The distinct differences between the engineering of these decks makes for differences in the methods of divination.
Since the Book of Thoth was not intended to be used with reversals, that option has not been made available here for this deck. In Thoth tarot readings, the cards' elemental dignities depend upon adjacent cards. Cards of the same energy strengthen their neighbors. Cards of opposite energies such as cups and wands cause ill-dignification.
This method of reading takes some getting used to, similar to learning to drive a vehicle with manual transmission, so reading with the Book of Thoth may be considered better for more advanced readers and better for deeper or more spiritual questions. Cards that are not opposite are considered friendly. Cards of the same suit strengthen their neighbors. In some spreads dignification is considered neutral and is therefore not relevant. The Golden Dawn method is the spread that relies most strongly on dignification.
Since the Rider-Waite-Smith does use reversals, dignification is automatic with this deck. The RWS not only made the of reversals commonplace, but also introduced a new tradition for the minor arcana, replacing the pip cards with cards depicting scenarios. Readings with the RWS are much more blunt than decks such as Thoth, making them much easier for beginners to interpret.
Of course the general rule with tarot is to just do it your own way. Seek, and you will find. Always follow your intuition, and learn at your own pace. Come back and read your tarot free any time. With practice, you may be amazed as you learn to tap deeper and deeper into the universal mind. |
