Set of short stories based on Tarot: what deck?

[Yzabel]

No idea in which section to put this, so General Chat it is.

I've been discussing a project of Tarot-based stories, gathered in a book, with a close friend. I'd do the writing, she the illustrations. Obviously not something we're going to finish in the next few months, but we've determined that before planning anything (characters, plots, etc.), we need to decide on which deck to base it off, for starters.

In general, what would you consider the "largest audience-attracting" deck? Here in France, it'd be the Marseilles Tarot... but the Rider-Waite one seems to be pretty popular in Anglo-Saxon countries. And since we'll write our stories in English, might as well pick something that would attract a larger readership. We're aiming at a techno-magic feeling in general (AIs, weaving spells through technology, characters travelling in virtual worlds...), with 22 short stories, each drawing on symbols from the Major Arcana, as well as 4 other stories linked to the Minor Arcana. We're not sure yet if all the stories will be connected, or independent adventures, but deciding on a deck would certainly help us make up our mind.

So... Marseilles? Rider-Waite? Any other deck that'd be fairly popular?

(No really specific decks, please--especially not if copyrighted, such as the Amber tarot based off Zelazny's works.)

[Lily]

The tarot deck itself isn't copyright protected, in the same way that anyone could use biblical stories. (Not starting religious debate, just pointing out it's the same idea).

In essence, all decks use the same symbols. I'm sorry this isn't helpful, but I've studied tarot and found they're all the same. Some have more insteresting illustrations, and that's pretty much. It's all the same organized system of symbols.

The fool for example, is the same no matter what, but different imagery can be used.

My understand, Rider-Waite is the standard deck for North America, if not elsewhere.

[Yzabel]

I wasn't sure about the R-W. My friend and I are both in Europe (she's Greek), and the Marseilles deck seems more popular in "Mediterranean" countries like ours. But I could be mistaken.

Yeah, I said "no specific decks": that's because I've seen a few decks on the web that seemed to be created according to some "house rules", with cards bearing different names. For instance, Major Arcana 1 wouldn't be called "The Magician", but "The Hero", or something lonked to a specific character function in a series of books. (I saw similar "decks" in magazines, along with horoscopes.) That's what I meant.

[Lily]

I'm not sure if the names are copyrighted. It would be interesting to find out.

For the sake of playing it safe, you could start with the oldest known tarot deck:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visconti...

All of this is very open to interpretations, so if you're concerned about copying names or anything like that, you're free to make up your own names. It's fine as long as the same symbolism is used.

[Renee E]

Yes, you're right, most tarot decks are based off of the Rider-Waite *system* but each artist brings something different to the interpretation. Use the one that inspires you. Maybe check out the decks at Aeclectic Tarot for ideas.

Are you sticking with the major arcana?

I've had notes on simmer for a similar set of stories, before this novel hijacked my life. Who knows if I'll ever get back to them. I've used them in poetry though. Tarot is a great jumping off place for a writer. A hundred writers could use the same card and come up with a hundred unique stories. Each card is a story waiting to be read. The decks I find myself using the most are the Rohrig and Ciro Marchetti's Legacy of the Divine; there are so many beautiful, inspiring decks.

Oh! Also, you might check out www.deviantart.com for tarot images. There are some great artists there.

[Regina]

Unless it's a atypical deck, or a themed deck or something, any basic deck should be more or less like any other basic deck. Things like "The Magican" or "The Tower" etc are not going to be copywritten or owned by anyone.

I used to (full disclosure here) work as a fortuneteller in certain venues. I've seen a deck or three.

[K.P.]

there are so many kinds of tarot & oracle decks out there. some are slightly different depending on theme. for example the samurai tarot is centered around zen philosophy but is still set up in RW style. vison quest has native American theme and different names for cards but still follow RW style. so its really up to you how you want your tarot deck to look/function for your created universe. (I've been studying tarot for 17 years)

[K.P.]

oracle decks are a whole different animal... they dont always follow tarot format just so you know

[Lori]

Although my least favorite deck to use when I do readings, the Rider Waite is the go-to deck that most people recognize. Personally, I prefer the Robin Wood or the Hanson Roberts. Much for artistically friendly, IMO.

[Yzabel]

Thanks. :)

We'd do the illustrations ourselves anyway, and work the usual symbolism in, but our own way. For the moment, it's really a matter of picking a deck that would attract as many people as possible.

R-W is very close to Marseilles, but there are differences—such as Strength being 8 in R-W and 11 in Marseilles, same with Justice being 11 and 8. If we go with a set of stories that follow a novel-like progress, kind of like chapters rather than only short stories loosely linked by a Tarot them, then the ordering of the Arcana will matter. Hence our decision to pick an easily recognisable deck first.

[Yolanda]

OOh Yzabel, sounds good. I'd like to read it. Myself, I'd go with Rider Waite deck, but that's because I'm familiar with it.

[Yzabel]

I have both decks, as well as a few others, and choosing isn't so easy as I thought it'd be... ^^

We won't be able to start on the project before Oct-November at the least... But we're already throwing ideas around.