Major Tom
Let me start by saying the ideas and opinions I'm expressing are intended to foster conversation and are not intended as criticism.
I'd like you also to have a look at this thread which approaches the question of what tarot is. I think its important to know what a tarot deck is before we set out to create one. I also think you can learn tarot as you create your deck but perhaps that's a topic for another thread. There is no doubt that different people will have different ideas about what tarot is.
Assuredly the tarot is a deck of cards, but not all decks of cards are tarot. Some of us here have created or are creating decks of cards that are not tarot - not to say that there is anything wrong with that. But it does beg the question how we, as tarot deck creators can be sure we are creating a tarot deck.
So, what I'd be interested in hearing about is where you start. Do you use a particular deck as a model? Many deck creators use the Rider Waite Smith deck as a starting point, some use the Crowley/Harris Thoth, a few use the Marseilles and still others use a combination of different decks as models for their own creation. When I started Major Tom's Tarot I used the BOTA deck. As I've gone along I've added a lot of influences. Even now, before I've completed it, I'm wondering if I'm using the right model.
How do we know whether we're creating a tarot deck or not?
I'd like you also to have a look at this thread which approaches the question of what tarot is. I think its important to know what a tarot deck is before we set out to create one. I also think you can learn tarot as you create your deck but perhaps that's a topic for another thread. There is no doubt that different people will have different ideas about what tarot is.
Assuredly the tarot is a deck of cards, but not all decks of cards are tarot. Some of us here have created or are creating decks of cards that are not tarot - not to say that there is anything wrong with that. But it does beg the question how we, as tarot deck creators can be sure we are creating a tarot deck.
So, what I'd be interested in hearing about is where you start. Do you use a particular deck as a model? Many deck creators use the Rider Waite Smith deck as a starting point, some use the Crowley/Harris Thoth, a few use the Marseilles and still others use a combination of different decks as models for their own creation. When I started Major Tom's Tarot I used the BOTA deck. As I've gone along I've added a lot of influences. Even now, before I've completed it, I'm wondering if I'm using the right model.
How do we know whether we're creating a tarot deck or not?