My second tarot lesson focuses on my top ten recommendations of fantastic tarot decks for learners. For the purpose of this video (I had to cut out much more than I hoped to fit it in the 15 minute youtube limit!) — we are looking for a Rider Waite Smith clone type deck. I offer ten suggestions, with hopes that they have broad appeal.
The Golden Tarot by Kat Black is another collage deck — this one published by US Games. The deck is RWS-style, suitable for beginning and advanced readers alike. I love this deck because it’s so lush. The colors are rich and warm — like the Touchstone Tarot I blogged about earlier. This deck also features full-gilt edges. The box and book that the set comes with are very sturdy and lovely, though I store my deck in a bag.
I’ve found the cardstock on this one to be a bit thicker than most of my other decks and it did require a “breaking in” period where I would shuffle them nonstop for a few minutes to get them warmed up. Now that they’re nice and broken in, I don’t find I have a problem with the cards sticking together. This deck is also slightly bigger than RWS cards — and longer than the Touchstone Tarot (which is my ideal size for my small hands). Overall though, this is a deck that I could pretty much recommend to anyone. It’s so beautiful and readable.
This deck is available through Amazon or Tarotgarden.com — or you could probably find it at any of the big bookstores (Borders or B&N).
I got a copy of Kat Black’s Touchstone Tarot today from Tarot Garden. It’s the limited edition version of the deck — mass market is available for preorder at places like Amazon (and probably Tarot Garden too).
First of all, this was my first order with Tarot Garden and I was really pleased with the customer service. I had sent in a question about this deck before I ordered it and it was answered promtly and completely. I received a shipping notice just a day after I ordered (I ordered it on Sunday I believe — and the mail didn’t run on Monday). I got it today. Fantastic!
Now this version of the deck was a limited print run (of 500 I believe). The deck came in a beautiful handmade bag, with a pen (that says Touchstone Tarot), with a sample of “divinatory incense” (which I don’t use a lot of since I have small children, but made the package smell divine) and an agate pendant. It was a really fun package alltogether and if I ever get around to creating a tarot deck (like my husband was goading me about just a few minutes ago), I hope I can put together something that’s just as unique and exciting to get in the post.
The cards are all really character focused — each card features a prominant figure “dispensing advice” from their post. There is enough illustration in the background of each card that RWS readers can easily make corresponding connections, but I wouldn’t call it a RWS clone by any means.
The deck is different than her Golden Tarot but is just as warm and inviting (maybe I’ll review that one next — haven’t shuffled them in awhile…). I really like this deck. I like the size of the cards and the stock seems to be very shufflable. I look forward to getting to know these cards better and making it a mainstay of my meager collection.
The Fantastic Menagerie Tarot is so beautiful. I’m just completely blown away every time I open up this box. The only tiny little issue that I have with these cards is that the stock is not as heavy as my Tarot of Prague (which was the special, limited first edition printing).
I’m a big fan of J.J. Grandville and I’m planning my next tattoo based on his illustrations.
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