Curious about shuffling and fixing

[poopsie]

I have a question -- is there a "proper" way to shuffle the cards? When I was having someone read my cards, I noticed that they had a special standard way of shuffling. Before they did the typical shuffling which involved breaking the deck into two and doing the actual shuffle (a la casino type), they first had to put together the first and last card for the entire deck.

Do we also need to fix the cards, ensuring they are all facing upright position before we start? It's like getting them all on "equal position" so that when we shuffle, they randomly on their own become mixed (reversed, upright, etc).

I know this sounds like a dumb question but I also sometimes wonder if the reason I sometimes get some "annoying" reversals is because I may not have fixed the cards or shuffled them well.

 

[Grizabella]

I'm not sure what you mean about fixing the first and last card of the deck.

The way I avoid reversals is to split the deck in two, but turn one half upside down and then shuffle them a la casino. That way the cards go back together all in the upright position. It sounds like a bother but you'll learn how to do it really quickly after awhile.

I don't do any fixing or adjusting of the cards other than that.

 

[nisaba]

I have a question -- is there a "proper" way to shuffle the cards?

No. Just as long as the order that the cards are in the deck changes from the order before you started.

When I was having someone read my cards, I noticed that they had a special standard way of shuffling.

Everyone has their own routines. Mine include getting the querent to cut the deck after they shuffle into four piles, so that when they put it together again there is no "middle" pile for them to unconsciously put on top. It has to be random. The way your reader started the shuffle obviously works for them - the way I finish the shuffle obviously works for me. Neither of them are necessary for anyone else.

Before they did the typical shuffling which involved breaking the deck into two and doing the actual shuffle (a la casino type),

<frowning> I never shuffle like that. It is really hard on the cards, and wears them out quickly. I shuffle them from one hand to the other, not bending them and not putting pressure on any of their edges. They last longer that way.

they first had to put together the first and last card for the entire deck.

Again, their routine. Works for them. Doesn't work for me, and may or may not work for you. BEst thing I can suggest is to develop a routine of your own - then stick to it! Eventually, your decks know what to expect from you and put the cards in the right places; whereas if you keep chopping-and-changing, the deck never really knows what to expect and doesn't really settle down and become "accurate".

Do we also need to fix the cards, ensuring they are all facing upright position before we start?

Do you read reversals? I don't, so I like all my cards upright. Others are different.

 

[SunChariot]

I have a question -- is there a "proper" way to shuffle the cards? When I was having someone read my cards, I noticed that they had a special standard way of shuffling. Before they did the typical shuffling which involved breaking the deck into two and doing the actual shuffle (a la casino type), they first had to put together the first and last card for the entire deck.

Do we also need to fix the cards, ensuring they are all facing upright position before we start? It's like getting them all on "equal position" so that when we shuffle, they randomly on their own become mixed (reversed, upright, etc).

I know this sounds like a dumb question but I also sometimes wonder if the reason I sometimes get some "annoying" reversals is because I may not have fixed the cards or shuffled them well.

There is no "proper" way to do most things in Tarot. I am not sure there is a "proper" way to do anything actually. We are always free to follow our inner guidance to what is the bes way for us. And there certainly are many many ways to shuffle. All are valid if they work well for the reader.

You don't "need" to do anything, meaning that there is no set way that everyone must follow to get the best results. What gives the best results varies from reader to reader. It's an individual thing to some extent, part preferance and part experience in trying different things and seeing what works best for you.

And there ARE no dumb Tarot questions. Really there aren't. We all start off knowing nothing and work our ways up. Any question is valid.

I am not sure what you mean by "annoying" reversals. If you mean that you were trying to create reversals but just did not like the particular ones that came up....they were probably just the answer and there is not muich to do with that. If you were not purposely trying to create reversals and they accidentally come up and you don't want to use there, there are certainly shuffling methods that won't lead to them coming up.

Babs

 

[poopsie]

Actually, I am not clear about reversals in general. I read in one of the forum discussions that the Thoth deck does not use reversals so I don't typically bother with them when using the Thoth deck.

However, with RWS and others, I think or at least I have read that reversals are part of the reading. One tarot book however said it was up to me, assuming I was using RWS.

You may be right though ... if the reversals keep coming up, then I should read the message clearly.

thanks

 

[SunChariot]

For what it's worth, I use reversals with the Thoth too, and it works as well for me as with any other deck. So much for Tarot rules. LOL

There are some decks that work for my better without reversals, but that to me is an individual choice. There are no rules like that in Tarot, like reversals are part of readings with the RWS. Some use then some don't.

Babs

 

[SunChariot]

Actually, I am not clear about reversals in general. I read in one of the forum discussions that the Thoth deck does not use reversals so I don't typically bother with them when using the Thoth deck.

However, with RWS and others, I think or at least I have read that reversals are part of the reading. One tarot book however said it was up to me, assuming I was using RWS.

You may be right though ... if the reversals keep coming up, then I should read the message clearly.

thanks

For what it's worth, I use reversals with the Thoth too, and it works as well for me as with any other deck. So much for Tarot rules. LOL

There are some decks that work for my better without reversals, but that to me is an individual choice. There are no rules like that in Tarot, like reversals are part of readings with the RWS. Some use them some don't. It is entirely up to you, and to no one else, if you decide to use reversals or not with whichever deck you choose.

Your Tarot decks are YOUR tools to use in the best way that suits you best. No one can tell you definitively what that is. Tarot is a tool to build something. To build a greater understanding on the topic asked about in the question and even to help build your intuition.

In that sense, how you use the tool is not as important as to the end results you get with it. If a nail is successfully hammered in, does it matter if you held the hammer in your left hand or your right hand? Some will work better with one, some with the other. Some may prefer to hold the hammer in a different way than others. It makes not difference at all really, as long as you do the job well in the best way for you and in the way that makes YOU feel most comfortable. And you are happy with the end result.

That involves some experimentation to find YOUR best ways, and in my eyes, not paying too much attention to those who try to tell you that you have to do something their way or that their way is best. The most reliable source when it comes to knowing what will work best for you is yourself. If you want to know if the Thoth works with reversals for you or not, try it and see. Same with any other deck. Or with reversals in general. What works well for you and is enjoyable. keep doing, what doesn't either adjust it or drop it. Simple as that.


Babs

 

[Bhavana]

I am of the belief like many of the above posters that it doesn't really matter. However, I shuffle as gently as possible, no more fancy riffling or poker game type shuffling anymore. The reason for this is because I think that sort of shuffling is more damaging to the cards - and I like to keep my cards looking pretty and fresh. So, basically I do hand over hand for several minutes, or if I feel the cards really need it, I will do a very slow and very gentle riffle with as little bending as possible, softly letting the cards fall into place, and NO bridge - after the riffle, I just gently push and slide the cards back in to a stack.

One thing I have read that I think is partly true is to keep the noise down when shuffling, so that a serene environment is in place for the reading.

 

[AJ]

I bend and snap and riffle and ruffle and snap back.
And I do it so I don't get reverses.
Do what feels good for you and your decks.

Then you need to decide if you really want querents shuffling your deck...tons of threads on that too

 

[Elendil]

If I really want to mix up a deck - especially a new one fresh out of the box - I deal the cards into several piles (half a dozen or so) and then cut the pack, deal onto these piles, then cut the pack - and repeat until I have dealt out all the cards. I then do a final hand over hand shuffle. This seems to work for me - but as other posters have said, do what feels right for you and stick with that.

BTW: I don't use reversals but I do use elemental dignities to see if a card's energies are 'being blocked, stifled or conflicted' (but that again is entirely a subjective way to go about things). I prefer to see the cards upright so that I can see what is happening in the image. As far as I know, the only deck which actually requires some 'upside down' cards (and a mechanism for achieving that) is the Revelations Tarot with it's deliberately split images.