Predictive Readings vs Reflective Readings - do you use different decks? What are YOUR favorite Decks for predictive readings? For reflective readings?

[Misterei]

The recent Full Moon spread got me thinking:

I have some decks which excel at predictive readings and others which are useless for predictive reading but lend themselves to reflection and exploring a spiritual or pschological theme. I understand that spreads aren't always this rigidly defined ... many spreads are a bit of both ... but I DO find there is a difference in the deck I reach for depending on my primary motivation (i.e. I want to know what's going to happen vs I actively DON'T want to know what's going to happen).

 

For example Keymaster deck in a French cross makes eerily accurate predictions. RWS and its close clones were made for predictive reading. Likewise my traditional Tarocchi style decks like Eduordo Dotti excel for predictions.

 

Some of my more modern, trendy decks I use only for reflection. Like Sufi tarot. Lightseers, can be predictive but I tend to use it for reflection. I seldom use Thoth anymore ... but I would also put Thoth in the reflection and exploration category.

 

What about YOU?

 

Do you have decks which you use when you DON'T want to know an outcome but simply wish to explore a theme? If so which are your faves?

 

OTOH do youj have decks you use when you WANT to know an outcome? Which are your favorites for that?

Edited May 6, 2023 by Misterei

[Teemu]

Hi,

 

I tend to distinguish between topics. For sober, almost technical question I like the 'Hermetic Tarot'. If I need something energetic, then 'True Black'. For philosophical topics, 'Harmonia Mundi' works for me. For shadow work, I like the "Ghost Tarot'. For spiritual or mystical questions, the 'Quantum V2' . And I do not do relationship or health questions.

 

Oh yes, and recently the 'Wildwood' develops more and more into the deck I am most fascinated with. It seems very apt at 'showing the way', but i need more time with it.

[Yola]

Hey!! Nice topic! I use tarot (different decks in the same reading) and oracles together for both reading methods. However, if I had to choose I would use tarot for predictions and oracles for reflective readings. ☺️

For example, this was one of my last predictive readings (which although they are called that, also have reflections and advices).

 

[DanielJUK]

I don't personally divide decks between predictive and reflective this thread makes me realise. I think I divide my decks between more intuitive and less! Sometimes I just want to meditate and reflect and just read the card image and for that, I need a card with a lot going on in the artwork. I need a good picture to analysis the symbols. A card with just a cup on it is not going to engage my intuition. so I prefer decks with a lot going on in the artwork and detail for that type of reading. Give me a cup in the picture with stormy seas behind and a shipwreck, with a full moon in the sky and an octopus attacking the cup and my intuition is going! However sometimes I want to read by the system and the meanings and so a simpler card art is fine for that. I don't really divide them in any other way really, just that.

 

I do have decks I think are better for different types of readings from experience. The Osho Zen is great for reflections and intuitive readings, it's quite spiritual. The Zombie Tarot and Housewives are quite to the point in their messages. Somehow their excellent theming makes that happen. I think I could say some decks are more brutal and to the point and others more sensitive and gentle in their message. Pearls of Wisdom and Wild Unknown are good for intuitive reading as a lot is going on in the cards. The Wild Unknown is an exception to my artwork makes intuitive reading theory. It's so minimalist but surprisingly gives a lot. I'm such a RWS and clones tarotista really, I can always rely on them! It seems totally arbitrary and based on nothing at all, but one of my oldest and second ever decks (bought at 13 years old), an old battered RWS is my most trusted deck. If I need a very important reading I always still go to it! I wonder if one way of categorising is how much you trust the deck, like trust for a great message or just for fun!

[Misterei]

3 hours ago, Teemu said:

I tend to distinguish between topics. For sober, almost technical question I like the 'Hermetic Tarot'.

 I could see that. I think the B&W would make a sober mood!

3 hours ago, Teemu said:

... For shadow work, I like the "Ghost Tarot'.

I didn't think about shadow work ... but prolly Mystical Tarot for me. So surreal.

3 hours ago, Teemu said:

... the 'Wildwood' develops more and more into the deck I am most fascinated with. It seems very apt at 'showing the way', but i need more time with it.

Wildwood seems like it might be a good all-arounder (?)

 

28 minutes ago, DanielJUK said:

I don't personally divide decks between predictive and reflective this thread makes me realise. I think I divide my decks between more intuitive and less! Sometimes I just want to meditate and reflect and just read the card image and for that, I need a card with a lot going on in the artwork. I need a good picture to analysis the symbols. A card with just a cup on it is not going to engage my intuition. so I prefer decks with a lot going on in the artwork and detail for that type of reading.

I think this is why I gravtiate toward pip decks for predictive and illustrated decks for reflection. The exception being RWS and clones which are illustrated and predictive.

28 minutes ago, DanielJUK said:

... I wonder if one way of categorising is how much you trust the deck, like trust for a great message or just for fun!

Yes and no. Definitely I trust my RWS decks ... so those are my go-to when in doubt. But I found Keymaster and Eduaord Dotti were accurate and I trusted them immediately for predictive spreads. Definitely some of the decks I categorize as reflection only I don't trust them to do predictions. Then again ... if I really don't trust a deck [don't click with it] ... away it goes to the thrift store.

[Flaxen]

This has sparked an interesting reflection in me - is it the way I’m inclined to read with certain types of decks which makes them more predictive for me? For example, with non-scenic pips I tend to read in a more ‘nuts and bolts’ style with not much flim-flam. 
Thoth, Greenwood and Spirit Keepers are ones where I tend to go deeper and more spiritual/reflective. However, that’s because of the philosophy behind them and the way they were created. 
 

I suspect that it is a relationship to the ideas within the deck that I’m responding to. Even though the old TdM decks have a wealth of Christian and neo-platonic philosophy within them, I don’t tend to draw on that so much. Probably because it’s not a strong part of my own spiritual path any more.