RWS vs. TDM: The ultimate showdown (Not really)

[@actuallytl666]

Your videos are always so thought provoking for me. I frequently find myself nodding in agreement or you provide an A-HA moment that I end up replaying. Two thumbs up!

[@thefoolsjournal]

Yay! Thanks! I love that. (Not being agreed with, but that you enjoy the videos; though I do enjoy being agreed with, too!) 😂

[@MindfulTarot]

Wonderful video! I'm fascinated too by the way that your turning toward more divinatory, less "spiritual" answers corresponds with your move to he TdM... I can't wait for your book, Ben!

[@thefoolsjournal]

:-) Thanks! It's funny, but I have made that turn and I never expected to. When I started reading I was super terrified of anything that felt like fortune telling, and I seem to have turned more toward that realm lately. But for me it's mostly just about trying to get the answers to stuff that seems to baffle most folks on a daily basis. I can figure out the spiritual stuff, but how to solve the project at work or what to say during the interview?? That I need help with!

[@captainnolan5062]

Swords (spades) are also troubles and obstacles. 3 of swords (spades) can easily fit into the troubles category (heartbreak).

[@dawnwright5422]

I liked your video very much. The decks you showed for your examples wow. Carols deck as an example of quality to the fun and colorful TDM. This really tells alot about you. I can tell you really enjoy your tools....love it...I am really into Tarot as well...I do not own anything expensive but so valuable to me is so different is my wonderful tool kit. One deck for an example is Books a million TDM one that calls to me since I lost it somewhere I looked everywhere for it. I do have others but this one well right to the store I went to get another one without hesitation. I was so hoping to get another one but they did not have it. So I kept going back to look for it. This calling for me was strong so I finally got another one...At first I just opened it up to make sure it was the same one because there was another one which was what I would call kind of sloppy old woodblock looking but kool though. I did get the one I wanted plus another Classic Tarot which was in Body , Mind ,Spirit section. It was larger than normal size deck so I grabed it up quick it was so going in my tool kit... It is wonderful to have different expressions for all kinds of experiences. ..I do all kinds of cards and systems very stimulating and my runes of all kinds with my pendlums which I usually make as well as my home made lenormad which I drew and made for myself... I liked your cards you made and your book I want them very much.

[@melissam0ss]

This was a great explanation...RWS hold a lot of minds captive. The numbers are very liberating. Thank you. (Can hardly wait for your book!!!!!)

[@championofcoinstarot7232]

I know I'm late to the game on this, but I love love LOVE this video. My first tarot deck was a pip deck, and you put into words so much of what I enjoy about reading with those kinds of systems. As much as I love RWS and Thoth, their imagery is feeling a bit too constricting at the moment, and I've found that your pip playlist has been very helpful in reconnecting with my creativity and my passion for reading again. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective. x

[@thefoolsjournal]

Ah thanks!! Never too late to the game! And I love this comment. Thanks so much for commenting, I'm SO glad these have been useful in some way. :-)

[@chopsticktarot]

I've always wondered why A.E.Waite opted for a more restrictive visual interpretation.

[@wolfofcoins]

Yes, please share cool things with us! :) I found the pips liberating in a very different way, actually... I mean, at first I went only with numerology for the pips (and it was liberating, because there were no more cards considered only "negative" or only "positive"), but now my go to technique is going visual with Tarot de Marseille (not so much with other pip decks). It is very liberating, because depending on the reading, the card can mean so, so many different things! Its meaning is completely not fixed - it is found in the relationships with other cards in a spread. It's fascinating, like solving puzzles :D

[@thefoolsjournal]

It's JUST like solving puzzles. I love that. I'm not a super visual person, but there are times when I look at the interplay of the images on the cards, and it totally blows me away how helpful it is!

[@wolfofcoins]

Yes! Funny thing, I love that in tarot cards can have very flexible meanings, but at the same time I'm in love with Lenormand right now - which has quite strict rules and fixed meanings :D I think Lenormand is more like playing charades :D

[@captainnolan5062]

RWS 3 swords could mean “kill the romance” and (8 coins) work on the day to day aspects of the relationship.

[@thefoolsjournal]

+Captain Nolan Yes!

[@danceofthesoultarot]

I've had some remarkably detailed readings with pip cards, things I might not normally get with RWS, simply by narrowing my focus towards the minutiae of symbols present. Wonderful video.

[@thefoolsjournal]

Thanks!! And, yes. There's something about sitting with them in this way, and using a different system, that can be totally helpful.

[@MysticMarni]

Loved this video! Thank you for your experience.

[@thefoolsjournal]

😊 Thank YOU!!

[@brydenvargas9863]

I've always found it odd that I've come across RWS readers who discourage beginners from getting pip decks as their first deck. My first deck is a pip deck for the reasons you mentioned. As a beginner I felt the RWS imagery for swords comes off as too negative and restrictive to me. Pips and Marsielle just feels easier to apply to a broader range of interpretation.

[@thefoolsjournal]

IT's great to have both tools in your toolkit, I think!!

[@Azurien]

Here in the Netherlandse we don't have a lot of TdM style decks, and the only thing that bothers me is the woodblock paintings and the colour combinations.

[@thefoolsjournal]

+AzurietTarot Orakel Ahhh the woodblocks can be unattractive. There’s a French company that is reproducing them in gentle ways. I wonder if it’s possible to order?

[@Azurien]

Ah, thanks! I can look into that!

[@danlocsin3043]

i like the concept but the example with 3 of swords is heavily debatable bcoz of the influence of the empress which is where the heart comes from. and if that changes, the queen of swords would also change... interesting perspactive tho.

[@amandawood9440]

Great video!

[@NorsePaganTarotWitch]

I've always been fascinated with Marseille decks. My first deck from when I was 13 years old was a pip deck. It didn't seem all that liberating at first but after getting used to working with them and using numerology (or at least the tarot version of it) that the pips opened up new possibilities as to what they can mean. Loved the click-bait title! Pips feel like you're solving a riddle whereas RWS scenes and people already have the scene laid out for you in a certain way and sometimes it can be a bit difficult to find wiggle room around what's being shown to you.

[@thefoolsjournal]

Ha! Yes, this is my first click-bait... maybe I'll become one of those awful click-bait artists. Hahaha. But yes, I love the way you describe that. It is a bit like a riddle... a solvable one.

[@EsotericMysticPortal93]

Great topic, like pip decks too and for a few reasons. Scenic minor cards are good as well but non scenic pips have their own uses. Good to see this topic and agree that pip decks widen the tarot experience.

[@thefoolsjournal]

Thanks!! I feel the same way. And it's nice to add to our toolkit!

[@Lauri_Tarot]

I've been into pip cards at the moment and practicing "reading cards like the devil" and it's been really interesting. Different. I studied RWS for a year long course and felt very steeped in it and comfortable, and I'm enjoying this experience of breaking the rules. Both are enjoyable and fulfilling ways to read for me. I don't read professionally, so personal fulfillment is my main goal. LOL Thanks for the video! I love all your videos! 😘 Lauri

[@thefoolsjournal]

Thanks, Lauri! What course did you take on RWS?

[@melissam0ss]

PS-what are the names of the decks you were using in this video??! :-D both so pretty!

[@thefoolsjournal]

Carol Herzer's Illuminated Tarot and Wandering Oracle's Marshmallow Marseille.

[@captainnolan5062]

Your next step is to start reading playing cards. Very freeing.