A very basic question...

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 23 Dec 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

blackroseivy	23 Dec 2003
...about general readings with widely varying decks. How much have people found the meanings to be unique to the individual decks, as opposed to uniform across the board?

Jewel-ry	23 Dec 2003
This is precisely why I like to collect various decks. The imagery and the meanings given by each artist is so different. This variation is a really useful tool. Different decks give a different angle to the meaning. I often tailor the deck to the reading. J :)

DeLani	23 Dec 2003
Same here. I choose the deck depending on the question and the querent. I find the meanings (with most RWS clones) are similar, but differing along a wide spectrum of meaning. There is usually more or less overlap, but the differences and details can add another dimension to a reading. Of course, if you're using a radically different deck, the meanings will probably be radically different than the "standard" RWS meanings. That's why I encourage my students to start out on a RWS clone deck - they are easier to learn on.

Little Baron	23 Dec 2003
When I read for others I hardly ever use the same deck for each person. I often get a little idea of what a person might be comfortable with and offer them a few to see which they feel might be best. Some decks are good for answering specific questions so if someone has a question that they really want answered, if I can, I will try and find the deck I think will give them the most concise and clear answer. Yaboot

blackroseivy	24 Dec 2003
This is more or less as I expected (I hope I'm not too naive, considering that I have been studying the cards for the past 25 years!!), but I don't know any other professional readers & come here to get the advice of others who actually have similar interests - thanks!

TemperanceAngel	28 Dec 2003
I've only ever used RWS for reading! XTAX But each RWS deck has been different, if that makes sense?

skytwig	01 Jan 2004
Yes.... different decks for different folks..... I like to let the querent choose the deck..... they resonate with the one that will speak most clearly for them......

Star Spirit	04 Jan 2004
I have recently added to my collection, and found this to be quite intriguing :cool: Some of the interpretations do indeed differ.

The A very basic question... thread was originally posted on 23 Dec 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.