Storage: how many decks to a box?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 06 Oct 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Red Emma	06 Oct 2002
I was trying to figure out how to cleanse decks, store them, and all that good stuff. I asked a young friend whose take on things spiritual I really respect. She knows everything! I'd just bought a pretty new box (paper maiche) in which I thought I could store about four decks. Summer said, "Absolutely not!" If decks are kept near each other, they kind of "cross-pollinate" in that they tend to exchange energy. Negative and positive. Now I have decks stashed all over the house, and can't find a thing, especially if I want a particular deck. How do some of you store your cards? Have you found them to cross-pollinate?

amyel	06 Oct 2002
Hmmm. I've just started to get more decks, and so far, I've tended to keep them in the boxes they came in. I store my working decks (two) in separate special boxes. One is a leather case with "Tarot" inscribed in gold on the top - a friend brought it back from Egypt years ago. The other is just a wood box I've had since I was a child. I use to store Skipper doll clothes in it... :) But all the decks reside, in their separate boxes, in the bottom drawer of my bedside table, along with my books of an aecelectic nature. And I've noticed no problems. Perhaps the separate containers help this.....I don't know. Or perhaps because not all are my working decks, I've not noticed any "cross pollination".

VGimlet	07 Oct 2002
Myself, I have never worried about one decks energy rubbing off on other decks (well, you know what I mean.) Right now, my collector decks, and decks I don't use often are in their original boxes. The decks I use for reading decks I keep in bags. Everything except for my primary deck is kept together in drawers. One in my bedroom, and I am slowly taking over all the drawers in the china hutch.

wavebreaker	07 Oct 2002
I have one box for my reading decks and one for all my other decks. Each deck has it's own bag. I haven't noticed any problems with my reading decks even though I store them together.

Pollux	07 Oct 2002
Wee! Good timing! *LOL* I used to keep all my decks all together till last Saturday morning, when I was pissed cos I was not feeling well, and I started hating the look of my shelf with all the decks scattered. I used to have the same worry about "cross-pollination" as you call it, and find a sort of compromise to solve it that came to my mind out of the blue. I ordered most of my decks at Alida, and I kept the 3 boxes they sent them in. Now in each Alida box there are two decks, separated with a reason: 1) Visconti Sforza Gold, Bosch - I keep them for collection, and almost NEVER use for readings; so when I get moody and melancholic I open them to look at the cards - they are so exquisite!!! :D 2) Vision Quest, Cosmic - I LOVE these decks, but I don't use them much: the former is devoted to my personal possibly spiritual readings, and the latter for study and sometimes magic focus. 3) Spiral and Goddess - alternative reading decks, and both a present from Rhiannon (:*). I use them sometimes for readings, the former for people I read often for (i.e. no one but my sister... *LOL*), the latter generally for first readings for its gentleness. The three boxes are piled one on the other on the shelf (there's not so much room for me!). On top of them - the Two Aquarian {1970 (:*) & 199X}, together in a paper bag. Firstly cos the 199X is my main reading deck, and the 1970 is my main WOO-HOO!!! deck of the moment and I look at it at least once a day (I'm obsessed :( *LOL*). This way, I know that two decks might "interact" with each other, but without any remarkable change in the energies: for example, as someone else mentioned, there is no main reading deck with a collectible one and therefore differences of "potentials" (see my scientific upbringing! ;) *LOL*). The decks paired have similar uses and therefore I am sure I will never have problems! :) And what else? The Two Gills! My old one is boxed, and in a second box, and I am trying to un-bound with it since I want it to be nice with Liliana, and not jealous (I only hope my decks won't take after me *LOL*). My second one, the present from Ravenswing (:D) is still in the pouch I receivd it in, since I have been studying it for a while and I need it handy. For the other decks - Celtici (Tuan), Witches (Reed), Shakesperian - they have their own hard box since they are sets, and stay there for the moment. And last but not the least: Rock and Roll is in the Rock & Roll Bag from Tarot totes. In this way, I rationalized as much as I could my resources of space and boxes, also taking into account the actuale *use* and how handy I need that deck to be. For the last cases, since they are all separated I have no worries of the sort. And for the ones I matched, even if some "mix" happens, it is not a problem, since I have always seen them as siblings in a way. I keep the sets and bags leaning against the right side of the boxes pile, and on top of it the Aquarians and the Gills. On the opposite side are the couple eclectic books I have, and that I hope to accompany with more and more new friends. In the future I hope I have the time to visit my auntie (she's sews professional - I can't think of the name of the profession right now :P), and get EACH deck a Bag. And keep the bags all together on the shelf, side by side.

Liliana	07 Oct 2002
Personally I wouldnt worry about storing more then one deck per box, unless of course they are extreme opposites, like I dont suppose the Connolley would like to share residence with the Book of Chaos lol (Connolley is on its way to Holmes now, so no more conflict hehe) If you are really worried, try wrapping the decks in fabric, silk is prefered but and fabric you like will work. All my decks are in heir own bags hanging of a metal rack with 5 hooks, so all the bags are in contact with each other since more than one deck is on each hook. My spreadcloth is draped across the 5 hooks, and I also have a rosary, and angel ornament, and some mala beads up there, so its kind of a hanging tarot altar lol :THP

Diana	07 Oct 2002
edited

Maan	07 Oct 2002
I never noticed anything. My favo reading decks are in the drawerd of my altar or in my bag;) My othre decks are in two drawers and on book shelvers and they seem to like it...looks almost cousy;)

jema	07 Oct 2002
i keep all mine together with one exception - the zerner-farber that has it's very own hand carved wodden box and sits by the sofa table on it's own. the rest i keep in an old CD shelf that is getting to be too crowded now. i am thinking of buying some wood and actually make a small version of a book-case with shelfs for the decks but i am not that handy and might see if i can find something ready-made and just decorate it. i usually keep the decks in the boxes they came in except a few in bags i made for them. oh and about energies. i actually keep my pocket Thoth and my pocket Waite together in the same bag. i am not that sensitive for energies i guess.

Kiama	07 Oct 2002
With me, I'm a far too practical person, with very little money. If I buy a box, I'm gonna buy one that can fit more than one deck in, just to be economical. The way I see it, due to my views n energy being everywhere and the same, the cards are gonna pick up on my practicality and 'see my point'. So, no cross-contamination there. BUT i I believed that each should have it's own box, then the energies of my belief would carry over to the decks, and then there would be cross-contamination. I only have one deck which is in it's own box, and that's the one I carry aroud with me everywhere, making it stupidly hard to carry in around with 3-4 others. Hence it's own box. Kiama

Rhiannon	07 Oct 2002
I bought a wooden recipe type box at a craft store and decorated it for my cards. Of course, they don't all fit in there anymore. I can keep anywhere from 4 to 6 decks in the box (depending on deck size) without any problems. I tend to keep the original boxes the decks came in. I think I only have 2 decks (from trades) that do not have the original box, and the only deck I've made a bag for is my Robin Wood because the box is falling apart. I still have the box with the cards in it, but it's inside a bag now. I don't worry too much about deck energies crossing. I mean, they're just cardboard and pictures... it's YOUR energy, right? (Waits for the stones to come flying at her }) ) But if you think it may be a problem, do what feels right for you. But, we always say that don't we? LOL R :)

Mojo	07 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Red Emma Summer said, "Absolutely not!" If decks are kept near each other, they kind of "cross-pollinate" in that they tend to exchange energy. Negative and positive. Another prime example of metaphysical hogwash. --------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: This posting is an opinion of one individual and only an opinion , albeit a strong one. It is not presented as a judgement of any such person who may believe in metaphysical hogwash, or any other form of hogwash for that matter. It is, however, an indicator of this individual's increasing loss of patience with those who set out to make Tarot appear to be more than what it actually is; and this individual reserves the right to react strongly to any future statement which, in this individual's opinion constitutes further hogwash. For those who object to the term hogwash, please feel free to substiture any of the following terms which may or may not be less objectionable: hoohah, poppycock, nonsense, gibberish; jargon, jabber, hocus-pocus, bombast, balderdash, flummery, babble, inanity, flapdoodle; rigmarole, twaddle, twattle, fudge, trash, bosh, rubbish, moonshine, wish-wash, or fiddle-faddle. ---------------------------------------------------------------

Kyrielle	07 Oct 2002
I keep mine together in shoeboxes. My art decks are in one group of shoeboxes, while my reading decks are in another group. This is for reasons of accessibility, not fear of crossing energies. The decks don't seem to mind being kept together in less than posh quarters. They're not terribly demanding. -- Kyrielle

Emily	07 Oct 2002
I keep some of my decks in wooden boxes but others are just stacked on top of each other - I don't think it does any harm to keep them together, infact I started to bond with my Robin Wood alot better since I've kept it inbetween my Spiral and Hanson Roberts deck. :)

Red Emma	08 Oct 2002
Mojo, I waited overnight to comment on your post. It was such a slap in the face that I wanted to be sure I could return a civil reply. I understand how a person can become permanently turned off a religion, as I was Christianity. My experience with it was so harsh, punitive, unpleasant that it was a long time before I could contemplate any part of it without anger. (Although even today it would take a very strong motivation to get me into a Christian church .) Your post has overtones of the same kind of anger. As if you're so enraged and turned off the consideration of any spiritual concept that it's hard to respond with, not even kindness, but just plain civility. My best wishes to you, and may your path be happier from now on. Goddess bless, Red Emma

Mojo	08 Oct 2002
Emma My anger has nothing to do with "any spiritual concept." I find it extremely hard to see any spiritual connection between decks of cards coexisting in a paper mache box. My anger is directed at people who make definitive statements like the one made by your friend Summer which are patently untrue and completely unfounded. This is an instance of someone forcing their beliefs on others, and THAT will always get my ire up. If Summer believes that cards can somehow "cross-polinate," that is her issue. Repeating it here as though it were fact does a disservice to people who are just learning the Tarot, which is challenging enough without having to wade through a bunch of nonsense along the way. No personal affront was intended.

juice	09 Oct 2002
Mojo, I was not offended by you first post. I took it as opinion. In fact, the disclaimer was humorous. I would like for you to consider a rephrasing of one of your paragraphs. Yours. Quote: If Summer believes that cards can somehow "cross-polinate," that is her issue. Repeating it here as though it were fact does a disservice to people who are just learning the Tarot, which is challenging enough without having to wade through a bunch of nonsense along the way. Alternate Quote: If Mojo believes that cards can't somehow "cross-polinate," that is his issue. Repeating it here as though it were fact does a disservice to people who are just learning the Tarot, which is challenging enough without having to wade through a bunch of nonsense along the way. Personally I find that both basic (first sentences) statements have merit with the proper perspective. The rest assumes a privilege to state something as fact.

catlin	09 Oct 2002
I keep my decks all in the same book case and the most valuable ones share a common brass ginger bread box adn until now I never have had problems with cross-pollution. I usually carry about 5 decks around in my hand bag and they don't bite each other lol. I think the cross-contamination is like the never ending issue about where or how to keep your decks.

Liliana	09 Oct 2002
Ive always worried about storage in a metal box, Im always worried that the box might get slightly wet and rust, which would leave nasty rust stains on the decks. I guess thats why I like mine hanging, nothing touches them up there but other tarot bags, and its not likely anything is going to be spilled on them with them hanging, and they are out of kids reach, always have to worry about curious toddlers destroying things hehe :THP

MeeWah	09 Oct 2002
I prefer to keep as many decks together as possible in any one place for convenience & organization. Most of the decks & Tarot books are in a small dresser (formerly used by each of my kids). 3 decks I use most often for client readings are in a hinged box my daughter gave me years ago. The box is only big enough to hold about 4 decks. It is decorated with my favorite motif: sun, moon & stars.

Marion	10 Oct 2002
I keep my decks and books in a lovely bookcase that used to have books, :D They are almost filling it now, so I either have to stop buying decks and books :( or find another spot. I never considered needing to separate them and would not hestitate to put some in boxes together. And my decks seem to read just fine. Maybe they would get lonely by themselves (just kidding mojo). Hugs Red Emma.

The Storage: how many decks to a box? thread was originally posted on 06 Oct 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.