21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card - Step 20 - Deck Comparison

21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card
Mary K. Greer

In step twenty of our journey, we explore the tarot through deck comparison.

There are no "correct" meanings for a card or even a one "true" deck, but rather infinite variations.

Activity 20:1 - Take your chosen card and find its equivalent in several other decks - recommendation of at least three different versions.

• Describe each card.
• Line the cards up. Note similarities and differences.
• What new meanings and perspectives can you find in the alternate cards?
• List at least three keywords or phrases for your card. Are they different than the ones you started with?
• Which version best expresses advice needed for you situation? What does it suggest?
• Consider your own possible design for this card.

Rather than searching through my own decks, I turned to the Internet for my comparison cards.

The first is my chosen card, from the Crystal Visions Tarot. I found the second card on the Paul O'Mara Blog. The third is the Rider-Waite Version. And the fourth card is from The Artist's Inner Vision Tarot.

Paul O'Mara card description - The raging storm and river signify the high emotions of the situation. Swords cross one another signifying the hard decision. A blindfold signifies denial, while the Justice scales signifies the need to evaluate choices.

Rider-Waite card description - A woman sits on a stone bench, a blindfold upon her eyes, and her arms crossed, a sword within each hand. The river rages behind her. She almost appears to be meditating over her choices, not allowing the outside influences to guide her decision.

The Artist's Inner Vision Tarot card description - The woman looks forward with one eye covered. One arm up and one arm down give her balance as she looks to the future. The background scene of the card pulls my attention the most. The woman steps toward two doorways each leading to different locations. Notice the hand entering from above. It seems to be suggesting the left entryway and the woman's steps are veering in that direction. Could the card suggest listening to your higher voice for directions? What also strikes me is how the left entryway is somewhat darker than the right, not as appealing, yet it is where the woman looks to be going. Of course, every choice in life can't be sunny. The sunny side may reveal the easy choice, while the darker suggests the destined path, and perhaps the one less traveled.

As you can see, the first three all include the two crossed swords and the blindfold. The fourth symbolizes the choices of the crossed swords with the two doorways. The fourth contains an eye patch, signifying that even with blocked sight, your mind always sees. The absence of water in the fourth makes me thing it suggest the need to step away from emotions during the decision process.

Keywords - A decision, a choice, an alternate path

The Artist's Inner Vision Tarot offers advice much needed in my situation. The advice: Set emotion aside, listen to your inner voice, and choose your next step in the journey of life.

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Mary K. Greer goes into further details in The Way of the Adept section.

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If you haven’t already, grab a copy of the book for a deeper understanding of 21 Ways to Read the Tarot. Available in Print and Kindle.