Is it important to collect decks?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 18 Jul 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

hyatt	18 Jul 2004
I was wondering with so many people on this site and soooo many decks....Do you really think it is important to have a huge collection. I guess I am a minimalist at heart. I have more decks than I use already but as I get a new deck I am normally phasing out another one. I always pass them along some times I trade them but for the most part I just find a new home for it. I have the same idea about clothes,etc. Growing up if anything in our house hadn't been used in a year then it had to be given to a charity no questions asked. If you didn't use it that year then it was out of there. So I carried that into my adult life. So what are your thoughts on have a bunch of decks.

laura_borealis	18 Jul 2004
I think it is more important to use and appreciate the decks you have. I have more than I really want right now, and will be paring down the collection soon. I understand the impulse to collect, though. There are so many attractive and unusual decks out there.

Dark Inquisitor	18 Jul 2004
Keep your decks or give them away, whatever you like. Nobody's watching.

Indigo_lady	18 Jul 2004
It's up to you ;)

Logiatrix	18 Jul 2004
It's not necessary, but it is nice for the study of tarot, or for those who teach tarot classes, or as a means of collecting beautiful and interesting art. For me, amassing a large collection was kind of an accident at first; it was only after I reached forty decks that I stopped trying to find "The One" and decided to keep collecting. As I reached 180 decks, I realized I had stopped reading the cards; I forgotten about appreciating the symbols, history, and psychology of tarot, and I was just hoarding decks. I know by current standards here on Aeclectic that 180 decks isn't a lot, but practically speaking, it was getting ugly--I even bought decks I didn't realize I already had... So, I unloaded all but ten decks (much to the joy of several AT buddies here, LOL) and determined to be a better reader. Plenty of tarotist can both collect and read excellently, but I'm just not a multi-tasker. I now prefer to actively use about five or six favorite decks, and I keep another twenty in a small trunk (space shared with a small playing card collection); several of the tarots in the trunk were gifted to me, a few are OOP, others I just keep to admire, and some are for study. Since I am no longer a frenzied collector, I am better able to focus on studying the cards, and my reading skills have much improved. Now, I try to keep my "collection" down to around those twenty-or-so decks; when the list starts to grow, or when I want to make room for a new deck, I will gift or trade decks away. I don't miss collecting, because I've been able to get to know my favorites and I'm very attached to them now. :D

lawguy51	19 Jul 2004
I have another hobby, clay target shooting, mostly skeet and sporting clays. My shooting friends remind me a lot of my Tarot friends in one respect. They not only love to shoot, they love their guns and they love buying new ones...all of the time. Me, I have one shotgun because it fits me really well and I know it well and I have no desire for another gun. My friends, they just have to collect guns. Most of the time because they love the grade of the wood or the scroll work on the receiver. You get my point. We all love Tarot and some of us just can't resist all of those pretty pictures. I have about 25 decks because they are a lot cheaper than shotguns. But I only use 3 and the others are just what I consider Tarot deck essentials. One deck or 180, all that is important is that you love what you are doing with the deck you have. Lawguy51

dolphingirl	19 Jul 2004
To me tarot decks are like books. Each one is a different story written by a different person. I love to read books, the more the merrier. Instead of reading the same book over and over I love to read new books on just about any subject. For me it is the same way with tarot decks. I love to pull out and share different tarot decks with people and I also like to use different tarot decks for different people or questions. Sometimes I will grab a deck I haven't used much or I will grab a deck that calls to me. As to whether it is important to collect decks, I think it depends on the person. Some people are searching for something in a deck that they just haven't seen yet, some like a new deck like a new sparkly piece of jewelry, and some like to study and compare different decks and how the artist uses symbols, color, subjects to get a cards meaning across. Tarot is such a personal journey that there is no right or wrong way. Samantha

tao51	19 Jul 2004
I have several decks but not hundreds. Collecting is like a hobby for some people. I have several decks that I read regularly. This is all up to the individual. I had one deck for years and began to acquire decks like needing different tools for a project.--Tao

Eco74	19 Jul 2004
I have a very small collection sofar of only 4 decks, though 2 more are ordered and hopefully soon on the way. My take on it is that as long as you can sense a connection or atleast have an appreciation of the deck itīs yours to keep. But if that connection or appreciation should faulter, the deck should probably be passed on to someone who Will have a connection with it so as to not numb the communication paths. Hopefully I wonīt get to the point where I only collect for collections sake and have decided not to get some decks that I would find interesting just because they donīt seem to speak to me in the way the decks I have purchased do.. This is an ongoing process though and where I end up remains to be seen. I am a collector at heart after all...

Diana	19 Jul 2004
Was your question serious? The Tarot is one book. It has 78 pages. All of these books are just variants of the one great one. So in fact, one deck would be enough. But having lots of decks can be fun too. I think there are a lot less collectors on Aeclectic than one thinks. It's only that the collectors get naturally excited when they get new decks and tend to share their enthuasiasm, so we get to hear about it. Also, there are people who are desperately looking for the ONE. You know, the deck that will be the perfect one, the ultimate one. It is a search for the butterfly who is always just out of our reach. There is a book called The Collector, about a man who collected butterflies. A horrible book - I read it when I was a teenager and I recall feeling so nauseous that I was never able to finish it. Freud had a lot to say about collectors. But he was probably wrong on many points - luckily Jung came along soon after and cleared up some of his theories. Freud kind of put everything down to either sexual frustration or anal frustration. Collecting he put in the latter category. Personally, I do believe very strongly that people who collect are trying to fill a void. Well, we all have voids in our lives. But one thing is for sure, it's not by collecting that we're going to fill them. But we all do our best to get on in life and to cope with our problems in the best way we can. And if collecting helps someone on their difficult life journey, well, all well and good. And they are helping the economy too, because money must circulate for a healthy economy.

Kissa	19 Jul 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Diana Personally, I do believe very strongly that people who collect are trying to fill a void. Well, we all have voids in our lives. But one thing is for sure, it's not by collecting that we're going to fill them. But we all do our best to get on in life and to cope with our problems in the best way we can. And if collecting helps someone on their difficult life journey, well, all well and good. And they are helping the economy too, because money must circulate for a healthy economy. amen to that. just wrote in Firemaiden's old threat about faith crisis (in talking tarot too) before i read this... Kissa PS: i had to smil at your argument about helping the economy. sure it was addressed to me... i will put it on my fridge: "by buying more decks, you are supporting the economy and cautionning the worldwide damages of capitalism".... glups

WolfSpirit	19 Jul 2004
Logiatrix - I think for many people here 180 decks is an awful lot, most members have much less. I will probably reach 50 (YAY !) this year, and I think that is a lot ! Now to come back to the question... It's not necessary to have more decks than one, it is personal choice. But although I don't need all my decks, I don't see them as dead weight either. It is like books, when I have read a book I like I may not pick it up again for years, and then have the urge again to read it. And decks take up less space than books... Only when I look at a deck again and think: what ever made me buy that ? I will trade it or give it away.

jmd	19 Jul 2004
Most of the decks I own I have because of teaching about Tarot, and being able to show at least a broad range also shows both the similarity between them and the 'core'. If I stopped teaching Tarot, I would undoubtedly restrict my decks to the barest essentials: my Marseilles decks only - and then not even all of these.

baba-prague	19 Jul 2004
We collect for a slightly different reason, which is that it's been very useful to see as many decks as possible while we are designing. Of course some of them have also become reading decks, although increasingly we tend to use our own decks (now that we have a HUGE choice of two!) We also have hopes about having an exhibition at some point and a wide variety of interesting decks would be needed sp that's another motivation for picking up some examples - particularly a few interesting antiques. Having said all that, I think we will soon pare down a bit, there are some decks that I don't think we'll look at again, and that we would probably also not use for exhibition (assuming we ever get the time to organise this) - and we have run out of space here!

darwinia	19 Jul 2004
I have 43 tarot decks, and several miscellaneous oracles and playing cards. I rarely do conventional readings with cards but I use them in other ways, and like to get odd decks that others consider unreadable. I refer to it as rescuing decks, and enjoy challenging myself to use something that others have tossed. There is a hymn called "Rescue the Perishing," and I saw that name applied to a quilt made of old, rescued quilt blocks once. I like the sentiment applied to tarot cards, and the challenge of using them thoroughly rescues perishing mental faculties. There is a saturation point when you simply can't focus or attend to all decks though. Ennui sets in and it becomes pointless to buy things, you lose appreciation and wonder. It's a glorious thing to own many decks, but if I never use them and challenge myself, then it's a waste of time, so I prefer to settle into the work of use and creative application with the cards. It's a joy like no other.

13thFaeChylde	19 Jul 2004
I have under 30 decks, both tarot and oracle. I'm not looking for "the one" b/c I'm promiscuous ;) I have a small home, and a huge love of art. So, the decks I'm interested in become mini-art galleries for me, with the added benefit of telling me a story, or giving me advice. I don't have to scrunch a lot of pictures on the wall, b/c they live in their own little bags. It's my secret art collection, and I don't see myself stopping anytime soon, as long as the bills are paid the kids taken care of.

Maly	19 Jul 2004
Well, just do whatever feels right for you. Im waiting for my very own first tarot deck to arrive, but I already have a list of other Tarot Decks I want. So I will maybe have the Fantastical Deck as my personal reading deck. Maybe Hudes Deck for meditation. And then the Celtic Dragon for actual readings for others. Then I have another list of all the decks I like or want. The rest, will be collected and stored (hopefully good) for me to study and to just look over from time to time. I could also switch between some decks for readings.

blackroseivy	19 Jul 2004
I am very poor myself, & if *I* buy a deck, it is very few & far between - I *know* I just *have* to have that deck. To me, 20 decks is a huge amount, let alone 180 - how many do *some* people have, enough to start a store? :D Well, anyway, that's why I have none to trade - I have 8 decks, & I pretty much want them all, besides of which they are ones that many others already have. I find in genereal that if you ask too many questions about life, life can become hell. I think you should just go with what you *truly* feel you should do, & don't question it too closely!

Flavio	19 Jul 2004
Maybe the line between collectors and readers is difficult to see... the fact that your Tarot Art Collection can be used for divination readings makes wonder anyone who is only thinking in terms of "Tarot is for readings" if having a lot of decks is really useful at all...

crystal cove	19 Jul 2004
I don't think its important to collect decks. However, I think it's an individual decision and up to the tarot reader to determine what function tarot plays in their life. I think it all comes down to balance. I have about 35 decks, and admittedly, I was very excited about getting new ones when I was first learning; however, it didn't take long for it to get old. All it took was opening a few much anticipated decks and being disappointed to cool that fire. Thankfully, it's easier now to view entire decks before purchasing than it used to be. I have given some decks away and there are about 10 that I could still get rid of without any pain, but I certainly wouldn't want to just have one deck. When I take a good look at what I have now, it's apparent that most of the accumulation is a result of growing. I've had my RW and clones, Thoth and variants, Marseille, Italian, Oracle and New Age stages and I have decks in each category that I'd never part with. I have preferences but all are valuable to me in some way. Start by deciding what role you want Tarot to play in your own life and you will get your answer.

Aun	19 Jul 2004
Collecting is not necessary... but it is FUN!!! (and expensive) Currently, I am buying about 4 decks per month, just can't keep up with the LWBs... :cool:

Diana	19 Jul 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Kissa i will put it on my fridge: "by buying more decks, you are supporting the economy and cautionning the worldwide damages of capitalism".... glups Oh, and you are also supporting the trees being cut down; and also supporting pollution (these decks have to get carted around in trucks and airplanes). Of course, on the good side, you are also providing work for people who may be otherwise unemployed; and the less money you have in your bank account, the less taxes you will have to pay on your fortune. Kissa: How many decks do you have?

Kissa	19 Jul 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Diana Oh, and you are also supporting the trees being cut down; and also supporting pollution (these decks have to get carted around in trucks and airplanes). Of course, on the good side, you are also providing work for people who may be otherwise unemployed; and the less money you have in your bank account, the less taxes you will have to pay on your fortune. Kissa: How many decks do you have? LOL, you do know what arguments work with me, don't you?! ;) Hum... how many decks? just checked on my inventory list: 31 decks (oh yes, but 2 blanks...) and 20 sets. are you still breathing???? got a wonderful PM today, some very clever lady advised me to take 2 decks for a month and lock the other ones in a closet so that i realise which ones are important for me. immediately, the first deck came to my mind: Tarot of Prague. and i have to choose the second one... not any clue. Kissa PS: yes my dear, of course i read your advice. the point is i really don't know what i believe in. i am not desperate (incredibly, our cat is better, i am glad i chose not to put her to sleep on friday, this cat has a natural gift to make vets wrong, she shouldn't even be alive according to them), but i still don't know what i believe in. i guess most of my faith is nature orientated but i am definitely not into the witch/spells/Charmed thing... Edited to correct: OMG!!!! The lady said in the PM "put the rest of the decks apart for... 6 MONTHS". feels like going to rehab...

Diana	19 Jul 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Kissa i guess most of my faith is nature orientated but i am definitely not into the witch/spells/Charmed thing... Nature is the most spiritual thing you can find. Get out into it. Listen to every single bird chirping. Notice every different type of leaf. Say hello to all the bees that buzz. See how many different flowers you pass by and note their colours. Look at the clouds. Listen to the raindrops.... etc. etc. etc. Be aware like you never have before of the nature that surrounds you... and that you are AN INTEGRAL PART OF!!!!!! Don't forget that nature notices you as well. Good advice you got from that lady. Who is this wise woman?

13thFaeChylde	19 Jul 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Diana Oh, and you are also supporting the trees being cut down; and also supporting pollution (these decks have to get carted around in trucks and airplanes). Of course, on the good side, you are also providing work for people who may be otherwise unemployed; and the less money you have in your bank account, the less taxes you will have to pay on your fortune. On the other side (you always need three sides!) if you buy used decks you're recycling, and that's a good thing. Hey, someone has to point out the "good things" since Martha can't ;)

Kissa	19 Jul 2004
Off topic. Diana, seriously, you have to come to swim in the sweet water of the Baltic sea, in the summer time, when there is no night. A couple of swans with their two "babies" swimming quite close. All kind of birds whose names i don't know in english. Tiny fishes in the transparent water. The forest around. Wild flowers, many purple ones (we call them "cat bells" here...). Big blue sky. Silence. The whole world is mine. Can be yours too ;) K.

purple_scorp	20 Jul 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Kissa ....Wild flowers, many purple ones (we call them "cat bells" here...) ah, did somebody mention purple???? How much is a plane ticket to Finland? Counting my pennies to see if you can count me in on the swim. I am one of those people that Diana was talking about....trying to find the "ONE" deck and it took me only five to do so. Mind you, I do have other divinatory tools and a few Oracle decks too. I doubt whether my Tarot collection will climb beyond ten but you never know. Just in case anybody is curious....the "one" fav deck for me is Osho Zen. Cheers purple_scorp

jmd	20 Jul 2004
A Victorian choosing a Victorian?

purple_scorp	20 Jul 2004
jmd, was that comment directed at me???? Um, er, remember, I'm blonde....whoosh.....it's gone straight over my head. p_s

hyatt	20 Jul 2004
I thought I might respond now to my own post! Just to clarify things, I have about 10ish decks they come and go but I keep it around ten. I have 4 that will always stay. The deck I learned with, my Thoth, my RSW, and my travel deck. Those are the basics. It would be like having a kitchen without flour and sugar if I let those go. And I keep 6 or so that come into favor and eventually might end up somewhere else. I ordered 2 decks a week or two ago but recently found a new home for my golden dawn and witches deck. I just don't think I will miss them. I just don't see the point of keeping them to have them if I don't use them. So that is kind of what I was asking. If you have so many decks, decks that you never ever use. They just sit somewhere - what is the point? It's not an insult I just wanted to know.

13thFaeChylde	20 Jul 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Kissa Edited to correct: OMG!!!! The lady said in the PM "put the rest of the decks apart for... 6 MONTHS". feels like going to rehab... What kind of crazy people are you associating with? ;) Two decks for six months??? That's just so....minimalist! hehehe

Gerbear	20 Jul 2004
Hear ye, hear ye!! Collecting is not important at all! I repeat, collecting is not important at all! Too many people are collecting, causing tremendous stress among collectors. More of you should just pick a few decks, and get to know them very well. In fact 99% of the collectors should do this. Then the field of collecting would be an uncrowded wasteland...yippee...umm, I mean...sadly. While the rest of you are getting to know your decks, I'll struggle along, collecting. Someone has to do it!

Astra	20 Jul 2004
I've never collected - they just seem to accrete. In the process of turning things out to pack I found three I didn't remember even having, including a white-boxed Thoth and a couple of laser printed black and white decks from (I assume) the '70s. No time to stop and look, other than to make sure they got packed in one of the boxes going with. I thought I had 7 or 8 - turns out I've got more like 10-15.

VGimlet	22 Jul 2004
Quote: If you have so many decks, decks that you never ever use. They just sit somewhere - what is the point? It's not an insult I just wanted to know. I had only one deck for a long time and I was perfectly happy. So, no, I don't think you have to collect. :D For myself, when it was time to replace my old deck, and I found all those interesting choices...it was all over, LOL. There are two kinds of decks I own. Decks for collection, like the Amber, and decks I want to use, either for study, or for reading, or something else, like the Voyager. I eventually plan on reading with all my non collector decks - and getting rid of those that don't appeal to me. I am not generally a collector of "things", with a few exceptions Things require dusting at some point; I hate to dust. Tarot cards seem useful to me, unlike, say, stuffed animals (no offense to any stuffed animal collectors out there!) I can use any of my cards if I choose , even my collector decks.

Shalott	22 Jul 2004
I've only bought decks that I intend to use, with one exception: I wanted the book that went with the Pythagorean deck, but couldn't find it separately (got a sweet deal from an Amazon marketplace seller). The deck REALLY does not appeal to me but the book is a great resource for numerology + tarot as I'm diving into Marseille now! (Anybody wanna trade a gently used Pythgorean deck for a Camoin?) I have about 12 decks. I just can't afford to buy things that I don't intend to use, although if I win the Powerball, once I buy my mansion in Newport, RI, I will fill the "Upstairs Sitting Room" with decks! HA! In regards to supporting the economy: I'd certainly rather work in the Tarot industry than almost any other. So let's buy all the decks we can afford to! I need a better job!!! :joke: I think I'd put myself in the category of trying to find that perfect deck. May have with Hadar. (Ugh, haven't heard of butterfly collector's in ages - that is morbid. I'd only collect butterflies if I had a natural habitat for them. Killing a living being to "collect" is digusting! :mad: ) Maybe a Swiss 1JJ that's actually au francaise?

Ace	22 Jul 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Astra I've never collected - they just seem to accrete. I feel a lot like that. When I started (with RWS), I acquired a Marshailles and maybe another because people didn't want them and wanted them to go to a good home. I never used them, but I have them. Over time I have bought decks I thought I might like to use, but no, good ol' RWS or later Robin Wood suits me just fine. So I probably have a 8-10 other decks. As I started reading a LOT, I wore Robin Wood copies out, so I have over a dozen of those alone, figuring on using them for classes if I ever teach. (I have given a couple away.) At certain times, there are decks all over the house: in the kitchen (a friend called and wanted a quick card pulled...), in my night stand (for pulling a card in the morning), in my case for taking to a job... Now I am down to 2 copies of the WorldTree, one in the case and one in the nightstand, but I am planning to get a small one for my purse, and after a while, one will migrate to the computer side permenantly... There're everywhere! There're everywhere!

Pook	22 Jul 2004
I dont think its important to collect decks....but like anything else you can collect, if there are more than one or two, people will collect. Personally, I have two collections, errr, three collections. I collect dragons (yep, the kind you have to dust), books-any and all that can be read (:D but in my defense of this collection, I actually do read the books and it will hopefully pay off one day when I beat Ken Jennings at Jeopardy!!:D), and third, I collect tarot cards. Though not as profusely as some, I am sure. I dont collect to collect like the dragons, but rather to give me a wider perspective. So, there you have my 2 cents. To each thier own.

augursWell	23 Jul 2004
I always have an emotional reaction to the decks I buy. Some can be euphoric some can be dissapointment. I think it was Diana mentioned the idea of finding the "One". That is my usual motivation when I buy a deck, I think that this particular deck has some aspect to it that will really mean something for me and my readings. The disappointing purchases have made me much more careful, I prefer to find full images of a deck before I know whether or not I want to purchase it. I think it is your skill level as a reader that determines your choice of decks. Some decks are better than others depending on the situation. For example, I would never have considered buying the Halloween Tarot going just by its cover or seeing it on amazon.com but some people here on Aeclectic praised it and I found the full deck online at tarot.com. I ordered it and it is one of my "til the day I die" decks for various reasons. I am an artist also so having all kinds of styles of art in my life is something that is important to me, not just tarot cards but books and prints, etc.

Majecot	23 Jul 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Shalott I have about 12 decks. I just can't afford to buy things that I don't intend to use, although if I win the Powerball, once I buy my mansion in Newport, RI, I will fill the "Upstairs Sitting Room" with decks! HA! NEWPORT!?! They proabably would charge you Personal Property Tax on them... better to buy a big house with a sitting room where your at...lol ( MN doesn't have a PPT to do they?) Anway I am prett sure the next Powerball will be from here.. that is if I can remember to buy a ticket. :joke: Collect?? I don't really think I collect tarot cards.. I accumulate.. (fine line there I am thinking) more than 10 and less than 20 is accumulating right? ;) Rocks now, that is another story :D

magpie9	23 Jul 2004
In my life-long affair with tarot, I've had quite a few decks that I thought was "The One". Now, there are about a gazillion decks out there, each with the possibility of being "The One" to someone---or "The One' someWHEN. All I really know it that when I come across some decks, my heart beats faster, my breath catches and my hands reach for it. But, in time--sometimes a very looong time--another deck will produce that same response in me. I don't really think of it as collecting, it's more like falling in love, or fascination, over and over again :D It's not the same as serial monogamy, and it's not quite free love, either....and it's certainly not swinging! Mostly it's poligamy, with new and rotating favorites. :D I learn a lot from each new deck, both about myself and tarot-and Art. for years I held steady at abut 20-30 decks, and then was able to go nuts buying, resulting in a knee-deep pile of new decks, added to the old decks...it's a lot of decks and I'll count them when the last few have come in. But I do know that I will make a connection with each of these decks, and the ones that don't quite work out with me will eventually go in trades to someone who will appreciate them more. this was brought home to me just a few days ago when I l got my replacement copy of the Halloween Tarot, that I traded away 6 months ago, and missed ever since. Maybe True Love never dies, just kind of fades in and out? And Kissa, a month with just 2 decks is an interesting idea, a good challange...but 6 Months sounds like a nightmare!!Sensory Deprivation ! HORRORS !!! don't do it, you'll come out raving mad :) AND it'll be winter then, to top it off. My theory is, you can love them all, and learn from them all if you give it enough time. A life is a looooong time to spend with one deck--or even just a few.

collielin	23 Jul 2004
Ok, here's my story - I would certainly classify myself as a collector (about 70 decks, 3 on the way) but my reasoning is as follows; I keep all my decks displayed in my dining room hutch. No plates, all cards. When I read for my family and friends, they delight in going to the hutch and picking out a deck that appeals to them. It is fairly easy to transition from one deck to another, as all my decks were bought because they appeal to ME. Another reason I keep collecting decks is because I use them as visual inspiration for the quilted wallhangings I make. I'm severly sewing addicted (I collect sewing machines too), but I have found that the colorations and landscapes are extraordinary when looking for something to work into fabric. The final and last reason I collect decks is probably as a legacy for my children. They know how much I love them. So when I eventually (gasp) pass on, they will undoubtably divide them up and treasure them as much as I do now. I have one deck on my wish list that I can't seem to find: The Ananda Tarot. Does anybody know of a source for that?

TygrEyes	23 Jul 2004
For the Ananda go to www.tarotgarden.com It's sold out now, but I think you can be put on a list when they get more in stock. They pack for shipping REALLY well & delivery is FAST! I ordered from them for the first time last week & I couldn't be more satisfied w/ their service. Be sure to mention you're an aeclectic member & your purchase will help support this awesome site.! win-win!

collielin	23 Jul 2004
Thanks Tygr - Just last nite I put the Gilded and Forest Folklore on the preorder list. I didn't think to do that for the Ananda. I'm gonna go do it now. Thanks again.

purple_scorp	23 Jul 2004
Quote: Originally posted by collielin I keep all my decks displayed in my dining room hutch. No plates, all cards. When I read for my family and friends, they delight in going to the hutch and picking out a deck that appeals to them. Hi Collielin, Wow, I would love to come to your place for a reading. I would be like a child in a candy store. Big eyes.....mouth open..... Cheers purple_scorp

tao51	24 Jul 2004
I have a desk/hutch in my den with decks displayed. I refuse to count them because I find counting to be compulsive. I did go to the Tarot Garden website and found that the Ananda Tarot was now in English. http://www.tarotgarden.com/boutique/onlinecatalog.php?view_title=Ananda+Tarot&pageenter=0 I strongly suggest adding yourself to a list so that they may anticipate the order.--Tao

Logiatrix	24 Jul 2004
Quote: Originally posted by tao51 ...I refuse to count them because I find counting to be compulsive... Hmmm? Tao, did you say something? Just a minute, I'm counting my tarot decks... ...five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten... :joke:

purple_scorp	24 Jul 2004
Counting is good. I count the steps up to my office. There are six banks of thirteen. Thank goodness I knew. The other night I left after dark and the cleaner had gone and the building was in total darkness and I was holding onto the rail and counting, 10, 11, 12 - oh, is there 12 or 13.....um....puts toe out to feel....ah, there's 13.....then little steps around the landing to the next bank. :-)

firemaiden	24 Jul 2004
Quote: Originally posted by hyatt I was wondering with so many people on this site and soooo many decks....Do you really think it is important to have a huge collection. I guess I am a minimalist at heart. I have more decks than I use already but as I get a new deck I am normally phasing out another one. I always pass them along some times I trade them but for the most part I just find a new home for it. I have the same idea about clothes,etc. Growing up if anything in our house hadn't been used in a year then it had to be given to a charity no questions asked. If you didn't use it that year then it was out of there. So I carried that into my adult life. So what are your thoughts on have a bunch of decks. veeeeeeery important to have many deck (just kidding)... actually, I like the minimalistic philosophy and sometimes wish I had been brought up that way. But I love having many decks (not hundreds, okay, just about three dozen) because I most enjoy using the cards a bit like Roschach ink blots, and letting the art provide the inpiration for the reading. Plus I got interested in the cards mostly for the artwork to begin with. But I just looooooove opening the wrapper of new cards, and smelling that new ink, and looking at all the new pictures :D

Anna	24 Jul 2004
I have 13 tarot decks and 4 oracle decks....and that feels like a lot! The limit I've set myself is 22 tarot decks, it feels appropriate for me. I guess I want a concise, usable collection. I want my collection to include study decks, decks of comparative readings, personal reading decks, suitable decks for reading for a wide range of different people and appropriate decks to use should I begin teaching. And I want all of that inside 22 decks :D Oh dear, just realised that my problem isnt excessive collecting, its perfectionism!

13thFaeChylde	24 Jul 2004
Quote: Originally posted by collielin I keep all my decks displayed in my dining room hutch. No plates, all cards. I keep all my decks and tarot books in a china hutch also!!

Kissa	24 Jul 2004
Quote: Originally posted by magpie9 And Kissa, a month with just 2 decks is an interesting idea, a good challange...but 6 Months sounds like a nightmare!!Sensory Deprivation ! HORRORS !!! don't do it, you'll come out raving mad :) AND it'll be winter then, to top it off. My theory is, you can love them all, and learn from them all if you give it enough time. A life is a looooong time to spend with one deck--or even just a few. LOL!!! I am leaving soon for holiday and I will pack ONLY the Tarot of Prague (reprint) and the companion book. Three weeks with one deck... well almost, as I am expecting my order from Prague (you know the one that miaows and scratches thru the enveloppe) so I will have to spend time with this one too. I plan a big coming-out with the BBCats Tarot, I will finally tell my family (mom, dad, sis etc.) why I am into Tarot. As my folks have nine cats and two more for the holiday, the BBCats might be a good way to bring the subject of Tarot around the dinner table... Magpie, I really loved your message. The way you love and respect your cards is an inspiration. I agree 100% with your theory of "The One" deck. I don't believe such a deck exists, at least not for a life time. We grow and search for something else maybe. Kissa

magpie9	25 Jul 2004
kissa, I admire your courage, 3 weeks, only 2 decks....are you sure you don't want to slip just one more into the corner of the suitcase? Just in case of emergency? Personally, I can hardly make it to the grocery store with under 3 decks........:D Is this a common trait, I wonder, with those of us who have lots of decks? does anyone know how to leave the house with just one? Or, GASP even ????

WolfSpirit	25 Jul 2004
When I travel, I often just take the Ancestral Path - it has sort of become my travel companion. I like the minimalistic approach when I travel, I can make do with so much less than at home and I think: why can it not always be like that ? You concentrate better because you have less stuff. And of course I need a lot of attention for my new surroundings.

Eco74	25 Jul 2004
My "plan" is to just take one deck with me during travel, unless it is for the explicit purpouse of using tarot, in which case I would bring the 2-3 decks I am most comfortable with for readings. More than that and I might just get one of those horrid 'tarot overloads' and not see anything at all in the readings because I'd be comparing the different decks all the time.. Collector, yet minimalist at heart.. Whatever will become of me?? *shivers*

Emily	25 Jul 2004
I just spent a week away and took three decks with me - the Morgan Greer, the Golden and my mignon Universal tarot de Angelis. I only used the Morgan Greer and the Golden. Its been an interesting week of only doing daily cards and I feel like I have got alot out of it. My appreciation of the Golden has gone even highter and I love my Morgan Greer even more. My daily cards increased from just 2 or 3 to 5 or more cards with each deck. I go away again the week after next for at least a week maybe two and the only decks I'll be taking with me will be the Morgan Greer and the Golden and hopefully I'll have a good time with them again. :D

Oni	07 Aug 2004
I think it is up to u! I do read with all the decks i have wich is about hmm 30. and i do buy for the art work also, cause if it is not pretty then i dont get anything from it. but i have diff decks i use for diff reasons. i plan on buying many more decks.

rosyelf	28 Aug 2004
I like the difference between collecting and accumulating. I think I'm an accumulator.I have about 20 decks, and I' ve had about 20 for 2 or 3 years because I don't just accumulate, I also throw out. My main problem with collecting is I would lose track of what I had and, I suspect, not actually use them very much. On the other hand, I'd feel a bit sparse with only one or two. I love to see all the different approaches to Tarot, how each artist interprets it with their own particular twist. Also, I really enjoy doing comparative meditations-pick the Hermit out of 6 or 7 decks , say, and spot the similarities and differences, thus gaining a greater appreciation of the Hermit. I also like the suggestion that Tarot packs could be an heirloom. Why not ? Books can be, jewellery can be. Anything that meant a lot to the original owner. ( Logically, this could mean pornography and guns. I would draw the line there. Nothing leaving a negative energy.)

Cerulean	28 Aug 2004
http://www.themysticeye.com/pics/nudefairy.htm I don't mean to offend, but I remembered seeing this tarot...in this case, I think the artist found one period's not-so-nice became a nostalgic tarot in this day and age. Maybe the sweet expressions make it more a playful novelty. It reminds me of an alternative Victorian Regina Tarot...and all these collage art projects where we recycle pictures to make collages or collage tarots...I've done that with a few decks that I keep as a reminder of 'art studies' that I've wanted to enjoy interactively. I usually pare down my collage projects this way, as well, by clearing out every six months or so. I'm still paring down, but I do sometimes like alternative tarots for a fresh take. I also like historic tarots for another view of reading. In general, I find the abundance of different tarots very refreshing for different creative thought. I usually haunt old bookstores and have found some good deals on a few decks that I have kept and wouldn't found any other way. Best wishes, Cerulean

The Is it important to collect decks? thread was originally posted on 18 Jul 2004 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.