folks would agree on:

• 1 original RWS deck b/c this is the most popular deck in the world
• 1 Marseille style deck (CBD, Fournier, or any of the classics) b/c this was the standard deck for 400 years
• 1 Thoth deck because this is the 3rd of the three major systems
• 1 Tarocchi (Visconti Sforza or similar) for historic value
• 1 obscure yet influential historic deck (sola busca, Papus, Eteilla, GD, or Minchiate)
• 1 modern deck to show the recent movement toward ethnic diversity (Osho Zen, Motherpeace, Lighseers)

 

On 11/11/2022 at 2:27 AM, stephanelli said:

To be honest, I think a list of essential decks vary depending on who you are and what you want to get out of tarot.

I think my essentials list would be much smaller and something like:

- RWS (because its a universal language in the tarot world nowadays)

- a well-rounded modern deck with ethnic diversity

- a Marseille style deck (because as you say, it was the standard deck for many years)

LOL fair enough stephaneilli. Maybe we'll call your list "Minimalist Essentials". I lived in a Tiny House for nearly 7 years so had to limit my collection to fit in a certain space. Your list is an elegant way to pare it down to for minimalists or folks who aren't as history-obsessed.

 

Now I moved into a big (well, normal size for most people) house and I've gone a bit crazy with being able to collect decks. EEEE!

Edited November 17, 2022 by Misterei

[Jewel]

Osho Zen essential? ~rolls eyes~ Not in my world! EVER!  Beautiful yes, but not essential and frankly not really Tarot either .... I mean anyone who thinks Rainbows is an element, just no no no!  And the aces and court cards ... just not Tarot.  This deck to me is more useful as an oracle than a Tarot and I still don't use it.  I spent a month working with this deck as part of my deck of the month thing, and it was an excrutiating month for me.  I was never so glad a month was over! 😣

Edited March 10, 2023 by Jewel

[Misterei]

On 3/10/2023 at 12:53 PM, Jewel said:

Osho Zen ... I spent a month working with this deck as part of my deck of the month thing, and it was an excrutiating month for me.  I was never so glad a month was over! 

@Jewel but how do you REALLY feel?

Anyway ... I was trying to get at what might be called a "modern classic". Which is kind of an oxymoron, I know. But bear with me. SO MANY new decks come and go in the digital tarot renaissance explosion o' decks. A few seem to have staying power. Osho, Lightseekers, Wild Unknown (which I like as much as you enjoy osho). Now maybe wild unknown will fade away, perhaps Light seers, too. Osho has some staying power.

But yeah, not essential in the strict definition of the word. 

I'm one of those people who likes to have a mix of styles in my collection. So it was "essential" for me to have a "modern" deck even though modern isn't my cup of tea. I went with Light seers.

Edited March 13, 2023 by Misterei

[Jewel]

On 3/10/2023 at 9:08 PM, Misterei said:

@Jewel but how do you REALLY feel?

Anyway ... I was trying to get at what might be called a "modern classic". Which is kind of an oxymoron, I know. But bear with me. SO MANY new decks come and go in the digital tarot renaissance explosion o' decks. A few seem to have staying power. Osho, Lightseekers, Wild Unknown (which I like as much as you enjoy osho). Now maybe wild unknown will fade away, perhaps Lightseekers, too. Osho has some staying power.

But yeah, not essential in the strict definition of the word. 

I'm one of those people who likes to have a mix of styles in my collection. So it was "essential" for me to have a "modern" deck even though modern isn't my cup of tea. I went with Lightseekers.

@Misterei LOL.  I love that there are all kinds of decks, different strokes for different folks and its all good.  I too like having a mix.  One of my favorite decks is hated by many (The Cosmic Tribe), but I know it is not everyone's cup of tea.  My issues with the Osho just had to do with elements not jiving, the negativity of the swords, the court cards and the aces mainly.  Again, just personal preference and those things just grated on me as I worked with the deck.  I did give it chance, and really wanted to like it because there are some cards I love like the Strength card.  But there was just too much in the deck I could not reconcile and it just did not feel like a Tarot deck to me personally.  I am glad others really love it, and I respect that even if it will never change my mind about that deck.

[Chariot]

I'm wondering if the Anna K Tarot might qualify as a modern classic.  

[Misterei]

4 hours ago, Jewel said:

@Misterei LOL.  I love that there are all kinds of decks, ...I too like having a mix.  ... My issues with the Osho just had to do with elements not jiving,... there was just too much in the deck I could not reconcile ...

Yes. I've had a friend read me with Osho many times ... liked the readings ... but never felt attracted to buy it for myself ... the reasons you mention. There's another modern deck I really like (can't remember the title) But they made pentacles fire or something to do with dragons ... pretty deck .... but no.

2 hours ago, Chariot said:

I'm wondering if the Anna K Tarot might qualify as a modern classic.  

It's only been around since 2013 ... so hard to say if it will have staying power ... but it certainly has a large and devoted following. And well deserved, too. I don't own it but I respect it.

Edited March 13, 2023 by Misterei