Reading from a 'non-traditional' deck..

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Jan 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

dolphinprincess	10 Jan 2005
*Most* of us learned to read with a deck inspired by RWS (don't mean to generalize). When I think of certain cards, the RWS meanings just naturally come to mind - especially cards like the 3 of Swords, 10 of Swords, etc. When you use a more 'non-traditional deck' - a deck that may have different or more pleasant meanings for these cards, how do you make the switch? For example, I just got the TArot of the Four Elements. If you read the book description for the 3 of Air, it is actually quite positive. However, when I turned it over in a reading, my first reaction was to see the number and suit and automatically think "three swords piercing a heart".... It is hard to figure out which definition to use - even though the deck is different. OR it is hard to let myself work with this book's definition bc of the stigma I feel towards the RWS card. Does anyone else have this problem? I like this deck and system - just having a hard time 'untraining myself'... Thanks.

WolfSpirit	10 Jan 2005
I see the three of swords in non-traditional decks not as completely opposed to RWS, but looking at it from a different, more positive angle. I don't have the Tarot of the four elements, but in the Tarot of Transformation, for example, the three of swords shows a butterfly and cheerful colours. Keywords are "moving toward freedom". The book talks about how the stability of the two of swords is disrupted by a third; this third can either be integrated and make a greater growth of ideas possible, or it can cause tension. The card challenges you to look at the triangles in your life, whether they are helpful or just painful (as is often the case in love triangles). The butterfly is composed of triangles and is also a symbol of transcending the different components and look at the greater picture. (there is a lot more in the book, but I think you get the idea) So it is not all cheer, but it gives you more to work with in a positive way than the RWS 3 of swords. Some people also see positive in the RWS 3 of swords (there is just a rather new thread about the 3 of swords) but I personally don't like the pierced heart at all, a more positive image works much better for me.

Fudugazi	10 Jan 2005
I know what you mean! I had that problem when I started using the Mythic deck, a few years ago, as several of the cards have very different meanings and you really must be on top of your Greek mythology to "feel" that deck and interpret properly. But it opened up a whole new way of looking at tarot and archetypes for me, so was very positive. The same thing is happening now with learning the Tarot de Marseille, and I have to make a conscious effort NOT to use RWS meanings, but to learn it as though I didn't know tarot at all. That's my advice for any new deck. Approach it with fresh eyes. Let the cards guide you as to meaning, rather than using stock meanings learnt from RWS or any other system, that way you keep a dynamic relationship going with your new deck, and with tarot in general. Look up the symbols you see on the cards. If you don't see three swords in a heart, then the meaning is different from RWS, in my view. Perhaps you could try journalling and meditating, as well as corresponding with people who are using that deck, or writing to the author. You might also want to look at numbers, geometry, astrological correspondences, etc. and any mythology or philosophy the deck is based on. Enjoy!

Athara	10 Jan 2005
I agree with Helvetica. When I get a new deck, the 'old' meanings of the cards stay in mind, but I mainly focus on the new meanings the deck gives me. Cause every deck makes you see the spreads differently. Why else would you buy more decks?

dolphinprincess	10 Jan 2005
The Tarot of Four ELements focuses heavily on numbers, symbols, and color. The artwork is very primitive. Isha Lerner wrote the book and as with most of her decks, the card meanings take a more "psychological" twist. LOL - I think my mind gets into an internal battle. I pull the card and say " I am going to view the cards in the concept of this new deck"... but the little devil on my other shoulder says "You pulled the 3 of Swords and it doesn't matter what deck you use.. you know what this card means... so don't go trying to change views now".. haha. But seriously - I agree. I need to look at this deck as a new approach and a chance to learn a card from a different view point... As was mentioned - I don't think the meaning is necessarily completely changed, I think this deck just takes the card from the more positive spin. I think when you pull a more positive card, this internal battle isn't a big deal bc people don't question 'good' as often..... but when you start to read the less positive as more positive, one questions if it isn't just " wishful thinking "... I like this deck though.... I have never been able to 'take' to the art of a Marseille deck and therefore I could never read with one. But this deck allows me to focus on the number and elements in the Minors (in a way that I cannot with RWS) but with artwork I enjoy.

The Reading from a 'non-traditional' deck.. thread was originally posted on 10 Jan 2005 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.