DECKS and or CARDS AND HARD HANDLING Tips and Tidbits Part 1

We all have to start some where, even though it may seem we have always known the tarot. You will want to know how/where to acquire your deck, if you do not already have it, and how to care for/handle your deck.

There are many questions that go along with your deck/s; how to evaluate different types of decks, there are hundreds even thousands that are available to choose from. Myself I have about ten different decks. How to use different decks for different purposes there are so many questions. I am sure I can only touch on a few of them.

The answers I give are in the form of reasonable guidelines drawn from experience, rather then rules. I am hoping that it will help you get comfortable with your cards/deck and maybe useful in passing along the knowledge to others.

So let’s get started!


Q: Can I buy my own tarot deck or must they be given as a gift.

A: There used to be a tradition that you should receive your first deck as a gift. Even though this is a beautiful practice, and I even gave my own daughter and two of my daughter in laws their first decks. But all the same it certainly is not required.

This tradition that was started long ago, when tarot cards were almost impossible to find, and back during that time there was only one way to get your own deck really, for someone to give them to you.

Today with so many different types of decks and how easily they are to get. So either way, gifting or buying your deck is proper.

Q: How to choose your tarot deck, when the decks are closed up in the boxes at the store?

A: Tarot decks do have their own energy, so holding the box in your hands will allow you to feel the decks energy and how it speaks to you. Sometimes stores have a display deck that allows you to look through the deck at each card.

Seasoning your Deck

By “seasoning” I mean make it yours, play with them and get to know your deck. Some even sleep with them for a few days. Its not only important to learn the meanings it is important to learn the cards themselves. Study your cards, what symbols are on them, is the water stagnant or flowing, are the cups full or empty, you get the idea.

Protecting Your Deck

You can keep your cards in the original box in which you bought them, but if you use them a lot the box will begin to break down. The cards you use, not the cards you collect, but the cards you read with are your personal, sacred tools and you should treat them as such.

Keeping them in a silk or cotton bag or even a special box will protect them and you will be able to use them for many years to come.

Silk has special qualities that make it a wonderful insulation against ambient energies. I wrap my deck in a silk scarf and then they are put into a small bag. Everyone has their own way of doing this and you will find yours.

Cleansing Your Deck

There are so many ways and beliefs of this subject, there are scores of rituals to also complete this as well. Myself I like it simple; I just feel sometimes less is more, (if someone gives you a deck or buy a used deck, cleanse them and then remember to keep them seasoned.)

My way of cleansing is to smudge it with my sage smudge bundle, white sage is better, waving it around, over and under my cards in a circular motion. Repeat this daily until you are comfortable with the results.

Clearing Your Deck

Before and after doing a reading, it is advisable to clear your deck; it is done quickly and easily. Simply shuffling your cards, until you’re comfortable, clearing your deck will remove any trace of energy from previous readings and prepare your cards for your next reading.


This is all for the moment, be sure to keep an eye out for Tips and Tidbits Part 2. Part 2 will be on meanings and interpretations.
~ MERRY MEET ~

Old Wives' Tales, Traditions or Just Superstition you decide …

If a knife drops, a man will come to visit; if a fork drops, a woman will come to visit.

If a picture falls off a wall, it is a sign of death.

If a bird flies in the house; a death is soon to come.

If you dream of muddy water it is a sign of death.

If you dream about a wedding it is a sign of a birth.

If you dream about a snake; you have an enemy.

If your right hand itches, you will receive money; if the left itches, you will get a letter.

If your nose itches, company is coming.

Don't go outside with a wet head or you will catch a cold.

Don't look at anything scary while you are pregnant or it will mark your baby.

Don't plant potatoes during the dark part of the moon.

Plant your garden on Good Friday.

Don't plant your garden on Rotten Saturday, the seeds will rot.

While pregnant, don't reach higher than your head.

If you sweep under a woman's feet she won't get married.

If you drink coffee it will stunt your growth.

If you cross your eyes they will stay that way.

An apple a day will keep the doctor away.

Hang a dead snake on a fence belly-up for rain.

When the wind is out of the east fish bite the least; when the wind is out of the west fish bite the best.

To keep a cat off your car, put a hat on your hood.

A sneezing cat is a sign of future wealth.
Red sky in the morning, sailors warning. Red sky at night, a sailor’s delight.

It's bad luck to walk under a ladder, or let a black cat cross your path.
There are two ways of stopping a run of bad luck if you walk under a ladder by accident. Cross your fingers and keep them crossed until you see a dog, or spit on your shoe and let it dry.

Breaking a mirror bring seven years of bad luck.

If you open a pocket knife, then you are the one to close it or bad luck will follow.

Hanging a dead wolf on a fence will warn the other wolves to stay away. (You remember that ladies)

Throw salt over the shoulder to dispel bad luck?

An acorn at the window will keep lightning out.

If the palm of your right hand itches it means you will soon be getting money.
If the palm of your left hand itches it means you will soon be paying out money.

You must get out of bed on the same side that you get in or you will have bad luck.

When a bell rings, a new angel has received his wings.

If you blow out all the candles on your birthday cake with the first puff you will get your wish.

If a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune, but if it walks away, it takes the good luck with it.

It's good luck to find a four-leaf clover
.
It's bad luck to pick up a coin if its tails side up. Good luck comes if it's heads up.

To insure good fortune for your baby throughout life, be sure that his first gift is a silver coin.

Place a silver coin yourself into the child's hand. If the child drops it, she/he will have difficulty holding onto money throughout life. (Conversely, if the child grasps it tightly;
she/he will be fortunate with money.) Be sure to remove the coin
from the baby's grasp and carefully save it as the baby's personal amulet.

Don't step on a crack on a sidewalk or walkway. You'll break your Mothers' back.

If you spill pepper you will have a serious argument with your best friend.
A rabbit's foot will bring luck and protect the owner from evil spirits if carried in the pocket.

A rainbow in the Eastern sky, the morrow will be fine and dry. A rainbow in the West that gleams, Rain tomorrow falls in streams.

A horseshoe, hung above the doorway, will bring good luck to a home.

If you sing before seven, you will cry before eleven.

All wishes on shooting stars come true.

Lightning never strikes twice in the same place.

You can tell what kind of husband a man will make by the way he treats his mother.

It's bad luck to open an umbrella inside the house, especially if you put it over your head.

If you make a wish while throwing a coin into a well or fountain, the wish will come true. If you tell someone your wish, it won't come true.

Two people pull apart the dried breastbone of a chicken or turkey until it cracks and breaks, each one making a wish while doing so. The person who gets the long half of the wishbone will have his/her wish come true.

To predict the sex of a baby: Suspend a wedding band held by a piece of thread over the palm of the pregnant girl. If the ring swings in an oval or circular motion the baby will be a girl. If the ring swings in a straight line the baby will be a boy.

Cure leprosy and the plague by swallowing a spider rolled in butter. (Sure!)"

It would be fun to hear some others I have missed.....

~ MERRY MEET ~

Candle Meanings

White
For higher awareness, protection (from the material plane). Used for Centering yourself because you’re not distracted by color; used most often in Meditation for inner peace, Spirituality, and attaining a higher power.


Red
For Pure Energy, creative and physical, releases Passion, Power, Energy, and Sexuality.


Yellow
Used to visualize greater intellect and will. Good when concentrating on creative endeavors. Said to increase psychic awareness and clairvoyance. When trying to expand your imagination, this is a good color to concentrate with.



Green
Used when you are concentrating on finding prosperity, money, and attracting wealth to yourself. Also used by some when they want to concentrate on getting married, have a time of good fortune or getting pregnant.


Orange
Used when visualizing more Creativity in sex. It is a stimulating color and related to healing energies. This is healing for sudden losses or changes.


Blue
Used to concentrate on health, self-expression, peace and tranquility; and greater understanding of those around you.


Purple
Used to stimulate extra-ordinary awareness (psychic powers); Comfort that this has been a color associated with Dignity, Spirituality, and Success its vibrancy attract people to it.


Indigo
Electric in nature, the color is said to increase intuition, Meditation Ability, Spirituality, It is the color of power.


Dark Pink
For finding a pure, gentle, unconditional love now. Also used when concentrating on Spiritual Healing.


Light Pink
For love, especially sexual in nature also used to concentrate on being a woman, Emotions of Love, Romance, and a true shared Spiritual Awakening.


Dark Colors Light Colors
Color with black added brings a darker shade and both the protection of black with the color symbolism. Color with white added brings with it both the color, symbolism and the white purity and protection from corruption.


Black
For protection from physical harm. Good when meditating on the end of something, such as relationship, death of a loved one. Believed to stop negative thoughts and remove confusion.

~ MERRY MEET ~

Herbs for Helping

Okay here is a start with the list of herbs and what they can be used for, as I said in my first blog.

Angelica = Air/Venus - Protection and healing...

Protection, Healing, Attracts the gift of temperance Burn sun-dried herbs while you announce your desire and retain it in your mind.

Candle Magick is also very useful with this herb

Anise Star = Air/Jupiter - Protection, psychic enhancement...

Wear on your person in sachet.
Used often in Aromatherapy.
Used too in dream pillows for a good nights sleep.

Burn while meditating.

Juniper Berries = Fire/Sun - money protection

Money, Protection and Love wishes
Used as an oil to add to the other herbs for increasing money status.
Use a string of the fruit for attracting love.
Burn for magickal protection.

Place over the door to the home for protection against theft and unwanted visitors. Place with valuables to safeguard.

Mandrake Root - Money, wealth, protection...

Sprinkle infusion over windows and doors to protect home.

Carry with silver to bring money.
Wear to preserve health.

This is just a starter list. I have used several of this myself and haven’t found one yet that hasn’t worked. I will work on more to add to this list, but wanted to get this up so anyone needing it could start using it. If you should have a question about something or on something not listed please leave me a comment and I’ll get back to you ASAP.

Of course there are oils that can be used as well, not to mention crystals. There are so many areas to touch on I almost don’t know where to start first, so I have decided to post what comes to mind, let the spirits guide me kind of thing.

~ Merry Meet ~

NET HEADS

What an awesome place. I found that it was not at all what I was thinking. I assumed that it was geared towards kids/teens. But to my surprise it was geared toward everyone.

We had a nice private meeting, plenty of space, plenty of hookups for anything you need, and were waited on hand and foot. I am still very impressed. The gaming type of equipment areas were set up the same way.

I truly believe that if your needing to get work done, kids/teens wont leave you alone, you could easily take your family there and put the kids on the games while you tended to your work. I could easily meet with clients, hold a meeting with several clients while the kids/teens played their games while in your eye sight and leaving you alone to conduct your business and letting you get work done.

Triple thumbs up to NET HEADS!

~ MERRY MEET ~

Foretelling the Future

I have a passion for the Foretelling, i.e. metaphysics, tarot cards and card readings, new age, spirituality, and anything that goes along with all of it. I do believe that God has given each of us a gift, and we must use it wisely.

I have been reading cards for about 30 years now, and find that the more I read the more I learn. I want to start sharing some of what I have learned here, and I hope it will help others to learn or at the very least ease some fears.

I use 2 types of decks, my tarot deck and a regular deck of playing cards. Each gives a different type of reading. I am learning a couple of other decks and hope to be able to tell you about them soon.

I am also working on a page of "Herbs," to help you with everyday things.

I hope you will bear/with me and we can all learn something new! I hope to learn much more from you then you will ever learn from me.

~ Merry Meet ~