"Courting" a new deck

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 05 Apr 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Pipistrelle	05 Apr 2005
My shiny new Druidcraft arrived today - ahh, the thrill of a new love affair; the first spark of romance... At the moment, I am caught in that delicious yet torturous state of wanting to devour it (do a hundred readings with it, gobble up all the card descriptions in the lovely new accompanying book, lay all the cards out over and over again in different patterns just to swoon) and wanting to take it slowly (get to know each card individually, deeply and intimately, savour the passages in the book one by one, wait for that first, scintillating shuffle). :) So far all I have done is lay the cards out and look at them. And now, I'm not sure what to do next. Maybe a new deck spread? No, too soon! How will I appreciate the nuances of its message when I've merely glanced at the cards so far! Maybe then, I should wait. Pick one card and start with that. But no! How can I neglect all those other wonderful cards!? What to do, what to do... So my question (yes, there is one) is this: how do you court your new decks? Pip Maybe I should take it to dinner and a movie? :D

Cerulean	05 Apr 2005
Firstly, a deck by itself is gorgeous enough, I say this with delight--especially the DruidCraft. But my eyes follow shiny and soft things and the bag that came with the Victoria Regina doesn't always have my Victoria Regina when I'm stepping out. The silk blue lining is very nice and does a velvety thing for the Princess of Swords' eyes. So silk lined with velvet is a rich thing--none too good for miladies! I sometimes find less expensive zip bags, wallets, etc., at import or other places, so I go there with an eye on deck carrying--a zipper, lining, a loop or carrying string...that's great...I tend to look for old cotton leftovers and small material things for placemats that would be a 'spread' cloth. I never really liked dolls, but I spent a lot of time setting up tables and building fake hearth/fireplace cooking stoves when I was a kid--so setting a nice-looking placement for a reading is fun. Really, nothing more is needed than a bandana and a small bag, but you said 'courting' so I suggested more than a casual picnic outing... Cerulean

fyreflye	05 Apr 2005
Pipistrelle wrote: ...So my question (yes, there is one) is this: how do you court your new decks? Here's my experience with the last deck I fell in love with. http://www.tarotforum.net/showpost.php?p=341568&postcount=10 I'm going through something similar with my new DruidCraft. Start scouting your local thrift shops for a Versace scarf.

Annabelle	05 Apr 2005
Pipistrelle wrote: At the moment, I am caught in that delicious yet torturous state of wanting to devour it (do a hundred readings with it, gobble up all the card descriptions in the lovely new accompanying book, lay all the cards out over and over again in different patterns just to swoon) and wanting to take it slowly (get to know each card individually, deeply and intimately, savour the passages in the book one by one, wait for that first, scintillating shuffle). :) I know exactly how you feel. I felt this way last week when my copy of the City Light tarot arrived. I couldn't stop looking at it. I wanted to read with it, over and over, right away....and yet at the same time I didn't want to rush things. I remember feeling this way when I got my Gothic (Vargo) tarot and my Tarot of Prague, too. Just absolutely in love. I suppose I would say that I "court" my decks by politely asking them if they'd like to join me for drinks and dinner, and then once I've got them liquored up, I make my move....:) just kidding, that's what I do to men, not tarot cards. All right, all right...I'm still just kidding, I don't do that to men, either. :D But seriously, if I'm really drawn to a new deck, I'll spend a lot of time with for a couple of weeks, carrying it with me from room to room, studying each card, reading the book (if it came with one), and trying a few different readings. Once I've "bonded" then I'll generally put the deck away with the others and rotate which decks I look at each day.

muteswan	05 Apr 2005
The first thing I do with a new deck is a general reading, after looking through the cards. It helps me get a "feel" for it. Then, I keep it close on my desk, to just look through often. It's usually a while before we get aquainted enough to do serious readings. A new deck is a great one for doing a daily card with. :)

Pipistrelle	06 Apr 2005
Annabelle4 wrote: But seriously, if I'm really drawn to a new deck, I'll spend a lot of time with for a couple of weeks, carrying it with me from room to room, studying each card, reading the book (if it came with one), and trying a few different readings. Once I've "bonded" then I'll generally put the deck away with the others and rotate which decks I look at each day. I feel like this is what I'm going to do with this one...not rush into things, just get to know it first. Maybe I'll do a three card reading but probably I'll just follow what muteswan said and do daily one card readings with it...take it a step at a time, for the moment anyway :) And yes, I do need to give it something nice to take the chill off ;) I store all my other decks in the boxes they came in, but the Druidcraft doesn't have its own small box. I'm thinking a nice wrap, something soft...not silk, that doesn't seem right for this deck...maybe velvet or something like it, in green. Fyreflye - you have very strange decks :D Pip

fyreflye	06 Apr 2005
Pipistrelle wrote: Fyreflye - you have very strange decks :D Strange decks, like strange women, are the only kind worth having :D

caridwen	07 Apr 2005
fyreflye wrote: Strange decks, like strange women, are the only kind worth having :D lol:P

bassetized	07 Apr 2005
I also fondle my cards and carry them from room to room and look at them just before falling asleep, etc. My first reading with a new deck, though, I make about the deck...one of those new relationship conversations where you stay up all night talking about each other. I vary the questions as it suits me, but I ask about the decks particular strengths, what wisdom it has to teach me, what part of me it relates best to, what I can offer it, etc. I've had some amazing results, particularly asking about strengths and what the deck has to teach me. I'm going through the "in love" stage with my DruidCraft, too--isn't it great! :D --bassetized

ncefafn	07 Apr 2005
The best part about getting a new Lo Scarabeo deck is the "fresh out of the box" smell. I peel off the cellophane and, before even shuffling, raise the deck to my nose and take a big whiff. Ah, that scent. There's nothing like it. :) Kim

Cerulean	07 Apr 2005
I tuck my Albano and vintage decks in cotton velvet silk sockies and do a few table settings...at most promenades and picnics and nice soft outings... ...and here Mr. Fyreflye swoops in with a Versace scarf for his English Servants of Light. I dunno, methinks the next rare thing is going to have altitude until he does the carriage ride in a Central Park setting...or the Eiffel Tower for the weekend...sigh. Ah well, some tarots get all the luck. Although, I do have a few opals winking at me..8). Cerulean

The "Courting" a new deck thread was originally posted on 05 Apr 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.