Should I design my own Tarot deck?

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[Unmutual]

Part of me feels it would help my own learning process (I haven't been at this very long) to come up with fixed associations and symbols for each of the cards - some of which, for example, I already understand wholly in Doctor Who terms.

Yet part of me also feels this is a little arrogant, as proper deck-designers have the benefit of long years and deep thought on the various images they have chosen.

It's not something I intend to share, necessarily, but purely as a learning experiment (and a chance to run amok with pencils).

Any views?

[RandallS]

Yet part of me also feels this is a little arrogant, as proper deck-designers have the benefit of long years and deep thought on the various images they have chosen.

That's no reason not to try. Designing a deck can be a way to learn the Tarot in a new way. For example, you have to pick symbols to match the card meaning and fit your deck theme. That's bound to improve your understanding of the Tarot and symbols in general. So long as you realize that your first deck is unlikely to be the be all and end all of Tarot decks, I say go for it.

[HeartShadow - Cutethulhu]

Part of me feels it would help my own learning process (I haven't been at this very long) to come up with fixed associations and symbols for each of the cards - some of which, for example, I already understand wholly in Doctor Who terms.

Yet part of me also feels this is a little arrogant, as proper deck-designers have the benefit of long years and deep thought on the various images they have chosen.

It's not something I intend to share, necessarily, but purely as a learning experiment (and a chance to run amok with pencils).

Any views?

Just because other people do it better for mass market doesn't mean you wouldn't do a better job figuring out images *for you*.

If you're not planning on trying to market it, why not go for it?  There's no rule saying only experienced people may apply!

[herbalgoddess13]

Part of me feels it would help my own learning process (I haven't been at this very long) to come up with fixed associations and symbols for each of the cards - some of which, for example, I already understand wholly in Doctor Who terms.

Yet part of me also feels this is a little arrogant, as proper deck-designers have the benefit of long years and deep thought on the various images they have chosen.

It's not something I intend to share, necessarily, but purely as a learning experiment (and a chance to run amok with pencils).

Any views?

I'm just now learning Tarot myself.  I've been very lucky to make friends with some people who are extremely knowledgeable and have more decks combined than I can count (literally).  There are some amazing decks out there!  My only suggestion would be to look around at other decks and read as much as you can about the history and imagery.  Then you can use the knowledge you gain to design your deck.  This way you'll learn as you go.  I'm the creative type and I think that if you have a deck that you'd like to try your hand at, you should go for it.  If you wait around until you think your knowledgeable enough, you'll likely never get around to it.

[stardancer]

I'm the creative type and I think that if you have a deck that you'd like to try your hand at, you should go for it.  If you wait around until you think your knowledgeable enough, you'll likely never get around to it.

I agree. I have done so myself, once upon a time, but it was fairly simple and based around a fantasy world I was creating. (Using my deck as an example, here)

I started by defining the suits (Earth - dwarves - material - coins, Water - elves - emotion - cups, Air - birdfolk - intellect - wings, Fire - humans - action - staves, Void - demons - instincts - swords)

Then the numbers (1 is pure, 2 is balance, 3 is the unexpected (divine influence), 4 is solid/grounding, 5 is chaos or the unknown, 6 harmony, 7 conflict, 8 completion, King mature male, Queen mature female, Heir immature male, Daughter immature female)

Then I combined them to create the individual cards, taking a symbol that popped into my head to describe that combination. The lake for example for 4 Cups, or a stallion for the Heir of Swords, an inspirational speaker for 6 Staves, an overlooked oar of metal for 5 Coins, a gust of wind for 7 Wings.

Then you need to put some thoughts into a major arcana if you want one - I departed entirely from the norm here (using the created pantheon), so I don't think I'd be much help, but I hope you got some ideas, at least.

Stardancer

[Waldfrau]

I'm just creating my own non-Tarot deck, you're not the only 'unprofessionial' one.

http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=8743.0

[Unmutual]

Thank you all for your responses and positivity 

I'm just now learning Tarot myself.  I've been very lucky to make friends with some people who are extremely knowledgeable and have more decks combined than I can count (literally).  There are some amazing decks out there!  My only suggestion would be to look around at other decks and read as much as you can about the history and imagery.  Then you can use the knowledge you gain to design your deck.  This way you'll learn as you go.  I'm the creative type and I think that if you have a deck that you'd like to try your hand at, you should go for it.  If you wait around until you think your knowledgeable enough, you'll likely never get around to it.

This is a good idea, and I've been having fun comparing the same card across different decks through books/websites.

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