Do decks have to be gifted?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Mar 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

closrapexa	10 Mar 2004
I know I've read alot of threads where people have bought decks for themselves, still, I can't help wondering. Do decks have to be gifted? Does it matter?

jmd	10 Mar 2004
Why not begin charity with oneself? Gift the gift received: gift oneself! ...but to answer your question more simply, it may be that given there was a time when decks were rather difficult to obtain, the most likely means of obtaining one was through it being gifted... That this may have changed, with time, to believing that a deck has to be given is universalising what may have been the case in another instance (a little like: 'Well, I was given a deck, so that is the way it's gotta be!'). Decks which are gifted, especially from someone one has either high respects for with regards to Tarot, or one cares for very deeply, will of course have a special place :)

CreativeFire	10 Mar 2004
Well said JMD! It is special when you are gifted a deck by a loved one, my Mum gave me my first deck and that has always meant a great deal to me over the years. I have also started to give Tarot decks to some of my friends for their birthdays, mainly to those ones who have shown some interest at some stage when I have done readings for them. If you have someone close to you who knows about your interest in tarot, why not drop a hint for your birthday or something :) Some of the best gifts I have ever received have been from myself - I always know what I would really like! ;) I have bought most of my other decks myself or the hint thing has worked well :P CreativeFire

mysticali	10 Mar 2004
I think a deck gifted in the traditional sense - say one used by an adept and then passed onto someone close makes sense. I would never use a deck that had been 'pre-owned' unless I was really sure about where it came from and that it came with love. A new deck gifted - well it has never happenned to me but it would be nice. I'm always kind of wary of giving tarot related stuff to others in case they think I am on a mission. Even friends can be weird about that kind of stuff (or maybe it's just some firends of mine!)

purple_scorp	10 Mar 2004
There's nothing worse than receiving, as a gift, a deck that you don't want. I was given a deck by a girlfriend and I just don't feel comfortable with it. Unless I've chosen it myself, I don't really feel an afinity with it. It has to be something that I really, really, really want. Cheers purple_scorp

Phoenyx*	10 Mar 2004
I'm afraid people around here would never even think about buying a deck for me. So, I wouldn't have any of my 9 decks, if it wasn't for buying them myself, and I seem to have relatively good luck with them.

Khatruman	10 Mar 2004
If decks had to be gifts in order for them to work, all my 30 or so decks would be entirely useless... :D

Emily	10 Mar 2004
Out of my decks the only one I've had gifted to me was the Diamond tarot by a very close friend who knew I liked colourful decks. :) All my other decks I've gifted to myself :D

Ilithiya	10 Mar 2004
Whew... good thread! :) I've never been given any decks myself... I went through my box in February and weeded out all my unused decks - ended up with ten, which migrated to various places. Two were sold on eBay, one was given to my mom 'cause she liked the art, and the last seven went home with my best friend. I bought a copy of Vargo's Gothic for my fiance as a Valentine's Day present, and now I have to go buy one for myself. tee hee! My friend and I have a battered but well loved copy of the Servants of the Light that goes between the two of us. Over the past years, it's been with her, then me, then my sister, then me again, and right now it's with her. :) The arrangement with this deck is that it never gets sold, and when the current owner doesn't want it anymore, it goes back to me or Grr. As for the new/used issue, I prefer used decks. For the most part, they seem to work better for me than new ones; there are exceptions to that, though. But preferring used decks allows me to keep a close eye on the Tarot Trading forum for stuff on my wish list. :) 'Sides, used decks are usually cheaper, and that means a lot to someone who has very little spending money! :) Everyone who would be of a mind to gift me with a deck for my birthday or Christmas also understands that if I can't use it because of incompatibility, I won't sell it or return it. I'll keep it around for a while, see if it grows on me, and if it doesn't I'll use it in a trade or gift it to someone who wants it, so I don't have to worry about hurt feelings there. Thanks for starting the thread, Closrapexa!

lark	10 Mar 2004
For me part of the fun of collecting decks is the research that goes into the deck before I buy it. Is there a site with the whole deck is pictured? Who's selling it? Where can I get the best price? It's the thrill of the hunt... And waiting for the package in the mailbox adds to the excitement. If I had to wait for a tarot deck "gift" I'd never get to have all this fun!

ros	10 Mar 2004
I had many readings done, & one year for my Birthday my sister gave me a deck. I didn't even know why she would give me this deck or where she got them from. I think that was for me a sign to learn because I wasn't using my intuition, clueing in that I should be reading. I feel that if you know you would like something buy it yourself. I have treated myself many times with new decks. I didn't buy my first deck because "what would everyone say?" P.S. my sister doesn't even get her cards done. I think that the "gift" thing is like all the other old wise tales we hear. All the rules change or expand.

Khatruman	10 Mar 2004
Amending my ideas: I don't think it is necessary or important for a tarot deck to be a gift, but I DO like the energy in getting the gift of a bag FOR my tarot decks... I have been very fortunate to have received some wonderful tarot bags from several great people in this forum, and each bag gives such a wonderful "energy" to the deck. Oooooo, an idea... hmmm, my birthday comes up in April... maybe I will hint at getting some bags for my birthday presentseses... myyyyyy prrrrreciousssssssss... })

lunakasha	10 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Khatruman Oooooo, an idea... hmmm, my birthday comes up in April... maybe I will hint at getting some bags for my birthday presentseses... myyyyyy prrrrreciousssssssss... }) LOL Khatruman!!!! LOVE the Gollum reference..........BTW my birthday is coming in April too...but I am not expecting any tarot gifts...I'd prefer to get either $$$ or a gift cerificate to pick out my own cards! I agree with everyone who said that if they waited for other people to buy them decks, they wouldn't have any. Besides, I am very particular about what I like and don't like in a deck, so....it just makes sense for me to gift to myself! GREAT thread! :D :) Luna

mysticalowl	10 Mar 2004
Many of the books that I have read say that while it is a great gesture if a deck is gifted it is not required. Also, if you don't get the gift from someone who has good energy...get rid of it! :)

HudsonGray	10 Mar 2004
If I'd waited for my first tarot deck to be given to me, I'd STILL be waiting (it's been 2 decades since the first one). Go ahead and buy what you want, it's the only way to get a deck that you think you'll like.

Marion	10 Mar 2004
It is wonderful to receive a deck, it shows the other person understands. But then, that other person can be you. :)

ros	10 Mar 2004
My first deck that was given to me I can't read them. Mabee if I bought my first deck it wouldn't have taken so long for me to start reading.

purple_scorp	10 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by mysticalowl Many of the books that I have read say that while it is a great gesture if a deck is gifted it is not required. Also, if you don't get the gift from someone who has good energy...get rid of it! :) Hi Mysticalowl. Though I'm not a very ritualistic person by nature, I do usually perform a cleansing ceremony on any secondhand cards (or other divinatory tools) I buy. This is to ward off any negative energy. Hmmm....I wonder if that does away with the good energy too? Cheers purple_scorp

purple_scorp	10 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by ros My first deck that was given to me I can't read them. Mabee if I bought my first deck it wouldn't have taken so long for me to start reading. I'm with you, Ros. I wish I'd found this website before I bought my first deck. Cheers purple_scorp

Majecot	10 Mar 2004
A deck that has been gifted, does indeed become very special. But i certianly would not wait for a gift. Go shopping :D I too love the thrill of the hunt and the anticipation of waiting for the Chocolate ( or the red white and blue) santa to come to my door.

Star Spirit	11 Mar 2004
I think most superstitions about tarot are just that, superstition. I suppose if a deck were gifted to someone it would hold a special meaning to them, but it's not necessary. I like what jmd said...gift oneself :) That's what I do.

Diana	11 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by purple_scorp This is to ward off any negative energy. Hmmm....I wonder if that does away with the good energy too? William Shakespeare (or whichever great man wrote the plays attributed to him) said: There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.

punchinella	11 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by mysticali I would never use a deck that had been 'pre-owned' unless I was really sure about where it came from and that it came with love. Some of my best-energy decks have been pre-owned, & I think prior use is exactly what put that wonderful energy into them. I've only had to do a cleansing ceremony once, on a Thoth deck that came to me feeling 'dirty'. (The cleansing worked. My mother now owns the deck.) But for the most part, pre-owned decks are the most special kind :)

dolphingirl	11 Mar 2004
I have gotten a few decks as gifts and while they are very special to me in that every time I use them I think of the person who gave them to me. I am also happy to go out and purchase a deck (as long as I am holding the deck in my hot little hands I am happy) I also love used decks, a wonderful way to save money and it is also the thrill of the hunt to check the used bookstores cause you never know what you are going to find :) So in a different way those decks are also special to me. Used, new, gifts there are great for me :) and BTW I have never noticed a difference in "performance" in decks bought as opposed to gifts etc for me it depends more on how well I can relate to a deck. Samantha

laura_borealis	11 Mar 2004
I'm getting a strong sense that a deck will be given to me today. Let me close my eyes a moment and visualize.... I'm seeing blue.... a figure in blue, a bag slung over her or his back, various objects in hand.... they're stepping up on my porch.... putting a brown-wrapped package into my mailbox.... hey! it's the postal carrier! /joke :joke: Sorry, couldn't resist

Majecot	13 Mar 2004
ROTFLMAO :D :D :D Laura your so funny!

EminemsAngelBaby	13 Mar 2004
This thread is making me want to go buy a deck! My first deck was a gift and I love it but I'll also be gifting myself with decks that I'm deeply attracted to. I think if a deck calls to you go ahead and get it. There is a reason for the attraction:)

TemperanceAngel	13 Mar 2004
I was recently given a deck, well actually, they are playing cards that look very similar to Marseilles. One of my students gave them to me, they were her Grandmas' who lives in Rome and she reads with playing cards :) They are so old and delicate and beautiful, it brought a tear to my eye when she gave to me. Usually I wouldn't read with a pre-owned deck, but these are so, so special. Their energy is amazing, sometimes they feel hot. I call them my 'spirit cards' :laugh:, because I read with RWS, and these are very different because the imagery is a little unknown to me. But the cards call me only for certain people I read for, not everyone. They are so beautiful to hold and contain so much wisdom... I love them! XTAX

Phoenyx*	13 Mar 2004
If I didn't buy my decks, I wouldn't have any. And I wouldn't learn anything, so there. And I wouldn't meet all you amazing, gifted wonderful people that I so wish I could be as good as one day.

The Do decks have to be gifted? thread was originally posted on 10 Mar 2004 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.