5 Tips on Connecting with Your New Deck

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If you have purchased a new deck recently or there is a deck in your collection that you just can’t seem to connect with, try one (or all) of the tips below to help you develop a closer relationship with it.


Tip #1: Look at the images.

I realize that this might sound silly, but often we pick up our decks and use them immediately without really examining each card because we already know the general meanings. Every deck has its own nuance, personality, and flavor that it brings to the readings we use it for. Taking time to sit with each card and really look at the imagery that's been used will help you to see that card through a slightly different lens.


Tip #2: Journal about each card.

There are several different websites that offer journal prompts for tarot cards. I will list a few of them below. Doing these exercises will help you to really connect to the cards. They can also often help you see how they have played out in your life and the lives of those around you. Different decks will influence the card meanings, for example, if a normally cheerful character appears crabby or a card that usually looks inviting seems off-putting with a certain deck’s artwork.


Tip #3: Read the Guidebook.

Because we know the generic meanings of the cards we tend to put the guidebook aside and dive right into working with our new deck. If we are trying to connect more closely with a specific deck though, it’s important to read the guidebook to get more insight into what the deck creator was thinking while they created the deck. You may find that some cards have different intentions behind them than the way you're used to interpreting them. Guidebooks can help our intuition along as well. Seeing keywords that are out of the norm can spark our intuition to gain a new understanding for particular questions or situations. 


Tip #4: Do a Deck Interview Spread.

If you are looking for a quick and easy three-card spread you can ask the following questions:
  1. What are your strengths as a deck?
  2. What types of readings are you best at?
  3. What card best describes your personality?
Another great spread is one I got from Katey Flowers. You can find that video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKJ3gUAuA5c 
    1. What are you here to teach me?
    2. How would you describe yourself?
      1. How do you see me?
        1. How can I best work with you?
          1. What are your strengths as a deck?
            1. What are your weaknesses or limitations?
              1. What is the potential outcome of our time together?
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              Tip #5: Do a Deck Meditation or Visualization.

              I often find that meditating with a tarot or oracle card helps me to more clearly understand its meaning. Start by choosing a card, sit comfortably (eyes open, focusing your gaze on the card you have chosen), and take deep relaxing breaths. Visualize yourself stepping into the card scenery. Look around, take in what you see. How do you feel about the scene you’ve entered? Do you notice any sounds or smells? Are there any figures in the card that you can interact with? What do they say or do? Once you have spent time exploring the card, bring your focus back to your breath and then to your physical body. Take time to journal about any discoveries you have made.


              Comment below if you tried any of these techniques and if they helped you connect more closely with your deck.

              <3 Charis

               

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