Carol Stirling

When I do my tarot workshops, the most commonly question asked is "Which is the correct tarot cards to use?".

 I believe that the correct deck is one from which you will learn, but the best ones are the ones you personally understand. You will know when you have the right deck as you will feel warm to them and happy inside that you can relate to each picture shown on the cards. It may take several decks to find the right ones and it can become costly searching for your personal deck. I found that, in being involved with development groups, I could see other cards and the meanings behind each deck with out actually buying a new deck, just to see which suited me best. I also found that not everyone wishes to share this with you but, in my group, it is the start of your development of reading tarot cards and finding your own correct deck. I learned from a basic set of tarot cards then moved on to find my own unique deck of cards for conducting my readings. So, when I am asked, “Which deck should I use?”, I feel that it is a matter of personal choice.

 Anyone can learn the art of reading tarot cards - it is not difficult. Like any art or science, it just takes practice and a strong desire to learn. Some may tell you that it is the hardest thing they had to overcome but I believe that, once you have tapped into your own psyche, it comes naturally. Let me explain some more. There are so many tarot decks around (and books which teach how to use those decks) that it can be difficult to know which meanings to apply to tarot cards. There are also so many "gurus" giving conflicting meanings - which one should you use? If you are interested in reading tarot cards, the first step is choosing a tarot deck. Tarot decks come in a variety of styles, from reproductions of Italian Renaissance cards to futuristic space-age styles, from feminist decks to specialty decks. Some will be mass-produced by a major publisher, while artisans individually craft others. Within this wide range is a tarot deck which will reflect your personal philosophy and style. I always think that there is a story to every card, and to every story comes the truth of philosophy. We learn a lot from the pictures we use in the tarot and, in using our clairvoyant skills, we can see the stories move on and fit into the neighbouring cards. So choosing the correct deck of tarot can be important to you. For instance, the mythic tarot is ideal for people who have studied the Greek mythology, or the Celtic cards for those who have studied Scottish Celtic mythology. If you know little about the Greeks how will you understand the philosophy of the Greeks? You may not even like to interpret the meanings of something you may never understand. You would feel fraudulent to yourself. So, when buying a deck of cards, it is important to understand the stories behind the cards and why they select the basic meanings for each card so that you can identify for yourself the meanings of each card. It makes tarot easy and simple. This is often omitted because your tarot guru knows only the cards they have used. I have looked into each deck as I have come across them and, if I am not familiar with that deck, I study again. This is how people begin to collect cards.

 Well, I hope I have helped you understand why there are so many decks, and that you find your deck soon and are not disheartened with the cards you already have. Good luck!

Copyright © Carol Stirling. All Rights Reserved.