Answers to your Questions about Tarot: Moving from a Marseille Deck to a Waite Deck

Here’s another installment in my Answers to your Questions about Tarot. This question comes from Matteo. He writes:

Dear Christiana,

I'm Matteo, from Italy, and I'm 23. I'm a big fan of your videos and I loved your Tarot Tour Guide book. I have two questions for you, and I hope you can help me. The first one is quite simple: could you please tell me what is the name of the deck you used in your book cover?

The second question is: I'm a Marseille reader, but I would like to start using a Waite deck as well. The problem is that I'm so used to non-illustrated pip cards that, when I'm using my RWS cards I end up feeling constrained by the images in the minor arcana. Do you have any useful tips?

Thank you very much!

Best wishes

Matteo

Thanks, Matteo. You really made my day!

First, the cards used on my book covers are from Hallmark Tarot by Darla Hallmark. You’re right, that was the easy question.

Your second question was much more challenging! Here are some of my thoughts about moving from a Marseille deck to a Waite deck. In some ways these thoughts could apply to moving from any one tarot tradition into another.

First I think you need to reflect on how the cards speak to you. Do you have memorized interpretations? Do you use associations like numerology, astrology or kabbalah? Do you look at the image and let the image guide you?

I am betting that you do use the images quite a bit, based on your question. I am thinking, too, that non-illustrated pips allow for more scrying, while illustrated pips have us looking at what the person in the picture is actually doing.

I think it is really good to push out of your comfort zone and work into a new tarot tradition. Here are four things that may help.

1. Use your regular interpretations and associations, regardless of what deck you are using.
2. Learn your cards so well that you can divine simply by knowing the name of the card, rather than looking at the image.
3. If you study many decks, remember how the cards are depicted. Whatever deck you are working with, draw on all the images you know for a card when that card comes up in a reading.
4. When you look at the image, whether Major or Minor Arcana, don’t focus on what the people in the picture are doing. Let your intuition guide your eyes to small aspects of the picture. Make psychic connections about the things you see in those individual aspects of the picture. That way you are scrying into the picture rather than worrying about what the person in the picture is doing.

I hope that helps!

Thanks again, Matteo! Enjoy the video.

Please email me if you have a question about tarot!

Christiana Gaudet Answers a Question about Reading with Different Decks

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Answers to Your Questions about Tarot: Choosing a Deck and the Mary-el Tarot

Today's question comes from Isaak in Mexico. He writes:

"What are your thoughts about the Mary-el Tarot? is it good for beginners? What about the meanings in the companion book cuz i'd heard that some people complain about them."

Thanks for your question, Isaak.

As you will see in the video, Mary-el Tarot is not a traditional deck. Therefore many people would say it is not a great deck for beginners.

There are many tarot traditions. If you want to learn a particular tarot tradition you can simply get a deck and a book and go for it.

Mary-el is a unique and powerful deck, filled with evocative art. It's not for everyone. But if it resonates for you, then it is a great deck for you.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced reader, the right deck for you is the deck that makes sense to you and speaks to you.

Enjoy the video. If you have a question about tarot, email me!

Christiana Answers a Question about Choosing a Deck and Mary el Tarot

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Answers to your Questions about Tarot: The Court Cards

This week’s question comes from Pamela, who is having a hard time understanding the Court Cards.

Pamela, you are not alone. The Court Cards are confusing because they can mean so many different things.

Each person has their own way of dealing with the Court. I will share mine – perhaps you will find it helpful.

My book, Tarot Tour Guide, has a whole chapter on the Court that will give you some good information as well.

When interpreting the Court, consider developing an understanding of the four ranks and an understanding of the Four Elements.

Here is a brief description of the four ranks, from my perspective.

Pages: Pages can be young people, or people of any age who are learning or doing something new. Pages are yin and receptive. Pages are students and communicators.

Pages may direct you to learn something new, or to focus on communication.

Pages may predict that you will receive an important communication.

Knights: Knights can be young people, or people of any age who are in pursuit of a goal.

Knights are yang and active. Knights are pursuers or travelers.

Knights may direct you to pursue a goal.

Knights may predict travel.

Queens: Queens are generally adult women.

Queen may direct you to nurture something within yourself.

Kings: Kings are generally adult men.

Kings may direct you to take a leadership role.

The personalities of the people and the nature of their directives and predictions can be determined by their element.

Swords is the Element of Air, and refers to communication, integrity, truth and intelligence.

Wands is the Element of Fire, and refers to passion, creativity, spirituality and enjoyment.

Cups is the Element of Water, and refers to emotions, sentimentality, love and relationships.

Pentacles is the Element of Earth and refesr to stability, prosperity, structure, practicality and groundedness.

In my system upright Court Cards can represent people who work well with their element and are basically good and helpful.

Reversed Court Cards represent people who have problems in the area of their element. Reversed Pentacles people, for instance, might be irresponsible or have problems with employment.

Enjoy the video! If you have questions about tarot please email me!

Christiana answers a question about the Court Cards

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