Wildwood?

[Aeric]

Does the Wildwood conform to any specific religious tradition, like the DruidCraft does for Druidry and Wicca, or is it more a general nature spirituality deck? I see a lot of Celtic influences in the images, but it doesn't feel very strong.

 

[Essence of Winter]

I know. But I am sure Caitlin knows where her decks are printed - and we did also talk about the others she's done. It's the card quality people mention, not the inserts - and this happens here with Lo Scarabeo decks as well - people will say the Llewellyn ones have thinner card stock - and Ric came on here and said unequivocally that they are ALL printed together, that it would be financial insanity to do it any other way.

Fair enough. It's good to know, in fact, because I was thinking about getting hold of the Connexions version of Lost Tarot of Nostradamus to see the difference (mine is Tuttles). I am assuming that if the cards are identical, the companion book will be also.

The card quality of the Wildwood, Nostradamus and Sharman Caselli decks are very similar and are all printed in China so I would assume they are come from the same printing line.

 

[Essence of Winter]

Does the Wildwood conform to any specific religious tradition, like the DruidCraft does for Druidry and Wicca, or is it more a general nature spirituality deck? I see a lot of Celtic influences in the images, but it doesn't feel very strong.

It's inspired by the prehistorical religious beliefs of the British Isles but since there are no real records of those, I wouldn't say it could confirm to any specific tradition.

 

[Aeric]

Thanks! The DruidCraft isn't quite working out for me and perhaps WW will be better.

 

[earthair]

Re the printing debate- my Wildwood copy shows how much variation can occur in just one box!- it's obviously all printed in the same place, but half the cards are smooth and slightly darker than the other half which have a gritty feel and the writing is paler. My theory? At the printers, sometimes paper is loaded a different way up, and/or the ink is fresh or running out and not going on so evenly. Or maybe the temperature in the room is different on some days which slightly affects drying.
Whatever the reason, people are not imagining the differences. I guess Tarot folk are just more sensitive to details which most people aren't aware of.

 

[swimming in tarot]

Aeric, I pm'ed you.

 

[gregory]

Re the printing debate- my Wildwood copy shows how much variation can occur in just one box!- it's obviously all printed in the same place, but half the cards are smooth and slightly darker than the other half which have a gritty feel and the writing is paler. My theory? At the printers, sometimes paper is loaded a different way up, and/or the ink is fresh or running out and not going on so evenly. Or maybe the temperature in the room is different on some days which slightly affects drying.
Whatever the reason, people are not imagining the differences. I guess Tarot folk are just more sensitive to details which most people aren't aware of.

But the point is that it isn't the difference between one printer and another. A dud deck should be returned.

 

[Viridian]

The Wildwood Tarot was one of the very first decks I started with when I got back into Tarot. I adored it. The book is not bad in my opinion except for a few spots where it gets a little preachy about environmentalism.

As far as the Greenwood thing, I didn't even know about the Greenwood deck when I first found the Wildwood. If I had been as aware of it as I am now I might have had a different impression of the deck. I would definitely (as others have said) just take it on it's own accord despite their obvious connection with each other.

There are definitely Celtic and Pagan influences in the deck. It is structured around the wheel of the year and there is a very interesting layout for it in the book. Lots of really great spreads in there too.

The cardstock on the one that I got was truly abysmal. Stiff, chippy, scratches and creases easily. This was from a few years ago so hopefully they have made some improvements since then. From what Feynrir said said perhaps they have!

I personally found it very intuitive and easy to read with. The animal imagery is really beautiful. I'm a fan.

 

[danieljuk]

yes I bent a card really badly doing a circle reading for someone on here Flattened it between books for a few days and it's better, they are very thin and the black backs mark with my oily finger prints.

I think the cards have elements of paganism / wicca / druidism and British history and maybe even European celtic history. I think it's best described as "British Wiccan / Celtic Nature" as a theme. The people who don't like the deck, see it as far too Disneyfied. I understand that criticism, some of the cards are almost cartoony of their theme. However other cards are really well done. I recommend trying the deck anyway, I have no regret from buying it! It's not perfect for sure but glad I got it in a trade here and have it in my collection

 

[feynrir]

Re the printing debate- my Wildwood copy shows how much variation can occur in just one box!- it's obviously all printed in the same place, but half the cards are smooth and slightly darker than the other half which have a gritty feel and the writing is paler. My theory? At the printers, sometimes paper is loaded a different way up, and/or the ink is fresh or running out and not going on so evenly. Or maybe the temperature in the room is different on some days which slightly affects drying.
Whatever the reason, people are not imagining the differences. I guess Tarot folk are just more sensitive to details which most people aren't aware of.

It's true, it's true! Honestly your description of the "gritty feel, paler writing" fits my first Wildwood (which I trimmed and subsequently traded away). The smoother (and for me, more flexible) half describes my new Wildwood. Which I think I will try very, very hard to leave untrimmed.

It is a fun deck; not as "rich" as the DruidCraft in look or feel to be sure, but it's a unique read. And I like the ink work of the images, myself!