Multiple deck readings

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 19 Oct 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

DesertHowler	19 Oct 2003
I've used the Osho Zen deck for about 3 years. Recently I began using the Universal Waite deck. As an experiment, I laid out a spread with the Osho Zen and tried the same spread and question with the Universal Waite. The use of the two decks was interesting to say the least. The two readings were very complementary and gave some fantastic insights (or at least I felt so) to every aspect of the reading. It really emphasized some aspects and showed different slants on others. Has anyone else done much with this method? If so, what kind of results did you get? How do you feel about doing this type of reading? DH

gloria	19 Oct 2003
What a great idea DH - never thought of this before. Shall definitely be giving this a try. Gloria.

Rusty Neon	19 Oct 2003
Hi DS ... Like me, you've discovered on your own what Valerie Ben-Sims (spelling?) "invented" some 20 years ago and currently coins the Comparative Tarot method.

Moongold	19 Oct 2003
I think it may depend on some variables like the question and the type of deck. I tried with Thoth and Shining Tribe with less success.

IrishRiotGrrrl	19 Oct 2003
I have tried this as well, with The Faery Ring and The Celtic Tarot, the Faery Ring seemed to go into some deepers issues while the Celtic Tarot was more generic. It kinda gave more insight without having to "clarify" for the person being read. Actually I just did that a few minutes ago with a friend.

paradoxx	20 Oct 2003
shape Shifter and Celtic Dragon TArots work beautiflly together since they are created by the same artist. Osho Zen and the Fairy Wicca tarot go well together and sometimes you forget which card belongs to which deck. Universal Waite and the New Palladini Tarots compliment eachothers simplistic styles very well. Thoth seems to go well with any deck, but the answers may be confusing. the Cosmic Tarot works well with ost decks, although teh differences in teh symbollism may visually jarring.

DesertHowler	21 Oct 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Rusty Neon Like me, you've discovered on your own what Valerie Ben-Sims (spelling?) "invented" some 20 years ago and currently coins the Comparative Tarot method. Thanks for the info... I didn't think it was an original, but I was interested as to what others have done with this idea.

Cerulean	21 Oct 2003
At least in one example written in the Tarot 2000 llewellyn calendar, I think she pulls the same cards from the second deck to give additional insights. She also uses decks with pictures on every card. I think many of us have varied the the two or more deck reading. Sometimes I would pull three cards from a majors/trumps-only deck and then use a second deck to lay a line of three cards for each major pulled as a clarification. I like to use my historical reproduction decks such as the Visconti, di Gumppenberg, Dotti with modern decks such as Romeo and Juliet, Medieval Scapini, Prague, Egyptian or perhaps Prediction and just mix the cards in different ways. Sometimes it works, sometimes it's just a fun and different way to read.

darwinia	23 Oct 2003
I like to use the Osho Zen with the Fey tarot--they certainly go together colourwise and The Miser and the 4 of Pents go SO well together in sensibility and artwork. So far I like to use the Thoth with the Tarot of the Spirit--they go very well together and Pamela Eakins offers a more positive spin to Old Crowl I find. I was going to try the Navigators Tarot of the Mystic SEA with the Thoth, but it's way out there on it's own. Still, I should try a general comparision and see how it works. I was trying to buy the Parrott Tarot in Canada but so far I've had no luck and Thom Parrott never answered my e-mail. I wanted it to compare with the Thoth. Mostly I just use comparisions for single card studies and writing. I get so much more when doing this, so I know with a full reading it would be the same heightened experience.

The Multiple deck readings thread was originally posted on 19 Oct 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.