Cartomancers - What Playing Card Deck Do You Use?

[Aristede]

I like Tally-Ho Circle Backs. They seem to hold up better than Bicycle. I also like to use Bridge size cards because they're easier to handle, and take up less room on the table.

I recently picked up the Jane Lyle deck that I fell in love with, but I stopped using it when I realized that her correspondences for the seasons of the year don't match what I'm used to using. Her Aces are illustrated to represent the 4 seasons and they kept throwing me off.

 

[Little Baron]

Forgot to mention that my main is the Ghost deck.

LB

 

[Cerulean]

The Toscana playing cards are starting to feel...destined...

I've been eying the book Cards of Destiny at Barnes and Noble for a year or so...finally got the book. One of the decks it uses is known as the Toscana deck, also known as the Adolfo Matarelli deck.

I found Flax art stores will send a double Toscana art playing card pack...am checking it out.

The book by Sharon Jeffers is from Ten Speed Press. Here's a website that illustrates a card of the day, the system..

http://www.starofthemagi.com/index.html

the book:

http://www.tenspeed.com/store/index.php?main_page=pubs_product_book_jph1_info&products_id=2163

Anyway, the book is fun for me by the use of transformation cards to illustrate the meanings. I like the Toscana deck cards that I saw--it reminded me of what I wanted the "Tarot of Argio Orell" to be on every card, instead of the pretty courts and trumps only...

So I'm going to wait for the Toscana...I'm playing with a Japanese Latin-suited crossover deck at the moment, but the Toscana will look fun to use with the book.

Best,

Cerulean

 

[Cerulean]

I ordered through Flax art suppliers...the double deck version

of the Toscana Playing cards...this transformation deck has clever designs and beautiful period images...and I do adore the Italian designs...

http://www.guntheranderson.com/cards/oct96/toscana.htm

I'm using them with the "Cards of Destiny" book by Sharon Jeffers.

I found a few of the designs displayed on the Cards of Destiny website that features information from the book.

http://www.starofthemagi.com/index.html

Something old, something new...just a borrowed thing or two...

Cerulean
who is the funny blue...

 

[Logiatrix]

Those are stunning, Mari...I especially love the Toscana set.

Hey, I can show-and-tell that 'something blue'...that is, the very understated Bicycle blue-backs; that's my deck of choice right now.

There's just something so comforting and safe about a familiar little deck of playing cards. They're a nice break from tarots and oracle decks sometimes.

 

[room]

I like the scans in Cards of Destiny too--the Queen of Clubs she's reproduced with the medieval headdress was impressive. I had to cancel my medieval dress and fashion book--publication was delayed and I can't afford it now. Maybe for Christmas.

I do have another book on an archaeological dig in London and the fragments of clothes they dug up--interesting, and I have my book on the history of nun's habits which ties into medieval clothes so they will have to do for now.

Another interesting transformation pack in the Toscana. I can see the attraction for you Mari. The Cards of Destiny looks like a lovely, well-produced book too.

And blue bicycle decks are lovely--I am transforming mine into a collage deck as I stated on another thread--it was old and grungy so I had to cover the blue back as well. Just doing the Aces now.

I unfortunately had to cancel my last order from Somerville for 2 playing cards, but someone gifted me a lovely new playing card deck--nothing like a shiny new deck of playing cards--I will be using them with the Personal Prophesy book along with my Civil War Illuminated deck.

Cards, cards, cards, so nice to discuss and see the different ones.

 

[Logiatrix]

How do you like that Civil War deck, room?
Pros? Cons? I'm thinking of investing in one, but must be careful to not purchase things willy-nilly...

 

[MareSaturni]

My most favorite playing card deck is "The Playing Cards Oracles", by Ana Cortez and C.J.Freeman. It's fantastic, the deck is beautiful and...mysterious, dark-ish! And original. I love it!

I also own Jane Lyle's "The Fortune Teller's Cards" (i think this is the name). The book i don't like much, but the deck is very, very beautiful. It's art was painted on wood, so the result is an old-looking deck, with a very unique style.

Well, what can i say...i like both. I really really recommend Cortez & Freeman's deck AND the book (the book is truly amazing) though.

 

[pippi]

I've been faithful to my Emily the Strange deck. The cards are just a dream to shuffle, and I love the red foiled edges. Plus the little quirks on each of the numbered cards is a fun touch. (for example, a spider hanging from a web in the spades, cats hiding in the clubs, etc.) Every card is a little bit different. Love it!

 

[stella01904]

I like Tally-Ho Circle Backs. They seem to hold up better than Bicycle. I also like to use Bridge size cards because they're easier to handle, and take up less room on the table.

I recently picked up the Jane Lyle deck that I fell in love with, but I stopped using it when I realized that her correspondences for the seasons of the year don't match what I'm used to using. Her Aces are illustrated to represent the 4 seasons and they kept throwing me off.

Amen to all of that. The magician's decks like Tally Ho have the best quality. Black Tigers are also very good! I use those, or Bulldog Squeezers. I have the Lyle deck and I don't use it for the reasons you cite. Also because it becomes kind of cartoonish after awhile, it has a juvenile feel, IMHO.