tarot room

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Oct 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

lark	10 Oct 2003
Did a search on this subject but didn't find anything. Maybe I missed it but here goes. Last fall when my daughter moved out instead of crying in my coffee cup. I turned her room into my tarot room. I washed the walls, scrubbed the floor and went shopping. I bought a beautiful rug with a leave design that reminds me of Tasha Tudors art. I bought a comfortable futon and a green patch work quilt to cover it in. An afgan to lay across the back, for when my toes get cold and I'm cuddled up with a good book. My husband made a counter for the computer along one whole wall. And a lower counter next to the futon to act as a coffee table and to hold a small tv. Lace curtains in the two windows. An antique desk in front of one window where I do my readings. It has a big drawer where I keep my favorite decks. A shelf on the bottom where I keep my cd player and music. A little alter on top. With a beautiful doll I got at a craft show named Grandmother Moon, an antique blue bowl filled with sea shells, an an aquamarine crystal stone, candles and a lamp. I have two spectrum lights, one by the futon and one by the computer. I get s.a.d. in the winter due to lack of sunlight and these lights help me alot. The color band in the light is the same as sun light. So it feels like I'm sitting in the sun. Two padded comfortable rolling office chairs. If someone comes for a reading we can both sit comfortably at the desk together. Some of my favorite paintings on the walls, a big clock with a moon face on it, a little silver mirror, and a peg rack and board where I keep my astrology chart displayed and a calender. On the peg rack I hang some of my decks in there tarot bags that I sew. On the other side of the computer I have another little alter with Fairy Gwen another doll friend of mine, a candle, a handmade cherry wood bowl with assorted polished river rocks in it and some worry stones. Also a lovely varnished grourd with basket weaving on the top. There is a big double door closet in this room that my husband lined with shelves. Here I keep my tarot books, decks, and art supplies. When my daughter saw all this she said "My, aren't we making ourselves right at home?' But she was very happy for me and glad I was doing something special for myself after all the years of doing for my family. Needless to say this room has become my sanctuary, and a favorite gathering place for everyone, dogs included. The energy is so pure and light. It's has a very welcoming feeling when you walk in. So that's my tarot room, once a fantasy just in my mind, and now a reality. What is your fantasy tarot room? What would you put in it ? How would you decorate it? And if you have one already what is it like? How did it come about? Can't wait to hear what your dreams and realities are.

dolphinprincess	10 Oct 2003
oh, i want to come live in your room :o) hehe. as i love to dream, i'll play along... right now i live in an apartment, so this is a *dream*.. I would love to have a room that overlooked water, like the ocean... it would have large windows and plenty of sunlight.. with those gauzy, flowing curtains that blow in the wind. There would be a wooden desk for my computer (a mini home office), etc... and a large bookcase for all of my many books.. and some shelving for my special knicknacks... i've always wanted a comfy bean bag chair, or one of those round chairs (i know how to pronounce it, but not spell it..), so that would be in one corner.. to curl up and read in... there would be an antique wooden chest that i keep all of my decks in... and a wooden coffee table in front of a super comfy couch to do readings... the walls would be decorated with art that i love... like amy brown prints and pics of the ocean / dolphins... hhmmm.. now i'm kind of depressed to go home to my cramped one bedroom apt... but i'll keep dreaming :o)

Arora	10 Oct 2003
i have a tarot "space" - not room. as i live in a renovated attic, which is more of a "loft for little people". in one corner is a papasan (dolphinprincess - the big round chair you are referring too, i think), a desk holding the cd-player & laptop, a barcelona chair, a small square table - low to the ground, a tranquility fountain, many candles, and 2 huge floor pillows. overhead is a very large jade pothos (philadendrum) hanging from an exposed beam, with it's tendrals looping around & hanging down. and sparkling through the leaves are tiny white lights (one of those xmas light strings). it gives the illusion of being under a leafy tree beneath the starry sky (with some comfort). most of my loft is done in this style - it's more of a "magical treehouse" of sorts - big beams bearing hanging plants, sparkling lights, windchimes, and bizarre odds & ends. i guess it's my way of creating a space to engage all of the senses.

Ravenswing	10 Oct 2003
Well, here goes. The door is on the leftmost side of the room. It swings open--the knob on the right side of the door-- and flattens out against the wall. There, just to the right of the door, along the wall, is the altar. The cloth that came with my Mary-el deck is spread out. At the center of the altar is a Tibetan singing bowl. To its right, a wand (a most wonderous wand); to its left, a Native American flute. On either side of the rear of the altar is a cup; an incense holder between them. A collage of the major arcana created by Arnell Ando is propped up in front of the left cup-- a gift from her from some time ago: "May the Tarot Cards act as sign posts guiding us gently down the path. with love, Arnell Ando" A precious work of art. A powerful contemplation piece. Various crystals and raven feathers are arranged all about. Candles at the four corners. A bookcase sits on the altar against the wall, reaching to the ceiling. A few decks still in boxes on the first shelf along with my most used references (Modern Magick, A garden of pomegrates, godwin's cabalistic encyclopedia, 777, A magician's companion, tarot for yourself...) Second shelf Tarot, Third shelf Qabalah, Fourth shelf Sacred Geometry and assorted other topics. Up and down the sides of the bookcase deck in bags hang on random spaced nails. Right of the altar and to the corner, is the audio portion of the room. Three and a half feet of classical vinyl and thrice that in other varied discs. All on two five foot shelves made from milk crates and planks. The record player/tape player/radio doesn't do CDs. My 12-sting guitar is propped up in front. Turn the corner clockwise. The window has a big grey stuffed goat on the sill-- I forget where I got it-- and a large paper wasp's nest. Right at the window is my drawing board with all my colored pencils arranged at the top of it. It's on wheels so I can move around to get the best light. Here's where I am creating the Geometric Tarot. To the right of the window and sticking out towards the center of the room is the computer desk. A little more to the right and there is the second corner. Turn clockwise. You're facing the door to the balcany. Great place to sit in the warmer months (it's the second floor). To the right is the art studio portion of the room. From here to the third corner are my acrylics, watercolors, pastils and oils. And a great big aluminun easel my wife got me when I first moved in with her. Turn clockwise. There's a love seat with a large low table in front of it. Here's where I do whatever I'm doing with Tarot. Candles, cloth, incence... To the right, the door once more. In the upper east corner of the room, just touching the ceiling, is a painting of Raphael; the south, Michael; the west, Gabriel; the north, Auriel. There are many other paintings hung about including an old rendition of mine ('87!!!) of all sixteen court cards on canvas board. The sword queen is missing-- a friend of mine really liked it Hanging from the ceiling are various geometric models, and a slightly deflated clear blue ball star map... That's the grand tour.... fly well Raven

Astraea	10 Oct 2003
I keep my deck and oracle collection in their own closet, where they live with a statue of Kwan Yin. The cards and oracles I am currently interacting with come out and take up residence on my bed table. The Tarot of Prague has a place of honor in a beaded velvet box in the center of my desk.

Demonesse	10 Oct 2003
Can anyone *see* me drooling? :D Pictures would be wonderful!

WolfSpirit	11 Oct 2003
I don't have a spare room to turn into a tarot room but I live on my own, so I made my living room very much into a space where I feel comfortable. Apart from things that are just practical to have there like a coffee maker, my room has a collection of shells, living green plants, books, a cabinet with my tarot books, 2 baskets with tarot decks and candles so me and my decks feel quite at home there.

darwinia	13 Oct 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Astraea I keep my deck and oracle collection in their own closet, where they live with a statue of Kwan Yin. Stupid Question #6 - Who is Kwan Yin please? I went into a new tarot store yesterday (I've been mail ordering from them for over a year but it's too far from me to visit, but yesterday I got there), and she had a frosted lilac glass sculpture of Kwan Yin on a wooden stand--VERY beautiful but I was so embarrassed to ask who she is, so I'll ask you. All the rooms sound wonderful, and aren't husbands thoughtful creatures? I have one that fiddled around putting up shelves for my Evolving Diorama of tarot. I've got a cupboard and some bookshelves and have yet to sew my fairy doll but I've got a pattern. He always going to flea markets looking for nice boxes for my decks too. Really nice topic, lovely to see people finding a happy spot all to themselves for reflection and joy.

Astraea	13 Oct 2003
Freesiaskye, it's not a stupid question -- I should have introduced Kwan Yin properly. She is a Chinese goddess associated with healing and compassion. She is frequently depicted standing on the back of a dragon, pouring mercy and kindness upon the earth from a vase she holds.

darwinia	13 Oct 2003
Thanks Astraea. Having refamiliarized myself with Hindu mythology with the Gita deck, I see I shall have to work on Chinese mythology. I have several books I collected when young that have Chinese proverbs, stories and mythology, but I don't remember mention of Kwan Yin. There is always something continually new and fresh to be learned through Tarot, it's the greatest thing.

DeLani	16 Oct 2003
I don't have a tarot room either. So, I'm going to describe my fantasy tarot room: First, as you slide the door aside, you will be instantly greeted with the soft aroma of sweet sandalwood incense. Light, soft music, like Loreena McKennit or Enya, plays on the CD player in the corner. Even the lighting is soft, coming from a lovely Tiffany-style lamp, and a crystal prism in the window throws rainbows all over the room. Looking around the room, everything seems so soft, comfortable, inviting you to sit and relax. Deep shag rugs, overstuffed chairs, ottomans, and cushions of velvet and silk surround a low, wide table decorated with candles and crystals. Tones of eggshell, purple, and a little dark green predominate. Rich, embroidered fabrics from China and India cover pillows, tabletops, and curtains. Beautiful round Goddess sculptures and amethyst geodes of all sizes - including one big enough to crawl into - are all throughout the room. Philodendrons drape their leafy vines all over the windows, the tops of bookcases, trailing down, making the room seem to be made as much of plants as walls and floors. Please come and sit, and have a hot cocoa or Chai tea. Tell me what I can help you with, and we'll have a nice talk. I feel much better now.

lark	16 Oct 2003
Your room sounds beautiful. And I feel that one day you'll really have one. It took me years before I had space for one. But I'd buy little things I saw, like a beautiful candle holder that was on sale, or lace curtains at a big discount, and I'd put them away for the day when I'd have my own room. It was so much fun to unpack those things and put them all together. Also easier in the wallet.

The tarot room thread was originally posted on 10 Oct 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.