New deck...questions/problems

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 Apr 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

KelarSkye	07 Apr 2003
So I have a new deck (Spiral Tarot) and I did a new deck spread. No question only concentrating on deck. I pulled The World, Princess of Cups and Princess of Pentacles. Pretty positive new deck spread. However, ever since then, every reading I have pulled has at least HALF (sometimes 3/4) reversed cards. I read reversed cards on my other deck (Legend:Arthurian), but I am not like this predominantly reversed aspect. And it is a myriad of questions, not neccessarily the same question. So here are my questions. Has anyone had this experience? I mean, I really just like this deck, I don't want it to be sour. I have cleansed it and spent a bit of time with it. I am not doing super serious readings with it yet, just trying to get the feel of how it reads. Maybe I shouldn't read reversed with the deck? I know some of you have decks you do and decks you do't read reversals with. Maybe I shouldn't read for myself with this deck? Could it be a deck I need to use to help others? I haven't tried to read for someone else with it yet, that is one of my next steps...I wanted to spend more time with it first. Any thoughts would be appreciated...this is really freaking me out because there are just TOO many reversed cards for me to feel comfortable here, something isn't quite right with it yet. And I really like the colors with the deck and the symbolism. So I don't want it to be a sour deck...I know there is a way to read it. Thanks! Kelar

cricket	07 Apr 2003
Why not do a simple reading to find out what could help, or one to see what the problem could be? After all, if you have a problem with a specific person, they're the right one to talk to about it. Why would it be any different with a deck?

FantasyWorld	07 Apr 2003
Hi KelarSkye, I have this same deck and get tons of reversed cards in my readings, too, However, I have tons of things I need to work or to see in a different way etc etc etc. Ask yourself why the cards are reversed. Sometimes reversed cards have a better meaning it doesn't always mean bad. Also, if you are getting freaked out then just un reverse all the cards and see how your readings go. If you know yourself then even an upright card may tell you that it's the opposite or different from the regular upright meaning. Enjoy your deck, it's a good deck. DO what feels right in your heart:)

KelarSkye	07 Apr 2003
And I am trying to shuffle the "special" way. It gave me an ok reading I think. But I can't tell with that question. Hmmmm....gotta think of some questions to ask that would give me a better feel for the deck. OK, I am going to try to read uprights for a while and see. And I will try to do some different readings for people to see what works and what doesn't. :-) Hmmm...I have a feeling this isn't going to be my personal meditation deck. But she is really pretty and I would be proud to read for others with her. maybe that is what she is here for. To help me help others. Thanks! Kelar

FantasyWorld	07 Apr 2003
How about these questions: What kind of relationship will you have with me (meaning the deck, of course,hehe)? What kind of connection will we have together? What will make you better for me reading with you? I have too many decks now so I started doing my 3 card daily draw with a different deck every week or so to help me realize which decks I relate to more/less and it helps me to get to know the deck instead of it sitting on a shelf. If you really feel drawn to the deck then give it time, sleep with it under your pillow or next to your bed or whatever feels right to you:)

KelarSkye	07 Apr 2003
Quote: Originally posted by FantasyWorld If you really feel drawn to the deck then give it time, sleep with it under your pillow or next to your bed or whatever feels right to you:) It's actually going under my pillow tonight. I just did another reading for "What do I need to keep in mind for tomorrow" and it gave me a reading that can be applicable to my current situations(I read it all upright). Some little nuances to how it is reading though, kinda deeper and not too surface...I have to think an apply a lot...not sure if this is good for me to do my own readings with, as it allows me LOTS of leeway :-) I will use it some more and let you know how it goes. Thanks! Kelar

HudsonGray	08 Apr 2003
I don't look at reversals as a bad thing. There's at least 17 cards whose reversed meanings are better than the upright meanings on them. I wouldn't worry about so many reversals, just make sure to 'randomize' the deck each time you shuffle (flip the cards for reversals in chunks as you go).

magpie9	08 Apr 2003
I don't want to get into a reprise of to read reversed or not here, as it seems to be a fighting issue in the forums, regerly, BUT I have some decks that are prone to reversed cards, too (including my spiral) and I am amiable to the occaisional reversed card, but not a steady diet. My advice: Talk to your deck, tell it you'd like to use it with (little, no, whatever) reversals at this time, and be real aware of how you are shuffling--it's so easy to create reversals without noticing it. When I get a reversed card, I want it to be more meaningful, no matter if it's good or bad news. I want it to be worth the extra look. It seems to me that you do need to make a deal with your deck on this, no matter if you'll be using it to read for yourself or for others. Maybe after a while you'll be willing to read reversals with it...I don't think it's likely to be 'sour'--just maybe packed with symbolism and energy, and overeager to give lots of information. Luck with it, :)

KelarSkye	08 Apr 2003
I wanted to note here that I don't have a reversals issue. I just have an issue with pulling a 5 card spread with 4 reversed on a regular basis. Then I just feel like I am reading the deck upside down. I know that many reversed meanings are positive, I read my Legend:Arthurian deck reversed. Hmmmm, maybe upside down IS right side up with Spiral :-) Ok, just kidding, but that would be an interesting deck...the Upside Down Deck or something like that.

firemaiden	08 Apr 2003
Skye, turn the deck back right side up.

KelarSkye	08 Apr 2003
I was also thinking :-) that it is called SPIRAL. Which insinuates there is no top or bottom or ending or beginning, with all paths crossing back on others. 101 ways to psychoanalyze your deck right? Don't worry, I am just going to work with it more and figure outhow it wants to be read. Kelar

Cerulean	08 Apr 2003
You may want to organize your deck or put it in upright order after every reading. That way you get a fresh take when you reshuffle or do a new reading. Otherwise, I can get the same little cluster because of how I handled the cards previously.

HudsonGray	08 Apr 2003
Skye, how are you putting the cards down? Are you pulling each card off the deck & rotating the left side to the right (horizontally) as it goes on the table, or are you pulling a card so the bottom of the card edge flips up to be the top edge (rotating it vertically)? It could be you need to do the first one rather than the second with this deck. I was taught that you do it the second way & it's been a pain in the butt to change to the first way. Basically the way I was doing it was having the deck be held 'upside down' to the way the cards lay in the spread. Nothing wrong with that, but I wanted to do the 'flip to the right' instead of the rotate bottom up to the top style. Either way works, but I'm thinking maybe with the Spiral deck you want to change the way you flip the cards & see if that works better for you. (Just in case talking to the deck doesn't work).

The New deck...questions/problems thread was originally posted on 07 Apr 2003 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.