How I Connect With My Decks (deck bonding tips)

Join me for a chat about how I get to know and bond with the new decks in my collection and reconnect with old favorites. I’ll share with you my 11 tips for connecting with your deck!
1. Flip through the cards
2. Walkthrough the deck and read the guidebook
3. Discover what cards resonates and what I resist
4. Have a “conversation” with the deck
5. Lay a few sample readings
6. Determine where it fits in my collection
7. Find decks to pair with it
8. Use it for daily/weekly readings & prompts
9. Modify my deck
10. Create a home for my deck
11. Make a journal for my deck
DECKS FEATURED:
Modern Spellcaster's Tarot - amzn.to/32Wjefv
New Chapter Tarot - amzn.to/3mcWaoY
Botanical Inspirations - amzn.to/2OmDwIe
Earth Wisdom Oracle - amzn.to/3hQQRXW
ALSO MENTIONED:
How I Study a Tarot Deck - • How I Study a Tarot Deck
Deck Study book - dawnmichelletarot.com
How I Work With The Moonchild Tarot - • How I Work With The Mo...
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This video is for entertainment purposes only and intended for audiences 18 and over.

[@sarahsolomon9074]

I just found this little gem of a video 🧡 I thought I’d share my quirk with a new deck 😊 It’s nothing extravagant, I just shuffle them for a couple of weeks but I make sure to shuffle when I’m in every mood. Happy, sad, frustrated, spaced, excited and so on. I like to think that the deck needs to know all my sides before I start diving in right away. I also find shuffling cards ground me. 🧡 Have a great day!

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

That is a wonderful idea! I love connecting with it every mood so it knows all your flavors. :)

[@Karmakat5812]

This comment was helpful in a way you could never understand. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@sarahsolomon9074]

@@Karmakat5812 you are most certainly welcome 🤗 smile it looks good on you!

[@yiotanikolopoulou6247]

Oh my, laughing so hard at "even pretend that you are doing it for youtube". I always do that when I walk through a new deck. I imagine that I am a famous tarot-tuber, Dawn Michelle or Lisa Papez style. Great tips. Thank you so much.

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

Hehe that's awesome! I used to pretend I was Kelly from the Truth in Story. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@thrivingselfcarerenee]

The first question I ask a new deck is "What do I need to know about working with you as a deck?" I draw 1-3 cards. Super simple mini deck interview. 😊

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I love the super simple mini deck interview, sometimes less is more! 🙂

[@nathaliaalaniz1669]

is this a good question to ask as a brand new reader?

[@thrivingselfcarerenee]

Reading the entire big guidebook for every deck I get has always seemed overwhelming. I love the idea of just focusing on the information about the artwork of the cards and ignoring (at least temporarily) the divination meanings. This really resonates with me as a more experienced reader. I also like the resonate/resist type of practice too. I think I'm going to try to do that more often.

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I found it really helpful, because as much as I enjoy the guidebooks, I get a little tired reading the same info over and over again. Sometimes it's just easier to break it down into the essentials of what I need. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@ailsaek477]

The resonate-resist sorting is a great idea. I’m going to do that with some of my decks I haven’t touched in a while.

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

It's one of my favorite (and most helpful) practice I do with my decks. It really helps me to see where I'm at with a new deck and then to come back to see how things have changed with an old one. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@HazelJaneTarot]

This is a tremendous video. So much good learning here in HOW to with tarot. I'm feeling very inspired by this. Thank you x

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

Thank you so much, I am so glad that you enjoyed it and found it helpful! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@JessicaandtheMoon]

I loved this video! It was really cool seeing how you approach a new deck. I especially loved the separation into love/ like/ resist piles. I’m going to try that.

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I am so glad you enjoyed it! I found the resonate/resist to be a really helpful practice with a lot of my decks. Let me know how it works out for you. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@analuisahering2043]

Great tips and insights, Dawn, thank you !!! ❤️🙂 I also go through all the cards as soon as I get a deck but it's for a more practical reason (always check if there are no cards missing or damages to the deck).

[@moonbabe612]

That’s a good idea. I never thought of that for the brand new ones. I did get a couple from a friend and I counted those to make sure they were all there.

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

Very good point! I do that as well just forgot to mention it as a point. 🙂 Thank you for reminding me and for watching! ❤️

[@thrivingselfcarerenee]

I do the same. There's always the chance of missing or misprinted cards.

[@Dubhaltagh]

what helps me is to sleep with my deck underneath my pillow so it can learn more about my subconscious and who i am as a person for a few weeks before using it

[@artsartemia4426]

I do the same thing and at first I wondered if I was normal or what but then I realized that the deck of cards wanted to connect with me. While I sleep with the cards I feel a sense of peace and joy. It's like having a baby animal, something alive, I can't explain better

[@Dubhaltagh]

same! i feel like i can sense if the cards are alligned with me or not and if i dont get that feeling i will cleanse each card with palo santo and put the deck back under my pillow until they feel 'right' @@artsartemia4426

[@katedwards3528]

A while back, actually, a long while back, I saw your video on the Tarot of Transformatio deck and I absolutely fell in love with it. I'm beginning to use it now... finally. I am in the exploration stage for that deck. I also recently purchased the Tarot of the Great Outdoors Deck so that I can take it with me when camping or on motorcycle trips. This video has ben extremely helpful. I've had many tarot readings over the years, but now I'm beginning my journey towards learning to read. I'm excited to begin this exploration process. 🤩

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

How exciting! I hope you enjoy your tarot adventure! 🥰

[@liuyun1856]

Wow! Didin't realize there're so many ways people can do to connect with their decks. Tip 3, 4, and 5 are particularly inspiring to me, and tip 3 being the most attractive one. Examing the cards we like\dislike definitely offers a chance to look into the hidden dreams\fears we have about ourselves and life. Another great way for self-exploring :) Thank you so much for the in-depth sharing on the topic!

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I am glad you enjoyed it! I love exploring different ways to connect with my decks. Thank you for watching. ❤️

[@k.hudson4610]

I've been watching your videos all week and learning so much thank you for sharing your wisdom!!!

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I am so glad you are enjoying them! Thank you so much for watching. :)

[@KellyBear-og7yd]

Wowww this was really helpful to me! I have been buying some decks lately that were just so beautiful and have not given myself enough time to connect with them. I don’t read tarot for a long time yet so I was wondering what could help me connect better with the decks that I have now. Well, there are so many helpful tips here I can use, so thank you so much 🙏😊 Btw when I get a new one delivered and opened it, I always must see all of the cards too, that first moment is so magical 🥰

[@Dyeguy117]

Really neat video. I’m super brand new to Tarot and I’ve been hearing a lot about, working with decks and journaling and I have had no clue what any of this actually means. You put it into some really good terms and ideas; granted I know everyone’s practice is totally different, but this gives me some good ideas on how to do so.

[@MysticalEmpowerment]

Really great tips! I do most of these and others I'd like to try. My first step is always to go through each card one by one when I get them out of their packaging. First to see if the cards are damaged or if any are missing, and also to look at each card to see how it makes me feel. Thanks for sharing! ❤️🙂

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I kinda forgot that important part of making sure the cards were all good, I totally do that as well. Thank you for mentioning it! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@annelyle5474]

Really helpful! I'm prone to being a bit OTT and wanting to do a deep dive on every deck that has a big guidebook, so this pared-down version will help me to get to know those decks without having them turn into Projects with a capital P!

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I totally know that feeling! I wish I had the time to deep dive into every single deck I own. I do hope you enjoy incorporating some of the techniques. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@theexploracle]

These are great tips! I have a lot of decks I need to "bond" with, and so far I only do the card flip through and sometimes the deck interview, or simple mods. I don't really think I have the patience (or skill) to do a full deep dive for my decks so these tips are perfect for me. I love the resonate-resist tip the most!

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

I would still read stuff like "deck maintenance" because even though I already know and already have my way of doing things, everybody has different points of view on this so I may learn something new that becomes valuable for me, or I may just broaden my understanding of different ways that others think about these same things. Or it might even remind me of something I had forgotten.

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

That is very true, and I think there's a lot of value in seeing how other people approach things. Thank you for watching. ❤️

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

@@DawnMichelleTarot love your videos. Thank you!!!

[@RoseOracle]

WOW! What a video! Amazing- thank you so much for sharing this. Your journal is gorgeous & I really that deck too. I saved this video and have been using these tips and I love them!!

[@user-cp1vr7sk3n]

Thank you for sharing all these! I will definitely try these with my new decks. I’m excited already 😆

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

How wonderful, I'm so glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@ketchupwitfriesplz7545]

Thank you for your videos! It's really helpful and friendly taking the fear out of the unknown for me. You're awesome.

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I'm so glad you enjoy them and find them helpful! Thank you for watching. ❤️

[@teacat3070]

I remember asking about this subject from you and I am so happy to see that you decided to make a video about it. Such great tips and a perfect timing since I just received a new tarot deck. Thank you Dawn!

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

How wonderful, I am so half that I was able to get around to it just in time for your new deck! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@nico1111nico]

wow this is so helpful for reconnecting and connecting with a deck, thank you ✨

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I am so glad you found it helpful! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@dragorsi]

it's always fun to hear about how others bond with decks, thanks for sharing! :D

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I am so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@hashtagtarot9137]

Loved this video, thank you for sharing.😊😊💙

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I am so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@Tarotmidwife]

You are extraordinary! Such wonderful work which must take hours. Your passion is inspiring 🙏😍

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

Thank you so much, sometimes it does takes hours, but it's time I really enjoy. I am so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@maureenstewart-hodges8766]

Excellent video! Very helpful. Thanks for sharing!

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I am so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@Sarasuati741]

This video is gold but i loved specially your bags❤

[@jeaniemichaels8281]

Love this. Pretty much what I do but, as always, still picked up a couple of new things. Happy New Year.

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I am so glad you enjoyed it and picked up a few new things to try out. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@johannasmk]

Such a helpful video, thank you for making this :)!

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I am so glad you found it helpful! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@dots_explorations]

Thank you Dawn Michelle! Great and extremely inspiring tips 😍I especially like your conversational style of the deck interview. I tried interview spreads before and some weren't as fun as I would like. Definetely will try this type of interview next time.

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

So glad you enjoyed it. The conversation reading is one of my favorites. 🙂 Thank you for watching. ❤️

[@jessapeque1683]

Needed this!!!

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I am so glad you found it helpful! 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@FallingIntoTheBasement]

I’d like to see a video about how one studies an oracle deck 🤔

[@AnnieDusk]

Very interesting!! Using your Tarotbound helps a lot 😉

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

That is so wonderful to hear! I am so glad that you've found it helpful. 🙂 Thank you for watching. ❤️

[@aChannelOfLight]

I really enjoyed watching this and it was so helpful with how to really get to know your tarot decks better. I am still somewhat of a beginner, but not quite. I’ve been learning more for the past year and a half on and off but not steadily like I wish I could. I really think my favorite part of the whole thing was when you talked about having the conversation with the Terrell deck and asking a questions and what it wants to work on and stuff like that that was a great idea! I definitely plan on using your advice and tips from this video from now on when Istart using my decks of tarot and Oracle cards. I wish I would’ve been like most where I just bought like a couple first decks that I stuck with for at least a year before buying like 100 more but too late for that, lol! I just kept trying to find that one specific tarot deck that I felt like I clicked with, and it just seemed like it took forever to find even a couple of them but I just love reading, tarot and intuitively mostly, but I sure do love it when it comes with beautiful guidebook like you have here. I’ve actually thought about getting this specific tarot deck many times and probably will end up getting it eventually.😊 For now, though, I think I’m going to just stick with the ones I have and start to get to know them better like you showed here in this video. Thanks again for taking the time to make this video. It was so so helpful! 😁

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I am so glad you found the video helpful! Thank you so much for watching and I wish you many wonderful blessings on your tarot journey. 🥰

[@kori4580]

My biggest problem is that I haven't read any of the guidebooks of my decks ( and I have heaps) because I just don't have time (I work and study full-time). Sometimes I wonder if I will ever read them :(

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I can totally understand that! It can be a really time consuming process. 🙂 Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@thrivingselfcarerenee]

A compromise could be to use the guidebook when you use the deck for readings for yourself. You may not get to know the entire deck right away, but you'll get some depth for the cards that come up for you in your readings. 😊 I do this a lot because I have limited energy due to chronic illness.

[@katedwards3528]

So glad I found this video this.I love the process. In this video you mentioned making a junk journal for the deck. I was wondering if you had done a flip through video on a deep dive junk journal. A while back I watched your review of the Tarot of Transformation and fell in love. While I've had many tarot readings over the years, this is the first deck I've been drawn to and purchased. I also purchased your Tarotvound guide. I never really felt moved to do much more than look through either until last week. Just finished scanning, resizing and printing all the cards. I love junk journaling and would love any inspiration you would share.

[@katedwards3528]

LOL...Just found the 6 part series you did on a tarot junk journal. Going to watch and get busy!

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

How wonderful, I do hope you enjoy it! :)

[@mlstar1695]

I really have to put all my decks together...

[@catherineraper]

Thanks for this video, I’ve just bought a new deck which is on cats. But I was wondering how to get started with them, I did also buy a couple of books to for guidance.

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I usually recommend for new people to start with pulling a card every day and just journaling about the card (what it's universal meaning is as well as what it means to you.) That will help you get familiar with cards. If you haven't checked out Lisa Papez's Tarot with Training Wheels series, I highly recommend it!

[@catherineraper]

@@DawnMichelleTarot Hi! Thanks for the recommendation, I’ll look for it. :)

[@nataliewinters6735]

Hello there 👋 I know this is one of your older videos, i hope you see my comment. I was wondering if you remember what colour/brand you used for the gold edging on your spellcasters tarot deck it looks so nice. I am hoping to edge my centennial and was thinking gold might look nice (was originally thinking a green to match the backs and then i saw your video 😁). I still can't decide so any good marker or ink stamp suggestions will be much appreciated 😊

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

The Spellcasters was edged in a metallic bronze sharpie... I only remember because I that was one of my first and last attempts using sharpie on a deck. :) Nothing against the marker, the color is great, but the smell gives me a migraine. I think if I were to do it now I would use one of the Brilliance metallic stamp pads instead. I hope that helps! :)

[@nataliewinters6735]

@@DawnMichelleTarot Thank you Dawn, that is very helpful 😊 I will order that this weekend 👌

[@bethanyingles6769]

What patterns do you use to sew the bag?

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I don't really follow too much of a pattern, I kinda made up my own thing. But I did create a video a few years ago on how I make my bags. If you search my channel for handmade bags, you should be able to find it. :)

[@bethanyingles6769]

@@DawnMichelleTarot thank you!

[@greenlimabean]

Your asking the deck how are you today means what, really? You and the deck are one. It's part of you, reflects you. How can it have a feeling of its own?

[@ghxstkxng9903]

Everyone's belief and practice is different. Some view decks as separate entities with their own personalities. Some view them as an extension of the self. Some view them as tools to use. Don't judge or knock down someone else's beliefs just because they don't align with your own.

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

I don't actually believe the deck has feelings it's own, and I'm pretty sure I stated that this was just a fun activity, not be to taken seriously. I find it entertaining, it's cool if you don't. To each their own.

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

It's a good practice to check in with yourself. Also... different parts of "one" might not be the same. Your left hand may have a hangnail and hurt while your right hand feels fine. As humans, we are all one, we are all concerned. Yet we have out own individual experiences. The left hand may not feel the same as the right, and Joe may not feel the same as Steve even though we are all part of one source...

[@terrybeech8791]

Wands are air and swords are fire ? Wrong

[@DawnMichelleTarot]

In some decks they are, I tend to ignore it when they do that and just read it my usual way lol. Thank you for watching. ❤️

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

@@DawnMichelleTarot I find in this deck at least, it doesn't change the meanings. It's just interpreted somewhat differently. (As in I feel that the element of fire is interpreted in such a way that it still lends the same meaning to the ace of swords... it's just a differnt way of looking at it.