Original RWS vs Morgan Greer - Help me decide!

[Runa]

Currently the only deck I have is the Pagan Cats Tarot, which I adore, but I would like to begin expanding my collection and want to start with either the original RWS, or maybe the Morgan Greer tarot which I think is very beautiful. Both of them appeal to me and I want to own both eventually, I just need to choose which one first! The original RWS will be very helpful for study while I think the Morgan Greer will be better for connecting with and doing readings for myself because of the intimate feeling of the artwork. Although I'm already very connected with my Pagan Cats deck, so perhaps I can keep relying on that one for now and focus on studying the original to soak up all the symbolism before exploring new decks. What do you think? Is there one you like more than the other, are there any big Morgan Greer fans here? I would love to hear your thoughts, especially if you own both and have gotten the experience of learning each deck's strengths and weaknesses.

And another less related question, do you feel that your first deck will always remain your favorite, or did you find a true favorite later in your collecting? I think I will never find a deck that I love more than my Pagan Cats, it's just such a "me" deck and I find the artwork so comforting to look at. I'm curious to hear other's experiences on finding your "bestie" deck haha.

[DanielJUK]

I've moved the thread over to our Tarot Deck section @Runa which is the place where it will fit the best 😀

[Runa]

1 hour ago, DanielJUK said:

I've moved the thread over to our Tarot Deck section @Runa which is the place where it will fit the best 😀

Thanks! I figured I posted it in the wrong place, lol. 

[Raggydoll]

I never loved any of my first decks, I simply bought what I could get hold of back then 😁

 

You might want to go for the Morgan Greer, because it’s so easy to study the rws without owning it. Sites like learntarot.com has all the card images. 

[Runa]

6 minutes ago, Raggydoll said:

I never loved any of my first decks, I simply bought what I could get hold of back then 😁

 

You might want to go for the Morgan Greer, because it’s so easy to study the rws without owning it. Sites like learntarot.com has all the card images. 

That is a good point. I've been using learntarot.com which has a page for each card with the image and all the info. I've also found PDF files to print my own for pasting into my study journal. RWS is definitely on my list to own, but maybe later down the line.

[devin]

I'd go for the RWS, purely because it's the Tarot deck, if you know what I mean.... Also, I think it's good to actually use the deck you're studying.  The Tarot teaches you by being in your hands and all that.

 

Most importantly, have you seen the Greer Lovers card? 

 

 

Shiver. 🙂

 

As for your first Tarot remaining your favourite: I started on the RWS, but my second deck was the one that stuck, and I've hardly used another since.

Edited September 16, 2022 by devin

[Runa]

46 minutes ago, devin said:

I'd go for the RWS, purely because it's the Tarot deck, if you know what I mean.... Also, I think it's good to actually use the deck you're studying.  The Tarot teaches you by being in your hands and all that.

 

Most importantly, have you seen the Greer Lovers card? 

 

 

Shiver. 🙂

 

As for your first Tarot remaining your favourite: I started on the RWS, but my second deck was the one that stuck, and I've hardly used another since.

 

Yeah the Lovers card is....something, lol. That is one card where I do prefer the RWS imagery, but I also don't hate it.

[HOLMES]

Runa, I have the mothon Greer, It's one of my favorites 

 

I wonder have you did another look at all the decks possible (our deck libary and atf deck libary) and sat there and amazon looking up nmrecent decks in yhe last 5 years. 

Might be one you be attracted to even more. 

I looked at my own wish list and found I out grew one or 2 desires 

 

What about.. 

 

Radiant Wise Spirit Tarot https://a.co/d/5yew9wW

Edited September 17, 2022 by HOLMES

[legendaryelement]

Hello, @Runa

 

In my early days, I got a Tiny Universal Waite so I could spread my disposable income farther with other decks.

 

Have you browsed for articles and discussions about the different editions of the RWS?

 

https://www.whitsundayoracle.com/post/rider-waite-smith-tarot-deck-which-version

http://pendragon343.com/tarot-cmp.html

https://www.lelandra.com/rwsclones/tarotrwsclosest.htm

 

 

 

 

Edited September 17, 2022 by legendaryelement

[DanielJUK]

17 hours ago, Runa said:

Currently the only deck I have is the Pagan Cats Tarot, which I adore, but I would like to begin expanding my collection and want to start with either the original RWS, or maybe the Morgan Greer tarot which I think is very beautiful. Both of them appeal to me and I want to own both eventually, I just need to choose which one first! The original RWS will be very helpful for study while I think the Morgan Greer will be better for connecting with and doing readings for myself because of the intimate feeling of the artwork. Although I'm already very connected with my Pagan Cats deck, so perhaps I can keep relying on that one for now and focus on studying the original to soak up all the symbolism before exploring new decks. What do you think? Is there one you like more than the other, are there any big Morgan Greer fans here? I would love to hear your thoughts, especially if you own both and have gotten the experience of learning each deck's strengths and weaknesses.

 

Personally I would get the RWS, as others have said here, there are so many study guides out there on the internet and free courses.

I think everyone should own some type of RWS deck, it's useful to start off with it to learn the system and reading the symbolism.

I know a lot of people don't like it and get on with it but it's a classic to at least learn with.

 

If you already have the Pagan Cats, you have a deck which you have to just read with what you have. So the Morgan Greer would be okay as well and if you search google you can find people blogging and writing about it. If you  do get it, let me know and I will see if our old tarot forum which is now an archive has a study group for each Morgan Greer card for you.

 

If you really like the Pagan Cats or Morgan Greer (if you get it), do think about starting a study group in that area of the forum. The idea is you make a thread for each card and explore it. Later on other people will add their opinions but if you grow to really love a deck it's nice to make a resource area here for others with it. Just wanted to suggest this as a future option for you 🙂 .

 

You can always get one and another at a later date (I am such a deck enabler ).

 

Also I think you should always go with the art that most appeals to you personally with deck buying.

 

 

17 hours ago, Runa said:

And another less related question, do you feel that your first deck will always remain your favorite, or did you find a true favorite later in your collecting? I think I will never find a deck that I love more than my Pagan Cats, it's just such a "me" deck and I find the artwork so comforting to look at. I'm curious to hear other's experiences on finding your "bestie" deck haha.

 

This is a hard question to answer. We change as people, our tastes change! Blue / Purple used to be my fave colour, now it's orange! As well as finding decks you might like even better, our tastes change! You might change from loving cats to dogs! 😆. Our fave decks we love is purely subjective! I thought I had found all my fave decks ever and then a new deck came out this year and I am like, wow I think this is one of my top 3! I was surprised. Just be open to new decks and I would go with themes and art you like! Don't just go for one that people are talking about, it might not fit you as a person 🙂

[Runa]

23 hours ago, legendaryelement said:

Have you browsed for articles and discussions about the different editions of the RWS?

 

 

I have! I think I'm most interested in the borderless edition with the green backs. I love that the colors are more subdued and that the backs feature Pamela's signature.

 

15 hours ago, DanielJUK said:

 

Personally I would get the RWS, as others have said here, there are so many study guides out there on the internet and free courses.

I think everyone should own some type of RWS deck, it's useful to start off with it to learn the system and reading the symbolism.

I know a lot of people don't like it and get on with it but it's a classic to at least learn with.

 

If you already have the Pagan Cats, you have a deck which you have to just read with what you have. So the Morgan Greer would be okay as well and if you search google you can find people blogging and writing about it. If you  do get it, let me know and I will see if our old tarot forum which is now an archive has a study group for each Morgan Greer card for you.

 

If you really like the Pagan Cats or Morgan Greer (if you get it), do think about starting a study group in that area of the forum. The idea is you make a thread for each card and explore it. Later on other people will add their opinions but if you grow to really love a deck it's nice to make a resource area here for others with it. Just wanted to suggest this as a future option for you 🙂 .

 

You can always get one and another at a later date (I am such a deck enabler ).

 

Also I think you should always go with the art that most appeals to you personally with deck buying.

 

 

 

This is a hard question to answer. We change as people, our tastes change! Blue / Purple used to be my fave colour, now it's orange! As well as finding decks you might like even better, our tastes change! You might change from loving cats to dogs! 😆. Our fave decks we love is purely subjective! I thought I had found all my fave decks ever and then a new deck came out this year and I am like, wow I think this is one of my top 3! I was surprised. Just be open to new decks and I would go with themes and art you like! Don't just go for one that people are talking about, it might not fit you as a person 🙂

 

I ended up finding an unopened copy of Morgan-Greer on ebay and jumped on it! But I will be adding the RWS soon as well, I love it and think it's beautiful. I just couldn't resist such a good deal on Morgan-Greer! As I've been learning with Pagan Cats I compare the cards to images of the respective RWS cards and I'm happy to find that they correlate extremely well, the Pagan Cats sticks fairly loyally to the original symbolism. Starting a study group is a great idea! I also plan to begin a journal for them to take notes on each card individually.

 

You're right about going for themes and artwork that you like and connect with. Some of the ones that are currently popular are ones that don't particularly appeal to me (looking at you Modern Witch Tarot) which is why I'm sticking to the classics right now as I build my collection and learn. You just can't beat the classics.

[Guest]

The Morgan Greer is my workhorse. I read the Estes book to better grasp it. Very helpful.