Challenge vs Comfort

[Saturn Celeste]

http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=164587

by Flaxen

This is a topic started by our own Flaxen of TT&M!

 

I know there are many different viewpoints here at AT regarding the relative merits of ‘scholarly decks with a system’ and ones which are seen as ‘pretty but straightforward RWS clones.’ (This in itself can be a cause of debate).

 

Looking at my own collection, I have a set of decks that resonate strongly with my own worldview/spiritual path. These decks give me deep spiritual readings that chime and reflect this worldview.

 

I also have other decks (TdM, RWS and Thoth) which have their own worldview/style of reading. These decks I see as an important part of my collection. For example, the Thoth is a deck I adore – it is complex, full of different layers of occult thought. It does not match neatly my own worldview and yet when I spend time with it, it yields these golden nuggets – little gems which give me a new perspective. Time spent with these decks seems to enrich my perspective and allows me to learn something new. It moves me out of my comfort zone.

 

Then, I have a selection of decks which could be termed as ‘pretty but straightforward RWS clones.’ There isn’t necessarily anything new to ‘study’ in them as most people come to tarot through the RWS meanings.

 

I must stress that I use and enjoy all three types of decks. However, I wonder if what really motivates me, is the idea of exploring new territory. The stepping out of what is familiar and comfortable and challenging myself to immerse myself in a different way of thinking – at least for a while.

 

Do you feel the need to have a ‘challenging’ deck in your collection? Do you prefer to stick with a trusty favourite? What helps to stop you feeling stale?

[Jewel]

Yes I feel the need to have a challenging deck in my collection (or several  :biggrin:).  Often times these decks can be one and the same as a deck that speaks to me spiritually.  I find Tarot of the Sidhe to be a challenging deck, but I also find it to be one that communicates directly with soul.

 

I have not dedicated time to working with the Thoth, but it is a deck I very much want to study for all the same reasons you noted.  The layers, the depth, and like you I am quite sure it will be a huge challenge (hence why I have not started yet after all these years).  I have a very serious academic interest in this deck.  I got the large AGM version as well as a normal size one and a slew of books to use when I get to studying it.  I also have a feeling I am going to REALLY like it once I start wrapping my head around it but that it will always challenge me.

 

To me a RWS clone is a repaint or recoloring of the original.  Any other deck is RWS based in my book and because of the artist takes and style they have something to offer.  If nothing else a slightly different view, so I feel like I always learn something - even if that something is that I do not like the deck and find it empty.  I learned tarot with the Robin Wood tarot which I consider a RWS based deck as I just could not connect with the RWS itself.  To me the RWS is challenge, but only because I just cannot connect with it, but I have no problems with the system itself.

 

I have some decks I would qualify as comfort decks (looking at you Joie de Vivre), and there are quite a few decks I am super comfortable using but that does not mean they do not challenge me as well.  I suppose for me the joy in tarot is being challenged and continuing to grow through various deck experiences.  I suppose that is why I continue to do my "Deck of the Month" project.  What I learn from these experiences then gets carried over as I explore yet another new deck.

[Arch]

I don't like the challenge of other decks than RWS.

My RWS-clone is more than enough for me.

I think going deeply into another would most likely be overload than challenge.

I start thinking of 10 of wands immediately.

But who know what time will bring later, maybe I will find another different deck some day.

But for the immediate future I highly doubt it.

[Arabella]

As I'm on the lookout for another deck I find I'm being very choosy for this exact reason. Do I want a challenge or do I want comfort? Comfort would be a RWS clone where I "know" the basics and are just choosing pretty pictures. I'm sure I'd get more out of it as you say Jewel. I have a limited budget so I'm shying away from something I'd consider a "double up". So I guess I've just answered myself haven't I? I need to look for a challenge.

A <3

[Thoughtful]

For comfort l always go to Roots of Asia, or 1JJ Swiss.

For challenge that would be the brilliant Thoth, still lots of learning there for me.

l will add a deck that is neither comfortable or challenging, the Rider Waite to me its static, cold and meh!  Much prefer reading the clones.

[TheLittleJackal]

I'm finding that while I'm in this learning phase, my comfort level with my pure comfort decks is less than it usually is. I guess because they're not in line with what I'm currently learning. But, that aside.

 

My pure comfort decks are decks like my Ancient Egyptian Tarot, and Shadowscapes. Especially Shadowscapes, it's such a cozy deck for me, and I can rely on it to give me a good range of answers without being too extreme. It's a very safe deck in a lot of ways, even when it gives me "bad" readings it doesn't feel harsh.

 

Challenging decks, for me, tend to be decks without open and clear art. My Kawaii Tarot is a big one, I haven't used it much yet because I don't feel I'm ready. But also The Wild Unknown to a degree, and the incoming True Black Tarot is a big one in that respect. I specifically ordered that because it both called to me and looked like it would challenge me well.

 

Sometimes decks comfort me and challenge me at the same time. TWU is a deck that really works with me, and speaks to me, very deeply, but it's also a deck that openly (from its first deck interview even) desires to poke in dark places and force me to face fears. The energy comes across as very much, a kind and nurturing force but whose love is fierce and often manifested through ripping off band aids and pulling out splinters.

 

Some decks are just too challenging for me. I think I own the Thoth tarot somewhere? But the energy and art just do not mesh with me, so for the time being it's off the table. Maybe some day.

[Khenne]

Sometimes decks comfort me and challenge me at the same time. TWU is a deck that really works with me, and speaks to me, very deeply, but it's also a deck that openly (from its first deck interview even) desires to poke in dark places and force me to face fears. The energy comes across as very much, a kind and nurturing force but whose love is fierce and often manifested through ripping off band aids and pulling out splinters.

 

I feel the same way about this deck! At first I thought it had some sort of issue with me, from how sharp it was. It took me a while to remember... it's wild. The thing is feral. And in some ways, that is comforting to me, knowing it will always tell me blunt truths. Even when it choses to be distressing about delivery :)

 

As for the main question here, I am super on team comfort. I'd self-define as an intermediate reader, and would rather focus before branching into "scarier" things!

[AJ-ish/Sharyn]

 

 

My pure comfort decks are decks like my Ancient Egyptian Tarot, and Shadowscapes.

Some decks are just too challenging for me. I think I own the Thoth tarot somewhere? But the energy and art just do not mesh with me, so for the time being it's off the table. Maybe some day.

you may be partway there without knowing it, the Ancient Egyptian is thoth based.

[TheLittleJackal]

 

 

My pure comfort decks are decks like my Ancient Egyptian Tarot, and Shadowscapes.

Some decks are just too challenging for me. I think I own the Thoth tarot somewhere? But the energy and art just do not mesh with me, so for the time being it's off the table. Maybe some day.

you may be partway there without knowing it, the Ancient Egyptian is thoth based.

 

Is it? It doesn't particularly come across that way. Are we talking about the same one, I know there's a few out there (I'm referring to the one by Clive Barrett). I don't have the meanings of the Thoth handy but certainly art-wise mine looks like the RWS ported over to Egyptian scenery.

[Whisper]

 

 

My pure comfort decks are decks like my Ancient Egyptian Tarot, and Shadowscapes.

Some decks are just too challenging for me. I think I own the Thoth tarot somewhere? But the energy and art just , do not mesh with me, so for the time being it's off the table. Maybe some day.

you may be partway there without knowing it, the Ancient Egyptian is thoth based.

 

I have this beautiful deck, but haven't really used it since I bought it years ago. I'm surprised to learn that it's Thoth based (which is good) because I haven't given up on that challenge completely. Just set it aside for now. I bought the Tabula Mundi and tried working with it, but realized, even through a dream I had, that it really poses a challenge for me; one that I'm not quite ready for at this otherwise challenging time in my life.

 

I know I will return to my Thoth decks, but also know that that system will be a challenge for me. For now, working with multiple decks is what I consider a really interesting challenge. I find myself reading more intuitively than ever before which represents a very positive step in my decades long  history with Tarot and Oracle decks. My challenge, at present, is to read as much as I can about intuitive reading which turns all the decks I have into a new challenge in themselves.

[bookshop]

 

If we take "challenging" as "decks with a provocative edge" rather than "decks whose esoteric nature etc make them difficult to learn," then I think the most comforting decks for me are often also the ones with lots of challenge to them.

 

Right now my absolute favorite deck is the Sakki-Sakki deck, which is both the most aggressively delightful deck I own and also one of the ones with lots of sharp corners and dark undertones if you care to read them there.

 

I also find "challenging" decks like the Haindl really comforting and soothing even though it's also difficult to read. Same with the Enchanted Tarot, even though I find it very difficult to read with for some reason.

 

Then again, probably my second fave at the moment is the Celestial Stick People, which is just non-stop soft pulsing angelic comfort <3  So maybe it's contextual.