Buying Tarot Cards
Purchasing and Choosing Tarot Cards
(Tarot Course - Lesson 2)
Whether you are new to tarot or an experienced tarot reader, acquiring tarot cards should not be as simple and trivial as buying your everyday groceries from the market. Before purchasing tarot cards, set your intention for this journey and allow your feelings, and consequently, your intuition to guide you toward them. Even for those looking to buy cards online, it's crucial to listen to their instincts and let their feelings lead them to the right cards. Those selecting cards online should thoroughly examine the cards they intend to buy and ensure they resonate with them. Although I don't oppose buying tarot cards online, my recommendation is to see the deck in person, and if possible, make the purchase through physical contact and touch.
When purchasing tarot cards, what truly matters is the energy between you and the cards and how you feel. To do this effectively, it's better to acquire the cards through physical contact. What do you feel when you touch the cards? Do they feel comfortable in your hands? Which deck can you hold better, and which one allows you to work more comfortably? These are the questions you should ask yourself before buying the cards.
Another important consideration when buying tarot cards is the fact that there are many different tarot decks available. Before buying the cards, one should decide which deck they want to purchase and focus on that particular deck. Different tarot decks may have variations in symbolism and energy, and the person seeking to learn tarot should choose the deck that they feel most comfortable with. For example, we will be using the Rider-Waite deck.
Things to consider when purchasing tarot cards:
Personal and Intuitive Connection with the Cards:
The first thing to pay attention to when selecting a tarot deck is the personal and intuitive connection between you and the cards. When you hold the cards, you should be able to say, "These are my cards," and feel a loving connection with them. Touching the cards, feeling them, and liking the artwork will strengthen this connection. If the cards are easy to understand and have clear illustrations, working with them will be much more enjoyable. When selecting cards, trust your intuition and listen to your inner voice.
Examine the Images on the Cards:
How the cards are illustrated is important. Clear and straightforward artwork makes it easier, especially for those who plan to engage with tarot for an extended period. When examining the images, focus on what you feel and how you can interpret those images. Some people are drawn to bright colors, while others may find them off-putting. In some cards, facial expressions may be vague, while in others, they are clear. Some decks are traditional, while others are modern. The person buying the cards should decide what matters most to them and choose accordingly.
Working with cards that are either too large or too small can disrupt your visual experience and comfort. Therefore, make sure the tarot cards you purchase are a size that you can comfortably grasp and shuffle. Remember that using oversized cards may also require more space. Consider the space where you live or where you will be reading tarot when choosing the appropriate card size.
When choosing tarot cards, pay close attention to quality. Avoid cards that may become deformed at the corners or edges after just a year. Deformed cards not only diminish your visual pleasure but can also disrupt objective readings when reversed. Additionally, constantly changing tarot decks is not recommended, so investing in high-quality cards that will last for many years is a wise choice. Therefore, it is more advisable to purchase cards by examining and selecting them in person rather than buying them online.
Protecting and Storing Tarot Cards:
Another point to address is the preservation and protection of tarot cards. Tarot cards should never be kept in environments where they could be damaged, where their edges or corners could deform, or where they could become dirty due to spilled substances. After each use, they should be stored in a box or a clean black cloth.
Storing the cards in a black cloth is not only to prevent them from getting dirty but also to prevent the cards from affecting the people living in the house with their negative energy. It should never be forgotten that tarot cards emit energy, and especially cards with negative connotations should not be left out in the open. In fact, in my opinion, cards with negative meanings should never be hung as posters in any home because they can attract the negativity and negative energy they represent to that household. Therefore, after use, they must be stored in a box and within a black cloth.
Maintaining Communication Between Tarot Cards and the Reader:
The communication between tarot cards and the reader is highly significant. Just as two people can have compatibility or love and hatred between them, such situations can also exist between a person and the cards. A tarot reader should first love their cards and know how to establish a good connection with them. No card should ever be referred to as "I don't like this card" or "this is the card I dislike the most." Each card is a part of the tarot wheel and contributes to the whole; thus, they are essential in readings. A person should be aware of this when reading tarot cards.
A unique tarot language forms between tarot cards and the reader. Especially with practice, those who practice often will become better at understanding the language of each card and how it responds to different questions. One card may not have the same meaning for every question or in every spread, but for a seasoned tarot reader, this is not a problem. With time, the bond between the reader and the cards will strengthen, and the cards will begin to provide more insights.