Read with Two Decks? Help me out!

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 04 May 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Rogan	04 May 2005
Hey Everyone... Just a quick question... Im your classic Tarot reader - Rider Waite all the way... But recently, Ive been thinking of taking my readings/spreads to a higher level... I feel like there's a lot more I could be giving/offering in regards to it. So, Ive been thinking of buying a new deck, and starting some two deck spreads... For those of you that DO read with two decks - And if one of them is the Rider Waite - Which deck to you think best "Compliments" the reading? I know it all comes down to personal opinion, blah blah blah - But I thought Id get some ideas... Im certainly drawn to the imagry of the Rider Waite, but I think Im looking for something different in my second deck - Maybe something that doesnt even have the Major/Minors and the suits in it - I dunno.. Im thinking of something a little more spiritual... Something that might connect more with the guides as opposed to the querrent himself... I dunno - I know Im being vague, and non-specific... But any advice/comments would be cool Cheers, Rogan...

ros	04 May 2005
You could try Tarot of the New Vision. This deck shows the cards from a 180 degree, different angle.

Eco74	04 May 2005
Hey, if you want spiritual, get spiritual. If you want a similar artstyle, find one you like that has the same style but is different enough in imagery to give you some new angles. Have a look at the decks listed here an Aeclectic and you're sure to find one (or several) you feel complements your Rider-Waite, or possibly one (or several) you feel give a completely different feel but that still draws your interest towards a more spiritual aspect of things. Personally, I'd go for an alternate view. Like pairing the "clean" imagery of the Rider-Waite with the colorful Phantasmagoric theatre, or the murky Fantastical with the brightness of the Robin Wood. All depending on the question, but that's if you have several decks. If I were to have only two decks, I'd go for two different styles that could give me the "practical vs. spiritual" side to the answer. It's all personal preference though, so any way you go will be the right way provided you feel drawn to and comfortable with both decks.

ros	04 May 2005
~ Osho Zen, you may like.

Skydancer	04 May 2005
I have several RW type decks, including Universal Waite, and I am finding that doing a spread or chart utilizing 2 decks is producing interesting results. Like what was said before, seeing the puzzle from a different angle. Personally, I am working well with a story tarot - such as Whimsical, InnerChild - with the Fey cards. They compliment each other, and give what I see as deeper meaning, or alternate meanings. With RW you could use a clone, like Robin Wood (and there are dozens more out there - look at the listings here at AT) to enhance your regular RW. I compare these two often. At any rate, I find that the little Fae folk like to come along for the adventure! Pop in to disclose a deeper vision. Helps to turn one's thinking around to different interpretations. My 2˘ S:OS

Sophie-David	05 May 2005
Well, this is an interesting discovery: I'm not the only one who reads with two decks simulatenously. I did a spread this way at Post #98 of the [thread=39295]Spirit Guide Group: Dreams[/thread]. It worked really well because the decks were quite contrasting in imagery. The Connolly is very bold and clear, the Legend is lunar and muted. I was just having a conversation with the cards, pulling them one at at time, and it felt right to alternate decks as we chatted - perhaps drawing on left brain/right brain as I did so? This is one of the things which is so great about the ATF, there's usually someone else who has similar experiences. What is really amazing is the synchronicity in these discoveries - I haven't read anything in the Using Tarot Cards forum for months - then I come here and this thread is near the top! Cheers David

mike gorth	05 May 2005
I was just thinking about doing this myself and I though that since you are looking into the spiritual side, you should try an oracle. I'm looking at two which were both suggested and are wonderful. The goddess and the fairy. I looked at the others on AT and none of them connected with me like the goddess and fairy.

Rogan	05 May 2005
Ive just purchased the New Vision Tarot... Being a user of the Rider Waite - The New Vision just seems to compliment it beautifully... Im currently searching out some spreads which would be appropriate - And even looking into creating my own personal "main spread" (Because my mentor has advised "Why do what everyone does? YOU'RE the reader - YOU create it) which kinda makes sense I guess - I mean, I know what Im looking for in a spread, so if I can't find one that fits the bill, I'll create one... I may create one anyway... If you want, I'll keep you guys posted... Rogan.

maltee	06 May 2005
thanks for the input, i have been working with the RW deck and wondering one if i should use another deck and if so then which one, some of the replies to ur post are pretty interesting. have fun with ur new deck

The Read with Two Decks? Help me out! thread was originally posted on 04 May 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.