It all started with elemental dignities. Then I wanted to do a chakra reading with elemental dignities, which would require 3 cards for each of the 7 chakras, a 21-card spread. Applying my 15% rule, that means I should deal such a large spread from a deck of 140 or more cards. (21 is 15% of 140.) 2 tarot decks shuffled together are 156 cards, so that would work. But 3 is a much more magical number. Thus, I created a 234-card deck to use with my largest spreads. Lo Scarabeo decks are of uniform size: their regular-sized decks, minis, and Grand Trumps. Which makes it easy to shuffle decks together.
So this is my Triple Deck: Lo Scarabeo Tarot of Marseille, Universal Tarot, and Fairy Tarot minis shuffled together. I chose them to represent 3 general tarot types: historic-ish, esoteric (RWS clone), and contemporary/fantasy/artistic. (I also shuffled together the Grand Trumps (majors) for these same 3. I call it GT3.)
Now, how does one shuffle and deal from a 234-card deck? I usually shuffle in 3 stacks and then cut them together. But this week I’m going to try the bowl method. I’m going to put all the cards in my very 70s brown, very well-used and abused casserole bowl, trying to keep them face down, and stir and draw from there. And agree with myself ahead of time that I’m not using reversals. The backs are different, so I’ll have to close my eyes when I draw. I’ve never tried the bowl before. Let’s see what happens! (And on Saturday, I’ll try the chakras with elemental dignities for my new moon in Pisces reading.)
Whew, that was way too much intro! So on to the interview!
Hmm, I see from the backs that all the cards are Fairy except one Universal! I wonder what that means?
Deck’s most important characteristic: 9 Leaves. Did I mention the Fairy Tarot is German-suited? Leaves are spades/swords/air.
Being made up of different decks gives it an even better ability to tell it like it is. It will tell you the truth even if it kills you. It’s like riding a moth. It might be scary, but it gets you where you want to go.
Deck’s strength: 10 Acorns (acorns are clubs/wands/fire)
The deck is full of energy. Lots of different energies, actually. It takes issues on head to head.
Deck’s weakness: 7 Leaves
It might be a bit too playful at times. It says serious things, but sometimes not in a serious way.
What can the deck teach me? II. The High Priestess
Wow, this is a big card for this position. The deck can teach me to use my intuition. Because it has three different versions of every card, I will have to trust myself to read the pictures and do whatever else I need to do to differentiate between them.
How can I best learn it? 4 Chalices
Stay within myself and my own intuition and feelings. Take outside assistance only with a grain of salt.
Outcome of our work together: V. The Hierophant
Another big card. Again, the deck will help me learn the nuances and differences between the different kinds of decks it includes. His books are the key, so kind of the opposite of the Priestess. The meaning is in the learning. The Priestess’s book on the other hand has an ankh. Her learning is by living life. His learning is book-learning.
Frog vs. cat. A frog lives in water, emotions. A cat is mysterious but also detached. And what you learn in books is not directly related to your own feelings, but can be tied to them after the fact.
Well, that was fun and interesting. I think I’m going to have to use some larger spreads this week so I can put the large deck to the test, and so I can get more variety of cards in each reading.
Have a great week ahead! See you tomorrow!