Cleansing (An Editorial)

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 02 Aug 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Apoc	02 Aug 2003
Now, pardon me (and feel free to close this thread) if this has been said before, but in my travels in Tarot-land, I've seen some things that have started to bug me. Whenever someone complains about their deck being wonky ("angry", "untruthful", "just plain confusing") for whatever reason, another person always pipes up with a suggestion that the first person cleanse their deck. Said suggestion is accompanied by elaboration on the various and sundry rituals and procedures of deck cleansing. Also, people who recieve used decks in trades, as gifts, or by purchase are generally advised to cleanse their deck to rid it of its former owner's energies. Now I (and don't be offended by this folks) am a severe skeptic of all things supernatural, and I do not ascribe anything to the Tarot other than powerful universal archetypes and symbols that speak to a person's personality in a strictly psychological way. The only energies in these cards, in my view, are the potential energy of the cardboard which may be released by burning (heaven forfend), and the kinetic energy they are given when they are shuffled, being laid out, shipped cross-country to some poor fool (such as myself) who just spent their week's allowance, or being tossed in a dumpster by some superstitious such-and-such. Oh, and the ambient heat energy gleaned from surrounding matter. BUT, if I were inclined to believe in such things as psychic energy inherent in the cards, I would certainly think that all of these implications and accusations aimed at said deck-in-need-of-cleansing would be rather offensive to that deck. If I were a deck of Tarot cards (thankfully, I am not), and my reader decided I was somehow "unclean" and "tainted" by bad energies, I would be highly irritated if my reader decided to fog me in incense smoke, or leave me out on some god-forsaken windowsill to sit all night in the light of the moon. It certainly wouldn't make me any more likely to give them a useful reading. Why would I, a Tarot deck, be annoyed? Because chances are, it isn't me that's tainted! That's right folks. Don't be so quick to blame your deck. While it's sitting happily in its little bag, being pampered and taken care of all the time it's not being handled, you're out in the world getting seriously ticked off by your head-up-his-@$$-boss, stuck in traffic amidst a haze of pollution and generalized frustration, being afflicted by your insufferable siblings/in-laws/significant other/parents/etc., and maybe, just maybe, you've got a horrible cold to rival any other cold had by any other person since the days of the Holy Roman Empire. And yet you blame your deck? So I say: before you point your finger at your cards, which may or may not actually possess this so-called negative energy, have a good look at yourself, a human being who has been scientifically proven to contain absurd amounts of negativity. Have a shower. Take a nap. Go pound the stuffing out of a punching bag or person who has the qualities of a punching bag (I'm kidding). Eat some comfort food (pasta, for example). Have a good long cry. Get a massage. Take a day off (do it anyways). Basically, cleanse yourself. And while you're at it, have some bleedin' fun, for heaven sake. If that doesn't work, then go ahead and reach for that crystal thingamabob. (Disclaimer: The above post was not meant in any way to offend, impugn the honor of, or otherwise annoy any person. In fact, it was meant partially to be witty, amusing, and generally laughter-provoking. If this post has failed to amuse you or provoke your thoughts, ask yourself why. If you wish to complain, have your second contact mine and we shall settle this with pistols at dawn in the old-fashioned way. :) Share and enjoy!) (EDIT: Added a parenthesis) (EDIT: Who the !@#$ invented punctuation anyways?)

Le_Corsair	02 Aug 2003
Someone after my own heart! I'm sorry to all the believers out there, but it is nice to see the skeptical point of view on occasion. Having said that, here is a new procedure for cleaning your deck of negative energy: 1. Find a crystal, quartz is fine, as free of flaws as you possibly can. The crystal should be no thicker than 1/2 inch, no longer than 2 inches long, with a sharp point and perfect facets. 2. Rub the crystal with a cloth. Velvet is nice, wool is good, too. Rub the crystal until it is warm in your hand. 3. Light a candle. Shine the light from the candle through the crystal onto your deck. Do not allow the flame to touch the crystal. 4. Carefully insert the crystal into your *** as if it were a suppository. 5. Have a nice day! :) Bob :THERM

Woof	02 Aug 2003
Bob: I can see your point but do you have to make me so uncomfortable! :eek: Apoc and Bob: I think you'll both find a lot of people say the cleansing is more for the person doing it than the deck. I agree with some of your points and disagree with others. A deck either works for me or doesn't because of what I bring to the deck not who's been touching it. I've bought brand new decks that I had to air out 'cause they stank. Decks that I've had to trade away because while beautiful, they just didn't work for me, the images were not evocative. I think the people offering the suggestion to cleanse the deck are just being helpful and offering a little ritual to help put one in a better frame of mind. Apoc, you say Quote: Basically, cleanse yourself. And while you're at it, have some bleedin' fun, for heaven sake. I think for some people the cleansing is fun. People like ritual, humans have been taking part in them for thousands of years. You joke about the only energy in the cards being the potential enegy of burning paper. There is special energy in the cards: the energy that the images have to evoke a response, elicit a reaction in the reader and the querant. Don't ignore the energy inherent in a psychological response to the symbols that are expressed in the images on the cards. I'm agreeable to whatever floats your boat! Just don't laugh about what floats someone elses'. Woof

Dark Inquisitor	02 Aug 2003
Bob, you are trying to kill me with laughter ! Seriously though, I notice people blaming cards for lots of stuff. Failure to connect, failure to read well, etc. I tend to blame myself. If I haven't studied or worked with a deck enough, I will not be able to read well with it, most likely. If I don't feel connected to the deck, I look to myself. Most of the time there seems nothing weird going on with the decks I get from others . Just that one time I had a dead guy pop into my head when I picked up a used deck of cards I got off the internet. But he hasn't been back. However, there is the psychometry factor. A whole branch of psychism dealing with reading the stored vibrations of objects. I guess it might depend on how sensitive you are whether or not you will pick up any disturbing vibrations from that deck you just bought from the Manson Family garage sale. Tarotphelia

Mimers	02 Aug 2003
You know what, Bob, I wasn't laughing. I didn't think that your remark to stick it up their *** was funny at all. If that is what they want to do, and they believe that will help them and their deck, what the hell do you care. Unless of course you like demeaning people that is. Then I could understand your post. You know it is one thing to vent and express your confusion about certain things, like some of the others did in this thread. It is quite another to demean people. Keep your wise @55 remarks to yourself. OK Bob????? PS Just venting

Le_Corsair	02 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Mimers You know what, Bob, I wasn't laughing. I didn't think that your remark to stick it up their *** was funny at all. If that is what they want to do, and they believe that will help them and their deck, what the hell do you care. Unless of course you like demeaning people that is. Then I could understand your post. You know it is one thing to vent and express your confusion about certain things, like some of the others did in this thread. It is quite another to demean people. Keep your wise @55 remarks to yourself. OK Bob????? PS Just venting Yikes, someone call a moderator, Bob's being a meanie again! Bob :TDEV:

Mimers	02 Aug 2003
No need to call the moderator, I think Bob got my point. Bad Bob

Dark Inquisitor	02 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Mimers You know what, Bob, I wasn't laughing. I didn't think that your remark to stick it up their *** was funny at all. Well, nobody can make you laugh, I guess. But sometimes us new agey-type people seem just as silly to others as they do to us. It doesn't hurt all of us to have some humor about ourselves. Otherwise we grow rigid & old before our time. Tarotphelia

Apoc	02 Aug 2003
Woah, don't hijack my thread people! Go find some scenic beach somewhere and have your duels there! :p Quote: Just don't laugh about what floats someone elses'. I'll laugh at whatever I please to. Did you read my disclaimer? As far as cleansing is concerned, I am not knocking it. I'm just saying, maybe people are too focused on blaming the deck for their bad readings, and they're not considering the fact that they too are capable of negativity and problems that cause bad reading. (EDIT: Grammar's a b*tch.) (EDIT: Clarifying, elucidating, appending.)

Mimers	02 Aug 2003
There is a big difference between a joke and an insult.

Dark Inquisitor	02 Aug 2003
I believe in cleansing rituals. How come I was not insulted? Tarotphelia

Le_Corsair	02 Aug 2003
Maybe this thread needs a cleansing ritual! Bob :TDEV:

Elle	02 Aug 2003
My new Victoria Regina deck made fun of me last night - it is brand new and it told me I would never be a good student and that I could look forward to a life of poverty - I posted this story on another thread earlier - but it applies here - How do I cleanse this deck and get it to stop making fun of me???!!! Try the hot crystal thing? Elle

Apoc	02 Aug 2003
Elle - Maybe it's kidding. Some people say their decks have fantastic senses of humor. Make fun of it back. I have no idea how this might be done, but I imagine it would be frankly amusing to do and watch.

Mimers	02 Aug 2003
I am sure there are a lot of people here that do cleansing rituals that would let that roll right off them. What I don't understand is why do we have to post things that have the potential of insulting or hurting others when the point could be made very clearly without doing so?? Why? Those words had the potential of offending people. So why was it put in that way. I am all for joking around and having fun here on the boards. That was over the line.

Teranar	02 Aug 2003
I think, and this is something I am DEFINATELY walking away from this with is - to consider the possibility that you, the reader, may be the one who needs cleansing, that maybe its not your deck. For those who believe, yes, occasionally it may be your deck that needs a bit o cleansing, but when I'm pissed at the world for something like why did some guy with 2 felonys get a job while I, an eagle scout applying for the same thing, didn't, I can't get a straight reading. One reading I did to a begging friend while I was in a grumpy mood basically predicted |-|377 coming, and it did nothing of a sort, but simply reflected my mood. This is what I think Apoc was trying to convey, and he had the thought to begin with because he/she (I don't know which) is a skeptic, and used... um... strong language to illustrate the point. So please calm down, everyone.

Apoc	02 Aug 2003
Ah, but I didn't find my language to be terribly inflammatory at all. Reread what I wrote, and carefully note that I couched everything in terms of my opinion or in terms of may or may not. I am certainly not responsible for the misinterpretations of others.

Woof	02 Aug 2003
Apoc, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings!:confused: Time for me to pick up my cards and go home!:( Woof

Alex	02 Aug 2003
Some of us tend to forgett that there is an element of choice when it comes to feel offended. I DO think that cleansing rituals are a waste of time. When someone tells me that they believe cleansing rituals are effective, I choose not to feel offended, even though such statement GOES AGAINST my belief system and can potentially hurt my feelings by shaking my faith in science and logics. Conversely, if someone comes up here and says that cleasing rituals are stupid, according with their beliefs, you can choose not to feel offended, for your own sake, and for the sake of freedom of expression. I haven't seen anyone being directly insulted. ALL words have the POTENTIAL to hurt people. Who's fault is it? The one who speaks those words', or the one who chooses to let herself be hurt by such words? Alex. Quote: Originally posted by Mimers I am sure there are a lot of people here that do cleansing rituals that would let that roll right off them. What I don't understand is why do we have to post things that have the potential of insulting or hurting others when the point could be made very clearly without doing so?? Why? Those words had the potential of offending people. So why was it put in that way. I am all for joking around and having fun here on the boards. That was over the line.

Apoc	02 Aug 2003
Quote: Apoc, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings! Time for me to pick up my cards and go home! Hurt my feelings? Far from it. My feelings, as it were, are virtually impossible to hurt. Call me insensitive, but nothing you said or could have said could have hurt my feelings in any way.

Teranar	02 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Apoc Hurt my feelings? Far from it. My feelings, as it were, are virtually impossible to hurt. Call me insensitive, but nothing you said or could have said could have hurt my feelings in any way. The true stoic at heart. In response to your earlier comment I didn't find your language to be immflamatory either - and also you had a RATHER lengthy disclaimer at the bottem so if people get ticked over all this then they shoulda read that, but I was simply stating what I had learned from all this, and people should just get over it if they dislike it, its your opinion. What am I gonna do if I don't like it? Pry your brain open and take the offending opinion out? I think not...

Logiatrix	02 Aug 2003
I think this is the comment that tripped over the line: Quote: Originally posted by Le_Corsair ...4. Carefully insert the crystal into your *** as if it were a suppository... Bob :THERM He made that "butt" reference. Looking back at previous threads that escalated to simillar levels of inflammatory banter, it always seems to involve the word "ass," for some reason. Throw in someone who is offended by the aforementioned word (or something placed in it), add another person who's persona requires constant demonstration of apathy (despite continued participation), and there you have it... Much ado about nothing. No wonder tarot decks get mad at us.

Apoc	02 Aug 2003
But... but.... Crossing lines is what satirists do best! Oh well. Win some, lose some.

Faerie Lin	02 Aug 2003
Well reading through all of this, I have to say that I find Apoc's post to be most of my opinion as well. I think sometimes people don't like to look at themselves as the source of the problem (this goes for many other type of life problems as well). "Oh it can't possibly be ME, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with ME." I personally busted out laughing at Le_Corsair's post and it wasn't a 'letting it roll of my back' type of thing. It was freakin' funny, and I have and use crystals and all that other stuff. I don't see how it is insulting to anyone, unless someone has insecurities about themself and insecurities about what and how they do things. If you're content with how you do your business, nothing should get you down.

Logiatrix	03 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Apoc But... but.... Crossing lines is what satirists do best! Yes, I agree, Apoc. You dared to go where you believe others fear to tread. I'm a sucker for cheering on those who voice what I only wish I could say. I am also entertained by people who express thoughts I'd never before considered. You crossed the line, and your opinion is very humorous. I was happy to go there with you. But then I went on to Bob's response... Where I think you crossed, Bob TRIPPED. He made reference to the posterior, and also suggested a potentially offensive action with said posterior. Even if it's not often clothed anymore, the backside is still semi-sacred in mixed company. Even if it doesn't offend me or you, it doesn't take a rocket scientist (or a satirist) to know that SOMEONE is going to be offended. :)

Le_Corsair	03 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Tauni You crossed the line, and your opinion is very humorous. I was happy to go there with you. But then I went on to Bob's response... Where I think you crossed, Bob TRIPPED. He made reference to the posterior, and also suggested a potentially offensive action with said posterior. Even if it's not often clothed anymore, the backside is still semi-sacred in mixed company. Even if it doesn't offend me or you, it doesn't take a rocket scientist (or a satirist) to know that SOMEONE is going to be offended. :) If you amend TRIPPED to SKIPPED, I'll happily agree with you! Perhaps I should change my username to Le_Gadfly! Bob :TDEV:

Apoc	03 Aug 2003
Noffin' wrong with tripping. Especially if it's over arbitrary lines set by stuffy people. *puts on some asbestos underwear* I am so going to catch hell by calling people "stuffy".... :D (EDIT: Mind you well, I am not naming names, nor aiming "stuffy" at anyone in particular. And, if you happen to be a stuffy person, I would imagine it would be a compliment.... But then again, I could be wrong.)

Astra	03 Aug 2003
This thread seems to have slipped a little? I'm agin blaming the deck, although the comment about psychometry was valid. But I'm also agin blaming other people, the position of the planets, angels, and various and sundry other divination tools, groups, cults, etc. I have a problem with anyone who tends to assign fault (or merit) for what they do to someone or something else. It tends to happen a lot with readers, partly because you can get really overwhelmed when your readings start coming up with information you're sure you couldn't have or have found. It would be so much simpler if there were some esoteric force working through you - and besides, it wouldn't be your fault if anything went wrong. Does it make for problems with the readings? Emphatically not - some of the best readers I know are absolutely sure they have nothing to do with the process. But it does seem to make a difference for the readers, eventually, and usually not a positive one.

Astra	03 Aug 2003
BTW - I really liked your "If I were a tarot deck". It's giving me all kinds of interesting secondary thoughts.

Teranar	03 Aug 2003
This thread certainly has gone in a queer, as in 'different', direction. So he referred to a body part... I think some people are just overreacting. It was said in humor, joke, fun, not meaning to incur lynch mobs aimed at Bob and Apoc.

SingingTarot	03 Aug 2003
I personally like to do cleanings because I am very hands on (is this offensive to anyone?) I don't really believe in it, I just get a kick out of it. I thought Apoc's post was rather fun, especially the part on how we could a deck's feeling. Bob, you cracked me up. I took it so seriously, I was reading carefully "Oh, crystal..." picturing myself with the brand new crystal I purchased today. Gosh, I was so into it.... :)) Thanks for a good laugh! However, as far as the turn this thread took, I wanted to say that I am a big believer in poking fun at one self. I think we have to be able to take things lightly in order not to turn into a sour puss. A world where we all agree on everything and are unable to joke about things would be indeed a major boredom. I am grateful for the sense humour that some of us have, it spices things up a little. And this seem to be VERY needed at times. And yes, any joke will be picking on someone, or something, and can viewed as offensive. But please, let's just try to laugh and not get all worked up about things that are supposed to be funny. Alice

Umbrae	03 Aug 2003
It’s one thing to question the beliefs of another. It is quite different to ridicule the beliefs of another. Ridicule of another, and their beliefs…now that…is offensive.

Moongold	03 Aug 2003
Yawn.....Yawn......yawn.............................................................. There is something familiar about the flavour of this conversation. I have just written another thread about challenging thinking, but I think it is important HOW you do it. If you wanna read my thread it is in this forum. I don't usually hang about here but today I am and that's why I saw this How you do things...........and why...it is important I don't personalise decks either, but some people do, and for some it is just a figure of speech. Can't you pass on your views in a more intelligent and less inflammatory way? They stopped producing Benny Hill years ago, and he at least had some wit about him. Pardon my frustration. On a personal level, I don't like seeing people disparaged for what looks like the sake of a laugh. I don't usually feel angry, but I do a bit now.

The Cleansing (An Editorial) thread was originally posted on 02 Aug 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.