I agree that the OO Tarot is the best; i find it the most thoughtful, rich and in contact with tradition (in the broadest sense of that word). It also has ambiguity which gives room to enter and inhabit the deck and the space/state that I'm not sure how to name. That's a magical quality partly acquired through effort - scholarship, practice of some kind. I think this is a quality of good and great art. The artist is also gifted. I don't own the deck and don't know if it's in print. Thank you for another illuminating and useful review!
The King of Cups in the Fifth Spirit is referencing a beloved figure from a children's TV show in the USA. The face doesn't look much like him, but the cardigan sweater and the shoes are clear signals if you grew up with Mr. Rogers. He was very gentle and calm, and taught kids to handle their emotions, so he works for Cups I think. It's a very US-centric reference though, so perhaps not the best choice.
The Oculi Occultari Tarot is stunning, I've never seen it before but it was love at fist sight, so I now have a deck to chase down❤ I have the Fyodor Pavlov and I love the feel of it, but it doesn't actually read that well for me. Thank Robert, great video❤
I love the Mexican deck. I don’t mind the density of the imagery at all. I guess there’s so many things juxtaposed with tarot (fairy tales, kawaii, Egypt, art nouveau, shakespeare, unicorns, etc.) that it feels par for the course. I lived in El Paso for 5 years, so it feels kind of spot on.
I agree with you re the Court Cards making or breaking a deck. I know you’re not a fan but after decades of reading with RWS decks I switched to Thoth primarily because they have such dynamic courts. Courts are notoriously hard to learn for new students so any specific energy seen within is a big plus. By the way, I have the indie version of the Fifth Spirit and several of the people cards have been changed as famous people were originally used. For instance, the current bland King of Cups used to be children’s show host Mr Rogers which made more sense.
You’re hilarious. I like your honesty. Thanks for the interesting content. I know you don’t like reinventing the tarot but I think the Outsider Tarot by Bobby Abate is a great queer deck that has its own voice. I think it’s worth checking out. It is my most used deck.
Another great review Robert! I actually have the Fifth Spirit and I do use it, but not for personal readings. It feels like a pip deck in some ways, with some very smart choices. I do find the idea of calling decks ‘RWS based’ a bit tricky. Many modern decks may be ‘influenced by RWS’ but if they don’t have all of the esoteric symbols of Pamela Colman Smith’s cards, do they really follow the RWS system? In the same way, if a ‘Marseille’ deck does not show pips with a specific orientation of the suit symbols, are they really Marseille decks? 🤷🏼♀️
@@IndigoC333 Thank you. The thing is, I wouldn’t have reviewed this deck (5th Spirit) at all, because I am an RWS reader, but my flatmate had it and it kind of fitted into the video. The whole non-RWS world is a bit of a mystery to me!
@@teatarot4557Yes, I must say Marseille style and most pip decks are still a mystery to me! I can’t seem to get from numerology to any coherent message! All the best.
As someone who’s partner lives with Cerebral Palsy, can I just say that Charioteers in wheelchairs soooo misses the lived experience of those who *need* wheelchairs. The Charioteer chooses to climb into their war-vehicle to conquer and/or assert themselves. Those who *have* to use wheelchairs didn’t choose them and are often thwarted in their efforts to manifest their wills.
I think queer identity is so different between generations, which really stood out in your thoughts about the 5th Spirit Tarot. It's understandable that queer identity & self expression would shift across decades & changed political climates, and that reflects in parts of your review. There's no way you experience your identity similarly to a 20 year old, which is who this deck is likely made for. I don't have the deck since I have my own issues with it, some of which you share. And while I think it's silly to use a spread to tell you your gender, your overall argument with the queer representation in the deck just felt like it wasn't for you, rather than any major innate failing.
@@teatarot4557 great review as usual! I like people with opinions. Deck reviewers are normally so one-toned (maybe because they want to keep receiving free decks 😜)
well as a queer person i don't think i'll be buying any of those decks , i know there's other queer decks out there , so abit surprised by the choice of decks to feature ..
The choice might have to do with what decks Robert has at home. But the Fyodor Pavlov and the 5th spirit aren't really a surprise to me. They seem to be quite popular.
I's a shame none, absolutely none of these resonate with me. I think the art is awful. Attach "gay" to a deck does not mean it translates to gay people.
I hadn’t noticed those details before in the Morgan-Greer, a great video Robert 😄
@@RupertRochester Thanks Nick! 🙏
I agree that the OO Tarot is the best; i find it the most thoughtful, rich and in contact with tradition (in the broadest sense of that word). It also has ambiguity which gives room to enter and inhabit the deck and the space/state that I'm not sure how to name. That's a magical quality partly acquired through effort - scholarship, practice of some kind. I think this is a quality of good and great art. The artist is also gifted. I don't own the deck and don't know if it's in print.
Thank you for another illuminating and useful review!
The King of Cups in the Fifth Spirit is referencing a beloved figure from a children's TV show in the USA. The face doesn't look much like him, but the cardigan sweater and the shoes are clear signals if you grew up with Mr. Rogers. He was very gentle and calm, and taught kids to handle their emotions, so he works for Cups I think. It's a very US-centric reference though, so perhaps not the best choice.
@@pixelcurious Ah, I see! Well that sounds like a nice reference.
39:45 two tangerines. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🫢🫠
The Oculi Occultari Tarot is stunning, I've never seen it before but it was love at fist sight, so I now have a deck to chase down❤ I have the Fyodor Pavlov and I love the feel of it, but it doesn't actually read that well for me. Thank Robert, great video❤
@@JonSkyeTarot Thanks ! 🙏
I love the Mexican deck. I don’t mind the density of the imagery at all. I guess there’s so many things juxtaposed with tarot (fairy tales, kawaii, Egypt, art nouveau, shakespeare, unicorns, etc.) that it feels par for the course.
I lived in El Paso for 5 years, so it feels kind of spot on.
@@paillette2010 Yes I think it’s a lovely deck if you can handle the rather dense imagery.
Mexican deck really spoke to me
Thank you
I agree with you re the Court Cards making or breaking a deck. I know you’re not a fan but after decades of reading with RWS decks I switched to Thoth primarily because they have such dynamic courts. Courts are notoriously hard to learn for new students so any specific energy seen within is a big plus.
By the way, I have the indie version of the Fifth Spirit and several of the people cards have been changed as famous people were originally used. For instance, the current bland King of Cups used to be children’s show host Mr Rogers which made more sense.
@@markastrotarot I see! It sounds like the indie version was perhaps more readable.
You’re hilarious. I like your honesty. Thanks for the interesting content. I know you don’t like reinventing the tarot but I think the Outsider Tarot by Bobby Abate is a great queer deck that has its own voice. I think it’s worth checking out. It is my most used deck.
@@MarcusMonster1983 Thanks, I’ll have a look. 👍
Another great review Robert! I actually have the Fifth Spirit and I do use it, but not for personal readings. It feels like a pip deck in some ways, with some very smart choices. I do find the idea of calling decks ‘RWS based’ a bit tricky. Many modern decks may be ‘influenced by RWS’ but if they don’t have all of the esoteric symbols of Pamela Colman Smith’s cards, do they really follow the RWS system? In the same way, if a ‘Marseille’ deck does not show pips with a specific orientation of the suit symbols, are they really Marseille decks? 🤷🏼♀️
@@IndigoC333 Thank you. The thing is, I wouldn’t have reviewed this deck (5th Spirit) at all, because I am an RWS reader, but my flatmate had it and it kind of fitted into the video. The whole non-RWS world is a bit of a mystery to me!
@@teatarot4557Yes, I must say Marseille style and most pip decks are still a mystery to me! I can’t seem to get from numerology to any coherent message! All the best.
As someone who’s partner lives with Cerebral Palsy, can I just say that Charioteers in wheelchairs soooo misses the lived experience of those who *need* wheelchairs. The Charioteer chooses to climb into their war-vehicle to conquer and/or assert themselves. Those who *have* to use wheelchairs didn’t choose them and are often thwarted in their efforts to manifest their wills.
Oculi Occultati Tarot - OMG! How did you manage to get it? I need this deck very badly.
@@damiray9396 I found quite by chance in Watkins Books in London. They had a whole stack of them for years and no-one wanted them!
9:10 that person slaughtering a dolphin is the “deck killer” card, but honestly, that whole deck gives me a weird vibe.
I think queer identity is so different between generations, which really stood out in your thoughts about the 5th Spirit Tarot. It's understandable that queer identity & self expression would shift across decades & changed political climates, and that reflects in parts of your review. There's no way you experience your identity similarly to a 20 year old, which is who this deck is likely made for.
I don't have the deck since I have my own issues with it, some of which you share. And while I think it's silly to use a spread to tell you your gender, your overall argument with the queer representation in the deck just felt like it wasn't for you, rather than any major innate failing.
@@terriw6116 Absolutely true. There is no right and wrong with tarot, just preferences.
@@teatarot4557 great review as usual! I like people with opinions. Deck reviewers are normally so one-toned (maybe because they want to keep receiving free decks 😜)
@@terriw6116 I agree. And perhaps I should say: I don’t get free decks! (Yet!!)
@teatarot4557 yet, indeed. 😄 fingers crossed for you!
well as a queer person i don't think i'll be buying any of those decks , i know there's other queer decks out there , so abit surprised by the choice of decks to feature ..
The choice might have to do with what decks Robert has at home. But the Fyodor Pavlov and the 5th spirit aren't really a surprise to me. They seem to be quite popular.
You are gay! I didn´t know. How nice. I am gay too :) Or lesbian. Can I call myself gay? I am not english.
@@gunnhildk6299 Yes I think you can call yourself gay. It includes men and women 👍
I's a shame none, absolutely none of these resonate with me. I think the art is awful. Attach "gay" to a deck does not mean it translates to gay people.