Help--any suggestions?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 11 Nov 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

neptune	11 Nov 2002
I'm a beginner at learning the tarot and I'm trying to learn the meanings of the cards. I have 4 decks in total (that's not much--I know alot of you have hundreds of decks!!) I use a marseille deck for general situations (like celtic cross), and I keep an egyptian deck for art/collector's. But I don't know what to do with the other two? I have another marseille deck coming on the way and I would like to designate a duty but what? One could be used for meditation or another one can strictly be used for relationships/love questions? What else do you guys suggest?

Keslynn	11 Nov 2002
I have about 30 decks overall. Basically, I work with whichever one calls to me at the moment so I don't assign "duties" to them. I think that using each deck only for a specific purpose is limiting it's effect. For example, I might use the Nigel Jackson for most of my general readings, but someday next week I might need it's perspective on a love question. Vice versa with a deck that I might use more often for love questions but would offer a unique perspective on another sort of question. I think a deck could fall into a specific niche in your tarot life, but I advise letting it do so naturally. Work with it, learn how the deck delivers its message, and then use it when you feel like it will give you the clearest message. :) Kes

Liliana	11 Nov 2002
Some people keep a deck for magickal workings, but if you arent into that then i guess you dont need one Some people also have a deck that they only use for themselves and dont let anyone else touch it. :THP

allibee	11 Nov 2002
As you say you are a beginner, and still learning the meanings, may I suggest that you keep to the two decks you are using at present, and wait until you know or feel what is the right situation to use the other two decks in, if at all. I had only one deck for the first five years of my learning, and that helped a lot as I felt they were my best friend, not a visiting aunt. I got to know them completely, and they got to know me too, and it was and still is a very good working relationship. allibee

HudsonGray	11 Nov 2002
Actually, I'd lay the cards from each deck out side by side & compare meanings, looking for similarities & themes. Sort of an extra help study aid. No sense letting them sit there doing nothing!

sparrowspirit	11 Nov 2002
Quote: Originally posted by HudsonGray Actually, I'd lay the cards from each deck out side by side & compare meanings, looking for similarities & themes. Sort of an extra help study aid. No sense letting them sit there doing nothing! I really love doing this. I have an Elemental Tarot, Mythic Tarot, Vision Quest, Universal and Tarot Nova that I use for exploration. I have found it to be very enlightening. I started with the Majors and each day took the next card, comparing all of the decks versions and reading the LWBs. Now I just finished the Wands. Sparrow

violinlily	11 Nov 2002
neptune: I have one deck, and I have also asked a similar question to this on a different thread. I think it was Meewah (I don't remember, so if it was someone else, sry) that told me to look at the cards and study what they look like. I think that this helps learning the meanings. I wouldn't know in person, so you might not want to credit this: I think that decks don't need a designated duty, but that you should use the deck that feels right at the time. Like using the Egyptian one (you are sooooo lucky u have this one, I want it sooooo bad :-)) one day, and the Marseille one some other time, when it feels right. I hope that I was some help, violinlily

Dark Inquisitor	12 Nov 2002
I don't think decks have to "do" anything- they just are! Enjoy them. Look at them, see how you feel about them & what they bring to mind. You don't have to do anything with them , but they might do something for you! Tarotphelia

neptune	12 Nov 2002
Okay, I think I will try to explore the other meanings of the cards and study similarities and differences. I like that idea. Also, I think I'll just use the decks I have right now to become more familiar with it--when the time is right, I'll choose what deck feels "right" when it's time for a reading. Thanks all who replied--each one of you--sooo helpful.

The Help--any suggestions? thread was originally posted on 11 Nov 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.