CRUSHING some 'Tarot Absolutes'

[tarotbear]

"You must not buy a Tarot Deck; it must be given to you"

Yeah- and how does the giver obtain it?

This harks back to the dark ages of the 1950s when you did not merely walk into a bookstore and buy a tarot deck. For newbies, it was ILLEGAL to have such things in your store due to 'antiwitchcraft' laws. You could only buy one by knowing someone who knew someone who knew someone because if you sold a deck to an undercover cop your store would be closed. { P.S. Here in Connecticut, it was illegal to read tarot cards until the law was repealed in 1992.}

"Your deck must be stored in black silk"

Silk was always considered a 'luxury' product.

This probably stems to the theory about wearing black to make yourself more sensitive to psychic vibes, which is why it is the traditional color for witches, Wiccans, and Goths. It works great for wearing while reading the cards, but in my estimation, wrapping your deck in black will then attract same said vibes into your deck. My decks are wrapped in tomato red silk ( recommeded to me by someone who used my deck to give me a reading) because the green and black silk scarf I had it wrapped in 'depressed' the deck. Black may be traditional, but other colors chosen to suit the deck are fine, too.

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Too true, too true! As with all things, a little common sense goes a long way!

If I would have had to wait for a deck to be "given" to me, I'd still be waiting for a deck! I live 400 miles north of nowhere! lol....and I don't know many people that read tarot. We just got a local New Age shop in a neighboring town (about 25 minute drive) about 2 years ago. :boing:

~D

[Armitage]

Gah, I know someone who HARDCORE ascribes to that 'don't buy it yourself' thing. When I told her I got a new deck, she actually looked shocked, like I told her I ran over a kitten on the way there...

[Silver Venus]

Ive heard that many times before too, but think, like with everything, if you want something, you have to go out and get it.
I did get given a deck last christmas, which was soo cool I thought, I was really touched and excited, until I unwrapped it and found it really didnt suit me at all.. still a very sweet pressie from my friend, but she has noooo tarot taste.

[Pan]

I wouldn't mind being given a tarot deck.. but who's to say that that person will know what you like? A deck has to be pleasing for me to look at.. else I can't use it. I'm all about aesthetically-pleasing stuff. ;)

One thing about the black silk... Black was also seen as protective. But silk? Hm..... Nah. :p

[tarotbear]

Originally posted by Loki Panwit
One thing about the black silk... Black was also seen as protective. But silk? Hm..... Nah. :p

As I said- silk was once considered a luxury, especially in the days before microfibres.

Actually it has always been my understanding that the cloth should be natural and not a synthetic, so using a piece of that old Leisure Suit you found at the Salvation Army is NOT what you should wrap you cards in!

[tarotbear]

"You should store your cards in a wooden box - only"

There are lots of great inexpensive wooden boxes out there, but I own something like 30 decks or so, so having to dust 30 wooden boxes that are displayed all over the place is getting just a tad ridiculous. Once again- wood is a natural material, much better than storing your cards in a plastic recipie box, the connection to the wooden tree grounding itself in the earth and that sort of thing..

How many of you out there still put your cards back in the cardboard box they came it and call it even?

I did receive a stained glass box as a gift. I store a special deck in that.


Much has been made of storing cards in a leather bag (also a natural material), but I feel that wrapping your cards in the skin of a slaughtered animal cannot be good for the cards. However, my Animal Medicine cards are in a chamois bag.

"You should store your cards up high on a shelf"

This one is realitively new-- has to do with the negative vibes being close to the ground or something. Putting your cards 'high up' keeps them out of the 'evil spirit zone' or something. I would store them high up so visiting toddlers are less apt to open the 30 wooden boxes on the window sills....

[Witchy Cowgirl]

Originally posted by tarotbear
How many of you out there still put your cards back in the cardboard box they came it and call it even?


"You should store your cards up high on a shelf"

This one is realitively new-- has to do with the negative vibes being close to the ground or something. Putting your cards 'high up' keeps them out of the 'evil spirit zone' or something. I would store them high up so visiting toddlers are less apt to open the 30 wooden boxes on the window sills.... [/B]

My cards are still in their box. Even after I get a bag or wooden box for them I intend to keep them in their orginal box. Question?
How many of you still have the cards that come with the deck....the ones that tell about the designer and such?

Storing high or low?
All my supplies, including my cards, are stored on a low shelf. It's the only place I have to store them and I'd hate to think evil spirits are lurking there. Espcially since the ground is low and isn't that where you go to ground ?

[tarotbear]

I admit, witchy cowgirl, that 'Store your cards up high' one just sounded like something someone made up one day. You are right, after all - we GROUND ourselves, so why should the level of the cards from the ground affect them? It goes to the person whose books told them they have to read facing in only a certain direction - ??? - who makes these things up?

What other 'Tarot Absolutes' make no sense and try to control your lives?

[astrokaiju]

Originally posted by tarotbear
This one is realitively new-- has to do with the negative vibes being close to the ground or something. Putting your cards 'high up' keeps them out of the 'evil spirit zone' or something. I would store them high up so visiting toddlers are less apt to open the 30 wooden boxes on the window sills....


the "evil spirit zone"...hahaha....that's classic........

[Hamelyn]

Yaknow, all of the absolutes do seem kinda strange to me. I'm only so-so with a deck of tarot and all (and all I have is a rider-waite deck, which is creepy and stuff), but as someone who tends to etch out The Truth wherever I can find it (from mythology to Snoopy to Clive Barker)... I guess the absolutes amuse me.

I mean, if your magic is based on the force of your belief and your sensativity, I don't see how being creative could hurt. If you feel an affinity for your leather jacket, I don't see why a bit of leather coulnd't hold your cards. Or if you've always had a fantasy in regards to musty old boxes with soothsaying treasury tidbits, the wholte thrift-store antique box idea thingie seems like it'd work well.

Just my three cents... and no, you don't want to ask. (About the Post subject. Heh.)

[Nina]

I simply treat my cards with respect. My first deck still resides in a beautiful wooden cigar box. My Rider-Waite and Robin Wood live together in a beaded velvet bag. My Goddess Tarot, which I'm working the most with at the moment, lives by my bed, because I like to meditate on the cards every night!

I've learnt that I don't follow other people's rules if I can't see a good reason for it. I do what feels right to me. And that's what counts for me.

[Demeter]

Some people say it's an absolute no-no to let someone else handle your cards. Some people say if you're doing a reading for someone else you must have them shuffle so as to get the energy of their question into the cards.

[Nina]

If I'm doing a reading face to face, I always let the querent shuffle the cards. I don't however, let people just play with them. However, if someone shows and interest, and wants to look at them, I tend to let them - tends to stop them thinking there is anything 'unnatural' about them. I once had an interesting experience with a friend who thought they were 'evil' picking up my Robin Wood Deck and being blown away by her reaction to the 7 of Pentacles (looks just like a guy we both know!) and feeling much more comfortable with them.

[tarotbear]

Ah, yes - the touching rule!

I am one of the firm believers that the Querent should touch the cards in a reading. I even tell people when I am doing readings via the internet that their reading might be stronger if they were actually touching the cards.

I believe the 'no touch rule' :rolleyes: was more to keep potentially dangerous (?) people from 'erasing' or reprogramming :eek: your deck by disturbing your vibes. Certainly you don't want your homophobic, antipagan catholic priest uncle accidently picking up your cards! :uzi:

[Nina]

Ah yes, agreed... you'd never retrieve them from the bonfire he hurled them in...!!

[tarotbear]

Although I probably have done a Tarot reading in the nude, it's not a major practice for me, although I DO practice spellwork skyclad, in front of a large wall mirror.

It was part of my work to accept my body and body image ( hey- I'm a big hairy guy and very happy with myself). Also, doing spellwork facing a mirror makes YOU the focus of your workings- hard to escape yourself! It can be a little disconcerting at first, but it got so I felt I had to be naked ( or under a robe if it was chilly) :shaker: to perform my best magick. :shaker:

[Arduinna]

Boy do I agree. Stored in black silk huh? Can't buy a deck huh? I'm sure the tarot deck manufacturers are thrilled that hardly anyone believes that. I know I wouldn't have nearly the number of decks I do if I had to wait for them as gifts. LOLOL

I've never done the no touch rule either. I believe the opposite.

[Ganga]

Ground is the evil spirit zone? Could this be an idea of someone who says that since Father God is in Heaven and Mother Earth down on the ground, then down must be evil and high good? I don't buy to that philosophy. (although I wouldn't put my cards on the floor because I'm so lazy to vacuum and it's too often dusty and covered by breadcrumbs...)

[Major Tom]

Originally posted by Nina
I've learnt that I don't follow other people's rules if I can't see a good reason for it. I do what feels right to me. And that's what counts for me.

Very sensible - the only rules that count are the one's you make up for yourself.

Personally, I store my Mountain Dream in a Crown Royal bag. :)

[SylverStar]

Bump

I think this thread is very interesting. I've heard alot of these things. I've heard about the silk I was also told satin. My first deck I had I bought and it actually became very upset at me, every reading I did was a totally negative reading. I usually don't let people touch my tools or decks. I do have the person I'm reading for shuffle though.

[Ryhla]

Ah, yes - the touching rule!

I am one of the firm believers that the Querent should touch the cards in a reading. I even tell people when I am doing readings via the internet that their reading might be stronger if they were actually touching the cards.

I believe the 'no touch rule' :rolleyes: was more to keep potentially dangerous (?) people from 'erasing' or reprogramming :eek: your deck by disturbing your vibes. Certainly you don't want your homophobic, antipagan catholic priest uncle accidently picking up your cards! :uzi:I'm not a stickler on the "NO TOUCHIE" rule. There was a day though when someone asked to look at my deck...then turned around and said "I don't believe in that $**+ anyay!" He didn't get to look or touch my deck either. Who knows what kind of energy he would have put into my deck.

[Lunacie]

It's so easy to cleanse a deck, that's not a real problem. I always have the querant hold the cards or runes while concentrating on the issue they want to know more about. I keep my deck in a satin bag along with a small cotton sack of salt to keep it cleansed. My runes are made from hematite which is a natural grounding stone and they seem to keep themselves grounded and clean.

[zakzekezedd]

Ok..how about the "Tarot are more powerful if you steal them" nonsense that got started and still rears it's ugly head every so often......
I hear the "Oh you can't buy your own Tarot cards" all the time..and try not to visually cringe when I hear it. As to the black silk, I had always read that it was because black absorbs and removes negative energies, and silk enhances that protection. Because it is a natural material, wood is recommended to help protect the cards from outside energies. I usually shuffle the deck, but let the person I am reading for hold and then cut the deck, and that's mostly just because most people have a terrible time trying to shuffle oversized cards. If I get a really "negative" feeling from a person I won't let them handle my cards at all, but I don't mind letting someone I know look at my cards or handle a deck.
As to the storing them up high...well, if I forget and leave a deck on the floor or a bottom shelf they frequently get chewed up, and occasionally peed on (Fidget obviously did not like that deck!)..So it's a matter of preservation that my cards get stored in a drawer or up high.....

[Ryhla]

Ok..how about the "Tarot are more powerful if you steal them" nonsense that got started and still rears it's ugly head every so often......
I hear the "Oh you can't buy your own Tarot cards" all the time..and try not to visually cringe when I hear it. As to the black silk, I had always read that it was because black absorbs and removes negative energies, and silk enhances that protection. Because it is a natural material, wood is recommended to help protect the cards from outside energies. I usually shuffle the deck, but let the person I am reading for hold and then cut the deck, and that's mostly just because most people have a terrible time trying to shuffle oversized cards. If I get a really "negative" feeling from a person I won't let them handle my cards at all, but I don't mind letting someone I know look at my cards or handle a deck.
As to the storing them up high...well, if I forget and leave a deck on the floor or a bottom shelf they frequently get chewed up, and occasionally peed on (Fidget obviously did not like that deck!)..So it's a matter of preservation that my cards get stored in a drawer or up high.....
I would think a pet making a statement in the form of chewing or otherwise is most likely how the keep them up high got started. Not to mention hands of young ones.

[tarotbear]

***BUMP***

bumping this up ...

[13thChylde]

I would think a pet making a statement in the form of chewing or otherwise is most likely how the keep them up high got started. Not to mention hands of young ones.

My daughter used my first deck as a teething ring while home with her father who was supposed to be watching her!!!!

I suppose that was my first clue that this child would be a handfull, to say the least!

She failed to ruin one card, the Empress, which is now in a lovely fairy frame on my altar.

[Zander770]

Although I probably have done a Tarot reading in the nude, it's not a major practice for me . . .

Good to hear from you, again, T-Bear; Everyone . . . a lot of different topical-threads and ideas and opinions, here; just great!

The Only Rule I think that I haven't broken, yet, is . . . well . . . I think I HAVE Broken just about every Rule!

I Did--however--Not Allow anyone to even SEE (let alone Touch) one particularTarot deck from One Particular Mystery School, but; That "Rule" was broken Four Year's ago (and, Yes, it was one "particular, peculiar woman" and #17/The Star!); and I Never, Ever allowed a querent to touch (let alone SHUFFLE!) any of my Tarot decks, that is, until I got into Personal Relationship "Work"/Things and Public/Professional readings, but I don't do that, anymore, and; I Never, Ever let my decks "be hit" by the Light of the Sun (which wasn't too hard since I didn't arise until after it went down)!

There IS One Rule I think I've most always have been able to Keep, though: I have never Disrespected my Tarot decks, nor have I used them Dishonestly, in Two Ways:

1) I have never Consciously Placed a card in a Spread position in reading for a querent/asker of a question (nor have I used a "Computer Generated" Tarot reading on a querent), and; 2) I've never used the Tarot in any way to cause HARM (viz: Pain) to anyone.

[AmethystMoon08]

Bump!

[Sparrow]

I always want the questioner to touch the cards during a reading, but I get LIVID if someone messes with my cards outside a reading. Grrrr.

[RaynePoppy]

What about reading the cards when Mercury is in retrograde? I have heard that this is an absolute no no. I'm just curious to know if this is in fact true or not.
BB Rayne

[tarotbear]

Mercury in retrograde? What about this 'Mars' thing? Aren't Marcury, Venus, AND Mars all in retrograde at some point for the rest of the year? What are we supposed to do? Stop reading? HA!