Decks which have shifted your understanding

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 22 Jan 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Aerin	22 Jan 2003
I was wondering which decks people have that really helped them take a leap in using Tarot, and which .... didn't. I shall explain. Since I got my darling Fey, I have been noticing several occassions when a slightly different 'take' on a card has led to my significantly deepening my comprehension of the range of meanings for that card. For example: The Hermit seems to be exploring a slightly scary and unknown staircase, which led me to think about the way that solitary inner journeys can be a little frightening at times The 7 of Cups has as one of its meanings in the booklet 'unjustified fears', e.g. for me that would mean dreaming up disasters and worst cases that never happen The 5 of cups shows a little Fey (who looks quite happy to me) using part of a broken chalice as a seat, really emphasising the 'good things that are left' part of the card The two of pentacles shows a jolly plump sort of a fey holding and examining a pentacle that a small green sprite type winged fey seems to be touching (maybe trying to spin it). One of the meanings the LWB gives is 'ties between the small and large, the material and the spiritual'. That got me thinking. This is the first deck I've had since the Hallowquest (which helped me mostly via the meditations) that has done this for me, the Universal Waite being the other (but I was learning from scratch then). Most other decks either: - feel well known and comfortable, and I bring across my interpretations 'as is' with just a few adjustments while excitedly exclaiming about the pictures - leave me cold. So, is this just me? Or do you have some real 'aha!' decks as well? Aerin

wavebreaker	22 Jan 2003
Yep, for me it was the World Spirit. Before I got that one, I used several decks (Rider-Waite, Glastonbury and Osho Zen), but even though I liked these decks (especially the latter two), they didn't really speak to me. The World Spirit helped me develop my intuitive reading skills. I kept seeing new things in the cards that I hadn't seen in the other decks (and maybe weren't in there, of course). It's still my favourite deck, I hardly use the other ones anymore... ;)

Maan	22 Jan 2003
I have that too...the fey helped me to see the tweo of wands in a way i never did. And now i know why i get that card so very often theses days The first deck that gave me new insights was the spiral. There are so many cards that are RWS based but have a slightly different few. The phantasmagoric theater tarot has showed me some new insights too. Especially the four of cups instead of picturing boredom this pic shows me that sometimes you want something so bad that you are hidding from it because you affraid to take this new cup....make sence?

cjtarot	22 Jan 2003
Hi, The first deck to make me "SEE" was the Gendron Tarot. It may actually have helped that there is no big book and I really don't like lwb's...so I had to read what I saw. ever since then, that is how I read all my decks. I still refer to my cheet sheet from time to time, but for the most part is now what I see is what you get.... Blessings and good readins, Cj

Sulis	22 Jan 2003
For me it was also the World Spirit. I tried for ages to find a deck which really `spoke` to me. I learned with the New Palladini but found the images a little flat. I then bought the Robin Wood but absolutely hated it and so traded it away. Next came Wheel of Change which is a gorgeous deck but at that stage I found it just too difficult as the meanings of the cards were nothing like the traditional RWS or Thoth meanings - I still can`t read with it but I will one day. The World Spirit really encouraged me to be an intuitive reader, as Tarotlady has already said there are so many things to see on those cards and yet the meanings are very traditional. Love and light Crystalmynx xx

jema	22 Jan 2003
i think i must say Spiral - for the minors at least. but also Ancestral path have several cards that made me go Aha! they somehow made me think in a new way, focus on a new detail to lead my mind another way. then i also have the tarot of the spirit that does that, shifting my understanding, in a more non-verbal or even subconscious way. it is such an abstract deck that one can't really plaster on the RW meanings on it or see what the people do, yet very symbolic and you do see things going on in the cards. with lots of time and a note book and pencil one can get a lot from the tarot of the spirit. decks who didn't move me at all and who rather made me more insecure: santa fe. i simply don't understand it and the symbolic language and the style don't talk to me at all and i just get confused by looking at it.

Jewel	22 Jan 2003
Well for me it was the least likely of canditates, The Cosmic Tribe. I started working with the Robin Wood 8 years ago, had some AHA! moments with the Tarot of the Old Path (majors), and with the Osho Zen ... then one day last year came the Cosmic Tribe. The deck basically reads on its own *LOL*. It has also enhanced as well as help me understand the meanings of some cards that I always had trouble with (4 of Disks and the courts mainly). The Cosmic Tribe is "THE DECK" for me, glad it found me!

Osher	22 Jan 2003
I know this is rather bland, but I find that most decks (that are not RWS clones) do offer me something. Of these, I think that the Secret tarot offered me quite a bit. However, as I started with the TotOP I found that the RWS and Thoth both had a lot to offer to my understanding. However, and I know too this is not quite what you asked, but actually reading the LWB is often a good way to get insight! I know it is obvious, but so often I just jump straight in! The 3 cards that stick to my mind are: 10 Wands of Secret 4 Swords of Cosmic 3 Wands of RWS

Shade	23 Jan 2003
For me the The Secret Tarots (which many feel is too comic book-like to be readable) really opened doors for me. When I'd look at some of the court cards I felt like I was getting information about their entire life stories. With this deck I really feel there's a connection between the other cards in the spread rather than a separation. I think this kinda this is very personal to each reader. One person's "Aha" experience is another's oh for crying out loud". For example I've heard several people speak about he Fey tarot (a deck I very very very much want asap) and how that deck's 2 of wands really made sense to them. Personally the 2 of Wands is my favorite card in the tarot and I felt that the Fey Deck's of wands is missing a lot of what that card represents. I felt it was similar to turning the Devil into Materialsim. But that's why they have vanilla and chocolate in this world (and neopolitan for those who like a lil bit of everything.

firemaiden	23 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by JohnnyVoodoo For me the The Secret Tarots (which many feel is too comic book-like to be readable) really opened doors for me. JohnnyVoodoo et al, you should be ashamed of yourselves, now look what you've done, I've gone and ordered the Secret Tarots. :eek: Aerin, I really really loved what you wrote about the Fey tarot and the insights it gave you. I hadn't really understood those twists yet, and how they related to the traditional meanings, but now I do, and am really astonished. Keep going! Lets have more! I also love the Spiral, but since it is really my learning deck, I cannot say it is AHA because it is my first. I did get an aha moment or two from the Renaissance Tarot (Trevisan, lo Scarabeo) 6 of spades -- St George and the Dragon--conquering our demons, and the 4 of cups -- poishing and cleaning the cups -- stepping back from the whirr of things to clean, fix, mend, polish... P.s. I think this is a wonderful thread and a wonderful question!

Aerin	23 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by JohnnyVoodoo For example I've heard several people speak about he Fey tarot (a deck I very very very much want asap) and how that deck's 2 of wands really made sense to them. Personally the 2 of Wands is my favorite card in the tarot and I felt that the Fey Deck's of wands is missing a lot of what that card represents. Having read this I was spurred to get the 2 of wands out from the pack. What is means to me is the moment when you have plucked up the courage to take a risk, be a pioneer, step beyond current limitations - the decision is made and you haven't quite taken action. Strangely enough, the RW has also for me had some of this element within it with the chap looking out wistfully as if he's making up his mind to step beyond his current boundaries. It's more obvious in the Fey, I get a little thrill of anticipation knowing that the card catches it just as the fey is about to leap out of its nest. Thank you for getting me to look at the card :) Quote: Originally posted by firemaiden Aerin, I really really loved what you wrote about the Fey tarot and the insights it gave you. I hadn't really understood those twists yet, and how they related to the traditional meanings, but now I do, and am really astonished. Keep going! Lets have more! Thank you. I do love the deck, maybe we could have a study group when some more of us have the deck (and the darn book *sigh*). The 5 of pents is another interesting card which I remember has been discussed on the Fey thread. Quote: Originally posted by Happiness The 3 cards that stick to my mind are: 10 Wands of Secret 4 Swords of Cosmic 3 Wands of RWS ! In what way? I'm curious now :) Like firemaiden I am now being drawn to consider more deck purchases. Jewel, I have looked at the Cosmic Tribe online and the images didn't immediately take me. Perhaps I will look again. Aerin, off to look at some decks

Maan	23 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Aerin Thank you. I do love the deck, maybe we could have a study group when some more of us have the deck (and the darn book *sigh*). The 5 of pents is another interesting card which I remember has been discussed on the Fey thread. I would love a study group too! I can't wait to get that book! I so have to work on my patience ;)

Jewel	23 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Aerin Jewel, I have looked at the Cosmic Tribe online and the images didn't immediately take me. Perhaps I will look again. Hey Aerin! Like I said, the CT was my least likely candidate. As a good tarotholic I ordered the deck for collectors reasons (first deck to have 3 lovers cards). In person there is much more to the cards than any scans. This is a deck people usually really like, or really hate ... not much inbetween there. I would recommend you read the other threads on this deck for all opinions, and go to the study group and read some of the discussions we have had. Like I said, the deck is not for everyone, but it certainly is for me! :D I should be getting my copy of the Fey deck/book set within the next few days (hopefully today ... Barnes & Noble shipping delay) and am really looking forward to exploring it. I am an avid faerie lover, and the deck sounds very well thought out and executed, so I am sure I will fall in love with it.

Osher	23 Jan 2003
OK Aerin, why those 3 cards: Firstly, I started with the TotOP, so, it makes more sense if you have a look at it first, then see my differences: The 10 Wands in Secret tarot sticks out because, if one looks at the card, one sees a sophisticated woman in an elegant dwelling. Not much connection me thinks. Then look deeper, and one realises that although she has reached the end (10) she is trapped in her place. A nice cage, yes, but trapped. In short, a guilded cage. The 4 Swords in Cosmic shows some men sitting around a cloth, chatting. Now, I had always known that the 4 meant taking time out, but also being trapped. Here was a new way of looking it. Yes, like TotOP it is voluntary, however, it is not solitude, but, to use the modern vulgar vernacular, it can also be 'chillin', or relaxing with friends. The 3 Wands in TotOP shows a construction being built, a young man helping an old man. Much Wicca symbolism too, however, I didn't see it as strength or building a foundation. Via RWS I saw that. I suppose that when one starts with a different deck, one has a different view from another with another deck. Anyway, I hope this clears up why these three stuck in my mind. Happiness

truthsayer	23 Jan 2003
i think my legend arthurian was a turning point deck for me. up to that point i had only read with the thoth and rws. it hadn't occurred to me the worlds that seeing the arthurian legends would open to me as the eyes of an experienced tarotist. slowly since then i've become an avid tarot-holic. i've had my burn out times but that's only led me to new tarot adventures. every new deck teaches me new things. it amazes me seeing the archetypal world thru many different artists and writers. a new discovery has been the differences in vibes i get from self published decks and mass marketed decks. for example my self-pub mountain dream and templar decks. then there's decks from artists in other countries like the ones from germany-ananda, rohrig and margarete peterson. the newest one is my fey from italy. i've never perceived tarot or fey in such a way. so much to learn! so little time! :D

Hedera	23 Jan 2003
[quote]Originally posted by Maan [b]I have that too...the fey helped me to see the tweo of wands in a way i never did. And now i know why i get that card so very often theses days I simply can't wait to get my hands on that deck! I wonder if I could just take a short trip to Italy, visit LoScarabeo, grab a couple of decks...... Getting new takes on 2 of wands and perhaps also 3 of wands should be great, because those are still very difficult cards for me (and, ofcourse, they keep popping up!). "The first deck that gave me new insights was the spiral. There are so many cards that are RWS based but have a slightly different few. " I've been thinking about getting that one.... Not sure I like all of the art (hard to tell based on a couple of scans, anyway), but I like the Wheel in it, which is quite often a disappointing card to me. Anyone else like or dislike the Spiral? How different are the minors from RWS in meaning and symbolism? This is probably not a very 'sophisticated' choice, but a few of my first 'aha!' moments came with the Robin Wood deck, especially the court cards. They just seemed so much richer and easier to interprete than the ones in RWS or Nigel Jackson, which were the decks I had been working with so far. I don;t like the art on the robin Wood deck a whole lot, but I have warm feelings for it. Like one would towards a very ugly but considerate lover.;) Oh, and yes, like so many other people here (which surprised me!), I had a couple of new insights from the Secret Tarots. The kings clash terribly with the images I have of what they should be, but the queens did add something to my idea of them. The whole deck has a sort of sarcastic feel to it, which I don't always appreciate for readings, but it does have a tendency to show me that things are similar to, yet completely different from what I thought they were. (not sure this sentence makes sense) :) Hedera.

Shade	24 Jan 2003
Has anyone ever worked with the Mage the Ascension Tarot? It's probably too dark for many readers; for example the page of cups shows a corrpupted womb/fetus image with a golden cup spilling black bile-like fluid out of it (this is probably one of the more disturbing cards form teh deck). I made a lot of progress working with this deck. I appreciated the many styles of magic ifeatured. Hermetic magic, pagan earth-religion, eastern magic, shamanism, necromancy technomagic (The Magician probably being the most famous image form this deck combining primal energy channeling with laser printers) all make an appearance. Also the mixture of ethnicity and gender seemed more natural and modern. Instead of all of the Black characters being in some tribal setting they also wear business suits etc. Women were featured on some traditinally male cards like the five of swords and the Hermit. Also there's a great change in the lovers card. It looks liek a rider waite until you look more closely. The woman has very short hair and dark skin and looks outward while the man is pale with long blonde hair and looks up to the figure in the sky. I loved the renaming of the suits to Dynamism (swords), Questing (wands) , primordialism (cups) and pattern (pentacles/disks). This helped me when working with the different suit searly on. Also the 2 of Questing/wands (my old fave) was especially good. It depicts a woman in a high rise holding a wand aloft while it's being struck by lightning. Meanwhile she holds a glass ball with a lighted city inside gazing intently while she grapples with the lightning. The second wand is bolted to the wall behind her. This one really felt like "dominion" to me.

RiccardoLS	24 Jan 2003
Sometimes it's not a whole deck, but just a single card. For instance, the Devil in the Dante Tarot (I agree with Paula Gibby review). It doesn't need to be the best devil card I've ever seen. I'm happy even if it shows just one facet I never before understood or interiorized. Riccardo

Aerin	24 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by RiccardoLS Sometimes it's not a whole deck, but just a single card. For instance, the Devil in the Dante Tarot (I agree with Paula Gibby review). It doesn't need to be the best devil card I've ever seen. I'm happy even if it shows just one facet I never before understood or interiorized. Riccardo I agree, even if it is just one card it is exciting. I went hunting for the review in question, which has a long description of the Devil card towards the last half of this page here http://www.tarotpassages.com/danteart2-pg.htm Aerin

Jewel	24 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by JohnnyVoodoo Has anyone ever worked with the Mage the Ascension Tarot? I have not worked with the deck, but I do own it and would love to do a full review on it. The deck is a product of the White Wolf RPG Mage the Ascencion. Having an understanding of various White Wolf PGS such as Vampire, Mage and Warewolf can add a lot of context to this deck. The suits are named after Mage game elements which also adds to the context. From posts I've read of people not familiar with the White Wolf RPGs I have gathered that the deck has merit on its own, but I think adding the context of the World of Darkness could really lead to some AHA moments perhaps on some of the darker meanings. Symbols represented in the suits correspond to the 9 traditions of Mage as well if I recall. Each tradition has its own characteristics which would contribute to the context. The artwork in the deck is fabulous, the minors are fully illustrated. The card stock is of good quality. Unfortunately the second edition of the deck did not come with a book, but the first edition did. Thanks for bringing up this deck ... I think I will pull it out and quit procrastinating about writting a review for it. If you really love the deck, and are not familiar with the RPG Mage, I would recommend you take a look at the White Wolf web site (www.white-wolf.com) and check out some of the info with your cards in hand. You might pick up some interesting info that will enhance your expereince with the deck.

Kaz	24 Jan 2003
i would love to see this deck but i cant seem to find it on the whitewolf site......... help me out pls? ~kaz

sagitarian	24 Jan 2003
still searching for that perfect deck, so please everyone, keep responding!

amyel	25 Jan 2003
Ah, a wonderful post Aerin! I don't know why I missed it before! My first deck was the Mythic, so I have never worked with more "traditional" decks. As a beginner's deck, this was perfect for me, because it used Greek mythology the major descriptors. But alas, I stated to stray and spent a few dollars buying new decks. (Some I bought primarily for the artwork and never intended to read with). I tried the Dante....nope. I tried the Brian Williams Renaissance...nope. I tried Tarot of the Trance...nope. I tried the Galstonbury...almost - and I still sometimes get good readings with it. I finally got not one, but two (!) Shining Tribes for Xmas this year (one has been returned as store credit) and ever though I have only started to work with this deck, the readings have all been of the "Ah Ha!" type. I wish now I just paid attention to my intuition all along, because I had been drawn to this deck for a long time and never got it (see failed tries above - LOL). The whole deck speaks to me: the colors, the images, the descriptions. When I use it, I feel connected...I can't quite explain it, it's an inner jolt. And I also found that intuitively, I have started using them in a slightly different way...I no longer feel the need to lay larger spreads, because usually the insights I receive from shorter spreads give me more then enough to contemplate. The way I draw them from the deck is different...the readings and interpretations I get are not as "superficial" as the readings I had been receiving up to now. they give me a deeper insite - and now I know that's why I was dissatisfied with my previous decks. Can you tell I am excited by this deck?

firemaiden	25 Jan 2003
Oh Amyel, are you excited about this deck? :D To be honest, I don't get the attraction from just looking at the art, but obviously there is a lot more than meets the eye at first glance. I have Pollack's book, the Forest of Souls, so I am sort of getting to know the deck a little; keep sharing with us what excites you about it.

Hummingbird	25 Jan 2003
Many recently, most notably Ananda.

Aerin	26 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by amyel The whole deck speaks to me: the colors, the images, the descriptions. When I use it, I feel connected...I can't quite explain it, it's an inner jolt. And I also found that intuitively, I have started using them in a slightly different way...I no longer feel the need to lay larger spreads, because usually the insights I receive from shorter spreads give me more then enough to contemplate. The way I draw them from the deck is different...the readings and interpretations I get are not as "superficial" as the readings I had been receiving up to now. they give me a deeper insite - and now I know that's why I was dissatisfied with my previous decks. Can you tell I am excited by this deck? That sounds like me 'n the Fey !!!!! Interestingly, I keep meaning to check out the Shining Tribe and haven't yet done so. And now I will. Aerin, looking nervously at bank balance

Trogon	26 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Aerin I was wondering which decks people have that really helped them take a leap in using Tarot, and which .... didn't. Great thread Aerin and everyone. For me... my "aha!" deck has been the Röhrig Tarot. I had had only one deck (the RWS) for many years, then I discovered here at A.T. that not only was it "okay" to have more than one deck, it was actually encouraged around here! }) In any case... almost as soon as I started using this deck I was doing better readings and getting new flashes of insight on the cards. All of a sudden I was "getting" the idea of self control shown in The Chariot. All of a sudden, I can see how the 10 of Wands can indicate that sometimes we continue to carry our heaviest burdens just because we don't know any better or just chose to continue. This is the deck which speaks to me the most... the deck I pick when I need to look deep. The deck which didn't speak to me? The one that ended up doing nothing for me? Probably the Unicorn Tarot. I picked it up at a used-book store just because it was there. I like unicorns (who doesn't, right? ;) ) so figured it might be a fun deck to have after buying my Röhrig Tarot. I got nothing from it and have recently traded it off. My first reading with it, my "New Deck" reading, was less than favorable. And though people did come up with some alternatives to my takes on the cards, I just didn't get anything special or different from it in any subsequent readings. So... it got traded for the Mythic Tarot. As mentioned by Happiness, I do get insight and different takes on various cards from just about every deck I own. The Goddess definitely gives me a more feminine, gentler take on most of the cards. My Dragon Tarot gives me ... well... I'm not sure about this one yet! ;) And, though I've only gotten it yesterday, I'm sure my new Spiral Tarot will have yet another feel to it giving new views and nuances. The other good thing I've discovered about having these different decks... they each have a different appeal to different people, allowing a person for whom I'm doing a reading to pick a deck that appeals to them at that time. And a few of them will chose different decks for different readings depending on their mood at the time.

The Decks which have shifted your understanding thread was originally posted on 22 Jan 2003 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.