Decks for Specific Readings/Functions

[EmpyreanKnight]

Do you use some decks specifically for certain types of readings or functions? Like do you have a particular favorite that you only pull out when you perform love/relationship readings for example, or for business/career questions? Do you have a deck that you only use to perform self-readings, or one that you only approach for your spiritual concerns?

 

I've read that it is highly recommended that you keep the decks that you use for divination separate from those that you conduct your rituals with. So do you have a separate set that you use for ceremonies, magick, pathworking, etc? Some use darker, more potent decks for shadow work too, so do you?

[EmpyreanKnight]

I use the Thoth for self-readings, and sometimes for my family or people I'm very close to, and that's it.

 

I also use the Lover's Path for relationship readings where it truly shines.

 

 

 

[faerybraids]

My Royo Dark Mini only likes to be asked serious questions, it seems--it seems to prefer helping me explore my psyche and shadow self, but will still answer for similarly "deep" or psychology-related things (like, when reading to help with my writing, it seems to prefer giving insight to how the characters work as opposed to general plot stuff). But it downright doesn't care about frivolous questions and things that it thinks I already should have gotten.

 

Kiki Lala doesn't seem to mind much of anything, so I've used it to read a variety of questions, including some I wasn't planning on asking that ended up being great readings. It's a sugary sweet deck, but it does handle shadow work quite well. Obviously I can't use it if I want minors to show up, though, since it's majors-only.

 

My Starchild Akashic is resting right now, it seems weary from me using it so much these past few weeks since I've gotten it. ^^;; It's probably going to be the one I read for other people with, though I'm not sure I entirely like that (yeah I'm being a bit selfish right now ^^;; But it has read beautifully for the other people I've read for, so I'll probably keep at it with it in the future unless I get another deck). It's worked really well for everything I've asked it so far, especially the personal exploration questions.

 

If I were to use any of my decks for any sort of magical purpose I'd probably only use them as a way to focus my mind, so I'm not sure I'd be too worried about using one specifically for magic and not divination as well. But that's like me with most of my magic--if I'm baking a cake to smooth things over and prevent arguments/promote peaceful interactions when I visit my parents I'm going to use my usual wooden baking spoon, not another one specifically for spellwork. Though I do tend to enchant or charm most of my baking to some extent, so maybe that's not the best thing to relate it too. :-[

[Albadawn]

The majority of my readings, whether for myself or others, have a psychological bent to them, so for me personally it's more based on the mood I'm in as to which deck I choose. If I feel whimsical or I'm reading for someone a bit scared/shy of tarot, I might pick the Sun and Moon, for example. If I feel like really challenging my intuition to come forward, I'll pick up the 1JJ Swiss.

 

Most of the time though, I use the Tarot of Pagan Cats. It was the first deck I got comfy with (didn't get on with RWS at all), and it's always given me good and helpful readings in the 8-odd years I've been using it. It's my "comfort" deck, and I can use it for pretty much any question at this point.

 

Morgan Greer and I have also made good friends and I expect to be able to read just about anything with this deck too. :)

[Carojulie]

Hello,

 

I had never read nor hear that it is recommanded to keep different decks for divination and for rituals. I have read only once (on Benebel Wen's blog) that it is better to keep different decks for game and for divination, but in any case, I do not believe that to be true. I have no problem using the same deck for gaming, divination, and rituals. And also as a paper weight for that matter !

But that is just me. I learnt first from playing cards and from playing the tarot game, so I really dont mind mixing all the different purposes a deck can have.

 

So, I can use any deck indiferently for rituals and for divination (though I do much more readings than rituals, in real life).

Also, in real life, I rarely use my divination tarot for playing, but the reason is really pratical : it's easier to play games when a deck has markings on the corners of the cards, and the vast majority of divination tarot do not have that. They still can be used in games, as long as they have 78 cards divided into 22 majors and 4 suits of 14 cards each. But without the markings on the corners, it gets difficult to see what you have at a glance when you fan your hand, that's all.

(BTW older playing cards decks did not always had the corner markings, and they were still used for game, so you see, it can be done. But most modern game players are disconcerted if they dont have the corners markings)

 

Apart from that, I use the Bohemian Gothic a lot to explore psychological matters. It works wonders when exploring hidden fears and doubts, for example.

All gothic or dark decks do well for that type of reading (the Gothic tarot, the Vampire tarot... they work well for that) But, I also use the BG and all other dark decks for other readings also ; my decks are not "reserved" for certain types of readings.

 

There are a few decks that are good when the querent or myself need to be pushed out of lethargy : the Dark Carnival tarot comes to mind, it gives electric shocks, this one.

 

For the rest, the deck gets chosen depending on the mood (my mood, the querent's mood, the general athmosphere, or a mix of the the three).

Some decks have an elemental, or seasonal, feeling to them...

Some other decks are totally "neutral" and can be used indiferently (that's the case for the classic Marseille and RWS decks for examples, but there are others like that too)

 

Finally, there are a few decks that I keep for a restricted public (there is not a single deck that I keep for reading for myself alone ; but there are several that I only read with for myself and close loved ones). These are the more rare and precious decks (to me !) that I want to keep protected.

It's not that I dont want to use them with the general public ; it is that I am so peculiar with them that I really dont want them handled roughly. I would cringe to see them shuffled by someone else.

I am already enough of a pain when I ask people to clean their hands before handling any deck, I cannot go further than that and prevent people from touching the deck at all.

For that reason, my most loved and cared for decks stay at home. I wouldnt mind using them for anyone in "remote readings" (through email or internet) though, but I generally dont think of it.

[EmpyreanKnight]

Ah, thanks for reminding me Carojulie! We have a few local readers who only read through cartomancy/playing cards and they were pretty evenly split. Some would never play games or gamble with their decks, while others couldn't care less.

[Carojulie]

Yes, I think there are no general rules, each reader can make their own rules depending on their own preferences !

[Saturn Celeste]

Do you use some decks specifically for certain types of readings or functions? Like do you have a particular favorite that you only pull out when you perform love/relationship readings for example, or for business/career questions? Do you have a deck that you only use to perform self-readings, or one that you only approach for your spiritual concerns?

 

I've read that it is highly recommended that you keep the decks that you use for divination separate from those that you conduct your rituals with. So do you have a separate set that you use for ceremonies, magick, pathworking, etc? Some use darker, more potent decks for shadow work too, so do you?

 

Another great question!  I do have decks for specific purposes.  I've been a part of the Sims lgbtq community for almost as long as I've been online.  I do have some decks that I use for readings concerning those issues.  One of my personal favorite decks is The Gay Tarot.  It has one of the most fabulous Moon cards I know!

I also have many erotic decks for personal issues between couples or just horndogs LOL.  The bulk of my clients are writers so I have a writer specific deck and historical decks.  Also decks that use quills as wands, I can't think of the ones I have now but if I find a deck like that, I try to get it.

 

I am happy to have added the Science deck to my collection and I have the Bright Idea tarot which was actually created as a tool for businesses.  I like to use them for 'professionals' and people who are atheists or agnostic.  Here is the Bright Idea tarot:

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/bright-idea/

I have the Baseball tarot for sports fans

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/baseball-lerner/

 

I also use the Vice Versa and The Secret Forest for people who just don't know.  They are troubled but can't put a finger on it.  I shuffle the cards a lot, then count 20 cards and turn them on the opposite side and put them into the deck.  Then I shuffle them more.  The cards that come up with the backs turned are their unconscious.  This really works well!  Here's the Secret Forest

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/secret-forest/

[Jewel]

I use the Fifth Tarot for spiritual development and self-exploration exclusively and only for me.  I have a feeling that the Dreams of Gaia will end up in this category as well.  My go to deck if I am doing anything related to career questions is the Fantastic Menagerie, but I do use it for other things.  And for romance readings my go to deck is the Victorian Romantic Gold, but again I also use it for other things.

 

I seem to actually gravitate to using particular decks for specific types of readings, but do not use the decks exclusively for those types of readings with the exception of personal transformation/exploration.

[Saturn Celeste]

I use the Fifth Tarot for spiritual development and self-exploration exclusively and only for me.  I have a feeling that the Dreams of Gaia will end up in this category as well.  My go to deck if I am doing anything related to career questions is the Fantastic Menagerie, but I do use it for other things.  And for romance readings my go to deck is the Victorian Romantic Gold, but again I also use it for other things.

 

I seem to actually gravitate to using particular decks for specific types of readings, but do not use the decks exclusively for those types of readings with the exception of personal transformation/exploration.

Oh that deck is on my wishlist!  I had an opportunity to get one back when I was first starting out but I passed it up.  Still kicking myself in the butt for not getting it, such a cool deck!

[Lantana]

I’m in the same boat as Albadawn and Carojuile where most of my decks are picked out by my mood. There are a few exceptions though.

 

For instance, the Shadowscapes is the one deck I have that I just cannot use for personal guidance type readings. Instead, it does better with relationship and career questions.  :-\ You’d think from the fantasical ethereal art that this wouldn’t be the case, but hey.

 

The Slutist Tarot is my sexy deck, for obvious reasons. But it is really good for exploring every nuance of sexuality, both good and bad. So I also use it to explore questions about sexual trauma and shame. Good relationship deck, too.

 

Thea’s Tarot is really good at relationship guidance as well, but less the romantic side and more the universal “lets talk about boundaries and attachment and insecurites” kinda thing. It’s not the only thing I use Thea for, mind.

 

Finally, both the Idiosyncradeck and the Ravens Prophecy get used for connacting my deities. Ravens Prophecy I get (a very specific deity uses this one) but the fact that the rest of ‘em latched onto the Idiosyncradeck as the deck they’ll speak through baffles me. I guess they enjoy the art?

[Saturn Celeste]

Lantana[/member]

I just tried to order the Slutist tarot from littleredtarot but she's got that password thing so high I can't get past it.  I'll have to email her directly.  Thanks for the link, that is such an awesome deck!

[Jewel]

I use the Fifth Tarot for spiritual development and self-exploration exclusively and only for me.  I have a feeling that the Dreams of Gaia will end up in this category as well.  My go to deck if I am doing anything related to career questions is the Fantastic Menagerie, but I do use it for other things.  And for romance readings my go to deck is the Victorian Romantic Gold, but again I also use it for other things.

 

I seem to actually gravitate to using particular decks for specific types of readings, but do not use the decks exclusively for those types of readings with the exception of personal transformation/exploration.

Oh that deck is on my wishlist!  I had an opportunity to get one back when I was first starting out but I passed it up.  Still kicking myself in the butt for not getting it, such a cool deck!

I love it for spiritual and personal development.  I find that when I work with it I end up pulling out all kinds of oracle decks as well as end up studying something (like crystals) as part of the work I do with it.  Very rewarding and fun.  I have not pulled it out in a very long time, but that is just because I was pretty much on a tarot sabbatical for a few years.  I recommend the deck, it really is special for personal and spiritual development activities, it would probably also be quite good for shadow work based on its nature.  I was lucky enough to attend a seminar with the deck creators a long time ago, it was really great.