rif
I'm determined to drive up the traffic in this forum. 
I would like to hear about what deck(s) Golden Dawn taroists are using, and why. Or why not. I have the impression that Thoth and Liber T are the most popular.
Myself, I've mostly been using the Lo Scarabeo tarot, which I am in love with. I adore the artwork (I loved Anna Scarrini for the Manga Tarot as well). I like how the minors blend geometric work from the Thoth deck with other, often RWS, scenes. The Four of Cups is a favorite; a forlorn man at a bar, getting his fourth chalice filled, with the Thoth symbols on a painting behind him. The Four of Pentacles puts the RWS "miser" in the Thoth fortress (a favorite of mine in that deck). And the Nine of Swords has an anguished man sitting on the floor; behind him on the wall are 9 marseille-patterned swords, dripping with Thoth blood.
Despite my enthusiasm, I find the LS deck hard to use for GD-style readings. Maybe I haven't worked with the deck long enough to connect with it readily, but some of the cards are hard for me to relate to. For example, the Two of Wands. "Dominion." I can sorta see dominion, but to me the art shows a man who has a question, perhaps must make a choice or decision. I find that elemental attributes don't rush to my head; the pure white edges and gold-colored borders are clean and very attractive, but somehow make it hard for me to attach the extras. I've been working with it as my main deck for a couple of months now.
I considered Liber T, which has the Thoth basics (design + astro symbols), but it's a bit too busy for me at this stage. I can readily read the Thoth itself. A lot of people praise the Thoth as a readable deck, and I'm personally convinced that the keywords on the card help with this, especially combined with the "hints" built into the pip design. But sometimes the GD deviation bugs me, so I haven't settled down with Thoth as "the deck."
When working through the Book T examples, I've tried using a Marseilles mini as well as the LS. Mary Greer suggests this, since it's likely what the original GD members used. I don't have too much trouble with this, oddly enough. GD titles and/or RWS pics tend to come to mind for the pips, even if not instant. I do have trouble visually identifying the courts yet in this case.
I really like the design of the Zalewski/Duduchous deck, as seen in the Yellow Brick book. If it were mass-produced as standard-sized and color I'd get one and try it. It uses "moody pips" to key into meanings without being over-the-top; and it adheres to "pure" GD rather than getting Thelemic. (I don't object to Thelema per se, but I want Judgement as Judgement and not a new Aeon!)
In summary, I'm working mainly with the LS supplemented by the mini Marseille. I'm thinking of reverting to Thoth for convenience of GD-style reading though.
What does anyone else use? What have you tried? I'd love to hear.
I would like to hear about what deck(s) Golden Dawn taroists are using, and why. Or why not. I have the impression that Thoth and Liber T are the most popular.
Myself, I've mostly been using the Lo Scarabeo tarot, which I am in love with. I adore the artwork (I loved Anna Scarrini for the Manga Tarot as well). I like how the minors blend geometric work from the Thoth deck with other, often RWS, scenes. The Four of Cups is a favorite; a forlorn man at a bar, getting his fourth chalice filled, with the Thoth symbols on a painting behind him. The Four of Pentacles puts the RWS "miser" in the Thoth fortress (a favorite of mine in that deck). And the Nine of Swords has an anguished man sitting on the floor; behind him on the wall are 9 marseille-patterned swords, dripping with Thoth blood.
Despite my enthusiasm, I find the LS deck hard to use for GD-style readings. Maybe I haven't worked with the deck long enough to connect with it readily, but some of the cards are hard for me to relate to. For example, the Two of Wands. "Dominion." I can sorta see dominion, but to me the art shows a man who has a question, perhaps must make a choice or decision. I find that elemental attributes don't rush to my head; the pure white edges and gold-colored borders are clean and very attractive, but somehow make it hard for me to attach the extras. I've been working with it as my main deck for a couple of months now.
I considered Liber T, which has the Thoth basics (design + astro symbols), but it's a bit too busy for me at this stage. I can readily read the Thoth itself. A lot of people praise the Thoth as a readable deck, and I'm personally convinced that the keywords on the card help with this, especially combined with the "hints" built into the pip design. But sometimes the GD deviation bugs me, so I haven't settled down with Thoth as "the deck."
When working through the Book T examples, I've tried using a Marseilles mini as well as the LS. Mary Greer suggests this, since it's likely what the original GD members used. I don't have too much trouble with this, oddly enough. GD titles and/or RWS pics tend to come to mind for the pips, even if not instant. I do have trouble visually identifying the courts yet in this case.
I really like the design of the Zalewski/Duduchous deck, as seen in the Yellow Brick book. If it were mass-produced as standard-sized and color I'd get one and try it. It uses "moody pips" to key into meanings without being over-the-top; and it adheres to "pure" GD rather than getting Thelemic. (I don't object to Thelema per se, but I want Judgement as Judgement and not a new Aeon!)
In summary, I'm working mainly with the LS supplemented by the mini Marseille. I'm thinking of reverting to Thoth for convenience of GD-style reading though.
What does anyone else use? What have you tried? I'd love to hear.
I keep it for reference.