Getting 'down and dirty' with the Soprafino

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 23 Jul 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Little Baron	23 Jul 2004
Hi all As some of you know, I got the Soprafino last week. Havn't read with it too much but have done some readings. * I love the illustrations * I love the colouring and the aged look * I love the non-scenic minors * I love the size However, * I am not feeling connected with it; it's feeling a bit dead in my hands * I am a little nervous to get 'down and dirty' with it because I don't want to damage it, due to it being limited and also not as hardy as my other decks I have considered the breaking in 'what is our relationship together spread' and other kinds of rituals to get aquainted but could really do with some advice. Do I get stuck in with it and use it? Besides, I don't see myself trading it so it doesn't have to remain 'as good as new' for a prospective sale, just so that it is usable for a long time. Is this, do you think, what is holding me back. I do like a well worn deck, but not one that is in peices. Am I just being too protective over it or are these concerns valid? Any advice would be appreciated. Yaboot Edited to say, just realised that this post is my 1000th; maybe its a sign .........

Eco74	23 Jul 2004
When my Robin Wood arrived, I had no idea what to make of it. I laid out a few cards, tested out a few layouts and got... well, pretty much nothing... Eventually I felt like giving up and just looked at the cards, and suddenly noticed that they seemed to be smiling at me. Almost like they were trying not to laugh because they found my attempts at getting to them so "utterly lame and rediculous". So, I turned the bunch over, shuffled a few times and asked (with a sigh) what I could possibly do to make this work... The answer when I turned two cards was pretty clear. Never tried a relationship spread with the cards though. I have found that direct questions (albeit in a respectful tone lest you Want to be scorned) work better than the long 5-or-more-card workarounds.

Moonbow*	23 Jul 2004
I know exactly what you mean Yaboot. I am the same with mine, I just look at it - it is very beautiful. But, I'm the same with the Tarot of Prague and Golden too. They just feel very special to me and I don't want them dog eared! I do prefer decks that are used, the cards separate better but these are the ones that I'm over careful with, when shuffling. So, I am no use to you at all. One day I will wear them in a little. With the Soprafino I'm worried about the wax seal too, I don't want it to fall off. Silly or what?

Cerulean	24 Jul 2004
Yaboot says: I am a little nervous to get 'down and dirty' with it because I don't want to damage it, due to it being limited and also not as hardy as my other decks Hello Yaboot and Moonbow-- I'm not certain about all my 'Italian paper facts, but I do know from owning several of the Italian decks from various publishers--some of which are Il Menghello or Dal Negro that seem to be printed in Italy, although it would take me awhile to check for this... The archival and content of Italian papers seem to a high percentage of cotton weave in my art sketchbooks, textured matte stock wrapped decks and their tough but beautiful density seem second to none. I was spoiled previously by the almost fabric weave and seemingly textural beauty of Japanese decorative papers. But even the fragile newsprint style papers from Europe and the U.S. survive surprisingly well--I read many London papers from the 1890's at my university library and was amazed at the survival. My great-grandfather actually in the U.S. wrote on cheap newsprint the names of ten generations before him and I was able to scan and copy the thin page. As long as they are kept in relatively dry and 70 degree area, good and even cheap papers don't seem to yellow, age or tear with brittleness. Getting back to card decks--a dealer once threw in what looked like a heavily blackened and warped circa 1940 Vissone double-figure deck for me. While the edges have frayed with use and I see yellowing and warping, this deck had heavy use. Yet there are many cards where the original black, red, yellow, blue and green inks are distinct. Absolutely no dog ears and the card stock is still flexible and tough. I made myself a paper case to fit the deck, using several layers of textured gift wrap and then this small container is in a velvet bag. The cards are held together with a clear plastic laminate that fits like a mini-sleeve over the cards. In time I hope this continues to 'straighten' the warping of time. Now our Soprafinos may not have the waxy modern finish of plasticized or laminate style coatings, but they are fairly durable. I've seen the limited edition stamp on the Il Menghello versions of many historic decks...and they've remained in circulation, even though they are limited editions, dating from five to six years or so... Glad you like the aged, beautiful look to your decks. Hope I didn't ramble too long. Cerulean Mari

jema	24 Jul 2004
The Soprafino looks just wonderful! I want one! But that was not what I wanted to say... I just wanted to add that a well-used deck is a well-loved deck and sometimes a deck that is slightly frazzled and worn is just what you need. But I do see your point when it comes to That deck. Limited edition, perhaps expensive and hard to find... I got a few (hmmm, make that one) like that and then I use the "fish in the pond" method to read with it. Swishing-swooshing out all cards and gently stir and pick up those you need.

Moonbow*	24 Jul 2004
Quote: Originally posted by jema I got a few (hmmm, make that one) like that and then I use the "fish in the pond" method to read with it. Swishing-swooshing out all cards and gently stir and pick up those you need. The 'fish in the pond' method eh? I like :D That is kind of how I treat my 'very precious' decks. Gently, gently.......

Emily	24 Jul 2004
Hi Yaboot, My first deck IJJ Swiss was unlaminated and although its survived the years, almost 23 years now, I did notice that the cards will pick up dirt alot easier than laminated cards and you will have to be careful of the cards starting to fray on the edges, but saying that if they are used gently then they should be ok. You could always buy a cheaper LS Classical tarot to learn on and to use to study and just use the Soprafino to read with. The Classic looks the same except for the keywords but it would mean your Soprafino wasn't being used all the time.

Little Baron	24 Jul 2004
Thanks guys! I can't really afford to buy another at the moment and if i do, it will be a ToM, so i think I will just try and get into this one. After reading some of your posts last night, I sat down and looked through the cards. Eco, what you said kind of happened as well - the woman on the 'world' has a cheeky expression. You know when people chuck a rolled up peice of paper at you and when you look at them, they are looking away and it is so obvious that it is them. She has that sort of expression, and funnily, the card kept turning round to its reversed possition; not breeze or anything; it just span like a turntable. The more I looked at the cards, the deeper I got into them so maybe we are starting to get aqainted now. Gonna try and get into them and not be precious. I am going to a part tonight so maybe I will take them along; with a clean reading cloth of course. As much as I like the aged deck look, they probably would pick up some dirt. I think that they would look nice for a reading though. Also Emily, how do you like the swiss? I use that one a lot but here little about it on here. Yaboot

The Getting 'down and dirty' with the Soprafino thread was originally posted on 23 Jul 2004 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.