Do you think that using more than one deck is a good idea?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 03 Jul 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Mia	03 Jul 2003
Hi Everyone, This is my first proper post, and i would like to know whether other tarotists think that more than one deck can be used when really i`m still very much a beginner? I have collected lots of decks over the last couple of years and there are a few that i find i want to use all the time, but i was told that i should only study with one deck, until i am really familiar with it, then perhaps move on to another? It is difficult to choose just one as i`m drawn to at least 3 in my collection, and i have been study them together, at different times of course! for the last 2 years. I think i`m getting on alright, but then this person said i would learn better just using one? I would like to know if anyone here thinks the same? I would be grateful for any guidance! p.s. I`m not sure if i`ve posted this in the right forum?

fairyhedgehog	03 Jul 2003
Hi Mia, welcome to these forums :) You will find that for a lot of questions in tarot the answer is "do what works for you" and I think that is the case here. Some people do better sticking with one deck at first, others like to compare. You seemed to be getting on all right until your friend sowed seeds of doubt in your mind. I'd just say, "listen to your own intuition" and keep on doing what works :) By the way don't worry if this is in the wrong forum, one of the moderators will move it if it is. It's no big deal :)

Ravenswing	03 Jul 2003
Mia-- I will second fairyhedgehog's advise here. If you feel drawn to more than one deck, i see no reason why you couldn't study them in tandem. It's funny that you mention three decks-- I have a firm belief in triangulation... many things come in threes, and the triangle is the only stable plane geometric shape. Anyhow, with three decks, you'll get a rounder and fuller picture. As long as this is not overload for you, I say go for it... fly well Ravenswing

Le_Corsair	03 Jul 2003
Of course you can use more than one deck, unless you are talking simultaneously; then you may be getting in over your head! Different decks suit different moods, and you'll probably find yourself reaching for a particular deck in response to impulses you might not understand at first. Later, you will realize why you did so. It's just another fun facet of working with the cards. AND that first deck may be a plug-ugly RWS with a horrible plaid back, and you just don't want to face that on a particular occasion. That's when you reach for a really lovely deck, like the New Palladini (my own fave) or whatever else tickles your fancy. This is a leisure activity, remember, and dogma is neither required nor desired! Bob :THERM :OL :CL :WL :SL

jog1118	03 Jul 2003
hey there mia!!! i'm also new to tarot. i started with the tarot nova (miniature) coz it was a gift from an officemate. a month later, my wife gave me the tarot of the hidden folk as a gift. i found no difficulties studying both at the same time and, in fact, i felt that using both decks made the learning easier. peace!!! :smoker:

cjtarot	03 Jul 2003
Hi, You are doing fine..believe me what works for you would never work for me and vice versa (maybe)..I had to learn from a book first...the book meanings for the majors, suite and what each number represented.. THEN CAME GENDRON..and now SACRED CIRCLE Nothing fit..I would look at the card, know the book meaning but sense something different..went with different and was amazed to find how wonderfully accurate it was. What you will find is you let some advise go in one ear and out another (not ours here of course..lol) and do what you feel is right. The biggest peice of advise I can offer is DON"T LET ANYONE EAT AT YOUR CONFIDENCE!!! When your confidence goes out the window your accuracy may just follow. Learn and practice as you see fit and never be afraid to try a different approach (a totally diffent deck without the book maybe). Blessings, Welcome, and Smile at your friend and say "Thanks for the advise" then do what you will... CJ

divinerguy	03 Jul 2003
Decks go hot and cold, and sometimes, you just get tired of looking at them. By all means, switch around. Infidelity is taboo for marriages, not Tarot decks.

truthsayer	03 Jul 2003
the first 10 years i studied tarot i only had one deck. 27 years later, i have over 100. learning one deck at a time may be easier but having more than one is a whole lot more fun!!!!!!!! in fact, if you hang out here long enough people here have you joining the local chapter of tarotholics anonymous. just about everyone here is a member or soon to be convert. exploring multiple decks will open a whole new world to you. the only reason you might want to choose one deck over the others is if trying to learn multiple decks overwhelms and confuses you. if you aren't having any difficulties, get as many as you want but always come here and tell us about your treasures. we love to hear about it. which 3 decks do you like the best? i can't believe no one has asked you yet!

tarotpharot	04 Jul 2003
Hi Mia. I stuck with the same deck for many years, and I think this worked best for me in terms of aquiring the knowledge needed to work that deck. When you're new, it doesn't hurt to stick with one deck until you get the basics down. However, different strokes work for different folks - so there's absolutely no reason why you couldn't/shouldn't work with more than one. I've lately devoted my time to working with the Fairy Ring deck which is not a Tarot deck but an Oracle deck. When reading for others, I still use my Robin Wood deck which I've used practically since it first came out (having switched to it from RWS). Blessings of the day, Brad }) TarotPharot

blue_fusion	04 Jul 2003
in my case, i find that working with more than one deck serves as as an aid to meditation on the cards themselves. i say this, because i combine traditional card meanings as well as intuitive interpretations of the images of the particular decks. i don't know for others, but this works for me. the same with creating a deck. it also helps me understand the tarot more, at the same time providing a venue for some sort of release of artistic whims. plus, it really wouldn't hurt having a lot of decks for variety LOL :D

kayne	04 Jul 2003
I have about twenty decks or so and now work with only two decks consistantly. It took a few decks before I found one that I really loved and felt confidant with (yay Cosmic Tribe!) and this encouraged me to really *learn* tarot (not just read from a book). If you know the Cosmic tribe, you will know it is not a deck for everyone so then I was looking for a deck I could read with as confidently as the Cosmic Tribe but without offending others... Eventually (and with so many encouraging words from fellow Aeclecticans) I came upon the World Spirit deck. :) Now I use the Cosmic Tribe for personal readings and the World Spirit for other people. Works for me. :D

Little Baron	04 Jul 2003
Like a lot of people on here, I have quite a few decks. I agree with the person that said that cards can go hot and cold. I find it very useful in learning to lay out three or so different versions of the same card - as I learn now, I lay out the Universal Waite, Thoth and the Rohrig. And, on occasions will get a response from another decks variation. With this in mind, I spot the differences and simularities. It helps me to get an overal impression and as much as what is included in the symbolism, I find it important to see what has been neglected. Go with how you feel, isn't that what it is all about? I would also be interested to know what these three favourite decks of yours are as well. Yaboot

Red Emma	04 Jul 2003
As far as I can tell (after 77 years hanging around this old earth) Tarot's one of the few places where it's best to stick to your guns and develop your (YOUR OWN!) own intuition. As someone on this thread said all ready, it seemed as if you were doing fine until a well meaning friend stuck her oar in. Which may well mean that she can't deal with more than one deck at a time!

Mia	04 Jul 2003
Thanks for all your comments and advice, i appreciate it very much......Truthsayer, the three decks to which i refer are The universal Waite, which i got first, really because of the amount of ready material which i can use with this deck, then i use the Legend-Arthurian Tarot, because i was SO drawn to it, i know it is quite romancey and dreamy, but i think it reflects my mood sometimes and really works well for me ( well i am a pisces!) My final choice is Clive Barretts Ancient Egyptian Tarot and the reason for that one is because i just love the artwork and the attention to detail that he has included, i find it very easy to work with and i have had some very good readings with it, the book which accompanied the deck was also very helpful and when i first began studying that one i found the astrological associations really helped me to understand the deck more! Another favourite of mine is the sacred circle Tarot, but i have not actually studied this one yet, i do have it in my collection, but i think three decks is enough for me at the moment! *LOL* Once again thanks for your insights, it`s been great talking to you all! I think this is definately the best tarot site around!!

Red Emma	04 Jul 2003
Dear Mia: As you describe your dealings with your decks, and your instinctive understanding of them, I strongly suspect you will become a smashingly intuitive reader. I think we will learn quite a bit from you. Goddess Bless

rebelhorse	06 Jul 2003
Hi, I just wanted to agree with everyone elses replies! Thanks for putting it into words for me! I supply tarot cards from my shop and am always hearing peoples ideas about the right and wrong things to do with tarot cards i.e someone else must buy them for you, no one else should touch them, do this -do that. Tarot to me is all about intuition & feeling. When Tarot is shrouded in mystery, rules and rituals it can be very off putting and limiting to people. There is no right or wrong way. Work in truth, love and light and just go with the flow! Besides, who could resist all the beautiful decks available? I know I can't! Best Wishes

The Do you think that using more than one deck is a good idea? thread was originally posted on 03 Jul 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.