Shadow Decks

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Aug 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Tarot_Cupcake	25 Aug 2002
I have heard the term, but don't understand what it means and how a shadow deck is used? Can anyone give me insight and examples of the method and decks used for shadow work?

RedWood	25 Aug 2002
Good question! I know there is a book about shadow work also...Waiting to here the thoughts too..

Keslynn	25 Aug 2002
I think the book you are referring to is Christine Jette's Tarot Shadow Work. I've only read partially through the book so far but it seems pretty good. I was doing the preparation for the first spread, but then I had to pack it all away. I can't resume until I'm all settled in my new place. :( But I fully intend to work my way through the book. I think shadow work is a very useful tool. At any rate, I don't think there are specific decks to be used for shadow work. I think that it's basically best to use whichever deck is more incisive and healing for you. For me, it would be my Spiral. However, some people might enjoy exploring the shadow with darker decks instead. It's a matter of personal choice, but when I'm having my faults pointed out, I want it done gently. ;) My fragile Leo ego can only take so much... :) Kes

Liliana	25 Aug 2002
Shadow decks usually have the weight of the images on the darker, more disturbing side. Such decks as the Templar (lots of skulls on the cards in some of them in very diusturbing such as its Lovers), Book of Chaos (very very dark), and to some extant Thoth. If a deck disturbs and fascinates you at once, its a good shadow deck for you. We all have a darker side, and by intergrating it it makes it harder for us to take over us. Theres a book caled Tarot Shadow Work is a good book, tho I dont have it yet :THP

HOLMES	25 Aug 2002
shadow work is about using the tarot to reveal your shadow self and so you can begin to understand it and transforming and loving it. there is many thoughts on what deck you use but i was to coward to use my "dark" deck the thoth with it. i used the major arcana robin wood with it as the book is set up to use major arcana with it and there is an artixcle on tart passages of using theminors and court with them. any deck can be used innerchilds, whimisical, for example for in the book it is about where the card ends up in position and there is at the back of the book there are light and shadow aspects to the cards all 22 major at the back of the book. after you do the whole series the first time you can do it again at a deeper lecvel as you will understand the process for me the shadow was all over my life til i completed it and it should be done every 3 to six monyhs depending on how it affedfcts you

Jewel	26 Aug 2002
I am with Kes on this one. I have also started reading Christine's book (very good by the way) and look forward to doing the actual shadow work soon. I am planning on using the Waking the Wild Spirit tarot ... maily because I feel a spiritual working type relationship between me and the deck. I do not feel like I need to use a "dark" deck to do the shadow work.

catlin	27 Aug 2002
I have both the Shadow work book by Chr. Jette and some decks you may consider as dark so I think I am well equipped to explore my hidden darkness.

The Shadow Decks thread was originally posted on 25 Aug 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.