Superstition or truth?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 Aug 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

lunalafey	24 Aug 2003
.....peaches, are you wondering if you should buy your own deck or if it should be a gift? My first deck was a gift, but if I did not buy the rest I would not have all these other decks to read with and enjoy. I have not had any negitive effects from buying a deck for myself. In fact buying your own almost guantees that you will connect with it...find one (or two; I would have loved to have 2 when first learning, extra info into the workings of tarot) that has a theme of something that interests you, something that you already know about. My son is into Egyptian stuff. So I gave him an egyptian deck. He knows the hyroglyphs & mythology somewhat, but that little knowledge gave him further insites into some of the cards.

mondk	25 Aug 2003
So far, anyway. But each was bought under a special circumstance or time in my life, so I would hate to part with any of them. As far as what I've done to know which deck(s) I thought I'd enjoy, I have either gone and looked at the decks themselves in shops that sell them, or I've looked here on the net at the images. If the images "speak" to me, then I usually end up putting the deck(s) on my wish list and then purchasing them when I have the extra money. One time I actually picked up a deck at a New Age shop, I will never forget, it was the Vampire tarot and right upon picking it up, my hand burned (in a not so good way). That is the only time that has happened and I did not buy it. Good luck! Blessings, Michelle

Scarletpeaches	25 Aug 2003
A quick query (or two)! Has anyone heard of the 'superstition' or should I say belief that you should never buy a tarot deck for yourself? And also, what do people think of reading the cards for themselves, because I was once warned never to do that as you don't get a clear reading. I've never had a problem with this myself, but what do others think? Surely reading for yourself would get you used to the cards and, as you know yourself better than anyone else, you'd be able to relate the cards to your situation with greater ease?

Aerin	25 Aug 2003
I think you will find that most people on here don't subscribe to some of the so called 'truths' bandied around about Tarot. Most of us have bought our own Tarot decks, read for ourselves when we want to, etc. Do what works for you. And if someone comes along with a 'truth', then smile, nod politely, examine whether you want it or not and move on. Aerin ps as with many 'truths' there may be some grain of wisdom e.g. sometimes reading for yourself CAN be difficult and it is very useful to get outside input. See the 'Your Readings' forum. However, IMO 'warned' is far too strong... 'If the bird squawks in the East, do not eat pizza before sundown because it is baaaaaad'

Elle	25 Aug 2003
I had always heard you should not read for yourself, but everyone I knew who read cards did. So I did/do. I suppose it is good now and then to get another perspective - like what we do at Aeclectic. It really helps to see your life through another's eyes/cards! It helps you to stand back a little. Warmest, Elle

Alissa	25 Aug 2003
Throw away the superstitions. As someone once said to me, "The Tarot Police will not come and arrest you," if you buy your own deck, or read for yourself. Instead you'll get the decks you really like, and the answers you need, right when you need them, instead of waiting. It's your path. Your deck(s). Your spirituality. When we own those principles, the superstitions fall away, as they should. (and p.s. I *am* a superstitious person though ... in fact I'm the most superstitious person you ever did meet when it comes to theatre stuff, but never with tarot).

Ross G Caldwell	25 Aug 2003
The version I know of the superstition:- Your FIRST tarot deck should be given to you. For any subsequent decks, I don't know a rule. But I agree with Alissa 156% - throw away the superstitions. The only difficulty I know with reading for yourself - a self-referential world can become increasingly twisted. It's healthy to see yourself as others see you. Ross

Kiama	25 Aug 2003
I agree with everything said previously. Think about it this way: Why would buying your own Tarot deck have a bad effect? It's the same as saying "If you buy that drill and hammer yourself, it's not going to work properly." It just doesn't make sense. This is just my personal opinion, but a Tarot deck when we buy it is just a deck of pretty cards, an inanimate object just like a drill or hammer. How we buy it, who buys it, and where we buy it is not going to affect the way we use it. The downside to having somebody else buy you your deck of course, is that they may buy you the wrong deck! They may get you one that you just don't 'click' with, or that you hate or don't like the images on. At least if you buy your own deck, you have a higher chance of getting one you're going to be able to read with. As for reading for yourself... There is a grain of truth in the superstition, because many people when they first start reading Tarot for themselves find it difficult to remain objective. They see what they want to see in the cards, instead of what the truth is. However, I believe that objectivity comes with practice, as does skill at Tarot reading, and one of the best ways to learn when you're still beginning and a bit wary of giving others readings, is to read for yourself. Even if your readings aren't that objective, you are still getting practice at the process of a reading, shuffling the deck, gathering meaning from the cards, etc... Even if you're totally wrong (which I was almost all the time at first! ;)) you still get practice one way or another. Kiama

galadrial	25 Aug 2003
I don't know a lot about astrology, but I've had my chart done and been told that there is a strong element of wanting to understand myself; of wanting to understand my actions/motivations, and of wanting to draw up the unconcious "gunk" into the concious so that I can bless it and release it. I bring this up because I not only buy my own decks, but I read almost exclusively for myself. Tarot cards are a huge help in my personal spiritual journey and urge toward self development. What I find hard to do is to read for others! LOL:-) Don't let some musty superstition rob you of a chance to understand yourself better by reading for yourself. There are some good spreads and books written just for that purpose should it interest you.

catti	25 Aug 2003
i was recently told you can only do readings on a table, to do them anywhere else desecrates your cards and where ever you are doing the reading....Ehmm well , if i do a reading on the kitchen table can we still eat there???? Why can we eat on the table, if we cant sleep on the bed ( without rounds of exorsizing spells) or how about the cards must always be kept in black silk to dispell negative energy...well what if the silk is white...or if it is cotton instead of silk????? I am glad i never heard of the buying your deck thing, but how about this one, i have often read that you should never haggle over magickal supplies. Does that mean you then cant use Tarot decks from the trading section for spell work? PS i had my fingers crossed the whole time i was typing this })

Scarletpeaches	25 Aug 2003
Thanks for everyone's advice - in other words, do what you feel comfortable with, as long as you show respect to the cards! I'm new to all this you see, hope my beginner's questions don't sound too idiotic. I was interested in Tarot a few years back and I'm just trying to re-learn, and make sure I do it right!

Nevada	25 Aug 2003
If I'd waited around for someone to give me my first deck, I still wouldn't have one. It's been 15 years. Still haven't ever received one as a gift, though I've given them. Waiting around doesn't work for much of anything that I can think of. If you want to do something, do it. If you want something, go get it. Hmm, this is good advice for *me* to follow. ;)

full deck	25 Aug 2003
I let my dog sniff the deck. If she takes a dog-bath, then I know it must be a good deck. If she really acts bored, then I know she actually covets the deck and is trying to throw me off by acting as if it is not very good, in which case I buy the deck and keep it carefully hidden from her. I let my dog read for me as well so as to avoid any problems with confusing readings.

lunalafey	03 Sep 2003
Quote: Originally posted by full deck I let my dog sniff the deck. If she takes a dog-bath, then I know it must be a good deck. sounds like my grandmothers bird! peaches, don't worry about right or wrong, just go with feelings. there are times I question myself because it does not fit to everyone else. I have bee told my approach (in life) is odd, but works....I have learned to go with the flow & stay out of the whirlpools.

The Superstition or truth? thread was originally posted on 24 Aug 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.