Transition between cards/decks

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 15 Dec 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Star Spirit	15 Dec 2003
Soon I will have my second tarot deck, but I'm a little worried about my interpretations. It seems like every time I look at cards from different decks online, I find myself thinking back to my own deck. I've become so used to having just my one deck and got comfortable with the meanings I drew from it and the meanings I continue to draw from it, that I'm afraid it might cloud my intuition on other decks. The artwork is what clicks for me on some of my cards. For example, when I look at the 7 of Cups on another deck, the artwork is often quite different than mine, so I feel kind of, well, blank, and my mind starts to wander back to the image on the 7 of Cups in my Hudes Tarot, rather than focussing on the one in front of me. It's like my mind is afraid of something so different because the card might not speak to me as well. I probably shouldn't worry. Maybe it's just the stress of getting a new deck :cool: Has anyone had this happen?

Indigo Rose	15 Dec 2003
Yes, I do understand about some decks not "speaking" as well as others. I purchased 2 decks that I actually sold, because as I got into them they did not feed my soul. Yet, I have found that I enjoy the different imagery from my various decks. No, you may not see what you have seen in your Hudes deck, HOWEVER....you will most likely see new things that will enlighten you on your journey. I think the key is try not to buy your next deck until you have researched it and found the images that speak to you. GOOD LUCK :)

lawguy51	15 Dec 2003
Think of it as incremental information. You will always carry with you meanings from your first deck. But new decks will add to that knowledge base and some of what you learned earlier will erode away. I've got about 20 decks although I only read with a few of them, but when having trouble with a card or its relationship with others, I find myself naturally drifting back to meanings I learned from the Mythic deck, my first learning deck but one I almost never use anymore. Don't worry about it. As you experience new decks, some will be a natural fit and some you will look at and as much as you admire them, they will not resonate with you, an overused expression (by me!) but true nonetheless. Lawguy51

Star Spirit	15 Dec 2003
Thanks. You are right, lawguy. Indigo, my new deck does speak to me, it has for quite some time. It's just my mind that's making it difficult for me :) I'm sure it will get better once I have my new deck and can get comfortable with it.

Rusty Neon	15 Dec 2003
RWS-inspired decks (e.g., Hudes) ultimately draw their basic card meanings from the Rider-Waite deck. I would suggest that you get a R-W deck or a close clone thereof such as the Universal Waite. Also study Waite's _Pictorial Key to the Tarot_ and the Golden Dawn's manuscript _Book T_ for starting-point meanings to attach to the RW pictures, especially in the case of numerical cards of the four suits. After you get a good base in this way, you can buy and use RWS-inspired tarot decks (with the art/theme/outlook that attracts you) with less of the confusion you're presently experiencing. Waite's _Pictorial Key to the Tarot_ http://www.sacred-texts.com/tarot/index.htm Golden Dawn's manuscript _Book T_ http://www.the-equinox.org/vol1/no8/eqi08016.html best regards, Rusty who's been there

jmd	16 Dec 2003
Just a quick note to mention that the online version of 'Book T' does contain some minor errors (which I have e.mailed the site owner with) - the most obvious of which is the allocation of the letter 'd' (it should be, with GD attribution, a 'b') to the Magician.

Rusty Neon	16 Dec 2003
Here's another online version of that same GD manuscript http://www.private.org.il/GD/Book-T.html Book T

jmd	16 Dec 2003
Thank you Rusty Neon, glancing through it, this looks far more like the printed version I have somewhere... and also the letters are more fully spelled out (Alef, for example, not 'A').

Star Spirit	16 Dec 2003
Thanks guys, but I'm not a big RWS fan. I have the Radiant Rider-Waite on my wish list, but for now it's the Celtic Dragon that's on the way :D These mind games I'm playing with myself happen when I look at any deck other than mine...not just particular ones. It has nothing to do with the cards...I think I'm just too attached to my deck.

LadyMedusa	16 Dec 2003
Like all new relationships, it takes a bit to sort out what role they will have in your life. Spend some time with both your new deck and your more experienced deck. Work with them side by side, not only will the familiar influence what you see in your new deck, but the new deck will chime in and add insight to your old friend. LadyMedusa PS: I Love my Celtic Dragon friends! They can at times be a bit playful, but when they have something to say, they speak volumes.

Star Spirit	16 Dec 2003
Thanks LadyMedusa :D

Emily	16 Dec 2003
Hi Dead Star, The Celtic Dragon is a lovely deck to work with, it will give you new ideas for each card. You might still think of the Hudes deck when you get stuck with a particular card of your new deck but the Celtic Dragon deck is very expressive. Also like LadyMedusa suggests lay the decks out, card for card and compare them, both are nicely drawn decks :)

Star Spirit	16 Dec 2003
Thanks, I'll do that.

Jewel-ry	16 Dec 2003
Hi Dead Star, I think you need to chill :cool: , relax :smoker: and your deck will speak to you :) J

Star Spirit	16 Dec 2003
Definitely. I'm a nut :D

Thea Lynx	16 Dec 2003
When I first started studying, there seemed to be no connection between meanings of my RWS type decks and my Thoth. But that changed big time when I did a Celtic Cross back in August with my Thoth. Just for kicks, I checked out all the meanings for the cards in both Mirror of Souls (which I always use for my Thoth) and 78 Degrees of Wisdom. I was flabbergasted how the meanings of the two systems complemented each other and added layers of meaning and awareness that I may have missed otherwise. I've always been the rather rule-bound type that would look for the meanings in the particular book that came with the particular deck. Now I have learned better and go with the feelings the card, its symbols, colors and numbers evoke in me. I use any book that gies me that right "feel". But don't make the mistake of trying to manipulate meanings - don't just search around for the one that gives you most positive take. Even when the cards point out my faults and shortcomings I am gaining, and this is as it should be. Bottom line - don't worry about the transition - be more concerned about what awareness you are gaining from whatever system you use. Thea

Star Spirit	16 Dec 2003
Thanks Thea. I admire that, because I've never been able to look at the Thoth without getting a headache :D Maybe someday that will change.

mzmystic	16 Dec 2003
You know, I hated the RW and clones but it was only after I got busy and used that one to learn with that I actually learned enough to read just about any deck now.

Star Spirit	16 Dec 2003
The imagery on my deck is similar to the Rider-Waite, it just appeals to me a lot more. I just can't stand the look of the original Rider-Waite because it's so....blah. I can't think of the right word for it. Boring, simple, rugged...plain. Ugly. Haha...I know, I'm critical. I just like it when they're a little smoother looking and more colourful and vibrant. And original. I don't think I could read with a deck that didn't appeal to me because I'd just feel so disconnected from the artwork. My Hudes Tarot is wonderful though, it was the perfect choice for my first deck.

Nevada	16 Dec 2003
Just give yourself some time with it. Go through it one card at a time, absorbing what the card shows you as you look at it, as you feel it. If you concentrate only on the new one for a while, before going back and doing comparisons with your old deck, you'll give yourself a chance to feel more comfortable. Anyone who wears eyeglasses will understand this--new glasses always take time to get accustomed to. Everytime I get a new prescription, there's a period of time when I actually get quite irritated with the new ones and want to go back to my old ones, even though I couldn't see as well with them, simply because I was used to them. Think of the cards as lenses, and use them exclusively until you get comfortable seeing through them. Nevada

Star Spirit	17 Dec 2003
Good advice, Nevada :)

Imagemaker	19 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Nevada Think of the cards as lenses, and use them exclusively until you get comfortable seeing through them. This is a wonderful way of putting it. I'm interested in exploring the Haindl deck, which fascinates but doesn't speak to me yet, I'll think of the cards in this way. Thanks, Nevada!

The Transition between cards/decks thread was originally posted on 15 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.