Second hand decks

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 09 Feb 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Osher	09 Feb 2003
I have been reluctant to aquire a second hand deck, somehow, I feel it would be wrong, that the energy of the old owner has been encased within the deck, and that they would never be truely 'mine'. The only difference being in the example someone (oops, forgotten whom) said about finding 'abandoned' decks in the waste bin. Am I the only one, or do others feel the same?

Joywalker	09 Feb 2003
Same for me. I will only buy brand new decks cause I'll never be comfortable using a deck that was once belong to someone. :D

RedWood	09 Feb 2003
Not me...I Love to trade..I love second hand decks...if they feel like they need a cleansing i do it..with crystal, reiki or whatever else...Second hand decks to me are much more personalized and CHEAPER lol...

little	09 Feb 2003
I like secondhand decks. Partly it's because I'm as frugal as a tarot enthusiast can be, and I appreciate the lower prices. But part of it is the same reason I like secondhand books. I like feeling that a deck has a history, has connections to people and places and feelings I'll probably never know about. And I like the thought that someday, the deck will belong to someone else and my experiences will be added to its journey.

jema	09 Feb 2003
if i had to the choice between a well-loved easy to shuffle deck to a somewhat lower price or a brand new shrink-wrapped deck with a regular price-tag i will always go for the second hand. and not only for the price. many decks only grows better with age and handling and wether it is me or someone else handling them don't matter. my decks get the energy i give them when i work with them. i have occasionally had to cleanse a deck - but that is rare. mainly i just order the cards, look them through and then shuffle and it is done. the deck is mine. wouldn't you all just love to get your hands on a well-worn deck from the 30:ies or even older?

Silverlotus	09 Feb 2003
I used to not like the idea of getting a deck second hand, but now it doesn't bother me at all. All the decks I've traded for here have been an excellent condition. And with just a little bit of cleansing they feel great to me. I hope the people I've trade with can say the same. :) I think if I were to have got a deck in awful condition, or perhaps smelling of smoke or something, maybe I would feel a little differently. I think it would be harder for me to make a connection with the deck then. And I guess that's what it's all about. If you can't make a connection with a deck, new or used, then it's not worth the price or the trade.

Summerdream	09 Feb 2003
I own new decks and second hand decks. I have done trades on this forum for second hand decks and they were in excellant condition and I really enjoyed trading. I kinda felt they took on a special quality because the members that owned them before, I had gotten to know through their posts. I only own 4 used decks out of my collection because I do prefer new when possible. It all depends on the situation, if I can get a really great deck for a terrific price second hand that is in excellant shape I will get second hand. If I can get a new deck for a decent sale price I will buy new. I find alot of great deals at buy.com. Just the other day I was bidding on an auction at ebay for a deck that was described at "once looked thru, never shuffled" which I didn't win, but afterwards I checked it out online and it was only a few dollars more for brand new in shrinkwrap! Momof3girls

Teranar	09 Feb 2003
my first deck was secondhand. If ever given the choice I will most preferredly buy a deck second hand, the more worn the better! I'd pay more for a used deck than a new one, so for me its a win-win situation! And should I ever give any of my two decks away, I'd bless it for its new recipiant, and hope for the best between it and its new owner.

Kyrielle	09 Feb 2003
I prefer new. Sometimes you can get new and wrapped decks through the zshops on Amazon, being sold as cheaply or sometimes cheaper than some used decks. I bought a used deck once from a person selling on Amazon. The actual condition of the deck was misrepresented, the book looked as if someone had spilled tea all over it, and there was this sort of "ugh" energy in the cards. I ended up selling it to a local shop that takes used tarot decks (telling the owner to be sure and thoroughly cleanse it before putting it out on the shelf), and using the store credit I got for it toward buying the same deck brand new. I am now very happy with this deck. -- Kyrielle

MeeWah	10 Feb 2003
I have acquried a number of decks second-hand via trades & exchanges. Most have apparently only been opened & not used or show little wear. There are a couple that seem well-used. Used decks do not bother me as the cost of new decks can be prohibitive. I have not been motivated to surf the net in search of decks, but sometimes I check to see what a deck looks like or go to my favorite local headshop which carries demo decks. I check Tarot Garden & occasionally check the Trading Forum.

sagitarian	10 Feb 2003
I used to be just dandy with one deck, served all my needs. Then that deck left me. A yr later, sis wanted to buy me a deck so I wenta searchin. First looked at demo decks at the local new age bookstore, then came here on line and researched a bunch of decks as well. Finally settled on Celtic Dragon Tarot. And then, just like that, I had to buy another deck. (found out by accident that the celtic dragon tarot is ment JUST for me and mine). So I HAD to get a deck I could read with for the public. What better deck to pick then the Universal Waite? Picked that up. Then, I was given a deck. I feel like I have all these decks, all in a course of 2 months or less. Almost two decks a month at this rate. LOL. In any case, I feel like I barely know what I'm doing, and really relearning tarot from the start all over again. The only deck that I have that's second hand is the Angel Tarot, which is a Marsielle deck. I haven't even attempted to read with it yet, so I don't know how I feel about second hand tarot. Thank you for posting such a wonderful question so others can learn and hear the opinions of so many different outlooks.

Emily	10 Feb 2003
My Diamond tarot came to me second hand, given to me by a friend but I think she had used it, it's always been a good deck to use, I've never felt strange with it but I think its because she's a friend. My Thoth came to me second hand too, and despite cleansing it in a variety of ways, its never felt good. Unless it was a deck I really wanted I wouldn't buy second hand again, I'd much prefer to use a new deck and get the right kind of vibes into it and know that they are all mine :)

fairyhedgehog	10 Feb 2003
I'd rather have a second hand deck that I like, than a brand new one that I don't like. I've traded on aeclectic for decks and had some arrive looking brand new and some arrive looking well-loved. I'm happy with both :) I've never had a deck that was tatty, scratched, dog-eared, or damaged, though, and I wouldn't like that. I'm rather sad that I have managed to scratch one of my Mythic Tarot cards as that will make it untradeable, but then I love that deck so I'll probably keep it. One of the things I love about trading is the connection with other tarot-lovers. There are some really cool people on these boards :)

WolfSpirit	10 Feb 2003
I have bought some decks second-hand, they were always in good condition only the boxes looked a bit torn sometimes, and my cosmic deck came with a lovely but subtle smell although the owner claimed she had never used it; I think she kept it close to her incense :) A second hand deck does not have to look brand new to me but it must be in good condition and cheaper than a new one, otherwise I'll get the new one. I have no problem getting second hand decks from people at aeclectic; I also bought decks at ebay new + used - I always read all the text the seller has written and if I don't like their style somehow I will not bid, it's just a feeling really. Second hand decks can be a lot cheaper but if it does not feel right to you - don't do it. I don't think there is really anything against second-hand decks except your own feelings.

HudsonGray	10 Feb 2003
I've got two books & a deck that stink of incense (scents I'd never buy, too...ick) and they're still airing out. But the used decks, I thought I might have a problem but I don't. I've got 3 now that belonged to others & they work just fine. Remember that when even a NEW deck is made the paper gets touched by all the workers, the sorters, the packers, the truckers, the warehousers....they're not 'virgin' in any way & can pick up whatever from whoever, if you follow that sort of thing. Just make them your own. If this means flinging all the cards up in the air over the couch to expose the energies all at once to your place & reimpress them, to being shuffled & ordered by you, to being put under moonlight or with crystals, or whatever ritual it takes to make them feel 'right', then do it. Bottom line is that used decks are better on your pocketbook & you can thereby afford MORE decks this way!

The Second hand decks thread was originally posted on 09 Feb 2003 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.