Dagda Moon~Lily
March 11th, 2001, 10:22 PM
I have noticed that we just jumped into learning the tarot, but I've found no posts regarding the card of your cards.
So, I'm here to tell ya.....
when I first started out with the tarot, I had no idea there were any special way to keep the cards. I just kept them in the box they came in.....which is fine for the beginner with a limited budget, like I was working with. :) Then I found out.....
Storage
Tarot cards should be stored either in bags or wooden boxes. These should be lined with silk, or the cards wrapped in silk, then put into the storage unit. When I first started out, I wrapped them in a scarf. It is advisable to keep the original box and the little booklet that came with it. You may want to give the cards to a friend, and the original box and book would be much appreciated.
I have sewn myself a couple silk lined drawstring bags. I wrap my cards with my 'laycloth', (a 20x20 piece of cloth with the edges sewn) and place them in my bag. This way they are portable. I carry a deck in my purse.
I also use small cedar boxes. I don't have any that are lined with silk though. I just wrap my laycloth around the cards to protect them. I am waiting the arrival of two hand-crafted boxes that I purchased online.
Laycloths
My laycloth is just that. A 20x20 cloth that I lay down to do my Tarot readings on. (this size cloth will accomodate the Celtic Cross Spread) I don't know how many times I went to try to read the cards and found that in washing the table I'd missed a spot, but one of my cards would find the only dirty or sticky spot! So, this cloth is just to keep the cards clean. Yet, I have also found that it is much easier to focus on the cards with a dark background ....or a background that draws me to it. The three I have, one is of clouds set against a dark blue sky and the material has what appears to be silver glitter in the fabric; the other two are dark blue with star patterns on them.
Care
If your cards are getting really worn and don't slide well across your table, you can get armoral for plastic ....then slightly moisten a cloth with it and wipe down your cards. This will help prolong the life of your cards.
You will also want to wash your hands before shuffling the cards. I have a deck that is going on 5 years old, and I have noticed that the edges are getting pretty dirty, though I've taken pretty good care of these cards. I chalk it up to the oils on my hands. I thought my hands were pretty clean, but over time...the proof is in the edging! You've seen how easy it is to fingerprint a glass that you drink out of, now imagine that same oil residue getting on your cards.
Getting to know your Deck
When you get a new deck of cards you will want to imbed your energies into them. To do this, sleep with them under your pillow (wrapped in a bag as the box they came in would be uncomfortable:) ) or sleep with them on your nightstand (near your head). When I did this with my latest newly acquired deck, I had some fabulously symbolic dreams....they were weird but very vivid, colorful and fun. You will also want to just sit and shuffle your cards. I do this while I'm watching TV.
Links
This is the site where I ordered my first bag:
http://www.tapestrytarot.com/bags/bags.htm
Another good site for bags:
http://www.tarottotes.com/products%20catalog.htm
Boxes:
http://www.anovelideaco.com/handcarved_wooden_tarot_boxes.htm
http://stores.yahoo.com/mysticdreams/tarotboxes.html
Okay, now you know how to take care of your cards! If you have any questions, let me know!
So, I'm here to tell ya.....
when I first started out with the tarot, I had no idea there were any special way to keep the cards. I just kept them in the box they came in.....which is fine for the beginner with a limited budget, like I was working with. :) Then I found out.....
Storage
Tarot cards should be stored either in bags or wooden boxes. These should be lined with silk, or the cards wrapped in silk, then put into the storage unit. When I first started out, I wrapped them in a scarf. It is advisable to keep the original box and the little booklet that came with it. You may want to give the cards to a friend, and the original box and book would be much appreciated.
I have sewn myself a couple silk lined drawstring bags. I wrap my cards with my 'laycloth', (a 20x20 piece of cloth with the edges sewn) and place them in my bag. This way they are portable. I carry a deck in my purse.
I also use small cedar boxes. I don't have any that are lined with silk though. I just wrap my laycloth around the cards to protect them. I am waiting the arrival of two hand-crafted boxes that I purchased online.
Laycloths
My laycloth is just that. A 20x20 cloth that I lay down to do my Tarot readings on. (this size cloth will accomodate the Celtic Cross Spread) I don't know how many times I went to try to read the cards and found that in washing the table I'd missed a spot, but one of my cards would find the only dirty or sticky spot! So, this cloth is just to keep the cards clean. Yet, I have also found that it is much easier to focus on the cards with a dark background ....or a background that draws me to it. The three I have, one is of clouds set against a dark blue sky and the material has what appears to be silver glitter in the fabric; the other two are dark blue with star patterns on them.
Care
If your cards are getting really worn and don't slide well across your table, you can get armoral for plastic ....then slightly moisten a cloth with it and wipe down your cards. This will help prolong the life of your cards.
You will also want to wash your hands before shuffling the cards. I have a deck that is going on 5 years old, and I have noticed that the edges are getting pretty dirty, though I've taken pretty good care of these cards. I chalk it up to the oils on my hands. I thought my hands were pretty clean, but over time...the proof is in the edging! You've seen how easy it is to fingerprint a glass that you drink out of, now imagine that same oil residue getting on your cards.
Getting to know your Deck
When you get a new deck of cards you will want to imbed your energies into them. To do this, sleep with them under your pillow (wrapped in a bag as the box they came in would be uncomfortable:) ) or sleep with them on your nightstand (near your head). When I did this with my latest newly acquired deck, I had some fabulously symbolic dreams....they were weird but very vivid, colorful and fun. You will also want to just sit and shuffle your cards. I do this while I'm watching TV.
Links
This is the site where I ordered my first bag:
http://www.tapestrytarot.com/bags/bags.htm
Another good site for bags:
http://www.tarottotes.com/products%20catalog.htm
Boxes:
http://www.anovelideaco.com/handcarved_wooden_tarot_boxes.htm
http://stores.yahoo.com/mysticdreams/tarotboxes.html
Okay, now you know how to take care of your cards! If you have any questions, let me know!