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Tarot
Gateway To Tarot
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by Bonnie Cehovet
Tarot Master
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This month I am going to look at what can be a very neglected aspect of Tarot reading - and that is whether or not a reader chooses to offer their clients a choice of decks for their reading. Many Tarot readers consciously choose to do this, while some fall into this category almost by default. There are also readers who are quite adamant about only reading with one deck - period! In my expereince, this group will most often choose to read with the Rider-Waite or Thoth decks, or even with the Tarot de Marseille. There is also a growing group of people who are choosing to work under specific systems - the prime example of this might currently be the Voyager Tarot, although Ed Buryn's William Blake Tarot could also fall into this category. In the end, whether a reader offers a choice of decks to their clients as part of the process of doing the reading is strictly up to each reader as an individual.
If a choice of decks is offered (and I personally would not offer more than 3-4 decks that cover a fair range of philosophical content), the following thoughts need to be taken into consideration:
1. The reader should be familiar with each of the decks being offered, and should feel comfortable doing readings with each of them.
2. The decks should reflect a wide range of interests - and should reflect the venue being read in. The comfort zone of the client, or possible client, needs to be kept in mind at all times. Always remember that it is up to the reader to create the "safe zone" for a reading.
3. A client that is comfortable with the deck being used for their reading will find it much easier to become a part of the process - which is one of the goals of every good reading.
It is important that each reader develops their own unique style - which includes how they present themselves, the environment of the reading, as well as their reading style. Once a reader understands this process, and is comfortable with it, they can focus on what decks they feel comfortable reading with. When I first started reading, I worked with the Rider-Waite deck. It is a good thing that I read for a 900 line, because I did not care for this deck, and an in-person client would have realized this. It took one small tweak - moving on to the Morgan-Greer deck (which is actually a Rider-Waite "clone") to put me in my comfort zone with readings. I now read from many different decks, but feel quite comfortable setting aside the decks that I don't relate to - I do not feel obligated to offer them as a choice of decks to my clients.
When I began doing in-person readings I followed the lead of readers that I had gone to who offered a choice of decks. For me, this was all part of bonding with my client, and of creating the environment that would be a "safe place" for their reading. I read only from my own home when I read in person (largely because there are no metaphysical or bookstores in my area that offer space for readers). This gives me the advantage of meeting the person, then choosing two or three decks to go along with my Morgan-Greer deck to act as my cadre of decks from which my client chooses the deck they want for their reading.
My readings include the use of birth cards (using the method set forth by Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone of the Tarot School* in their birth card studies). Using my clients birth information, I take their birth cards from one of the decks that they did not choose, and set them above the spread used for their reading.
There are other things that need to be taken into consideration when reading in venues outside of ones home or office. If you are reading for a private party, take into consideration what their background is. Different decks might be appropriate for a woman's group, an engagement or bridal shower, a Halloween party or a New Year's bash. If you are doing readings in a business setting, bring decks that will be acceptable to middle America - themed decks may not be appropriate here, nor will decks that show any amount of nudity.
How do we choose which decks that we want to keep on hand for readings? Think about the venues that you generally read in, and the types of people that comprise your clientelle. The interests of your clients, as well as the type of client that you draw to you as a reader, will largely determine which decks you want to keep on hand. And yes - as a reader, you may have more than one type of client. For each of your client groups, pick a range of 2-3 decks (or more, this is up to you) that represent a range of interest.
The Morgan-Greer Tarot is my all purpose reading deck. (I started out reading with the Rider-Waite deck, and really did not relate well to it.) I like the Ancestral Path Tarot, as well as Legend - The Arthurian Tarot for themed decks. For gentle decks I like Tarot Of A Moon Garden and the Golden Tarot. (While a gentle deck may not be your first choice as a reader, it helps to have one handy as a choice for someone who is very nervous - or even scared - about getting a reading.)
Categorizing decks is definitely an individual process - what one reader would place in one category, another reader would place in a different category. The following is what comes to my mind on a quick mental run-through of decks. Each reader needs to create this list for themselves - whether as a mental check list or in a more permanent form for future reference. (Yes - I realize how that sounds! Believe me - many of my mental check lists stay in my mind only for the time that they are needed - then they find another time and place to call home!)
Art Influenced decks: Bosch Tarot; Dali Universal Tarot; Tarot of Durer; Sola Busca Tarot;
Feminist Oriented decks: Tarot of the Crone; Diva Tarot (round deck); Goddess Tarot; Motherpeace Tarot; Triple Goddess Tarot
Myth Oriented decks: Celtic Dragon Tarot; Fey Tarot; Inner Child Tarot; Legend: The Arthurian Tarot; Lord Of The Rings Tarot
Pagan/Wiccan decks: Pagan Tarot; Sacred Circle Tarot; Tarot Of The Old Path; Waking The Wild Spirit Tarot; Witches Tarot
Theme decks: The Alchemical Tarot; Ancestral Path Tarot; Angels Tarot; The Buddha Tarot; Feng Shui Tarot; Herbal Tarot; Osho Zen Tarot; Tarot of the Saints; Shapeshifter Tarot; Unicorn Tarot; Wheel Of Change Tarot; Tarot Of The Cat People; Victoria Regina Tarot
Traditional decks: Hanson-Roberts Tarot; Hudes Tarot; Morgan-Greer Tarot; Rider-Waite Tarot; Robin-Wood Tarot; Sacred Rose Tarot; Thoth Tarot
There are some other considerations to working with more than one Tarot deck, and to offering your clients a range of decks to choose from. For most of us, a prime consideration is finances - Tarot decks are not cheap. It would be a luxury to be able to go out, buy several decks, see which ones you really want to work with and set the rest aside. So what can you to do be reasonably sure that a deck is what you think it is, and that you are going to be able to work with it?
My first step would be to read more than one review of a deck, and to look at the scans online. Two of the best places to do this are Aeclectic Tarot (www.aeclectic.net/tarot), and Tarot Passages (www.tarotpassages.com). There are also some excellent publishing sites, including Inner Traditions (www.parkstpress.com); Llewellyn Publishers (www.llewellyn.com); Lo Scarabeo (www.loscarabeo.com); St. Martin's Press (www.stmartins.com); and U.S. Games Inc. (www.usgamesinc.com). Another good place to look is the deck author/illustrator's website - there is always a wealth of information here. Keep your eyes and ears open on Tarot related e-lists - you will be privey to how other people feel about given decks, to information on new decks that are coming out, and to the buzz on privately published decks.
My next step would be to see the deck in person - go to a bookstore that carries a wide variety of decks and look them over. In my case, I have always been lucky enough to have a store within driving distance that kept sample decks open for perusal by customers. This is one big advantage over the larger stores, such as Barnes & Noble. The larger stores not only do not keep open decks, but they keep the decks that they do have behind a counter for access by store personnel only. Heck of a way to treat a Tarot deck, eh!
My parting thought - be sensible about your deck purchases. If you are like me, there is very little that you will not be attracted to! Use common sense, stick to your budget, and try to assemble a wide variety of decks, rather than several decks in your favorite genre!
Also - look for the best buys! Generally speaking, privately published decks will be more expensive. I am willing to pay good money for a deck that has had a great deal of personal work done on it, and I don't expect them to ever be found on sale. Occasionally you can get them on an e-list from someone who has purchased one and not found it to their liking, but that would be a once in a lifetime experience. Look through the deck publishing sites to ascertain the list price, and to see if they have anything on sale. Check out Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble online to see if they are offering discounts. Look to see how you can get free shipping - and you generally can do this if you make your purchases in bulk and purchase over a certain dollar amount. Check out e-bay (take your time here, and query the seller to make sure you are really purchasing what you think you are purchasing!). There is a wonderful site called Mondazzi (www.discountnewagebooks.com) that has Tarot books and decks at a wonderful discount - and they are truly a pleasure to buy from!
Gifting your clients with a choice of decks can be an empowering experience for you as well as for your client. Enjoy the journey!
If you have any questions, or suggestions for future columns, please contact me at: Crystalgate@aol.com.
May your paths be well lit and well traveled.
(c) June 2004
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Bonnie Cehovet,
Tarot Master, and Reiki Master/Teacher.
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Bonnie Cehovet is a Tarot Master, professional Tarot reader and Reiki Master/Teacher.
Bonnie has been reading the Tarot professionally for over ten years. She has served in various capacities with the American Tarot Association, including Secretary and Web Assistant For Links. She is currently Certification Director and Secretary for the American Board For Tarot Certification. Bonnie is also a founding member of the World Tarot Network.
Bonnie has had her work published in the ATA newsletter, in Geraldine Amaral's "Celebrating The Tarot" print newsletter, on the World Tarot Network and other internet sites. She is editor for her own monthly newsletter "Gateway To Tarot" (Yahoo Groups).
www.tarot.thecrystalgate.
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