Which RWS ?............

Margo9023

Hi everyone! I want to get a RWS deck but can't decide which one. "Sigh"
Ok.... I had bought an Original Rider Waite deck and also had the Mystic Dreamer Tarot when I first started out. I didn't realize when I did the deck interview it was really good. A family member wanted a Tarot deck so I figured I'd give her my Universal Rider Waige deck not realizing it was a good deck. I gave it with luv and had made a Tarot cloth with gold coin ribbon trim, it was lovely. Well I really havent heard from her now, so im a little hurt.
Then I couldn't descide whether I wanted the Radiant Rjder Waite or the Univeral Rider Waite - I like the Dark blue background with the stars. So I went with the Univsal Rider Waite. Well when I didnt the deck interview - it came up with 7 of Cups - meaning to be careful there may be different interpretations. So now im stumped...... I dont feel im experienced enough for the deck and will probably give it away, don't know whether to get the Original Rider Waite (even though im not crasy about the plaid backgrounds) , the Univeral Rider Waite or the Radiant Rider Waite?
Can someone help? Would appreciate feedback. :confused:
 

Richard

Some people don't like the facial expressions in the Radiant. I don't like the sloppy printing in the regular Rider-Waite. The Universal is pretty, but maybe just a little too pretty. It doesn't seem to have enough punch or incisiveness when I read it. My vote would be for the Pamela Colman Smith Commemorative set, although it is a little more expensive. The deck is an excellent printing of one of the early versions, and the card stock is sturdy. It has been my favorite Rider-Waite ever since I got it. Besides the deck, there are some other nice materials in the set.
 

Margo9023

Hi and thank you L Richard. This helpful. How much more is it and is it hard to find? Is it still in print?
 

Midnite

Margo9023 said:
Hi everyone! I want to get a RWS deck but can't decide which one. "Sigh"
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Check out the RW clones here on AT - http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/rider-waite-clones.shtml

When you talk about having the Original RW, I think you're actually talking about the Standard or Regular RW. Original RW is similar to the Standard RW except has more of a beige colouring with blue backs. Standard is the one with plaid backs. Just be careful because you don't want to be buying the wrong one! ;)

Me, I like using the Universal. I think it is the nicest because the pictures are the most detailed and the colouring is soft. Plus I'm a huge fan of glossy cards.
 

Melia

Please note that the card stock on the Pamela-Coleman Smith deck is VERY THICK (what others would call sturdy). This is something that some people do not like when shuffling the deck (depending on their shuffling method and size of hands). Just be aware of this, as many people who have and like this deck, tend to leave this important detail out when recommending this particular deck to others. Others don't like the shiny surface on many of the U.S. Games cards. (I prefer a shiny surface than an overly thick card stock).

The standard RWS with the lily/rose blue and white pattern on the backs is probably the RW deck I would recommend to a person starting on their tarot journey, or the Universal Waite (with the star patterned backs) that you alreadyhave .... but this is just me. You are best to go through the list of RW decks available to see what images appeal to YOU. (I do agree with you though that the plaid backs version is not very nice).

If you do not feel experienced enough, it's probably because that is the case ... and a different version of a RW deck won't help give you that experience. That is something you will have to work through with the use of the cards (whichever deck you have) and actually learning the system.

My recommendation is that you maybe buy one other version of the RW so you have 2 decks to work with, but along with this buy a book where you can learn the tarot meanings - maybe something like Tarot Plain and Simple by Anthony Louis which has the illustrations of the Robin Wood deck (another RW version, that some people either love or hate).

And a final word from me, please do not base your love of a deck on the deck interview. Better to do a few readings with the deck to see how it reads for you.
 

Emily

The cardstock on the Pamela Colman Smith Commemorative set is sturdy but I like the way it shuffles and how the deck feels, I dislike decks that stick or clump together and don't shuffle smoothly, the Commemorative doesn't clump. I also love the colouring of this deck, even with the artificial ageing.

If you wanted a cheaper alternative, then Lo Scarabeo also released a new version called the PCS tarot. This has a very similar aged look to it but it's on the usual good quality LoS cardstock.

Those 2 RWS's are my favourites but I do own the Universal, the Radiant, the so-called Original (Rose and Lillies back) and a couple of the plaid back standards. I have issues with all of these decks but no problems at all with the Commemorative and LoS PCS.

Just take a look at the images and see which decks appeal. Some love the dark outlining and limited colours of the Original Rose and Lillies deck but it never really appealed to me and I don't like the yellow used on the Standard RWS. I was pleased when the Commemorative and the PCS decks were released and now they are the only RWS 's I use. :)

EDIT
In early 2016, Lo Scarabeo changed the artwork of the LoS PCS so I would not recommend the second version/edition.
 

Le Fanu

This has been discussed lots of times.

Now matter how the question is worded you will find that a three or four page thread will have 75% saying they prefer the Pamela Colman Smith Centennial pack deck so that seems to be the winner.

I have and like and use a wide selection of editions, not always easy to find - like the University Books RWS, Rider & Co blue box or the Hoi Polloi - but I also like and use the US Games PCS Centennial deck or the LoS Centennial deck (which I genuinely think has the nicest, most sensitive colouring) and the US Games Original.

I tried again yesterday with the Universal recoloured US Games one and - it's official - it's not for me. It feels like the simpering, spineless, shoulder shrugging cousin. All other RWS decks feel much more rigorous and up to the task than this one.
 

Richard

Le Fanu said:
......I tried again yesterday with the Universal recoloured US Games one and - it's official - it's not for me. It feels like the simpering, spineless, shoulder shrugging cousin. All other RWS decks feel much more rigorous and up to the task than this one.
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That's exactly how I feel about the Universal vs. the others. However, I sort of resent how you are able to express my own feelings better than I can. :(
 
Do you guys use a specific deck to connect with your spirit guides? :) Victoria Regina ?