As part of reviewing Patch Tarot, I thought I'd put it up against a couple of other decks. I've enjoyed using it in readings and spreads, and now I'm curious how it compares to decks you might be familiar with. So here we go. Three decks, three cards, three different approaches.
Why these decks? I wanted to see how obvious the RWS influence is in Patch, while Witch's Cat is another deck that looks simple but has layers of meaning - every plant and colour in that deck has been carefully chosen, just like the symbols in Patch! Lining them up together will hopefully make the similarities clear. I've chosen one Major, one Minor and one Court card for today's post.Major: Death
Patch Tarot
This Death is colourful and almost Mexican inspired, with rainbow wings and the eye of Horus above. He's the only Death in our run holding the traditional scythe. The people here seem more curious than afraid of him - the next stage is intriguing, not scary.
Witch's Cat
The cat in this card is surrounded by past lives. There's no reluctance or fear in his posture; Death is not scary in this instance.
RWS
The traditional image features a skeletal rider on a horse, bearing a flag with a white rose. Royalty, bishops and children all fall before him; there's no difference between them. Death is inevitable and unstoppable.
Minor: 9 of Swords
Patch Tarot
This poor character is literally being attacked by his own nightmares. He can't bring them under control. And from the look of the swords in the background, it's not the first time this has happened to him.
Witch's Cat
This poor cat is being haunted, but it's her own fault - that book of ghost stories in the background tells us that her scares are self-inflicted. At least her ghosts look friendly, not murderous.
RWS
In the classic image, a figure is woken out of sleep by nightmares. It's easy to let our thoughts spiral, but this card reminds us it's pointless in the end.
Court: King of Pentacles
Patch Tarot
The King of Coins stands in a lush field, looking over the things he's accomplished. This harvest is the work of his own hands.
Witch's Cat
The Sage of Paws is surrounded by signs of abundance and protection - holly, orange slices and pinecones. He's calm and satisfied with his harvest.
RWS
The King of Pentacles sits on his throne. His castle is in the background and the fruits of his labours are around him. He has worked hard for what he has and is now enjoying the comfort and satisfaction of knowing he's secure.
Closing Thoughts
After comparing these cards, I can see why my first draw from Patch Tarot was the Eight of Coins. This is a deck that rewards attention and study. The RWS influence makes the cards immediately recognisable, while the additional correspondences offer new perspectives for readers who want to dig deeper. The more time I spend with it, the more I feel there's something new to discover. This is a deck you could happily spend years with and still see something new each time.
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