Where did you find your decks

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 08 Feb 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Osher	08 Feb 2003
My first deck was recommended to me by a shop (Oracle, in Watford, Hertfordshire, England), this was the wonderful and easy to read TotOP. I chose most of the rest came from Wicce's website, plus a few others. Hours spent wandering through reviews and scans. I also liked one or two decks I saw others using, and a few were impulse buys. It would be interesting to see how others chose their decks. A poll even could be conducted?

wavebreaker	08 Feb 2003
I found all my decks through the internet (either through Aeclectic or other websites). I don't know any other people IRL who work with tarot, so for me the internet is the only place where I get information on tarot, including information on decks.

Laurel	08 Feb 2003
My newest two decks came to me from a trash can. I was going through the house, emptying the little trash cans into the big one, house cleaning last week. I accidentally bumped the little trash can a bit as pouring it and out spilled two decks onto the floor of the living room- an old RW deck and an old Tarot of the Cat People, cards scattering together, no boxes, but LWBs. I was umn... shocked. Apparently, my roomie had been cleaning her room and decided she didn't want them because they were many years old and just 'not helpful'. But I didn't give her a chance to argue. I made sure all the cards were out of the trash (they were; somehow in that spooky synchronistic way all the cards had fallen out of the garbage but little else) and took them to my room to join all my own decks and be nursed back to health. I feel like a hero! LOL. Or someone who just saved two adorable puppies or kittens from being put to sleep in the nick of time. ~LAS

Khatruman	08 Feb 2003
I would like to think of it as my decks finding me...*s* At first, many years ago when I began to have a curiousity about tarot, it was my local bookstore, which kept them out of view behind the cashiers' counter (always found it curious that tarot decks had to be hidden away, while Playboy, Penthouse and Hustler were boldly displayed in the front magazine rack). I was young at the time, and I felt like a pre-teen asking for a dirty magazine when I peeked around them and finally asked for a couple decks. I lost interest in tarot for a while (about 15 years) when I stumbled upon the William Blake Tarot in a discount bin at Borders book store. Then my interest re-ignited. I must definitely put Aeclectic and this forum as the main catalyst for my current collection. Through browsing decks here, and discussing people's favorites here, I get an idea of what I want, then the proper decks find me!!! Usually it is through Amazon, where I find the best prices. But, being a teacher, I often wait for Borders to do a teachers appreciation day and offer 25% off, then I will get a deck. My Borders has a wonderful collection of decks for a large chain store. Of course they are in a large locked case... *s* Peace!

Aoife	08 Feb 2003
I prefer to hold a deck in my hands before deciding whether or not to buy - I have held the Diamond Tarot so many times but it has yet to find its way home from the bookstore with me. I recently went to a psychic fair in the hope of large selection and there was nothing... zilch! I think the only way I am going to acquire Victoria Regina, Ship of Fools, Spiral and/or Secret Tarot... etc, etc, etc.... is through Amazon or Tarot Passages. On a side note - I can't find a single deck at amazon.co.uk - should I type in something other than 'tarot decks'? Eve

RedWood	08 Feb 2003
Try just typing the word Tarot ...Aoife

jema	08 Feb 2003
living where i do makes the option of holding a deck and looking at all the cards simply impossible. they sell no decks around here. the new age store did take home a few decks last year and sold them for the double price so no way was i gonna buy them from her. i am like happiness. i love wicces site (and hope it is soon up again) but i also read the reviews from tarot passages and sometimes i look at the scans on this site. i check the forum for comments sometime if i hesitate. but almost all decks i buy on-line. most from swedish shops but since i got myself a credit cards i also buy from overseas. i do love ABEbooks a lot and found some neat things there. (like my brand new Daughters of the moon deck) and finally - i am blessed with wonderful friends who loves me and who likes to surprise me with gifts. those decks i do cherish even more.

Macavity	08 Feb 2003
Mostly online purchases. Concensus here and popularity has been a rather good guide for me! I also examine most decks online - But allow for the fact that they always look better "in person", Right? :) I'm puzzled by amazon UK. So many decks seem to have switched to being non immediate order times now(?) But ol' Mr. Somerville in France seems currently to be achieving a sub one week turn around to the UK at the moment and has most of the ones I might want. Hmmm - As opposed to my printer cartridges, which took about one week to cross a (very) few hundred miles internal to the UK just recently. Grrrrr ;) Macavity

Emily	08 Feb 2003
I've bought some of my decks from shops but buy mostly online. I find that Amazon.UK stocks a very good selection of decks and books, W H Smiths online not so good and the Somerville site is good too. The only bookshops that sell decks around here are Waterstones and Smiths and they are too far out of my way so online shopping is easier. :)

scheherazade	08 Feb 2003
My first deck was impulse-bought, just a little 8-dollar thing at Borders. It opened a channel, however. Now I've got three decks, all store bought, and my fourth deck, the Quest Tarot, is coming to me through the mail.

lunalafey	08 Feb 2003
I got my first deck many many years ago from a dear friend. In the latter part of 98 I did a reading with it(so to speak)and it was so powerful that I felt the need to not use the deck...out of some odd sense of respect. It was also the feeling of nedding a new deck since my life had taken such a drastic turn. While doing my city stock up(living in the mountians we sometimes travel an hour away where there is a variety and things are cheaper)...I relate to the statment made about decks finding me. In my need I came across the Legend's deck in the most unexpected place, Costco. Costco is a warehouse place that one must belong to a union or own a business to shop there. Mostly bulk foods and such. But there is a 'media' section...and there it was all by it's self...nothing else like it even...waiting for me. I have other decks aquired by the usual means...

Khatruman	08 Feb 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Aoife I recently went to a psychic fair in the hope of large selection and there was nothing... zilch! This is funny, because my town advertised a "psychic fair" at the American Legion today, and I actually got the opportunity to go to it. What I found, however, was only about four readers and two vendors, one selling Native American style trinkets and the other selling Native American style jewelry. Sighssssss, I was hoping to find some decks being sold, or at least someone to talk to regarding what decks they like... ahh, well, thought there was a ray of hope here. Peace!

Hummingbird	08 Feb 2003
My mom gave me my first deck over 10 years ago, the Barbra Walker. Then I worked at a new age store and, well...did some damage! These days I buy most online cos the deals are great!

fairyhedgehog	09 Feb 2003
I've been very disappointed in psychic fayres - they seem to be mainly for people to get readings, even if they claim that they will have tarot decks for sale. The one deck I bought at a psychic fayre, I really didn't gel with. I've found that aeclectic, wicce, learntarot and tarotpassages are my best sources of information for buying decks, then I've got them from amazon. I shall have to give R Somerville a go though, as that sounds much quicker. By the way, I love all the reviews we now have on aeclectic, it gives an extra perspective on the decks.

Kiama	09 Feb 2003
Well, I choose decks in many different ways. The fist deck I owned, I did not choose. It came free with a teenage girl magazine called 'Sugar' when I was 12. I had bene studyingTarot for 3 years by that time, but didn't have hte money to buy a deck . So a free deck was perfect. Here's a link to see that deck: http://www.tarotgarden.com/database/dbsearchengine.php?search_type=blob&pageenter=0 He he... I know, strange deck, but it worked. And I was only 12! Then I chose a deck cuz it was there, and it was cheap... The same with my third deck. (I hadn't quite grasped the art of deck choosing by that time, and thought all decks were pretty much the same.) Then it hit me... The internet, decent bookshops, and Occult supply catelogues... I would look at the picture of the deck box, and think 'yeah, that looks like a good deck.' (Silly silly Kiama), so I'd order it. Then, by the time I was 16, I discovered Aeclectic, and the internet swept me away into deck-collector-dom. I would read reviews of decks and look at sample cards on the net, then order them through my local bookshop, who now know me by first name and almost all of the employees know my contact details off by heart! Ebay I also use, and sometimes I'll just buy decks I see in shops that look interesting. Sometimes I'm disappointed. More often than not, I am pleasantly surprised. Kiama

Trogon	09 Feb 2003
Hoo boy... this is a tough question. I've acquired my measly 10 decks from several different sources. My first deck (the Tarot of Marseilles - recently given away) was one I had purchased at a local bookstore. My second deck (Rider-Waite) was purchased at the local new-age shop. That was it for many years until, like several others, I stumbled into this little group of Tarotholic enablers! So... in the past 5 months or so; Röhrig and Goddess Tarot at the local new-age shop. Victoria Regina - a gift from my wife. Dragon Tarot - received in trade. Spiral Tarot from Barnes & Noble on-line store (by gift card from my supervisor)(and yes, I followed the link from A.T. ;) ). A few from Bookman's used book store. And - my mother gave me her old Albano-Waite Tarot. Oh... and the Mythic Tarot received in trade.

little	09 Feb 2003
I haunt Half Price Books and the bargain bins at Borders (why does Borders almost ALWAYS have neat decks in the bins, and Barnes and Noble practically NEVER?), because I'm pretty cheap. Every once in a while I'll splurge on something new, usually at Borders or my friendly neighborhood new age store, Pearls of Wisdom. Pearls of Wisdom has incense burning constantly, and I like the way it makes the things I buy there smell very faintly of incense.

Jeannette	09 Feb 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Kiama The first deck I owned, I did not choose. It came free with a teenage girl magazine called 'Sugar' when I was 12. I had bene studyingTarot for 3 years by that time, but didn't have hte money to buy a deck . So a free deck was perfect. Here's a link to see that deck: Thanks for the link to our site, Kiama -- but the link that shows up in the URL line after doing a general search on our site doesn't contain the information needed to isolate the item you were searching for (since there's "hidden" form variables sent to the search engine). Here's a link that will pull up the Sugar Mystic deck: http://www.tarotgarden.com/database/dbsearchengine.php?view_title=sugar+mystic And here's information on how to create direct links to specific entries in our online database: http://www.tarotgarden.com/faq.html#db_3.1 -- Jeannette http://www.tarotgarden.com

Khatruman	09 Feb 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Kiama The fist deck I owned, I did not choose. It came free with a teenage girl magazine called 'Sugar' when I was 12. He he... I know, strange deck, but it worked. And I was only 12! hee hee... awww, it is cute..and sooooo 60s girly... check out the sunglasses, the paisley, and the groovy flower pattern!!! And it is so funny that the wizard, and older wise man, is a young man with obviously frosted hair and tacked on beard made with white marker. Boy, you don't want those pre-teenies to be thinking about an old guy...blechhhhh!!! Before you think I am picking on this, I think it is cute, and that pre-teen girls and society saw it acceptable to experiment in tarot is wonderful. Also I am envious that young girls can acceptably explore this, while boys have to play with G.I. Joe...hmmm, a G.I. Joe tarot... thinking... :D Peace!

Eissej	09 Feb 2003
I guess I'm just insanly picky. I browsed around on several internet sites like Aeclectic for several months looking for a deck I liked when I started getting interested in tarot. However, nothing really struck me. Every deck I liked would have two or three cards that just didn't fit, or the borders would irritate me or some other little thing would bug me. (like I said, I'm insanly picky) And I really wanted to see a physical copy of whatever deck I ended up with but, well, there are no new age shops around here. No bookstores. No anything that might have tarot cards. So I made a deck. Someday, eventually, I plan on ordering a deck or two that I found here because the pictures are pretty, but my handmade deck will be the one I work with. And a poll might be interesting! options like internet, new age stores, bookstores, other?

ihcoyc	09 Feb 2003
My first deck was a 1JJ Swiss, boughten at a Spencer's Gift shop in 1974. My second deck, an RWS, was acquired in probably 1978 at a head shop in Muncie. Most of the other decks I own were either bought online or at Border's, which seems to have the best selection.

ihcoyc	09 Feb 2003
My first deck was a 1JJ Swiss, boughten at a Spencer's Gift shop in 1974. My second deck, an RWS, was acquired in probably 1978 at a head shop in Muncie. Most of the other decks I own were either bought online or at Border's, which seems to have the best selection.

chatonsourire	09 Feb 2003
I research decks online, and then I try to find them in the big bookstores (mostly B&N). This has been successful thus far!! I've yet to order a deck online. But we do have a cool new-agey shop in town that has quite a selection of decks! Thanks for reminding me, I need to go back to that little shop! :)

Marion	09 Feb 2003
I like tarotgarden.com. Jeanette has pics of all of her decks, and lots of others. Jeanette is very friendly and helpful and the cards come much faster than amazon.com. And no, I have no relationship with the site!

HudsonGray	10 Feb 2003
I just picked up a Hanson Roberts at the Half Price Bookstore for $7 and the book that goes with it for $4. It pays to keep your eyes open! Lately there have been some really good deals on basic decks over on ebay--like going in the $5 range.

ShorTerM	10 Feb 2003
Well I received my first and only (so far) deck as a Christmas present this year from my mother... I had expressed an interest in tarot, and she picked up on that hint and bought me the Ancient Egyptian Tarot... Since then I have been finding myself more and more attracted to things of egyptian nature... I have always liked the pyramids and such, some of my favourite movies are set in egypt, such as the mummy and the mummy returns, and most recently when we went to Las Vegas, my favourite Hotel/Casino there was The Luxor (Huge Pyramid with a Sphinx and Obelisk in front of it)... Also My Grandfather who has been collecting stamps for Years now, informed me that his most valuable set of stamps is a set he has from Egypt, he informed me that he figures its worth around 2-300 dollars or so, and my reaction was "i don't want to sell it"... So I'm thinking there could be something to this egyptian theme, as to what it is I can't determine it... Well thats a little more info than how I got my first deck, but meh, thats what this place is for is not :D:D:D

Demonesse	10 Feb 2003
Amazingly, I got my first deck in a solemn, ritual-like manner from a friend who was struggling with his religious principles and tarot study, and eventually had enough of the conflict! The rest, I got through trades. Lovely tradesss, my preciousssss!

sagitarian	10 Feb 2003
My best friend in high school showed me tarot and gave me my first tarot reading. On my 19th bday, she took me out and I picked out the deck that I wanted but she paid for it. That was my beloved H-R deck. Since then, I bought most of my other decks including Haindl deck, LOTR deck, and Universal Waite. However, for over a year I had only my LOTR deck (and it's never read well for me) and my sister became involved with tarot. Once I found out I wanted to buy her a deck for her last bday. Well, when she found out that I haven't had a deck to really work with in ages, she wanted to reciprocate the gift. So I choose Celtic Dragon tarot, (and she bought the shapeshifter tarot so we'd have sister decks...grins). Most recently, I was given a deck by an acquaintance at a IHOP of all places. The Angel Tarot by Stuart Kaplan.

MeeWah	10 Feb 2003
I found my first deck, a Rider (Smith) Waite at Brentano's, a bookshop in Greenwich Village, New York that I frequented. I knew nothing about Tarot then, but did not care for the depiction of it that is included on Zolar's Astrological Fortune Telling Cards. I was not moved to acquire more decks until many years later, when I discovered via Aeclectic that there is a veritable mine of decks available!! I get my decks from Tarot Garden because of its selection & the personalized service from Jeanette. She & her associate, Lori, know their subject thoroughly, wonderful to deal with & the delivery is always so prompt, I am amzed! & no, I am not affiliated with Tarot Garden. I have also acquired decks via trades or exchanges.

Shadow Wolf	12 Feb 2003
I just felt drawn to each of my decks. I too believe that the deck chooses you. I don't use the "Ibis" deck very much, but every once in a while it calls to me. I always try to put off making that purchase the first time out. I know if I'm meant to have a certain deck, the urgency of it's call won't be put off for very long !!!!!!!!!!!

Moongold	14 Feb 2003
I bought my first deck (Cannon Reed Witches) from the Esoteric Book Shop in Hawthorn, Melbourne. I'd gone there in great excitement having read a library book on Tarot the week end just passed. They didn't have the greatest selection at that time, and I didn't want Thoth or Sacred Circle. Other purchases have been more considered and now I mostly go to the Theosphical Bookshop in Russell Street, Melbourne, having researched a potential deck on the internet. They have a great collection of decks and books and one of the best collections of astrology and other esoteric books that you could wish to see. You could spend days in this shop without surfacing. What interests me as well is what people do when they purchase a new deck. It's almost like a sensuous experience for me. I love the feel and the smell of the cards and spend quite some time just handling them, enjoying their slinky smoothness and the first impressions of the usually incredible art work. Laying out the Majors and then each suite is the most wonderful experience aand drinking it all in can take hours. Moongold

Eowyn	14 Feb 2003
In my case it was a casualitie. I was looking in a bookstore as I always do, coz i never buy anything (too expensive. I use my college's library) and suddenly I saw a box which said something about the legend of king Arthur, so i got inmidiatly atracted, asked, and they told me that it was actually a tarot book and deck. And since some time ago I was thinking about learning tarot, so I bought it. I could learn a lot about Arthur's legend and the same time I could begin this adventure of never ending learning. I was lucky. That was the only box set that the store imported and then It closed, so I think It was there just for me.

aqua9air	15 Feb 2003
Mmm... my first deck? oh yeah! was Osho-Zen. well, gave it away already, ;), yeah... can't read with that deck :( what? why did i buy it? let me see... oh... right... i wandering into a bookstore (1998) in a mall, and i saw this beautifully packaged tarot deck with book only for $10. :D my eyes was sparking with disbelieve and i bought it immediately.

MsIsis	18 May 2003
I had been wandering thru a friend's shop, who has recently begun carrying metaphysical items, and was totally drawn to the LOTR deck. Now I see here it's not really well liked, but I remember thinking it would make things easier, because I already have an idea of what the characters stood for. I didn't purchase the cards, because I just wasn't ready. Two weeks later, the store owner gave them to me as a gift! That was two weeks ago, so I am beginning to get to know them. I have seriously appreciated Thirteen's Tarot basics. I just found them mentioned in this forum today and they are a great resource for a couple of reasons: 1. Because I'm new to this, I read mostly when around the computer, and it's easier than flipping thru a book 2. The meanings get "right to it", rather than talking in circles. Great job to Thirteen!

Sobeknofret	20 May 2003
I got my first deck when I was 13, the Swiss 1JJ, from my mother who got it from a local Waldenbooks in the mall. The deck was missing the death card, so we had to take it back and replace it. I could never get used to reading with that deck, so a year or so later I bought a replacement RWS deck at the same bookstore. Lately, I've been buying my decks at the local metaphysical bookstores, because I like to see the little guys stay in business (although I did pick up the Victoria Regina Tarot at Barnes and Noble last weekend). I also don't mind buying used decks, although some people really don't like them. There's one particular store owner in town who prefers to sell used decks only as long as they have their original boxes, but he'll pick up the occasional boxless deck and save it for "special customers" like me, and sell them at a deep discount. I picked up the Tarot of Ceremonial Magick for $4 yesterday (brand new! only missing the box), and the Tarot of the Old Path for $6 a few weeks ago. I also picked up the Avalon Tarot yesterday at the same bookstore for $8, supposedly used, but it was still stiff and practically brand new.

Pixie	21 May 2003
Well my first (and only so far, im quite content!) deck was a gift from my mom. I was 11, and we were in a shop that sales all kinds of neato stuff! Well, I had wanted cards since I was little, and my mom being the cool person she is, asked me if i wanted a deck! Being the stupid 11 year old i was, i didn't understand the importance of looking over the cards, and seeing if i was drawn to them at all. So i grabed the "pretty deck" (lol, Tarot of the Trance.) I think n a way, the cards found their way to me, in an odd way! - Pixie*

WolfSpirit	23 May 2003
My first deck I bought in a local shop, it was the rws and the only deck they had *lol* Much later, I discovered Aeclectic and how many decks there are. Since then I bought most decks on-line (from bookstores and at ebay), but I also got some through trades and I also bought decks in shops when I was visiting other cities.

Noubaguy	24 May 2003
I bought my Rider Deck at Borders. It was part of a "kit" that brought the book"Tarot for Dummies" and the deck ($25.00) The book was at most 10% helpfull. It wasnt until I found Aeclectic.net that I was able to actually understand tarot.

Gerbear	24 May 2003
My first deck was a Rider-Waite purchased at a Renaissance Faire in the late sixties. I recently noticed that it was published by University Books, not U.S. Games

Alex	24 May 2003
at the Barnes & Nobles, Baltimore. I have the Mythic, the Spiral, the tiny Hanson-Roberts, and the Troth. I don't think I need that many, but if I ever buy another one, it will be an used deck. I am allergic to the smell of paint in new decks. They make me feel like throwing up. So I have to open the deck, spread the cards, areate them, put them in the sun a bit, for days and days I can't look at the cards or manipulate them much. Alex.

Minderwiz	25 May 2003
I got mine from: The local bookshop - RWS Amazon - Robin Wood Tarot, The Witches Tarot, Moon Oracle A Crystal Shop in Jackson, Long Island - Thoth, A Crystal Shop in St. Ives Cornwall - Osho Zen Can't Remember - The Mandala Astrological Tarot (though probably the local bookshop) I like to hold or inspect to - in the case of my Amazon purchases I'd held all of them but the Witches Tarot in other places.

rowan	25 May 2003
My first deck came from a Regal catalogue (ha!) and needless to say I wasn't impressed... it was the Royal Tarot (pictures can be seen at Wicce's page if you must). However, it did pique my interest. Since then I aquired the Vision Tarot at Chapters (which I no longer own), then Celtic Dragon a year or so later. CD is actually the deck I learned to read with. Recently, I have also aquired the Norse Tarot (I finally found a copy) and the Crow's Magick Tarot. Heh... and the list would be longer if it wasn't for a little thing called money. Regardless, I like buying the decks in person. There are some shops around that carry tarot decks- the closest one is a Christian Bookshop! The other three places are a good 1.5hr drive (in the same direction) and are a Chapters, a pagan shop and a new age bookshop.

The Where did you find your decks thread was originally posted on 08 Feb 2003 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.