Which kind are you?

[Little Baron]

I am sure there must have been a thread like this before.

Noticing that there are a lot of new members and so many that have passed through and left the board, I was wondering which kind of decks we read at this present moment. Besides, answering this question a couple of years ago, I would definitely have answered differently.

So, just to see what decks we are currently using, I thought maybe a poll would be interesting.

Are you currently working with the Rider Waite, one of it's variations or clones.

Are you currently working with the Marseilles or an earlier deck?

Are you currently working with the Thoth or a Thoth based deck, such as the Cosmic Tribe or the Rohrig?

Looking forward to seeing the results. There have been so many new Marseilles readers of late, the wonderful Thoth Daily Draw thread and great new Rider Waite clones. So which kind has been consuming your attention???

Yabs

[Moonbow*]

Ooooo...

This is tricky, right at the very moment I am using the Druidcraft (RWS clone) but until recently - like a couple of weeks ago, I was doing the Thoth daily card AND I was in the 'lets Marseilles' thread!!!

So this changes with my mood :) and we all know how a girl likes to change her mind don't we :)

[Little Baron]

You're right Moonbow, it is a tricky one, since I was working with the Thoth also, until recently, when I decided to keep t back for personal readings that needed a real punch.

At the moment, my interest, aside from my brief fling with the Thoth, has been older decks with non-scenic pips; the Grimaud has been a great little mate and am getting along nicely with my Ancient Italjian (can't mention the Soprafino until the missing card is found, sniff, sniff).

I will be the first to take the plunge and vote in that direction.

Yabs

[lunakasha]

Yes...I agree with Moonbow*....my tastes and interests are always changing, and I enjoy using a variety of decks, although to be honest I have still been unable to really connect with a Marseille deck (sorry Diana ;) ).

I voted for Thoth, because I have recently taken a new interest in this deck, and it is fascinating to study....the cards are beautiful and I just get lost in the powerful imagery. There is so much to see in these cards, it can be overwhelming....

But then again, most of my decks are RWS-based, so if I could have voted for two choices, I would have to include RWS.

:) Luna

[Mesara]

I voted for Rider-waite, though I prefer the "clones" to the actual RW deck itself. I also have the Thoth, which I use from time to time, but I have to say my heart lies with RW based decks for now.

Eventually I will get around to purchasing a Marseilles just to see what the fuss is all about, since I know many people here really love the Marseilles.

[mooncat2]

My vote went to Marseille - I'm one of the new readers and loving it - surprising because I didn't think I would. It has had my full attention for the past few weeks.

Still love my 'clones' though.

[Jewel-ry]

I voted Marseilles :)

~

[Diana]

I will send a Swiss chocolate Pope medal to the person who guesses what I voted. (Please don't post here so as not to disturb the flow of the thread - PM me instead. First PM wins the prize.)

[Anna]

MARSEILLE!

I love it so much that I made it stripey! :D

[Pook]

Well, I am currently working with several RW decks that I switch back and forth between, so I voted that way.....but I am really excited because I just recently took a plunge and ordered, not 1. but 2 marseilles type decks.

So I guess maybe in a couple of weeks I would have voted differently.

[Nevada]

I voted Thoth, because I use my Thoth nearly everyday. But I also use others, and I have all three. I suppose the least-used is the Marseilles (sh!--don't tell Diana), but only because I'm not fond of the particular Marseilles deck I have at the moment (Ancient--Conver). I am sort of pining for a Hadar or Fournier, but have busted my Tarot-buying budget for now.

IMO, you need at least four more options:

*Two of the above
*Three of the above
*None of the above
*Other--simply as an exuse to wax verbose, or to indicate a current obsession with a non-trad or oracle deck.

Oh--and what about a Visconti? Would you consider that a Marseilles? I wouldn't.

But now we have another poll-nitpicking post, and I know that's not what you wanted. :) So forgive me and accept my Thoth answer.

Nevada

[Sulis]

I voted Rider-Waite because the 3 decks I use : Morgan Greer, World Spirit and DruidCraft are based on it.

I have a couple of decks which are Thoth based which I use occasionally but not that often.

Love

Sulis xx

[spoonbender]

I voted Marseille too. I wish I still had the time or energy to participate in the Let's Marseille-threads :(.

[ihcoyc]

I voted Marseilles - the decks I use most often are pip card decks, although the Ancient Italian and Ancient Lombardy aren't really Marseilles decks.

I suppose the Visconti deck is closer to the Marseilles than to either the Thoth or the RWS.

[CreativeFire]

I voted for the RWS as most of my 'reading' decks are of this style (and I just got my copy of the Gilded so getting to know this one).

However I also really like the Thoth, but am having a break from studies on that one at the moment to work on a few other things.

So at this point in time, RWS - in another few months who knows ;)

CreativeFire

[Fulgour]

I have always thought that from what we know of how
she worked, Pamela Colman Smith based her images on
her spiritual experience of French and Italian decks, now
termed, le Tarot de Marseille. Her own deck of choice.

Given her genius, combined with her visionary insights,
it causes me no moment of hesitation to not click on the
name of two men, William Rider and Arthur Waite, but
rather to share a giggle with Pam that anyone would ask.

[DarkElectric]

Totally Thoth.
I was working with clones for a while, but really got back into Thoth, (and those aforementioned Thoth style decks) recently. I've never been a Marseilles fan, just can't seem to get into it at all.

[VGimlet]

I have been buying Marseille and similarly styled decks lately. I am not quite ready to start working with them yet, but I find myself drawn to them anyway.

[Cariad]

Only very recently bought my first Marseille deck yet to be comfortable reading with it but do like the feel of the cards.

Voted for RWS in this poll although I do use Thoth but only occasionally.

Love B

[gareth.]

Thoth and Rider-waite.At same time! But interesting only three categories stipulated by you.There are more.

[Little Baron]

Thank you all for your responses. I was going to include more, as I know that many people use a variety of other decks, but I wanted to contain the poll down to what seems to be the three most popular. I also do not consider the Visconti as a Marseilles. Maybe I should have included an 'other' section. Apologies.

Yabs

[Majecot]

I voted Rider Waite, but I think my more active decks have a bit of a Thothness (new word) to them..

Technically.. I guess I would be an other ;)

[Tarot Sparrow]

I voted Rider Waite. I have a Thoth, which I like, and I don't have a Rider Waite, because I hate it--but I like the symbology and illustrated minors and most of my decks have that to some extent.

[Shalott]

Marseille! Haven't touched anything else in months. Never had better readings, either!

[Rusty Neon]

Rider-Waite deck

Lo Scarabeo decks (traditional, pre-Golden Dawn divinatory meanings)

I like Marseille decks but I need a break from the threads.

[Satori]

Dear yaboot,
I'm using both the Marseille and a RWS pretty much equally right now. Where do i fit in, huh??

I clicked RWS but should have clicked Marseille.

[ambermoon]

With no apologies, RWS. I have a Visconti-Sforza, but I don't read with it unless the spread calls for Majors only.

ambermoon

[BlueLotus]

I voted for the Rider-Waite since I prefer this system and most of my favorite decks follow it .

I did not find a lot of affinity with the Marseille, less so with the Thoth type decks, for some unexplained reason; however, this may and probably will change anytime in the future.

[WolfSpirit]

I voted RWS, as the decks I love most - the Druid Craft and Samantha's Tarot - are based on RWS.
I have used the Thoth a bit, and also have decks based on it.
And I have now also a Marseilles - at the moment it is 24 hours in my possession :D and still a bit early to say how I'll get on with it, but I think I will like it.

[Flavio]

RWS or clones for me, as I'm trying to master this system. I don't like the Toth or it's clones and maybe in the future I'll try the Marseilles.

[punchinella]

I voted Marseille. Nothing else works anymore! Why pour over reflected energies when I can go right to the source?? (personal opinion only, of course :) )

[WolfyJames]

I didn't vote because my answer is all three. I recently finished reading L.M. Duquette book on the Thoth and have made a few readings with my Thoth, for the first time. I lurk in the Marseille section, even wrote a post about the Coins Fournier's court cards. I'm also studying other decks related to RWS, like The Legend, The Fey, The Faery Wicca Tarot and The Old Path Tarot.

[lark]

Me too Wolfy.
It's all three for me too.
Sometimes all three in use in one day.

[Nec]

I voted for Rider Waite because my books and decks are based on RWS.

[fyreflye]

-delete-

[rosesred]

I've always worked with RW-based decks, but recently I decided to take up the Thoth. Since I have absolutely no money to spend, I was very happy to discover a bargain: the box was damaged, but the deck itself was intact. I took this as a hint of the universe and bought it immediately ;). First impressions: A harsh deck that doesn't offer easy access, although it is a very 'deep' deck once you manage to get through.

[Rhiannon]

Almost all my decks are RWS based. I do have a new Tarot of the Dead, though. What would that fall under?

[tmgrl2]

Marseille...Hadar...although I don't use Hadar's interpretations as a basis. My interpretations are more eclectic based on my internalization of what I have learned from various sources and, of course, based on the reading in the moment.

terri

[jema]

None, I am all about the Faeries Oracle right now:-)

But ok, sometimes I sneak a peek at the Visconti tarot, it is so pretty and golden.

[Osher]

A Thoth based deck, such as the Rohrig?

The Rohrig Thoth? I'd call it an RWS, but then, also it has Thoth elements to it. I mostly use the Old Path Tarot, so I voted RW, as I assumed by RW you mean any deck that is highly symbolic, with scenes in pictoral form for the minor arcana?

[Kit]

Definetely the RWS and its (many) clones! I've never quite "clicked" with the Thoth, and I prefer the illustrated minors of the RWS over pips like in the Marseilles anyday. Doesn't mean I don't love the Marseilles too, just the images in the RWS trigger meanings more easily for me.
And then there are all those other decks...
Not an easy poll, Yaboot, but a good one! :)
Raeven

[Emily]

I'm stuck firmly in the Rider Waite symbolism :) - I find Rider Waite and clone decks the easiest to read with, but I think that there are so many different styles of deck it would be hard to get bored with the symbolism that is Rider Waite.

My favourite is the Morgan Greer but I also like the Golden and the Tarot of Prague, Radiant, - all different Rider Waite clones. :)

[Firekeeper]

Marseille is my first deck, and for me I think it will always be THE deck !

[Diana]

This is interesting indeed. I wish we were able to make a comparison with a year ago. I think the Marseilles voters would have been MUCH less. I reckon we would have been less than 5%.

Now. I hope that in one year's time (I'll make a note in my agenda), we make exactly the same poll and see the evolution then. Especially concerning the Thoth and the Marseilles.

(Firekeeper: In case you think I'm making a spelling mistake (seeing as you're French) I'm not spelling "Marseille" wrong. In English, they spell Marseille with an "s", and also Lyon with an "s". The Anglo-Saxons have strange ideas about spelling!! :D )

Yaboot: Thank you for starting this poll.

[sprite]

well im not really sure none have much interest to me i dont like the thoth at all. tried it once a long time ago and didnt like its feel. the rider i would have to say would be my best choice just for its use with just about everything. i have used the haindl forever and never quite cared for the riders pics but as universal as it is i guess i should give it a try

[Eco74]

I'd have to pick both the RWS and the Marseilles..

Having worked more with the Marseilles through the Let's Marseilles-threads I've definately fallen for the style and language of the cards.
However, I also have several RWS clones and a gifted-and-well-loved original RWS that I could not do without.

I'm just a little tarot-tart I guess. :D


(To confuse things a little further I also recently recieved my first Oracle deck; the Faeries Oracle.)

[mzoltarp]

[QUOTE=Yaboot]

Are you currently working with the Rider Waite, one of it's variations or clones.

As a newbie to Tarot--one year and counting--I have several RW decks (RW, RW reversed, Mythic..). I guess I'm in the mode of staying on familiar turf as I develop my skills. There are a lot of decks out there that have the Adobe Photoshop collage thing going on that just leave me cold. To those that like the collage decks that's fine with me and I would have no problem being read by someone using them. They just don't inspire my thoughts. Different decks inspire different people differently. No harm, no foul intended. I like the old school look of the RW. The "ancientness" of tarot is something that hooks me in and I am drawn to cards that have that lineage so to speak. It's almost as if I feel I am a conduit for some long-standing and pre-existing universal message and I don't mean that to sound boastful. When I read I feel that there is more present than me and the querent. It's a symbiosis or a melding of energies.

[littlehermit]

Well, two of my three decks are RWS based (though not really close enough to call clones), but I voted Marseille because my Hadar deck was in my hands when I read the thread. :)

In all honesty I am still the closest and most confident with my Spiral deck. It has had hours of attention, shuffling, and study that neither of the other two has had yet. I have had no dealings with Thoth decks, and am not planning to, nor am I planning to become exclusively either a RWS or Marseille reader. In Tarot, as with many things, I am a mutt. :)

[Moongold]

I am currently interested in both RWS itself, the Ancient Egyptian and the Marseilles so I couldn't vote.

[light2000]

I´m RWS kind. Because i like real images and images at the minors.

[jackdaw*]

Rider-Waite style, by far my favourites. I have a Thoth, and flirted with the historical Marseilles types for a while, but I keep coming back to good old Pixie's ideas.

[Emeraldgirl]

RWS at the moment. I have a Toth I haven't had time to start studying and a couple of TdMs but RWS is still the favourite