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Plenty. Apparently, there's this stuff, Leno-something-or-other - or so I hear. Absent. And try pairing. I don't like it when it comes around as an intro. I much prefer it in the future and outcome.

When I read for a tarot site professionally, the owners of the site insisted we give each card a positive twist, and that was the only thing that I found difficult about the job. Life is full of unpleasant experiences, big or small, there are disruptions, shadows that we carry from our past, and the results of mistakes that we make. That's just life, there is no smooth path for anyone, and we shouldn't expect it. One thing I love about the tarot (as opposed to some oracle decks that are only, only positive) is its honesty. It reflects happy times, balanced situations and great opportunities, but also times of tension and misery, lack of balance and botched opportunities. And that's how it should be. Otherwise, what use would a deck without the Hanged Man, the Seven of Swords, or the Three of Swords be? Of course, each of these "negative-at-first-sight" has a potentially positive twist. It can serve as a speed bump, preventing us from crashing into more difficult situations. It can turn into a wake-up call. It can reveal unpleasant truths that we don't want to acknowledge. It can tell us clearly: move on, this ship has sailed. But the "positive" cards have the same potential. There is a warning hidden even in the most idyllic and harmonious card. In the RWS, a subtle hint can be the line that indicates a set painting for a theatrical stage. Oh, just look at the beautiful Ten of Cups! Everything is hunky-dory, isn't it? But maybe this is just a painted set, an illusion, a fata morgana? Maybe it's a performance for our family, our neighbours and ourselves? There is no card without hidden depth. We don't even have to use reversals to find it. Decks like the Tarot of Oppositions spell it out for us and helps us find the hidden potential of each card, but we can do the same with any tarot deck, just digging a little deeper. If a seemingly positive card makes us feel uncomfortable, that's a place where we should dig. I have never really connected to the idea of white light in visualisations, as a spiritual cleansing experience. When I think of light healing or cleansing me, it's rainbow coloured or flecked with shadows, like on a sunny day with clouds, or the purple light of Yesod, or the light of the Moon... all kinds of light. That's probably a bit weird of me... Anyway, I don't want purely uplifting messages from my tarot deck, I want the truth. I want it from my husband, my children, my friends, and I want it from the tarot as well. And that's what I can give others. Tactfully, yes, non-confrontational, yes. But no sugarcoating. Where is the learning experience, the challenge, the opportunity for growth?

I get the hesitation around cultural appropriation and commercial vibes from creators. For quick, clear answers without those concerns, I use yes no oracle for my own readings. It’s a straightforward, intuitive tool that helps me stay grounded and focused on my questions. The personal journal feature is a nice bonus too.

How to approach the future. Yep. That's a good one. It's more specific than "Advice." I'll remember that. Thanks!

In my earlier years, if sh** hit the fan, I used to look at the fan to see what can be done. Which is, deal three cards in a bundle for a follow-up. Around three years ago, a spread I used and used again (a 5-card-cross-type) began incorporating that feature on its own - What happened was the following: The position used as "how to arrive at the outcome" became "how to approach the future", thus incorporating the aspect of guarding if danger is afoot. Remarkable was that it just clicked; I did my usual, and then it wasn't needed anymore, because something happened - and it happened entirely in stride.

This is exactly why I always include an 'Advice' card in my readings, no matter which spread I choose. The Advice card gives the querent something to do. If the reading is otherwise 'negative' this Advice card will point the way towards either reversing the negativity, preventing the negativity, or surviving the negativity and moving on.

From my point of view, if you read all of the cards in a positive way, you do an affirmative read - there is a time and a place for that. It's just one style of reading, with a particular use and usefulness. If a decisive answer to a case is needed, you shift gears. Sticking with positive-only interpretations while reading a "What's to happen?" is something I'd feel iffy about. Worse, if all I knew were the sunny side to my cards - I wouldn't be able to face my people, nor could I answer their questions. Sometimes, I wonder: There are these tides in reading cards, they colour what's practiced - and there is need for a definite standpoint, especially when dealing with indefinite matter (the future, for example) so some do take recourse to "It shall be that and none other!" Which is still A-Okay! However, very often "... for you, too!" is added, either in words or in expectation, and that messes things up - it stiffles evolution. And it's wrong. There's a difference between our own reality and Reality, most markedly that the latter does incorporate way more elements and configurations of life. Which is also what makes it hard to straight out abolish the remarkably narrow-minded idea discussed here. Seeing as there is indeed a time and a place for a purely affirmative read, considering how vast reality can be, it wouldn't be too strange if there was time and space for a purely affirmative reader, too. I mean, we pretty much live in a strange place already. ETA: Just put that idea to Lenormand - some do! - Well. The hidden door lies elsewhere - it is to boldy aquaint yourself with the suit of acorns via the path signaled by the Cross. Once you have the obstacles figured out, the rest becomes much more manageable. And you can't figure them out if you shy away from them, which I'd classify as something to work on if you want to read cards. In Tarot terms, if the outcome of commitment is in question and my Devil occupies the spot, I know it is a bad idea to go there, which is a 'No.' And that is exactly what my Devil shall do: Warn me, when things aren't healthy. Be there, where things aren't healthy. Signal that area for me, so I can point it out and incorporate it into my answer. The cards dubbed "negative" are not the Negativity itself. We link them to it in order to warn us, to get a grip on things and a handle on situations. If we only link our cards to positive things, they can not talk about the negative stuff because we do not understand, and thus they can not warn us. It's operating the cards with decreased functionality. Something I do not recommend.

This is where perhaps a symbolic deck rather than an overly pictorial one could help. If you're experienced enough to read pip decks, that should solve any minor arcana 'scary' cards turning up. And there are decks where the majors aren't as scary as others either, without being cutesy. Personally I don't use pip decks, etc, but I've seen pictures of decks that seem designed for individual and neutral interpretation.

I think there are enough negative and positive cards in the deck to balance it out. I don't like decks that are completely positive or try to make negative cards like 10 Swords, 3 Swords, The Tower, Devil, Death more positive - they all have their places in a traditional deck and are needed to make balanced readings. I also don't do reversals because, again, I think that there are enough cards to get complete and balanced readings without reversing them.

Congrats! I don’t know much about this deck to be able to discuss it, but I do know how nice it is when you get to work with a deck you love. 🤩

@fire cat pickles Thank you for sharing your reading. I can relate to the health scare — I had a similar scenario last year. I’m glad you are ok! You are lucky to have your mother so close to you. Wishing you all the best with the move! In other news, I did my first reading with the Tattoo Tarot. When I read with a deck for the first time, I always let the deck tell me what it wants me to know. I drew the attached cards, with the Ace of Swords as base card. Until I started researching the symbols in the cards, I had no idea that tattoo has its own iconography. The hand issuing a letter with a rose bud underneath is, apparently, a standard theme, often associated with sailors, perhaps receiving or keeping a secret message of love (this is very strange because last night, two days after this draw, I had a dream in which a message of love was clearly relayed to me). The 3 of Coins shows the guild symbols of roofers and stonemasons - makes sense for the traditional RWS meaning of the card (here the deck cleverly combines the visuals of the Marseilles with the meaning of the RWS). The Ace emphasises the aspect of communication and messages. I will get recognition for my work, my dedication, my commitment. Funnily, the setting of the dream I just mentioned was my work place, but its atmosphere was much lighter and I was very happy (not always the case there in waking life) and in the company of the person who relayed the love message.

I absolutely love this deck even more in person than when I coveted it for nearly a year, perusing online. Finally landed this Italian printing from a reader in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. She rounded the corners, but that is fine by me. I would never sell it. The entire pack is dark and thoroughly captivating. Share your thoughts.

Hello @Marina ! Thank you for the welcome! I'm still learning, but I'll share my experiences as I go. Nice to meet you!

😉🤫

Hi everyone - I’ve just launched a new way to learn and explore Tarot — and I’d love to share it with the Tarot community. After years of working with Tarot, I’ve created a new Tarot Learning App designed to help you deepen your understanding of the cards, practice readings, and develop your own intuitive relationship with the Tarot. Whether you’re just starting out or have been reading for years, the app gives you a place to learn, practice, and explore Tarot at your own pace. I’ve opened up a free trial so you can try it for yourself and see what you think. Try the Tarot Learning App: https://studio.com/nathe/readtarot?c=c6a7iRMF I’d genuinely love feedback from the Tarot community — especially from experienced readers. What would you want in the ultimate Tarot learning app? What would make you use it regularly? Thanks, and happy reading! 🃏✨

As long as you know where the shop IS....

Thank you @DanielJUK and thank you @Bodhiseed ☺️ ❤️

Hi @Svetlana! Welcome to the forum! I hope to read about your experiences with the cartomancy systems, as I am very curious about them too!

Hugs @fire cat pickles , you are very kind to that family and also I am glad you were checked out and all was okay ultimately. I think staying grounded through whatever storms come into our lives, is such a life skill. It's so helpful and an excellent emotional coping strategy. I am sorry you had such a difficult time with all the things that went on and good thoughts with you

I have some more information now: it’s a licensed reprint by Peter Pauper Press of the red box version of the HR. If it’s still there next time, it’s mine. I have conveniently forgotten the name of the shop.

I tend to use the same spreads over and over, although I'll sometimes adapt parts of them if I feel I have to, in order to better answer my question. It may sound weird, but I think learning to work with a spread is just as important as learning to work with a deck... As you get more comfortabl with a spread, you start to get subtle impressions about the reading that go beyon card meaning... like when a certain card or element pops up in a certain position, or when a certain pattern keeps repeating... things like that. In my 'normal' tarot routine, I have my few favourte spreads and will usually resort to them. I do, however, enjoy trying new and different spreads in reading circles and exchanges, as a fun exercise.

I regret not buying it now. Next time I’m in the city is Monday. It does have the red box with the To All Believers card.

That's a pretty set. IIRC my original HR is in a box like that, but without any kind of kit. I can't look for 10 days or so. It certainly didn't come in the green-edged box that shows up everywhere these days. But if you look: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1691042693/hanson-roberts-tarot-deck-first-edition?

I came across this box set today in Dublin. It’s the red box of the Hanson-Robert’s. Has anyone seen this elsewhere? Is it the original red box?