I don't put my cards in a wooden box because it looks like a coffin
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 23 Nov 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| Sherra |
23 Nov 2003 |
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Sorry, but I couldn't help myself. :)
As much as I respect everyone's way of treating their decks and such, I feel that wooden boxes give a creepy feel to it. They sort of remind me of coffins.
Does anyone here feel the same way? Or am I just paranoid? ;)
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| Astraea |
23 Nov 2003 |
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I can understand why you feel that way. To me, it depends on the look of the box -- I like to find different-looking materials, shapes, etc. for my cards' boxes. But lots of people keep their decks in the original cardboard boxes in which they came. Whatever feels best is best for you (and your cards)!
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| Agathe |
23 Nov 2003 |
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I have three different decks. 2 of them (I rarely use them) are in their original boxes. My favourite deck is wraped in a piece of silk cloth. I don't have any wooden boxes or anything like that. I only put them in order, as I was taught.
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| ros |
23 Nov 2003 |
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I keep mine in the original box or a bag. There was always something about a wooden box that bothered me & I don't know why, mabee this is it. THE COFFIN thing. lol
Thanks, I'll have to think about this now.
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| Dark_angel |
23 Nov 2003 |
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Wooden boxes feel like a barrier between me and the cards; I prefer to keep them in their original boxes, or in bags.
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| Le_Corsair |
23 Nov 2003 |
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There is something of a paradox about the use of a wooden and/or other nice box for a deck. If you intend the box for your favorite deck, the one you use most often, then the deck will spend very little time in the box; it will travel with you, probably in some container more appropriate for travel, such as a bag. So the nice wooden box will probably contain one of your other decks that is less than a favorite. Or, if it is a favorite, it will likely be a collector's deck that receives little use. So when it comes down to it, Sherra's original comparison of a wooden box to a coffin is rather apt, since the contents, once put in, are not meant to be taken out.
Having said that, I can see a scenario where wooden boxes actually contain decks intended to be used: In a professional setting, where a conscientious, business-oriented reader keeps various decks on hand to be used according to the desires of the querent and/or his/her own inclinations. In this situation, wooden boxes make a better impression than tattered, falling-apart old cardboard boxes or plastic baggies.
Then again, I could be wrong. I often am. :)
Bob :THERM
edited to change the word wooden to cardboard in the last sentence. I thus prove my point that I am often wrong!
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| Myrrha |
23 Nov 2003 |
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I rotate my decks as I don't like to have too many out at one time. The ones not being used at the moment are carefully packed away in their boxes in a larger box in my closet. Sometimes cards from these decks will come out to join a parade of all the versions of a certain card displayed in my room for inspiration.
The decks I am using to read with or play with are wrapped in scarves and live in a round, flat sweet-grass basket given to me by my mother. The basket is on top of a low chest with my teapot and favorite tea cups and some candles. Having little wooden boxes around would not appeal to me very much although I never thought about why. The original boxes, if there are any, for the decks I use are in the closet with the other decks as I find them distracting.
--Myrrha
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| Requiella |
23 Nov 2003 |
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No, I can't say that boxes have brought coffins to mind, but you've given me a great idea...
I'm now thinking that a coffin-shaped box will make a gret home for my gothic tarot when I get it!! ;)
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| Marion |
23 Nov 2003 |
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Hum, I have three boxes and they hold the decks I use the most often. I don't carry my decks around, they stay in the house. Having pretty boxes allows me to keep them near at hand and still keep the place looking neat. All three boxes are handmade and I like them very much. Do not make me think of coffins at all. My grandfather collected wooden boxes and I have one of his. It used to be a doctor's travelling box with wonderful racks and slides and drawers. I use it for storing banking slips, not tarot. He was a doctor, and he travelled in China in the 20's working in travelling clinics. It also has some tiny amazing things that I have no idea what they were for. :) Adds to the interest. I also have a Chinese puzzle box with a clever arrangement of layers. Family legend has it that my grandmother used it to smuggle some jade jewellry back into Canada when they came home. I have one of those jade pieces. So, to me, boxes are great. I look out for them all the time, but I am very picky and only have the three. And they hold my most-used decks and sit respectively by my fav chair, on the coffee table and on the bookcase by my computer. My opinion and I respect it. :D
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| DeLani |
23 Nov 2003 |
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I keep a couple of decks in wooden boxes, and they don't look like coffins at all. They are very artistically creative and pretty. And it doesn't stop me from taking them anywhere. I just take the box and all! One box even has a handle on top, like a purse!
Most of my decks are in cloth baggies, though. It depends on the deck - its home has to "go" with it, if you know what I mean.
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| lilsher |
23 Nov 2003 |
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You are a great painter! I love that. I wish that my creative ability went beyond putting words together. :) I've always thought that it would be nice to have a special display box for each of my decks that had a card from the deck painted on the box.
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| Cerulean |
23 Nov 2003 |
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Some people love glass boxes but to me they look like what the Seven Dwarves put Snow White in...actually jewelry in class boxes look rather pretty.
It's true my grandparents stored pretty things in neat boxes. My favorite was tea and dish sets in these light golden boxes that came from Japan. Kind of expensive now at an import store, but I try to get a set every five years and use the pretty boxes with slots for art supplies.
Wooden, lightweight boxes to me look nifty and I think of art supplies and pretty things. Only a few retired decks are in one of three boxes given from grandparents.
I generally keep the decks in plastic storage bins, stacked neatly in their original box or in bags.
Mari H.
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| Dark Inquisitor |
23 Nov 2003 |
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I have a few wood boxes for cards and none of them struck me as coffins. Except for one that I bought specifically because it looked like a miniature coffin with a handle on the top !!
I guess it doesn't bother me. I like skulls & some of the symbolism of death. We are on friendly terms. Since you can use the tarot to communicate with the dead or find out information about them , it would be alright with me if a wood box reminded me of a coffin . I like the Death card too.
Tarotphelia
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| Star Spirit |
24 Nov 2003 |
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It's all about personal preference and feel. Everyone is different.
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| firestorm |
24 Nov 2003 |
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Currently, I only have my Hermetic in a box and that's only because it came with it. (Being that it's OOP, I bought it used and the seller sent it with the original box in a small wooden box.) I have to say that I really like it, I plan to get more. I don't associate it with a coffin at all. Kind of like a jewelry box.
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| Emily |
24 Nov 2003 |
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I used to keep all my favourite decks in wooden boxes - then I found that I had nearly ruined my Diamond tarot by keeping it in a box that had a strong wood stain on it and some of it had bled onto the deck box. If the cards had been in there without a box they woudl have been stained an ugly yellow colour. I checked the other decks in wooden boxes then took them all out. They all live in a glass fronted bookshelf now.
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| LadyMedusa |
24 Nov 2003 |
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All of my decks are in wooden boxes.
About a year ago one of my decks had a very nasty encounter with one of my dogs. I left it out on the kitchen table (she wasn't a pup and had never gotten on the table before) when I went to pick up my son from school. What a shock when I returned 20 minutes later :mad: ... my precious deck scattered all over the floor severely mauled. This was my first deck, my only deck. So for their own safety I decided that something a bit sturdier than cardboard was needed to protect them from the card munching beast.
After giving it a think, I can understand how you might feel the way you do. I guess it's just a matter of personal opinion.
LadyMedusa
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| RedWood |
24 Nov 2003 |
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I keep mine in a plastic tote in a bag or original box..I tried wooden boxes..because i can get them so easily..(my mom works at a smoke shop and gets cigar boxes..wooden or cardboard all the time) i found them to bulky for my taste..
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The I don't put my cards in a wooden box because it looks like a coffin thread was originally posted on 23 Nov 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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