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Top 5's

Summary

1/30/2022

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This has been a monster project indeed. Too much choice always makes it more difficult to come to a decision. Apparently that's backed up by research that someone once did somewhere and I can well believe it. So how did I decide what my favourite cards are and what have I learned?
 
Firstly, how did I decide which cards made the top 5? Well, by gut reaction. I laid out all the cards i.e. 80+ Fool cards and so on. Then I chose the ones that I really liked the look of. If I did it all over again today, I would probably get a different result. It's a subjective exercise.

To an extent the cards were competing with each other which may seem like an unfair comparison. That brings me to the first lesson I learned: one card does not make a deck. There were some cards that I knew had stuck out in my mind, the Justice card from the True Black for example. The bright light behind Justice's head really grabbed my attention even among a deck of strikingly beautiful cards. However, that stand out card doesn't necessarily mean the deck will be perfect to work with as a whole.

The next lesson I found was that there are some decks I love that haven't featured much or haven't featured at all in the Top 5. The Naked Heart Tarot, for example, is a deck that I love the overall look and feel of and yet it's sadly missing. That doesn't mean the images are not as great, in fact it could mean the images are better because none stand out, they all work together as a whole deck.  

Of course this exercise is about the images on the cards, not about the quality of the product. So those decks that are a joy to shuffle, Pagan Otherworlds for example, aren't represented but those that drive me nuts when shuffling, e.g. the Brady Tarot or the True Black Tarot, win on image value alone.  

That brings me to another lesson learned. The overall image of a deck can be busy and hard work but some individual cards can be just right. That might mean that you have to stick to single card pulls or smaller spreads.  They can still work really well but your overall use of the deck will be limited.

Bringing all the cards in the number 1 spot together shows that my favourites don't make the perfect deck. In fact, it looks like a badly conceived collaboration deck and  even reduces how attractive each individual card is. This project has, however, helped me pick out the features that I appreciate and helped me to realise the overall theme of the deck is just as important as the individual images. 

Finally, I am in awe of anyone who can create a deck of 78 cards. I congratulate all the creators and artists. I've struggled just to pick my favourite 22 majors. So, will I be choosing my top 5 minor arcana cards? Well, watch this space. 

If you have any cards in your top 5 I'd love to hear about them. What is that you love about the image and why? I'd love to hear your comments. 
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Beginnings and endings
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Forest of Enchantment by Lunea Weatherstone and Meraylah Allwood, Llewellyn.
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My Favourite World

1/28/2022

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The World is the ultimate card in the major arcana. Success, completion and fulfilment. This is generally considered a very positive card showing that your inner self is unifying with your outer life. You are where you should be, everything is going well and you have a future to look forward to. 
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US Games Systems
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5. Tarot of the Sweet Twilight

This is such a beautiful and weird little deck. Here we are on Mars maybe, judging by the colour of the craters. We're reaching out and drawing the earth towards us. Soon we will have the world all to ourselves. We have the capability and the control but what impact are we having on the world? She looks sad, she's crying world tears. Perhaps achieving the ultimate stage will leave us all a little bit sad. Is it time to let go and start again or is it time to focus in on the minutiae of life? What little things can we do day to day to return her to her rightful place? 

4. Lili White Tarot

Flowers, butterflies, luscious grass and trees are a great way to show the World in its best light. When you look closely though you can see it's all being held in someone's hands. This of course reminds us that we are not only responsible for the world we create but for maintaining it and keeping it safe. To enable us to reach this ultimate level and experience this beauty, we need to hand it with care. 
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3. Way Home Tarot

I'm not keen on renaming cards but the change to the universe doesn't bother me too much. In this card it does feel like this little scene could easily represent the highest point on the earth with an open view of the dancing lights in the rest of the universe. There's a connection between the two as well as a wonderful contrast. A small life connecting with the vastness of the universe. 

2. Everyday Witch

This may seem like a strange choice for the World but it's a favourite due to my personal fondness for the beach. It's the image of a perfect time of relaxation and enjoyment of good food and drink and sunshine and you can just see the water lapping at her feet, so the sound of the ocean rings in your ear when you pick this card. I admit, she's perhaps not wearing the best outfit but maybe she'll pop back to her beach hut to change once she's finished celebrating the end of her hard witchy workday! 
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1. Forest of Enchantment Tarot

My favourite World card just had to be the bookend of my favourite Fool card. Here the White Hart leads us out of the forest and into the big wide world. Twinkles and sparkles still dance around our feet, perhaps we will take some of the magic along with us. There is a lot of talk about how the major arcana is a cycle and once the World status has been achieved we start again at the Fool. This symbolism enables us to stay close enough to the forest to start another adventure if we wished. However, it also opens up another path out into the everyday to experience the minor arcana. 

Decks

  • Universal Waite by US Games Systems 
  • Smith-Waite Borderless edition by US Games Systems 
  • Radiant Rider Waite by US Games Systems 

​5. Tarot of the Sweet Twilight by Cristina Benintende, Lo Scarabeo  
4. Lili White Tarot by Celia Melesville
3. Way Home Tarot by Bakara Wintner and Autumn Whitehurst   
2.  Everyday Witch Tarot by Deborah Blake and Elisabeth Alba, Llewellyn

1. Forest of Enchantment Tarot by Lunaea Weatherstone and Meraylah Allwood, published by Llewelyn
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My Favourite Judgement

1/22/2022

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US Games Systems
A time of transformation and choices. Decisions must be taken without apportioning blame or feeling guilty. Judgement is about choosing a new path, taking time to look back and assess and forgiving the past. Liberation, judgement and transformation. 

5. Shadowscapes Tarot

I've said it before, as have many others, but I'll say to again, this deck is beautiful but it's too small to see the images on the cards clearly. And that is such a shame because the details and designs are so pretty. I love the poppies and the butterflies but the raising up of the people in the tune from her musical instrument is what makes this image fit so well with the meaning of the card. 
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4. The Spacious Tarot

I'll be honest, I have no idea why I like the design on this card so much, I just do. I love the teal blue and white contrast and the clear path it denotes, then it turns into a galaxy of opportunities if you follow it. The wintery look of the forest shows that things have come to an end and it's time to start again in a springtime somewhere else. 

3. Bad Bitches Tarot

This is a great deck and I could have chosen a number of cards as favourites but this one really stood out. It cleverly includes the archangel from the RWS on her t-shirt, giving a nod to the 'rise up' message. This Judgement looks cool but kind and I'm sure she'd have a squillion followers on social media . This is an all-women deck but the characters are so well drawn you can almost hear them speak. If you have a question for a friend, you can find her and ask her in this deck. 
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2. Forest of Enchantment Tarot

It was a close run thing on whether this should be number one or two. This could be a very confronting Judgement before this Council of Animals but their kindly expressions and calm presence put you at ease as does the beautiful greenery in the background. From the bat hanging in the tree to the tiny green frog that is almost camouflaged by the grass, you know that they will help you make your decision without blame or guilt. 

1. Anna K Tarot

This card says to me "welcome to heaven". It's time to let go of the weight of your heavy garments and step into the warmth and sunshine with its promise of happiness and lush green fields. The archangel in this card doesn't need to blow a trumpet to catch your attention, he holds a budding staff indicating it's time for a new beginning and merely beckons you forth. It's time to let go of the past. 
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Decks

  • Universal Waite by US Games Systems 
  • Smith-Waite Borderless edition by US Games Systems 
  • Radiant Rider Waite by US Games Systems 

​5. Shadowscapes Tarot by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, published by Llewellyn  
4. The Spacious Tarot by Carrie Mallon and Annie Ruygt
3. Bad Bitches Tarot by Ethony 
2. Forest of Enchantment Tarot by Lunaea Weatherstone and Meraylah Allwood, published by Llewelyn 

1.  Anna K Tarot by Anna K, published by Llewellyn
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My Favourite Sun

1/8/2022

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Such a positive card, signifying success and happiness. The Sun illuminates our path and fills us with playful energy and the ability to manifest our goals. It throws light on future opportunities as well as success in the present. 
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US Games Systems
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5. Mermaid Tarot

This is the first of two mermaid cards  that are favourites. I have surprised myself choosing two watery cards for the sun but this card in particular depicts the radiation and warmth of the sun so well and how far reaching that can be. The water creatures are bright and playful, another aspect of the message of this card.

4. The Spacious Tarot

This whole deck is filled with minimalist images and this one is no exception. The single sunflower tilting its head to the Sun basking in the warmth and light makes me want to lie down in the field beside it and enjoy the beautiful summers day. Lightness, brightness and energy all shine out of this card. 
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3. Way Home Tarot

Some of the landscape in this image looks like it's had a little too much sun, giving the shadow message of this card. However, it's the green trees flourishing in the valley and leading the readers eye along the path to enlightenment that really stands out as the positive message. The Sun in this image is so bright it's almost glowing white. 

2. Dame Darcy Mermaid 

So here's our second mermaid and she's backlit by a beaming yellow sun. She's fun, playful and what says success better than owning your very own seahorse and riding around on the surf all day? The soft colouring in this image is even better in real life and it's a delightful soft touch finish card stock. 
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1. Anna K Tarot

It seems like the end of the Major Arcana in this deck is far more attractive to me than the beginning. Especially this golden sun. This card packs in such a lot. In addition to the glorious sun, there's the bright sunflowers, the established homesteads in the distance and the welcoming pathway through the fields of corn giving you a clear route to where you want to go. It's got everything you need plus lots of space to 'enter' the image if you want to. 

Decks

  • Universal Waite by US Games Systems 
  • Smith-Waite Borderless edition by US Games Systems 
  • Radiant Rider Waite by US Games Systems 

​5. Mermaid Tarot by Leeza Robertson and Julie Dillon, published by Llewellyn  
4. The Spacious Tarot by Carrie Mallon and Annie Ruygt
3. Way Home Tarot by Bakara Wintner and Autumn Whitehurst 
2. Dame Darcy Mermaid Tarot by Dame Darcy

1.  Anna K Tarot by Anna K, published by Llewellyn
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