Okay, so I’ve been getting into tarot cards lately, not just reading them, but actually making my own. It’s been quite a ride, let me tell you. It all started when I stumbled upon some cool tarot decks online and thought, “Why not try making my own?” I mean, how hard could it be, right?
First off, I did a bit of digging into the history of tarot. Turns out, these cards have been around for ages, evolving from playing cards to the mystical tools we know today. I learned about the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana, which are basically the two main parts of a tarot deck. The Major Arcana are like the big-shot cards, representing major life events and themes. The Minor Arcana, on the other hand, deal with the day-to-day stuff.
Once I got a handle on the basics, I started sketching out ideas for each card. I decided to stick with the traditional 78-card structure because, hey, why mess with a classic? For the Major Arcana, I brainstormed symbols and images that resonated with me personally, trying to capture the essence of each card’s meaning. It was like, “Okay, what image screams ‘The Emperor’ to me?” You know?
- Sketching: This was probably the most time-consuming part. I filled up a whole sketchbook with rough drawings, erasing and redrawing until I was somewhat satisfied.
- Designing: After the sketches, I moved on to the actual design. Some folks might use fancy software for this, but I just used what I had on hand – colored pencils, markers, and some ink pens. I wanted a handmade, rustic look, so I didn’t mind the imperfections.
- Printing: Getting the cards printed was a bit of a challenge. I didn’t have a high-quality printer at home, so I went to a local print shop. I chose a thicker card stock to make sure they’d last. Seeing my designs printed out for the first time was pretty surreal.
- Finishing: After printing, I had to cut each card out individually. This took forever, and my hands were cramping by the end, but it was worth it. I also decided to laminate some of the cards to protect them, especially the ones I planned to use more often.
The whole process was a real test of patience. There were times I wanted to just chuck the whole project out the window, especially when I messed up a design or cut a card crookedly. But I kept at it, fueled by too much coffee and the dream of having my very own, personalized tarot deck.
Personal Touch
What made this project really special was the personal touch I added to each card. I infused my own experiences, emotions, and interpretations into the designs. For instance, “The Star” card for me became a symbol of hope during a tough time in my life, so I drew it with a more personal, meaningful image. It’s like each card has a little piece of my soul in it.
In the end, I had a complete, 78-card tarot deck that was uniquely mine. It’s not perfect, but it’s real, and it’s mine. Using them for readings feels different, more intimate somehow. It’s like the cards and I have a special connection because we went through this creative journey together.
So, that’s my story of making my own tarot cards. It was a wild, messy, but ultimately rewarding experience. If you’re thinking about doing something similar, I say go for it! Just be prepared for a bit of a rollercoaster ride.
