Deck Collections | Tarot in Practice #3 with @Lisa_Papez

[@paperstorycraft]

And here my friends are making me feel bad for my collection of 40 (I thought it was more like 10). I keep my spreadsheet manual (aka bujo). I track differently. I track more about why and what I do with the deck vs details about the deck. So I have a column for when I received it, my photo of deck, bag/box dedicated, interview spread + photo, scrapbooked, and lastly workings.

[@Zullala]

Edit: oh, I should have continued the play the video while writing this because ya'll already had this idea haha You can definitely still do a small, curated, individual, slice of who you are collection. Just set up a little space for said collection. Maybe a small shelf on your desk or even a shoe box. Then visit your large collection and pretend you are at the store. Really take your time perusing the decks and feeling them. Once you have found the one then "make your purchase" and take it to that special area where the deck will be kept. You can play with that deck and pretend like it's the only one you have. Then when you're ready go back to your big collection and "shop around" again. Do this until you have 5-10 decks that tell your story. You might even want to write down which aspect you're trying to communicate about yourself before going to your big collection. And as you change as a person you can return certain decks to your big collection and take others out. Plus you can still add to your big collection whenever you want too. Just an idea anyway ^^

[@cheezwiz7010]

This is a wonderful way to spend more time with decks that may have gotten lost among newer purchases!

[@Lisa_Papez]

I enjoy these conversations so much!

[@straycat4427]

I LOLed so much when Dawn said "it's not a motorcycle". Same! The price of my decks will never add up to one motorcycle let alone the several that my husband owns. Love this series! Thanks for sharing the fun with us!

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I’m always going to win that game so I’ve got no worries there hehe.

[@straycat4427]

@@DawnMichelleTarot Ha! Isn't that the truth! My husband doesn't say a word when another deck comes in. He's knows better😀

[@FloraSprout]

My husband is very musical- it's instruments galore in our house. Mostly banjos! He just dropped 1200 on a new banjo, he doesn't ever give me crap about buying decks haha.

[@GardenGoddessTarot]

Lets get Dawn Michelle to 500!! Woooo! This chat felt great and really put an enriching lens on the way tarot shows up in our lives for us! Thanks, both of ya! xx

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I need to update my spreadsheet, I think I’m really close! 😆

[@SamWithWheels]

I love this conversation!

[@Peekaboorose]

Loved this convo so much, ladies♥ Cheering you on in reaching 500, Dawn!🏆 For the honor of Grayskull!⚔

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

That so made my day! 🥰

[@ladysmall9853]

This is delightful to have on while I do pairing flip throughs with the Decks of Many Things & Things.

[@cheezwiz7010]

This was such a great discussion ladies! I am an avid collector who only got started a few years ago, and it was honestly the artwork that hooked me. I had dabbled in tarot in the late 90's, early 2000's with mass market decks, and then put it aside and forgot most of the card meanings. Cut to about three or so years ago, and my interest was re-ignited by the simultaneous discovery of stunning indie decks and the wold of Tarot KZbinrs! I loved how you described acquisition as a trickle, and then a raging waterfall! I try to justify my purchases by the following: I may not be able to afford an original canvas from an artist, but I can budget for a deck - in fact, a mini gallery in a box! I'm not buying drugs, or blowing money on designer purses or shoe collections. This is my indulgence, and happily it touches on so many areas of interest for me: art, history, art-history, psychology, storytelling, the unexplained. I'm thrilled to be continually introduced to gifted artists and the thoughtful folks like you who work with their creations and share their thoughts online. Thanks for articulating this so well in your chat!

[@HazelJaneTarot]

I relate to this. I see it as an art collection too. I love hand painted decks. I also have a special interest in irish decks. And some I have just to have. But mostly to use. I think I've reached peak deck for me though.

[@cheezwiz7010]

I'm getting to that point myself - I'm trying to curtail my purchases, but I do have a couple of indie decks from favourite creators on pre-order right now. My space is limited, so I do need to put the brakes on! There's always something that catches my eye!@@HazelJaneTarot

[@StevieScarlett]

I completely agree. This is my justification as well; it’s a mini gallery of curated art all to your taste. Your own little museum that connects with so many parts of life (religion, divination, psychology, history, etc).

[@cheezwiz7010]

@@StevieScarlett That's one of the things I enjoy about Tarot - it touches on so many areas of interest!

[@annelyle5474]

Another spreadsheet fan here! 😂 I have all my decks in one sheet, but I use other tabs to note deck families, pairings I want to try, mods, etc. I have a few "collectible" decks, e.g. a vintage copy of Tarot of the Cat People, as that was the first modern deck I ever bought (sadly lost in one of many house moves) - I have a more recent printing as well, that I modded and use regularly. Though I do blame the two of you for the current size of my collection! (Just kidding. Sort of.) Thanks for the interesting discussion ❤

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

Hehe I’ll take some blame for that, I don’t mind. 😊

[@arynnoctavia]

I look at collecting tarot a lot like collecting vinyl. I listen to my records, and I use my tarot decks. I’m actually learning the official RWS system for the first time right now. It’s weird, because I’m 43 and I grew up with my mom’s RWS in the house, but she had long since lost the box and booklet it came with. I grew up looking at those images and forming my own feelings about the cards, because the cards were all I had to go by. That was pre-internet, of course.

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

That’s so cool! I didn’t learn the official RWS until after I’d been reading tarot for many years too. I actually think it’s a great way to approach it! 😁

[@gretchenrussett2755]

I love watching you guys together! You mesh well!!

[@XsTarot]

Wow now I need to do a spreadsheet too!! Hahaha. This video is so great!! Greetings from Argentina!! ❤

[@IndigoC333]

30 decks in 6 months? Sounds like my first 6 months into tarot and oracle! 😂 So glad I had your videos (and a few other KZbin creators) to help me make my selections - I still love (almost) all of those 30 decks. But I’m definitely slowing down on purchases now…maybe 😅

[@NicoleACottageWitch]

Yeah I definitely got a few mass market ones to try that aren’t really for me when I was just starting out. Now I’m starting to be more selective and choose more indie decks.

[@jennathewitch9061]

I really identified with Lisa about having some great decks years ago that I gifted, sold, or threw away. I wish I had them back but they are unavailable. Or like Dawn, some decks with sentimental value that I let go and it would feel wrong to repurchase them.. Thanks for the conversation.

[@jenniferkenney502]

Love you both ladies! Quick suggestion for Dawn Michelle who seems like she may be keeping 2 deck spreadsheets. (Ignore if you already know this). If you use Excel to track your decks you can easily switch between tracking by date, title, author, etc. using the Sort function. Select the entire spreadsheet then choose the Data tab, Sort (in the Sort & Filter group), under Column in Sort By box select the 1st column you want to sort by (then 2nd etc. if sorting multiple ways), then under Sort On chose the type of sort you want (A-Z, Z-A, Lowest to Highest Number or vice versa, etc).

[@anne111963]

Oh thank you soo much Jenniferkenney502

[@kim.elisa1]

Spreadsheet 🤩 and Libib. One sheet tarot, one sheet oracle (which means everything else), also transfer ones I sell over to another sheet. Headings are; all the deck info, date of purchase. Also categories/themes (that took awhile to do). Alphabetised. Price only if bought second hand. I'm with Lisa, I do not want to look at that total! And I definitely don't want my husband looking at that total. 😆

[@bonniehalford1329]

Thank you for all the work you put into your videos ladies. I enjoy both of your channels. This was an interesting conversation. ❤

[@LaLaLonna]

I want Dawn's Shera shirt so bad!! ❤❤❤ Love the spreadsheet convo! I don't have enough to have a spreadsheet. I think I have about 15-20 Tarot decks and about 25-30 Oracle/etc...decks. I have way more books than tarot decks. That's my biggest "collection" My favorite seasons are Spring and Fall. I feel the most energy during those seasons. Everything is either bursting to life and growing or its fading away and dying.

[@Christa.Chronicles]

loved this conversation!! towards the end when you talked about loving how so people have smaller collections that really capture who they are- I wonder if it could be a fun challenge to create mini collections from the larger collection to even just capture a current sense of self. Definitely something i’m going to have some fun thinking about!!😊

[@Christa.Chronicles]

HA should’ve watched 5 minutes more before commenting because Lisa totally said that idea, but still so fun! I think it could be an awesome exercise

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

That would be a fun tag or something! 🥰

[@NicoleACottageWitch]

I loved this conversation and I love collections - books, decks, rocks, sticks, crafting supplies, plants, herbal tea supplies, family history things - my apartment is not for minimalists! I actually started a deck spreadsheet as I was listening to this! And re: nerdy decks, the Lord of the Rings Tarot by FickesArt arrived today and it’s wonderful.

[@GringaGringa123]

I use my notes app split up between mass market decks I own, indie/oop & other (Lenormand,oracle,playing cards). Different emojis to describe my feelings and if it’s on its way out or if it’s never leaving and I’ll curse the next owner when I die (jk)😂. I include the artist & year of print. Then my wishlist is divided the same. Since my birthday this year, my wishlist is down below 20!!! Yay Tarot!!! 🎉❤ I hope everyone gets some of their unicorns this year!!!! Edit: Also, Dawn Michelle and Lisa definitely are def collectors but they both show so much of their process of deciding how they want to approach adding a deck into their collection and letting decks leave on to another home. I would disagree with anyone who says they promote buying all the decks just to consume. Like I think I’ll personally cap out at some point and then maybe get one deck every 6 months or so after I hit my dreamie list

[@JunkJournalTreasures]

Great chat, always so interesting! With my 8 decks, Im a ways off from having a spreadsheet, lol...but fun hearing about yours. TFS 😍

[@seven-mt2yz]

I have 150 ish decks and even though I only buy decks I know I’ll want to use one day, I don’t use them all often and actually still have many I’ve never used yet and I’m fine with that. Sometimes I just like to play with them so I like a variety of cardstock or look through them like an unbound art book, but I also have a lot of decks that I don’t think would actually be possible to replace especially some of the fandom decks that I have never seen anyone else talk about like Hannibal and Pacific Rim so I just learned to be ok with the idea that I can’t possibly use all of my decks all of the time and that doesn’t mean I need to feel guilty or get rid of some

[@bjrg832]

I feel like I’m getting better in narrowing down What kind of decks I’m jus attrackted to vs. Decks I’ll actually pull out and use. Ofcourse every year, a few decks speak to me on the screen but not on my table. But I’ve definatly let go of fomo and that has helped me bring in decks I really like instead of just bringing in pretty decks.

[@jennylynrachel]

Dawn Michelle.. Please show us all your collage deck in one video! 🙏

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

It would be a long video as I have a ton of them, but it would a fun one! I’ll make a note of it. 🥰

[@jennylynrachel]

I would love to see every one! I've exhausted the search phrase "collage tarot decks" and would love to see a wide range of decks compared! Thanks for taking note. Love watching you and Lisa both and together is so much fun!

[@persnickety369]

I use the Libib app to organize my decks and books. Now I'm thinking about a spreadsheet. 🤔😎

[@elementsoftarot]

I loved this discussion! I related to so many points. Great job, ladies!

[@InnerMagpie]

Easter/Ostara that will be what I buy next along with Yuletide

[@AmethystAscensionTarot]

This was a wonderful conversation ladies. Thank you for sharing.

[@amyhuston7243]

I'm so glad I popped in and watched this. It spoke directly to my current experiences with my tarot collection and I have been thinking a lot about organizing things in a way that makes sense. Being neurodivergent, I have a really hard time with organization and I find myself rearranging things for hours on end. This was super enlightening. Love you ladies! Oh I forgot to mention that the last part about shaming for buying too many decks ... I've gone through that myself. I'm glad to hear you say not to shame yourself about it and to know that others have had that experience.

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I think we’ve all been caught in that shame cycle, it’s nice to know we’re not alone but we definitely shouldn’t beat ourselves up about it either. 😊

[@ginashuler1893]

Fun convo! I am going to hit 500 too Dawn! haha

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I need to get an update count soon cause I’m so close! 🥰

[@crazybunnylady]

About the Samhain/Yule decks thing: I always feel like the odd witch out because my absolute favourite time of the year is midsummer/Litha! It's such a big thing for us Nordics, we have so many traditions for it that have survived to this day. I have a couple of decks in my collection that give me those magical midsummer feels, but honestly those kinda decks are pretty hard to find, so I am always on the look for more!

[@ellensentanglementtheory]

A treat to view 😁

[@SomethingStartsRingingTarot]

Great video! Loved listening to this discussion! 🤩 I may need to start a Tarot spreadsheet! Love that idea! I have 22 decks atm, but starting that organization now will be invaluable when my collection inevitably grows!

[@heatherloomis7255]

Dawn Michelle I love your sheets shirt I need one. I miss that series.

[@persnickety369]

Shout out to the She-Ra shirt! 😎👍

[@ClementiasCardsandQuests]

Well that was thought provoking. It makes me want to run to my laptop and rethink the categories on my collection spreadsheet, which are pretty generic and maybe could be more personally meaningful. This is the first time I've ever considered acquiring decks as a quest. Going to spend more time with that thought!!!!

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

Hehe it’s the best quest!! The loot is fantastic. 😊

[@nataliewinters6735]

Lots of fun 😊 I always need to take a deep breath when someone asks me "How many decks do you have now?" P.S Loved Super Mario back in the day 😂

[@rifflinthemind.5793]

I have 15 tarot decks, 1 lenormand, 1 oracle and a deck of playing card decks, I keep a written list in my Modern Witch journal that has a list page section for decks.

[@khan7459]

That's cool! I have about 20, and then a handful on my wishlist, but honestly, how many do I really use? 5!!! They give me everything I really need (instead of what I think I need after basically every YT video. An occasional Media abstinence is helpful to recalibrate my practice to my own self and needs, and that's also when my "need" for more decks usually decreases.

[@juliewood6270]

Hello ladies!!!! This video is EVERYTHING for me right now!!! I have really been struggling with everything you both discuss in this video! I am in the middle of creating an inventory list of my decks on my Chromebook. I track price because I have a terrible memory. If I want to sell one day, I will have an idea where to start. I have started an inventory on Libib and I have also started an inventory on my Chromebook. Not sure which direction I will head in. I think my overall collection is around 250 like Lisa. I have decks that I only use in certain seasons, As you mentioned, I have decks that I only use during fall / Halloween / yule. I also have decks I like to use during the spring/summer months. Other categories include Goddess/shadow work decks and healing decks. I am an empath and a highly sensitive person. I have quite a large collection of both tarot and oracle decks geared toward the healing aspect. I just love them all!!! I am 57 years old and I am so done with summer UNLESS I am on a beach sipping a cocktail!!! If I am not on vacation, I would rather skip right over summer!!! Our weather has changed so much in the past several years also! Those 90 degree days aren't for me!!! Lisa, I so agree with you about only owning a few decks gives you the chance to form a deeper relationship with those particular decks. For me, this would be the Light Seer's MM deck. This deck was my very first tarot deck and it is my go-to deck because it just speaks my language and how I view the world. Because I only had this deck for a while, I really dove in and got to know it on a soul level. YES! Dawn, I will reach for a particular deck to help shift my mood as well!! This is one particular area specifically where Tarot and Oracle have helped me heel so much! Tarot and oracle have taught me that it is OK to feel! It is ok not to be ok. I am so grateful for these tools that have helped me get to know myself on such a deep level and to literally love myself! SAME! SAME! SAME Lisa!!! My fantasy self is a minimalist, but my actual self is certainly not!!! I do really appreciate organization because it quiets my mind. DECK PARALYSIS! That is exactly where I am at right now! I have to get this collection organized and work out a system for selecting cards to work with because right now I am struggling in that area. Of course being that it is fall, I have my fall and holiday decks ready to go. Other than that, I am a mess! I just have to keep my collection organized in my mind also. I think Simon Harrison of The Hermit's Cave has the largest tarot and oracle collection i have seen! I do not know how many he has specifically. Fabulous fabulous video Dawn and Lisa!! I enjoyed this so much! Such great timing for me as well! Thank you both so much! ***Side note*** Dawn Michelle, I LOVE the wall behind you! Gorgeous!

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

Thank you so much, I am so glad you enjoyed the video. And my wall, I love it too. 🥰

[@molliemcmaker]

4 months in, 20 decks 😬 I am (trying) to be selective and only get what I really really love. I’ve seen many many things that are beautiful and I can appreciate that beauty from afar but it’s not my style/ esthetic so I know I don’t need that. But I also put a list together of the things I want and had planned to only buy 2 decks a month, but then things already on the list go on sale or I see a good deal for a used copy, so I’ve have bought those. 😂. I have two drawers in my desk, all the decks need to fit there, once I run out of space that’s it, I think I can fit a max of 40-50. Also, totally starting a spreadsheet, love me a spreadsheet!!! 😂😂

[@ladysmall9853]

Early comment: I literally squealed in pleasure when I saw this dropped. Also, ya'lls number of decks gives me anxiety!😂

[@Lisa_Papez]

🤣🤣🤣

[@molliemcmaker]

😂😂 same!!

[@Blu-skies]

I paused my Tarot practice during the Wild Unknown craziness. For the longest time I had the 2-3 decks and nothing more because that's what the bookshops offered. I feel like I missed something really special every time I hear about how this deck and its creator changed the Tarot community.

[@khan7459]

Like many other people I never had that deck (and don't intend to have it) and my practice has evolved and developped nevertheless. There are so many great decks out there. As long as the ones you have really speak to you, it's not important to have any specific other deck.

[@Blu-skies]

@@khan7459 you are right. I have 200 decks and I appreciate all. I don’t think I’ll ever be drawn to get the deck but it would have been nice to be a part of such a change in the Tarot community.

[@pyenygren2299]

14:14 I have a small drawer with my six tarot decks and one playing cards deck, and that has to be enough for me. 😉

[@FloraSprout]

I use a notion database. I have a visual Wishlist with links that tracks where the deck comes from, indie vs mass market, price, etc. When I purchase something it goes into a different list that keeps track of what I have and how much my collection is worth. Not that it matters all that much, but I like to know. I think it can be important for insurance if nothing else.

[@FloraSprout]

I also use tags that denote how desired something is (high, medium, low priority) and also why I want it. This ranges from "because I'll use it for x purpose" to "I just want it" lol.

[@TaraIsCozy]

LOVE this collab so much 🥰 I’ve stared tracking my decks on my notion site (which I have linked on my channel). List isn’t complete yet but I like the function of it ❤️

[@intuitivediane]

😂😂😂 .. when she said spread sheet 😂😂😂 made me realise that is one serious collection ❤❤❤. I’m going the opposite. I’m shrinking my collection 😂😂😂😂.

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

really loved this ❤

[@earlyritual]

I am definitely sub-100 in my collection... I try to usually curate my purchasing fairly well. I have been wary of creating a spreadsheet, but I think I am at the point that I kind of need to, but I also buy eurorack synthesizer gear and seeing that total amount spent on a site like modular grid (for tracking synth gear) is so frightening I don't know if I want to know for my tarot decks. 😆

[@InnerMagpie]

Starting out with tarot and oracles, I feel like I am learning to make my tarot sandwich. Just like Lisa says that tarots that hit each space. I do have a problem buying appropriate decks for shadow work and then I don’t even know what types I should add. I have wildwood type decks for green Witcher, but I know that I have gaping holes in the herbal and crystal categories….I have my divine feminine decks which are the only category that I can think of. So anyone can make suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.❤

[@neicyfourtysix]

This is a great series, I find it really interesting. curious? How did you guys evolve, I’ve been playing around with tarot on and off for years, but nothing ever happens in my life, I never know what or how to use tarot to evolve, I’m still stuck at what do I need to know, or what should I focus on, it’s so boring , so I get over it pretty quick .Maybe this may could be a topic to discuss?

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

That’s a big topic for discussion for sure! I tend to use tarot for self reflection and it’s a wonderful tool that helps me focus in on certain areas or practices in my life. That might be a good topic for a larger chat! 😊

[@kelvynmartin8688]

I really love watching you both have a chin wag and talking about a topic I am in love with. Do you girls have more then one deck because you love them so much and your in fear it could go out of print or your original copy may get damaged in some way. Or do you buy a second deck so you can keep it to maybe to sell it later once out of print. I often buy a second deck when I order because getting it to Australia cost the same as the deck itself most times. And if I purchase the second deck it isn't as much to send the second deck. Still it's not cheap at all but I look at it sometimes Like I know I will love this deck so maybe if I get 2nd copy now.... if I divide the cost down the centre it feels like I am not paying as much in a weird way for each deck. I have around 650 decks. No Thoth decks. Just RWS and oracle mainly, a few Lenorman decks but not many, 1 rune deck . Around 80 decks are just put away for collecting in boxes. Just because they mean a lot to me from my child hood. I am currently trying to go through all my decks to see if I want to keep them all or sell some. The only thing is ....that you never get back what you purchased them for. I need to maybe hook up with someone to do trades as I think this would be the best way to go for me. But I really don't know how to go about doing this and this is why I often hold on the decks I don't think I will ever use. Any ideas ladies. Take Care and thank you again for this great video. Terri From Australia 🦘 💜 🇦🇺

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

For me it depends on what deck is it, but for me it’s usually because I want them in different mods. So I have some duplicate decks but they are modified in different ways. For my Llewelyn, I also wanted a backup from the same print run as my original for when I eventually wear that one out. 😊

[@Tdiva-Elly]

Kickstarter has a Zelda deck and a link deck now.

[@UncoverTheBones]

I have an Ostara tarot but I never use it 😂

[@jenniferkenney502]

Lisa…you can always track, but HIDE, the Cost column in your spreadsheet.

[@persnickety369]

What does Dawn mean by, "nerd decks"?

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

Decks with like a gamer, dnd, fantasy, sci-fi vibe. I probably meant more “geeky” decks but I’m a huge fan of all those things. 😊