New or Used?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 05 Feb 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Orion	05 Feb 2004
Hi Everyone: What is your take? Having a brand new or a used Tarot deck? I will admit I have never considered purchasing a deck that has been used by another individual until I joined AT. Has anyone aquired a used deck that has not worked well for you?

Ruby7	05 Feb 2004
I used to think that I wanted no one but me to ever touch my tarot cards and the idea of a used deck did not appeal to me at all. As I became more of a collector of tarot decks and purchased a few lightly used decks on E-Bay I realised that I don't mind having decks that have been lightly used by someone else. I don't even do any special cleansing ritual or anything like that because now to me they are just cards with pictures on them. Ruby7

dolphinprincess	05 Feb 2004
... I am not oppposed to used decks - but I only buy ones that are still in excellent condition.. Its not a matter of other people touching the deck - My OCD (haha) just likes things that nice, neat, and in good shape.. the way I keep my own stuff !

13thFaeChylde	05 Feb 2004
I buy gently used things all the time....decks, clothes, furniture, cars, etc. It's such a good way of recycling, and with regards to decks, I like receiving decks that other people here have loved.

ol_crazy_Legs	05 Feb 2004
Its funny you say that cuz me too. I would of never bought a used deck. But now i think its ok, so long you cleans it thats all.

mercenary30	05 Feb 2004
So it is just fine by me to have a used deck. I have 4 or 5 of them right now.

Logiatrix	05 Feb 2004
For me, used decks have a very practical application--nevermind unwanted energy or "bad vibes." I have very arthritic hands, and I am virtually unable to handle many new decks on the market now. Therefore, I prefer to find older deck editions in decent shape, or newer offerings that have been "broken in." Older decks (pre-80s, for example) were usually made with a matte card finish, and more the current offerings are less "slick" if someone else has made use of them--both of these circumstances are good for my old hands! For instance, I purchased a new Aquarian Tarot last year, but couldn't handle the slippery cards, so I gave it up. Near that same time, I got an old, well-worn Aquarian (over thirty years old!) from faunabay, and I love handling it! It's nicely broken in, with that good matte finish. I have gone on to find the same solution for using the Voyager Tarot, which is a deck I really like to read with, but is also a very out-sized stack of cards. What I did was I traded my new Voyager for a used one! So, the edition I now have is about fifteen years old, broken in, but in good shape; most importantly, I am able to use it with ease. If I'd kept the one I originally owned, I know it would remain too stiff and bulky for me to handle well, as I would never be strong enough to break it in. Used decks are good medicine for me! :)

Bean Feasa	05 Feb 2004
I have about 18 decks so far, all brand new, but I did recently order the Hallowe'en Tarot used from Amazon, simply because I couldn't get it new. It will be interesting to see how it feels, I'll resurrect this thread if I get any significant vibes from it. :) Kate P.S dolphin princess what's an OCD???

Kiama	05 Feb 2004
I must confess... I have a 'thing' for old, battered, bruised decks. I just love the dusty smell, the softened edges and corners, the grey edges... If a deck is old and unwanted I just yearn to give it a good home in my collection. :D }) I have no problems using used decks. Obviously I can't use the ones that have cards missing, but as long as all the cards are there, no matter how used they are I can use them with no problems. These days I also prefer to buy used decks for my collection, because they're usually cheaper than brand new decks. :D Kiama

The New or Used? thread was originally posted on 05 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.