Decks for Intuitive Reading

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 08 Jul 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Lee	08 Jul 2002
I've had an epiphany, which I've written about in the Reading Tarot forum, in which I tried a reading method which I found in a book called "A Magical Course in Tarot" by Michele Morgan. She advocates tossing cards on the table, not being too particular about lining them up perfectly, and then, with no spread positions, looking at the cards and making intuitive connections based on background symbols, landscapes, facial expressions, postures, relationships between figures, repitition of symbolism, whether some cards clump together or are standing apart, etc., all in relation to the question. Fixed, memorized meanings don't get abandoned altogether but definitely take a back seat to intuitive responses, so that a Major card, for example, might end up meaning something different than its usual meaning, based on, perhaps, some background symbol which takes on significance for that particular reading. Anyway, I'm finding now that I have to make a big shift in terms of favorite decks. I had been leaning toward non-illustrated-pip decks, but those obviously won't work as well for this type of reading (drat -- just paid big $$ for the Prediction Tarot! :rolleyes: ) But other decks, which I hadn't liked before because I had conceptual or other problems with them, like the Robin Wood, suddenly turn out to be my preferred decks, because the considerations which had kept me away from them are suddenly much less important; the important thing now is that the deck have a good variety of actions, expressions, symbols. Decks whose Minors have scenes, but not R-W-S-based scenes, might also be good choices, so as not to unconsciously fall back into the memorized R-W-S-type meanings. So that got me thinking as to which decks would be good for this kind of reading. Here's what I came up with (I've noted where I hadn't liked the deck previously, but for reasons other than the art; I like the art on all of them): Robin Wood (hadn't liked previously) Celtic Wisdom (hadn't liked previously) Connolly (hadn't liked previously) Tarot of the Imagination (hadn't liked previously) Matt Meyers Art Nouveau Legend Arthurian Norse Celtic Dragon Nigel Jackson Mountain Dream Cosmic Tarot Tarots of the Renaissance (Trevisan) Tarots of the Gnomes I'd love to hear others' thoughts -- and also, what *wouldn't* make a good intuitive-reading-deck. -- Lee

Umbrae	08 Jul 2002
I would recommend 2 decks that lend themselves very well for intuitive readings (IMO), for a ‘pip’ deck, try the Soprafino, for a non-pep neck, try VR.

kayne	08 Jul 2002
I think the Cosmic tarot would be excellent for this type of reading... I don't have it... yet but have seen all the cards which have a good range of facial expressions and backgrounds... I think it would work. I am going to give this style of reading a go - thanks for bringing it to my attention Lee. I often use clues like the way a figure in a card is facing, common colours etc as indicators in a spread as it is so I don't think I will have too much trouble with it. I am going to try it with my beloved Cosmic Tribe. :)

Jewel	08 Jul 2002
Hi Lee! So glad you have found a system that allows you to use decks you previously did not consider as useful! Although full of "moody-minors" I have found the Cosmic Tribe to be extremely intuitive, other deck that I find very intuitive (aside from the ones you mentioned) are the Wild Spirit, Templar, Greenwood and Osho Zen. The Mage deck that you so kindly traded with me I also find appealing for this in much darker fashion ... perhaps in shadow work or facing your own demons *LOL*. As for decks that do not work for me on an intuitive level I would have to agree with you on the unillustrated minors, or artwork that just does not speak to me.

Maan	08 Jul 2002
I have found that the pictures of the romani buckland and the spiral lend themselves really good for this type of readings. And ofcourse the decks you already mentioned! I hope i get the templar soon so i can try it on this kind of readings like Jewel suggest:) Love and light Maan

Lee	08 Jul 2002
I wonder if decks like Osho Zen with keywords might not be so good -- I find personally that the keywords get in the way, they open the back door so the Committee (i.e. our critical/intellectual voices) can sneak back in... :) -- Lee

Jewel	08 Jul 2002
Hi Lee, I find myself so drawn in by the artwork of the Osho Zen that I do not really notice the words ... but that is just me :) ... but you are right, for those that are distracted by the words it would certainly defeat the purpose.

Kyrielle	08 Jul 2002
I think Karma Tarot would also work based on what I have read about this reading approach on the Forum. I haven't tried this approach yet, but I definitely will. I have to find that book -- I'm intrigued! You probably predicted I'd say Karma Tarot -- it seems to be the answer to everything for me these days. --Kyrielle

Keslynn	08 Jul 2002
I definitely agree with those who suggested the Spiral. At first I was a little intimidated by the people on the cards. I thought it was because of the harsh masculine way in which I thought they were drawn. Then I realized that they were just so intense. I can read the Courts with this deck much more easily and more intuitively than with any other deck. The personlities just come right out at me. Robin Wood, Morgan Greer, Gendron would also be good. I would also recommend the Sacrd Circle despite the keywords. The pictures speak to me despite the words and invoke real emotions. I was quite surprised when it happened. The Gill would work well too because of the "moody minors" rather than just pip cards. :) Kes

Umbrae	08 Jul 2002
Try "soul cards". No keywords, no meanings...you want to open the door to intuitive readings? These will rip the hinges off (if you are ready).

Lee	08 Jul 2002
Keslynn makes a good point about the Spiral Courts. Courts in general, I think, are a little problematical for intuitive reading because in most decks there isn't a lot to go on unless you have some kind of conceptual framework for them. But the Spiral Courts have the most personality, in my opinion, of any deck (Mountain Dream Courts are also good) and would be great for intuitive readings. -- Lee

jema	08 Jul 2002
my intuitive deck is the tarot of the spirit. it is actually very much like the Thoth deck but where the Thoth in a way has a very "male" aspect - the spirit deck is very much "female" in it's feel. my card today was from the Thoth - princess of cups. just for fun i took out the same card from the spirit - and behold1 there i see the princess, the turtle, the dolphin, the swan and the crystals on her dress. the symbols are all there but in a much more intuitive way. this deck is very powerful for me. it is the only one i use for dreamwork and deep meditations. the book to this deck is also one of the best books on tarot i have ever read. i don't "know" the spirit tarot deck yet, i am getting to know it and i can tell you it will take a long time but i will have learnt a lot about myself when i get there. it is a very abstract deck too, surreal. try it!

Kellinator	08 Jul 2002
How about the Rohrig? I've also had some interesting deck-dependent moments with the Art Nouveau and Legend Arthurian. I was reading for an acquaintance with the LAT and pulled out the Magician for the outcome -- Merlin with a wolf beside him. I had been sticking pretty close to the traditional, but on a whim I asked if the wolf meant anything to her. Turns out her new boyfriend's nickname is Wolfboy.

Liliana	08 Jul 2002
Rohrig works great for intuitive reading because of its modern feel, much of the imagery we can relete to on some level, tho some may find the many words on the cards a hinderance I find them beneficial jumping off points, sometimes a certain word will be the symbol that catches my attention and I cant see theres anything wrong with that. Arcus Arcanum would also probably be good, it has very detailed scenes but is not really Rider Waite based for most cards My big vote goes to World SPirit for this tho, there are jsut so many little things going on in all the cards, and their symbolism is not in the book (such as my favorite little glowing mouse) It would definately be a good intuitive deck. :THP

MystiqueMoonlight	08 Jul 2002
I found illustrated minors to be more distracting for my intuitive reading methods and minors with keywords on them have the same result so I have the Visconti Tarot which is very inspirational.

Major Tom	09 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Lee (Mountain Dream Courts are also good) and would be great for intuitive readings. -- Lee Ahhh - you beat me to it Lee! I was also going to recommend the Mountain Dream - the expressions on the faces of the court cards speak volumes. })

Cerulean	19 Jul 2002
My suggestion is to mix an oracle and tarot or different styles of art tarots, depending on what you think might be appealing. For instance, the very feminine Moon Oracle by Carolyn Smith and the drama of the Olympus Tarots by L. Raimondo might yield draw the eye to unexpected color associations and details. The new scenic Etruscan looks like Augean sea paintings from Crete---in the Tarotgarden.com site prerelease page you can see a scan of Justice with a deer and a mountain cat, like the Artemis card in Carolyn Smith's Moon Oracle. But the art isn't that similar, so might seem disjointed to do those two decks at one time. The Etruscan, Sphynx and Neferteri match better with the Golden Rider style of illustrations for me...might do well with the mysterious Nizzoli Tarots of the Secrets. I don't normally like the battle scenes of the Olympus or Avalon Tarots, but I accept their place in the legends. A softer theme deck might balance them out. I haven't thought of it until now, but the Olympus might work well with Tarots of the Renaissance. I've done a scattershot layout of two decks, then majors and suit comparisons. For me, if the illustration styles or coloring is similar, then the story idea works. For instance, the dramatic contrast coloring Tarot of Secrets by Nizolli and striking Universal Tarot (Cannot remember the author) from Lo Scarabeo is close enough to work. Way too long, but this is my new favorite style of look-see reading. Mari H.

Mlle Lenormand	21 Jul 2002
I am so glad I found this thread... I've been learning a RW based deck to make my querents feel at ease when I read for them...obviously I'm doing mostly intuitive readings and I find that it's hard work to learn the decks. Instead I think I'll check out those decks you have all offered opinions on and I may be on a winner for me.

divinerguy	21 Jul 2002
For an intuitive deck to consistently give you enough stimulus, I think it needs to be a little on the busy side. With that in mind, I'd suggest the Cosmic. You might also try the Voyager. Voyager's got a lot of diverse images, and doesn't fall into a saccharine trap.

The Decks for Intuitive Reading thread was originally posted on 08 Jul 2002 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.