Tarot Talk: Importance of Interviewing Your Decks

Have you ever been really excited about a new tarot or oracle deck that you just received, but then you start working with it and you just don't seem to mesh well with it even though you really want to?  This has happened to me on a couple occasions until I learned what a deck interview was.

It's important to learn how to best work with your decks.

A deck interview is a spread that can help you determine the "personality" of your cards.  Instead of answering typical questions about you and your situation, you are asking the tarot cards questions about themselves.

The point of doing this is to help you to work with the deck in a more meaningful way.  I learned the importance of this when I first started using Healing with the Angels oracle cards by Doreen Virtue.  I was new to working with angel decks and I thought I would use this to study the archangels.  For some reason all my readings and spreads were way off in left field, and I ended up feeling progressively disconnected from this deck the more I used it.  I came across the below "New Deck Interview," laid the spread and in the "what are your limits as a deck?" position the "Study" card came up.  Once I stopped trying to use it for study purposes I was able to better open and receive its messages.

"Never just remember how to do something, understand how it works"

-Adam Dachis (read more here)

Here is a break down on my latest deck interview. The Seekers Oracle by Barbara Ford and Alysa Bartha.  I usually note the first thought/feeling that comes to mind when I see the cards, I also check the included book for any keywords that feel helpful in determining what I will get out of working with this deck.

(I switched position of 2nd and 3rd cards from original spread)

New Deck Interview

...5…...6…

……4……

...2…...3…

…...1…….

1. Tell me more about yourself; What is your most important characteristic? 

"Power of Three"

Power of 3 transcends time and space. Wisdom, protection, wish fulfillment. 3 card draws work best.

2. What are your strengths as a deck?

"Ring of Fire"

Allows heaviness of life to give you strength. Fine tune your focus. Mindfulness.

3. What are your limits as a deck?

"Tree of Life"

Unmoving. Unchallenging.

4. What do you bring to the table; What are you here to teach me?

"The Architect"

Connection. All view points are equal. Balance. Do not compare yourself with others.

5. How can I best learn and collaborate with you?

"The Seer"

Lifting the veil. Embracing gift of second sight. Connect to own inner wisdom.

6. What is the potential outcome of our working relationship?

"Sacred Scarab"

Protection, rebirth, regeneration. Balance. Potential unfolding like the lotus. Be a leader. Have healthy boundaries.

In summary, this deck will work best with 3-card spreads - one card may not have enough info and more than three cards may become too convoluted.  This is an empowering deck that can help when I need some positivity.  Because it's limitations for me are "unmoving, unchallenging" this may not be the deck to use when I need some flat out kick-me-in-the-ass messages, because it will not waiver from a balanced and uplifting perspective.  Though, this deck will be great to use the imagery for meditation and reflection, and can assist in embracing my gifts.

Now, what if I was to use this deck to try and get some kick-me-in-the-ass messages?  I wouldn't be receiving that message at all.  I might say, "oh, this deck is too fluffy in it's messages.  I need something to tell me flat out what I'm doing wrong, not something that's only seems to give trite advice."  Since I now know how best to work with this deck I shouldn't have any issues in receiving its messages. 

Every deck will work differently with every person.  You may have the same deck and it could be real hard on you, and not positive and uplifting at all.  Doesn't mean that the deck is bad or that you aren't a good reader, it just means that you need to make sure you are using the tools appropriately.

Do you have any new deck spreads that you use? Comment below!  Would love to hear your experiences with interviewing your decks.

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Please contact me if you have any questions, or topic suggestions for future Tarot Talks posts.

Brightest Blessings,
Phoenix Rose
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Template of New Deck Interview:

****** 5 ****** 6 ******
********** 4 **********
****** 3 ****** 2 ******
********** 1 **********

1. Tell me about yourself. What is your most important characteristic?
2. What are your strengths as a deck?
3. What are your limits as a deck?
4. What do you bring to the table -- what are you here to teach me?
5. How can I best learn from and collaborate with you?
6. What is the potential outcome of our working relationship?

I have seen a few different spreads, but I like this one the best. Sourced from FireRaven listed on Tarot Forum.
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If you liked the featured deck, check out their shop on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/494758639/the-seekers-oracle-card-deck-barbara