A Long Way back to the Source

[Wyrdkiss]

I have affection and appreciation for P.C. "pixie" Smith; the lovely picture of her included in the Centennial deck box is framed in my reading room.

With that said, however, I never have up to this point been fond of the RWS deck art.  Tried to use it many times, always ephemeral attempts due to disinterest.

 

The Thoth was my first deck, an immediate attraction that remains to this day.

 

Yet I've always been a bit fascinated by the incredible contribution Smith made toward the evolution and understanding of the tarot system.

I've been listening to 78 Degrees of Wisdom on the way to work, and have been pretty captivated by the background.

So last night, I found my Centennial copy, which I traded for years ago (Because I simply wanted the picture), made sure it was in working order, and sat down to take a look.

 

It was as if I was seeing it for the first time.

I decided then I would begin with a incense  cleansing of each card to truly unwind, and dive in.  The free-form reading was illuminating, and further sparked my interest.

then I referenced some symbolism on the excellent Galaxy Tarot app, and found more corresponding synchronicities hidden in the 5 cards trailing one another

on my velvet cloth.

 

In short, I am starting a whole new journey, a full study and immersion in the RWS, nearly 33 years after buying my (forever cherished) Greenie Thoth.

 

Did any of you come to the RWS very late in your tarot journey, or am I a true anomaly? 

[Guest]

I spent my first few years seriously reading the Tarot having the Thoth as my workhorse. I will still buy RWS-based decks because of the variety and beauty of their art, and I also occasionally read with them because I had at least the very basics down pat. But in almost all of my readings especially the pivotal ones, I would always reach for the Thoth. 

 

Two years ago, I felt like my journey with the Thoth has come to a halt. I then took up the RWS with the Centennial and the Vintage as my main decks. Just last year I turned to the Heaven and Earth, and I never had any trouble since the images mostly faithfully adhere to its source. Right now I may be shifting my focus to another RWS-based deck, the Bohemian Gothic.

[DanielJUK]

I started with the RWS as a teenager and didn't really realise how RWS centred I was until tarot friend told me recently. I really have explored and studied the system, so it is my go to!

In the distant future, I want to learn Thoth and TdM. Right now I only know the basics of them and never read for anyone else with those systems. I think it would be good for my tarot knowledge to have a knowledge of them all, even if I don't regular use them, it would give a more comprehensive perspective. Also I am really interested if my perspective of RWS changes with knowing the other systems. So mine is the opposite direction. There is time for all methods in the long-term journey 🙂 .

[Guest]

I have a feeling that in the future I'll be riding dat Marseille horse. Maybe then I'll hail you with both of us astride the same steeds heh.

Edited July 27, 2024 by Akhilleus