decks for specific topics?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 29 Mar 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

isthmus nekoi	29 Mar 2004
Do you use specific decks for certain topics or questions, or find that a deck lends itself to a certain type of reading? Or would you find this approach too restrictive? For example, I'm finding that I'm consistently turning to Thoth for questions regarding relationships, sex and drugs. Maybe b/c those seemed to be topics of obsession for Crowley lol!

ros	29 Mar 2004
If I knew how to read Thoth that's what I would use that deck for! Then I would use the RW for all other questions.

Star Spirit	29 Mar 2004
Well usually it depends :D but I do often turn to my Tarot of Transformation for relationship/emotional matters...since to me it is a very emotional/spiritual deck and looks a little deeper into those types of things.

eastarot	29 Mar 2004
I find the Osho Zen Transformation deck good for understanding spiritual issues. I adore the Destiny deck by Jane Struthers for past life questions and also spiritual questions. For general readings, day to day readings, nothing like the Rider Waite:)

HudsonGray	29 Mar 2004
For raw, bare bones relationship readings, the Tarot of Origins has been very strong for me. It's not one to finesse though. And won't work as well for me on job questions or something not relationship related.

inanna_tarot	30 Mar 2004
a friend of mine uses the Celtic Wisdom deck for relationship questions. at the moment i personally just use the deck the client chooses. Personal readings are done with the deck that takes my fancy for some reason lol. Sezo x

Mimers	30 Mar 2004
I do tend to use my Osho Zen for primarily spiritual and past life type of questions. Other than that, I don't really use certain decks for certain questions. I do, however, use certain decks for certain people. Anyone else do that? I have this one regular client that I always use the Russian Tarot of St Petersburg for. It just fits him so well. For my Mom, I always use the Ancestral Path. There is also a man I read for occationally at the coffee shop that I use my Droji tarot for. It reads beautifull for him. That's about it. Mimi

Demonesse	30 Mar 2004
I use general-type decks for general questions: the Hanson Roberts and Mythic. The Fantastical for more personal questions, or ones involving creativity. I haven't yet found a deck that's really good for relationship work.

dolphingirl	30 Mar 2004
I usually grab a deck based on my mood at the time and what I feel I need to get out of a reading. If I am reading for a light topic I def wouldn't grab my Gothic Vampire deck lol. Although I have found that some of my most deep readings seem to come from decks that pthers have labeled fluff decks. The whimsical and the Halloween are two decks that seem to gice me much more than I ask for lol. .

Imagemaker	30 Mar 2004
I definitely use specific decks for specific people. Something in that deck matches their world view or life or attitudes. This helps relax them and connect them to the message.

lunakasha	30 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Imagemaker I definitely use specific decks for specific people. Something in that deck matches their world view or life or attitudes. This helps relax them and connect them to the message. Just curious: do you show them the decks and ask them to pick one they like, or do you choose for them, based upon what you know of their likes/dislikes, etc.??? :) Luna

Kirali	30 Mar 2004
I think that if I decide to buy the Lovers Path Tarot, (when it comes out of course), I think I would use it for love/relationship readings.

isthmus nekoi	30 Mar 2004
I also try to match deck and querent. I don't have that many decks, but I tend to use Rider Waite for other people, esp aquaintances b/c it's a straight forward, congenial deck. Thoth only for those who I don't think will be freaked out by its intensity!

galadrial	31 Mar 2004
I read primarily for myself and I rarely ask a specific question; I'm usually open and fishing so I pick whatever deck strikes my fancy that day. But when I do, say, a choice spread (should I stay home or return to work, should I reenroll my son in his present school or try a different school) I go with those decks I'll get the clearest answer from. My "cut to the chase" decks are the World Spirit, the Halloween, the Legend Arthurian and the Wheel of Change.

jema	31 Mar 2004
Most of the time the client is given a selection of decks, 4 or 5, that I feel like using at the time and then she/he picks one from just looking a bit at them. Usually this goes really smooth and they pick one out right away without even hesitating. I do pick out the first selection though and base that on both my mood and what I may know about the person, I wouldn't pick Cosmic Tribe for an older lady or Barbara Walker for a romantic minded teenage girl. For someone who never had a reading and are a bit nervous I will show them decks like Osho Zen or Spiral. They are part of the "staple" in my repertoair.

Imagemaker	31 Mar 2004
Lunakasha, I hadn't seen your question, but since I mostly read for friends, I usually pick the deck and pull it out for them. If I had several decks with me, I'd ask an unfamiliar querent to pick out what appeals.

yve	31 Mar 2004
So far, I just use the deck that strikes my mood at the moment...I'm still a novice and don't have a sophisticated knowledge of the different decks and their strengths and weaknesses for different readings/querants/situations....

Summerdream	01 Apr 2004
I know a women around here that reads tarot cards and she has over 60 decks which she keeps in baskets on her kitchen table. She lets the querent chose which deck they want. That was half of the fun of getting a reading from her, to be able to look through the decks and chose just the right one. I think it gives the querent some sense of control too. Momof3girls:)

Namaste	06 Apr 2004
I take one card from the Osho Zen every morning for spiritual guidance. I turn to the Faerie's Oracle (although not a Tarot deck - hope it's alright to mention it in this thread :) ) to ask which faery will accompany me during the day, and the message she (he) might have for me. Three from the Golden Tarot, Ancestral Path, Ancient Egyptian, Legend or even Rohrig (depending on my mood) for a more mundane appraisal of what awaits me during the day. In the evening, I turn to my beloved Voyager, for specific questions or concerns, or just for a purely intuitive reading. Since I am becoming re-acquainted with the Tarot, I have not yet ventured further than seven card readings (which I already find complex). Hmmmm... The Fey (tarot) are about to walk through my door, and I'm looking forward to seeing what role they will assign themselves. :D

The decks for specific topics? thread was originally posted on 29 Mar 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.