What is your "Main reading Deck"

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 03 Apr 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Phoenix Rising	03 Apr 2004
I realise people have multiple decks. But I would like to know, which deck you use most of the time for reading for clients or friends, family etc. And why?

Emily	03 Apr 2004
I tend to use the Morgan Greer all the time, for me and for others. I find its a good all-rounder, suitable for most questions and spreads. The artwork is non-threatening but colourful and rich in symbolism that is a little different from the Rider Waite. My 7 year old son loves the imagery on these cards, more so than the Universal Waite which was his favourite before I had the Morgan Greer. I know that he would be able to read the Morgan Greer, he likes to tell me what is happening on the cards and for the most part his stories tally with the cards. Its not often you get a deck that is so child friendly. The Thoth is one that I usually keep for myself but I read with it as often as the Morgan Greer.

Phoenix Rising	03 Apr 2004
Morgan-Greer, oh yes I thought about getting that one. As I wanted a rider-waite style, but better pictures. It's great that your son is interested in it too. I would like my daughter or one of my children to develop a interest in tarot as well. Children seem to be so much more open and natural. Hope he keeps it up.

Emily	03 Apr 2004
Hi Phoenix Rising, It started when he had speech therapy last year, part of his sessions included him having to tell stories about cards. He had his own set of speech therapy cards but my tarot cards were, and still are, usually spread out over the dining room table - he came in the one day and started to tell me stories and what he could see on the cards. This was the Universal Waite. He loves the artwork of the Morgan Greer as much as I do though. lol I'm thinking of getting him one of the decks recommended for children on here - got to find the thread first though lol

contrascarpe	03 Apr 2004
My main reading deck changes fairly often. It used to be the Universal RWS but I was using the Morgan-Greer for awhile. Lately I have been using either the Robin Wood or the Gendron (and sometimes the Journey to the Orient). Now that I purchased a backup Golden Tarot, I have a feeling this one will be turn into my main reading deck - at least for online readings.

Ruby7	03 Apr 2004
My main reading deck for others is Hanson-Roberts, this is the easiest deck for me to read, I never have blocks and can always see something. Ruby7

Astraea	03 Apr 2004
For me, it's the Ancestral Path, followed closely by the Tarot of Prague. Ancestral Path is warm, accessible and wise -- readings with it go deep, but are non-threatening. Tarot of Prague is rich, beautiful and so vibrant that it seems alive in my hands.

contrascarpe	03 Apr 2004
Astraea - I just bought the Ancestral Path last week and I love it, but haven't really read with it yet. The Prague is still one of my favorite two decks (with the Golden) and have had some amazing readings with it. Sadly, I haven't worked with it as much as I want.

mj07	03 Apr 2004
I was using the Robin Wood as my main deck for a while, till I got the Secret Tarots and Cosmic decks last week. I'm loving both of those so much I fight with myself to decide which to use... so... ack! I guess that means at the moment I don't have one main deck. I hope that once I get my Fournier Marseilles that I can settle down (as in NOT buying for a while) and just get to know all my decks and see which one calls to me the most!

Le_Corsair	03 Apr 2004
I actually have two main reading decks, with a new one shouldering its way into the situation, as well. Until recently I used either the Hoi Polloi Tarot or the Aquarian Tarot, the latter with French titles to give it a little savoir faire. But now that I have the International Icon tarot from Robin Ator, I've been using it exclusively, even putting it in my favorite fiesta de la muerta tarot bag. Bob :THERM

lunakasha	03 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Emily I'm thinking of getting him one of the decks recommended for children on here - got to find the thread first though lol I remember that thread, Emily.....some decks your son might enjoy: Hanson-Roberts Whimsical Tarot of a Moon Garden Inner Child Radiant Rider Waite I am sure there are MANY others too! I just got the Voyager deck and I must say...I think children would LOVE it!!!! For those unfamiliar with the Voyager...each card is a photomontage of images, very brightly colored and a visual delight! I think that your son would probably enjoy looking at all of the little pictures on the card and making a story out of them.... Whichever deck you choose, I am sure it will become very special to him since it is an interest that you both share.... :D Luna

laura_borealis	03 Apr 2004
My main reading deck right now is the Cosmic Tribe, but I just read for myself. If I were going to read for other people I'd use the Fey or possibly Robin Wood.

baba-prague	03 Apr 2004
I use Tarot of Prague almost always - of course. But in fact, interestingly it isn't just because it's our deck, it's also because I am reading in Prague and it just adds so much to be able to say to someone "You know this image don't you? Well..." Someone said to me a few months ago "I was walking past the Knight of Wands in Old Town Square and..." that was just SO interesting. It does add layer upon layer. I feel I'm learning all the time.

Sulis	03 Apr 2004
Morgan Greer. I love the way that the cards have no borders and I like the retro 70's feel of the artwork. It feels like an old classic even though it's not really that old. I've used the Morgan Greer exclusively for months and just recently I've started using the Hudes as well. I think they compliment each other nicely. Morgan Greer is Yang and Hudes is Yin. Love and light Sulis xx

Indigo Rose	03 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Ruby7 My main reading deck for others is Hanson-Roberts, this is the easiest deck for me to read, I never have blocks and can always see something. Ruby7 I have to agree with Ruby7. I have great success with the Hanson-Roberts deck.

dolphingirl	03 Apr 2004
While I can be a fickle tarot deck user my favorite used to be the Robin Wood deck atleast until I created my first deck. Now I find that I use Samantha's tarot for most large readings. I also belong to a group where we pull cards for another person for their next week (kind of like dailys) and for those readings I like to use a different deck each week so that I have a good reason to pull out multiple decks :)

Cerulean	04 Apr 2004
starting from the Visconti to the Visconti Gold...switching now from various decks based on Milanese publishers such as Di Gumppenberg and Dotti. Mari H.

jema	04 Apr 2004
I try to use the new decks I get as much as I can but I also have old favorites My main reading deck is the Thoth tarot though.

Moonbow*	04 Apr 2004
At the moment it's the Hadar Marseilles and Tarot of Prague.... but I've learnt never to say never. I use 'all' my decks but some I know better than others. Ask me again in a few months and this will be different! M*

Jewel-ry	04 Apr 2004
I mostly use both of my Marseille decks (Hadar and Fournier), my Tarot of Prague and Morgan Greer, but I 'dabble' in others too. J :)

lunakasha	04 Apr 2004
Like many of you have mentioned....this varies for me when I get new decks that I am getting to know. My previous main decks--Radiant Rider-Waite, Hanson-Roberts and Robin Wood--have given way to the Navigators, Gothic and Golden......and this past week I have been spending quality time with my new Fournier and Voyager decks....I am also becoming reacquainted with my green Thoth, which I plan to retire as soon as I get the swiss pocket version! :laugh: I enjoy keeping a rotation of working decks...trying out the new ones and finally settling down with 2-3 decks to work with for the week. Keeps things interesting for me! :D Luna

Riversea	04 Apr 2004
It was the Universal Waite. However, since I got the Tarot of Prague, that deck has moved into the main place of honor. It is just so readable! Thanks Karen and Alex! :) Also, I'm going through a very rough period right now, and feel the need to be handled with ALOT of TLC and gentleness. So, I've been spending time reading Songs for the Journey Home. It cuts to the chase, but always tries to use the situtation as a learning experience, and offer a sense of hope. I'm not totally comfortable reading this deck, so it does require more thought when I use it. The Victoria Regina and Inner Child decks have been making their existence felt also.

punchinella	05 Apr 2004
I don't get a chance to read for others often, but when I do I find that I really only trust Tarot of Prague. (Well, I also like to 'cross' ToP readings with one or two cards from Animal-Wise . . . ) For myself I use many, many decks. They include: every Marseilles I own (!*!*!), Ancestral Path, Vision Quest, Tarot of Durer, Victoria Regina, Osho Zen & of course the aforementioned ToP & Animal-Wise . . . I use all of these decks all the time. Eeks (maybe I should concentrate on narrowing it down just a bit . . . naugh, where's the fun in that . . . ???)

The What is your "Main reading Deck" thread was originally posted on 03 Apr 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.