"Second Hand" Tarot decks

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 02 Mar 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

beithe	02 Mar 2005
I don't know if this is where this question should be but I am sure someone knows how to relocate it if it would do better elsewhere. :) I would like some input on how you all feel about using decks that belonged to someone else? I think that if I knew the person well it wouldn't bother me but I am not really sure, I guess. Maybe somethings aren't meant to be shared in this way. If you did buy a used deck or were given one how would you go about clearing it? I have heard , shuffling them until they feel "light", incense, putting them all in order again and then "marrying" the deck through shuffling. The reason I ask these questions is that sometimes I have come across decks at book sites that are used and although they tempt me I am leary of giving someone else's energy house space. and then again maybe I am just paranoid :) beithe (who is just now looking over her shoulder...)

Cerulean	02 Mar 2005
Baking soda, lavendar or rosemary sprigs if there's smoky residue and you have a sensitive nose and the cards in a shoebox on the porch...have a lid to anchor the cards down inside the box. A week or two doesn't hurt, as far as I know. I did this to one or two nice decks with a somewhat inky or smoky residue and they were fresh and fine afterwards. If there's a lot of heat and humidity, this might work in a dryer, cooler area such as a service porch or patio? Regards, Cerulean

Moonbow*	02 Mar 2005
I think the only real way to make a deck your own is to shuffle it, use, study it, look at it and get it out regularly. To me it's like a book, it still feels brand spanking new until the spine is creased and you've thumbed through it. So I would say use it 'alot'.

beithe	02 Mar 2005
Thanks...LOL I hadn't even thought of smells. I don't think there is anything worse than second books or anything else with someone else's funk attached. beithe :) :)

Emily	02 Mar 2005
I've left decks that don't smell right in a bag with stick incense overnight, its amazing how quick the deck picks up the smell and it seems to last too. I love the smell of lavender and rose incense so usually these are the ones I use with the decks. :) I think too that the only way to make a used deck your own is lots of shuffling - sometimes used decks feel OK from the start, I bought a used 1JJ Swiss deck from a market near my home and was using it for readings later on in the day, it felt like it had come from a place where it had been looked after, the readings are pretty good from it too.

WalesWoman	02 Mar 2005
My favorite thing is second hand treasures and if I found decks at a yard sale or some second hand shop, I'd probably go into ecstasies. Maybe I'm naive, but I probably wouldn't worry overmuch about vibes or energy unless it was strong enough for me to notice. It takes about a 6 point earthquake for me to notice anything is shaking and then I'd probably do the shuffle and reorder, maybe put it in the sun and figure out some way to cleanse it and make it mine.

beithe	03 Mar 2005
Waleswoman...that is a good point. If there is anything there that I don't like I usually can 'feel' it. Of course I have never been lucky enough to find a yard sale with that kind of treasure. :D One can always hope. beithe ( who loves yardsales very, very, much)

Lillie	03 Mar 2005
I never worry about 2nd hand stuff, but then I buy most of my clothes from secondhand shops. (poverty is poverty after all) Anyhow, I don't care about other peoples energies, I reckon my energy is strong and bad tempered enough to oust anyone elses. As for tarot. Well, after I've shuffled them a while, looked through them and counted them to be sure they are all there, I just feel like they are mine. One deck I have had smelt funny, old and musty and unused, it still does smell like that a bit, but it's wearing off. Tell them (this might sound stupid, but I've done it) Tell the cards that they are yours. Say 'hello, I bought you cos I wanted you, and now you are mine, I hope we get on together' Or whatever feels right for you.

HudsonGray	03 Mar 2005
Heck YES used decks are fine! I'm constantly checking the glass cabinet for decks at Half Price Books. If all the cards are in the deck, and the price is right, it's worth the purchase. Clean it however you want, I usually sort them into sequence, then do a thorough shuffling, and don't feel the need for more than that. It all depends on the person. One or two decks had smelled really heavy of incense, but with them opened up, in two weeks the smell went away. Sometimes a sheet from the dryer (the freshness fragrant thingie you toss in with each load) helps get rid of the smells.

mnemosyne7	03 Mar 2005
There's only thing better than cradling an old, well-loved book bearing a one-time owner's name and date from a couple of centuries ago, and that's finding a well-worn Tarot deck at a garage sale or used book store! My hands are tingling just thinking about it ... Mnem

purple_scorp	04 Mar 2005
Second-hand anything, usually means that it was bought for a bargain and I do love a bargain!!! I have bought many decks and books from E-Bay and I've never had a problem with left-over energy. Yes, sometimes they don't smell the best but if you put them out (in open air on a sunny day) just for an hour....it kind of helps to blow the cobwebs out. I like to think of it like a little mini aura cleanse. purple_scorp

smokey	05 Mar 2005
Some of my best, (& beloved) decks have been found right here @ this trading section. Also at the Best of prices!

SexiSadi	07 Mar 2005
I have to agree with the other, Beithe. I don't have anything against used decks. And as a matter of fact, would feel like it was my lucky day if I ever came across a used deck that I wanted.

The "Second Hand" Tarot decks thread was originally posted on 02 Mar 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.