Lately it
seems to be trendy to take the tarot and oracle decks you are currently working
with out of their boxes or bags and put them out in the open on your altar or
some other kind of sacred space. Preferable with a crystal on top to keep it
safe, to charge it, cleanse it and whatnot. I’ve seen this practice for the first time in
a video by Raecine from Owlmoon 513.
I can
remember, I was not overly enthusiastic back then, because in my opinion there
would be a dust gathering problem and the backs might discolor in the daylight.
Over time, on YouTube and on Instagram, I’ve seen others doing the same thing,
which is totally okay because that is how we learn from one another. Personally
for me, my Tarot and Oracle decks are one of the most important tools of my spiritual practice, so it would be very fitting to have some decks ready
to pull from on my altar. Because my altar was in some serious need of dusting
and cleaning/cleansing anyway, I thought, why not try to put some decks on there
too.
And so I
did. On my altar I have now out in the open: the Sacred Rebels oracle deck, The
Wildwood Tarot, The Celtic Lenormand and as a trusted old friend; The Original
Rider Waite Tarot.
It has been
three days now since I’ve made the "altaration" and I absolutely love it. It such
a good feeling to be able to pick up your deck and start shuffling it right away.
It feels so intimate and very inviting to me. Like in the fairy tale of Mother Holle when the
apple tree calls out: "Shake me, shake me, my apples are all ripe,." so is are my decks calling out to me: “shuffle us shuffle us, we have many tales to tell”
I could never wrap my head around the idea of sleeping with a deck under your pillow, cleansing it, charging it or other such rituals. I do see my decks as a spiritual tool, and I treat them respectfully because I don't want them damaged. Maybe they view their decks like some people look at bibles - as more than paper and leather. However, having them handy and readily available for use makes perfect sense!
ReplyDeleteMy decks are precious to me. They symbolize a great amount of wisdom and as such are great tools to work with. Everything on my altar is symbolic and I know they are just things but together they represent what is sacred to me: a doorway to the Divine. Just like a walk in nature, or riding my bike or baking a bread etc etc etc...
Delete"a doorway" - that's a good way to look at them! :)
DeleteEllen, your altar is simply beautiful. I admire all the beautiful altars I see and wish I had a separate space for one. But to be honest, I probably would never keep it so neat.
Delete@thesycamoretree one of the only rituals I do on occasion is sleep with a new deck under my pillow. I do it because this allows me to have dream lessons on the deck (or whatever I sleep on) so it speeds up my learning. It's like a deck download. It can also be exhausting though, waking up feeling like you've been in tarot deck class for a week.
Thank you very much. This picture was taken right after I cleaned my altar space. Maybe I should take also one just before the cleaning part lol :D
DeleteThis is such a beautiful arrangement! Just this morning I was musing about how I have decks "randomly" arranged throughout the house... Vikings Tarot is sitting out and ready for use in the kitchen, and on my bedside table I have two Tarot decks and a couple of oracles within arm's reach. I like being able to grab a card when I feel drawn to without having to select a deck, pull it out of its box, etc. So in that sense I totally understand having this sort of altar set up. And then as you go you can switch them. I like that!
ReplyDeleteThanks Olivia. I have some decks around the house too. One near my TV comfy chair, one in my bag, one on a chest in the living room. These ar mostly RW decks or RW clones because they read quick and easy without having to consult a guidebook :D
DeleteA very beautiful visual alter Ellen.
ReplyDeleteI have an alter as you know, but my cards that I use everyday are in a special brass wire, see through box, wrapped in a sheer yellow fancy cloth on a little wooden shelf that hangs in my kitchen above my kitchen table, in very special spot. I can access them easily first thing in the morning. It's all a matter of whatever you are comfortable with. Keeping my cards free from damage and honouring them is paramount for me.
That sounds wonderful Catherine! One reason I like to write about this is to hear from others how they treat their decks and how they experience their value.
DeleteBTW touching my spiritual tools and items and rearranging my altar always relaxes me. :)
I feel that peaceful feeling just looking at your alter. I think alters do emanate that kind of energy. <3
DeletePretty space! I have decks all over the place, but have shelves waiting to be painted and hung to house them! I'm procrastinating again. lol
ReplyDeleteThanks Bridgett! I am sure your decks are patient enough to wait for such a beautiful place :)
DeleteYour altar looks beautiful, Ellen! And it's good that you are enjoying having your decks both as symbols of the doorway to the divine, and as cards easy to reach.
ReplyDeleteFor myself, I always prefer to have my cards in bags. They're very quick to get out of the bags, but it is that little bit extra protection. Especially as right now even my altar is locked away in a book cupboard, because otherwise my Little One grabs things off it and scrunches or eats them (or both)! *eek* ;)
Ha ha I can imagine if you have Little One running around the house doing everything he isn't supposed to, I would my put my precious decks somewhere safe too. But my girls don't eat my cards anymore so they are perfectly safe :)
DeleteGood to be reminded that phase will end :D Hopefully one day he'll buy me decks for my birthday, and do readings himself, too, like M!
DeleteLovely set up. I especially like that little owl sitting in the left corner. I've attempted to set my own station up, but everything has to be put up between readings. My kitties just love playing with my cards and crystals. So far, I've been lucky for them not messing anything up. I should lay everything out and grab a photo for my blog, one day. As for decks of cards, mine are mostly on a shelf and in a few wooden boxes, all in my work 'writing' room. It would be nice to have them laying accessible around the house, but I'd be too worried about prying hands and negative energy transfers. Again, great setup.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cher. Your little kitties might loss there interest some day. But until then your decks will be safer in boxes I presume. My altar setup changes very frequently and for know this is working for me. I would love to see your picture, one day :)
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