Modifying decks to give them new purposes

[Raggydoll]

I know that we have discussed trimming and edging several times before, and I have shared picks in the past of decks that I have modified in different ways. I usually only modify a deck if I feel that it is way too large for my hands or that the borders are truly bothersome (aesthetically). And the edging takes place as a sort of sacred ritual where I adorn my decks. (A bit off topic but I'm adding a picture of my copy of Tarot of the Crone when I was partially done edging it in black. I did that deck in batches and I took my time with each card, to study it carefully and then letting it try over night in the light of the moon. This did not alter its purpose, but it heightened it)

 

But now I want to talk about modifying decks to give them completely new purposes. One of the main being - chopping of the borders (and titles) from a tarot deck to turn it into an oracle. Or chopping of the keywords/titles of oracle cards to make them into intuitive cards.

 

I have become more and more intuitive in the way I read cards these days, and I am using oracle cards more often too. But sometimes I struggle with the keywords that are attached to each card - not because I don't understand them or that I cant interpret them, but because they don't really resonate with me. Plus the feeling and the message I get from each card changes from reading to reading. So when I am doing a very intuitive/psychic reading I tend to reach for decks that have no keywords or that have very versatile titles. (I still use tarot decks and traditional meanings though, especially combined with spreads that make use of specific card positions).

 

Some weeks ago I started trimming a deck that has been sitting on my shelf for quite some time and not getting much use - The Mother Mary Oracle. I bought it because I like to work with the sacred feminine. I like the guidebook and I have used it a couple of times for bibliomancy-type messages that I add to regular card readings. But the actual cards of this deck felt too large for my hands so I wasn't ever reaching for them.

 

Then I decided I would trim them a bit and still keep the titles. I looked at some pictures/videos online of other trimmed copies and realized that I would have to measure each card to make sure that the backs did not look wonky. And I did. It took a while but they looked really lovely. Then I took a break that ended up being a couple of weeks long. Until this morning, when I took the deck out again. I sat with it and was really lost. I didn't feel excited to continue trimming it. So I took another short break and looked at youtube. There I found this video

. It is called Review & Reconstruction of the Mother Mary Oracle.

 

This video was really interesting and it opened me up for new ideas. I didn't feel called to do it exactly the way she had done it (she trimmed all the edges and then wrote key messages on the cards). I realized I in fact wanted no keywords or titles what so ever on these cards. I want to really see them for myself, not through someone else's lens. So this is what happened.... (pictures are in my next post  :thumbsup:)

 

 

 

[Raggydoll]

Here is what the three different versions look like from the front

[Raggydoll]

And from the back (there had to be some compromises here so the roses aren't centered, but I made sure to get rid of the silver border completely, as I really dislike when the old border is partially present).

[Raggydoll]

And this is a close up of the new, intuitive version. I will edge these cards when I am done - perhaps in gold.

[Raggydoll]

Have any of you guys done the same? Or is there a deck that you are considering giving this sort of 'treatment'?  :)) One candidate that I have been contemplating in the past (but that I do not have in my collection) is the John Bauer Tarot. I really like the imagery but do not feel that they work as a part of the tarot system (Maybe I should say that I am from Sweden and that John Bauers artwork were a prominent part of my childhood - in fact I had several reproductions of them hanging on my bedroom wall as a child, plus fairytale books with his illustrations in my bookshelf).

[AJ-ish/Sharyn]

the only tarot I've turned into an oracle is the Gaian by Joanna Powell Colbert

and then I still didn't like it and gifted it on.

 

all the cards were based on the environment/scenery here where I live and I couldn't get past that and into the offerings of the cards.

[Raggydoll]

Yeah, if the actual images are the thing that bother you and not the keywords then no amount of trimming will help  :-\

[Whisper]

You are truly amazing, Raggydoll[/member]!  <3

 

I think I mentioned before that I'm waiting for the Victorian Fairy Tarot but in Russian, since it was the only affordable version I could get. I know that if I trim the bottom to get rid of the gold with the Russian writing on it, it's going to skew the back of the cards, so should I just leave it alone, or would you have other suggestions for me?

 

 

[joy]

Raggydoll[/member] I love what you did! Maybe I can do that with my Power Archangel Tarot Deck which is the only other deck I have and which I do not see as a Tarot Deck at all. Maybe it can become an Oracle Deck. Will look into it.

Do you use scissors or a cutting knife? The roundness looks so neat!

[Whisper]

Raggydoll[/member] I love what you did! Maybe I can do that with my Power Archangel Tarot Deck which is the only other deck I have and which I do not see as a Tarot Deck at all. Maybe it can become an Oracle Deck. Will look into it.

Do you use scissors or a cutting knife? The roundness looks so neat!

 

I bought a great tool for the roundness (one that I've been too much of a coward to use yet, though. LOL).

 

This is the one I bought. It's supposed to be very good, but Raggydoll[/member]'s the expert. [emoji4]

[Raggydoll]

You are truly amazing, Raggydoll[/member]!  <3

 

I think I mentioned before that I'm waiting for the Victorian Fairy Tarot but in Russian, since it was the only affordable version I could get. I know that if I trim the bottom to get rid of the gold with the Russian writing on it, it's going to skew the back of the cards, so should I just leave it alone, or would you have other suggestions for me?

 

When you get it, measure and take pictures. Then we will brainstorm together!

[Whisper]

You are truly amazing, Raggydoll[/member]!  <3

 

I think I mentioned before that I'm waiting for the Victorian Fairy Tarot but in Russian, since it was the only affordable version I could get. I know that if I trim the bottom to get rid of the gold with the Russian writing on it, it's going to skew the back of the cards, so should I just leave it alone, or would you have other suggestions for me?

 

When you get it, measure and take pictures. Then we will brainstorm together!

 

Thank you, my dear.  ((

[Raggydoll]

Raggydoll[/member] I love what you did! Maybe I can do that with my Power Archangel Tarot Deck which is the only other deck I have and which I do not see as a Tarot Deck at all. Maybe it can become an Oracle Deck. Will look into it.

Do you use scissors or a cutting knife? The roundness looks so neat!

 

I use a semi professional paper cutter with a round blade that sharpen itself every time you use it. Regular paper cutters often seem to damage the edges and make them more vulnerable. I have trimmed with scissors but it hurts my hands. I use a corner punch to get round corners, mine is 5mm I believe. That gives a nice subtle roundness that looks more or less identical to what you get with mass produced decks. And I measure a lot. I mark my cards with a thin graphite pen and a ruler. I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to deck modifications to be honest  :))

[Raggydoll]

You are truly amazing, Raggydoll[/member]!  <3

 

I think I mentioned before that I'm waiting for the Victorian Fairy Tarot but in Russian, since it was the only affordable version I could get. I know that if I trim the bottom to get rid of the gold with the Russian writing on it, it's going to skew the back of the cards, so should I just leave it alone, or would you have other suggestions for me?

 

When you get it, measure and take pictures. Then we will brainstorm together!

 

Thank you, my dear.  ((

 

I wish I had that corner cutter! Everyone says it’s so great. I have a version from fiskars and it’s ok.

[Saturn Celeste]

You are truly amazing, Raggydoll[/member]!  <3

 

I think I mentioned before that I'm waiting for the Victorian Fairy Tarot but in Russian, since it was the only affordable version I could get. I know that if I trim the bottom to get rid of the gold with the Russian writing on it, it's going to skew the back of the cards, so should I just leave it alone, or would you have other suggestions for me?

This is the back of the deck:

You would be losing some of the harp.  The back of the deck is what really drew me to the deck in the first place.  I love bluebells and with the harp and greenery, the colors, the style of art, just drew me to the deck.  Just learn the Russian translation for the deck!  The cards are nice the way they are.  And if you'll be making them smaller and I know you like larger sized cards.  But don't let me talk you into anything you don't want!  >:D  O:-)

[Saturn Celeste]

Raggydoll[/member], your talents amaze me!  I am more in awe of you every day!  ((

[Raggydoll]

Raggydoll[/member], your talents amaze me!  I am more in awe of you every day!  ((

 

That is very kind of you  (( This is a bit off topic, but it has been quite healing for me to branch out and express myself creatively in many different ways. I used to think that I only had one real talent (I draw photo-realistic graphite portraits) and for many years that was what I did. People understand art, especially if it’s realistic, so I got a lot of compliments and encouragement. But I started to have higher and higher expectations of myself and it became more about the performance rather than just enjoying the process. But then I discovered more ways of being creative - making jewelry, sewing, cooking and - modifying decks. It brought the fun back! And I was actually looking through my old art folio recently and I was amazed at some of my old work. I got to see it with fresh eyes and not through a nit-picking lens. It felt really good. So now I’m feeling like picking up my graphite pens again. But I’ll keep doing the other creative stuff too, so that it stays fun and balanced!

[Whisper]

You are truly amazing, Raggydoll[/member]!  <3

 

I think I mentioned before that I'm waiting for the Victorian Fairy Tarot but in Russian, since it was the only affordable version I could get. I know that if I trim the bottom to get rid of the gold with the Russian writing on it, it's going to skew the back of the cards, so should I just leave it alone, or would you have other suggestions for me?

This is the back of the deck:

You would be losing some of the harp.  The back of the deck is what really drew me to the deck in the first place.  I love bluebells and with the harp and greenery, the colors, the style of art, just drew me to the deck.  Just learn the Russian translation for the deck!  The cards are nice the way they are.  And if you'll be making them smaller and I know you like larger sized cards.  But don't let me talk you into anything you don't want!  >:D  O:-)

 

You're right, Saturn, especially now that I can actually see the back of the card. It would be an utter shame to spoil it. Besides, when it comes to the translation, the app that I also have will solve that problem.

 

A lot of people have tried, without success. LOLOL

[Whisper]

Raggydoll[/member], your talents amaze me!  I am more in awe of you every day!  ((

 

That is very kind of you  (( This is a bit off topic, but it has been quite healing for me to branch out and express myself creatively in many different ways. I used to think that I only had one real talent (I draw photo-realistic graphite portraits) and for many years that was what I did. People understand art, especially if it’s realistic, so I got a lot of compliments and encouragement. But I started to have higher and higher expectations of myself and it became more about the performance rather than just enjoying the process. But then I discovered more ways of being creative - making jewelry, sewing, cooking and - modifying decks. It brought the fun back! And I was actually looking through my old art folio recently and I was amazed at some of my old work. I got to see it with fresh eyes and not through a nit-picking lens. It felt really good. So now I’m feeling like picking up my graphite pens again. But I’ll keep doing the other creative stuff too, so that it stays fun and balanced!

 

I just knew you had to be an artist, dear Raggydoll!  (( (( <3 So glad you have "found your groove" again. Your soul has been replenished.  <3

[Raggydoll]

I'm bumping this old thread of mine because I have a new example to show you. But first, a bit of a warning. If you are in any way sensitive toward when people drastically modify a deck - especially an out of print and independently published one - then do not look any further!

 

Don't say I didn't warn you  8)

 

So the deck in question is the wonderful Dark Goddess Tarot by Ellen Lorenzi-Prince.  I have had this deck for some time and while I really love the imagery, I have still found that I hardly ever worked with it. So I tried to decide if this was because the deck did not resonate with me, or if it was for some other reason. What I realized was: It is slightly too large (tall) for me to shuffle comfortably (I have issues with my hands and achy joints, which only has gotten worse over time), plus I did not fully resonate with this deck in its tarot form. What I mean is that I really wanted it to have been an oracle deck instead, without those tarot titles at the top. I felt that Ellen had done an incredible job by associating every goddess with a tarot card, so I am not critiquing her choices there. What I did struggle with was the fact that these goddesses now felt a bit constrained and was only showing a certain aspect of themselves. To give you an example; the goddess freya is corresponding with the Lovers card. And sure, that is an aspect of her that many are familiar with. But she is so much more. And the same goes for all those goddesses. I also wanted to work with these cards in a broader sense then just readings (in altar/ritual context) so that was a big factor in my desire to 'unleash' them.

 

I will say that I was able to acquire a second copy of this deck before embarking on this crazy mission. So I have one unaltered deck that will remain in my collection to preserve the original idea and integrity of Ellen's creation. So what I have created here is just for me. And I am not suggesting that anyone else should do it, I am just sharing in case you are interested  ;)

 

I will post several pictures, including some close ups after I finally got around to edging my deck in silver. That added the most gorgeous touch to it. I used a new ink pad for this deck, a shade that I hadn't tried before. And I am loving the results so much that I will not go back to my old one. I will share the details on the edging later too. Bear with me  :heartz:

 

Below you see the finished deck

[Raggydoll]

Here is a comparison of before and after. But I did decide to shorten the final card a bit more than what you see here to give it slightly better proportions (yes I’m picky like that  :)))

[Raggydoll]

The backs. The size difference is very noticeable in my hands and I love it! I measured each card individually to make sure I got it right. This was a tricky one but so so worth it.

[Raggydoll]

Now to the edging..

 

This was done with Tsukinekos ink pad from the Brilliance series. The shade is called platinum planet. I applied generously and then wiped off the excess and let it dry for two days. The result is stunning. And this ink is archival so it won’t damage the cards.

[Raggydoll]

Close up

[Raggydoll]

I know I have said this in the past but since it usually comes up I'll mention it straight away. I trim with a semi-professional paper cutter (one with a round blade that sharpens itself). Plus I use a 5 mm corner cutter. I measure and mark every card with a faint graphite line. I have found that the extra time spent on doing these extra steps is well worth it. That is how you end up with a deck that looks and feels as close to an unmodified one as possible. This was especially important here as most of the images were slightly off center. I used a ruler that measures angles so that the deck does not end up wonky. It took me about 2 days to trim it (I obviously did not sit all day trimming cards, but still, it took some time). And I let the ink from the edging dry for two days. That is just to make extra sure that nothing smears or transfers to my hands afterward. I used a fresh ink pad so had I used an older one I would probably not have had to dry them that long.