Been experimenting with different tarot systems lately, trying to figure out which gives the most accurate readings. Started with RWS, moved to Thoth, tried Marseille, even dabbled in some oracle hybrids. The same question gets totally different (but equally valid?) answers depending on the system.
My Thoth deck cuts deep with psychological stuff, but my basic RWS nails everyday situations. Marseille feels most accurate for yes/no questions - maybe because there’s less imagery to overthink?
Starting to think “most accurate tarot” depends more on what you’re asking than the actual deck.
What system do you find most accurate for different types of questions?
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Interesting topic… I don’t know if there’s really a best system since it’s probably going to be pretty subjective. The most popular Tarot decks list is probably enough evidence of that.
I think if you’re stuck, hard to go wrong with the RWS deck.
When I showed my sister how to read tarot, she was really surprised at how accurate even the general readings on YouTube seemed to be for her. It got me thinking that maybe the accuracy depends more on how well the message fits what you’re experiencing.
Now, when I teach beginners, I tell them that sometimes a simple RWS spread for a general audience can resonate more than a detailed Thoth spread, especially if you’re open to the message.
Oracle cards for me! Moonology is the deck I can always turn to if there’s no room for doubt or interpretation.
Yeah… case in point already. This is going to be entirely subjective, so I wouldn’t look for the best so much as the one that works for you. That might take a little experimentation.
Slow down and really take your time with your tarot readings. That’s how you get accuracy.
When you skim through them quickly, flipping cards as if in a rush, you miss out on their deeper meaning. Spend at least five minutes with your three-card spread.
Let the images speak to you. It’s about absorbing the details and the atmosphere they create. If you rush, you’re treating them like flashcards. Take a moment, breathe, and let the cards reveal their secrets.
I’d recommend checking out Teacup Tarot. Their spreads are quite nice. JJ Costellation is another one worth exploring. Both offer unique perspectives and insights into tarot. Give them a look and see what you think.
I was just chatting with a friend last weekend about this. She mentioned how when she first started with the Thoth deck in her twenties, she couldn’t grasp the psychological nuances.
Now, in her forties, the readings feel much more accurate and meaningful. It got me thinking about my own way. I struggled with the deeper layers when I was younger, too. We both agreed that having more life experience has changed how we interpret the cards.
I’m curious if others have noticed that readings evolve as we gain more life wisdom.
Every tarot deck seems to connect with different parts of me. With all its symbolic details, the RWS deck really gets my mind going. On the other hand, the Thoth deck makes me feel a lot of energy in my solar plexus, pushing me towards change and action.
Maybe that’s the way. Rather than limiting it to just one system, a combination of everything.
Firefly is my favorite reader and does good tarot readings. I’ve had a few sessions with them and they pick up on things I didn’t even mention. Maybe it is the reader, not the system.
I’ve noticed the best readings happen when I stop overthinking which deck to use.
Just grab whatever feels right. Had a friend sit down for a casual reading with my beat-up RWS deck, and the cards basically spelled out a health issue she didn’t even know about yet. Turned out to be completely accurate.
Makes me think accuracy is less about the system and more about that gut connection between reader, querent, and whatever deck works best that day.
I’d agree.
The accuracy seems to depend a lot on how well the reader vibes with their deck. Like, a reader using RWS who really knows that system inside out tends to give better readings than someone using Thoth just because they think it’s more advanced or whatever. Makes me wonder if accuracy is more about the connection between the reader and the deck than the actual deck being used.
Do you find your readings are better when you’re really feeling a connection with a deck vs just going through the motions?
Been studying the Kabbalah stuff behind tarot cards lately. My readings have gotten better when I match the deck to what I’m asking about. Like with the Thoth deck for shadow work, Crowley put all those Tree of Life connections in the actual card art, so it just works better for that kind of thing.
my readings become a lot clearer when I pay attention to how cards work together, instead of focusing on single cards.
Like, when the Three of Swords shows up with the Star in my RWS deck, it usually means healing after heartbreak. In the Thoth deck, this combo feels more like changing mental patterns. It’s interesting how the meaning can shift depending on the deck.
Something I started doing recently is checking the season before grabbing a deck, or where the moon is. Different decks seem to vibe with different times.
Like my Wild Unknown, it feels more natural in autumn when everything is getting quieter. The bright Modern Witch cards? Those are more of a summer thing for me. Even if you just notice which deck you’re reaching for, it tells you something about where you’re at.
You might want to give journaling a shot after each reading. Its a good way to see how different decks relate to your experiences over time. Just write down a few thoughts.
I think a downside of having too many deck choices is that it can be overwhelming. Sometimes, I get stuck trying to choose the right one, and it seems to slow down my reading process. Anyone else feel this way?
The art style makes a big difference for me.
RWS works well when I’m reading about situations with multiple people - all those background figures and expressions help me pick up on things.
For personal stuff though, I prefer simpler decks like Wild Unknown. The abstract designs help me focus without getting caught up in all the little details and stories in the cards.
Napoleon’s cartomancer Marie Lenormand reportedly used a stripped-down pip system similar to Marseille for her most important predictions, which makes me wonder if simpler imagery actually sharpens intuitive hits. Different deck structures affect reading accuracy, which really showed me why my Marseille pulls feel so direct compared to my symbol-heavy decks.
