Are any of these RWS?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 18 Feb 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

13thFaeChylde	18 Feb 2004
I've been reading various posts, and started thinking...are all of my decks untraditional or does one of them follow the RWS style? Here are my decks: Sacred Circle Gendron Osho Zen Black Tarot World Spirit I know that the SC and OZ follow their own drummer, and the Black I have just for the art, so I don't read with it. But what of the WS and Gendron....are they RWS "clones?"

Lee	18 Feb 2004
Hi 13thFaeChylde, It depends a bit on how you define "RWS clones." None of them is a clone in the same way as the Hanson-Roberts, for example, where the images clearly echo those on the RWS. On the other hand, the Osho Zen and the World Spirit (I don't have the Gendron or Black) both have Minor cards which evoke to a greater or lesser degree to the meanings suggested by the RWS cards, even if the images differ. -- Lee

contrascarpe	18 Feb 2004
Of these decks, the only one I have is the Gendron. I would definitely characterize it as RWS-like. I wouldn't say it is a direct clone, but Gendron definitely used the RWS as a guideline. Dan

Cerulean	19 Feb 2004
And the Gendron and World Spirit is in this category: http://www.lelandra.com/rwsclones/tarotrwsarttwist.htm To me, the Sacred Circle is Photomontage Celtic Fantasy or Fae...Black Tarot is adult. My own definitions My favorite styles seem to be art-twist, but I always seem to be exchanging or collecting in the Celtic Fantasy themes, which Joan Cole calls Elvish or Fae... Mari

13thFaeChylde	19 Feb 2004
Thanks, all....and Mari, thanks for the link. So, guess what? I need a new deck, since I don't have one that fits the RW symbology, and I'm starting to think that I need to start from the beginning...to help me interpret the cards better. (Yeah, right! That's just a good excuse for getting a new deck!)

Cerulean	19 Feb 2004
Some of the mini decks out there are less expensive than just a big deck with a LWB. My own favorite mini deck is the Universal Tarots from Lo Scarabeo by Roberto DeAngelis for about $9-11.00 depending where you go. Online from TarotGarden or Amazon.com or half.com it can be arould $9.00 for the mini-Egyptian...I paid $11.00 at Borders for my mini Universal. Mari H.

Emily	19 Feb 2004
Hi 13thFaeChylde, The Morgan Greer is a good Rider Waite clone deck - if you want something a little different but still readable with Rider Waite symbolism. The colours are strong but not vibrant, they don't have borders or keywords - and are very easy to learn how to read with. The Morgan Greer is my favourite deck so I'm biased :D

Sulis	20 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Emily The Morgan Greer is my favourite deck so I'm biased :D *SNAP* Emily you beat me to it. :) Love and light Sulis

Emily	21 Feb 2004
Hi Sulis, I don't think I've ever been this loyal to a deck before - I have used and bought other decks since finding the Morgan Greer but there is no doubt in my mind that I have found "my deck". I still enjoy the artwork and the variety of other decks but even then my mind is on the Morgan Greer and its always the one I reach for when I need good advice lol Just wish I'd have found this deck sooner. :)

Shade	21 Feb 2004
My take on it is that if there's a boat on the six of swords it's a RWS Clone.

The Are any of these RWS? thread was originally posted on 18 Feb 2004 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.