So many things in our lives are given check-ups; our cars, the health of ourselves or pets, our computers and digital devices but sometimes we need to check up on our divinatory tools. While the idea of divination checkups is nothing new, I have created my own thorough methods that work for me. It is my greatest hope that this post can help you on your journey. As with all my posts, use what resonates, and dismiss the rest. Ā If you find this post useful, Iād greatly appreciate you reblogging this post.
This portion of the check-up is where I physically inspect the deck.
Working With A Full Deck:
Sometimes we misplace cards after a reading, our pet hides them or we lose them during our travels. I find it best to periodically count that I have all the cards in my deck. Ā I like to count the deck three times just to make sure and then if I have the time, reorder it. Ā My counting method is having three sets of twenty cards and one set of eighteen.
The Upside:
If you are someone who does not read reversals, now would be a great time to ensure that all the cards in your deck are upright.
Rip And Repair:
With heavy use, our cards can get a fair bit of wear. I look at the physical condition of the deck in question. I then determine if there are any minor repairs I can do and proceed accordingly. If your deck is warped because of conditions like high humidity you may want to place your cards in the darkest coolest place of your house, preferably wrapped tight. This isnāt ideal for everyone but being someone who has dealt with this issue, it has helped me. Ā I like to ask myself these questions during the physical check-up.
Are there any cards that are damaged or are wearing badly?
Has the deck warped from conditions such as humidity or accidental water damage? How can I help prevent this?
Are there chipping, bends, creases that affect my reading ability or ability to shuffle?
Can tape or light adhesive salvage the card?
Should I ask for a replacement card from the deck company in question?
Should I put this deck out of commision and get a backup copy?
Deck Bowing:
If you have dealt with deck bowing, you know how frustrating that āpoppingā is when you try to shuffle your deck or leave it on a table and it curves oddly. If I find that a deck is bowing badly, I wrap it in a cloth and clamp it down with binder clips or place it under a heavy book for 24 hours. Another way to help with bowing is to shuffle the deck backwards than how you would normally shuffle so that the deck evens out.
Icky, Sticky And Smelly:
Again, with heavy use, our cards can collect a lot of grime, dirt, and oils from our hands and the hands of others. I like to take a moment to inspect the deck and its shuffling ability. Ā I like to use a microfiber cloth and go over the fronts and backs of the cards. If the cards or deck boxes are collecting dust on a shelf, you may want to dust off your shelf and the cards. If the cards are particularly sticky, fanning powder works wonders to help solve this issue. If the deck is smelly, I like to do two things. I like to put the deck in a ziplock bag with some baking soda. This helps to neutralize the smell. Another option that I do quite frequently is to put my decks inside the basket I keep my incense in. After about a week, my deck smells divine!
Home Inspection:
I like to look at and inspect the box, bag or wrap that my deck is in. I determine if the deck needs a new home. Unicarton or cardboard deck boxes can be reinforced with tape, glue or adhesive. Just make sure they are dry before placing your deck back in them. Wooden or plastic deck boxes can be wiped down with a lightly damp cloth. Sometimes my decks like a change of scenery so I like to switch up their deck bags. If you find that the deck bag you are currently using is a little snug, you may want to get something a bit bigger to accommodate your deck better. Just like our decks, our deck bags and cloths get dirty over time. If it is safe to do so, wash your deck bags and cloths, and spot treat them if that is an option for you.
TAROT DECK CHECK UP SPREAD
Now that the physical checkup is complete, we can move on to the more traditional method of checking up on your deck. This is a spread that I created that can be used in two ways. You can use the deck you are checking up on to answer the questions or have a secondary tool like another deck, or a pendulum answer the questions for the deck and have the main deck be its own huge signifier card. It is up you. I have used both methods with success.
Position One and Two: Cleansing Analysis
Sometimes our decks can hold on to a lot of energy. This spread position helps you determine if your deck needs to be cleansed.
1. Does my deck need to be cleansed?
2. If so, what would be the best method to cleanse my deck?
Position Three and Four: Energy Gauge
Just like us readers, our decks can become tired and burned out from reading marathons or repeat use. This spread position helps you see the energy levels of your deck and how to replenish it.
3. What is the current energy gauge of my deck?
4. What can I do to help recharge the deck of its energy easily and effectively?
Position Five, Six and Seven: Deck Purpose, Compatibility And Usage
Sometimes we use our decks for one purpose or in a specific period of our lives and as we evolve as readers our decks become extensions of ourselves and practices. Some decks become more suitable for one type of reading over another or the deck evolves to serve a different purpose for you and your practices. This spread position allows you to see if your deckās purpose and uses are still appropriate at present.
5. What is the current purpose for my deck/What does it want to be used for?
6. Does my deck still want to be used for (insert subject here)/ is it still compatible with those types of readings/uses?
7. How can I use my deck to its best ability effectively?
Position Eight, Nine and Ten: Deck Bonding
There are times when we put the cards aside and live our lives away from divination. I have had times when I didnāt use my cards for months at a time. This spread position helps see if your deck needs some bonding time and how to better your relationship with it.
8. Does my deck need me to renew our bond?
9. How can I bond with my deck in the best possible way?
10. How can I improve my relationship with my deck?
As I mentioned before, sometimes our decks are there for us during certain phases of our lives. Sometimes certain decks bring up triggering memories or parts of our lives we are moving on from. Some decks no longer speak to us the way that they used to. Some decks we just never got a chance to connect with no matter how much we tried. This is all normal.
The last part of the deck check-up is to be done privately between you and your deck. Take some time to really think about your relationship and if it is a deck you want to continue using or keep in your collection. There is no right or wrong answer or a time limit for this. Once you have decided, you may want to ask your deck a final question of āWhat is the next step on its journey?āIt is perfectly okay to pass on a deck that no longer serves you. It is okay to gift it or dispose of it. You may also want to consider trading it for another deck with someone else or give it to someone as their first deck. Ā You may wish to cleanse the deck and part ways of all energetic ties before removing it from your life.Ā
Step One:
Tie a ribbon around your deck.
Step Two:
Visualizing the bond you had closing.
Step Three
Take scissors and carefully cut the string while saying aloud:
It is with
my highest intention
I part ways
and sever all connections.
You are reset
from being my deck.
Post Notes:
Please do not remove the captions.
Title: Tarot Deck Check Up by @tarotprose
Copyright: Ā Ā© Ivan Ambrose 2018
Deck: Rider Waite Smith
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