What to do with "Extra" cards

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 09 Jan 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Solty Dog	09 Jan 2005
Well, I have finally completed my tarot collection with the Bohemian Cats tarot. When I got the pack opened it has an extra card called "Hermes". The book states its for luck, but I cant help but to compare it to the "Happy Squirell" card in my Icon tarot. On the topic, what can you do with any extras? I hate to take them out because I can come up with meanings for them. On the other hand, tarot decks seem to be locked into a 78 card framework. As far as I know any deck that is more or less cards is called an oracle deck and is no longer specifically tarot. Thanks in advance for your advice or opinions. B.S. Dog

Magi	09 Jan 2005
Ummm.... do you mean 78 card format? I usually take them out, unless I feel that they may provide extra informatoin. other than that I use them as book marks.

September Pixie	09 Jan 2005
Well, there are majors only decks which are still tarot and consist of only 22 cards, while others will include the court cards and I still consider them tarot :) ... however.. if you find it easier to work with 78 and no extra card -- that is fine.. Sometimes I will use a completely blank card as an 'unknown' - sort of like the wyrd rune.. or others i will tuck away incase one darned card comes up missing.. and others, I just leave in the boxes... this is totally your call :)

Fulgour	09 Jan 2005
Magi wrote: ...I use them as book marks. They may seem superfluous, but as part of the deck I tend to respect their presence. Like the nifty LWB.

SunChariot	09 Jan 2005
Here's an idea. If you identify with the card in any way, use it as your significator in readings. That way you can make use of the significator in a reading and still have all the cards in the deck available for the reading. Bar

Alta	09 Jan 2005
I also removed the Happy Squirrel and Hermes and Prudence cards from my decks. For me the problem is that I don't know what they mean, so if they come up in a reading... then what? Maybe I am just locked into that 78 degrees framework and can't think outside the box. But, I don't think tarot needs more than 78 cards, it seems quite complete to me. *shrugs* just my opinion. I do save the cards though. Have every LWB and 'extra' that I ever got with any deck. If nothing else when you trade or sell you have the whole package. :)

LadyMedusa	09 Jan 2005
I will use them as a signifacator if they seem to fit that role. When that doesn't seem appropriate, since I always try to get the big book that goes with a deck, if one is available, then I use the extra for a bookmark. I have used them to replace damaged/missing cards. I even had one deck that came with an extra, extra card. I used it to decorate the top of the wooden box I keep it in. One person I know keeps the title cards together in an envelope so when out shopping they have a reminder of all the decks they have. This helps cut down on the accidental duplicate purchases. LadyMedusa

tao51	09 Jan 2005
that mean so much too me. I use the Hermes card. I do feel that Tarot is a tool in your personal workroom. If you have a tool that does not seem to work write then you may have to make changes. This would mean you are faced with the choice of leaving it in the deck or in the box. There are some decks that have alternate cards. This is a different situation. The authors of these decks are trying to make their deck fit to you. Tarot style is a matter of choice.--Tao

Fudugazi	09 Jan 2005
Magi wrote: Ummm.... do you mean 78 card format? I usually take them out, unless I feel that they may provide extra informatoin. other than that I use them as book marks. The Tarot of Prague has 2 Death cards - one said to be softer (I don't find it so, but that's me). I use the Memento Mori one, but I wouldn't like to use the other as a bookmark ;) I just keep it in my Tarot box. I look at it sometimes - it's beautfiul and I like anything that looks like a puppet. It's frightening - but I will probably use it one day for that very reason.

Greyling	09 Jan 2005
A bookmark is a good idea; I hadn't thought of that. I hate the idea of any card getting bent, though, even a "superfluous" one. You could arrange them interestingly, mount them on thick, sturdy paper of any color, and frame them. If they were from different decks, it would make a fascinating piece of juxtaposition artwork. The Happy Squirrel next to the Memento Mori next to the extra (advertisement) Magician from the Victoria Regina? Neat. If you're a professional, and you acquire enough of them, you could modify the backs and use them as business cards. Of course, I suppose you could use scans of the cards and do that anyway.

Michelle	09 Jan 2005
Bookmarks for me too :).

Solty Dog	09 Jan 2005
Great suggestions. I think I will remove the cards and use them along with some of the title cards...not sure what to call them, just for the backs. I will spread them out on my table and put plexiglass over it. Should make an interesting reading table. B.S. Dog

SunChariot	09 Jan 2005
Solty Dog wrote: Great suggestions. I think I will remove the cards and use them along with some of the title cards...not sure what to call them, just for the backs. I will spread them out on my table and put plexiglass over it. Should make an interesting reading table. B.S. Dog That's a really good idea. :-) Bar

The What to do with "Extra" cards thread was originally posted on 09 Jan 2005 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.