Richard
In response to closrapexa's post....
For the reasons mentioned, I would like to have a custom set of non scenic pips for the Waite deck, perhaps similar to those of the BOTA. (The inevitable copy-of-a-copy-of-a copy deterioration of the already flawed pips in the "Waite-inspired" decks is even more disturbing.) I love PCS's illustrations, but they, of necessity, do not resonate (please forgive the term) perfectly with the decans. Of course, for the reader who has no interest in the roots or deeper significance of the deck, it doesn't matter.
It seems to me that the Gra people just prefer the symmetrical elegance of that Tree. I.e., it has more to do with æsthetics than practical application. The Gra serves them more as a memory palace than a map of reality. Some of the Gra people are Payne-Towler disciples, so they may be unconsciously imitating her writing style, and, yes, some of them tend to be confrontational, possibly a defense mechanism.
For the reasons mentioned, I would like to have a custom set of non scenic pips for the Waite deck, perhaps similar to those of the BOTA. (The inevitable copy-of-a-copy-of-a copy deterioration of the already flawed pips in the "Waite-inspired" decks is even more disturbing.) I love PCS's illustrations, but they, of necessity, do not resonate (please forgive the term) perfectly with the decans. Of course, for the reader who has no interest in the roots or deeper significance of the deck, it doesn't matter.
It seems to me that the Gra people just prefer the symmetrical elegance of that Tree. I.e., it has more to do with æsthetics than practical application. The Gra serves them more as a memory palace than a map of reality. Some of the Gra people are Payne-Towler disciples, so they may be unconsciously imitating her writing style, and, yes, some of them tend to be confrontational, possibly a defense mechanism.