http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=249821

byAnemoneRosie

 

Do you read the LWB?

 

 

I'm starting to think that, with some exceptions (like the Fountain), reading the LWB is just a waste of time and I'd be better-served by bonding with the deck directly.

I used to never read the LWBs, but lately I've started looking them over.  If it's an unusual deck, sometimes reading the LWB can help me gain a little insight into it.  And oftentimes it contains a spread unique to the deck - I've been meaning to try some of these out, but I haven't yet.

Usually, no.  There are a few exceptions.  Place Vampire Tarot which had a well-done BOOK, a few others. 

 

But as I tend to just get very RWS decks and I read RWS how I read it, I just don't have interest in the lwb.  IF there was a deck I wanted that really strayed from RWS, I would, but I tend not to get those decks.

Not usually, may look at it if I am just not getting a particular card, but generally no I do not read them.  Companion books, on the other hand, I love.  Now I will only read a LWB if I am doing a deck review so I can give an opinion on it.

I do, when I first get the deck; I want to see the maker's take on it. And some decks are different enough that the maker's take is essential to understanding! But I almost never refer back to it--unless it's one of those very different decks. 

If it's an honest to goodness LWB, yes I do. Most are rather succinct, and especially if it's RWS-based, reading the entire thing would not take more than an afternoon. 

These days, I only flip through the LWB, especially if it's an unusual Tarot deck or an Oracle. I do always peek at the suggested spreads, though.

I see it as a part of the deck and checking it out usually tells me real quick, if it is just "generic card meanings" or if there is some substance and also something I can gain from it - like insight of why the artist chose this image and at times - like with the nice little booklets that come with the decks created by MJ Cullingham - (Guardian of the night and the Urban Crow Oracle ) I find deeper insight into the deck and artwork.

 

I tend to browse the LWB, especially if the artist/creator explains how they came to design the images the way they have. Sometimes there are interesting anecdotes alongside, which can add a little extra. Also, occasionally there'll be a word that jumps out that I'll pop into my tarot workbook.