Buying Used Decks

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 04 Nov 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

ssplam	04 Nov 2002
I've read a couple of posts where people have bought decks in used book stores. I can't remember the last time I was even in a used book store and I'm curious how common it is to find decks in these types of stores. If it is more common than not...than I imagine I'll be spending a lot more time in stores that don't have giant names :) So just a curiosity :) I guess to go with that... when you buy a used deck...how do you cleanse it? Two suggestions I've seen are: 1. Sleep with it under your pillow. 2. Blow on them to re-imprint your own energies.

Jewel	04 Nov 2002
I have quite a few friends and acquaintances that purchase decks regularly at used book stores. Some times they even find some OOP treasures. 1/2 Price Books carries quite a few. Prices are great. As for cleansing ... I just put the deck in the order I like the deck to be in ... plain and simple.

HudsonGray	04 Nov 2002
Every Half Price Bookstore I've been in (3 different ones) have had decks available, usually up at the counter under the glass. I picked up a Terrestrial Tarot at one for $5, looked through the Victoria Regina ($15 for book & deck) at another, and glanced over what they had at the other one, so yes, there's used decks available at the stores most of the time at least in the Midwest here. Ask at the counter if you can't find them. Cleansing is basically looking through the deck card by card, putting them in order & then doing a really GOOD randomizing shuffle.

zander770	05 Nov 2002
Quote: Originally posted by ssplam I guess to go with that... when you buy a used deck...how do you cleanse it? Two suggestions I've seen are: 1. Sleep with it under your pillow. 2. Blow on them to re-imprint your own energies. i use the g.:d.: "Tarot Consecration Ritual," which is a wee-bit "detailed," but it basically consists of performing an lbrp ("lesser banashing ritual of the pentegram") followed by certain "movements," "speeches," and "vibrated god names"! this rite is to be performed BEFORE the new tarot deck is even opened; "released from its celophane"! now, then: buying "used decks"? i dunno, folks. i'm leary of the energy that may invade my deck if someone "accidentaly" TOUCHES them! (and, if that happens? i do aNOTHER "Tarot Consecration Rite," only This Time i get to wipe-off Each and Every Card w/my White Silk, charged specifically for This and Only This Purpose! yep...then, i recite scene iii, act v from macbeth, turn around three times, and SPIT! whew...i'm getting tired, already...but, seriously: i've known people who've purchased used decks, and They have No Problem w/doing so, so? still? i dunno . . . one must do Something, i think, to cleanze that old ("hopefully," not Too Bad) previous ownership energy from the keys!!! ~Z~770

Diana	05 Nov 2002
edited

Keslynn	05 Nov 2002
I've bought used decks several times and have also traded here on Aeclectic. I've never had any problems with them at all. In fact, sometimes they're easier to shuffle! I don't really have a cleansing ritual. If the cards smell of cigarette smoke or something else then I'll leave it in a box with a small candle (unlit) until the scent infuses the cards. I'll also leave a smelly deck out to air. But thank goodness, I've only ever gotten two smelly decks. Whew! They're fine now. I'll reorder the cards to study them and to sort of recognize that the deck is new to me. Then I give it a good shuffle and use it. I figure that as an intense (8th house heavy) Leo, in a battle of the energies, mine will win. ;) Well, actually I don't know if I believe that the cards carry residual energy. :) Kes

Trogon	05 Nov 2002
Quote: Originally posted by ssplam I guess to go with that... when you buy a used deck...how do you cleanse it? Two suggestions I've seen are: 1. Sleep with it under your pillow. 2. Blow on them to re-imprint your own energies. Hi ssplam... I'm not sure that sleeping with a Tarot deck is such a good idea if you believe that it is infused with negative energies. Those energies could backlash into your dreams. However, while I personally believe that cards can build up a residual of energies from the person (or persons) who used them, I don't believe that this is usually a major problem and is easily dispersed, if you desire to do so. My "ritual" for cleansing these (used) cards is, as has already been mentioned by others, primarily the simple act of reordering the cards. I go through the deck, one card at a time, separating them into 5 piles as I go; 1) Major Arcana, 2) Wands, 3) Cups, 4) Swords, 5) Pentacles. Then I pick up each of these piles and put the cards in the order in which I'm used to studying them (0 through 22 for Majors, Ace through highest court for Minors). If, after the above "ritual" I were to still get any kind of a feeling of negativity from the deck, I would remove those negative energies in a manner similar to how I remove negative energies from crystals or other stones. I would bury the deck (not in the box) in course salt crystals (ie, "rock salt"), in a clear glass or crystal bowl and leave it for at least a day. The salt will absorb the negative energies, then I simply discard it (the salt, the deck! :eek: ). My next step with non-water soluble crystals and stones would be to run cold water over them for about 1 minute to finish washing the salt and negativity from them (a trickle from the kitchen tap will usually do the trick since I don't have any nearby creek or stream ;) ). For Tarot cards, since you don't want to get them wet, I would use smoke from either incense or a bundle of sage, the smoke serving the same purpose of the final cleansing as the water does. You will still want to ensure that any salt dust is removed from the cards by gently wiping them, individually, with a soft cloth. If nothing else... all of this handling will tend to make the cards "yours". Imprinting your energies on them in the process of everything else. That is you believe in all that sort of thing... I'm still awaiting one person's rant on Tarot cards only being paper, etc. }) There is a very strong argument that Tarot cards are just cards - they are "paper and ink covered with a bit of plastic" and can not be affected by, nor carry, harbor, be infested with any sort of energy, positive or negative. If this is the case then all the above ritual may do nothing more than to make you feel good about your new deck... in which case there is still a positive outcome... ;)

fairyhedgehog	05 Nov 2002
I am so envious! I have had wonderful used decks in trades from folks on aeclectic, but I have never been in a secondhand bookshop and seen tarot cards. Ever! Maybe it is where I live. Epsom and surrounding area is very pleasant but also in my view very stuffy. Never mind, there is always trading, and trading is fun :)

Sulis	05 Nov 2002
You`re not alone Fairyhedghog. I`ve never seen any used tarot decks in second hand book shops either. If i liked the deck and it was in good condition I wouldn`t have any worries about buying it though. As for cleansing, I cleanse all of my decks with Reiki so I`d do that. Love and light Crystalmynx xx

MeeWah	05 Nov 2002
I would love to peruse used decks in book shops but none here carry such that I know of. All the used decks I have acquired have been through exchanges on Aeclectic. As for the cleansing of a used deck--there are no right or rigid methods & can be as simple or as elaborate as one desires or according to one's "beliefs". I prefer to go for the simple--such as leaving the deck out "to air", shuffling it throughly &/or ordering the deck. I usually do the last if I intend to study the deck card by card. The act of handling the deck would imbue the deck with one's personal energy. I tend to think that eventually, residual energies dissipate.

Jewel	05 Nov 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Trogon My "ritual" for cleansing these (used) cards is, as has already been mentioned by others, primarily the simple act of reordering the cards. I go through the deck, one card at a time, separating them into 5 piles as I go; 1) Major Arcana, 2) Wands, 3) Cups, 4) Swords, 5) Pentacles. Then I pick up each of these piles and put the cards in the order in which I'm used to studying them (0 through 22 for Majors, Ace through highest court for Minors). That is my "ritual" as well :)

zander770	05 Nov 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Diana I've noted down this interesting cleansing ritual, but I am confused here. Does one spit on the cards themselves? And if so, must they be lying face down or face up? i WAS joking (of course)! that's an ole actor's rite when caught "whistling" backstage in the greenroom if performing macbeth! sorry for any "confusion..." ~Z~770

Alex	07 Nov 2002
care about these things. If there's any "energy" associated with the used decks, why assume these are "bad" energies? It might as well be that the used deck has a great energy that I spoil by touching it. I think it's kind of narcissistic to assume a priory that one's energy is the appropriate energy to hang around a deck anyway. Sometimes we just have to *trust*_ and pay to see. Alex.

RedWood	07 Nov 2002
I reiki my cards to cleanse them if i feel the need...

Mystica	07 Nov 2002
Alex makes a good point about just considering the energy to be "bad". I never thought of it that way... I've never had a used deck, but I always thought that I would do some type of cleansing ritual, now I have to wonder. Maybe just putting the cards in order, as suggested by others. Then after doing the first getting aquainted with your "new to you" deck spread, you will have an idea how they feel, and go from there.

ssplam	09 Nov 2002
I just wanted to thank you all for your wonderful suggestions and I will have to go check out a used store sometime. I live in Sacramento California where I've found there are plenty of "believers" so I don't doubt that I can find something. I just never thought about it before. Thanks again. ~Christina

Shadow Wolf	29 Nov 2002
Here are 3 ways I've used to cleanse cards : 1.Place a piece of clear quartz crystal on the deck and leave it there at least overnight. The clear crystal absorbs negativity. 2.Smudge your cards. Purchase a smudge stick, (usually sage or sage and cedar) and light it, fan the cards out through the smoke, make sure the smoke touches each card. If you're into this, invoke a deity to bless the cards for you. (I usually on the Goddess Isis). 3.If you're able to, leave your cards out in the full light of the moon overnight. There doesn't have to be a full moon. But the cards must be place in moonlight. Or place them by a window, where they will be bathed in moonlight. (Told you I was of a 'witchy' bent, or was that just that I was bent.) Oh well, there it is, anyway........ I get pure enjoyment from smudging my cards, and if anyone asks me what I'm doing, I tell them I'm Blessing/cleansing my tarot cards and that works every time to clear the room !!!!!

The Buying Used Decks thread was originally posted on 04 Nov 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.