Appreciating a deck for what it is

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Aug 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Luminessence	10 Aug 2004
When I first bought the Tarot of Transformation, I was disappointed in it. I loved the artwork, but I didn't like the non-traditional meanings of the cards. Because the deck was so beautiful, I tried to read with it using traditional card meanings, but I felt like I was fighting with the deck every time I read with it. So this deck went back on the shelf, and I ony pulled it out very rarely. In the past few days, though, I've felt a pull to use this deck again. And now I find myself appreciating it for what it is, instead of trying to impose traditional meanings on the cards. And although it often didn't work very well when I tried to read with it using traditional card meanings, now that I'm using it the way it was meant to be used, my readings with it are quite accurate. I'm doing life lessons readings with this deck in the Reading Exchange forum, and it's working very well for that. Has anybody else had an experience like this, where you had trouble accepting a deck for what it was? Or where you suddenly felt a connection with a deck you previously didn't really like reading with?

Cerulean	10 Aug 2004
I finally bought two historical 'recreated' decks at first I thought to finish a collecting point...but one turned out to be an interesting comparison to a beautiful contemporary design and the other turned out to be a lovely reading deck for my friend who is relocating to another state and my sister... The recreated deck was a funky El Gran Esoterico and I'm comparing it with the Tarots of the Crystals. The funky El Gran Esoterico has some influences from the Marseilles family and I appreciated it for the comparison with a modern deck and some of my Marseilles. The lovely reading deck (Cartamanzia Italiana 19th Century, Il Solloene 1983--from Alidastore.com) was designed with some beautiful classic Italian majors and the French influence of Etteilla in the courts and a few of the majors. The Jeu des Princesse design and Grimaud Grand Etteilla from France or the Ancient Esoteric from Lo Scarabeo in Italy look similar. Also, by some jumps in my funny mind, I was reminded of Rider Waite Smith designs as well as Italian cartomancy..so I had some good readings that seemed to blend my interpretations while also using new spreads.

Kittaine	10 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Luminessence Has anybody else had an experience like this, where you had trouble accepting a deck for what it was? Or where you suddenly felt a connection with a deck you previously didn't really like reading with? You should get yourself the Guardians of Wisdom Tarot (well, "tarot" isn't included in the name because the deck has certain "modifications", but it works quite like a tarot deck despite that). http://www.guardiansofwisdom.com/ The card meanings have been changed a lot, so it's impossible to impose traditional meanings on them without getting a very inaccurate reading. When I first read with the deck, I read it the way it was meant to be read. I didn't use traditional meanings for it, except when the meanings on the cards coincided with the traditional ones. And the deck has been pretty accurate that way. Only prob with it is, it can only be used for specific things (much like the Tarot of Transformation, I guess), unlike your RWS-based decks.

Chronata	10 Aug 2004
Most definately! That sorta thing happens to me all the time! And it is really happening strongly to me at the moment! I don't regret giving away or trading certain decks...but I do know that the ones that I have held onto still have something that they can teach me. Most notably right now is the Vertigo Tarot...which I was seriously considering putting up for sale. But since etal encouraged me to start the study group on it...and I have been reading the amazing interpretations by him, and Meewah, Centaur and everyone else who has participated, I have discovered how rich and layered that deck really is.

tao51	11 Aug 2004
I have certain decks that I use regularly. There are occasions that a certain deck is more helpful because of the nature of the deck. The Tarot of Imagination has special connections.--Tao

Logiatrix	11 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Luminessence ...Has anybody else had an experience like this, where you had trouble accepting a deck for what it was? Or where you suddenly felt a connection with a deck you previously didn't really like reading with? I'm experiencing that right now, by my own voalition. I put away all my "comfort" decks (except my "Healing Angels," for those moments when I need a Divine Hug, LOL...), and decided to rediscover my former "study" decks: RWS and Thoth. These are the decks with which I learnt tarot five years ago, but I kept them for study purposes only, not for reading or meditation. I've used plenty of RWS clones and Thoth-based decks since then, but it's only now that I've decided to create a new connection with these originals. So now, the adventure begins...I am seeing these cards with fresh eyes. It is like discovering two whole new decks, rather than two of the oldest decks I've ever owned. Weird. :)

morandia	11 Aug 2004
I've not been reading long, and don't know all the "traditional" meanings. I'm leaning more toward what I see and what it means to me. Yes, I do look at traditional meanings, but if they don't fit the image as I see it, I'm going with my gut feelings.... I may be wrong in this, but....

WolfSpirit	11 Aug 2004
I have the Shapeshifter and Waking the Wild Spirit, two decks I got without knowing much about the card meanings they used - I just could not resist the artwork :D After a few mishaps with these decks, I learnt to let go of all meanings and just go with what I see in the cards. This makes it maybe more an oracle rather than tarot but I don't mind - as long as it works. I also found the book of the Shapeshifter useful. I don't use Wild Spirit much and never look at the book, I hate it. morandia I think you do exactly the right thing :)

Frank Hall	11 Aug 2004
I've had an experience with Tarot of Transformation which has taken me from outrage to appreciation. First I could not believe that the Hierophant changed into a cluster of only- female Teachers, leaving my male sensibilities sorely wounded ( joke). Then I found the Sun as a glorious Goddess !And all the purples and soft reds. Over and over, through the deck, swirls and curves usurped my male linearity. One of the few males in the deck was the Hanged Man. I felt hanged by the deck. Then I took a less reactive look into the images. Many beautifully picture a kind of Taoist tenderness , an emphasis on watery flow rather than fiery thrust, a healing vitality.While I still miss the alchemical balance in Crowley/ Harris and Robert Place's decks, the gentle essence and artistic eloquence of this deck is worthwhile in an ambitiously sordid world.

fyreflye	11 Aug 2004
There's also the question of whether a deck appreciates you. Recently I got a copy of the long sought-after Servants of the Light Tarot in a trade. After giving it an overnight cleansing in a box I use for that purpose I was moved to do something I've never done with another deck - use a one card draw to ask the SOL how we could work together. I pulled out the ten of swords. The deck went back into the box for a few more days, but when it came out and I repeated my question for a two-card draw I got the three of disks and another ten of swords. I figured I'd made a huge mistake with this deck, but somewhere in my mind I began to think of the situation as comparable to dealing with a potential new girlfriend. I gave her (yes, her) my largest wooden box with a cushioned interior. I went to the local upscale thrift shop and found for her a gorgeous red silk scarf with roses emblazoned in black. I wrapped her in the scarf and placed her back in the box for a few days. When I took her out to ask her the question again, using a one-card draw, she gave me the nine of cups. Weird, huh? Yesterday I was in the same store and found an even larger box and a Versace silk scarf. I wrapped her in the new scarf and placed her in the new box for a few hours. Then, with some trepidation, I took her out and asked how she liked her new scarf and box. She gave me The Empress. My tarot deck is a gorgeous redhead! I know it'll be a rocky relationship; she seems like the jealous type. But I've put all my other decks aside and resolved to work hard on this new relationship. It must be love :D

Cerulean	11 Aug 2004
had me chuckling. Frank_Hall's journey into purple and pink land is joyful: I recognized a few book and card covers of the artist in the images. Lovely deck, well-written book...but it wasn't different enough for me to want to use regularly. On the Servants of Light - my imagination is tickled seeing a deck painted by Josephine Gill and Anthony Clark going from it's bed of painted roses to Versace. When I have decks I value I do use cotton softened to a silkiness. I think use and beauty with age, essentially represents respect and caring. The cloths that I use have the softer fade of a marbelized pattern done ages ago. Sometimes silk-lined bags and other containers hold the boxes or the cards, but I switch the decks and containers around. Hope the Servants of Light has fun on it's new bed and you get to dine on champagne and strawberries to your readings! Regards, Cerulean

lionette	11 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Luminessence When I first bought the Tarot of Transformation, I was disappointed in it. I loved the artwork, but I didn't like the non-traditional meanings of the cards. Because the deck was so beautiful, I tried to read with it using traditional card meanings, but I felt like I was fighting with the deck every time I read with it. I had a similar experience with this deck too. Thought the imagery might be useful to broaden my traditional tarot knowledge, give me a different perspective on the traditional card meanings, and I wanted to be able to use it for daily/weekly readings. Nope -- didn't work. As you say Luminessence, it was like a tug of war. The deck is so non-traditional that it requires its own space, its own significance in my collection as a deck for a different sort of reading/question. I've others like this too, where the images online gave me a totally different feeling than having it in hand. New Century is an example. Love the imagery, but trying to read with it was tough. After using it as my regular deck, tho, there's a far better connection. Reminds me of fyreflye's story! Sometimes it just takes a little more time to appreciate a deck's differences.

Lurea	09 Apr 2005
fyreflye wrote: There's also the question of whether a deck appreciates you .....I was moved to do something I've never done with another deck - use a one card draw to ask the SOL how we could work together. I pulled out the ten of swords. Great story, and thanks for sharing! I had a similar experience with my Hanson Roberts deck initially, very negative cards (frex, my daily cards: Death, Ten of Swords, Death, the Devil, Ten of Swords :rolleyes:), readings that didn't make sense--until I finally sat down and devoted nearly a month to working solely with that deck and learning it inside and out. I smudged it, made it a new bag, gave it a crystal.... That did the trick! Now it's scarily accurate, pleasant to work with, and my number one deck for tricky questions.

Requiella	12 Apr 2005
I've had the tarot of transformation for a while, and as a psychologist, I find it helpful for doing self-exploration work. You all are absolutely right though--this deck is so completely nontraditional that it is impossible to superimpose the traditional meanings onto it. In fact, I've begun to think of this deck as a "TAROT-LIKE" deck rather than a tarot deck. Reconceptualizing it puts it into a new mental category for me and allows me to use it in a completely different way. I've gone through spells when I've done daily card draws with it, thinking of the card as representing something to think about that day or to work on. It works very well this way.

Emeraldgirl	13 Apr 2005
The RWS bdeck. I just couldn't get over how ugly I thought the colour scheme is. It is the deck that the majority of the books are based on and so therefore I brought one. I have now learnt to appreciate it and it gives me some fantastic spot on readings so I have come to really like this deck now.

Tarot Sparrow	13 Apr 2005
I have had this experience many times (even with the Tarot of Transformation, which by the way is one of my FAVOURITE decks). I think a lot of it has to do with us left-brained people who like to think logically and practically all the time, so if the RWS meaning for a card is THIS, and that works for us, then it must also be the same for THIS card in THIS deck. But it's not. When we read tarot we have to learn to read more intuitively, and I still tell myself this over and over, as much as I love to be intuitive! Just sometimes we need a reminder :) The Tarot of Transformation is stunningly accurate for me, and I especially love the little sayings on the cards because they help me form the deepest meaning. I love to use this deck for relationship readings or deep psychological issues, because it tends to know exactly what it's talking about in those areas. Decks definitely need to be appreciated for what they are...

Skydancer	13 Apr 2005
fyreflye and lurea - have you two gone over to the thread about whether or not you think your cards have feelings??? !!! ;) I have several that are "their own" - Tao, Bright Idea deck, I Ching types, Power Deck - it is a challenge to turn off the "Is this like the 5 of coins?" part of the brain and just go with the card itself and the deck as a whole. What I'm finding is that when I then go back to a "regular" deck I have a deeper understanding of it. So it all turns out quite well. *S*

The Appreciating a deck for what it is thread was originally posted on 10 Aug 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.