Second-hand tarot card deck?

[Moon Willow]

Hi lovelies, just getting an idea of how you all feel about purchasing second-hand tarot cards?

We are trying to become a zero-waste household and lessen our impact on Mother Earth so try and buy second-hand items where possible.

I'm a bit of a newbie to tarot and wondering if I did get a pack and cleansed them really well, do you think this would be ok?

Thanks,
MW

[FairyCrystal]

Yes, energetically no problem if you indeed do that and if it feels good to you. The reason mentioned alone will help with this.
For me, it would depend on the state of the deck. If it had been used quite a lot I'd rather have a new one for reasons of hygiene.
But I gather it is in decent state. I have myself purchased a 2nd hand deck like that a few years ago. I can't even recall which one it is, meaning I consider it fully mine.
So again, if it feels good to you, go for it.

[Taking a Break]

as a newbie to tarot i would not recommend you to buy used cards because of their emotional and psychological history, who knows

[Clover]

I have no problem with a second hand deck. There are some decks priced over 60 + I would prefer not to pay full price for. I belong to a group on Facebook where we do exchanges or sell our decks. I personally prefer a very gently, new/used deck. I sold at least 20 of my own decks in the past few months alone and that is what I think is great about owning tarot decks, they are almost always sell able and many times, the value of the deck increases.. A couple of my decks I paid $20 for are now worth 300 +. ( that usually happens when they go out of print)

Also, It's always nice to get to know the people your selling them too. You know the deck is going into good hands. The majority of people I have met don't mind a used deck either, as long as it's in good condition.


I do think its always a good idea to sage and clean the cards, bless them, or do whatever ritual you feel would help clear out the persons energy

[tealily]

I’m hugely non-woo woo and would be totally open to buying a second hand deck :) (provided in good enough quality for me to work with)

TBH, if I did so I wouldn’t even cleanse them, haha (I don’t do anything with my cards other than try to shuffle them before each spread)

I have loads of second hand decks through exchanging. I don't cleanse my decks, ever, and I've never had any 'issues'.

[Sojourner2013]

Originally Posted by Moon Willow

Hi lovelies, just getting an idea of how you all feel about purchasing second-hand tarot cards?

We are trying to become a zero-waste household and lessen our impact on Mother Earth so try and buy second-hand items where possible.

I'm a bit of a newbie to tarot and wondering if I did get a pack and cleansed them really well, do you think this would be ok?

Thanks,
MW

Hi MoonWillow,

My experience with used cards is that there is an energetic impression made on the cards by the original reader. Similar to buying used sneakers. If the previous owner had pronated ankles, the sneakers may look great but will affect how your feet sit in them due to wear and shape of the original owner.

I was gifted a used pack of cards once by a woman who tried to learn them while going through a long, painful divorce. The energy that I could feel on them was not positive or high-vibrational, so I chose not to use them.

I'm sure they could be cleansed, but probably would need to be thoroughly cleansed regularly. Might be easier to get a new deck, energetically-wise.

Best wishes!

[Golden Angel]

Hi MoonWillow, personally I have a few decks that are second hand and had no issues after cleansing them, I tend to hold the deck in my left hand then with my right hand I form a fist and hit the deck of cards to knock out the old energies from the previous owner, I then cleanse them with some sage and use my singing bowl over the deck, and finish by cleansing them with reiki.


Hope this helps.

[Moon Willow]

Thanks everyone for your feedback, if I find the right deck I will give it a try but will cleanse them beforehand.

[Moon Willow]

Originally Posted by Golden Angel

Hi MoonWillow, personally I have a few decks that are second hand and had no issues after cleansing them, I tend to hold the deck in my left hand then with my right hand I form a fist and hit the deck of cards to knock out the old energies from the previous owner, I then cleanse them with some sage and use my singing bowl over the deck, and finish by cleansing them with reiki.


Hope this helps.

Thanks Golden Angel, I do this with my oracle cards as well and it seems to work really well.