Spread cloths and reading tables.

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 20 Aug 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

divinerguy	20 Aug 2002
Me and divinerwife went to the Bombay Company last night. Lots of nice things, including a fabulous arm chair - big enough to get lost in. They had a French game table that would be nice for readings. But what struck my eye was a display of small table coverings. One was a "tone on tone" satin burgundy tablecloth, with a burgundy fringe. Very nice for a spread cloth. But even better was a black velour, with gold piping, and gold and pearl embroidery. It would be perfect for a reading table. Perfect, perfect, perfect. It reminded me of stars and galaxies, without being gauche. It was rich and iridescent. I wanted to take it home, but wifey would've been furious with me (just made the house payment, no $$$ in the bank). Do you have a reading table or spread cloth?

Keslynn	20 Aug 2002
I don't have a reading table where I currently reside. However, I will be moving into my very own apartment soon (instead of living with 3 housemates)! :) I'm hoping to set up my own tarot corner. I already have the perfect table for it. It's an octagonal table that I got free from work. It's got a kind of leathery surface on part of it. I also already have a few spreadcloths from Tarot Totes. 2 square ones that match specific bags though I use them with other decks that have similar colors. 1 large rectangular one in periwinkle silk. I can't wait to get it all set up. :) Kes

Rhiannon	20 Aug 2002
OOOh, DG you used one of my favorite words: "gauche"! LOL You don't hear that in everyday conversation very much anymore and I think it's a fabulous word. I don't have a specific table or a spread cloth. I am planning on getting a cloth, though. Especially after performing a spur-of-the-moment reading on someone's front porch... I had to borrow a pillow case! LOL R :)

catlin	20 Aug 2002
The couch table is my reading table as it has a smooth tiling on it and it is rather big, you know I love big spreads. I have 2 spradcloths: one black with the zodiacs and moons in flaming orange on it, the other is a dark blue background with celtic knots on it. Both are made in cotton (and are especially attractive to cat hair *sigh*)

Jewel	20 Aug 2002
I use the floor or the bed ... on occassion a coffee table *LOL*. I bought a cloth, but then never used it. Guess my cards like to be as casual as me :)

Dark Inquisitor	20 Aug 2002
I have a piece of embossed floral pattern velvet as a spreadcloth that I died an almost black purple & trimmed with black fringe. I purposely went & got the biggest square coffeetable I could find, just to accomodate huge spreads when I read for guests. But I also have a smaller square table I got at a thrift store- vintage bad 70's. 10.00. Big enough for average spreads, and easy to move out of sight. It's got a classical architectural style pedestal, and I intend to sand it down & paint it black. Then do the top in some kind of pattern, maybe moon, stars, & clouds. But, on the other hand, possibly some kind of collage /decoupage might be nice too. In my spare time. Tarotphelia

Liliana	20 Aug 2002
I dont have a tablle but I have a black and turquiose scarf to use as a spreadcloth, got it for a buck in a thrift shop, i liked it because it has fringe all the way around. When you have 2 toddlers a spreadcloth is a must to avoid nast things on the cards lol :THP

Kyrielle	20 Aug 2002
I use batik sarongs as spreadcloths. There is a shop here where you can get them for $10 each. I have a black one with multicolored butterflies, a purple one with stars and moons, and a blue one with big butterflies and stars. I'm also looking at the spreadcloth section at tarottotes.com. -- Kyrielle

Sorceress_Jade	20 Aug 2002
Speaking of hair and nasty things.... do you get hair (animal and human) stuck in ur decks? This always makes me feel like i've contaminated and abused my poor deck (usually Thoth of all things) ~knocks self on head~ why didn't I ever think of getting my cloth out? I have a big white cloth I use for spell work, duh!

wavebreaker	20 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Kyrielle I use batik sarongs as spreadcloths. I have one in dark red with yellowish/orange suns on it that I bought in Indonesia years ago. I never really used it, but when I started with tarot I decided it would make a great spread cloth... ;)

Starfish	20 Aug 2002
I use a large deep blue with silver twinkles velvet wrap that once belong to my beloved (and now departed) Mom. As for a table for reading - not any one particular table (sometimes even the kitchen table). :TFOOL Starfish

the hermit	20 Aug 2002
I usually use the kitchen table at home... it's a big oval one with lots of room to spread out yet if I have a querent we're not a mile apart. On the road I use whatever’s around and convenient. I have a spread cloth that a dear friend made for me years ago. Being an earthy kinda guy, she picked a light brown muslin fabric about 30 inches square and embroidered a nice wild flower border around it. Keeps the cards clean, doesn’t’ distract from the reading, and has a little matching bag to carry it in.

Emily	20 Aug 2002
I'll read just about anywhere that is clean and doesn't put my cards at risk, I have a purple cotton spread cloth and if I take my cards out with me I wrap them in it and then I'll use it to read on - but in the house its usually my dining room table or on the carpet. :)

zorya	20 Aug 2002
starfish, your cloth sounds so beautiful and special. i could picture it well in my mind! i use a dark blue cotton cloth, with a large gold sun in the center. and smaller moons and stars around it. i really should attach some beads to the corners to help weigh it though, because it sometimes slides around.

MeeWah	20 Aug 2002
The kitchen table is my reading table. I use a variety of table coverings to dress it up, with the color depending on the season or the mood. An old white lace tablecloth is laid over a colored one because I like the way it looks. Sometimes I also use a spread cloth--either a bandanna or one of those accessory silk or acetate scarves. Since the latter materials tend to be slippery, the tablecloth beneath it helps keep those reading cloths in place. I also use flat bed sheets that were my kids' (Star Wars, Justice League of America, Mickey Mouse, Barbie) which oft catch the clients' attention. Some lift up the lace cloth to get a better look. My favorite tablecloth is a heavy cotton weave in orange & black with a Hallowe'en motif that I use during the Autumn season.

Phoenix	20 Aug 2002
Heh. I use the top of my dresser, with a white beed sheet for a cloth. Oddly enough, this also doubles as my altar.

Kath	20 Aug 2002
I don't have a reading table, I usually use the floor :) but I always use a spread cloth. I have one for each of my tarot decks. I keep my decks wrapped in their cloth inside a matching bag, that way, not matter where I am, I can lay my cards on a clean surface :) I used to just lay my cards on the carpet, but I was stunned at how much carpet fluff stuck to the cards. Cheers Kath

divinerguy	21 Aug 2002
Carpet fluff. Hate it.

Keslynn	21 Aug 2002
Carpet fluff is a big culprit. I used to do my readings on the bare floor until I realized that my bird's gravel and corncob bedding (they fling it everywhere) was getting in between my cards. Not so good. Now I'm a firm spreadcloth believer, and a complete Tarot Totes addict. lol :) Kes

DarkElectric	21 Aug 2002
Ukka YUK! Gravel and bedding! Carpet fluff! Don't forget...cat fur. I have to read on my bed, for forum folks and for myself. My sheets are dark blue, so I can see the cards really well, and they're always clean because I don't let the cat (or anybody else) in here. I wish I had a nice table. I'm going to be using a folding card table when I read at Pagan Pride. I have what used to be an altar cloth...dark blue with stars and moons batik design.

Cerulean	24 Aug 2002
TV Table next to the computer is table number one. TV Table II next to the computer is table number two. Floor is largest lay area. Thanks for the suggestion of looking at table coverings. Actually I have used scarves, pillowcases, a thick material segment from a cloth store...you might be able to get nice brocade or velvety cloth in cotton at a local material store. If you do get something special, I'm interested in hearing. Mari H.

All Is One	24 Aug 2002
Bird dander (don't ask- really) and feathers and seed bits - even w/2-3 times a day vac...ya need some protection for your decks... always been a huge sarong fan for reading on...

cjtarot	24 Aug 2002
Hi, I started making the velvet bags, decided to try black..boy was that a mistake (when you emboss black, you can't see the image)...so I took a peice of cotton that is red, vibrant and has lots of sun and moons on it and sewed it to the black velvet..Got a great spread cloth...and it was easy to make...Next time I think I wil try to put trim on it.. The one thing about the velvet that is great is the cards don't shift... and the pure black background doesn't distract me, but I do have to keep it folded so the cotton side shows because it picks up all kinds of dust and stufffff. I would rather have one that means a great deal to me like some of you posted...maybe someday.. Blessings and good reading. Cj

marmalade	24 Aug 2002
I have a purple satin spread cloth that I always used when i read. I got about a metre of material fromt he fabric store and finished it myself. really nice, especially since i love purple! unfortunately, i left it back home in Canada (with my Art Nouveau deck! :() I'll have to find something new for this side of the pond... I do have this throw that i picked up on Carnaby Street for like £2 with the Sun, the Moon and the Stars all over, but I'm afraid it might be too busy... oh well, off to the fabric store for me!!

midnightmerry	24 Aug 2002
I've always read on my computer desk in my private study and I've never used a cover cloth because they can't drape over the edges well the way this desk is set up. Consequently, the cloth starts shifting around so I don't use one. Reading about the beautiful cloths many folks here use makes me want to have one too! I'd like a black velour/velvet one with some kind of colored, patterned edging. I may have to make one.

Kazz	27 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by DarkElectric I'm going to be using a folding card table when I read with Me too, when I get around to getting one. I have an old couch cover that is blue with yellow stars and moons on it, so I am going to cut it to size and use that for my table cover. I have my cards wrapped in a navy blue scarf which I also read on (too small though, need a bigger one) and I have a royal blue velvet tarot card bag with gold stars on it , that keeps them nice and cosy when they are not used.:) I would love a corner of one of the rooms in my house for all my tarot things, crystals, insence, wizards etc, but the house is not big enough, so I have a lovely wooden box with penguins on it that my dad made for me, and it holds my cards and books in it for now. Cheers Kazz :TQC

kayne	27 Aug 2002
I did a mosaic using coloured paper and then heavily varnished it on the top of this table which I often use for readings. Actually, any clean surface will do for me, but this table is the perfect size and the fact it has a bit of 'me' in it makes it even better.

the hermit	27 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by kayne I did a mosaic using coloured paper and then heavily varnished it on the top of this table which I often use for readings. Actually, any clean surface will do for me, but this table is the perfect size and the fact it has a bit of 'me' in it makes it even better. It is a bit of you... very nice! Bright too... should be a nice reading surface. I like it!

Starfish	27 Aug 2002
Kayne - It definitely has a bit of you in it and is lovely! :) The colors are so warm and inviting. Thank you for sharing the picture. :TJUST Starfish

Keslynn	27 Aug 2002
Beautiful table, Kayne! Do you take orders? ;) But thank you for sharing such a great idea. :) Kes

mara	27 Aug 2002
I like to do my reading on the floor......it makes me feel grounded while I lift up into a different conciousness level ;) And there's plenty of room to do any kind of spread :D Mara

Summerdream	27 Aug 2002
I have a spread cloth I purchased from Tarot Totes. It is black and is called Chariots. It has suns and moons being pulled by horses. I usually do my readings on the kitchen table. Sometimes I do a reading on my bed.

rajarod	27 Aug 2002
I have a rectangular table that was given to me by a coworker. It’s about 4’ by 3’, and it’s in my breakfast nook area. I stripped the finish off of it, and separated it into quarters. I painted the lower right corner deep red (fire), upper right deep blue (water), upper left golden yellow (air), and the lower left metallic black (earth). The quarters are separated by a two-inch thick white cross (spirit/aether). It definitely has a Golden Dawn sorta feel. I then sealed the whole thing with this really cool epoxy-like coating called Envirotex. It forms a thick, glass-like finish that is very high-gloss, durable, and really just gorgeous. I just finished it this week, and I love it. Granted, it’s a bit odd, but I suspect most visitors expect that out of me :)

Logiatrix	30 Aug 2002
my "altar" is an armoire where i keep all my sacred tools--incense, candles, holy water, tarot stuff, etc. i keep a cloth with the image of the virgin de guadalupe draped over the top of it. when i get a particularly interesting reading, i lay the cards out there, so i can study them for a while. mostly, i read where or whenever it is convenient and desired, so each of my three favorite decks is wrapped in it's own spread cloth and lives in a pouch. even my i-ching set has a reading cloth and a bag. for me, a cloth kind of "stakes out" my sacred space wherever i'm doing the reading. i don't have a particular place at home for readings, mostly on my bed before sleep or at the dining room table on a quiet evening. i always carry at least one deck with me, because i'm usually away from home when i get most callings to pull out my cards and study or do a reading for a friend.

Little Baron	04 Sep 2002
I have a very large chest that I use as a table. It is black wood and smooth. On the lid are silver card shapes that can be used to place cards on (one to the side for a significator). If I choose to do a reading that does not use these positions, then I lay a black silk cloth over the top. It is big enough to read on and also to use on my bed. Inside, I keep all decks and tools needed. Yaboot

The Spread cloths and reading tables. thread was originally posted on 20 Aug 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.