| Originally, the story goes that only a Gypsy could | | | | ‘try’ a bit harder to make sure the cards |
| read the Tarot Cards and only a Gypsy would pass | | | | are shuffled well, that they are concentrating on |
| down a set of Tarot Cards to another. Think about | | | | what they are doing and the question they are |
| it, a few hundred years ago, all the cards were hand | | | | asking in their mind for the reading. |
| made, all the images hand drawn and coloured, cut | | | | Many good metaphysical shops will keep tarot decks |
| and created by hand. These cards got very worn | | | | especially for viewing, so purchasers can take a good |
| with use and would be used for many readings. | | | | look through the cards to see if they connect with |
| The Gypsy would only pass on their set of cards to | | | | them. |
| someone in their family that had a gift or was going | | | | Try to find the Death card in a deck – because it |
| to be groomed to be the next reader. Essentially, | | | | is often by looking at Death that you can see |
| this was when they were ready to retire. They | | | | whether you will like to work with the deck or not. |
| would teach, train and pass on their knowledge of | | | | Death should always contain an element of hope and |
| reading the cards. They would mentor the next | | | | rebirth no matter how gruesome. If the picture |
| generation, handing down their experience from | | | | repulses you too much, it may not be the right |
| generation to generation. | | | | deck. Mostly people are moved by the Death card |
| Now, in 2009, Gypsies are in short supply. | | | | because it is a disturbing image that hits right at your |
| Decks are mass produced in thousands of forms and | | | | subconscious. |
| are sold, bright, shiny and new from nearly every | | | | When buying tarot cards online, the process is the |
| bookstore, newsagency, online from anywhere in the | | | | same. Simply look at the pictures, and listen to your |
| world in almost every language. Now on line, take | | | | gut feeling, your intuition. If the cards simply stand |
| your pick of images, old and new, with thousands of | | | | out, even though all the pictures are all the same |
| types of decks. The choice is endless. | | | | size, and the others fade, while this set looks vibrant |
| Even 10 years ago, very few Tarot Card Decks of | | | | in a spiritual sense, then that may be the best tarot |
| Cards were available except from mystic shops and | | | | card set to buy. |
| even then you had to look hard to find someone | | | | Another consideration when buying tarot cards is |
| that sold them. They were still considered taboo and | | | | price. There are many different sets of tarot cards |
| almost sold under the counter but now things have | | | | that you can buy. If it is your first time at tarot, |
| changed and people have accepted them widely. | | | | remember that you don't need to go for the most |
| Where to start? So how do you pick a deck that is | | | | expensive set. |
| the best for you? | | | | Purchasing tarot cards should be done with respect. |
| I usually let my mood judge which deck I use on the | | | | Though there are very cheap tarot cards available, |
| day of the reading for each individual person. | | | | you want to find a set that is both within your |
| I recommend first buying the Rider Wait deck. | | | | budget, and also one which you will value. |
| Simply because the images are easy to see and | | | | There are others however, some which utilise other |
| remember and the numbers 1 – 10 of each suite | | | | systems. For example there may be angel cards |
| have pictures and are easier to remember when you | | | | which have different aspects or other cultures |
| are starting out. | | | | systems. Ultimately they all work, as divining works. |
| Then, buy the deck you fall in love with. Once you | | | | However, one point to consider is like with most |
| have gotten your confidence with the meanings of | | | | things, more you pay for it, the more likely you will |
| the cards, you can effectively use any deck of cards. | | | | use them, and take good care of them. |
| Get emotionally connected to the images, what | | | | Storing the Deck |
| moves you, what artwork and design resonates with | | | | Which leads me to storage. You will need a really |
| you? What do you love looking at? The cards are | | | | nice box to keep your cards in and to keep the |
| personal, you will work with them, getting knowledge | | | | energy off them so they are fresh for the next |
| from them and helping others seeking answers for | | | | reading. We all have an energy around us and |
| questions in their lives which they take very | | | | coming from us and as others handle your deck, their |
| seriously. These cards may help you make money | | | | energy passes onto it. I recommend a wooden box |
| and change your life direction. | | | | or a box made from a natural fibre and a naturally |
| The tarot cards do not simply give answers to all | | | | made fabric to go around it like a silk scarf (real silk |
| who use them. Tarot cards must be respected, and | | | | that is). There are lots of gorgeous boxes out |
| a bond created. So, the first point in selecting tarot | | | | there, just make sure they fit the size of the cards |
| cards is to find tarot cards that you feel a bond to. | | | | that you buy as not all are the same standard size. |
| This bond can just be the individuality of the cards | | | | Have some fun with it. Maybe get a plain wooden |
| that express you or perhaps any other factors such | | | | box and personalise it. Put things on it, or paint on it |
| as a gut feeling that these tarot cards is the right | | | | or just keep it plain. |
| one to buy. | | | | Cleansing the Deck |
| A set of tarot cards can become very important | | | | If you feel that your cards need cleansing (as I |
| items in your life. When we need answers, and these | | | | would do after a day of tarot card parties where I |
| answers cannot be seen, then we need to utilise | | | | would reading up to 10 people’s cards), I get a |
| other tools, such as tarot cards as readings fringe on | | | | quartz crystal that I wash in water first, then put in |
| the spiritual. | | | | the sun to charge for a few hours and then place it |
| If you are having problems choosing a deck, narrow | | | | on top of the box to draw out any energy in the |
| it down to 5. Discard designs and types by what | | | | cards overnight. I then wash the crystal again in the |
| you don’t like if that is easier. | | | | morning and put it in the moonlight for a night to |
| How many cards are in the deck? Not everything | | | | release the energy that it has collected. The bigger |
| labelled ‘Tarot’ is actually a Tarot deck. | | | | the crystal the better. |
| Some only contain the Major or Minor Arcana cards | | | | When you do buy your deck remember to treat it |
| and some are oracle decks which have totally | | | | with respect and clean and cleanse them when |
| different cards and meanings. True Tarot decks | | | | necessary – Tarot cards are not a party trick to |
| contain 78 cards. Always be sure to look at all the | | | | be brought out on a whim – they are a serious |
| cards. Some decks have amazing Major Arcana cards | | | | tool for discovering hidden patterns in our lives, often |
| and then have incredibly boring and/or repetitive | | | | giving us a peek at the future, and invariably |
| Minor Arcana (1 cup for Ace of cup; 2 cups for 2 of | | | | surprising us with their messages. |
| cups, etc.) If you are a beginner, this repeating | | | | Passing Decks On |
| pattern for the Minor Arcana cards might prove to | | | | Also, remember to impart your knowledge. If you |
| be difficult because it doesn't give you a lot of | | | | have a friend or a member of your family who is |
| symbology to go on in your readings | | | | interested in getting some cards, mentor them, |
| A word about novelty decks: They can be fun but if | | | | become the Gypsy who ’hands down’ their |
| you are looking at your cards for spiritual insight and | | | | knowledge to someone else so they can be richer |
| guidance or just collecting for fun, but you might not | | | | for it. It is easy to learn out of a book and learn |
| want to use the Halloween deck or the nursery | | | | the meanings of the cards, but learning from the |
| rhyme deck for true readings. | | | | experience of another reader is priceless and hard to |
| If you get a chance to hold the deck in a store, see | | | | come by. Remember to give back your skills. |
| how it fits in your hands. They are naturally made | | | | Giving a deck of Tarot Cards as a present is also |
| bigger than playing cards so they are a little more | | | | advised with a promise to teach them how to use it! |
| difficult to shuffle so that the person has to | | | | Maybe say a blessing over them to pass them on. |