I agree with lots of your criticisms regarding card stock, boxes, & gilding. I'm sorry you are uncomfortable with the masculine energy of the Mary-el, it was very powerful for me to confront those triggers and heal those shadows.
Jamie yes it’s definitely going to be a deck I return to on repeat to do this healing work. I’ve already done a couple of issues with it. It’s been away for a while now though perhaps it’s time to try again. I do think the triggering cards hold our biggest opportunities at times and our strongest medicine ❤️
Great tag response, Candy. I had never seen that original version of the Celtic Tarot before. Fun! I too really don’t like and try to avoid thick decks that are also super glossy. Though my Tarot of the Sidhe would be an exception. I’ve trimmed it and it’s much more manageable now. And I also really don’t like all these new body beautiful decks flooding the market. Yet…I do have, like and use The Muse Tarot but that’s a collagista thing. 🤓 Your She of Insights Oracle- Love it! Had never seen it, must investigate…! Thanks for all your deck insights. 🙏🏽🌸✨🕸🦢
Such a comprehensive look at quality and what makes a deck great to work with! Candy, could you do a tutorial or show us how to do shadow work using a deck. That would be v interesting and informative. ( obviously not a personal reading) ....just a how to....that would really be appreciated.
Just uploaded a video to show shadow work with a deck. You said not to share a personal spread but as the queen of over sharing I of course ignored that. 😂 I hope it’s interesting and helpful. Sending hugs ❤️🌸
Great video Candy, you really hit the nail on the head with the angel and fairy deck. They are huge to hold in my hands, and I struggled to even riffle shuffle them, which meant I had to fan them to use them. I struggle a lot with matte decks sticking together. I'm not sure why but I have several that I avoid working with for the same reason as your rose petal deck. I work with jumpers, so, it's frustrating when 1 jumps out but it's 2 or 3 stuck together. My favorite ever card stock so far is the crow tarot. The linen finish and the snap is 😍
Yes to more oracle cards in a deck! I feel like even 44 is a bit too small. I also don't enjoy too many men in a deck, you're not alone with that one. That's one of the things that holds me back from the Mary El. Loved seeing your deck dealbreakers, thank you for sharing! ♥️
It’s something I know totally is my own baggage and I’m working on it but for now it’s there. It’s hard isn’t it if that’s a place of continued hurt to then welcome it into your spiritual practice. Getting to know the myths and stories and the energy of the dagda is helping so much and also recognising the male and female energy within myself also helps. Perhaps I need a third pass through with the Mary el to do more work ❤️🌸
Thanks candy for sharing, I totally understand all the points made and I’m so glad I came across your channel. I absolutely love the content you do. ❤️🌺
I really loved this video! The contradictions within us make us human I believe. On the topic of the masculine decks… I get ya, it’s personal. on the other hand, thank god you have all the choice in the world with all the femme decks around, right?
Oh hello Levi how wonderful to see you here…. I’ve been binge watching you and Martyn and loving it! Oh me and the divine masculine is a shadowy cave at Present. I’m going to keep the Mary el out and work with it for sure now. Shadow work in real time might appear soon in my videos. Honestly you are so right, literally you could never come across masculine energy in decks without even trying 🙈 what a liberty to moan 😂 ❤️🌸❤️🌸❤️
This was such an entertaining video 👍 I have found a rare person who thinks like me about Mary El- I honestly hate that deck, not something I say lightly. Not only the male arrogance but most of the cards are aggressive. Maybe it's because I'm old but it makes me tired. Zero appeal. I owned it for 5 minutes ☺ Cardstock - I don't care as much because I don't use all my decks, so thick or clumpy doesn't matter. IF I love the art, I will make an exception for most anything 🖤 Latest example the Poe Tarot. The cards are thick, glossy & sticky (the burgundy gilding is gorgeous though - soooo soft) I bought 2 copies as soon as it was finally released because Poe 🖤🥀 one of my 2 fav writers of all time & I love the art, the quotes, everything.
It’s a tough one for me to work with for sure. I’ve not got rid of it as I feel in my reaction to it there’s work I can do and need but I get what you say about feeling tired by it. I have to be ready abs in the right space for it which hasn’t been for a while now. ❤️🌸
Enjoyed watching your dealbreakers. Like you, I definitely have some "exceptions" to the rule -- like, I'd call keywords a dealbreaker (and it is in 99.9% of cases) yet I love Next World + Wildwood. I share some of yours as well -- fake decks, certainly -- and similarly love shuffling Luminous Void even though I wouldn't say rose petal is my favourite in general. ❤😊
You make excellent points re: cash-grab decks. I chuckled over the Disney reference because everything they do feels like a cash-grab to me anymore, but I may be getting cynical in my old age. Never see anyone with pocket edition of Mother Mary, and it's my fave because the prayer or meditation is on the back like an old prayer card. Like you, I am able to divorce my love for her from the Church's use of her. Not her fault, that, way I see it. *shrug*
I agree with lots of this, Candy. Overly Christian or religious decks (even goddesses, sorry!), bad card stock, the Mary El (the bodies with breasts and penises in one person bother me for some reason), lazy pips, and decks like Dark Wood with all young/beautiful. I appreciate diversity but am not that crazy about contemporary decks that work so hard to show "real" people to the point that the people are distracting me from the card meaning. Thanks for sharing your thughts! 🥰😍
I have the original Angel and fairy tarot from Radleigh when it was a collab with Doreen Virtue and its hard to shuffle too. His newer angel tarot is matte cardstock but they stick together when shuffling.
I love this tag .. there are lots of ways for us to be mindful. Mindful spending .. mindful for the environment .. mindful of our needs … our limitations … and the list can go on. I think the way Seeds and Sickle packaged is magical because it’s like opening a treasure chest. It feels different because the attention to details is high and because the box itself speaks of its content. At least, that’s how I feel. I find that my decks that live in an extra layer are more precious! I have a deck inside a bag which is nested inside a wooden box! That’s my deck .. the deck which speaks of my personality. I have two versions of it and that bigger original version is for looking more than for using (because I use the tarot size one ..) while that bigger version is tucked like a treasure in the wooden box. I just discovered that the reason for my disinterest in Mary El might be as simple as the male presence. I never realized this before. It’s very interesting because I have a very dysfunctional and toxic father. I am still very sad he is my father because I am still processing the trauma and ptsd related to him physically assaulting me recently .. I honestly have lots of baggages in that area. My father wounds are so deep but my male wounds aren’t easy. All I can say the recent assaults might have opened that .. wow .. I was wronged a lot by males and that lead to me picking a partner who wronged me too. I thought I got over a few of them .. but maybe not? Maybe I need to view them again from the male wound lens .. I have problems working with angels but also with goddesses too. I have problems with the images given to them because I refuse to limit them in a shape or form .. of my creation. I also was fearful of getting mother Mary because I knew it would be emotional. I got the soulful woman oracle but it’s not what I wanted. I might have to just get those Mother Mary cards … :)
Aww I’m so sorry you have had the difficult path. It’s such a tough walk when the ones who should have had our backs are the ones dishing out hurts. I know that betrayal it cuts deep and can take a lifetime to find a way to walk with it. Sending my biggest and most understanding hugs your way ❤️❤️
@@CandySoulAndSoil You are too kind. Yes but apparently I chose this path .. because I am an old soul and because somehow I can do it. I had a difficult path all my life but I think it has strengthen my soul and my morals/values .. In many ways, I am better because of it. However, [what was I thinking?] .. my soul must be so courageous because I am not now .. but I recognize that if it wasn't me .. someone else had to be brave .. had to stand for this man. I just hate that it had to be this way .. but it is a cycle .. and it started before me .. before him maybe .. it is a karmic debt of some kind that is meant to be witnessed. My mother is the most weak fragile soul .. she spent most of my life clinically depressed .. locked in her room or when she was present .. blaming us .. trying to fix the world so he will stop burning everything around us .. honestly, he is a coward .. my mom is so naive it hurts. I keep asking her how can she not have seen him but she was so brainwashed by him .. or by her hopes for a good inside him. She actually saw him as a good man struggling with his evil side .. to this day. That woman hurt us a lot and herself the most by her choices. I am not sure I am over my mothers wounds but I am more understanding of them .. mostly because my mom's heart is pure .. her actions are the worst .. her choices didn't help .. but then many people have stories like me .. hard difficult stories because life is built of incomplete broken damaged cycles of relationships and wounds .. and that needs cleaning .. I am sure there are many silent warriors fighting and trying to pass the wounds of the past while focusing on not pass them further .. I don't know if I am doing it right but I am trying .. to do the best with all I know .. xx
i thought I loved rose petal finish, but the magnetic clmupiness can be annoying. it’s hard to stop buying rose metal finish because the quality is beautiful 😫 I got rid of Tarot of Mystical Moments because I felt like the gilding was too sharp. I love Tarot of Transformations I hate when decks have few cards. I got rid of Dark Mirror because it wasn’t enough and not worth it. why are decks with few cards cost the same as decks with more cards? It doesn’t make sense. it’s been a joy to watch this video. I agree with a lot of things said here. I enjoy your videos. you’re so comforting 💜
I have the inner child deck and I love it I got it 30 years ago and put it away while I was busy with the kids growing. i have recently picked it up and i love it. I was disapointed in the guide book, Then I started drawing the images of the cards I picked and realized there is more in the deck then I realized. i have also thought there is more in there then the guide book states. i use it to ask how I can assist the residents at the nursing ho,me I work in :)
I completely agree about thick AND glossy card stock- absolute deal breaker for me. I hate glossy, for me personally it doesn’t improve artwork & most would look better in matt (I’m talking to you Guardian Tarot!). Having said that, I genuinely don’t mind Llewelyn card stock - but it’s not too shiny, and it’s thin so I can easily handle it with my small hands. I was gutted about the reality of rose petal finish. I lusted after the Brady tarot for several years, saved & took a risk of import duties and ordered it. It is everything I thought it would be except my inability to shuffle because it’s rose petal & it all stick together in clumps 😂 And I trimmed my Fountain Tarot to get rid of the guilding (it never occurred to me I could file it off!). I’m always put off pip decks, though I don’t honestly know why as the only one I have is the Supernatural Tarot, which I have more as a fan of the TV show than use of the deck. And pointless plastic packaging 🤬 there is just no need in these times when we know the impact of unnecessary single use plastic. I’m not sure I could express my feelings of the Mary-el here without being blocked 😂 it’s such beautiful artwork, but the only one I’ve ever returned. Male arrogance is an excellent way to describe it. I don’t have particularly bad experiences with men, and I’m not prudish or offended by nudity, but it felt forced upon me in that deck and I just couldn’t do it. The only time I ever bought a deck from eBay it was a fake Shadowskapes - they clearly knew & didn’t care so all I could do was report them. Really enjoyed this, thank you Candy! Sorry for my ridiculously long reply 😂💙X
I love your long reply it’s a joy. I’m glad I’m not on my own with some of these real breakers. I have a love hate now with rose petal. It’s so lovely and yet so impossible all at the same time x
Yes, when your using the Mary-el, you've got to prepare yourself for penistown. I'm not that bothered by it...the Druidcraft Hanged Man always surprises me tho...I'm tempted to draw a little leaf there. Good talk!
I have 3 decks with the matte finish. Two shuffle beautifully and one, The Wild Unknown Archetypes, I can't shuffle at all. It sticks so bad and I get aggravated. I never use it. Ever.
YES! The matte finish decks i have from Hay House are lovely to shuffle. I love my Tarot of the Sidhe but the gloss finish makes it sticky as well so I rarely use it. Makes me sad.
I agree with Candy, thick, glossy, plastically cardstock is very difficult to shuffle, especially for people like me with very small hands. I do prefer a thinner cardstock, I love a soft touch matte finish, a linen finish and I don’t mind a satin (semi gloss) finish. My absolute favourite cardstock would probably be Llewellyn cardstock because it’s thin but it’s got some structure to it, like it’s going to hold up. My deck dealbreakers include oversized cards because I have really small hands, oversized cards are really difficult for me to get my hands around the deck. Another reason I like Llewellyn decks, the cards are smaller and I can handle them easily. Another dealbreaker for me is really busy artwork such as the artwork in the Voyager Tarot, when the artwork is too busy it becomes too chaotic for me, as someone with severe anxiety that can be triggering for me. I’m not a fan of collage decks, I find that collage can be distracting and at times chaotic to me, especially when the artist try’s to include too many elements onto the cards. Another dealbreaker for me is artwork that is dark, scary, confronting and graphic. Decks like the Urban Tarot or the Deviant Moon Tarot tend to trigger my anxiety. As I am someone with severe anxiety I am pretty sensitive to that kind of imagery as it tends to trigger the anxiety, and can stop me working with the deck because I fear a particular card coming up, for example in the Deviant Moon it’s the Hermit (which is usually my favourite card in the tarot) that hermit looks so anxious and terrified, that every time I see that image it takes me back to what I’m like when I’m having anxiety attack. Having multiple artists artwork in a deck is another dealbreaker for me because I find that the deck feels disconnected due to the different art styles used by the different artists. Curated art decks also feel disconnected for me, because I find that the artwork doesn’t quite match the meanings of the card, particularly with tarot. My final dealbreaker is imagery that is crude or overly sexualised, I don’t mind nudity in my decks as long as it’s done tastefully. The three of cups in the Trionfi Della Luna illustrated, with the fire coming out the backside, like I get it, it’s funny but I don’t like it, just not for me
Honestly I felt just that way about the deviant moon until I held it in my hands and now it feels so comforting. I can definitely feel your need for smoother waters and calming imagery. I’m so sorry you have the anxiety to deal with. I get social anxiety quite badly so I really hear you. Also catastrophic thinking is a favourite pastime 😵💫 it can be deliberating so I send you all my love and healing thoughts for that. Thank you for sharing your deal breakers, I love to find out more about you lovely lot 🌸❤️
Loved this video and you made some really great points! I personally have no hang ups or baggage around men or masculine energy but I still find the Mary El confronting and aggressive, even many of the other cards without male figures. There are other similar decks and "erotic" decks which i am absolutely not interested in. Same with "body beautiful" imagery. I was gutted to see the artwork in the latest Viking deck is like this because I'm always searching for a realistic, wild,gritty, artistic Norse style deck because that's part of my heritage and I feel like that whole era has been hijacked! I want more older women and crone energy in all my decks too! Rose petal is a no no for me, it gives me the heebie jeebies to touch it (some modern book jackets have this effect on me too!) I agree entirely about packaging. My fave is a hard two piece box the same size as the deck with a book that fits or a larger format book to get separately 🤪😁💞👍 phew! That was a bit ranty! 🤣☺️ Thanks for another thought provoking vid!! Xxx
I'm so curious to see your video about what you're doing with your fake deck! I also unknowingly bought a fake deck and have no idea what to do with it. I won't read with it because it feels icky but I'm hoping to find some arts and crafts project to inspire me to put it to good use.
Fun and interesting, Candy. I can't get along with decks that have cards so big I can't shuffle them (although, like you, I make allowances for beautiful art) or decks that clump together no matter how you try to shuffle them. To another point you discuss, although I can only speak for myself, I know there are many women who agree that as women brought up in a patriarchal society, one that dismisses and inhibits women's rights and self-empowerment, whether it's in law, religion, the arts, science and medicine, or education, decks that exemplify that are simply out of the question for me. Therefore, I prefer decks with Mary or other goddesses (and yes, I referred to Mary as a goddess there). Thank you, as always, for your content, Candy.
Beth it’s a tough balance isn’t it. I’m about to redelve into this shadow, Mary el might help I think. I might tie a rope to my ankle and if I don’t reappear get you all to pull me out! 😊🌸❤️
I will be interested to see what your idea is to do with the fake deck. I have a couple of fake ones so maybe it will be something I could do with them. There is no way I could use them as actual decks. Great video Candy 😍❤️💖
Those plastic boxes are a remnant from the distant past when video cassettes were in fashion. i do not know of any company who would produce those now.
Really enjoyed this candy, like you the shadowland tarot hurt my hands so the first thing I did was take the gilding off, such a shame but the same as you I would have had to pass it on because I could not have used it. I wish publishers would ask us what gilding we preferred I'm sure they would get more sales. Love and blessings 💓🙏
It’s fabulous. I really love it and it pairs amazingly with the Thoth!!!! You wouldn’t believe it but it does! About to get my Mary el out after being retriggered by it after seeing you talk about it and reminding me how much I love the rest of the deck so thank you. I think it’s time to delve into the shadow again 💜
Hi, Candy. Really enjoyed this. I was struck by your comment about diversity, and wondered if you've seen the Everyday Enchantment Tarot by Poppy Palin? It is populated with all kinds of people, including special needs people. It is a Red Feather deck, and I dislike the card stock, plus the box splits the deck. I had to put it away because there are so many people in the cards! I'm not a crowd person! But, if I need a deck that features diversity, this is one that I'll fall back on.
I do have it yes …. It’s actually the deck in play for this years “year ahead Spread”. Ooo I agree with all your sentiments on it and I think I agree about the not liking crowds too 💙💙
I have the Doreen Virtue versions of the Angel Tarot and the Fairy Tarot and the card stock doesn’t bother me at all, although I like glossy card stock. I also wonder if Hay House possibly changed the card stock for the newer edition so it was thicker? I am a huge gilding fan, but if it hurts your hand, then yes it defeats the purpose of the deck. I also find ridiculous and excessive packaging to be very annoying. It’s one of the reasons I can’t get into Liminal 11 decks. That and I don’t like their art style. I’m not sure what it is, but I just haven’t liked anything they’ve put out yet. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, it really pointed out some areas for improvement in the deck industry.
I felt so awkward not relating to the Mary El for the same reasons! I felt like I was being oppositionally sexist or something being resistant to the blatant male nudity. But it is the same story of trying to heal from this trauma and not willing to be faced with it voluntarily. I hope to order some prints of cards in this deck that I love since I really do love the art style but the d*ck swinging is too much for me. Thank you Candy
Ooo yes so many. 1: make sure you know what the box looks like as often a box will look different. 2: it won’t show any names, creator or publishing house. 3: it will say it has a scan code for a guidebook 4: it’s listed as party game 5: you are buying from wish 6: the cost is very low 7: it has the words family game 8: there are many listed as available 9: pictures are not clear
Oh my gosh ! I totally agreed with every single thing you said ! I feel the exact same way about every single thing you said literally lol. We really think alike i think maybe a lot of it is because we have so many of the same issues with trauma and abuse but like the thick clumpy cardstock really, i mean come on folks ! The Brady Tarot is thick and clumpy too so i don't work with it and it's a shame because i love the images but i just really can't stand that cardstock. Also the Indie or kickstarter decks that come out and then you can buy it mass market for like $25.00 is really irritating .Then the fakes 😝They are everywhere now. It used to be just on eBay but now on Amazon , Etsy literally everywhere. You have to do so much research with Isbn #'s and card sizing it's sickening ! Great tag Candy ! Loved it 🥰Thank you for doing it. I really miss you when i don't see you on here. No pressure though ! Really ! You do what makes you comfortable. Just wanted you to know how precious you are ! Much love and many Blessings ! 💜💜💗💗💚💚💙💙💘💘🤗🤗😘😘
I’m just the opposite when it comes to nudity. I don’t care one way or the other if there is nudity in a deck, nor does excessive nudity bother me as I find the human body beautiful if the nudity is tastefully portrayed. However, I very, very much dislike decks with unequal treatment of the sexes as if there is something sacred about male genitals verses female genitals. This also goes for Devine masculine decks where the males are all depicted nude with oiled bodies, except there is a scarf, ribbon, branch, rock or something blocking their groins in every single card. My recurring thought is always what is “he” ashamed of…MichaelAngelo syndrome? Problems with steroids? I do agree with you about objecting to a deck where there are diverse female bodies and the males are all depicted as strong, muscular, slender males. Need that diversity with the males, too.
Yes I think we are on the same page. Me too, no problem with nudity but I dislike erotic decks where well…. We know what erotic decks show. No problem with it, although I know I sound like a prude, but I just don’t want it in my deck❤️
Sacrilege!!! A “pirated” Wildwood Tarot?! 😳 Your version looks smaller. I have the boxed edition with the guidebook. Do you have one of the earlier editions of the Wildwood?
I know right! The deck I showed was the fake one and yes it’s tiny. The deck I then got sent by a lovely friend is 2011 edition the book says and she’d trimmed it, no box. It’s really lovely. Even trimmed it’s not as small as this fake deck ❤️
@@CandySoulAndSoil Yes, the original Wildwood Tarot is wonderful. I thought you already had this deck in your collection? It seems to fit your energy. 😊 Last year was the 10th anniversary of the deck’s release. I was hoping that a special edition of the deck would be published, but to no avail. 🤔
On the issue of fake decks, I hate seeing deck hauls where you can see that all the decks particularly oracle decks in tuckboxes are clearly knock offs knowingly purchased.
@@CandySoulAndSoil OMGosh, I just realised what a ranty in the moment comment that was. Please forgive my forthcoming. I enjoyed your video and reflective process immensely 🌞🌻🌻
That is so interesting that you mention the masculinity in the Mary-El. I never had a problem with it and I am suprised actually that you introduced it as an ‘all male’ deck, because it is not. To me it is actually very holistic! And although I do not particularly enjoóy the King of Disks.. it does give a bit of a shock, in your face, excuuse me 😨😟 vibes, but I do think that the male arrogance that you point out is actually something very realistic, the patriarchy and sexism (assault on the workfloor for example, that is taboo) on the one hand as well as plain primal male lust that is needed for procreation that excists, which again, makes this deck very holistic. I heard you talk about doing shadow work before, I think this deck and it’s partly masculine energy holds keys for you. I hope my comment did not enhanced your trigger.. I just find it so interesting psychologically with potential for healing 💙🖤🤍💜
No I agree with you …. I think Mary el feels more way more masculine to me but it’s definitely not all male. I do come to it to work on that trigger actually (it’s totally my own baggage) I’ve kept returning to attempt to get past that one card actually this is not just a one pass journey for sure and It opens cans of worms every time. But isn’t that shadow work right there. It’s certainly not a deck I can use as yet just for tarot as another deck would be used though because of this. Thank you for the gentle push towards continuing the journey. I think as I’ve worked on recognising the male as well as female energy within myself and as I’ve also worked with the dagda I am making steps to healing this within myself. Let’s just say this deck so far has been my most in my face teacher ❤️❤️
I agree with lots of your criticisms regarding card stock, boxes, & gilding. I'm sorry you are uncomfortable with the masculine energy of the Mary-el, it was very powerful for me to confront those triggers and heal those shadows.
Jamie yes it’s definitely going to be a deck I return to on repeat to do this healing work. I’ve already done a couple of issues with it. It’s been away for a while now though perhaps it’s time to try again. I do think the triggering cards hold our biggest opportunities at times and our strongest medicine ❤️
Great tag response, Candy. I had never seen that original version of the Celtic Tarot before. Fun! I too really don’t like and try to avoid thick decks that are also super glossy. Though my Tarot of the Sidhe would be an exception. I’ve trimmed it and it’s much more manageable now. And I also really don’t like all these new body beautiful decks flooding the market. Yet…I do have, like and use The Muse Tarot but that’s a collagista thing. 🤓 Your She of Insights Oracle- Love it! Had never seen it, must investigate…! Thanks for all your deck insights. 🙏🏽🌸✨🕸🦢
Donna of you go on Renee’s channel she has links there as make playing cards is so impossible to navigate x
What an interesting tag. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. I always enjoy seeing peoples collections. 💜
Thank you rachele 🌸❤️
Such a comprehensive look at quality and what makes a deck great to work with!
Candy, could you do a tutorial or show us how to do shadow work using a deck. That would be v interesting and informative. ( obviously not a personal reading) ....just a how to....that would really be appreciated.
Oo let me think on that 🌸❤️
Just uploaded a video to show shadow work with a deck. You said not to share a personal spread but as the queen of over sharing I of course ignored that. 😂 I hope it’s interesting and helpful. Sending hugs ❤️🌸
@@CandySoulAndSoil Im just about to start watching it.
Great video Candy, you really hit the nail on the head with the angel and fairy deck.
They are huge to hold in my hands, and I struggled to even riffle shuffle them, which meant I had to fan them to use them.
I struggle a lot with matte decks sticking together. I'm not sure why but I have several that I avoid working with for the same reason as your rose petal deck. I work with jumpers, so, it's frustrating when 1 jumps out but it's 2 or 3 stuck together.
My favorite ever card stock so far is the crow tarot. The linen finish and the snap is 😍
I love linen too so much and also work with jumpers so sticking together card stick is a big deal isn’t it ❤️
Yes to more oracle cards in a deck! I feel like even 44 is a bit too small. I also don't enjoy too many men in a deck, you're not alone with that one. That's one of the things that holds me back from the Mary El. Loved seeing your deck dealbreakers, thank you for sharing! ♥️
It’s something I know totally is my own baggage and I’m working on it but for now it’s there. It’s hard isn’t it if that’s a place of continued hurt to then welcome it into your spiritual practice. Getting to know the myths and stories and the energy of the dagda is helping so much and also recognising the male and female energy within myself also helps. Perhaps I need a third pass through with the Mary el to do more work ❤️🌸
Thanks candy for sharing, I totally understand all the points made and I’m so glad I came across your channel. I absolutely love the content you do. ❤️🌺
Thank you Amanda that’s so lovely to read 🌸❤️
I really loved this video! The contradictions within us make us human I believe. On the topic of the masculine decks… I get ya, it’s personal. on the other hand, thank god you have all the choice in the world with all the femme decks around, right?
Oh hello Levi how wonderful to see you here…. I’ve been binge watching you and Martyn and loving it! Oh me and the divine masculine is a shadowy cave at Present. I’m going to keep the Mary el out and work with it for sure now. Shadow work in real time might appear soon in my videos. Honestly you are so right, literally you could never come across masculine energy in decks without even trying 🙈 what a liberty to moan 😂 ❤️🌸❤️🌸❤️
This was such an entertaining video 👍 I have found a rare person who thinks like me about
Mary El- I honestly hate that deck, not something I say lightly. Not only the male arrogance but most of the cards are aggressive. Maybe it's because I'm old but it makes me tired. Zero appeal. I owned it for 5 minutes ☺
Cardstock - I don't care as much because I don't use all my decks, so thick or clumpy doesn't matter. IF I love the art, I will make an exception for most anything 🖤 Latest example the Poe Tarot. The cards are thick, glossy & sticky (the burgundy gilding is gorgeous though - soooo soft) I bought 2 copies as soon as it was finally released because Poe 🖤🥀 one of my 2 fav writers of all time & I love the art, the quotes, everything.
It’s a tough one for me to work with for sure. I’ve not got rid of it as I feel in my reaction to it there’s work I can do and need but I get what you say about feeling tired by it. I have to be ready abs in the right space for it which hasn’t been for a while now. ❤️🌸
Enjoyed watching your dealbreakers. Like you, I definitely have some "exceptions" to the rule -- like, I'd call keywords a dealbreaker (and it is in 99.9% of cases) yet I love Next World + Wildwood. I share some of yours as well -- fake decks, certainly -- and similarly love shuffling Luminous Void even though I wouldn't say rose petal is my favourite in general. ❤😊
Thank you for watching Laura 🌸❤️
You make excellent points re: cash-grab decks. I chuckled over the Disney reference because everything they do feels like a cash-grab to me anymore, but I may be getting cynical in my old age. Never see anyone with pocket edition of Mother Mary, and it's my fave because the prayer or meditation is on the back like an old prayer card. Like you, I am able to divorce my love for her from the Church's use of her. Not her fault, that, way I see it. *shrug*
Ooo there’s a mini edition I hadn’t even realised. 🌸❤️
I agree with lots of this, Candy. Overly Christian or religious decks (even goddesses, sorry!), bad card stock, the Mary El (the bodies with breasts and penises in one person bother me for some reason), lazy pips, and decks like Dark Wood with all young/beautiful. I appreciate diversity but am not that crazy about contemporary decks that work so hard to show "real" people to the point that the people are distracting me from the card meaning. Thanks for sharing your thughts! 🥰😍
Thank you Nancy so much 🌸❤️🌸❤️
I have the original Angel and fairy tarot from Radleigh when it was a collab with Doreen Virtue and its hard to shuffle too. His newer angel tarot is matte cardstock but they stick together when shuffling.
Oh it’s such a shame isn’t it. It really steals the usability and enjoyment 🌸
@@CandySoulAndSoil most definitely.
Such an informative and enjoyable VR, Candy 💛 Thank you! xxx
Thank you Kerstin ❤️🌸
I have had the inner child deck for 30 yrs and they have passed the test of time :)
Great isn’t it ❤️
wonderful video, as always. I just Love your videos. Many thanks🧡🧡🧡
Aww thank you so much 😊
I think that small Wildwood tarot is actually perfect pocket size. I wish the regular deck was that small
Mini decks are fun aren’t they x
I love this tag .. there are lots of ways for us to be mindful. Mindful spending .. mindful for the environment .. mindful of our needs … our limitations … and the list can go on.
I think the way Seeds and Sickle packaged is magical because it’s like opening a treasure chest. It feels different because the attention to details is high and because the box itself speaks of its content. At least, that’s how I feel. I find that my decks that live in an extra layer are more precious! I have a deck inside a bag which is nested inside a wooden box!
That’s my deck .. the deck which speaks of my personality. I have two versions of it and that bigger original version is for looking more than for using (because I use the tarot size one ..) while that bigger version is tucked like a treasure in the wooden box.
I just discovered that the reason for my disinterest in Mary El might be as simple as the male presence. I never realized this before. It’s very interesting because I have a very dysfunctional and toxic father. I am still very sad he is my father because I am still processing the trauma and ptsd related to him physically assaulting me recently ..
I honestly have lots of baggages in that area. My father wounds are so deep but my male wounds aren’t easy. All I can say the recent assaults might have opened that .. wow .. I was wronged a lot by males and that lead to me picking a partner who wronged me too. I thought I got over a few of them .. but maybe not? Maybe I need to view them again from the male wound lens ..
I have problems working with angels but also with goddesses too. I have problems with the images given to them because I refuse to limit them in a shape or form .. of my creation. I also was fearful of getting mother Mary because I knew it would be emotional. I got the soulful woman oracle but it’s not what I wanted. I might have to just get those Mother Mary cards … :)
Aww I’m so sorry you have had the difficult path. It’s such a tough walk when the ones who should have had our backs are the ones dishing out hurts. I know that betrayal it cuts deep and can take a lifetime to find a way to walk with it. Sending my biggest and most understanding hugs your way ❤️❤️
@@CandySoulAndSoil You are too kind. Yes but apparently I chose this path .. because I am an old soul and because somehow I can do it.
I had a difficult path all my life but I think it has strengthen my soul and my morals/values .. In many ways, I am better because of it. However, [what was I thinking?] .. my soul must be so courageous because I am not now .. but I recognize that if it wasn't me .. someone else had to be brave .. had to stand for this man. I just hate that it had to be this way .. but it is a cycle .. and it started before me .. before him maybe .. it is a karmic debt of some kind that is meant to be witnessed. My mother is the most weak fragile soul .. she spent most of my life clinically depressed .. locked in her room or when she was present .. blaming us .. trying to fix the world so he will stop burning everything around us .. honestly, he is a coward .. my mom is so naive it hurts. I keep asking her how can she not have seen him but she was so brainwashed by him .. or by her hopes for a good inside him. She actually saw him as a good man struggling with his evil side .. to this day. That woman hurt us a lot and herself the most by her choices. I am not sure I am over my mothers wounds but I am more understanding of them .. mostly because my mom's heart is pure .. her actions are the worst .. her choices didn't help .. but then many people have stories like me .. hard difficult stories because life is built of incomplete broken damaged cycles of relationships and wounds .. and that needs cleaning ..
I am sure there are many silent warriors fighting and trying to pass the wounds of the past while focusing on not pass them further .. I don't know if I am doing it right but I am trying .. to do the best with all I know .. xx
@@ABirdOnTheMoon doing the best with ball you know. Nobody can ask for more than that my dear dear friend ❤️
i thought I loved rose petal finish, but the magnetic clmupiness can be annoying. it’s hard to stop buying rose metal finish because the quality is beautiful 😫
I got rid of Tarot of Mystical Moments because I felt like the gilding was too sharp.
I love Tarot of Transformations
I hate when decks have few cards. I got rid of Dark Mirror because it wasn’t enough and not worth it. why are decks with few cards cost the same as decks with more cards? It doesn’t make sense.
it’s been a joy to watch this video. I agree with a lot of things said here. I enjoy your videos. you’re so comforting 💜
Aww thank you and yes that comment you made about rose petal is exactly me…. I love it so much and yet just can’t with how it won’t shuffle ❤️
I have the inner child deck and I love it I got it 30 years ago and put it away while I was busy with the kids growing. i have recently picked it up and i love it. I was disapointed in the guide book, Then I started drawing the images of the cards I picked and realized there is more in the deck then I realized. i have also thought there is more in there then the guide book states. i use it to ask how I can assist the residents at the nursing ho,me I work in :)
It also surprised me when I coloured the edges with texta it helped the cards shuffle
Oh that’s lovely to use it like that 🌸❤️
I completely agree about thick AND glossy card stock- absolute deal breaker for me. I hate glossy, for me personally it doesn’t improve artwork & most would look better in matt (I’m talking to you Guardian Tarot!). Having said that, I genuinely don’t mind Llewelyn card stock - but it’s not too shiny, and it’s thin so I can easily handle it with my small hands.
I was gutted about the reality of rose petal finish. I lusted after the Brady tarot for several years, saved & took a risk of import duties and ordered it. It is everything I thought it would be except my inability to shuffle because it’s rose petal & it all stick together in clumps 😂 And I trimmed my Fountain Tarot to get rid of the guilding (it never occurred to me I could file it off!).
I’m always put off pip decks, though I don’t honestly know why as the only one I have is the Supernatural Tarot, which I have more as a fan of the TV show than use of the deck.
And pointless plastic packaging 🤬 there is just no need in these times when we know the impact of unnecessary single use plastic.
I’m not sure I could express my feelings of the Mary-el here without being blocked 😂 it’s such beautiful artwork, but the only one I’ve ever returned. Male arrogance is an excellent way to describe it. I don’t have particularly bad experiences with men, and I’m not prudish or offended by nudity, but it felt forced upon me in that deck and I just couldn’t do it.
The only time I ever bought a deck from eBay it was a fake Shadowskapes - they clearly knew & didn’t care so all I could do was report them.
Really enjoyed this, thank you Candy! Sorry for my ridiculously long reply 😂💙X
I love your long reply it’s a joy. I’m glad I’m not on my own with some of these real breakers. I have a love hate now with rose petal. It’s so lovely and yet so impossible all at the same time x
Yes, when your using the Mary-el, you've got to prepare yourself for penistown. I'm not that bothered by it...the Druidcraft Hanged Man always surprises me tho...I'm tempted to draw a little leaf there. Good talk!
Penistown. Lol snorting over my breakfast 😂😂😂( which isn’t sausages)
I have 3 decks with the matte finish. Two shuffle beautifully and one, The Wild Unknown Archetypes, I can't shuffle at all. It sticks so bad and I get aggravated. I never use it. Ever.
Lindsey it’s frustrating isn’t it 🌸❤️
YES! The matte finish decks i have from Hay House are lovely to shuffle. I love my Tarot of the Sidhe but the gloss finish makes it sticky as well so I rarely use it. Makes me sad.
Thanks for your beautifull vidéo again
Thank you Barbara 🥰❤️
here's my big takeaway i've found watching these videos: we tarot lovers LOVE a satisfying shuffle LOL
Ooo don’t we just! 🌸❤️
@@CandySoulAndSoil lol yes!!! If we can't shuffle, we don't like it LOL
I agree with Candy, thick, glossy, plastically cardstock is very difficult to shuffle, especially for people like me with very small hands. I do prefer a thinner cardstock, I love a soft touch matte finish, a linen finish and I don’t mind a satin (semi gloss) finish. My absolute favourite cardstock would probably be Llewellyn cardstock because it’s thin but it’s got some structure to it, like it’s going to hold up.
My deck dealbreakers include oversized cards because I have really small hands, oversized cards are really difficult for me to get my hands around the deck. Another reason I like Llewellyn decks, the cards are smaller and I can handle them easily. Another dealbreaker for me is really busy artwork such as the artwork in the Voyager Tarot, when the artwork is too busy it becomes too chaotic for me, as someone with severe anxiety that can be triggering for me. I’m not a fan of collage decks, I find that collage can be distracting and at times chaotic to me, especially when the artist try’s to include too many elements onto the cards. Another dealbreaker for me is artwork that is dark, scary, confronting and graphic. Decks like the Urban Tarot or the Deviant Moon Tarot tend to trigger my anxiety. As I am someone with severe anxiety I am pretty sensitive to that kind of imagery as it tends to trigger the anxiety, and can stop me working with the deck because I fear a particular card coming up, for example in the Deviant Moon it’s the Hermit (which is usually my favourite card in the tarot) that hermit looks so anxious and terrified, that every time I see that image it takes me back to what I’m like when I’m having anxiety attack. Having multiple artists artwork in a deck is another dealbreaker for me because I find that the deck feels disconnected due to the different art styles used by the different artists. Curated art decks also feel disconnected for me, because I find that the artwork doesn’t quite match the meanings of the card, particularly with tarot. My final dealbreaker is imagery that is crude or overly sexualised, I don’t mind nudity in my decks as long as it’s done tastefully. The three of cups in the Trionfi Della Luna illustrated, with the fire coming out the backside, like I get it, it’s funny but I don’t like it, just not for me
Honestly I felt just that way about the deviant moon until I held it in my hands and now it feels so comforting. I can definitely feel your need for smoother waters and calming imagery. I’m so sorry you have the anxiety to deal with. I get social anxiety quite badly so I really hear you. Also catastrophic thinking is a favourite pastime 😵💫 it can be deliberating so I send you all my love and healing thoughts for that. Thank you for sharing your deal breakers, I love to find out more about you lovely lot 🌸❤️
Loved this video and you made some really great points! I personally have no hang ups or baggage around men or masculine energy but I still find the Mary El confronting and aggressive, even many of the other cards without male figures. There are other similar decks and "erotic" decks which i am absolutely not interested in. Same with "body beautiful" imagery. I was gutted to see the artwork in the latest Viking deck is like this because I'm always searching for a realistic, wild,gritty, artistic Norse style deck because that's part of my heritage and I feel like that whole era has been hijacked! I want more older women and crone energy in all my decks too! Rose petal is a no no for me, it gives me the heebie jeebies to touch it (some modern book jackets have this effect on me too!) I agree entirely about packaging. My fave is a hard two piece box the same size as the deck with a book that fits or a larger format book to get separately 🤪😁💞👍 phew! That was a bit ranty! 🤣☺️ Thanks for another thought provoking vid!! Xxx
Not ranty at all see I love the feel of rose petal so much I just wish it didn’t make the cards stick. ❤️❤️
Not ranty at all see I love the feel of rose petal so much I just wish it didn’t make the cards stick. ❤️❤️
I'm so curious to see your video about what you're doing with your fake deck! I also unknowingly bought a fake deck and have no idea what to do with it. I won't read with it because it feels icky but I'm hoping to find some arts and crafts project to inspire me to put it to good use.
I’ll have to get on and make it then. So sorry you ended up with a fake one too ❤️
Fun and interesting, Candy. I can't get along with decks that have cards so big I can't shuffle them (although, like you, I make allowances for beautiful art) or decks that clump together no matter how you try to shuffle them. To another point you discuss, although I can only speak for myself, I know there are many women who agree that as women brought up in a patriarchal society, one that dismisses and inhibits women's rights and self-empowerment, whether it's in law, religion, the arts, science and medicine, or education, decks that exemplify that are simply out of the question for me. Therefore, I prefer decks with Mary or other goddesses (and yes, I referred to Mary as a goddess there). Thank you, as always, for your content, Candy.
Beth it’s a tough balance isn’t it. I’m about to redelve into this shadow, Mary el might help I think. I might tie a rope to my ankle and if I don’t reappear get you all to pull me out! 😊🌸❤️
I will be interested to see what your idea is to do with the fake deck. I have a couple of fake ones so maybe it will be something I could do with them. There is no way I could use them as actual decks. Great video Candy 😍❤️💖
Sandra can’t wait to show you 🌸❤️
Those plastic boxes are a remnant from the distant past when video cassettes were in fashion. i do not know of any company who would produce those now.
Elly I have a few with plastic inserts 🌸
Really enjoyed this candy, like you the shadowland tarot hurt my hands so the first thing I did was take the gilding off, such a shame but the same as you I would have had to pass it on because I could not have used it. I wish publishers would ask us what gilding we preferred I'm sure they would get more sales. Love and blessings 💓🙏
Sue it’s a real shame isn’t it. My hands were so sore after a few days with the shadowland I couldn’t even bear to hold it
I’ve been thinking of getting the inner child! 💜💜
It’s fabulous. I really love it and it pairs amazingly with the Thoth!!!! You wouldn’t believe it but it does! About to get my Mary el out after being retriggered by it after seeing you talk about it and reminding me how much I love the rest of the deck so thank you. I think it’s time to delve into the shadow again 💜
@@CandySoulAndSoil I’ve just ordered it! 🥰 it will be here tomorrow. Oh the Mary-El has my heart for sure 💜
We are so different, I hate rose petal in general. I have no deck with rose petal that is manageable.
Elly it’s certainly giving me pause as I’ve only the 2 decks in this card stock. ❤️
Hi, Candy. Really enjoyed this. I was struck by your comment about diversity, and wondered if you've seen the Everyday Enchantment Tarot by Poppy Palin? It is populated with all kinds of people, including special needs people. It is a Red Feather deck, and I dislike the card stock, plus the box splits the deck. I had to put it away because there are so many people in the cards! I'm not a crowd person! But, if I need a deck that features diversity, this is one that I'll fall back on.
I do have it yes …. It’s actually the deck in play for this years “year ahead Spread”. Ooo I agree with all your sentiments on it and I think I agree about the not liking crowds too 💙💙
I have the Doreen Virtue versions of the Angel Tarot and the Fairy Tarot and the card stock doesn’t bother me at all, although I like glossy card stock. I also wonder if Hay House possibly changed the card stock for the newer edition so it was thicker? I am a huge gilding fan, but if it hurts your hand, then yes it defeats the purpose of the deck. I also find ridiculous and excessive packaging to be very annoying. It’s one of the reasons I can’t get into Liminal 11 decks. That and I don’t like their art style. I’m not sure what it is, but I just haven’t liked anything they’ve put out yet. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, it really pointed out some areas for improvement in the deck industry.
Thank you lou. I always smile when I watch you and you are sharing a love for gloss. ❤️🌸
@@CandySoulAndSoil 😘
I felt so awkward not relating to the Mary El for the same reasons! I felt like I was being oppositionally sexist or something being resistant to the blatant male nudity. But it is the same story of trying to heal from this trauma and not willing to be faced with it voluntarily. I hope to order some prints of cards in this deck that I love since I really do love the art style but the d*ck swinging is too much for me. Thank you Candy
Yes I went through similar feelings for sure. 😘
The new version of The Messenger Oracle has the same stick together cardstock even though it's matt it's so irritating I agree ❤
Ooo no does it! I’ve been wondering wether to get it and the new oracle to combine. 🌸❤️
@@CandySoulAndSoil it really has..I've shuffled and shuffled and they still clump together ❤
@@debbiekofoed7554 that’s so irritating isn’t it ❤️
Any tips for recognising fake decks?
Ooo yes so many. 1: make sure you know what the box looks like as often a box will look different.
2: it won’t show any names, creator or publishing house.
3: it will say it has a scan code for a guidebook
4: it’s listed as party game
5: you are buying from wish
6: the cost is very low
7: it has the words family game
8: there are many listed as available
9: pictures are not clear
Oh my gosh ! I totally agreed with every single thing you said ! I feel the exact same way about every single thing you said literally lol. We really think alike i think maybe a lot of it is because we have so many of the same issues with trauma and abuse but like the thick clumpy cardstock really, i mean come on folks ! The Brady Tarot is thick and clumpy too so i don't work with it and it's a shame because i love the images but i just really can't stand that cardstock. Also the Indie or kickstarter decks that come out and then you can buy it mass market for like $25.00 is really irritating .Then the fakes 😝They are everywhere now. It used to be just on eBay but now on Amazon , Etsy literally everywhere. You have to do so much research with Isbn #'s and card sizing it's sickening ! Great tag Candy ! Loved it 🥰Thank you for doing it. I really miss you when i don't see you on here. No pressure though ! Really ! You do what makes you comfortable. Just wanted you to know how precious you are ! Much love and many Blessings ! 💜💜💗💗💚💚💙💙💘💘🤗🤗😘😘
Aww sunshine dawn we miss you when you are away too. Tilly sends love and hugs but socially distanced as she currently has covid 🌸❤️
@@CandySoulAndSoil Oh no ! Sweet Tilly 💗I will do lots of bubble wishes for her to feel better💞💘Love you all bunches 😘😘😘😘
I’m just the opposite when it comes to nudity. I don’t care one way or the other if there is nudity in a deck, nor does excessive nudity bother me as I find the human body beautiful if the nudity is tastefully portrayed. However, I very, very much dislike decks with unequal treatment of the sexes as if there is something sacred about male genitals verses female genitals. This also goes for Devine masculine decks where the males are all depicted nude with oiled bodies, except there is a scarf, ribbon, branch, rock or something blocking their groins in every single card. My recurring thought is always what is “he” ashamed of…MichaelAngelo syndrome? Problems with steroids? I do agree with you about objecting to a deck where there are diverse female bodies and the males are all depicted as strong, muscular, slender males. Need that diversity with the males, too.
Yes I think we are on the same page. Me too, no problem with nudity but I dislike erotic decks where well…. We know what erotic decks show. No problem with it, although I know I sound like a prude, but I just don’t want it in my deck❤️
Sacrilege!!! A “pirated” Wildwood Tarot?! 😳
Your version looks smaller.
I have the boxed edition with the guidebook.
Do you have one of the earlier editions of the Wildwood?
I know right! The deck I showed was the fake one and yes it’s tiny. The deck I then got sent by a lovely friend is 2011 edition the book says and she’d trimmed it, no box. It’s really lovely. Even trimmed it’s not as small as this fake deck ❤️
@@CandySoulAndSoil Yes, the original Wildwood Tarot is wonderful. I thought you already had this deck in your collection?
It seems to fit your energy. 😊
Last year was the 10th anniversary of the deck’s release. I was hoping that a special edition of the deck would be published, but to no avail. 🤔
@@mysticrosetarot888 no I didn't have it but its one im really looking forward to getting to know x
Wow, I couldn’t even tell the Wildwood was fake 😐 usually the quality is very poor.
Honestly it’s rubbish isn’t it that it’s getting hard to tell. I think you would up close Tracy plus the fact it’s tiny
@@CandySoulAndSoil ahh okay yeah it’s hard to tell through the tv screen! I agree the fakers are getting really clever now unfortunately.
On the issue of fake decks, I hate seeing deck hauls where you can see that all the decks particularly oracle decks in tuckboxes are clearly knock offs knowingly purchased.
I know Toni I can never ever understand that. 🌸❤️
@@CandySoulAndSoil OMGosh, I just realised what a ranty in the moment comment that was. Please forgive my forthcoming. I enjoyed your video and reflective process immensely 🌞🌻🌻
@@AntoinetteTarot no not at all Toni. I agree completely ❤️🥰
💜💛🧡
❤️❤️❤️
That is so interesting that you mention the masculinity in the Mary-El. I never had a problem with it and I am suprised actually that you introduced it as an ‘all male’ deck, because it is not. To me it is actually very holistic! And although I do not particularly enjoóy the King of Disks.. it does give a bit of a shock, in your face, excuuse me 😨😟 vibes, but I do think that the male arrogance that you point out is actually something very realistic, the patriarchy and sexism (assault on the workfloor for example, that is taboo) on the one hand as well as plain primal male lust that is needed for procreation that excists, which again, makes this deck very holistic. I heard you talk about doing shadow work before, I think this deck and it’s partly masculine energy holds keys for you. I hope my comment did not enhanced your trigger.. I just find it so interesting psychologically with potential for healing 💙🖤🤍💜
No I agree with you …. I think Mary el feels more way more masculine to me but it’s definitely not all male. I do come to it to work on that trigger actually (it’s totally my own baggage) I’ve kept returning to attempt to get past that one card actually this is not just a one pass journey for sure and It opens cans of worms every time. But isn’t that shadow work right there. It’s certainly not a deck I can use as yet just for tarot as another deck would be used though because of this. Thank you for the gentle push towards continuing the journey. I think as I’ve worked on recognising the male as well as female energy within myself and as I’ve also worked with the dagda I am making steps to healing this within myself. Let’s just say this deck so far has been my most in my face teacher ❤️❤️
@@CandySoulAndSoil ☺️ super valuable ❤️