WHY do you read with RWS decks, more or instead of, TdM or Thoth?

[GreatDane]

I am always curious why someone has a type they prefer, or only use.

 

I am definitely an RWS Crone.  I know the reasons why. 

 

*  Started with an RWS deck, so now it's just familiar

*  I'm visual (in other words, I like there are illustrated images that correspond to each card)

*  TdM decks I find BEAUTIFUL, but the pips don't inspire me to read with them

 

To be honest, I haven't even approached the Thoth, probably for the same reason I didn't pursue the TdM very vigorously.  I'm happy with the RWS decks I have and like reading with them.

 

KUDOS to all who are "multi-lingual" when it comes to switching effortlessly between RWS, TdM and Thoth.

 

So...if you are primarily, or only, a reader of RWS decks, WHY? 

 

 

[MysticMagus]

I use a Thoth deck. I've only done a handful of clumsy readings so far with it. But I've been researching the systems behind Tarot and behind the Golden Dawn for sometime. I even read the Book of Thoth before I touched the deck. It's not the easiest to get thru.

 

Any attempts I've had to do simplistic readings or generic spreads with the Thoth have come out weird. I really think Crowley specifically designed his deck for use in the golden Dawn system. The little book that comes with the deck is my opinion wrong.

I really can't see the Thoth deck being good for commerical readings either or just at a party. It's too full of esoteric correspondences and uses very dark themes (Crowley is very dark as are the tradtions he draws from like gnositicism and hermeticism and Greek magical Payprus, and abralhem). It's just don't work in a new age kind of context.

 

I do have a rider-waite which I haven't used yet and I plan to try my hand at more normal readings that deck too after I learn how to use the Thoth better. But even there is a lot that is behind the curtain in their design as well, just not the to same extent as the Thoth.

 

Does that help? In studying esotericism it can be difficult to not seem pretenious and name drop all this stuff. With Crowley, being prentious is his middle name, and it reflects in his deck.

 

But really, the Truth is very simple.

"Split a piece of wood,

I am there.

Lift up a rock,

And you will find me." -gospel of Thomas.

 

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[GreatDane]

Thanks, MysticMagus. 

 

I just find RWS ...fluid...for me and if it ain't broken....

 

So nothing against TdM or Thoth, just I started with and stayed with RWS and am happy (and my journey into TdM as much as I love the historical thing and think decks are beautiful, I just like reading with my RWS decks). 

[MysticMagus]

Oh I misread the topic thread. I was sharing my opinion (and take it or leave it) that the Thoth deck really is in a class of it's own. But I dont think it's better or worse than anyother. I bought a RWS because I wanted the classic tarot as well and intend to use the decks differently.

I think there is a lot value in sticking to one thing in spirtuality, especially if it works. In religions, for example, if you study Judiasm one month and Hinduism the next and then keep moving on, you wont develop any great depth. I assume it's the same with decks.

I plan to stick with just two.

 

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[GreatDane]

Great thought, MysticMagus! :thumbsup:

[Guest Night Shade]

I use the RWS, and RWS clones, for the simple reason that the Thoth and TdM don't appeal to me.  I think that if I tried to use a deck I didn't like, I probably wouldn't get very good results.

[GreatDane]

Nice point, Night Shade.  WITH SO many decks that are in a style or art we could love, why force ourselves to work with something that doesn't say "READ WITH ME!"

[MysticMagus]

Nice point, Night Shade.  WITH SO many decks that are in a style or art we could love, why force ourselves to work with something that don't say "READ WITH ME!"

[emoji3531]

 

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[TheFeeLion]

I've been reading RWS mainly because there is so much more information about it. I've also managed to get my hands on a deck that I don't have to work too hard to understand which just happens to be RWS based (I am totally in love with my TrueBlack deck!)

 

I dipped my toes into Thoth last year and was getting some really good readings using it intuitively, even though I knew I was mostly only tickling at the surface. I haven't really had the time I want to devote to studying it though. I found it too easy to loose a day or more swimming in those Thothy depths and it made wedding planning difficult lol. So I've had to put it to the side for now so I can focus properly. I definitely have intentions of swimming again soon though :D

 

I'm of the opinion that whatever I manage to learn about Thoth will also help me with RWS, not everything mind you, but I've already been able to make some connections I wouldn't have made pre-Thoth so I'm looking forward to seeing what other connections the spider makes with her web :D

[AnomalyTempest]

I use the RWS and clones because it's just what I have. Really I'm not even sure about what all the differences are. Maybe some of my decks actually are Thothy and I just don't know it. I guess I should say I like things with illustrated pips. I keep thinking I'm going to try TdM and an actual Thoth but one hasn't grabbed me yet. I have accidentally bought a couple of decks without illustrated pips (boxes rarely tell us) and I am a little surprised that I can glean more info from them than I originally suspected. So I plan to use them more.

[Penthasilia]

I read with all of them- but most of my readings tend to be RWS or variants thereof, especially if I am reading for someone else. It is easier for me to use them in a quick reading, I find it more effortless.

 

TdM- I love them and would say that is a very close second for reading. And honestly, sometimes I will pull that out if the RWS one doesn't make sense or if I think the question would fare better with it.

 

Thoth- usually demands more effort- in general it is a demanding piece of work. It was my first deck I ever learned back in the 80s- so it isn't a matter of not having the study or practice, it is just a high maintenance deck.

 

Etteilla- this one is the most complex of them all so I really only pull it out when I have a big life question and need a lot of information. But the reading and interpretation takes a very very long time.

[TarotTruth]

I tried to learn Tarot with the Marseille deck years ago and failed because it requires memory work. Recently I picked up the RWS  and it flowed easily. Then I got a Visconti/Sforza so that I could finally learn to read the pips and I double-decked it with my RWS as a learning tool. But then I found that the two decks reinforce each other perfectly and so I am now a committed double-deck reader. (And I did finally learn the pips! Most of them, anyway. [emoji4])

 

One of the things I like is the different court card styles. For example, they face different directions. This allows interpretation of that element. Another detail is the heavy armour on the men in Swords, for example: if a Visconti Knight of Swords comes up instead of RWS, I may read it as being more about defensiveness and a hard shell than about reckless energy.

 

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[Nordica De Spell]

To me, the Marseille reads deeper, and connects deeper. It was the first deck that talked to me, and it feels appropriate that it is ”what came before”. In some ways, even now, I look at the RW cards and feel like ”yeah, but we both know that that ain’t the whole truth.” An example would be the white dog in The Fool, skipping along. In the Marseille, it’s a ragged dog that it’s easy to imagine ushers The Fool on, just by the looks of it. To me personally, that makes more sense. As we enter into life, there’s something we’re moving towards, but also, there’s something darker there, that we’re trying to stay at least one step ahead of. And that’s how we’re ignited to make the Journey. Or, at least that was true for me. Also, the connections between the artwork in the cards of the Marseille is much stronger. Etc. Etc.

 

But with the RW, it’s much more accessible and much easier. So, it’s because I’m lazy. And because it’s a system where, if you learn it there are SO many decks that you can spin off into.

 

I know it sounds as I don’t like the RW, but I really do. One day I’ll hopefully revisit the Marseille for an added understanding of it, but the RW suits me very well right now.

 

I don’t do the Thoth or Crowley, because they haven’t appealed to me at all. But I recently won the auction for a deck that I like, and it draws on the RW but also on the Thoth. So, we’ll see.

 

I have an Osho Zen that I love but haven’t opened yet. And I have a few Lenormands, and studying those would take A LOT though...

 

So, that’s why I stick with the RW for now, and feel content with that.

[Emilija]

This is a short response, but the truth is that I never connected with Crowley or the Thoth. I simply don't like it. I connect more with the RWS system because that seems to be the most "out there" in terms of imagery and meanings. I think it was easier to learn that the Thoth style. In the end, I don't like the Thoth art. If I don't like the art, that's no fun for me.

Edited May 12, 2019 by Emilija

[chongjasmine]

Mainly, I read with it more because of the sheer amounts of books that recommend starting with it.

[Lo Priber]

I use the RWS exclusively because I love the imagery. RWS decks really get my intuition going.  

[Guest]

The Thoth was my first deck and the one I use the most. RWS-based decks are second, though I dont care for the original.

 

The Thoth just speaks to me in a way other decks dont. The RWS clones are okay too, but I'd pick the Thoth over them in a heartbeat

[katrinka]

I use the RWS for discussion purposes, mostly, since it's the one everyone knows and most popular contemporary Tarots are based on it. It's the lingua franca between me and a lot of other people in discussion groups. And it doesn't hurt that I've been using it since the Nixon administration - it feels comfy, if that makes any sense.

I do use the Thoth for myself, but not in a professional capacity at this point in time since I really need to internalize the occult underpinnings better than I have at present. I have to disagree with MM that it's "too full of esoteric correspondences and uses very dark themes" - it's very well balanced, IMHO. Cards should reflect life, and sometimes life has "very dark themes". I can agree that it "doesn't work in a new age kind of context", but that's a GOOD thing, AFAIC. 😄 The correspondences are a lot of work to memorize and I'm not there yet, but they can really add to the reading. I often refer to Thoth interpretations when reading RWS, and I've gained a ton of accuracy by doing that. 

I do like to use TdM/pip Tarots. I've spent these last few years unlearning a lot of stuff I picked up that wasn't working well for me, and substituting more predictive, cartomantic ideas. It's almost Lenormand-like now, just good old roots cartomancy. I like that. 😉

Edited August 28, 2019 by katrinka

[Aldor44]

On 1/19/2019 at 5:24 PM, GreatDane said:

I am always curious why someone has a type they prefer, or only use.

 

I am definitely an RWS Crone.  I know the reasons why. 

 

*  Started with an RWS deck, so now it's just familiar

*  I'm visual (in other words, I like there are illustrated images that correspond to each card)

*  TdM decks I find BEAUTIFUL, but the pips don't inspire me to read with them

 

To be honest, I haven't even approached the Thoth, probably for the same reason I didn't pursue the TdM very vigorously.  I'm happy with the RWS decks I have and like reading with them.

 

KUDOS to all who are "multi-lingual" when it comes to switching effortlessly between RWS, TdM and Thoth.

 

So...if you are primarily, or only, a reader of RWS decks, WHY? 

 

 

its funny how my reasons for using the RWS are almost identical to yours:

 

I started with the classic RWS- so I know it best.

I am a visual detail oriented person- whose intuition gets going from small details 

I find the various clones beautiful which also add to me wanting to use them more.

 

Funny enough, While I learned using the classic RWS deck- I was quickly drawn to various clones - only to recently- after several years of not touching it- return to the classic deck and getting good accurate readings with it...

 

Guess you can't argue with the original 😄

 

P.S. - I tried 3 different times to go into Lenormand - but to no avail- while I can weave complex stories using the Tarot- I can't seem to grasp the concept of.. boat dog, wait no dog boat meanings 😛 

Edited September 4, 2019 by Aldor44

[Grizabella]

I started out with RWS and I've just gotten so fluent with it that I've never felt any urge to get into the Marseilles or Thoth decks. In a recent trade, though, I got the Zillich in a Tin which turned out to be a Thoth-based and I also got the Barbara Walker Tarot, so I'm branching out a little more now. Barbara Walker is in a category of her own, kind of, so I'm going to have to learn her deck pretty much from Scratch like I will with Thoth.

 

My RWS and clones will always be my go-to decks, though, even if I learn to use the other two fluently. The Bonefire is my pro reading deck pretty much exclusively for quite awhile now and it's a RWS clone. 

 

 

[AlbaTross]

My reasoning probably isn't that deep or anything, but I'm relatively new to Tarot and the RWS tradition is just so much more prevalent than all the others combined.  The decks I have are all based on it (and not just the RWS one).  In terms of themed decks, I don't think I've ever seen one that wasn't RWS.  In terms of resources, every reference book I've seen appears to be based on RWS.  I might be interested in one day trying out a deck from another tradition, but for now I'll stick to RWS as that seems to comprise the vast majority of what's out there.  Plus, at this point I think I'm best off getting to know one tradition before trying to learn others.  

Edited September 1, 2020 by AlbaTross

[gregory]

They tend to have better pictures...

[InternationalIcon]

I just prefer Pixie Smith’s RWS, because it’s colorful in that 1900s way, the illustrative medieval-ish stage-play compositions she uses, and the fact that more people use it, and even non-tarot-users connect with it.   

[Eric13]

I started on TdM and gravitated to RWS and now thats all I use. I have only one deck. Even though two of the cards are out of order.

I like the pictures. They flow, and they flow with questions and the flow of all the visual aspects. I also like the books, most especially Waites own book, not the LWB that accompanies the deck. But also most Golden Dawn definitions can accompany the RWS deck. What really makes the deck the legend it is is because of its wide area it can be used in. Sort of like the old days when all vacuums cleaners were called Hoovers!

[Aliki]

My Rws is my very first deck so I'm actually really bonded to it it's my most trusted one too also there are many decks i really really like but rws imagery is just my favourite so far compared to the others and besides building a basic core foundation cause i consider rws very suitable for that matter it was also an intuitive choice as a first deck so it Will always be my go to deck for all the above i guess