There are just some combinations you should never do. Like inviting Aunt Tessie's ex-best friend and new husband who just happens to be Uncle Jack formerly of Jack and Tessie. Or pajamas with hiking boots. Or like bringing the wrong Tarot decks to a public event. Yep, I think there are some things that would be flat-out wrong to bring. Consider the social pitfalls of housewives and zombies and brides for instance.

b2ap3_thumbnail_Zombie_8Swords.jpgI like to have choices. With close to 300 decks, I have a lot of choices when gathering things up to work an event. Recently I was packing up to work a bridal shower. I had to figure out which decks to take.

After talking to the shower organizer, I had a sense of the crowd--funky, fun and very Austin. That gave me a clue as to what decks I wanted to bring. And, even more importantly, what decks I did not want to bring.

I happen to love the Zombie Tarot. I think it's a fun deck that reads very well. But, body parts and half-dead brides ruled that one out. Had this been a Goth bride, I might have chosen this one though. Talk about a sense of humor? This deck has one.

I also decided against the Thoth as the images don't lend themselves to party situation. Same for the Marseille type decks in my collection. Of course, grin, I prefer RWS clones anyway so that's an easy one for me.

I'd already promised the hostess a "sassy, fun" deck which I knew was going to be the Vanessa Tarot. That one never fails to amuse--me and my clients. With the approachable artwork by Lynyrd Narciso, this little deck in a tin is one of my party go-to decks.

b2ap3_thumbnail_Vanessa_21Universe.jpgBut the other two decks were a mystery. After some contemplation I grabbed my Radiant Rider-Waite (Smith) because it has those iconic images some clients need. I've hear more than once, "That doesn't look like MY deck." So I like to have one of the familiar decks available.

The third deck was a toss-up between the Rainbow Travellers by Carmen Waterman and the Housewives Tarot. In the end, I went with the Housewives Tarot for the sheer quirkiness of the images. It is also a very upbeat deck delivering hard messages with humor.

My shtick at parties is to have the three decks in bags. Then each guest is asked to pick which bag they want. I read for three hours and the Vanessa was chosen by all but two of the guests. Those two chose the Housewives Tarot. In a "that's interesting" moment, the only two gay men at the shower were the ones who chose the Housewives.

The bags were a very decorative pouch from India, a simple red silk pouch and a quilted one with moons and stars. The red silk housed the Vanessa Tarot while the Housewives were in the quilted one.

I have no concept of why people choose a bag! My choice would have been the bag from India because it is, to me, the prettiest of the three.

From a professional POV, having several decks keeps it fresh for me because I don't know which deck someone will choose. For the client, it lets them feel like they have a part in the reading beyond just asking a question.

b2ap3_thumbnail_HousewivesTarot_7Swords.jpgNow my next gig is a corporate one where they want a more traditional style reader. Of course that means the stereotypical Romany that most of the non-Tarot public imagine. For that one, I'll haul along the RWS of course, but I may take along the Visconti-SforzaTarot as well. Kat Black's Golden Tarot might also work. I guess I'll just have to go stand in my office again and muse.

What about you? Do you have a suggestion for a deck I might use?

Word to the wise...all the links except for the Rainbow Travellers Tarot are affilate links. Just so you know!


Seek joy,y'all. Pass it on.

Images used with permission from U.S. Games and Quirk Books respectively. No further reproduction granted.