universal waite, robin wood, or thoth for beginner?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 22 Aug 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

red120	22 Aug 2004
I am going to buy one of these decks for my first deck to learn with, since many people said it won't be so easy to learn with Amano Tarot :) Which would be best to start with? (Or which two, as I may buy more than one to get free shipping with Amazon) I very like the art for the thoth deck, but I am afraid it may be difficult to learn with, since it is based on Egyptian mythology and also doesn't similar to Waite. Thanks for your advices!

Kahlie	22 Aug 2004
Learn with what Deck pulls you in. It's the easiest to learn with a Deck that graps you and makes you come back for more. However, most people swear on Rider-Waite, because so much books out there are based on RW, and it's has minor cards with scenes. Edited to add: Robin Wood incorperates the RW symbology I think, but I"m not so sure.

Eco74	22 Aug 2004
RWS or Robin Wood have pretty much the same symbology so between those to, go for the style of artwork that works better for you. Learning should be a labour of love and cringing as you look at the images you are supposed to learn from doesn't help at all... I've never taken a closer look at the thoth myself so really don't have a lot of input on that. Both systems can be learned though and there are some similarities. Maybe someone with experience in using both can give you some more input on that end...

fyreflye	22 Aug 2004
Do you learn most effectively by sorting images through your mind or by using concepts? The Waite and the Robin Wood display the meanings of the minor cards using pictures. When you see the picture of a man and a woman gazing lovingly at each other while touching their cups together on the 2 of Cups you can't help but think of Love. When you see the 2 0f Cups on the Thoth deck you see the keyword "Love." But to grasp the deeper meaning of the card you also need to notice the symbols for Venus and Cancer and be able to think about what the transit of Venus through the zodiac sign of Cancer means in astrological terms. You also need to understand the meaning of the second Sephira of the Qabalistic Tree of Life and its relationship to the other Sephiroth as well as to the other 2 cards of the three other suits. Which method corresponds most closely to the way your mind works? If you know, buy the set or sets you would be most comfortable working with. If you're not sure, get both the Waite and the Thoth and find out.

Sulis	22 Aug 2004
Some images of the cards in question: Robin Wood tarot - http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/robin-wood/ and a few reviews: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/robin-wood/review.shtml Universal Waite tarot http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/universal-waite/ and a review; http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/universal-waite/review.shtml Thoth tarot http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/aleister-crowley-thoth/ and a few reviews: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/aleister-crowley-thoth/review.shtml Love Sulis xx

Le_Corsair	22 Aug 2004
Of the three you name, you should choose the Universal Waite if you don't mind religious, specifically Christian, imagery; Robin Wood if you are more interested in pagan/wiccan imagery; and Thoth if you are drawn to Goth imagery and/or the dark side of humanity. Bob :THERM

Moongold	22 Aug 2004
It is a matter of individual preference and only you can decide that Whatever you do, I would suggest that you learn one deck or system well so that it provides a basis for growth and comparison with others as you develop. All three of the decks you are considering are based on the Golden Dawn system, although Crowley took that much further with the Thoth and made some changes. He particularly emphasized the astrological attributions. There are some very good learning materials available to help you - books, Internet resources, forums. My best wishes - Moongold

Frank Hall	22 Aug 2004
I like what Le Corsair said . Only to add that Waite and Thoth complement and counterpoint each other very well, at least for me. Waite is more clear and crystalline, sunny, while Thoth is mysterious, diving deep down within. Both are Golden-Dawn derived and express its symbolic system, with original variations. Begin, possibly, with the two pillars of Golden-Dawn Tarot.

cundi	22 Aug 2004
Try The complete tarot kit by USG: http://www.usgamesinc.com/tarot/viewProduct.cfm?Product_ID=66564 It has both RW & Thoth.

TaranRavenfrost	22 Aug 2004
Meh, Thoth isnt hard at all. Ive never had to use a book for it, and it was my first deck. I say go with what your heart tells you. Also, Amano is probaly in RWS style, so you might want to start with a RWS based deck.

red120	22 Aug 2004
Well, I ended up buying the LS Secrets Tarot and the Thoth Tarot.. as well as Tarot for Your Self: A Workbook for Personal Transformation.. the order will be arriving in early September. I was about to buy the Robin Wood, but saw the Secret at the last minute and it seems to match what I am looking for much better. Thanks for everyone advice ^^

Eco74	23 Aug 2004
Good choice. I've actually been considering the Secret Tarot myself but there are a few on the wishlist that go before it... Enjoy your studies. :)

Trogon	23 Aug 2004
Red120... Congrats on the new purchases! Which Thoth deck did you get (U.S. Games Large, USG Small, or the AG Mueller)? I'm glad you picked out that Secret Tarot... I had to go look at it (http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/secret/) ... WOW! And yet another deck gets added to my "wish-list". :D

red120	24 Aug 2004
Thanks! The Thoth deck I got was this one.. http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0880793082/ref=ord_cart_shr/702-4484291-0716051?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB .. USG standard size.. lavender box ^^

Trogon	24 Aug 2004
Well, those standard-sized Thoth cards will be easier to handle than the larger-sized decks, that's for sure! :D How do you like your new decks so far?

anubis	24 Aug 2004
i wanna ask where can you find Robin Woods deck?

red120	24 Aug 2004
Anubis: I found it on Amazon, but didn't end up ordering it. You can probably find it on there.. but I don't know if they ship to Singapore. Trogon: No clue.. heh.. the order isn't to arrive until early September, they're still stocking the Secret deck.

The 78th Fool	24 Aug 2004
A really brilliant alternative to the Waite and Robin Wood is the Sharman Caselli Tarot http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/sharman-caselli/ It comes as part of a complete teaching kit for beginners and the deck/book will only cost you the same as a standard deck. I've found it's the best beginner's course you could have. It turned me from a fair reader to a good one. Chris. xx

cundi	24 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by anubis i wanna ask where can you find Robin Woods deck? Amazon also ship to Singapore, but the cost is quite high. You may try yesasia.com: http://global.yesasia.com/b5/PrdDept.aspx/pid-1002391440/did-155/code-w/section-books/ They offer free shipping to Singapore if you purchase over US$49. Even for less order, the shipping charge is still lower than Amazon.

Cerulean	25 Aug 2004
while you are waiting. I know on the Secrets study group, I posted a url for all the Secrets images... If you need us to suggest Thoth sites to go to for images, etc., let us know. As choices, I think those are wonderful, especially if you like fantasy images. Regards, Cerulean

Niomi	25 Aug 2004
I found Barrett's Ancient Egyptian to be a perfect marriage of Thoth and Waite. The pictures convey clearly the meanings of the cards, and they can clearly be interpreted with Thoth or Waite meanings. For the studious reader, there are an amazing amount of subtle things that link to astrology and kaballah and all kinds of things I know nothing about. It has the clarity in pictures of Waite, but the complexity and depth of the Thoth.

red120	25 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Cerulean while you are waiting. I know on the Secrets study group, I posted a url for all the Secrets images... If you need us to suggest Thoth sites to go to for images, etc., let us know. As choices, I think those are wonderful, especially if you like fantasy images. Regards, Cerulean Acutally, it is great.. because I saw that URL of yours, and it covers the Secret images.. and in that sticky at the top of the forum, it has the Thoth images :) But unhappy that I check Amazon today and my decks may not come until September 22.. it seems so unreasonable.. but no choice :(

Hedera	25 Aug 2004
You can buy the Robin Wood tarot from Robin Wood herself, and get it signed: http://www.robinwood.com/Catalog/Books/BookSet.html She's a lovely person. If I were you, I'd order her book for the deck as well. It's really a terrific book, one of the best I know.

anubis	25 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Niomi I found Barrett's Ancient Egyptian to be a perfect marriage of Thoth and Waite. The pictures convey clearly the meanings of the cards, and they can clearly be interpreted with Thoth or Waite meanings. For the studious reader, there are an amazing amount of subtle things that link to astrology and kaballah and all kinds of things I know nothing about. It has the clarity in pictures of Waite, but the complexity and depth of the Thoth. hehe. i got that deck. tell you one thing for sure, its very nice! but the only problem i have is its big size

The universal waite, robin wood, or thoth for beginner? thread was originally posted on 22 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.