Interpreting pip cards of the RWS (and RWS-inspired decks)

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 Apr 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Rusty Neon	24 Apr 2004
[i [i]might[/i] use these observations to write a poll for a poll thread on these boards.] Generally speaking, most of the time, which method or combination of methods do you personally employ to interpret pip cards (Two to Ten of each suit) of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck (and RWS-inspired decks)? In terms of core meanings: for example, do you use: (1) Golden Dawn / Thoth keywords (2) Number + Suit derived divinatory meanings (3) divinatory meanings from a particular author (4) intuitive, based on the imagery (5) intuititive, based on just one or a couple of the details of the image (6) empirically-developed keywords based on real-life observations, e.g., meanings drawn from after-the-fact analysis of card-of-the-day readings that might have little, if any, linkage to any of (1) to (5) above, but perhaps based on one or a couple of the details of the image. In terms of assigning a meaning to the card in a given spread, in a given spread position, in answer to a given question, for example, do you use: (1) word-based free-association with a core meaning: i.e., synonyms of the word (2) free-association with the card image as a whole (3) imagery, keyword or meaning associated with the image of a different tarot deck (4) "in-the-moment" meaning based on - the card image as a whole, or - one or two particular details in the card image (5) matching the card image with the image(s) of the neighbouring card(s) to tell a story based on image interaction

closrapexa	24 Apr 2004
I usually go with the imagry directly in the RWS. Thing is, though, that recently I've started studying the Thoth, and already I've started seeing the RWS in a different way. Don't know where it'll all take me...

Rusty Neon	02 May 2004
bump

contrascarpe	02 May 2004
It depends on my feeling at the moment. I tend to shy away from the RWS proper because those keywords just pop out at me automatically and cloud my intuitive feelings. I typically begin by my first gut feeling looking at the card, then progress by how each card relates with another. I sometimes use the accepted meanings of the card if it really is sending me a strong signal, or if I am stuck. I guess I am trying to say that my readings tend to "be all out there", sort of like dog poo in the middle of a highly traveled road :) Dan

hedgecub	02 May 2004
I usually interpret from the imagery and from the standard RWS meanings, but sometimes my intuition notices a certain detail on the card and focuses on it, thus changing my interpretation. So basically I use the images and standard keywords as a jumping-off point. Most of the time I land back where I started, but sometimes I go someplace interesting. When I get comfortable and knowledgeable enough to start working with decks such as the Thoth, I'm sure I'll start learning more numerological meanings.

The Interpreting pip cards of the RWS (and RWS-inspired decks) thread was originally posted on 24 Apr 2004 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.