The BoyDiviner on YouTube did a video that, although it is not a hashtag, I really enjoyed a lot and decided to do a (non)VR to anyway.
This is about tarot decks that intimidate me in some way or another. I don’t have many, but there are a few in my collection that fit the bill. Here is an outline of what these decks are, and how I feel about them.
Secret Tarot by Dominic Murphy
I absolutely love the artwork in this deck. I love the concept, the originality, the expressiveness in the cards. I love it.
But, at the same time? I find it very intimidating. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that after the major arcana, the deck is an entirely different structure. I’ve had more luck with the Lost Tarot by the same artist, as there seems to be a bit more structure in that one than this one.
Still, I keep it because I love the artwork. And, at some point, I plan on doing a depth study of this deck to help me (hopefully) become more familiar and comfortable with it and its unusual system.
Thoth Tarot by Aleister Crowley
I used to think that it was just the Thoth system that intimidated me, but after working with the Gill Tarot and a few others, I think in this case it’s the artwork, not the system.
Something in the artwork for the original Thoth deck just makes me want to ‘shield and retreat’ in much the same way that I feel when I come across someone radiating abusive vibes. I bought this deck to delve deeper into the Thoth system, but every time I pick it up, it turns me off. Not just emotionally or aesthetically, but even my intuition turns away from this deck and will refuse to speak.
Wild Wood Tarot by Mark Ryan, John Matthews, and Will Worthington
I genuinely adore this deck and its earthiness, although I find the energy of this deck just a but too heavy. I love the artwork especially. But, for some reason I have a hard time reading this deck intuitively, and many of the cards do not follow the RWS system, so I then struggle with reading it logically as well.
I did a depth study on this deck for an entire year, but I still find myself unable to read with it confidently, even after a year of serious study.
Dreams of Gaia Tarot by Ravynne Phelan
It’s the faces. I mean, yes, it’s an entirely different system from any other deck out there, but I think I would be more inclined to learn that system IF it wasn’t for the FACES. They just bug me for some reason. I don’t like them.
That said, I do use this deck, but I use it as an intuitive oracle instead. Usually when harsh truths are required.
Spirit Keeper’s Tarot by Benebell Wen
This one is purely all about information overload. I’m kind of wondering if this deck isn’t more suited to the logic-style of readers rather than the intuitive style? I’m not entirely sure. I just find there is SO MUCH information in each card that I feel overwhelmed by them when I try to read with them.
I think they’re amazing, and I think Benebell Wen (who drew each of these cards by hand) is brilliant. I have the study books that go along with this deck and intend on doing a depth study with it at some point. But, at the moment, I find it a bit too much and the cards make me feel like the crossed wires between my logic and intuition are about to blow a fuse.