Aging decks falling apart

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Feb 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Teranar	25 Feb 2004
My ancient RW deck is missing a card. The three of wands is absent. I don't notice its absence, but given the condition of some of the other cards, I'm beginning to use it less and less out of concern for its health. I'm using my Medieval Scrapini deck primarily now, but I'm just wondering: How far can you grind a deck into the ground before you just can't use it anymore? -Teranar

Centaur	25 Feb 2004
Hey Terranar, I remember with my sharman-caselli deck, I used it so much that the back of the King of Swords started to peel off. It ruined the whole deck for me... every time I spread the cards, I would see that one card, and it would bug the hell out of me. Awful. C

Kiama	25 Feb 2004
I think having a missing card would be the last straw for me, or having one card which is ripped quite considerably: this would differentaite it from the other cards, and I think it would also affect your cutting of the deck, etc, in its favour, if you know what I mean. I had a deck where the King of Swords got bent, and it stayed slightly bent from then on. But whenever I cut, it was always the card I cut at, because that was where my fingers let go cuz of the difference in feel compared to the rest of the cards. And then when I tried to avoid that happening, I realized I was consciously not allowing the card to ever be the cut. But I coped okay with it. Having a card missing would make me use a different deck though. Kiama Edited to add: Ah, I posted at the same time as Centaur, who I see also had a faulty King of Swords... *X-files music*

SongDeva	25 Feb 2004
How far? Until it's time to get another one. Which you will know intuitively, or just by sheer frustration. Your attitude will change towards it...you might love it but not want to read with it.

Centaur	25 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Kiama Edited to add: Ah, I posted at the same time as Centaur, who I see also had a faulty King of Swords... *X-files music* [/b] LOL. Most spooky! ;) I understand what you say completely: I would always be drawn towards that damn King of Swords regardless... I always knew where it was in the deck due to that scabby-back. I even tried to glue it back in place, but it kept coming unstuck. AND it was all because of the rough-shuffling of a flatmate of mine whose shuffling skills were TERRIBLE. And with my already old and used deck, it was a combination doomed for disaster. C

Nevada	25 Feb 2004
Well, I would say that when there's a card missing it's time to stop reading with it. But if you feel particularly attached you might want to keep it, not for reading but as a keepsake. Other threads here have suggested using old decks for artwork--collages, mandalas, etc. I was going to do this with a couple of my old Thoths but haven't yet been able to bring myself to cut them apart, even the deck that's missing a card. :) Nevada

Star Spirit	25 Feb 2004
Oh, I'd feel just awful if I ever permanently lost a card from any of my decks. I can't imagine using a deck so long that it's "falling apart" although I'm sure if I did the upside would be that I'd be a pretty experienced tarot reader :D I have such a sentimental attachment to all my things though, I'd hate to lose a deck that I've had for so long. Even if I had to get a new one, I'd most likely keep the old one in a safe place.

Majecot	26 Feb 2004
Having lost a card, I know that I can replace it by calling the publisher, but if the deck was in tatters and had a missing card, I would say that would be the time to replace the deck. Could you just see a brand new card in the midst of a deck of well worn ones? It would stick out like a sore thumb.

Indigo Rose	26 Feb 2004
I would stop using it with a card missing. It makes the deck incomplete.

jmd	26 Feb 2004
I tend to agree with the general view so far, that once a card is missing, I would tend to want to replace the deck - yet I also know that the main deck I use is such a familiar deck, that even with a missing card, it would probably 'feel' right. 'But time to get another deck!', my head would clearly say!

Jewel-ry	26 Feb 2004
Definately time for a new deck! :D If you need advice there are loads of people to help you choose. J :)

crystal cove	26 Feb 2004
I guess this makes a good argument for buying 2 or 3 of each deck. :D

Teranar	26 Feb 2004
Hehe, yeah, I guess I kind of consider my Scrapini deck a replacement for it. I've been using it for some time even with the missing card (Mostly because that was before I got my job and was too poor to get a new deck.) But, yeah, I guess I'll just wrap it up lovingly and put it someplace where no one's going to go through my stuff. Off to go look like he's doing schoolwork, -Teranar

Thea Lynx	26 Feb 2004
I can not imagine reading with a deck that has a card missing - I would feel deprived of the information. But for such an old friend, I think I would find a lovely box or bag to keep it in and retire it from readings - but not from taking out periodically to stay acquainted. Thea Lynx

zorya	26 Feb 2004
before doing away with an old tattered deck, why not see if someone else is missing a card that you could replace for them?

The Aging decks falling apart thread was originally posted on 25 Feb 2004 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.