le pendu...I was however amazed to discover that the edges on the Noblet were left square. They are really quite sharp. It would have been better had they been somewhat rounded off. I am wondering how long these corners would fare with heavy use.

They planned to cut the edges, but at press they discovered that they didn't have enough space left between images to do so without cutting too deeply... they had to leave the square. I guess they cutter needed more wiggle room than expected.

Personally, I love that they are squared off. They would have been square back in 1650 when the deck was first produced, so it's kind of "authentic" to me to have them this way.

I've not had any problem with them being worn down yet, but I do agree that sometimes I'm a bit surprised when the corner pokes me. OUCH!

I suppose that someday there might be a second edition with some changes, including the rounded edges, and smaller background pattern on the back (both things which they wanted this time). Until then, I'm still delighted, even with the little mistakes.

I hope you'll share your impressions. What do you think of the faces and postures on the courts? How about some of those interesting details on some of the cards? How do you like it???

First impressions? There are so many differences at first glance...some 'oddities' too. The inclusion of the penis in Le Fou for instance and the face on top of his staff. The Royne De Bastons has red nipples (very cheeky). Le Bateleur has two L's (LL)...strange! Death is now named too.

Le Pendu now has a penis too (no pun intended)and a red tongue to boot...plus for some strange reason, the right post is now green (shouldn't that be blue?). In the Lovers, the cherub is blindfolded. The facial expressions are bordering on the somewhat cheeky, especially when i compare them to my other TdM's. 'Almost' all faces have been kept white. Judging by the faces of the court cards, if they were real people, you'd have to be careful with them. They'd get you guillotined, hung or whatever comes first...full of intrigue and full of mystery.

Some of the Deniers are numbered and some are not. I totally love the Hermit. It is not the quality of the drawing, but it has the indefinable x-factor. Look at the 'tiles'(?) on the Roy De Couppes. What a strange but handsome pattern.

There are so many little quirks in this deck. It actually feels authentic. It's got a soft elegance to it, so sadly missing on most other decks of this type. Apparently there were five missing cards originally (six - ten of swords), but i wouldn't have noticed that had i not been told beforehand.

I strongly suspect and pre-judge that this deck is going to be my favourite TdM...period. They have to prise this deck out of my dying hands before i'll give up on it.

It's wonderful to listen to your thoughts on the Noblet. I'm so familiar with it now that I forget how odd it was the first time I saw the images. The Fool and the Queen of Batons are certainly pretty cheeky. I suspect that the period was pretty bawdy in general. I don't know much about Paris 350 years ago, but I can only imagine. This is just before Louis XIV ascended to the throne and called himself "The Sun King'. It must have been wild times.

I'm so glad you like the deck. We should start some new threads to talk about it if you'd like.

Enjoy!

I just ordered my thirteenth TdM style deck (this doesn't include my minchis)---the Noblet, also, for jmd's summertime 'telecourse'.

QUOTE:
We should start some new threads to talk about it if you'd like.

Hi Le Pendu...Yes, i would like that. Incidently, the 'Sun King Period' was always my favourite. I have even started to read reversed cards again since buying the Noblet. All of a sudden it makes perfect sense again to read the cards the old fashioned way, and it's almost as if the Noblet demands it of you.

I am also desperate to learn all about the Jodo/Camoin's NEW way of reading the cards. People who are part of his study group don't want to talk about it. It's almost as if he 's got some sort of hold over them and swore them to secrecy.I really like Camoin's cards, but they are just so bright...well, too bright if you ask me. I am sure that with heavy use they will season nicely and lose some of that brightness. I much prefer the Hadar in that sense.

Hi Lunarsea --

Over at Purpleland, I've started threads on the Camoin Method and others have jumped in. Why now? Camoin published a key overview of his method on his English website. So, now the cat is out of the bag.

As well, his method is being analyzed and discussed on his own forum. I stimulated an English subforum there that you could also use.

Happy hunting.

Of course, we can always start a thread here!

well I remember consciously seeing the images of the TdM when I was about 5 years old. In my family lineage there has been some woman who have studied the tarot and other who have grown to fear of it. Being that I'm Mexican, Catholicism is very engraved in are cultural root and we all know how the church views the tarot. My mom was one of those woman who was scared of it, so I grew very close to one of my aunt who read the tarot and read books that were considered radical. She was my teacher but I really think that on collective unconscious way we all know the meaning of the tarot. The tarot to me is a process of life, and describes diferent levels and moments of awakening in life.
I'm a psychologist and have studied Jung Arquetypes and the relation it has with the tarot o the tarot with the arquitypes.
I also read publicly in a place designated for tarot but after many months of reading it felt the need to stop doing it that way. I have combined therapy and the use of tarot and believe I have seen changes in peoples lives with one reading that I haven't seen in years of therapy. I love seing my reflection on the tarot and growing from it.

Diana was the one who led me to the TdM and for that I'm grateful.
I did however have some (A LOT OF) problems in reading it until a lovely guy started teaching me.. hmm... a couple of years ago!?!

I still enjoy other decks and also collect just because of their beauty, but the constant feeling I've got is that the TdM is IT.

Recently I've been very interested in learning more about its history and also how to read it more ''intuitively''.
Therefore I have now joined JMD's course which will start in a few weeks and I really look forward to it.

My favorite TdMs (and cousins) are:
Noblet (78)
Vieville
Piatnik
But there's only one I REALLY don't like... the Hadar.

So... that's it.

Lovely to see you Nina!