All,

I have a tarot deck, my first one, that I bought when I had no real clue about the Path and I didn't know that I should have researched and really bonded with the deck. Â*(I just bought the first deck I saw.) The same with a set of Runes. Â*

Anywho, I don't use it (them) and was wondering the proper method or suggestions for "retiring" the deck/runes. Â*Or perhaps finding another use for them?

Thank you.

Mazama Moon

It depends if you just want to pack them away, thank them for all their help, cleanse them, wrap them in a cloth and pack them away. or give them to someone, or bury them. there by returing them to the earth. Just my opinion, but I hope it helps.
Oshun

Frankly, I still have every deck I ever bought stored away in a fancy old trunk. Â*But, if you really don't want to keep it perhaps you could give it away to someone who does want it.

Before you pass it on however, clear the deck by putting all the cards back in order, thank it, bless it and release it. Â*The same for the runes although you can't really put them back in order. Â*I don't see a problem with selling them either if you want to.

If you feel the need to destroy them, I would suggest burning them. Â*Dumping them in the trash just doesn't feel right. Â*Although I do have a couple cards that I have put in picture frames for a time, I eventually returned them to their "family". Â*Doing crafts with them doesn't seem dignified somehow. Â*But as always that's just my opinion.[smile]

All, I agree...I could not just throw them away. Thanks for the advice. I was contemplating framing the cards/runes or doing something creative, but yeah, that didn't seem right either.

Thanks for your help!

Blessed Be,
Mazama Moon

Keep in mind the Tarot is a tool that must be respected. The Tarot is a device in which we use to communicate in order to divine nothing less.

If you would like, you still have a chance to "bond" or "" the deck before you act hastily. You could place the deck in its order and then cleanse it, as if you are starting from a clean slate. To "" my deck I like to sleep with a different card under my pillow each night and then finally with the whole deck. After that, I perform a ritual to dedicate the cards into my service and care.

If you do wish to let them go follow the same cleansing instructions and pass them on to someone else. Just because you do not want them should not mean they could not serve someone else. I do not feel cards should be burned unless they are so worn out that they really are not decent to use any more. Then I would hold a ritual just to honor and thank them for their service.

Just my opinion. Here is your grain of salt.

Dear BBG,

Don't worry, I won't act hastily. I don't have the means to privacy to perform the "Last Rites." Right now, they are still wrapped and stored with the other decks...I have started to acquire a lot of decks recently (for the art, of course) [smile] and perhaps if no one can find use for them, then I can still keep them as my first ever tarot deck which led me to my Path...They are hard to part with for that reason...we shall see.

I do appreciate everyone's input.

Blessed Be,
Mazama Moon

I hear you Mazama. I had exactly the same thing. An old deck; my first deck. They sat at the bottom of my camphorwood chest for aeons, because I had moved on; but it didn't feel right just to unceremoniously "dump" them. So down in the dark recesses they lay.

Now though, they have found a new life. I now use them as a teaching tool.

Maybe you should consider tucking your deck/runes away too Mazama Moon. You never know what the Universe has in store for you in twenty years time [wink]

In light and love

You can keep it around to do tarot meditations or something. I have little lucite stands that are a good size, so sometimes I'll take out a card or two, stand it up on my altar, and meditate on it. Or I'll simply display say, The Moon, or The High Priestess, on a simple lunar altar.

You can also do the old "card a day" thing. Every morning, ask the Universe what you need to know that day. Choose a card and carry it with you all day long. Stay observant, and check to see if any of that card's symbolism pops up in interesting ways.

Anyway, these are some of the things my friends and I do with decks that we don't really read anymore, or with decks that are missing cards. I wouldn't recommend throwing them away or giving them away. I think you might kick yourself for it later. If you really think you won't be using them for a while, cleanse them, wrap them nicely, and store them in the bottom of a closet or something. How much space could they possibly take up?

I felt the same about my very first deck, which was stolen from me. I was heart broken but hopefully they will help someone else find the way.

My deck that I am using now, I feel really connected to. I think that's why we are so hesitant when it comes time to move on to a new deck. We bond with the cards, we pretty much treat them as "pets." Well respected "pets" of course, even though they are just a tool. Funny, huh.

Artemis and Safyre, the more I thought about it, the more I knew I would kick myself later. Actually, I did pull them out of storage as a learning tool. They are simple, basic cards with two or three key symbols and they are helping me learn (and post what they tell me in this forum). So I guess I answered my own question. My husband has been hounding me--that I am a pack rat--"Why do you keep things if you don't use them?"--So I will name all of you in my defense [smile]. I think mostly I felt guilty for not using them....(didn't want to neglect my "pet!")

But thanks ALL for responding! To most, they would just be a deck of cards/rocks.

Blessed Be,
Mazama Moon