Trogon
Hi all! I've seen, in a couple of threads lately, comments about what Tarot decks are and their personalities, energies and/or lack thereof. I think this is a valuable discussion for several reasons; it can help me to solidify and verbalize my own thoughts, it might help others to do the same and it might help any folks who are new to Tarot to learn for themselves what they feel about their decks.
I actually kind of view Tarot decks themselves in two different lights, that some might think are in opposition to each other. But it depends on just what the actual thing is we're looking at.
On the one hand, there is the physical make up of a Tarot Deck. They are, in essence, simply paper, ink, a few chemicals and, on most decks, some sort of thin protective coating. I don't believe that they carry any psychic energy when they are new. And, I don't believe they are capable of passively accumulating much energy, simply because paper, ink, etc... just doesn't hold on to energy very well. However, I do believe that a person can intentionally impart energy into an individual Tarot deck, but that has to do with that person's effort to affect the deck, not the deck itself.
On the other hand, I do believe that a Tarot deck can have a personality as well as being better for certain types of readings or questions. A Tarot deck can inherently have an "energy" within itself. However, this is not from the factory, but rather is a fusion of the artwork and my personal energies and outlooks. Most Tarot artists spend a great deal of time developing the images, inserting symbolisms that work with our personality, psyche and intuition to bring forth messages/answers during a reading.
In essence, the little stacks of paper with images printed on them are not inherently evil, nor do they generally carry energy from previous readings or from simply being touched by someone. (Yes, I have heard, many times, that we shouldn't let other people handle our Tarot decks. I have not had an issue with it.) But they do have a "personality" and "energy" imparted by the artist which interacts with me.
And yes, I do occasionally feel that a deck may need a "cleansing" or smudging. But I know that this is mostly for my own benefit.
So, after this long dissertation, what are your thoughts? I'm looking forward to the discussion.
I actually kind of view Tarot decks themselves in two different lights, that some might think are in opposition to each other. But it depends on just what the actual thing is we're looking at.
On the one hand, there is the physical make up of a Tarot Deck. They are, in essence, simply paper, ink, a few chemicals and, on most decks, some sort of thin protective coating. I don't believe that they carry any psychic energy when they are new. And, I don't believe they are capable of passively accumulating much energy, simply because paper, ink, etc... just doesn't hold on to energy very well. However, I do believe that a person can intentionally impart energy into an individual Tarot deck, but that has to do with that person's effort to affect the deck, not the deck itself.
On the other hand, I do believe that a Tarot deck can have a personality as well as being better for certain types of readings or questions. A Tarot deck can inherently have an "energy" within itself. However, this is not from the factory, but rather is a fusion of the artwork and my personal energies and outlooks. Most Tarot artists spend a great deal of time developing the images, inserting symbolisms that work with our personality, psyche and intuition to bring forth messages/answers during a reading.
In essence, the little stacks of paper with images printed on them are not inherently evil, nor do they generally carry energy from previous readings or from simply being touched by someone. (Yes, I have heard, many times, that we shouldn't let other people handle our Tarot decks. I have not had an issue with it.) But they do have a "personality" and "energy" imparted by the artist which interacts with me.
And yes, I do occasionally feel that a deck may need a "cleansing" or smudging. But I know that this is mostly for my own benefit.
So, after this long dissertation, what are your thoughts? I'm looking forward to the discussion.