How do you keep track of your decks??

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 Dec 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Majecot	07 Dec 2003
I was browsing the sticky deck list thread and, realize that there are some really collections out there. For me to keep track of mine is easy I only have a small drawer full :D so far. How does every one keep track of their deck collections? Do you catalog them or just keep mental list?

Jewel-ry	07 Dec 2003
When I first started I kept a mental list but now I have traded a few and got others in return its all got a bit confusing. :confused: I have 24 decks now and keep them listed in the front of my journal but I'm now starting to home in on what I want and am not nearly as impulsive as I used to be so my collection is sort of.....stabilising which is good. It makes cataloguing a lot easier. Every now and then I count them just to makes sure I havnt't left one somewhere ( wouldnt be able to stand that!) J:)

Astraea	07 Dec 2003
Right now, my decks are organized according to category (Celtic, fairy, classical, hermetic, Egyptian, collage, oracle, etc.). Even though there is a fair amount of crossover, it's easier and more logical this way than to arrange them by alphabet or publisher.

Gerbear	07 Dec 2003
I use the Tarot Organizer from Tarotgarden. It's a database that tracks most of the information about a deck. In addition to expected fields like name, author, etc. it has fields for ISBN numbers, references,(Kaplan, Manteia), and whether or not the deck is OOP or limited edition. Another tab has fields for tracking the value. In another tab, you can scan in sample pictures, keep a readings journal and on and on and on. However I also use an Excel spreadsheet. The main advantage of this, is that I can list the decks in chronological order. and add formulas and fields not in the Organizer. I use spreadsheets at work, so I'm more at ease with Excel. Consequently, I can access data of just about any sort, on all 250 of my decks(so far) in an instant.

Kiama	07 Dec 2003
I used to keep a record of my collection, but I kinda forgot to do it after a while. My only record is here on Aeclectic. (Oops!) I keep track of my decks by just knowing where they all are in the Tarot deck drawers I have. I have a good memory for remembering where I store all my things, so I just know where each deck is. I keep on thinking about arranging them in some kind of order, but I realise that whenever I got a new deck I'd have to *rearrange* it all, and I just don't have time. Plus, I'm running out of space... :( Gerbear: I've been eyeing up the Tarotgarden Tarot Organizer for a while... Well, maybe for Christmas... }) Kiama Edited to add: Oh sod it, I just ordered the Tarot Organizer anyway! ;)

Nevada	07 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Gerbear However I also use an Excel spreadsheet. The main advantage of this, is that I can list the decks in chronological order. and add formulas and fields not in the Organizer. I use spreadsheets at work, so I'm more at ease with Excel. Consequently, I can access data of just about any sort, on all 250 of my decks(so far) in an instant. What a great idea! I use Excel a lot too. My Tarot collection is still quite small, but maybe now is the best time to start recording this information--before it becomes a huge project. Thanks, Gerbear. Nevada

firestorm	07 Dec 2003
I do keep a list in Word being that I've done a little trading, plus, I forget about the few decks that I don't use often. Other than that, they're not organized in any way. I have a plastic Rubbermaid box that I keep deck boxes in so they don't get trashed in case I want to trade or sell and the decks are in deck bags.

brennamor	08 Dec 2003
I also use Tarot Garden's Tarot Organizer (although I'm not even close to entering all my decks yet). I like some of its options and there are others I just don't use. But the price was right and it is very useful. For just day to day tracking I use an Excel spreadsheet. I basically just track the deck name, creator, publisher and maybe a description. I also create a column for companion decks. I have two places where I keep Tarot decks. So to try to ensure that I'm using decks with a similar vibe I pair them up (this is separate from the decks I use for comparative readings). So for example in place 1 I have the Russian Tarot of St Petersburg and in place 2 I have the Egorov as it's companion. I have Motherpeace in one place and its companion is Shining Tribe. I also keep the list on my Pocket PC so that I have easy access to it and can update it with no problem. Right now I'm at 220 decks.

EarthAngel2911	08 Dec 2003
I also use the Tarot Organizer by Jeannette at Tarot Garden. I was so excited to find it and I just love using it! I probably have close to 130 tarot decks (and counting) and probably close to 20 oracle decks. I work as an accountant by day, so I couldn't imagine NOT keeping a record of my decks. :| It started innocently enough with an excel spreadsheet, but one wasn't enough. No! I needed one sheet that listed them in chronological order of purchase date, one sheet listed alphabetically, one that listed them in order of favorites.... Eeek! So you can imaging my excitement when I found the Tarot Organizer! :) Of course, I'm far from having all my decks entered, but I've come up with a little system that will help me do searches. And after all of my decks are updated (after my recent spending spree), I'll enter the oracle decks, and I will probably even include my tarot books, which number more than my decks! (I guess it's a good thing I have a day job!) Blessings, Karen

raeanne	08 Dec 2003
Hi all, I have a notebook that I keep all my information about each deck. I include the date I bought it, the suit names, the names for the court cards, a ‘New Deck’ reading, and whether it came with a Little White Book or a boxed set book. When I read the book I put a checkmark in front of it.

yve	08 Dec 2003
I recently went to a craft fair and bought this wonderful tongue in groove handmade pine box (18"X18" by 6" deep) with a mahogony inset top, and brass corners and so far holds all of my decks with plenty of room for more! As for keeping track of the decks and books, I have a Word document with my list of all the decks, books and all of the reference info (Date, creator, printer, ISBN etc) and so far this is manageable....

firestorm	08 Dec 2003
Yve, I'm deeply jealous of that box. ;) It sounds wonderful, I'd love to have one like it.

yve	08 Dec 2003
It's amazing what you can find at small craft sales...the crafter was a retired man who had time on his hands and made nothing for his time, and I bought it for a bargain!!! When I saw it, I knew what it was meant for! Quote: Originally posted by firestorm Yve, I'm deeply jealous of that box. ;) It sounds wonderful, I'd love to have one like it.

Thea Lynx	08 Dec 2003
What a great bunch of ideas for keeping track of decks! It had never occurred to me that I may someday need to inventory mine. Right now I have only 33, and they are all in one large decorative box - broken up into two sets that are alphabetized - one for those I have worked with, the others still waiting their turn. I think once I get as many as some others and have to keep them (horrors!!) in separate locations I'll have to think about creating a datebase. But for now, they are few enough that I can handle them and look through them and get a real feel for which one wants to be worked wtih next. Thea

VGimlet	09 Dec 2003
I made myself a lovely little database with all kinds of ways to cross reference and make little pie charts for different things. I'm a list maker, and spreadsheets are the ultimate in listmaking fun. ...oooh, my geekness is showing.

Majecot	09 Dec 2003
I think that I may be getting to the point where I might have to start keeping a physical record.. great ideas in this thread. Yve.. I am completely envious of your Tarot Chest. I was thinking my decks needed a more dignified home other that a small drawer in my craft dresser.. I will be keeping these ideas in the back of my mind for when my mental list gets too long.

Logiatrix	10 Dec 2003
I only have about fifteen decks, which I have listed here on the Forum; I keep a hard copy of it in my day timer. I keep my decks in a plastic storage container, with a promise to myself that my 'collection' will not outgrow it! :)

The How do you keep track of your decks?? thread was originally posted on 07 Dec 2003 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.