Taking your cards out into the world

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 09 Apr 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

RedWood	09 Apr 2002
When you take your cards with you..whether going to the store or out somewhere..Do you also take your tarot book? and if you do..For instance I am reading 78 degrees of Wisdom...Do you write down the meanings in a smaller book so it doesnt take up much room?

.dc	09 Apr 2002
for the most part, i try and take mine everywhere. i usually take the deck itself only. i carry a backpack so i tend to bring the deck, the little white book and i always carry a journal with me (whether or not its my tarot journal is another question) because you never know when inspiration hits. these things come with me and sometimes i'll take the deck out and do a reading... sometimes i just flip thru the cards. but for the most part they just sit there... collecting energy and a fond look from me as i know they're there. hope this helps, blessed be, .dc

Umbrae	09 Apr 2002
I carry a Palm (pilot) PDA. It goes where I go...always. Readings go into it. When I get home I export my readings to a .doc file. Everything gets written down... (because sometimes meanings, or heck...the whole universe...expands...you need to record things).

Jewel	09 Apr 2002
I always have a deck with me, usually the one I am working with at the time. Lately I have had two decks with me at all times. Sometimes I have a book or 2 with me, but the main thing I like having near is my deck. Today I have 2 decks, 2 books and 2 journals ~giggles~ ... but tomorrow is a different day and I am sure I will have other goodies in my bag :)

taliandes	09 Apr 2002
I have a small version of the rider waite deck which is an ideal size to carry around with me and use if i want to. I take it in my pocket every where i go but i dont take books with me. If i am going into london i may take a tarot book, usually one of the ones that came with a set. I just read it through and then when i get time at home flick through the cards that go with the book. I hardly ever make notes but thats because i never look back at them. I just go along and keep with the things that have stuck in my mind. Im weird like that. Lisa

dolphingirl	09 Apr 2002
I always take my Robin Wood deck with me (actually have 2 of this deck a traveling on and a home one) cause I can always read with this one. I keep it in the box with the lwb (which I love with this deck). I also take a second deck with me usually whichever is newest or whichever I have a fancy for. I sometimes carry a tarot book to read but there isn't one specific one that goes with. Sam

Lion-O	09 Apr 2002
Now why didn't I think of this of this option? :rolleyes: Well, obviously I never did this myself but I can sure see some advantages in this setup, allthough I don't see myself using the cards everywhere (work for example ;)) I guess it can be handy to have them around anyway, for example when using small spreads to do a quick lookup into something. Thanks for mentioning it.

Kiama	09 Apr 2002
I try to take my Robin Wood everywhere I go, unless my bag is so full that it would be impractical to take it with me! My Robin Wood is looking a bit dog-eared now, as its been to so many places! And I must've read with it in some really weird places too...! (The bath was a weird one.. It wasn't even a reading for me! My friend came round, and needed a reading, but I was in the bath, so I just gave her the reading there! Very relaxing actually!) I don't take a book with me though. Not anymore. I used to, but now I feel comfortable enough without the book. Kiama

Pedeka	09 Apr 2002
About 90% of the time I keep a deck with me. And I always have a book of one kind or another, so often it is a tarot book. I dont usually carry around a book and deck that I am studying together though. I tend to spread out and get all comfy when going through a deck with a book. I need "supplies" then, index tabs, different colored highlighters, different colored pens, notebooks...

Rhiannon	09 Apr 2002
I always have at least one deck in my purse. More than one and my arm really starts to ache! LOL I don't carry any specific book. I usually carry a deck that I feel comfy enuff with to do readings w/out a book, but the LWB that comes with the deck is in the box... just in case. One of my friends from my old job loved this! She said "I love a girl who comes prepared!" ;) Rhiannon :) Speaking of which... I need to make up more business cards....

Melvis	09 Apr 2002
My current carry-all deck is the Whimsical, but I have taken the World Spirit with me on occasion, depending on my mood. As for recording readings, I have a PDA like Umbrae does (Handspring version). I use a Palm version of a program like Excel, though, since I like working with a tabular format. Peace, Melvis

faunabay	10 Apr 2002
I always carry the Hanson Roberts deck with me mostly because it's a small enough size to be easy to carry and a comfy enough energy to fit just about anybody I need to do readings for. I used to take my Robin wood but as I stuff everything I can into my purse I needed a smaller deck. Because of course I HAVE to have at least one deck with me at all times. LOL

Original Destiny	10 Apr 2002
I have a well orn R/W deck. I take it to any special places that I am visiting...Like a Cathederal or stone circle..any place of power..a spring..church yard even...Bit sad, but I feel that I am treating my cards..:TFOOL

wigwag	10 Apr 2002
I always carry either a tiny universal waite or a mini connolly or both at all times. I don't carry a book with me. If you want to learn tarot quickly, I used "the idiots guide to tarot and fortune telling" and learnt the basic meanings of the cards within a week. Otherwise there is always the little white book.

Bella	11 Apr 2002
I always have one or two decks with me--my "main" deck (Robin-Wood), and any one from my collection that jumps out at me that day. I also carry the LWB that goes with them in the tarot bag. Some days I don't even use them outside of my house, but I just like having them with me. When I have to run out for a minute and leave them home, I feel weird (sorta like when you go out without your watch!). I also carry a card from my Goddess deck to meditate on every day. I carry a tarot book with me if that happens to be what I'm reading at that time (which is lots of the time!), but not necessarily to use with the cards.

Logiatrix	11 Apr 2002
i always have my visconti with me...i LIVE out of my backpack, so the deck even has it's own pocket! it never occurred to me to carry a book--that's why i learned tarot so quickly, like wigwag--i didn't like being book-dependent. if a reading stumps me, i just write it down and research it at home. i'm also almost ALWAYS reading some sort of resource or another about tarot, anyway!

MeeWah	12 Apr 2002
Sometimes I carry a deck with me but it is not on the chance I might do a reading though that has happened. It is more of a companion. Occasionally I carry the card(s) of the day to look at during the odd moment, especially if I am not sure of what it represents.

truthsayer	13 Apr 2002
i often go places i have to wait and it would be nice to be comfortable w/ carrying a deck or tarot book w/ me to play w/ while i wait. i have found that ppl get weird over things like that and i don't like attracting negative attention to myself. over the years, i've gotten so paranoid about how others respond to tarot that i don't carry a deck w/ me. i try to keep a deck in the glove compartment of my car tho. if i should ever be stranded someplace then at least i won't be alone. i usually keep books in my car for the same reason. things that get carried in my purse seem to get a beating and wear quickly. so i really don't like carrying them in my purse for fear of damaging them.

Umbrae	13 Apr 2002
Being a guy, who wears suits all the time, I am always found with a briefcase. This provides me with ample room to carry one Tarot deck, one playing card deck for cartomancy uses, and one set of Rune Stones. They are stuck away, nobody knows... If you expect folks (who have no idea you read) to bring up readings in conversations, often they do. Never do I just jump in (“Hey, I do readings! Wanna reading?”). Allow them to talk, indulge their conversation. Hear about, and discuss their fears. They will be amazed. You are not laughing at their interest in divination or self-discovery. They will ask you if you do readings. And like the guy in the Tarot-holics post…they are yours (insert evil laughter here). Be brave! Be bold! Do not be obnoxious

kayne	13 Apr 2002
I don't carry a deck around every day but my Cosmic Tribe goes with me when ever I go somewhere for a long time... I like the fact that I have been camping, travelled to Canberra and back and been all over the place with my Cosmic Tribe deck :D Of course... it is not always the most appropriate deck to pull out and do readings with in a restaurant... :p

catlin	15 Apr 2002
I always carry a pocket size RW with me and often my tarot journal. I wish there were some more of my fav decks available in pocket size, eg I would highly appreciate a Robin Wood pocket size deck, that would be great!!!

blumoon	15 Apr 2002
Quote: Originally posted by catlin I wish there were some more of my fav decks available in pocket size i totally agree, great for people who have trouble holding normal sized cards as well as being easier to travel with :)

Emily	15 Apr 2002
I don't usually carry decks around with me but I went back down to Wales, I'm from England, for the weekend and for the first ever time I did - My new Robin Wood and the Celtic Dragon tarot - both decks are pagan so I though Wales would be the appropriate place to take them - also got in a little reading practise :)

Temperance413	15 Apr 2002
I have a tarot bag that goes everywhere with me. In it I carry the two decks I use, The World Spirit and the Nigel Jackson (soon) like probably tomorrow. Then i carry the Whimsical Tarot and the Universal Tarot for others to do readings for. I have my journal, and a pouch with colored pens, and a book of greek myth and fairy tales just for good measure. This way i have all my bases covered. Once I had a lay over in Dallas , Tx for four hours on the plane, they wouldn't let us off, and I really wished I had my stuff with me then!

catlin	16 Apr 2002
Ehm, Temperance, how big is that tarot bag of yours? I remember when I used to carry 2 decks + journal with me my bag was already pretty bulky (and heavy) so I am just wondering.

Kiama	16 Apr 2002
Quote: Originally posted by kayne I don't carry a deck around every day but my Cosmic Tribe goes with me when ever I go somewhere for a long time... I like the fact that I have been camping, travelled to Canberra and back and been all over the place with my Cosmic Tribe deck This is what I do with my Robin Wood. Its been to Cambridge Uni, Oxford Uni, Honiton, Glastonbury... Hopefully it'll go with me internationally one day! Kiama

Temperance413	16 Apr 2002
Catlin, It's about the size of a medium sized purse. It has a large pocket on the inside and two side zippered pockets. I am really trying to get my arms in shape for the summer!! It is quite heavy, but I just won't compromise my stuff!

Maalin	25 May 2002
I don't carry my deck on a daily basis (yet), but I *always* take it with me when I stay away from home overnight. And if I'm staying in a hotel, I take it with me when I go out. It's just like my purse, passport and PDA -I wouldn't leave it in an empty room. LOL Come to think of it, the chances that somebody would decide to nick a tarot deck from a hotel room are probably quite slim, but still -I'd rather not take the risk...

Rhiannon	25 May 2002
The next Survivor-ites should take a tarot deck as their luxury item! Rhiannon :)

Maan	25 May 2002
I don't have a deck with me al the time but when i go to sleep over or something i always have a deck with me. On holidays i even have three or four decks wuth me. But this year that will not work cause i'm going by train :( I don't want to carry arround alot of extra's So my problem is wich deck should i take with me?

RedWood	25 May 2002
Rhiannon...I watch survivor and I keep thinking which deck would I take if I went on a show like that lol I guess that is basically your question Maan...Well hmm...favorite deck maybe? The one that may be easiest to read on the go? one that if it got lost it would SUCK but it isn't your favorite so it is replaceable?? Decisions, decisions......

augursWell	25 May 2002
Like truthsayer said above, I'm very paranoid about what others think about tarot cards in general. Mine stay at home except when I travel out of town. I have a "mini" size Rider-Waite that I take along with any other books I may be reading at the time. It's unfortunately the same thing as trying to do a drawing on location. Unless it's a solitary location you inevitably end up with people looking over your shoulder, making comments, trying to start a conversation, etc. All of that's fine but then I'm no longer doing a drawing am I. :)

wavebreaker	25 May 2002
I'm going on holiday in two weeks and I was wondering about which deck to take... I want to take as less stuff as possible with me, so I had already decided to take just one deck. But which one?? But, I found the solution... I read the posts above about always carrying a deck with you and I like that idea. So now I've ordered the miniature Rider-Waite, to carry with me all the time and to take on holidays. And of course because I felt like ordering another deck... :D And of course I'm also hoping to find new decks at my holiday destination... ;)

Violet Gargoyle	28 May 2002
I'm another anti-socialite. My cards will rarely leave my house. Most of the time they barely leave the room/study/library/bedroom that they rest in. I am more comfortable when my cards are near my other reaseach materials and books.

Zhritza	29 May 2002
I would really like to be able to study new decks at the coffee shop, et. al., but I know I'd get annoyed with people who came up to me and asked me questions, even though they probably would not mean anything negative or derisive by it. Maybe when I am a less defensive person with strangers I'll start doing it...

aeonx	29 May 2002
Greetings. Hm, wonder why I haven't replied to this one before...? :D In the beginning I used to carry my RW with me all the time. Today I seldom bring my deck any places. I would rather not have all the attention that tarot brings with it. I.e. sitting in a park here, I would certainly meet someone I know. I'm still in the tarot-closet you see! :P And for the time being, I have no intention getting out. Tarot is my thing, and belongs only to me. I'm not yet ready to share with the whole world my wonders. *s* Very few of my friends know how devoted I am to tarot. I guess if they saw me doing it, they would think it's just another 'thing' of mine. :D Well, as I think most of you have realized by now (since I say it every day), I'm going to Thailand for two months. I'll bring my Hanson-Roberts and 78DW. Exactly what I need, no more, no less. ~aeonx~

raeanne	29 May 2002
Hi all, I have a pocket RW that I keep with me most of the time as well as a set of runes. I think I would feel naked without either one of these. I usually take a new deck to work soon after I get it because there are a couple of people I work with that like to look at the art. These two people don’t buy cards and really don’t know anything about tarot, they just like to look at the art. (One guy might just go and buy the Victoria Regina deck because he was very impressed with the artwork! Ha, ha!) But, mostly my decks stay home. I don’t travel much so there isn’t much opportunity for my decks to travel either.

jema	29 May 2002
i have two pocket decks (no, three with the Thoth i got today) but the Zerner-Farber would sneer at me and be highly offended if i dared to even remove it from my living-room. all other decks go in bags or their own boxes in an old CD shelf. the Zerner-Farber got it's own handcarved woodbox with red velvet by my seat in the sofa. (it's a bossy mommy deck) the Rider-Waite pocket deck is in an make-up bag with a zipper, perfect size but i always forget it. i think that if i did bring it with me i would forget to bring it home or something. i like the deck but it is just very evasive. so i rarely take a deck when i leave home. when i go to work by bus i will bring a tarot-book sometimes though. the Thoth? i don't think i want to risk losing it. it stays. i have no life so i never go on longer trips;)

Jewel	31 May 2002
Quote: Originally posted by aeonx Tarot is my thing, and belongs only to me. I'm not yet ready to share with the whole world my wonders. *s* Very few of my friends know how devoted I am to tarot. I guess if they saw me doing it, they would think it's just another 'thing' of mine. :D ~aeonx~ Ditto here ... I am not in the closet at all, but Tarot is very personal to me. Although I always have Tarot tresure in my bag (1-2 decks/books/journals, etc), I don't usually pull them out if there are others around, it just feels nice to have them close ... just in case I get alone time *LOL*. I did pull out my Waking the Wild Spirit while reading the book at the airport, no one seemed to notice or care. Bet the reaction would have been different if I had had my beloved Cosmic Tribe out ~giggles madly~

MysticRose	02 Jun 2002
LoL at Jema! :D I haven't had my zerner-farbers long but when I thought about taking them out got a very definite feeling they want to stay home too! So, now I am still trying to decide which other deck is going to be going out more with me. I'm not shy about taking tarot out. I live in a small town with my husband and he already told everyone he was marrying a psychic before we got married (some time ago.) LOL. People aren't as bad as I thought they would be about it. Most ask about whatever crystal I'm wearing that day if they see me shopping at the grocery store and always want to touch whatever one I've got on. I don't go out of my way to look "psychic" lol - but I don't hide either. I love crystals so I wear them and just don't give a hoot what anyone thinks anyway. Of course, I don't have kids to think about, just my husband who cares even less what others think of it than me. I admit I do throw the word "Goddess" out there once in awhile to see what kind of looks I'll get.... so far no one has been shocked, just baffled. Also, they look like they really want to ask some questions, but then don't. I'd like to find a real friendly deck to warm them up. I thought the zerner farbers would be it. I really like it... it is always right every time! But it just doesn't want to travel and I don't want to force the issue. There must be a reason so.... what to do... ~sigh~ LOL Sorry so long... just had to post though after reading Jema's post about the ZFs! I'm just loving mine immensely! :TWOR

Flavio	21 May 2004
As a travelling person, I try to take one deck with me during businesstrips, it makes me feel more connected to my decks as they share my lifestyle. If possible I take a book with me or only a couple of printed pages with basic meanings.

inanna_tarot	24 May 2004
hmm at the moment, i dont feel that carrying my tarot decks in my bag would be a good idea. I just think they are abit too special to do it yet, but you never know one day when i have more room in my bag i'll carry it all over the place lol. I have thought about taking a deck out with me, but its never happened, and if i did, i wouldnt bring a book with me, the LWB and lots of practice are 100% better than someone elses book in my opinion! Blessings Sezo x

Sillanza	26 May 2004
I'll take a deck, a book and a notebook if I think I'll have a chance to read, or study the cards while I'm waiting somewhere, otherwise my decks are homebodies. If I'm going specifically to read for someone, then the whole shebang goes with me: several decks, books, etc.

closrapexa	26 May 2004
I take my Tarot book with me, but not usually, and when I take it, its usually for the spreads. I do usually take a deck with me, since you never know when I might get some practice...

The Taking your cards out into the world thread was originally posted on 09 Apr 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.