Choosing a deck rationally ?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 04 Jul 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Sullanciri2002	04 Jul 2002
ALthough most factions and books stress that you should choose a deck that feels right, and "connects" with you intuïtively ... I can't seem to fully agree with that concept. If you look at some of the best-known decks, it becomes obvious that there's a totally different idea or theory behind the different decks ... and that one should feel equally "insinc" with the underlying ideas as one feel connected to the artwork and graphics. For instance, I can hardly imagine someone choosing the Thoth, and completely ignoring the many topics on which it is based ... whereas I can't see someone who adheres to Crowley's ideas using a Rider-Waite variant ?

HudsonGray	04 Jul 2002
You think that's why we end up with decks that just 'don't work'??? One more for the bookshelf..........psst, wanna trade?

Jeannette	04 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Sullanciri2002 ALthough most factions and books stress that you should choose a deck that feels right, and "connects" with you intuïtively ... I can't seem to fully agree with that concept. If you look at some of the best-known decks, it becomes obvious that there's a totally different idea or theory behind the different decks ... and that one should feel equally "insinc" with the underlying ideas as one feel connected to the artwork and graphics. It may be simply a matter of semantics, but the way I interpret it, it's all one-and-the-same to me. My "take" on the oft-repeated recommendation to "buy the deck that feels right" is that it's simply advice to not buy the Rider-Waite deck (or Thoth deck, or Robin Wood Tarot, or Tarot XYZ -- whatever) simply because some book or other tarotist says that it's the best for _________ (learning, reading, fill-in-the-blank). As a result, I tend to view such advice as indicating one should take into account all of the factors that would make a particular deck the best match for you. This would, of course, include a basic "gut reaction" to one's first viewing of the cards, but would also encompass, as you say, the theory and underlying meanings or overall thematic "thrust" of the deck. For example, while it's difficult for me personally to imagine anyone reading with the Natalie Hertz "Vampire" tarot (although I like it very much for non-reading related reasons), I have read posts here on Aeclectic made by people saying they use it for readings, and that they like how it reads for them. Although I may be incorrect, I would assume that their reaction was based on something more substantial than "I'm just really 'into' the dark, foreboding, bloody pictures." Therefore, I must assume that there's more underlying the surface characteristics of this deck that would allow some folks to "connect" with it, and to subsequently perform a successful reading when using it. In brief, I guess it depends on how broad you're willing to define the term "intuitive connection." Intuition, in my view, is not the opposite of rational thought, but rather, draws upon both rational and irrational "knowledge" in informing and guiding us... -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

MystiqueMoonlight	04 Jul 2002
Ah you're yet to succumb to the affliction of taroholism :) In some ways I suppose what you say is true, however IMO some ppl will 'progress' to another Tarot deck as they become more experienced or more comfortable with using the cards. RW and Thoth based cards are two different systems but then there is also the Marseilles type decks as well. Then again some ppl will move onto another deck simply because they feel they have outgrown a particular deck and feel the need to update their current cards. Being in sync with with the underlying ideas may be part of it, but does that mean that the reader has prior knowledge about that systems (eg the Thoth cards and Alester Crowley's spiritual beliefs)? I know I have bought cards simply because they have appealed to me immensley at the time but not knowing anything about the creator. It's an interesting point you have raised.

Lee	04 Jul 2002
I think it's possible to "connect with" a deck and not necessarily subscribe to the views of its author. For example, Angeles Arrien has written a popular book about the Thoth deck, and I'll bet there are plenty of people reading Thoth in the way she suggests, but it has nothing to do with what Crowley wrote. Similarly, lots of people use the Waite deck who aren't fully knowledgeable about cabala and Golden Dawn assignments. I think how a reader interacts with the images is more important than being fully conversant with the author's system. -- Lee

Jeannette	04 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by MystiqueMoonlight Ah you're yet to succumb to the affliction of taroholism :) I must say that you're the first person to ever accuse me of that -- LOL! :D Quote: In some ways I suppose what you say is true, however IMO some ppl will 'progress' to another Tarot deck as they become more experienced or more comfortable with using the cards. Agreed. This does not contradict my assertion that the deck that "feels" right for someone is based on the weighing of a combination of rational and irrational factors. As our knowledge and experience evolves, it's only natural that our needs adjust accordingly. As you yourself stated: Quote: Then again some ppl will move onto another deck simply because they feel they have outgrown a particular deck and feel the need to update their current cards. I do agree, and therefore I'm inclined to conclude again that any differences in viewpoint here may simply be the result of the semantic interpretation of the term "intuitive connection." I believe such "connections" not only can, but naturally will, change over time. Quote: Being in sync with with the underlying ideas may be part of it, but does that mean that the reader has prior knowledge about that systems (eg the Thoth cards and Alester Crowley's spiritual beliefs)? No, I didn't mean to imply that at all. Once again, I only meant to raise the possibility that there are a combination of factors at work here. Whatever underlying meanings a tarot-creator may have intended for his or her deck, there's little doubt that we often tend to create our own meanings for things in the long run. I'm hardly a "Crowleyist," and although I'm quite aware of Crowley's general outlook on the subject matter, the Thoth deck nevertheless remains my personal favorite reading deck. To me, the meanings I am able to glean from the Thoth transcend what Crowley put into it. In brief, the Thoth deck combines, for me, a series of rational and irrational factors that make it just "feel" right for readings. I don't accept it simply because some folks say it is the best deck for readers once one has "gotten their feet wet" with the R/W, and I don't dismiss it just because Crowley himself has a less-than-savory reputation in various areas and a controversial view of spiritual metaphysics. In the end, it is entirely an "intuitive connection," the likes of which I can partly explain in concrete terms, and in part which I can't quite explain at all... -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Jeannette	04 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Lee I think it's possible to "connect with" a deck and not necessarily subscribe to the views of its author. For example, Angeles Arrien has written a popular book about the Thoth deck, and I'll bet there are plenty of people reading Thoth in the way she suggests, but it has nothing to do with what Crowley wrote. Similarly, lots of people use the Waite deck who aren't fully knowledgeable about cabala and Golden Dawn assignments. I think how a reader interacts with the images is more important than being fully conversant with the author's system. Lee: I see that my previous post echoes what you have managed to state much more simply and elegantly. Thanks. -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

AmounrA	04 Jul 2002
I am a thoth user, and find the deck works extremely well on all required levels. Crowley [a greatly mis-understood genius], was extremely faithful to the tarot in the thoth deck, and put a great deal of work into the project[as did lady harris]....for me the thoth deck is the best deck to get if you want a real tarot deck.. The marseilles is also an extremely great deck, considering how advanced it is symbolically for such simple art. As a thoth user, I admit I loathe the rider waite deck....bad vibes.evil evil, jinxed..corrupted, subjective minors, ......the arts pretty though..:-)

The Choosing a deck rationally ? thread was originally posted on 04 Jul 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.