Reflections on some of the Tarot tales

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 29 Apr 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

jmd	29 Apr 2005
A number of threads (or at least posts) have recently appeared about whether, for example, to buy one's own deck, whether or not to wrap them in silk, whether they should be shuffled in particular ways, whether one should ritualistically open (or close) a reading, etc.. Though I tend to agree with the predominant views being posted in those threads, it may be also worth pointing out some of the great benefits behind some of these practices. Firstly, and as periodically mentioned, it may simply be out of historical necessity that in the past, if one wanted a deck, then one virtually had to be given one. They just weren't around in local shops, and one had to perhaps await the return from a long trip by a relative or friend in order to receive such a gift. From this the 'had to be given one' may have adopted a new meaning. Nonetheless, in these days of hundreds of easily available decks to choose from, the gifting of one by someone that has a deep study of the same may likewise be beneficial. Chances are, such a person will give a deck that is probably worth studying above other decks - rather than being a wonderful reading deck that one perhaps more easily 'connects' to. The effort one puts in may also deepen one's understanding. With regards to silk, and as I mentioned in a thread now a few years old (and again mentioned in 2003), the material was used for electrical insulation prior to the common usage of plastics. Why? simply because, unlike cotton or hemp, it insulates well. If one has ever worn a silk shirt or top in autumn, the warmth that is maintained by the body as a consequence, relative to cotton, is significant. Shuffling can of course, over time, be a major contributor to the deteriotion of one's deck, and thus care in the manner it is shuffled can certainly assist. Particular recommendations may therefore also be made about, for example, the number of times one shuffles. Given that we often also symbolically work with number, that such comes to also symbolically play into the manner of shuffling only adds to one's preparatory state. Likewise, of course, any personal preparatory work. I tend to do a short silent working or prayer. We are, after all, involved (at least in my view) in quite spiritual undertakings when one engages in divinatory work.

stella01904	29 Apr 2005
MM ~ Well said! Purely pragmatic, but I'm a stickler for "as above, so below". Anyway, there is good reason for wrapping decks, etc. Of course, some bs has managed to creep in, too. I was talking to a woman recently who said the lady who reads for her won't read when it is raining. I thought this might be some local Cuaranderismo custom, but asked around and no one else has heard of such a thing. BB, Stella

Clau	29 Apr 2005
I agree with you JMD, rituals are necessary, and specially when the work is spiritual, but if those rituals keep you from doing things: not buying a deck, not reading when rains (LOL!), using only silk, etc, or you use rituals without even thinking where they come from or the possible meaning of it, I don't think they are necessary at all. PLus all this so called rituals make newbies especially insecure about what they are doing with tarot, preventing them to really trust their intuition. Once you have some road travelled, you know what is necessary or helpful and what is not.

Ilithiya	29 Apr 2005
*nods* I've found that for the less-tangible things, such as smudging a deck, clearing it, ordering it, how and when to shuffle and cut... ... in the end, it all boils down to perceptions. I had just gotten the Tarot Tips book today (very good!) and was browsing through it. The topic of clearing a deck (and a few possibilities of why) came up, and then it clicked. You can't successfully work with a deck that you feel isn't going to work with you. As fond as I am of my decks, and as much as I love to insist that they all have their own different ways of speaking, any talents that can be ascribed to each of my decks exists because of my perception of the deck. Now here's the clincher, and something that supports the whole ritualistic component of Tarot: Perceptions can be very hard to overcome. Sometimes you can overcome a perception simply by realizing what it is; other times, you do need the props and rituals in order to satisfy that back part of the brain. Whew. That's more insightful blather than I'm used to spewing. Sorry if I confused anyone; just got done with two readings with a new deck and I'm mentally exhausted. :D Illy

psychic sue	30 Apr 2005
My Swiss 1JJ is 25 years old and looks as new as the day I bought it. The box crumbled a long time ago, but I always kept that deck in its box (it's now in a wooden box). I wasn't even aware of the so called tarot "traditions" until about 10 years ago - although I insitinctively had a respect for the cards and never let anyone else use them. However, I now love all the rituals that go with the cards. The cloths, the bags, the incense etc etc, but I really don't think they are NECESSARY. Just nice accessories that add to the mood, for me anyway. Sue x

Ahria	30 Apr 2005
I have many rituals over my decks, but they are mine and I believe they help me, I think the most important part here is what you believe for yourself and what works for you. My rituals are a way to get into the zone and to honour and respect my cards and guides.

Rosanne	30 Apr 2005
I look after my Decks because they cost so much here, I pay an average of $40 -$50 per deck In New Zealand Dollars, so I put them in boxes and wrap some in silk for the reasons that jmd mentioned. I may joke about them sometimes, but I use them in a serious way, much like my Mother uses and treats her prayer book. They have great importance to me. ~Rosanne

Moonbow*	30 Apr 2005
I'm a firm believer in doing what feels right, many people follow others instead of making up their own minds. I'm sure I've also done this, but mostly I like to listen to all viewpoints then do what I want (which could be completely different to the others). I think if you need or want a ritual before reading, store your deck with a crystal, sleep with a card under your pillow.... that's fine if it gets you to where you are going. Many of us have tried various different methods before finding that place where we are comfortable. Having said that, I'm still open to new ideas and don't knock others for theirs. I treat all my decks the same way as I would treat a book... with respect, some are in bags (when I went through my 'bag-making' phase) most of them aren't. My routine with reading is to connect to reiki first, mainly because it makes me feel good, relaxes me and gives me a focus.

cait_inthe_moon	30 Apr 2005
My main hang up when dealing with the cards is letting other people touch them. It bothers me when people do that. I keep my cards in bags on my alter. When I take them out to work with them, I like to leave them in the area that they are going to be used (usually my desk). It irks me when people come in (I live in a dorm room) and decide to touch. My roommates boyfriend did that once, and I barely knew him. I couldn't work with them for a week. I had to leave them sitting in the sunlight and moonlight for that long. Luckily, my bed gets both during most of the days, and that is on a loft so noone goes up there. I don't mind people that I know really well touching them, and so far that is only my roommate and boyfriend.

Fulgour	30 Apr 2005
After I shuffle and before I cut the deck, I relax. I let all sense of impending action leave my body, and let the muscles of my arms and hands just go soft and easy, then when I reach for the cards it's with a singular clarity of deliberation. It must look like I'm meditating or praying, and maybe I am. :)

MercyMe	30 Apr 2005
stella01904 wrote: I was talking to a woman recently who said the lady who reads for her won't read when it is raining. I thought this might be some local Cuaranderismo custom, but asked around and no one else has heard of such a thing. Well, but I've noticed that on some rainy days, my cards in certain decks stick together because of the dampness in the air. They won't shuffle as smoothly. So you never know, that might have something to do with it. ~Mercy

Cerulean	30 Apr 2005
because they were designed for handling, but the users put the covers in dustjackets and were respectful of the pages. Some of my little-cost books from 1910, etc., have some sun-air-fading, but the pages and covers are nicely kept. I think sun exposure is stronger than careful handling. So my tarot care is lined bags without boxes when I carry; boxed in the original packaging if I can when storing--I appreciate sturdy boxes. Yes, they also go in larger plastic storage boxes in a dry closet or dimmer room. If this is in my car, I do have a carrying bag to protect from heat and I place these items in my trunk. I don't like those who are tempted to do window-shopping of my car. I have some interesting reproduction and oldish decks. One was made in the 1940s called a Viassone and it's stained, aged and yet the durability of the paper is great. The matte finish though has worn off with hard handling and of course the deck is warped and stained. But most of the images and all 78 cards are durable, after hard usage as a game deck. I made a giftwrap-triple-layer 'case' for it with the edges of the paper lined with a shipping tape, as it has no box. I've seen a flat and very well-kept Lismon Etteilla deck of 1880-90 with the original cardboard box with two or three layers of cardboard in shreds. The box is kept in airtight plastic away from the cards. (I was told by an art framing shop that you can halt the decay of watercolor on linen paper and cardboard if you keep it away from the other items likely uncoated and aging rapidly) The cards were hand-tinted and the delicate watercolor is fading, mostly the pink tones; the light blue has fared well; nonetheless, the ink engraving is dark and clear, very slight matte finish is fairly clean. A clean eraser was taken to a tiny smear mark and the smear was lifted (not recommended if the cardboard is worn as in the Viassone above). My guess is that the cardboard with matte finish was lightly used. In use, the idea is to have a napkin of paper or perhaps some cloth on a clean surface and preferably, not eating with my fingers at the same time as I play with cards. I try to do the same around older books. Best wishes, Cerulean

jmd	01 May 2005
I was discussing by e.mail aspects of this thread with Diana, and she rightly noted that (and I quote with her permission that I requested):[indent]'Silk cannot be good for Tarot cards. To produce silk, one has to boil the silkworms alive in their cocoons. (There is a method one can use whereby one does not boil them alive, but it is rare and is certainly not the norm.) It is quite a revolting habit - akin to wearing fur coats. Organic cotton would be a far better method, if someone feels the need to wrap their cards.[/indent] I suppose that it is undoubtedly the case that each and every choice we make has implications and ramifications. The very computer I use, the metals and plastics that have been removed from the ground, electricity that is used to power it, etc, all have huge secondary impact on our environment - perhaps even more so than the 'boiling of a silkworm', which we tend to attribute conscious feelings to. I would certainly encourage materials that are grown (if grown, such as cotton) organically and from non-genetically modified sources. Importantly, however, another aspect that is shown with regards to silk is that the envelope (if a silk cloth is so used) completes the five traditional realms of this sphere: the mineral in the pigments used, the world of plants in the fibres used for the cardboard, the world of animal life in the silk, the human world in the hand that holds and beholds the deck, and the angelic spiritual reality to which we open ourselves to.

-=Light=-	01 May 2005
Hi, I do agree that some rituals are 'personally' necessary, however they may not be necessary to all. Tarot can be very spiritual for an individual and the rituals that are performed are done for a reason from the individual beliefs. I agree however with Cybercat's post in another thread that one should not be told they "MUST" do this and "MUST" do that. Everyone is of different beliefs and shouldn't be told how they must do tarot. People can however discuss how and why they do what they do but everyone must respect each other's differences. As far as the rituals go ......... it is of my belief that tarot comes from a higher place. A place that we really don't understand fully and no one has any proof of. Over the centuries I think customs and rituals for everything (not just tarot) was to show 'respect' to the force that gives us such gifts. Everyone may believe that it comes from different places because of religious differences which is to be respected. I believe that as long as the rituals you do with the tarot is enough for you to show the respect that you feel is necessary, than that should be enough. If the 'universe' (or where ever you believe that tarot comes from) is fully aware of your appreciation for the gift you are given then maybe rituals aren't necessary for that individual. I believe in spirit guides and in energy work, not because I read it in a book but because of personal experiences. I can not be told by anyone that these do not exist, just like I can't tell anyone else that these do exist. I just know for myself that they work for me. I believe that everyone has a spirit guide but I can't force anyone to believe that. Rituals I believe are compared to religion and every religion has differences that must be respected. Referring to Cybercats post, I think what she is saying is that beliefs shouldn't be forced upon someone else just because of a person's experiences. I do agree with her that no one should be told it is 'tarot law'. Athough we may have different views on energy and such, I respect the differences, as we all should. Now as far as what I do. I definately shuffle the cards before a reading but if I am to do a reading with someone physically present I allow them to do the shuffling. The reason why is basically so they can deal their own destiny. "They are holding all the cards" Meaning that they have the power. I also tend to take the opportunity to observe how they shuffle. Are they concentrating on the question or are they shuffling in a sloppy manner. Also I take note of any cards that fall out during the shuffle. I have them cut the cards and then I am left with putting them into the spread. Yes I do believe in a persons energy (i am a healing therapist and it's what I do), so I am very aware of any negative energy that can be around the deck after the session. I don't believe its psychiological and I do believe that it is physically present. This isn't because I have read it someone but because of my own personal experiences with energy. Yes I do wrap my cards in silk and place them in a wooden box to ground the energy. I live alone at the moment so if I am not expecting visitors I do sometimes leave my cards out on the table. I don't always have to have them in the box. If I am expecting people over that could be carrying negative energy then I make sure that the cards are put away in the box. I also show my respect the the forces that have given me the gift in my own way. For me I don't find it necessary for all the rituals. This is what I do with the cards only because it is of my own belief. If someone doesn't keep them in a box or wrap them in silk or shield them from negative energy, it doesn't mean they aren't going to work. Light :)

The Reflections on some of the Tarot tales thread was originally posted on 29 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.