Dead Star said:
I've never owned a Rider-Waite and I don't follow any methods, I just read what I see.
I'm a read what I see sort of person as well.
Before AT I did not know that RW decks where somewhat a standard for other decks.....I knew all decks held the same basic meaning for each card, but I did not know where it came from {the method} until coming to AT. I'm into unconventional & unique, so I don't have any traditional image RW decks, no universal, no raidiant, etc. -with the exception of New Visions that I got not to long ago- but that one is a 'different' rider-waite.....the images are the back side of the traditional- holding true to my unique {& backwards} ways.
I have been studing the RW images through AT and books and I can see that there are quite a few cards in the Fey that really reflect the 'origional' RW......for example, Knave of cups has the fish coming out of the cup, 6 of wands, 8 of Swords with the bound Fey, the rainbow in the 10 of Cups....etc.
I have heard that some people find it hard to read with. I can't understand that since most people have a deeper familiarity with the RW images than I do.
I just listen to the Fey, they are very chatty and quite amusing, even the darkest card can get a giggle out of me.