Aldor44 Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 Hey all, So, I own about 12 decks so far- most are RWS clonea but some are a little different. I feel most comfortable reading with the regular RWS ( at the moment I use the "original version and the dirty PAM with which I connected immediately since its basically the same deck with different colors) but I have been wanting to explore and connect and read with other decks- just to get an ability to diversify like many of you do- atm its the Shadowscape and Wild unknown oneswhich I would LOVE to better use. My problem is- that when I do readings for people even here on the forum- I am reluctent to use a deck with which I still don't feel a strong bond because I want to give people the most accurate info I can give- and reading just for myself or fictional figures isnt fun for me- and doesn't give me the feedback to know whether I am accurate or not. So, I am breaking my head trying to figure out how to "practice" reading a new deck without compromising the quality of the reading - and still get a better feel connection with it ( I shuffle them a lot and take them with me/ put them next to my bed and such) Any suggestions would be GREAT!
stephanelli Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 Hi @Aldor44 here are a few ideas: - read for fictional characters (e.g. when you're part way through a book, read for the main character about what might be coming up in their life) - do readings here for other people but state that it's a new deck that you're working with - read on topics in the news
Aldor44 Posted September 20, 2019 Author Posted September 20, 2019 3 hours ago, stephanelli said: Hi @Aldor44 here are a few ideas: - read for fictional characters (e.g. when you're part way through a book, read for the main character about what might be coming up in their life) - do readings here for other people but state that it's a new deck that you're working with - read on topics in the news Good ideas.... Unfortunately, i dont read much lately nor do i watch/ care about the news.. too much negativity...
gregory Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 Use fairytales. Read for Cinderella, the giant, the grandmother... (credit for idea goes to the most excellent James Ricklef.)
Eric13 Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 (edited) I practice using the Hermetic Deck, which is also from the Golden Dawn, using their and Crowleys divinations, all for myself. But when I read for other people I use the standard RWS deck. The divinations have the same essence. The cards are vastly different and that's what I like. But, that's just me. And I find that the contrast of poctures and slight differences of divinations keep it all challenging, fun and interesting. Edited September 20, 2019 by Eric13 Added sentance
gregory Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 Those aren't new to you though. The question here is how you learn to interact with a NEW to you deck.
Eric13 Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 (edited) I've owned the Hermetic deck for 3 weeks. That's new to me. That's an answer. The method of what I'm doing is also new. Edited September 20, 2019 by Eric13
gregory Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 But you haven't said how. Just that you are using it. Never mind.
Guest libra Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 (edited) Ok so moving past whatever little personal spat is going on here :/... I like to do things that aren't really readings to get to know my cards, and not just carry around, shuffle them. I don't osmosis the energy of a deck to learn it, so sleeping near it and having it in my purse really does nothing for me lol! I do a lot of weird little games with new decks, sitting and putting them into piles based on traits I see in the cards or colors or the direction the characters face or whether you see their whole body. I write down random little notes about what these groupings tell me. I'll watch Netflix and flip through the deck and toss down cards that seem to echo what's going on in the scene or who is on the screen. I'll pull a handful of cards and assign them roles as a family unit. Out of those 5 or 6 or 7 or whatever cards randomly pulled, who's the mom of the group? The dad? The wine aunt? I'll pull a single card and set a time and freewrite about it. 5, 10 minutes, pen to the paper and don't stop just keep writing when you're stuck write "I see" and describe something on the card and what it could mean just don't stop writing about it. Edited September 20, 2019 by libra
Raggydoll Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 58 minutes ago, gregory said: But you haven't said how. Just that you are using it. Never mind. I think he said that he uses the new decks on himself until he connects and knows them well enough. Did I get that right @Eric ? I used to do that but now that I don’t read as often for myself I tend to either: 1. Dive right in and read it intuitively (works for 90% of my new decks, because I mostly buy decks that I feel work for intuitive reading) 2. Study it and read with it simultaneously, with the guidebook close by. This is generally for decks with a very specific system that I want to do justice.
gregory Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 Nice stuff. There are also some excellent exercises in Lynda Cowles' book: The Tarot Playbook. Which card would you like to take out to dinner ? Which would you give a a gift to your aunt ?
gregory Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 1 minute ago, Raggydoll said: I think he said that he uses the new decks on himself until he connects and knows them well enough. Did I get that right @Eric ? I used to do that but now that I don’t read as often for myself I tend to either: 1. Dive right in and read it intuitively (works for 90% of my new decks, because I mostly buy decks that I feel work for intuitive reading) 2. Study it and read with it simultaneously, with the guidebook close by. This is generally for decks with a very specific system that I want to do justice. OK fair enough.
Aldor44 Posted September 20, 2019 Author Posted September 20, 2019 26 minutes ago, libra said: Ok so moving past whatever little personal spat is going on here :/... I like to do things that aren't really readings to get to know my cards, and not just carry around, shuffle them. I don't osmosis the energy of a deck to learn it, so sleeping near it and having it in my purse really does nothing for me lol! I do a lot of weird little games with new decks, sitting and putting them into piles based on traits I see in the cards or colors or the direction the characters face or whether you see their whole body. I write down random little notes about what these groupings tell me. I'll watch Netflix and flip through the deck and toss down cards that seem to echo what's going on in the scene or who is on the screen. I'll pull a handful of cards and assign them roles as a family unit. Out of those 5 or 6 or 7 or whatever cards randomly pulled, who's the mom of the group? The dad? The wine aunt? I'll pull a single card and set a time and freewrite about it. 5, 10 minutes, pen to the paper and don't stop just keep writing when you're stuck write "I see" and describe something on the card and what it could mean just don't stop writing about it. Very interesting ideas thanks
Aldor44 Posted September 20, 2019 Author Posted September 20, 2019 10 minutes ago, Raggydoll said: I think he said that he uses the new decks on himself until he connects and knows them well enough. Did I get that right @Eric ? I used to do that but now that I don’t read as often for myself I tend to either: 1. Dive right in and read it intuitively (works for 90% of my new decks, because I mostly buy decks that I feel work for intuitive reading) 2. Study it and read with it simultaneously, with the guidebook close by. This is generally for decks with a very specific system that I want to do justice. I will try thanks 😄
Raggydoll Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 10 minutes ago, gregory said: Nice stuff. There are also some excellent exercises in Lynda Cowles' book: The Tarot Playbook. Which card would you like to take out to dinner ? Which would you give a a gift to your aunt ? Ooh good ones! So to answer your questions 😁, I would like to take out the King of Wands from the Cosmic tarot to dinner. And I would gift my aunt the Hanged man from the Druidcraft ☺️ ——— and NOW I am back on topic! ——- 😁😁😁
Pixie Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 (edited) 34 minutes ago, libra said: I do a lot of weird little games with new decks, sitting and putting them into piles based on traits I see in the cards or colors or the direction the characters face or whether you see their whole body. I write down random little notes about what these groupings tell me. I really like this idea, I haven't tried comparing and grouping the cards of new decks before, so I am curious to see if that helps me bonding with a new deck. Apart from that little note, I do not have much to offer the topic itself unfortunately. I bond with my new decks most by looking at each card individually, shuffling/sorting/shuffling, doing a deck interview spread, and then jumping into reading for myself. Have you tried interviewing the deck or maybe just having a conversation with it? What about reading for the deck by reading with the deck? If that makes sense. Like trying something along the lines of asking "What is the current energy of <insert new deck here>?" "What type of reading(s) would <insert new deck here> be most useful for at this time?" So it's sort of like a deck interview but also a conversation with and reading for the deck itself. Edited September 20, 2019 by Pixie
gregory Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 I once did a reading with the Charmed (a particularly frightful deck I wasn't up to using on anyone REAL.) I was impressed. I asked it what it thought of itself and it told me it was rubbish. It was priceless - it was on AT, and of course I can't show you, but it really was spot on. WAIT - it is still up there: https://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=68799&page=4 And here are some of the cards: https://www.tarotforum.net/showpost.php?p=927387&postcount=15
Wanderer Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 I've found that asking it questions about itself is a good way to open a connection: for example, how it would like to be approached, or questions about specific cards. I think of it as having a conversation with 'the deck' as a person, and getting to know them the same way you would anyone else. Having hardly any decks of my own, though, I'm not able to say useful this is in general!
Raggydoll Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 21 minutes ago, gregory said: I once did a reading with the Charmed (a particularly frightful deck I wasn't up to using on anyone REAL.) I was impressed. I asked it what it thought of itself and it told me it was rubbish. It was priceless - it was on AT, and of course I can't show you, but it really was spot on. WAIT - it is still up there: https://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=68799&page=4 And here are some of the cards: https://www.tarotforum.net/showpost.php?p=927387&postcount=15 OMG!!! Tell me - which quality producer made that little gem?!! Baba studio?! 😁😁😁 Seriously, I applaud you for taking it on. And you did it with my method number 1 (throwing yourself right in and doing it intuitively). Bravo!!
Wanderer Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 5 minutes ago, Raggydoll said: OMG!!! Tell me - which quality producer made that little gem?!! Baba studio?! 😁😁😁 Seriously, I applaud you for taking it on. And you did it with my method number 1 (throwing yourself right in and doing it intuitively). Bravo!! I've got to second this... that deck is a true horror masterpiece! 😂
gregory Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 47 minutes ago, Raggydoll said: OMG!!! Tell me - which quality producer made that little gem?!! Baba studio?! 😁😁😁 Seriously, I applaud you for taking it on. And you did it with my method number 1 (throwing yourself right in and doing it intuitively). Bravo!! Tilsit. (Cheese ?) A French outfit.
Saturn Celeste Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 2 hours ago, gregory said: Nice stuff. There are also some excellent exercises in Lynda Cowles' book: The Tarot Playbook. Which card would you like to take out to dinner ? Which would you give a a gift to your aunt ? OMG I have that book! It does have some really fun things to do with your decks! @Aldor44 I just jump in with my new decks. I was on a site before this one where I did a few hundred readings all for free but I had the advantage of an abundance of readings so I could just dive into a new deck. Something I do to bring me closer to every deck is (please don't hate me people against incense smoke!) but I run each card over incense and I have a little blessing I do for every card. I say Energy, Vibration and Trust over every card. By the time I'm done with the deck I've looked at every card and I feel really close to the deck. Once the deck is blessed, I use it on the next reading! I don't treat my decks with kid gloves, I have purchased them to use on others and once they've been 'charged' they are ready to go!
DanielJUK Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 If you read in circles @Aldor44 , give those new decks a go! This is a learning forum, not a place to make each reading 100% perfect. Try a deck out in circles, this is what I do! Sometimes it is really scary, especially if it's really different from RWS or what you are used to. But like I said there is a time and a place for a really accurate reading but also this is a learning and practising environment
bookshop Posted September 21, 2019 Posted September 21, 2019 (edited) @Aldor44 one thing I do a lot — and not really with intent, but because this is just how I am, lol — is make up stories about the characters in my decks, or just spend a while absorbing the stories that are already in them. For instance, the Jugendstil uses people for all the major arcana, and the moment I had it in my hands, my brain came up with a whole love story between the hot magician and the hapless hanged man. And I made a thread here dedicated to the running love triangle I have made up that's running through the dark mansion tarot! Another thing I do is sort of the inverse of doing fictional readings with the cards (though I recommend that, too!) — I like to assign fictional or historical figures to the characters in my new decks, and sometimes songs to the images. For instance! The Four of Pentacles in my Dark Mansion deck is clearly Ebenezer Scrooge, but the four of pentacles in my Dame Darcy Mermaid tarot is clearly Dr. Stephen Maturin from the Aubrey-Maturin books, haha. And the eight of cups in the dame darcy deck is one of my favorite cards ever, and I associate it — just this version of the 8 of cups — with the song "Joey, Joey" from Most Happy Fella. So I suggest doing creative associations like these, they help you get really comfortable with the cards really quickly, in my experience! Edited September 21, 2019 by bookshop hit post too soon!
Aldor44 Posted September 21, 2019 Author Posted September 21, 2019 7 hours ago, DanielJUK said: If you read in circles @Aldor44 , give those new decks a go! This is a learning forum, not a place to make each reading 100% perfect. Try a deck out in circles, this is what I do! Sometimes it is really scary, especially if it's really different from RWS or what you are used to. But like I said there is a time and a place for a really accurate reading but also this is a learning and practising environment What do you mean in circles?
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