Switching Decks For Readings

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 13 Dec 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Wicca812	13 Dec 2002
I want to switch decks. For my readings. I don't know the Exact meaning of the RT decks just yet. Haven't started steadiing them . I am currently using the Aquariam deck. What do you guys think. I would like to start using the RT, i am starting to look over the readings i have been doing with the aquariam deck, then matching the cards i get in my readings to that of The RT meanings. And the cards came out pretty much with the same meanings. But with one difference i am starting to like the RT meanings more now. They go far more in depth. Or i do for that fact.

jema	13 Dec 2002
hmm what is the RT deck? *confused look*

Damien X	13 Dec 2002
You just do what your heart tells you to, Wicca812. Experiment and go along with your work. :o)

Damien X	13 Dec 2002
And, by the way, what exactly is the RT deck?

Wicca812	13 Dec 2002
RT = Rider Tarot.

Teal	13 Dec 2002
We usually us RW to signify Rider Waite, which is the tarot I think you mean. I got a lot of other tarot decks to begin with, but now wish I had started with Rider Waite, so my personal feeling is that a person should start with Rider Waite and branch out later. I supposed people are getting tired of seeing me post this here, but hopefully my sharing this will help others avoid the expense, time and frustration I went through before just taking the advise of the experience people here and getting a Rider Waite deck.

Keslynn	13 Dec 2002
I would just like to add that we also use RWS for the Rider tarot. That way it credits the artisit (Pixie Smith) as well as the idea man (Waite) and the publisher (Rider). As to your question, the Aquarian is actually fairly RWS-esque anyway. I personally consider it a clone. However, the Aquarian lacks the amount of symbolism that the RWS contains. Still... the basic meanings and depictions are the same. So I agree with Damien, do what feels best to you, and use the deck that speaks most to you in readings. :) Kes

Pollux	14 Dec 2002
I am clueless, I don't understand what your problem is. It is my understanding that when one mentions Rider-Waite meanings it is done in opposition to Thoth meanings or Marseille/pip meanings, or some particular deck presenting special and peculiar deviations from the above standards (say, Wild Spirit, Witches by Reed and so on...). The Aquarian deck is obviously based on the Rider-Waite-Smith and what you define as its "meanings", so there is not a big difference in these ragerds. You say you are starting to like the RWS meanings more than the Aquarian ones - but right now I fail to grasp the difference. Anyway, act as you feel most comfortable! ;)

jlbvt	14 Dec 2002
heres how some people choose a deck: }) just keep buying decks till you run out of money, then trade other things like books or your house for more decks and build a house out of decks (make sure to use laminated cards for the roof) and try to get more decks. Well, I guess that's not really a good thing to do, I should stop now. ;)

Thirteen	14 Dec 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Wicca812 I am currently using the Aquariam deck. What do you guys think. I would like to start using the RT, i am starting to look over the readings i have been doing with the aquariam deck, then matching the cards i get in my readings to that of The RT meanings. And the cards came out pretty much with the same meanings. But with one difference i am starting to like the RT meanings more now. They go far more in depth. Or i do for that fact. My very first deck was the Aquarian and it is, for all intents and purposes, a RW clone. It isn't like some other decks--say, Sacred Circle--which move, remove, or significantly alter images and card meanings (Sacred Circle, for example, has "The Web" for Justice, and the meaning is pretty different. Aquarian, on the other hand, has pretty much the same "Justice" in image and meaning as RW). I'm with Teal, by the way, in that RW deck is probably the way to go for a beginner--but in this case, I don't think Aquarian is so far off RW that it makes that much difference. *However,* what I THINK you're really saying is that whatever book you're using for Aquarian is not giving you as much info as whatever book you're using for RW. You have two options--and go with whichever one you prefer. (1) Switch to RW--and don't fret about switching decks. Many of us have dozens of decks and we switch between them as the mood strikes us. (2) Stick with Aquarian and use the RW book for meanings, as that book evidently gives you more indepth meanings. In some cases, you would be right--some decks can be very light in image and meaning, not indended for indepth readings. But in THIS case, there really is very little difference. When I use the Aquarian, I get just as complex a reading as with RW. As everyone else said, it's all up to you in the end. Go with the deck that works best--and, for that matter, with the book that teaches you the most.

Alex	18 Dec 2002
I like to look at different decks and their figures and that sometimes helps to grasp the card in more general terms. If I'm being clear.

brennamor	03 Jan 2003
Just to add my $.02 here. Another option you might want to consider is using both decks to do a comparative reading. It's fairly simple and can add depth to the reading. Use your primary deck (let's say the Aquarian) and pull the cards. Then go through your secondary deck (RWS) and find the matching cards. Lay them next to your Aquarian deck cards and see if you get additional information from the cards. I'm using this method right now on ATA's Free Reading Network and AllExperts.com. It's a fun way to get to know additional decks and really does add some interesting insights into the cards. It also helps me justify my burgeoning Tarot collection (I'm pushing 200 decks right now) ;-D

The Switching Decks For Readings thread was originally posted on 13 Dec 2002 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.