Using more than one deck when reading the cards

[Diana]

So, although I delved deeply into Tarot at some time, for many years I had absented myself from this world. Even sold my rare Tarot books thinking I wouldn't be getting back to Tarot (but I kept my decks). Then out of the blue as I already mentioned somewhere, I was pushed back into it not long ago. I don't know why. I certainly hadn't thought about Tarot consciously for so long. Perhaps some form of Grace, my inner voice telling me that my Tarot work wasn't finished.

Having shared with my friend Holmes yesterday my serious doubts and almost sadness as to whether I had anything of worth to offer to the Cult of Tarot, he suggested to me that maybe my loyalty to the Tarot of Marseilles (perhaps the word "allegeance" would even be better) was hindering my progress in The Tarot. So I took up his challenge. I took out my old Crystal Tarots which is an RWS deck, albeit with unillustrated pips. I was worried that either Strength or Justice would turn up as I can't work with Justice being a number eleven, but a luckily they didn't.

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/crystal-tarots/

I did this reading with this forum in mind, and whether I have anything to contribute of worth. The question actually was more basic : "Why did I join a Tarot Forum ?". I won't go into the details of the reading here. They're too personal. But I want to say that it was an incredibly powerful reading (as I hadn't read the cards properly for more than 10 years, I thought I wouldn't be able to read the cards adequately). I was overblown with all the messages I received. And after one layer was uncovered, another deeper layer appeared and then another. There may be more, the true significance of some of the message is still awaiting in the wings for me to uncover in the future (the cards told me that). So thank you Holmes, once again, for showing me one pathway out of my stagnation.

But what I really want to talk about after this long introduction is this. After having read the Crystal Tarots cards, I still found the need to take the same cards from my TdM deck and read them separately, and then together with those of the Crystal Tarots. This gave even more depth to the meanings and the vision became even clearer. This was particularly noticeable when I compared the two Nine of Swords. It suddenly took on an extra meaning - very important for me in the spiritual path that I'm following. A very strong admonition and reminder, which the Crystal Tarots had overlooked.

So now I'm curious to know whether other people also use different decks for the same reading. I'm not seeking for reassurance that I'm doing right (although I do feel very much like a beginner again in The Tarot). It worked for me, so that's enough reassurance for me. But if you practice this kind of thing, I'd love to hear from you.

[Charlie Brown]

I like to do that on occasion, I actually am most likely to do that with two TdMs or a TdM and my historical Italian deck. The heavy linework on my Grimaud TdM makes each individual card pop out while my Burdel is softer, which allows the cards to bleed together a bit more.

Then, of course, there are actual 2 deck readings, but that's a different topic.

As for the other issue, I'm glad you're here and I'm sure other people are too. We need all sorts of voices to make this place robust.

I will say, if I may, that based on the very little bit I've seen of your reading, I agree that there isn't a need to restrict yourself to one style of deck.

[inomminate]

I sometimes do this and even when I don’t use another deck physically I am mentally aware of other decks and they influence the reading. I do this less with the TDM because, for me, it is separate from the other decks and I read it in a different way. I might though consider another TDM deck.

I certainly value your contributions and am glad that you are here.

[inomminate]

I just remembered this. There is a reading on Mary Greers blog where a RWS deck is placed over a TDM deck:

https://marykgreer.com/2018/08/27/the-c ... id-spread/

[qndynes]

Hm, I don't tend do mix decks, but I have noticed that when I read with fully pictorial deck I imagine the TDM counterpart. So when I have several pips in a spread I imagine what that would look like in a TDM deck. I find I like comparing fully pictorial decks with the TDM, but I don't do so by actually laying out the cards side by side.

[BlueStar]

Sometimes if I'm not sure about what a card is telling me, or would like a bit more insight I will pull a clarifying card from a different deck. I've found this to be quite helpful.

[Amoroso]

I've done this before and those readings were interesting. I mostly pair Tarot + Oracle or Tarot + Playing Cards. I haven't performed a dual (duel?) Tarot decks reading.