Occult Books Shops.. Scent & Authenticity

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 26 Feb 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

New2Tarot	26 Feb 2002
Hey guys, When I bought my first tarot deck a little over a year ago, I knew nothing about it.. me and my two friends went out of town to a larger city and were downtown when we came across an occult book store. Curiosity won and we went inside. When we left, we had tarot decks in our hands and didn't really know why. :P Anyway, that deck was the Rider Waite. At first I thought it was ugly and although it was entertaining to use at first, the novelty wore off and I set it aside. Six months later I picked it up again and decided to read the book we had bought and try to learn how to use it. The store had a strong scent of incense. It's such a great smell, I love it. Luckily, when we bought our decks they were pulled from a cabinet that had stacks of RW decks in it.. that had been in there for a while, and they had a strong scent of this incense. My deck still smells today, although it is much more subtle. The LWB however, is strong as ever of the scent because when I put my deck away I put it away with the two "joker" cards in front of the bottom flap facing the wall of the box to protect the cards bottoms (because at first the flap of the bottom "lid" made it hard to get the cards in), the LWB, and hten the deck. The LWB has been handled minimally and still smells of the incense. A few months after using the RW deck again, I made a return visit to the store to purchase a Thoth deck. It was part of a new shipment, because it didnt have as strong a scent as the RW which kind of disappointed me. Meh. Anyway, when I asked what the smell in the store was .. thinking it was a specific incense, she said it was a mixture of all the incenses at the back of the store. :( That was disappointing.. do you think if I buy one of each I can make the deck smell that way? I want my decks to smell that way.. it's been an impression on me that I associate with an authentic deck. I only have two decks, the RW and the Thoth. I have purchased them both from the occult store, and they both have that special scent (which I have come to associate with a "real" deck) I could just as easily buy a deck from Barnes and Noble or Chapters.. but they don't seem as authentic. Does anyone else have this hangup?? LOL I'm going to return to the store this weekend hopefully to add two or maybe three (if I am that impulsive) decks to my collection. I want them to smell like my RW deck, AND I want to be able to have my decks continue to smell that way as time goes on, without it wearing off.. what do I do?? Oh.. and the decks I'm considering are these: Hermetic Tarot Morgan Greer Tarot Original Rider Waite Tarot World Spirit Tarot I really want the Original Rider Waite because while I originally disliked the RW, it's grown on me.. and seeing the different colour schemes available for it, the Original one appeals to me because it's got nice colouring and a better more-tarot-deck-like, less-playing-card-like card back. heh. The Universal Waite is nice too, but I won't be buying it this trip. I like working with the RW now, it's sentimental.. I just don't really like the harsh yellows and blues. What other deck should I get, if I had to choose just one other from that list, and what do you do to protect and preserve your first ever deck (and how long have you had it)? Later, New2Tarot

Geenius at Wrok	26 Feb 2002
Quote: New2Tarot (27 Feb, 2002 13:41): I really want the Original Rider Waite because while I originally disliked the RW, it's grown on me.. and seeing the different colour schemes available for it, the Original one appeals to me because it's got nice colouring and a better more-tarot-deck-like, less-playing-card-like card back. heh. The Universal Waite is nice too, but I won't be buying it this trip. I like working with the RW now, it's sentimental.. I just don't really like the harsh yellows and blues. There's a second "Universal" Waite clone done by Roberto de Angelis and published (I believe) by Lo Scarabeo. It's all the RW imagery, but the execution is more modern and refined (though still a little awkward on some cards—Justice, for example, looks funny to me). See what you think.

Kiama	27 Feb 2002
Firstly, I had to laugh when you wrote: "When we left, we had Tarot decks in our hands and didn't know why." I know this feeling. I always go into my favourite shop, with the intention of *not* buying any decks.... But then, tehre's always one that calls to me, and I just can't resist. I have done once, I think, in all the visits I've made to that shop, and that was only cuz my friend told me very bluntly that I wasn't going to buy the deck. So, I gave in, and didn't.... Anyway, onto answering your question. Out of those four decks, if you were to choose just one, I think it would really depend on what you're looking for. If you're looking for something close to the Rider Waite, and a bit more traditional, then Morgan Greer's not a bad choice. But if you're looking for a more colourful and vibrant deck, which breaks away somewhat from traditional Tarot symbology, and makes a couple of changes to the Court cards, then the World Spirit's the one for you. Both decks are beautiful, but quite different... I have both, and think that I prefer the World Spirit, but that's just my personal opinion. Smells.... Hmmm.... I've bought loads of realy good occult and philosophy books from second hand bookstores, so for me, the smell of dusty and old pages in a book really makes me think, yeah, this book's good, whether or not it actually is! And there is also this same smell with all US Games Tarot decks, when the cards are new. Its very plastic-like, and manufactured, but it reinds me if that thrill when you first open a new deck.... Anyway, this post is far too long, and I have an English lesson to go to.... Kiama

kayne	27 Feb 2002
Hmmm! I know what you mean :) I just received the World Spirit deck for my birthday (which I HIGHLY recomend from your list...) and my friend must have bought it from an occult shop because, despite being wrapped in plastic it smelled fantastic! Makes it even more appealing to me :)

Michelle	27 Feb 2002
I'm so happy to know I'm not the only one with a "scent" hang up. My husband finds it very amusing that the first thing I do when I get a new deck or book from my favorite shop ..is smell them. LOL. I've burned every incense under the sun, in an attempt to recreate the smell, so far I have not been able to- but I'll keep trying. Love and Light, Michelle

DeLani	27 Feb 2002
Mee too! I'm glad there are others with scent hang-ups. But it's really not so strange, if you consider that scent is the sense that connects to the deepest levels of the brain, both psychologically as well as physiologically (like aromatherapy). The first thing I do when I get a deck is smell it. I really don't like the new, plasticy smell - it seems "chemically" to me and makes my nose cringe. So I let the deck tell me what "scent" it is, and I let it air out a few days then proceed to smear oil all around the inside of the box and the inside of the bag/box I keep them in. My Robin Wood is scented with "Pearl of Wisdom," a blend I made myself with wormwood and other scents; my little Thoth smells now like frankincense; my Nigel Jackson smells like High Joan; my Hanson-Roberts smells like "Nightspell," (an Airs brand incense); and now my "new" Gendron smells like rose. As a result, my 'tarot drawer' smells like a perfumery! And, I tried and tried to scent my Fantastical like Nag Champa, and it just wouldn't take. This was a real clue that the deck & I weren't compatible. I also work in a New Age store, which smells wonderful! but I have to warn you, you will probably never get that exact scent. It is the combined scents of all the scents that have ever been in that store. The best you can do is pick out one to three incenses or oils that make you think of that store (or that really speak to you) and use that. I hope that helps! DeLani

Jewel	27 Feb 2002
Delani thanks for sharing how you scent the decks! I usually have incense going when I am working with the Tarot so the decks I have out a lot have started gathering a scent, but your tip about the oil is really helpful. As for authenticity ... to me all my decks are authentic regardless of where they came from. But I do know what you mean ... there is a certain "special" feeling of walking out of the New Age store with a deck :) Love & Light, L

Bings	28 Feb 2002
I have to say that I am so relieved to now know that I am not the only one who leaves a New Age Book store SMELLING her purchases!!! When we asked what scent they burn we received the same answer as the rest of you. Its a combination of all the incense they sell. I love the idea of scenting decks. When I purchase a new deck I do certain things to make the deck *mine*. I think adding scent would be a wonderful way to enhance this.

slinky_jo	28 Feb 2002
Hey New2Tarot - I know exactly what you mean! My Rider-Waite cards smelt all incensey too when I bought them. I have managed to keep this smell by buying some lovely powder from a witchy herb shop. It's called "Ancient Wisdom" powder. It can be burnt on charcoal, or rubbed on your hands when you do a reading (which is what I do, so my cards now have that scent imbued on/in them). It smells of roses and incense - it is truly beautiful. Unfortunately, the shop that sold it has now closed down, so what I have left is very precious. Maybe you could check out your local witchy shop, and start sniffing!!

slinky_jo	28 Feb 2002
PS - yes I am another "book sniffer" - there is nothing quite like the smell of a new book. I'm a chronic book sniffer! lol

Strange2	01 Mar 2002
I'm also a confessed sniffer of books and decks. I've noticed that brand new Lo Scarabeo decks just out of the plastic wrap have this interesting inky smell, sort of like the old mimeograph copies you used to get in school (showing my age here!). Certain books I've acquired in occult/new age stores still retain their unique aroma, instantly reminding me of where and when I acquired them. And the musty aroma from old comic books... aaahh, fantastic memories of strange and wondrous tales from my youth!

Jeanette	01 Mar 2002
I, too, am guilty of smelling everything! I like to keep a little sachet in my tarot bag and box, and all of my cards sort of smell like that. But I know that incense smell, and I love it. And no matter how much I burn at home and what different fragrances I use, it's just not the same as the store. Oh well, what can you do.....

Temperance413	05 Mar 2002
My husband thinks I'm a loon because of all the inscense I own. he laughs every time I burn some, says it smells like the back of one of those gypsy wagons where you get fortunes done at a carnival! I think scent adds so much to cards, books, the cloths you lay the cards on. That's the way I scent my cards. Even if you take a wand of inscense and rub it over the cloth then store your cards with the cloth wrapped around your deck, this will keep the scent on your cards. I use frankenscense and sandalwood for most of my decks and they all smell old, and spicy and wonderful!!! Good luck with your Scent adventures!! Marie

purplelady	08 Mar 2002
New2Tarot, I know exactly what you mean about the incense smelling SO good when you go into the store! I guess because it is a combo of incenses that you probubly aren't going to get at home. Why don't you pick out a few incenses that you like and burn them or keep them nearby when you use your cards? Delani , thanks for the tip on scenting the Bag or Box with oil! I've known people to put a drop or two essential oil on the cards themselves. I'm really afraid to do that as I'm afraid the oil actually put directly on the cards may stain or discolor them , or make them sticky. I may try the bag or box method now! I tend to go overboard with scent though! I'm afraid I'll end up with too many all mingled together on the tarot shelf and wished I'd never started?! It isn't just Loscarabeo decks that smell inky. Almost ALL new decks smell that way to me!

dreamweaver	13 Mar 2002
I guess I"m the only one who is asthmatic and finds nearly all incense irritating. There are new age bookstores I have to leave because they set off an attack (hard to focus on vibes and inhaling at the same time...) I, too, find scents important. I'm very drawn to citrus and spice, but they have to be natural and not in *smoke* (ack!) If you come to my future store, the scents will be fresh flowers, cloves and orange peels, etc. :)

New2Tarot	13 Mar 2002
Just for the record, I'm an asthmatic and the incense doesn't bother me at all, nor do calognes or parfumes, but that's because my asthma is under control. New2Tarot

arizonagirl	14 Mar 2002
I have a special closet in my home where I keep all my Tarot books and decks, and all my Wiccan things. I have a lot of wonderful smelling herbs and incense in there as well and it makes the whole room seem peaceful and well, almost spiritual.

Aeon	14 Mar 2002
::jumping out of lurk:::: Hi everyone!! Had to jump in here. I recently organized my "witchy closet" (hand wood burned doors and gorgoyles at the top - love my closet) with all the separate boxes for oils, incenses, etc and of course a large foot locker type box for tarot cards. I used to have the incense and cards in the same box and noticed that smell everyone is talking about. I loved it! Turned out to be great for when the cards currently in use needed clearing or a good break to store it in there for a while. They'd come out clean and happy. Now that I've re-organized the smell is diminishing and I'm not getting the clearing effect. At this point I'm thinking of go out and buying one or two of each incense stick good for clearing and intuition. Vanilla was the main incense that was in the box (my favorite) other than that there was a large ziploc bag of rose petals (I'm sure the smell played no part there, just the fact of them) Other than that it was one or two each of various sticks that I didn't care for on their own (can't throw anything out yanno LOL). So...the idea here that works for me is large box with various incenses to blend together and periodically storing deck in use. Just gotta find what works for you personally. Wish I knew what those various ones I had laying around were now. LOL another lesson in "Write everything down" Course this only works if you want ALL your decks to smell the same. Aeon

raeanne	14 Mar 2002
Hi all, I am not an asthmatic, but I am extremely sensitive to all forms of stimulus. Lights, sounds, motion, smells, touch, and taste. Most incense is WAY TOO STRONG for me. I get a very bad headache and a bit sick to my stomach. After about ten minutes around most incense, I can’t breathe. I love the fragrance so I kept trying different brands. I finally found one that works for me. It is very soft. It does what I think incense is suppose to do – stimulate breathing, not take it away. This incense encourages me to breathe deeper which I think adds to my meditation. My son bought some incense that has got to be the worst in the whole world. I told him that if he took it out to the backyard and burned it on the picnic table way back in the back corner of the yard and then opened the front door and let the breeze carry the scent into my house, maybe it would be tolerable. He, he, he. I was wrong, it was still too strong. My son and I still laugh about that package of incense.

Wildchild	14 Mar 2002
Heh! I buy a lot of my books from occult & herbal shops too & I LOVE the smells they pick up. The deck I'm using was ordered through the mail & have no scent. I made a little herbal pack to store in with my cards & now they have a nice scent to them.

Zhritza	03 Apr 2002
Quote: Originally posted by DeLani My Robin Wood is scented with "Pearl of Wisdom," a blend I made myself with wormwood and other scents Wow, an absinthe deck! :D ...no, I'm kidding. I'm fond of mugwort and wormwood myself for burning. They smell lunar, or something. When I was little, my mother burned Nag Champa - that incense from India that comes in ropes (it comes in sticks too, but it's not the same). I find this to be absolutely the happiest, most evocative smell on the planet. I think smells can totally make or break your mindset, so for tarot reading they can be a really powerful tool.

Cocobird55	04 Apr 2002
You are not alone. I have asthma too, and find most New Age shops a trial. And the scents do stay for a while. I bought a book that had been in the store for a long time, and had to keep it near an open window for a few days before I could read it without starting to wheeze... Sue

The Occult Books Shops.. Scent & Authenticity thread was originally posted on 26 Feb 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.