Tarot bags and storage
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 18 Jun 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| Becca |
18 Jun 2003 |
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Some questions about Tarot bags. When I went to a Tarot workshop at my school, the woman there said it was a good idea to use bags made out of natural materials (ie. cotton and silk). I've heard other people say that it doesn't matter. Any opinions on this? Right now my Spiral and Osho Zen decks are just in their boxes, and I keep my Hudes deck wrapped in a silk scarf. But even if it's in a bag, should I still keep it in the box it came with? What's best for keeping the cards looking nice?
Also, where is a good place to store decks? Any conditions that should be in place? Right now I keep them out of sight (my mom probably wouldn't be thrilled it she found out I was into Tarot), which often means stuffed under the bed. Does this affect the cards at all? I'm wondering if my Spiral deck got mad at me because I left it in my (overheated) car for a couple of days. I've been getting rather negative readings on it lately.
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| BoomVoom |
18 Jun 2003 |
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i also heard that about natural materials. they say it's because man made materials have elements and energies that have been altered too much for the deck to be stored soundly within them. i heard that woodn boxes are also good. silk or cotton bags. no plastic, poliesther, or nylon.
but then again many people think it's just a load of bubbish.
places to store them i heard that apparentely it's good to keep them on a high shelf, to elevate them from the normal everyday influences. but one could argue that the deck is actualy to observe normal everyday influences, so woulden't it be better to keep them exposed to all those everyday energies .
but i guess that's wrong because what happened to your spiral happened to some of my early decks. they seamed to get "posesed" and only read bad things when infact there wasn't too much going on.
i finde that if you leave them be (all placed in order, that is trumps, W, P, C, S.) and eventualy come back after weeks, monthes... so i supose theyr energies settle, i finde they usualy start reading ok again.
i place them in that order because that way all the polaritys are in the right way. this is what "I" do. i didn't get this from any book. but it seams to work for me.
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| Astra |
18 Jun 2003 |
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Store them as you please. I can't see that paper or cardboard is any less a "natural" material (comes from trees, yes?) than silk or cotton.
If you're making a bag for the cards and you want to make sure they're protected against the elements if you take them outside, then using a nylon or another "unnatural" material for an inner or outer bag seems like a good idea to me. If you're going for beautiful, and you find a polyester or quiana or upholstery material piece that is just what you want, don't worry about "contamination". If they're only paper and images, they won't mind, and if they're more, then they'll appreciate your attempt at beauty.
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| BoomVoom |
18 Jun 2003 |
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by the way...
paper's also ok to, IMO. after all they're made of paper themselves.
but at the risk of repeating myself i still have something against artificial materials! they have bad vibes. :P i'm certain of it.
sorry if it sounds a bit over the top Astra.
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| cjtarot |
18 Jun 2003 |
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I had to add my 2 cents...
I make and sell/trade bags. They are Velvet on the outside with embossed/handpainted images..it has to be a synthetic because cotton velvet doesnt emboss...
BUT.. the inside is usually 100% cotton unless someone asks for satin..and the reading cloths are 100% cotton on both sides..
The key to me is not to expose them to the harsh elements that may damage the cards or fade them.
I personally just like the match the bag to the deck deal..synthetic, cotton, what ever...
If you feel your deck is giving you negative readings, I would re-order it..(put the card back in original order), put them in a bag with a clear crystal and let it rest for a while. I find sometimes you need to just switch decks once in a while..
PS..some of the craft stores sell large box's..put the decks in pretty bags, put the bags in the large box (that you can paint or decopage yourself) and then store them under your bed..in their own safe haven..
Blessings and good luck
CJ
www.geocities.com/magickcottage
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| sagitarian |
18 Jun 2003 |
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I think it's up to you and your cards. Usually, I get a pretty strong indication of what the different decks I have prefere to be kept in. My celtic dragon tarot want a wooden box with some kind of design on it either celtic work, or maybe a dragon on it, not sure, haven't found it yet. My faeries wanted to be in a velvet like (large dice) bag with what is usually used for belly rings, those hanging off the sides. So it really just depends on what you feel is right, there is no wrong answer. If their happy in their cardboard box, then that's great too. One of my decks is happy just to be wrapped up in some rubber bands and thrown in my purse (shrugs).
Don't sweat it hon, just do what you wanna do. If a cotton/silk/velvet bag feels right to you, then go with that. Some people make their own bags/boxes, and others just keep them in the box they come in.
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| Keslynn |
18 Jun 2003 |
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Honestly, I feel that decks are just objects and don't really get affected by energy (except during readings when someone deliberately infuses them with energy in the shuffling process). In other words, I don't think they just sit around absorbing things. However, if you feel that it makes you a better reader, then by all means, stick to only natural materials and only store them in bags. These sorts of guidelines should only be followed if they're personally useful - at least that's my philosophy.
I keep mine in bags because they look pretty. Also, it's another layer of physical protection, besides just the box.
More importantly, you should look to what storage conditions would affect your deck physically. Try to keep it out of temperature extremes (especially heat) because this can lead to warped cards. Also, beware of humidity for the same reasons. Direct sunlight can fade the ink.
:) Kes
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| Astra |
19 Jun 2003 |
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>>but at the risk of repeating myself i still have something against artificial materials! they have bad vibes. i'm certain of it.<<
BoomVoom - the one thing I'm sure of is that if a reader thinks they need special materials to store their cards in, then they need special materials to store their cards in. It doesn't matter if it sounds reasonable, or unreasonable, to somebody else.
I find that all I need is to make sure I say a proper hello to the cards when I take them out of whatever it is I'm keeping them in, but that doesn't mean that somebody else needs to talk to their cards before they start reading. (Fortunately!)
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| Diana |
19 Jun 2003 |
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The best place to store them is a place where they won't get grease splattered on them from the frying pan. Also, don't keep them in the bathroom - too much humidity won't be good for the cards.
A good place to keep Tarot decks is a place where you are sure to find them. Sometimes I spend an hour hunting for the deck I am looking for, because I didn't put it back in its place.
As to wood, plastic, nylon, cotton, silk, bags, boxes, or whatever - do whatever is the most practical for you. Major Tom once told me when I was bothering about a problem in my life: "Don't sweat about small things".
So my advice to you is the same here: "Don't sweat about small things". Tarot cards are just pieces of cardboard with ink on them. Don't confuse them with gods or spirits. Superstition and Tarot don't fit together. If you want superstition, find something else to play with. Like ladders, black cats and salt cellars.
P.S. Make sure your Mum doesn't find your decks. Are you sure she doesn't look under the bed sometimes? Watch out, Mums are smart! And they do tend to sometimes want to clean under beds. Find a better hiding place. :)
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| Demonesse |
19 Jun 2003 |
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As for artificial materials having bad vibes, it should be noted nowadays that even products which are made from 100% cotton, or natural fabrics, are not free of man-made 'energies and elements', since the plant from which it is made has likely been grown with plenty of fertilizer, weedkiller and insecticide, and the textile has probably been mass-produced in a factory anyway.
I think it's all in how you look at it - if you want to keep it in a 'natural'-type bag, that is certainly your right. I personally feel that it matters more what vibes you yourself project onto the deck, and not the other way round - a tarot bag, for me, is for protection and decorative purposes.
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| firemaiden |
19 Jun 2003 |
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Originally posted by Becca
I'm wondering if my Spiral deck got mad at me because I left it in my (overheated) car for a couple of days. I've been getting rather negative readings on it lately.
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| wavebreaker |
19 Jun 2003 |
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Originally posted by Becca
I'm wondering if my Spiral deck got mad at me because I left it in my (overheated) car for a couple of days. I've been getting rather negative readings on it lately. Couldn't it just be that you are reflecting your own negative sentiments on the readings because you felt guilty about leaving your cards in the car?
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| Diana |
19 Jun 2003 |
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Becca: Does your dining-room table get mad at you when you don't eat on it for a few days? Do your curtains get angry when you forget to draw them?
Pieces of cardboard can't get angry........
By the way, there's no such thing as a negative reading. Tarot can only tell you what's going on in your life. If you don't like what you're hearing, then Tarot gives you all the elements in order to transform your life.
Don't start getting all superstitious about Tarot. It's not going to get you anywhere....
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| oceanpoetry |
19 Jun 2003 |
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I ordered from Tarot Totes, the totes the matching spread cloths...they have lots of selection and great customer service! They can also treat the back with Reiki if you request.
http://www.tarottotes.com
I keep my decks in the totes all together in a clear plastic box on my bookshelf. I don't think it matters so much whether it is natural and man-made, what matters is how you feel about it. I believe that intention has a strong influence on the outcome...so keep the cards how it feels best for you. I kept my cards in plastic baggies for awhile, and it was fine. The totes are nice because they help to preserve the cards, especially if you have become tarotholic, this is very important!
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| Emily |
19 Jun 2003 |
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I used to keep a few of my special decks in wooden boxes, but a few weeks ago I went to have a look at my Diamond deck and found that some of the stain from the box had got onto the deck box and stained it yellow, the cards themselves are ok but I've took all my decks out of the wooden boxes now and just keep them in a glass bookcase in their own boxes.
I do want to get bags for some of them like my Thoth and Universal Waite, maybe my Rohrig but I'm still not sure what kind of bags I want, but I won't be keeping any of them in wooden boxes again.
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| Khatruman |
19 Jun 2003 |
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Originally posted by Becca
I'm wondering if my Spiral deck got mad at me because I left it in my (overheated) car for a couple of days. I've been getting rather negative readings on it lately. Well, ask yourself this: would your video tape be "mad at you" if you left it in the overheated car for a couple days? Tarot cards are most often made with some materials that will warp or melt in extreme temperatures.
I'm not sure if your storage questions involve simple preservational maintenance (which I can understand) or some psychic "energy" kind of thing (of which I am often skeptical).
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| LadyMedusa |
19 Jun 2003 |
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I have gotten several boxes that the stain seemed to be a bit unstable in. I solved the problem by lining them with 100% cotton felt. I picked colors that complemented the deck. I used a low odor glue and left them open for a couple of days to dry and air out. Then put in some popouri (sic) and closed them up for a couple of more days. I thought about using a poly-sealer like you use on a hardwood floor but decided against it because of the smell.
LadyMedusa
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| Becca |
19 Jun 2003 |
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Okay, so I feel a bit silly now (but that's okay, I figure this is a learning process ^_^). Thanks to everyone who replied. I actually saw some of the Tarot Totes stuff on eBay, and they seem really nice.
However, I would like to make a case for my laptop. Sometimes I think it really does have a mind of its own. And as for objects left in my car...well, I think if they could, they would at least try to grow legs and get the heck out of there (just joking on these ones, folks).
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| augursWell |
19 Jun 2003 |
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Originally posted by Becca
However, I would like to make a case for my laptop. Sometimes I think it really does have a mind of its own. And as for objects left in my car...well, I think if they could, they would at least try to grow legs and get the heck out of there (just joking on these ones, folks). I do a lot of work with computers and I understand what you are saying. It is a simplification process that the mind uses to deal with a complicated piece of machinery. If you look at a computer like a person you can start to know where the foibles and problems are. You have to look at the details to solve computer problems but at least you have a starting point. But I think this has more to do with how you, and I, choose to relate to those objects.
If you think a deck is mad at you and giving you bad readings because it got baked in a car, that has more to do with you saying to yourself that they should be kept cool, should not be tossed haphazardly into a car, should not be ignored for a long period of time and that they can not have a good meaning to you as a result of that situation. Ditto with the cards hiding from your mother under the bed. *You* are telling yourself something not the cards. (I agree that many people do not understand Tarot and that it is a good idea to not be open about it unless you are comfortable with that.)
Therein lies the process of deciding on a "container" for your cards. My decks all have different containers based on their styles. I wait until I find the right container or I buy a box or a bag or whatever with a specific deck in mind or I just buy a box or a bag that I like and see what goes with it. If your car is the best place right now then get a deck that can take the heat, figuratively, and buy something made out of hard aluminum or something. It sounds to me like your car may be partly your home.
Superstition *will* lead you to a bad place so understand what you are saying to yourself through the cards, and their container and where you keep them and what they say to you. You are talking to yourself. :)
I realize you were joking but, for example, if your cards grow legs, get up and start dancing around and make a beeline for the door then you are either delusional or being very creative with symbolic imagery and meaning. The key is to know the difference and see a doctor if you are indeed delusional. Otherwise, play the symbol game with yourself and see what you can learn. :)
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| Emily |
20 Jun 2003 |
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Hi LadyMedusa,
Thats a good idea, it never occured to me to line the boxes - I might try felt too :)
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| WolfSpirit |
20 Jun 2003 |
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O, I would love my decks to grow legs and do a little dance. I only have very boring decks :laugh:
We have this commercial of a mobile phone with legs who gets thrown out because he is too expensive. It is amazing how much expression they can give to such a lifeless thing, you almost feel sorry for him, and I even hate mobile phones !
But back to the topic: I keep my decks in bags because I like making or finding bags for them, because it is practical if I want to take it with me and if I have an unexpected visitor, it may be easier if they just see a bag than the deck itself, saves you from giving explanations sometimes.
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| Wildchild |
21 Jun 2003 |
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I knit silk bags and line them with cotton or silk. I usually pick a colour that seems to suit the theme of the deck. I store my decks in their boxes and then inside the bags. I do this because I like taking a deck with me in my backpack. The cards would get too battered up without the added protection of the box inside the bag. The decks that don't have the smaller boxes, I make a cardboard box for them.
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The Tarot bags and storage thread was originally posted on 18 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.
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