keeping the deck spiritually clean?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 08 Jun 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

G.I.R.	08 Jun 2003
I was told by someone that I need to keep my deck clean and take better care of it. (all in the spiritual sense) How do I do this. I've asked this in another thread but it is off the topic so I figured that I should start a new thread.

jog1118	09 Jun 2003
some tarotholics out there even avoid having their decks come in contact with other people i on the other hand believe that clients, at least, should cut the deck so as to get a vibe from them finally, spiritually clean decks for me just mean...do'nt use the tarot if you are in a bad mood

Diana	09 Jun 2003
Respect it. That's about all. All the other frills and lace that you may like to do will help you feel better (so that's not a bad thing per se), but won't affect the deck.

Trogon	09 Jun 2003
Quote: Originally posted by G.I.R. I was told by someone that I need to keep my deck clean and take better care of it. (all in the spiritual sense) How do I do this. Hi G.I.R. ... As far as "cleansing" a Tarot deck there are several methods which one can use. I've mentioned my thoughts in a couple of threads; http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8771 http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14810 In the older one (8771) I actually gave a more detailed method of cleansing... hmmm... perhaps I should go back and edit my post in the latter one... Anyway... there are several suggestions in both of these threads on cleansing negative energies in one's Tarot decks. Personally... I haven't really had to use anything more than simply shuffling my decks after a reading... Well... up to now I think thats all I've had to do... who knows what the future will bring?

Umbrae	09 Jun 2003
This an Opinion…my opinion, do with it as you will. There are a lot of superstitions perpetrated by folks who tend to believe that magic, lies outside of the human – a thing apart; and that the cards themselves are magic. Magic – lies within – the oracular device of the day, be they Tarot cards, Rune stones, or toothpicks are merely tools which allow you to tap into the inner workings of the soul – nothing more, nothing less. Tarot cards are simply rectangles of cardboard and ink – it is what they become when they enter your head through your eyes. In your head, they become potent. Tarot totes or wooden boxes extend the life of your cards – the cardboard box and the little white book (LWB) that comes with them are excellent fire tender. Perhaps the cards do retain a hint of the last person. But the next person removes it (if such a thing does occur). In all my years reading, I have never reordered, cleansed, purified, set out in moonlight, any deck. It is about focus. I love it when others touch my deck, it bothers me not. Listen, The magic of the world is far simpler than anyone can imagine…unless they have already danced to the music. Do not dance to something that is not real. As ye believe, so shall you do. If you believe the magic comes from ‘out there’ and is separate…your readings will be less than. If you understand that the magic comes from within – your readings will be magic – and you can go an entire evening and never touch your deck…just read as it is passed from sitter to sitter… ...And be ready for anything. For me, it’s about me and not the deck. The deck is a paper product with some ink – the magic occurs inside me…

jog1118	09 Jun 2003
APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE! for Umbrae! Well said my friend. I share the same thoughts that the magic comes from the reader, not the deck. :smoker:

Trogon	13 Jun 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae In all my years reading, I have never reordered, cleansed, purified, set out in moonlight, any deck. It is about focus. I love it when others touch my deck, it bothers me not. For me, it’s about me and not the deck. The deck is a paper product with some ink – the magic occurs inside me… Yep... I agree with this too. The only times I have reordered a deck is when I had picked up used decks, and this was an aid to learning the deck. But as far as the "magic within", sometimes the things that seem to be meaningless rituals or even superstition, are very useful for a person to focus that inner power. I also feel that there IS magic outside of us as well and these things can help us to tap into these when we need to. Another aspect of this, for me, is that if a ritual makes a person feel better, helps them to refocus and read better, then what the heck! I don't see as it hurts. I find that certain crystals are very helpful for me for meditation and stress relief. I'm sure there are many people who would scoff at this, but it works for me... :D

tarotpharot	13 Jun 2003
I agree with Umbrae and G.O.P. I've never re-ordered the deck, smudged, left on windowsill in the moonlight, or any other psychosomatic rituals. Why psychosomatic? As stated by Umbrae, I don't believe the cards will retain any sort of energies or negativity as a result of a reading or being handled by another. IMHO, cleansing is really only useful if one BELIEVES it necessary to obtain further uninhibited readings. This has more to do with believing in the potential of a particular outcome. Sort of like, if you believe it is possible, it probably is. Conversely, believing only the negative increases odds along those lines as well. Tools are valuable and remain useful when one cares for them. Tarot cards are tools. Part of what makes Tarot work for me is their aesthetic value and symbol set I'm working with. Maintaining my cards through proper storage and handling are certainly important to me. Blessings of the day, Brad }) TarotPharot

The keeping the deck spiritually clean? thread was originally posted on 08 Jun 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.