Head to Head decks

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 26 Apr 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

KelarSkye	26 Apr 2003
Has anyone (I am sure someone has) done a reading by putting their decks head to head? Same question, same spread, two decks. Have you found that this helps you better read each decks nuances? Kelar

Rusty Neon	26 Apr 2003
Quote: Originally posted by KelarSkye Has anyone (I am sure someone has) done a reading by putting their decks head to head? Same question, same spread, two decks. Have you found that this helps you better read each decks nuances? Kelar Hi Kelar ... Which type of 'head to head' reading are you referring to? (1) Are you randomly drawing out cards from one deck and then specifically selecting those same cards from the second deck? e.g., Deck A: Queen of Swords, 8 of Cups, 10 of Disks Deck B: Queen of Swords, 8 of Cups, 10 of Disks or (2) Are you randomly drawing out cards from the first deck, and then randomly drawing out cards from the second deck? e.g., Deck A: Queen of Swords, 8 of Cups, 10 of Disks Deck B: Ace of Cups, 7 of Swords, Hermit

KelarSkye	26 Apr 2003
Well, I was actually thinking about reading like normal. Choose a spread and lay it out and do the same for the second deck. To see how they would each read the same question. Since each deck reads differently.

oceanpoetry	26 Apr 2003
No I haven't done that, because I wouldn't want to ask the same question twice...sometimes I will choose a deck based on the query, however. for example, If I want an image to meditate on in the morning, I will use the Diamond Deck because I love the borders. As for using more than one deck for a reading, once in awhile I will get pull out the same card from another deck, if I am having trouble getting a read on the deck that has been used for that particular spread, for example, comparing the Chariot in more than one deck if I want to get additional insights.

Cerulean	27 Apr 2003
I've done this mainly only with three to five card spreads, but I find it hard to focus on more than a few cards. I think it is really known as Comparative Tarot reading.

Rusty Neon	27 Apr 2003
If I use a second deck, it's as a 'spread deck'. The spread deck defines the spread position names for the spread that consists of cards from the principal deck. For the spread deck, I prefer a deck with keywords.

Strange2	27 Apr 2003
I have found it very effective to use 2 decks when I do readings: a Primary reading deck from which I draw the cards, and a Supplemental deck to provide additional insights or spin on the card concepts. That said, I only use this method when reading for myself. I primarily use the Tarot for meditation, personal insights and reactions, and as a springboard for mystical and scientific studies. I find the Primary / Supplemental deck pairings to increase my Tarot knowledge and experience, and provide interesting insights into each deck that I might not otherwise notice without the juxtapositions. This method is also a great way to learn and get comfortable with a new deck. Perform a reading with a deck you know, and then pull the same cards from the new deck to compare and contrast images and meaning. For example, I used this method to get familiar with the Tarot de Marseille deck, which had been somewhat initimidating to me but I really wanted to learn. Using the TdM as a supplemental deck helped me to see the energies in the minor arcana cards that were mystifying me. I'm not 100% there yet in my understanding of TdM (and that's the beauty of Tarot ;) ), but now feel comfortable enough to use the TdM as a primary deck (see below). Some recent decks I have used for the Primary / Supplemental pairings have been: Primary: Camoin Tarot de Marseille -- traditional, crisp, "core" imagery Supplemental: Rock Art Tarot -- primal, terrestrial, extraterrestrial, psychedelic Primary: Hermetic Tarot -- detailed, mesmerizing imagery, esoteric Supplemental: Fractal Firebird -- evocative, vivid, hypnotic

KelarSkye	27 Apr 2003
I don't think anyone is actually getting what I am asking so I am taking it no one does it. I believe my decks read differently for me. Same story, they tell it a different way. So as a learning tool I was theorizing comparing the way the two would read if I asked them the same thing. "Getting to know the personality of your deck," but in a way to understand the differences between them. I will look up comparative tarot readings like Mari suggested they would be called. Thanks everyone! Kelar

Cerulean	27 Apr 2003
I actually have only done a few cards, in depth. For example, the Spiral compared to the Rider Waite in a three card comparative reading.. The Queen of Swords has hair literally flying in the wind and the energy is electric, she's in a three quarter view. There's more energy in the Spiral, deep colors and contrast and I know I'm very much in a restless state when I see her. Let's say it's my first card. In the Rider Waite, the somewhat stern, formal side profile scene and the raised sword against an airy sky is much calmer, as if resolving some mental qualms. The robe is lovely in both cards, but deeper and more vivid to me in the Spiral. The Six of Swords is next in the Spiral. The quiet night scene, a bier of sorts floating toward a light and the winged syph floating, swimming or soaring to intersect the path of the boat. I get a feeling of a 'long day's journey into night' and I am deeply affected by the idea a winged messenger is near my path. I feel the stir of air. I believe the Spiral has more of a mythic story for me to dream about then. In the Rider Waite, the quiet huddled figure and look to a distant shore seems softer--I almost feel a day's end or daybreak scene. I think it is good for a reflective poem. The Five of Cups comes next in the Spiral. The tree and two cups lighted and bright behind the figure facing me, reaching for the spilling cups. Much more dramatic in style and reaction than my Rider Waite, where the figure in black sadly looks down, shoulders downcast in regret at the cups spilled below and the winding stream going far away. The figure is ignoring the two upright cups nearest to me So the answer is yes, I've done what you asked, in very limited readings. I've been able to find out that the reading of the Spiral deck for me, in comparison to the Rider Waite, will give me a very active readings and it has a different personality. I believe it shows more emotion and drama and deeper color contrasts. If I may want a softer and more ambiguous mood reading that is like a child's quieter fairy tale, I will go to the Rider Waite. I hope that answers your question...I think I got what you asked.

raeanne	28 Apr 2003
KelarSkye, If you are talking about doing a spread with one deck and then laying out the very same cards with a different deck to see what inspiration the second deck might show, then yes, I do this a lot. If, however, you are talking about doing a spread with one deck and then asking the same question and doing the same spread with a second deck and mostly getting different cards, then no, I don't do that.

galadrial	29 Apr 2003
I only ask the same question of two different decks when I'm using the "Waking the Wild Spirit", by Poppy Palin, as one of the decks. That is because the minors are quite different than either the RWS or Thoth systems. When used with an RWS clone (I put the Wild Spirit reading in a line over an RWS reading of the same length, usually of only 3 or 4 cards) it is wonderful how the energies of the Wild Spirit cards supplement and enhance the reading.

KelarSkye	29 Apr 2003
Quote: Originally posted by raeanne KelarSkye, If you are talking about doing a spread with one deck and then laying out the very same cards with a different deck to see what inspiration the second deck might show, then yes, I do this a lot. If, however, you are talking about doing a spread with one deck and then asking the same question and doing the same spread with a second deck and mostly getting different cards, then no, I don't do that. Yes yes, that's it :-) the second version. But I think many people are thinking I mean for serious readings...as in "testing" the deck and therefore they disagree. I guess I just feel as if the decks know what I am doing and I am doing this as a learning tool to see their nuances and getting familiar with the types of questions/situations best read by them. I guess this would be if I had more that two...I know many people have decks they read for specific instances, like they know which one is most in tune with a specific type of answer that is needed. OK, thanks everyone! Kelar

The Head to Head decks thread was originally posted on 26 Apr 2003 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.