TheStarsAndTheMoon
With The Victorian Fairy Tarot, you have Spring Summer Autumn Winter. And these seem to easily represent the traditional suits. I find this really easy to read, there is a very clear and understandable explanation of these seasonal suits and how they still represent the traditional meanings and elements. I don't see a problem. As long as its easily relatable, I enjoy the creative artistic aspect. Also the original tarot, whatever that is, I assume was created by an artist, that was his or her artistic expression, why should other artists not also have their stamp.... within reason?
I can't echo this post enough. I honestly struggled with the classic rider waite and The Victorian Fairy tarot was a breath of fresh air. Seasonal suits made so much more sense in my brain.
Anyway, my opinion on this....
I really don't mind decks with suit names changed or even major arcana names changed as long as its a logical leap. I think the problem here is rigid reading styles with no ability to connect changed cards because it doesn't match the "traditional" deck one has learned on. If it's such a problem wait until plenty of images are out and then don't buy it like someone mentioned. It certainly is everyone's right to spend their hard earned money on decks that fit their personal preference. However, I really didn't like the comment about artists not considering readers or whatever in one of the responses on this thread. Sometimes, its easier for beginners to learn with a clone that might have changed suit names/is a bit more loose and then go back and learn with a true rider waite deck. To say artists aren't even putting any research or effort into learning what tarot is about is pretty inconsiderate. =\ Its hard work enough coming up with ideas for the art for 78 cards I'm sure. Just because you dislike the changes made doesn't mean the artist didn't do research or doesn't care about tarot/is just in it for the money. My thoughts on this excludes novelty decks which I don't really know if those are lumped in.
For the longest I was dead set against rider waite decks and obvious clones. For seven years or so I avoided them. It all boils down to preference, but decks with names other than what one is used to are certainly not useless, none sense, etc. *insert preferred word here*. I think it should be up to the learner what works best for them when starting out too. I really wouldn't want a collection of decks that's just a bunch of close rider waite clones. I'd definitely want something that speaks to my mind, imagination and intuition.... some variety. Different things speak to different people. I don't think these sorts of decks should be discounted or anyone should say they aren't destined to be in the community long. I agree with the response someone left (sorry, its late and I can't recall the username) saying, essentially, that's its great that we have such variety and decks to fit everyone's taste. The point in those decks with changed names is that they appeal to a certain set of people and that's all that matters in the end.