The Tarot Room – Georgianna

Today’s Tarot Myth Busting post is just a reminder that Tarot cards aren’t inherently good or evil … they’re pictures on cardboard that we use to tell a story. A story that very often, and uncannily, reflects something going on in the querent’s life.

No need to treat the cards as either sacred or scary. They’re simply devices we can use to help describe our lives, or least parts of them.

(But I still think they’re magic – ha ha!)

There’s an idea around that says no one can touch your Tarot cards but you. I just want to chime in here to say that as with most things relating to Tarot, that’s really up to you.

When I do in-person readings, I like to do the shuffling, but I always ask the querent to cut the deck, then pull their own cards. It feels like they should be involved, it’s their reading after all.

But other people might feel differently. I’ve had many readings where the reader shuffles, cuts, and pulls all the cards. And that’s okay too. My point here is only that there are no hard and fast rules.

If you’re new to reading for other people, just go with what feels right to you. You’ll find your rhythm and develop your own card customs and rituals. It takes time, but the process of finding what feels best for you is part of what makes it fun.

And if you’re concerned about bad energies or weird vibrations getting on your deck, consider getting yourself a crystal, or some stones to sit with your cards when they’re not in action. That’s what I do. Not sure if it matters or not, but I like doing it, and I think that’s the point.

Tarot is more of an art than a set of structured rules … make that art your own.

Here’s another Tarot Myth Busting segment …

I’ve heard it, I’ve read it, but I don’t believe it … you don’t have to wrap your Tarot deck in silk. You don’t have to wrap it in any particular cloth, or keep it in a wood box, or a gold box … no one has ever actually told me to keep it in a gold box – but you get my point.

Though I think it’s good practice to be respectful of your Tarot cards by keeping them in a clean, safe space, there are no rules on how to contain them. Do what you will.

The box they came in is good enough, but if you want to wrap them in something else – go for it! There are countless tutorials online about how to make Tarot bags. And I’ve shown off a few of my own Tarot boxes … but again, there are no rules.

I say treat your cards right, but you can do so as you see fit.

I was recently gifted two new Tarot decks. You may have seen my reviews … Niki de Saint Phalle Tarot and The Tarot of White Cats. I’m just thrilled about them both. And yes, getting these decks as gifts from a friend from a far away land only makes them feel more special, perhaps even a little more magical.

But having said that, there’s this myth going around. I hear it all the time – that you aren’t supposed to buy your own deck. That to be Tarot-pure, you can only use a deck that someone has gifted you.

That’s not true.

I bought my first Tarot deck (pictured above), and many many many more after that.

I’ve also received many as gifts, and as I said at the beginning, getting them as gifts does make them feel special.

But also special is going out and finding a deck that speaks specifically to you. One for which you love the concepts, the artwork, the colours, the way it feels in your hands, how it shuffles … whatever it might be, it’s something that you’re particularly interested in … something chosen by you.

And just to be clear again – I love receiving Tarot decks as gifts – just love it! But I also love rummaging through book stores and occult shops, yard sales, antique shops, and flea markets looking for decks wherever I might find them. And if I do find one that I like, and that I can afford, I buy it, and I use it. I recommend you do to.