Osho Zen as main reading deck???

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 02 Oct 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

IDN	02 Oct 2004
Hi, Just interested if any uses the Osho Zen as either their main reading deck OR uses it a lot to read for others? Or do you reserve this deck for yourself? I have the deck and love it. It lives in a very nice Tarot box, next to my bed- I take a daily card just before going to sleep. I also recently bought the "Tarot in the Spirit of Zen" book. I don't know if it really covers that much more than the book that came with the deck. Take care, Regards, Ian

maria42airam	02 Oct 2004
I have only used the Osho Zen deck for my own readings, and only specifically when I want insight as to how to change my behavior so that it follows the Zen teachings. I bought the deck when I signed up for the Barnes & Noble Zen Miracles and Your Life class. I thought I could use them in the meditation but it turns out that Zen meditation is "without thought" (not to be confused with "thoughtless"), so I was not able to use it in that way, but having become acquainted with the deck, and having read the book you mentioned, I was much better prepared for the class. As to reading for others, unless the person lives by the Zen philosophy, and specifically, Osho's take on it, I'm not sure if the concepts represented by the cards would make sense to the querent. The deck also significantly pulls away from the normal/standard/accepted/traditional meanings of the major arcana. For example, The Rebel IV (normally referred to as The Emperor) stands for the opposite of society. From TAROT in the Spirit of ZEN - The game of Life by Osho Quote: The situation of the rebel is tremendouly exciting: each moment he is faced with problems because the society has a fixed mode, a fixed pattern, fixed ideals. And the rebel cannot go with those fixed ideals--he has to follow his own still, small voice." This is almost the opposite of what The Emperor stands for: family, structure, established societal and cultural rules. There's nothing wrong with that, of course, but the reader, the querent, the question and the answer must all understand Zen philosophy and read/implement the reading within that context. By the way, Osho has "written" on many of the topics after which the cards are named. Osho's writings have been translated to English and can be found here: http://www.oshoworld.com/onlinebooks/index.asp

fyreflye	02 Oct 2004
What Maria said. It's not an oracle; it's a guide to The Game of Life. Play the Game.

Emily	07 Oct 2004
I have the Osho too. And the new book that came out. The new book is amazing, it is all new information. The book that came with the Osho covers all you need to be able to use the cards but the new book takes it several steps further. I don't do spreads with this deck either just take cards from it for guidance for the day and I don't read for other people with it. I like this deck but with it being none traditional it really doesn't feel like tarot. I loved the packaging too, it was the first time I've received a deck in such a sturdy plastic box that travels well. :)

Alta	07 Oct 2004
Thanks for mentioning about the new book btw. This was one of the decks I purchased quite soon after getting back into tarot. I think I bought it second after Robin Wood. I also gave a copy to a non-tarot friend of mine who has used it intuitively ever since. I, too, find some of the cards depart rather strongly from traditional tarot meanings, and in some ways I now do not regard it as a Tarot deck. I agree with fyreflye, it is really its own deck, not even really an oracle deck. The Game of Life seems as good a title as you come up with as it seems to represent as much as anything life a little closer to the ground. Less archetypal, more blood sweat and tears. I do use it in tarot spreads though, consciously, understanding the differences.

SongDeva	07 Oct 2004
This was the second deck I ever had, and was gifted to me by a dear friend and teacher, along with its own red velvet om bag. Very special to me and very evocative. Edited to add: Overstock .com has the book for $8.99 and s/h$1.40 in the US.

September Pixie	08 Oct 2004
I find this deck gives great advice and is usually very blunt and straight to the point.. I gave a deck to my SO's sister (17) and she adores it.. This deck is one I pull out quite often, I can see it becoming a main deck for some. :)

purple_scorp	10 Oct 2004
Hi Ian, I have a strong preference for Oracle decks over Tarot decks and I think this is why I relate quite easily to the Osho Zen deck. I have about five Tarot decks but I find Osho the easiest to read intuitively, so it is my main Tarot reading deck. Though, I would do as many Oracle readings as I would Tarot. I don't strictly follow the zen way of life but I find there is a lot of logic in his philosophy. The other thing I personally find with OZ is that it's not really a deck that predicts the future. I find that it more reflects the present. I do use Osho to pull a daily card. Which reminds me - Ian, we have a daily Osho Zen reading thread in the Your Reading section. We'd love to see you there sometime. purple_scorp

WhiteWolf	13 Jan 2005
Since Osho Zen was the first Tarot deck I owned, it became my main reading deck before I decided to look into other decks. I used this deck at psychic fairs and also at a Halloween Ball (there were 800 people there, I was one of 8 readers - quite an experience!). Although there were a few other decks I purchased, I continued to use the Osho until I found the lovely Spiral Tarot by Kay Steventon. Now, when I do readings, I allow the reader to choose which deck they prefer (unless I feel an intuitive leaning to use a particular one).. and 9 times out of 10, they choose the Osho deck. What I've learned about the Osho Deck is that I respond well with the cards with my empathic nature and can give very deep, personal readings. So I always hope that my client isn't afraid to dive deeply into those emotional, healing waters! However, not everyone wants to heal or is ready to go that deep, so for more practical readings I will use the Spiral Tarot - although, it can dive deeply as well when necessary. Osho isn't a preferable deck when it comes to gaining insight into specific physical/outer focused readings, especially if the query is general! It is great for relationship readings, healing, psychological and spiritual readings, and for giving sound advice. When specific questions are asked regarding the more "mundane" aspects of life, it can be more precise. I prefer the Spiral Tarot for such readings, however. As I've stated before, the Tarot of Prague may be a main deck for me as well! I'm still waiting for a few guinnea pigs! hehe

The Osho Zen as main reading deck??? thread was originally posted on 02 Oct 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.