Let The Whole Deck Speak

[Barleywine]

Back on AT we had some entertaining discussions about how to handle the shuffling, cutting and dealing of the deck. Other than resorting to pulling cards from a "fan" (where's the mystical charm in that?), I've always found the traditional methods too restrictive as a representation of the the entire deck. Here are a few thoughts on the subject, which will hopefully re-ignite some of the old debate.

 

https://parsifalswheeldivination.com/2019/07/14/cutting-remarks/

[Raggydoll]

Ooh, interesting! I have never been one to cut the deck. I simply shuffle and shuffle (overhand and sometimes I twist the cards around and work them in a messy pile on the table - if I want reversals). And I do it until I get the signal to stop (my signal is a sharp tingling in the forehead). Sometimes I get the feeling, while shuffling, that I need to incorporate reversals or shift my shuffling method because the deck needs it to be aligned. And I don’t second guess it, I just do what feels right at the moment. So with that thorough and seemingly chaotic/intense or intuitive shuffling I feel that the whole deck gets a chance to speak. 

[Barleywine]

3 hours ago, Raggydoll said:

Ooh, interesting! I have never been one to cut the deck. I simply shuffle and shuffle (overhand and sometimes I twist the cards around and work them in a messy pile on the table - if I want reversals). And I do it until I get the signal to stop (my signal is a sharp tingling in the forehead). Sometimes I get the feeling, while shuffling, that I need to incorporate reversals or shift my shuffling method because the deck needs it to be aligned. And I don’t second guess it, I just do what feels right at the moment. So with that thorough and seemingly chaotic/intense or intuitive shuffling I feel that the whole deck gets a chance to speak. 

So in essence they all jockey for position and the ones that need to be read rise to the top of the deck? The cut always seemed kind of superfluous to me, but when reading for others it adds an extra flourish to their involvement. (More "theater of tarot" stuff that has at least a nominal purpose.)

[Eric13]

I would imagine though, that "the cut" itself, goes as far back as tarot does. As if its in someones genealogy. 

[Guest]

Personally, I don't cut the deck. I find that to be more symbolic or ritualistic than necessary and it isn't required to get me into the tarot reading headspace.

I usually shuffle until I feel like the deck has aligned itself in the order where I should start reading and then draw cards off the top. I'll also use the bottom card as a Shadow card for any potential "unknown" factors for the reading.

[Barleywine]

What I call the "theater of tarot" involves the stuff we do to get the sitter into the "reading headspace." I once described it this way in a blog post:

 

"I often talk about the “theater of tarot” as a performance art: the mystique of choosing the deck and the significator, the niceties of properly framing and focusing on the question, the razzle-dazzle of the shuffle and cut, the storyteller’s inspired hocus-pocus of deciphering the cards."

 

Personally, I'm almost always there; it doesn't take any special primping or prompting.

[katrinka]

I do cut.
I generally riffle, and if I happen to glance down at the cards while I'm doing that, I get glimpses of some of them. So, as in poker, there is a practical reason for cutting.
I also cut left handed - not because of the old saw that "you must cut the cards in three piles to the left with your left hand", but because I'm right handed. My left hand has less fine muscle coordination, so it's harder to cheat and put good cards on top or bury bad ones. Then I put the deck back together with the middle stack on top. If I'm on the move with no surface to lay the cards, I grab a section out of the middle after shuffling and put it on top - same effect.
No razzle-dazzle, just pure pragmatism.

 

[Raggydoll]

9 hours ago, Barleywine said:

So in essence they all jockey for position and the ones that need to be read rise to the top of the deck?

Yup. That’s the thought. And it definitely seem to work that way for me.

9 hours ago, Barleywine said:

The cut always seemed kind of superfluous to me, but when reading for others it adds an extra flourish to their involvement. (More "theater of tarot" stuff that has at least a nominal purpose.)

I don’t do any theater stuff. I really don’t have any energy to do it because the psychic part of my readings demand all my focus. I think that for the person who witness my intuitive/channeling sessions then it’s probably a bit theatrical or entertaining because I’ve been told by my dear husband that I look kind of funny when I do them 😅 I usually never do those sessions in front of the querent as i need to alter my state of mind which takes a lot of energy and concentration. My husband is often in the same room (we have an open plan living space) though he knows not to disturb me as I channel or do automatic writing. I don’t mind doing the actual card reading in front of someone (my readings usually start with a psychic session and is then followed up by a card reading to explore the channeled message further)

[Eamane]

I shuffle and shuffle and shuffle until I feel the cards are aligned and charged so that I can start the reading. I do not cut, but while I shuffle I call my guides to give me clarity. Whenever I feel like it I draw the Shadow card... otherwise, I just go on with the reading.

[Barleywine]

On 7/15/2019 at 3:07 AM, Raggydoll said:

I don’t do any theater stuff. I really don’t have any energy to do it because the psychic part of my readings demand all my focus. I think that for the person who witness my intuitive/channeling sessions then it’s probably a bit theatrical or entertaining because I’ve been told by my dear husband that I look kind of funny when I do them 😅 I usually never do those sessions in front of the querent as i need to alter my state of mind which takes a lot of energy and concentration. My husband is often in the same room (we have an open plan living space) though he knows not to disturb me as I channel or do automatic writing. I don’t mind doing the actual card reading in front of someone (my readings usually start with a psychic session and is then followed up by a card reading to explore the channeled message further)

I have an ulterior motive with my "theater of tarot" notions: to get the sitter actively engaged in the reading process by giving them a role to play. I want to make every reading a dialogue, not a monologue, so I don't let them sit there like a lump.

[Eric13]

I shuffle, I say the question, I talk to the sitter, and I shuffle more, or maybe less. I don't do it for theater myself, haven't ever because it's all the feeling I get from the sitter first, then the cards. There is an energy I feel, from the cards and the sitter. I have the sitter cut the deck in three. I choose the first card from the top of the last part of the deck. Then I choose whatever stacks I feel like starting from.

What's funny though that no one seems to be talking about is the sitters experience. And by that I mean a lot of sitters maybe a majority have had readings before. They seem to expect a certain a certain formula to be followed with all this and I have experienced some who get upset at something new/different. The readings I do will usually alleviate that strangeness for them. But I just feel "the cut" is important. I for one just don't see it as theater. It is about getting the sitter engaged.

[Barleywine]

38 minutes ago, Joe said:

I shuffle, I say the question, I talk to the sitter, and I shuffle more, or maybe less. I don't do it for theater myself, haven't ever because it's all the feeling I get from the sitter first, then the cards. There is an energy I feel, from the cards and the sitter. I have the sitter cut the deck in three. I choose the first card from the top of the last part of the deck. Then I choose whatever stacks I feel like starting from.

What's funny though that no one seems to be talking about is the sitters experience. And by that I mean a lot of sitters maybe a majority have had readings before. They seem to expect a certain a certain formula to be followed with all this and I have experienced some who get upset at something new/different. The readings I do will usually alleviate that strangeness for them. But I just feel "the cut" is important. I for one just don't see it as theater. It is about getting the sitter engaged.

Don't get me wrong, it's not about superficial entertainment value. Reading the cards for the public (as I'm sure you know) is as much a performance art as a predictive or advisory one, and I like to give a complete experience. Also, I don't always deliver expected "production values;" I do unusual things like throwing out a new spread of my own design, or adding an oracle card to the reading, things my sitters have told me they've never encountered before.

[stephanelli]

Interesting thoughts.  Personally, I do use the 'cut three times with the left hand and restack (however feels right)' method.  To me, it still gives the whole deck a chance to speak.  Its all about intent to me and following my intuition.  I put the intentions into my overhand shuffling:

- I say out load how many cards I'm drawing, if I'm doing a spread I'll say the names/questions relating to the positions too

- I say that when I'm done shuffling, I'm going to cut the deck into three piles intuitively, then I'll intuitively restack them and draw from the top

For me, I feel where I need to cut as a tingling in my fingers (I guess similar to Raggydoll's third eye tingle) - and because my left hand isn't used as much as my right, I find its generally more sensitive to the energies in the cards.

Its like telling the deck that its okay for it to get the cards in the order it wants me to see them, but its okay if that order isn't at the top because intuitively I know I'll cut it in the right place.

 

Just my thoughts on the subject. 

[Eric13]

I think its great that everyone does have their own way of doing the cut. Thats what keeps this all flowing for each other and sitters. The community.

Edited July 16, 2019 by Eric13

[Raggydoll]

54 minutes ago, Barleywine said:

I have an ulterior motive with my "theater of tarot" notions: to get the sitter actively engaged in the reading process by giving them a role to play. I want to make every reading a dialogue, not a monologue, so I don't let them sit there like a lump.

If im understanding you correct, you are not implying that the theatrical way is the only method where the sitter is included, but that it’s your preferred method for obtaining a dialogue? In that case, I agree that it’s definitely one way to do it 🙂. I too make sure to include the sitter and have them know it’s their reading (and their experience). I start with almost like an interview where I try to find the ‘question behind the question’ and I explore their expectations and wants (or fears). Then I start planning the reading and I like to have my sitters be part of that process. If I feel like it’s a good idea then I let them be involved in designing their spread. That can be truly empowering for some people (and put pressure on others, that’s why I try to tailor the reading to people’s personalities and emotional states). If I’m doing a psychic session too then I will do that prior to the reading and write it down so it can be incorporated later. 

 

Its so interesting to hear about everyone’s different approaches. It’s very clear that you can get a brilliant reading using many different methods. I guess it all comes down to what resonates with you as a reader and what suits your sitter ❤️

[Barleywine]

5 minutes ago, Raggydoll said:

If im understanding you correct, you are not implying that the theatrical way is the only method where the sitter is included, but that it’s your preferred method for obtaining a dialogue? In that case, I agree that it’s definitely one way to do it 🙂. I too make sure to include the sitter and have them know it’s their reading (and their experience). I start with almost like an interview where I try to find the ‘question behind the question’ and I explore their expectations and wants (or fears). Then I start planning the reading and I like to have my sitters be part of that process. If I feel like it’s a good idea then I let them be involved in designing their spread. That can be truly empowering for some people (and put pressure on others, that’s why I try to tailor the reading to people’s personalities and emotional states). If I’m doing a psychic session too then I will do that prior to the reading and write it down so it can be incorporated later. 

 

Its so interesting to hear about everyone’s different approaches. It’s very clear that you can get a brilliant reading using many different methods. I guess it all comes down to what resonates with you as a reader and what suits your sitter ❤️

Yes, I started approaching it this way when I began getting questions about why the sitter had to do things "just so" as part of their role. Now I dispense with the questions by bringing up the subject in advance. It saves time.

[Eric13]

@Raggydoll That's so good and true about making sure the sitter understands that the readings and experience are theirs. 

[Annabelle]

I am of the "cut three times with your left hand and then re-stack" school 🙂. Not because I think there's any inherent magic in using the left hand or cutting thrice -- it's just something I started doing routinely, years ago, and it has become a natural part of my process.

 

When reading for a querent, I ask them to cut and re-stack the cards.

 

Edited to add: Just re-thought through it, and realized I'm cutting twice, not three times -- making three stacks of cards. 

Edited September 21, 2019 by Annabelle

[Grizabella]

On 7/14/2019 at 6:08 PM, katrinka said:

I do cut.
I generally riffle, and if I happen to glance down at the cards while I'm doing that, I get glimpses of some of them. So, as in poker, there is a practical reason for cutting.
I also cut left handed - not because of the old saw that "you must cut the cards in three piles to the left with your left hand", but because I'm right handed. My left hand has less fine muscle coordination, so it's harder to cheat and put good cards on top or bury bad ones. Then I put the deck back together with the middle stack on top. If I'm on the move with no surface to lay the cards, I grab a section out of the middle after shuffling and put it on top - same effect.
No razzle-dazzle, just pure pragmatism.

 

 

[Carla]

I read somewhere that a deck of cards will be totally randomised after 7 riffles (and I love to riffle shuffle, I will riffle anything that will bend), so I tend to riffle 7 times then cut once. I just can't seem to draw without the cut, I am compelled to do it. If I decide to shuffle again during a reading, I will do hand over hand and then cut. But I always cut. I can't help it! 🙂 

Edited September 21, 2019 by Carla

[Saturn Celeste]

I used to cut the deck but I kept getting same cards showing up for different readings for others.  Then I read somewhere that if you riffle shuffle a certain way, you can work out to get the cards you want.  Now this might have also pertained to playing cards.  Cutting the deck was a way to keep card dealers honest.  I did stop cutting the deck and noticed the repeating cards stopped.  I actually like it much better now knowing the cards are in the order in relation to my intention for the reading.  I never really liked doing all that shuffling only to have a predetermined outcome cut.

[Grizabella]

I don't lay the cards down and cut. I just do like katrinka said she sometimes does---I hold the deck in my left hand and pull out cards from the center with my right hand and put them on top of the deck. People have all kinds of rituals and superstitions and that's okay. If that works for them, then that's what they should do. I just haven't ever developed all that sort of thing.

[bookshop]

i just tried doing the 4-cut pattern that Benebell Wen recommends for the Golden Dawn "First Element" thing she's fond of, and found it to be totally ridiculous. The object is to find the stack that your signifier card is in, and let that stack have special significance that determines the scope of your reading, but it seemed so laborious and time-consuming and random as to lose all meaning.

 

I only riffle-shuffle very flexible bendy decks like the golden thread that beg for that kind of shuffle; otherwise i shuffle overhand. Recently, I've grown fond of manually shuffling the cards to make sure there's a good mix of major arcana and suits all nicely spread throughout the deck before shuffling some more. 

[peacewing]

I shuffle, riffle shuffle, etc. But then I'll pull the cards from wherever in the stack. Sometimes if I'm feeling fancy I'll cut the deck into a few piles and take the top one from each pile... but usually I just take the stack once I'm done, and pick random cards. I don't quite trust my shuffling skills  most times. I just make sure that I shuffle a good amount so that they are mixed reversed, upright, etc.