yirabeth
I remember when I got my first deck, how in awe of them I was..how I didn't understand how they worked, maybe the cards were "alive" or I would upset the powers that "used" them if I didn't approach them a certain way...
I love my cards, they're as much a part of me as my hair, my skin, my fingernails. I shuffle them when I'm upset/sad/confused, I have found myself shuffling just when I'm thinking, and I've picked them up without realizing. I take care of them, in that I don't shuffle with dirty hands, and I don't spill on them or otherwise use them carelessly. However I riffle shuffle so of course, many would say I do not take care of them.
Thing is, I agree they're just paper and ink. To me, my cards are a way to connect with my spirit guide, and as such I make sure I keep them in working order. (even my riffling doesn't damage the pictures -- some ink has worn off the edges but that's no where near the picture) I don't bother cleansing them, I don't bother reordering them. When I use them for actual reading (vs. just soothing/calming/thinking motions) I try to put myself in a meditative state so I can communicate better - but that's within me not the cards. I use crystals that enhance intuition/psychic skills when I do a reading -- but again, that's me not the cards. The crystals are tools, also.
So I do believe they're just a tool, one that I treat as well as I can within my needs so they serve me well. The important bit, however, is the communication with my guide.
~Yira
I love my cards, they're as much a part of me as my hair, my skin, my fingernails. I shuffle them when I'm upset/sad/confused, I have found myself shuffling just when I'm thinking, and I've picked them up without realizing. I take care of them, in that I don't shuffle with dirty hands, and I don't spill on them or otherwise use them carelessly. However I riffle shuffle so of course, many would say I do not take care of them.
Thing is, I agree they're just paper and ink. To me, my cards are a way to connect with my spirit guide, and as such I make sure I keep them in working order. (even my riffling doesn't damage the pictures -- some ink has worn off the edges but that's no where near the picture) I don't bother cleansing them, I don't bother reordering them. When I use them for actual reading (vs. just soothing/calming/thinking motions) I try to put myself in a meditative state so I can communicate better - but that's within me not the cards. I use crystals that enhance intuition/psychic skills when I do a reading -- but again, that's me not the cards. The crystals are tools, also.
So I do believe they're just a tool, one that I treat as well as I can within my needs so they serve me well. The important bit, however, is the communication with my guide.
~Yira