Okay, folks, gather around, let me tell you about my recent dive into the world of tarot, specifically the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck. Now, I’ve always been a bit curious about tarot, but never really took the plunge, you know? But lately, I felt this pull to explore it more seriously, so I decided to get myself a deck and just see what happens.
I did a bit of digging around, and it seemed like everyone and their grandma recommended the RWS deck, especially for beginners. It’s like the classic, go-to deck, created way back in 1909, so I figured it’s gotta be good, right? Turns out, there are tons of versions of this deck floating around. I read that some people love the Centennial edition for its vintage vibe, and others dig the Albano Waite for its vibrant colors. I even stumbled upon some folks talking about older, out-of-print versions like the Blue Box RWS. Talk about a rabbit hole! It made me feel like I was stepping into a whole other world.
Anyway, I ended up going for a pretty standard version, nothing too fancy. I just wanted something that stayed true to the original 1909 printing, with those soft, kind of faded colors. I felt like that would help me connect with the history and the intention behind the deck, you know? I also grabbed a book by Sasha Graham, who I saw mentioned online a few times. Figured it couldn’t hurt to have a guide, especially since I was flying blind here. It felt a bit like preparing for a journey to a new place, you need a map, and probably a phrasebook too, right?
When the deck finally arrived, I was super excited. I cleared a space on my table, made myself a cup of tea, and just sat there with the cards. I spent some time just shuffling them, getting a feel for them in my hands. Then I started pulling cards one by one, looking at the images, reading the descriptions in the book, and jotting down my own thoughts and impressions. It was actually kind of therapeutic, a bit like journaling but with pictures. I also tried to find a good place to buy it, there was a lot of talk about copyright and the US Games company. I didn’t want to end up buying some fake.
- First Impressions: The artwork was definitely intriguing. Each card is packed with symbols and details, it’s like every picture tells a story, or a bunch of stories, really. I could see why people say this deck is good for beginners, there’s so much to look at and think about.
- Learning Curve: Okay, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. It took me a while to start recognizing the patterns and the meanings behind the symbols. It’s like learning a new language, a visual one. I had to keep going back to the book, and sometimes I’d look stuff up online, though I tried not to rely on that too much.
- Practice Makes Perfect: I started doing simple, one-card readings for myself every day. Just pulling a card and reflecting on how it related to my day or a question I had. Slowly, slowly, I started to get a better grasp of the meanings, and I started to see how the cards could offer different perspectives on things.
I know there are other similar decks, like the Universal Waite or the Black Waite, but I wanted to stick with the original for now. There is even one with fairy tale characters, that sounds really cute. I wanted to get a good foundation with the RWS before branching out. It felt important to respect the tradition, you know? I’m still very much a beginner, but I’m enjoying the process. It’s like this ongoing exploration, both of the cards and of myself. And honestly, it’s been pretty darn insightful. Tarot, man, it’s a trip!
One day I felt brave enough to do a three-card spread about a big decision I was facing. I laid out the cards, past, present, and future, and it was like a lightbulb moment. It didn’t necessarily give me a concrete answer, but it helped me see the situation from a different angle. It was like having a conversation with a wise friend who gives you tough love and makes you think. I was blown away!
It’s a Journey
I’ve realized that learning tarot is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Or maybe more like a leisurely hike. You have to take your time, be patient with yourself, and just enjoy the scenery along the way. There are days when the cards feel clear as day, and other days when they’re as muddy as a puddle. But that’s okay, it’s all part of the process. It’s about learning to trust your intuition and your own interpretations, and not being afraid to be wrong sometimes. I even found myself getting better at remembering my dreams after I started working with the tarot deck, isn’t that wild?
So, yeah, that’s my tarot journey so far. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next. Maybe I’ll try one of those other RWS versions someday, or maybe I’ll dive into a completely different deck. Who knows? The possibilities seem endless. If you’ve been thinking about exploring tarot, I say go for it! Just be prepared to be surprised, challenged, and maybe even a little bit transformed.
