Left hand, right hand?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 Mar 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Diana	07 Mar 2002
edited

kayne	07 Mar 2002
That's interesting Diana, I have never heard that one before. I guess it all adds to the mystery or theatrical side of tarot that so many people like to foster... For me I don't think it would make a difference.

Major Tom	07 Mar 2002
Diana - I tend to cut the cards with my left hand before dealing from the top. One of my books told me to use my left hand because it was closer to my heart. As Kayne says though - I don't think it really makes much difference. :D

Kiama	07 Mar 2002
I don't think it makes much difference either, but I always ask the querent to cut the cards thrice with their left hand after I shuffle. Don't know why! It's also an opportunity to get their energies into the reading I suppose.... Kiama

Mojo	07 Mar 2002
I have very few "rituals" concerning the Tarot, but how I pull the cards off the deck is the one where I am most consistent. I always take the card off the deck with my left hand and then transfer it to my right hand before placing it into the spread. I do this because it is a physical reminder to me that in reading the Tarot, I have to call on both halves of my brain: the left brain for memory and intellect, and the right brain for intuition and creativity.

blumoon	07 Mar 2002
i follow the paul fenton-smith way which is to choose the cards with your non writing hand :)

Diana	08 Mar 2002
edited

Emily	08 Mar 2002
I also read in one of my books that the hand nearest to your heart was the dominant (?) hand and should be used to deal the cards with so thats the way I do it, I also shuffle the deck into me left hand then either hold them in my right or place them down to do the actual reading with my left :)

Thirteen	08 Mar 2002
I go with Bluemoon's method, especially when I have a querent. I ask, "Are you right handed or left?" If right handed, I have them cut with the left. If left handed, I have them cut with the right. The non-dominate hand makes the cut more "unconscious" (in theory at least).

catlin	08 Mar 2002
I usually ask the querent to take the left hand (heart-related) to cut the deck but that is no rule carved in stone.

Pollux	08 Mar 2002
I go with the left hand too... The one of intuition and emotion... the one of divination and "smooth" realm... :D Or, more generically, what you defined the dominant or non-writing hand :)

Kimon	08 Mar 2002
Hello, I realize the longer I work with tarot, the lesser rituals I have. Concerning the hands, I do not think of that anymore and just use my hands as I do for anything else. Greetings, Kimon

kayne	08 Mar 2002
I am amazed at how many people make a point of using their left hand when choosing cards. I liked Mojo's explantation, made sense to me. I think I might give it a go next reading, find out if I see or feel a difference...

purplelady	08 Mar 2002
I always use my left hand to cut the deck with , 3 times. The only tarot readings I've been doing lately are pulling 1 card a day from a fanned deck , but I always use my left hand to choose the card. I never even considered if someone were left handed. I suppose then it would make sense for them to use their right hand.

purplelady	08 Mar 2002
Mojo , I Love your location! Now I can't resist changing mine! The left hand made me do it.

blumoon	09 Mar 2002
hmmm i just thought of something..what if they are ambidextrous? :p

The Left hand, right hand? thread was originally posted on 07 Mar 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.