Buying your tarot decks.

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 15 Nov 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Sushi	15 Nov 2004
I have several tarot decks, a thoth, an aquarian, a hanson roberts, a shakespearian, and another 2 that I am not sure the names of. I have been given all of them. With my first deck I was told that you are always supposed to be given a tarot deck, never to buy them for yourself, so I havent until now. But I really want a rider waite deck. From reading the posts on here, I am under the impression that most of you dont have any problem with the idea of buying them for yourself. Should I just toss that belief to the side and buy myself one?

Imagemaker	15 Nov 2004
Yes, indeed. Perhaps that rumor started when someone was trying to stop us tarotholics from emptying the bank account on lovely new decks. You're lucky to have been given so many!

Nec	15 Nov 2004
If you wait for others to give you the deck that you really like you will be missing a lot :) I believe that there is no harm in buying the deck for yourself.

Flavio	15 Nov 2004
Sushi wrote: With my first deck I was told that you are always supposed to be given a tarot deck, never to buy them for yourself, so I havent until now. That is a very popular Tarot myth, everyone can decide to believe on it or not, as in many other Tarot related rituals they work if you believe it, do what feels right for you.

Sushi	15 Nov 2004
Imagemaker wrote: You're lucky to have been given so many! Yes I certainly am very lucky. I was just thinking that as I posted that, how nice it was that I have been given so many. I'm one of those "hard to shop for" people, so maybe that's why I've gotten so many. Seems to be a common theme for me in the past day or so, what I have to be thankful for in comparison to those around me. Ran into an old friend of mine from highschool last night that I havent seen in a few years. She hasnt been as fortunate as I. It made me a little sad today. Had the six of cups come up for me a couple times earlier this week. Now I know why. Perhaps buying a new deck will cheer me up while I contemplate how I can help those around me share in what I have had.

Imagemaker	15 Nov 2004
Quote: while I contemplate how I can help those around me For starters, give someone a tarot deck :) I like to give the little Hansen Roberts to beginners. $5, good carrying size, and non-offensive, non-threatening.

Sushi	15 Nov 2004
$5?? Where can you find them for $5? They were $18 on amazon just now when I checked. =( For $5, I can see myself giving them out to a LOT of people.

Flavio	15 Nov 2004
Sushi wrote: $5?? Where can you find them for $5? They were $18 on amazon just now when I checked. =( For $5, I can see myself giving them out to a LOT of people. I think Imagemaker refers to the mini Hanson Roberts, I got it in a set with a small book with divinatory meaning, but I've never seen the mini-size deck sold alone. ADDED: Or is it the Tiny Universal Waite Tarot? that is sold by $5 in Amazon.

rosesred	15 Nov 2004
or at 0,99 at E-bay. (If your fast)

TheLovers2	15 Nov 2004
Imagemaker wrote: Yes, indeed. Perhaps that rumor started when someone was trying to stop us tarotholics from emptying the bank account on lovely new decks. Too funny!! :D I can just see it now, "You know, it's really best to WAIT until a deck is given you. Those are the decks you will work best with. It is NOT RECOMMENDED that you BUY them yourself. As a matter-of-fact, it is something you should not do more than once a year to be safe." Or something crazy like that. When I think of all my wonderful decks that I wouldn't have if I waited for them to be gifted to me. Perish the thought. :) TL2 :TLOVE

Imagemaker	15 Nov 2004
The deck I'm talking about is labeled "Tarot to go!" and comes in a little box that opens like a book. Deck on the right side, tiny bound book glued into the left side, titled "The essential book of tarot." These boxed items are usually in a turning display near bookstore checkouts. There's also other little boxes of quick purchase items. This deck is about 2.5 x 3.25 inches. Perfect size for a gift! Box says: Copyright 2002 Peter Pauper Press: www. peterpauper.com

Flavio	15 Nov 2004
Imagemaker wrote: The deck I'm talking about is labeled "Tarot to go!" and comes in a little box that opens like a book. Deck on the right side, tiny bound book glued into the left side, titled "The essential book of tarot." That is the mini Hanson Roberts I have!, as image maker said I found it near the checkout, but it was a gifts shops, is a lovely set indeed.

SunChariot	15 Nov 2004
I've bought all my own decks, I have 3 now (he Haindl Tarot, the Ancestral Path Tarot and the Wheel of Change Tarot) and one on theh way. I just ordered the Lover's Path Tarot. It should come in a month of so. I don't know where that rumour started, but it has not affected my readings in any way. My decks have been amazing for me, I don't see how they could have worked out better. So I don't believe you need to receive them as a gift. Although next month for the holidays we do a gift exchange at work. We get to choose what we want.. And I will see if someone will get me my Goddess Tarot. LOL Bar

Alta	15 Nov 2004
lol, that is what I was thinking. If you all hadn't gotten here first I would have been very reassuring that you *have* to have your decks given to you. And, so, another poor soul saved from tarotholism. :D

Tarot Sparrow	15 Nov 2004
Just a silly superstition, Sushi. Tarot has no rules; whatever you feel or want to do is what you should do.

SunChariot	15 Nov 2004
What Dead Star said.:-) Tarot has no rules. It's about following your intuition. If something feels right to you do it, if it feels wrong, don't Bar (aka bardia)

yupkigirl	15 Nov 2004
If I had to wait for someone to give me my first tarot deck, I would still be waiting right now! Given the almost non-existent supply of tarot decks here in my country (even in the most upscale bookstores), it is almost like sending a person on a wild-goose chase if I asked for a tarot deck. Unless of course I ask them to order for me online, but with expensive shipping costs, it is a little too much. But my brother did gift me with a deck, although it wasn't my first deck. Go and buy your own---it is better that way IMHO. And you are so fortunate to have been given a lot of decks---could you introduce me to your friends :D Most of us here bought our own decks, and so far none has suffered any backlash from such superstition---that is if you don't count our bank accounts :D

Emily	17 Nov 2004
I have bought all of my tarot decks myself, apart from my Diamond that was gifted to me. If I didn't buy them myself I'd never get any new decks. :D

SunChariot	17 Nov 2004
yupkigirl wrote: If I had to wait for someone to give me my first tarot deck, I would still be waiting right now! Given the almost non-existent supply of tarot decks here in my country (even in the most upscale bookstores), yupkigirl, I have heard you say that a few times, what country are you in? just curious. :-) Bar (formerly bardia)

HudsonGray	17 Nov 2004
Someone should start a rumor/myth that for Christmas you HAVE to give a tarot deck. That would work out so much better than telling someone that their first deck has to be given to them! I agree with the $5 Hanson Roberts, it makes a good gift for people.

cjtarot	17 Nov 2004
Hi, THis is the deck I bout myself for christmas about 9 yrs ago...and it turned me into a Tarotholic http://www.discountnewagebooks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=495 I only have about 3 deck that were given to me..the other 30+ I have purchased or traded for.. PS..I love my "Tarot to Go"..Glad RubyRedSlippers showed it to me.. Blessings and never be afraid to buy what you want..as long as you still have money left over for groceries... CJ

yupkigirl	17 Nov 2004
SunChariot wrote: yupkigirl, I have heard you say that a few times, what country are you in? I have been saying that often, have I---almost like I was whining :D I am from the Philippines :)

SunChariot	18 Nov 2004
Now there's a good idea! LOL I am getting one this year for the holidays. We have a gift exchange at work and we get to choose what we want. I will be asking for the Goddess Tarot.:-) Bar (formerly bardia)

RedMaple	18 Nov 2004
Well, Hanukkah has eight days, so does that mean eight new decks? Oh, my! :)

Melpomone18	18 Nov 2004
I've only ever received one tarot deck as a gift (it also happened to be Hanson-Roberts) I've bought all of the others for myself. Actually, I remember running into this rumor for the first time when I went into a bookstore to buy my Victoria Regina deck. The girl behind the counter looked at me and sniffed "I hope that you're not buying this for yourself." I actually started to laugh and asked why and she said in a very low, serious, tone "because it's *very* bad to use a tarot deck unless it's been given to you as a gift." As if the earth would swallow me up or something! I promptly told her that it WAS a gift. A gift to myself. Happy birthday to me! :)

SunChariot	18 Nov 2004
Good for you Melpomone18 for standing up for what you know is right. I have gotten all my decks for myself and they have always been amazing for me. What a silly superstition that is. And we deserve to be good to ourselves and do something that kind for ourselves. Having worked in a store before I can only imagine what that salesperson's boss would have said if he came by and heard her trying to talk a customer out of buying something. :-) Bar (bardia)

Sushi	19 Nov 2004
Well I did it. I went out and bought myself the Radiant Rider Waite. =)

littlehermit	19 Nov 2004
I bought my first deck, bought a second and traded it for a third, and two have been given to me. Apart from one of the gift decks (Titania's Star - I'm probably going to sell or trade it, because it really doesn't suit me, so I haven't even shuffled it nor added it to my list in the "Deck Collection" thread) I get along fine with all of them - and the first deck I bought has given me some of my most mindblowing readings.

SunChariot	19 Nov 2004
yupkigirl wrote: I have been saying that often, have I---almost like I was whining :D I am from the Philippines :) That's okay yupkigirl. I can understand that. You can say it as many times as you want. :-) I know I would feel like whining myself if I had trouble getting Tarot decks. LOL We're here for you if you want to talk, Bar (formerly bardia)

Maelin	21 Nov 2004
Although I agree that of course you can buy your own decks, there is something nice about the concept of a gift - now the deck has a positive association with someone, it starts its relationship with you in a very, happy, positive way. There is no thought of the money that was parted with! SO I like Melpomone18's take - it is a gift -for myself! I thought about it, chose it, decided I deserved it, and most of all, gave it with love, asking nothing in return. If we tarotholics really want to be saved, the new myth should be that you have to make your own deck - a la BOTA, that would slow us down!! Best wishes

Phoenix Rising	21 Nov 2004
Quote: Just a silly superstition, Sushi. Tarot has no rules; whatever you feel or want to do is what you should do. A great master had said "Never believe in anything or anyone, even me. The only truth in life is your own, as you are the only one living it"

full deck	22 Nov 2004
yupkigirl wrote: . . . I am from the Philippines :) Forgive me Yupki girl but if you are from the Philippines, why do you use Korean in your online name? Not to be nosy but it made me laugh. Things "yup-gi" are fashionable just now in Seoul. It's odd, my first deck *was* a gift but I had forgotten that until just now. It's been a while. I'm afraid the rest were bought by myself.

yupkigirl	22 Nov 2004
full deck wrote: Forgive me Yupki girl but if you are from the Philippines, why do you use Korean in your online name? Not to be nosy but it made me laugh. Things "yup-gi" are fashionable just now in Seoul. Hi full deck! At the rate of going absolutely off-topic, yes, I got my name from the Korean movie My Yupkigirl (it was marketed as "My Sassy Girl" in the international market) starring Jeon Ji Hyeon and Cha Tae Hyun. I so love that movie and I have seen it so many times already. Nice to meet you here :)

Majecot	22 Nov 2004
My first deck was a gift too.. because of that silly superstition... but I would have never had a second or or a third or fourth...and so on If I believed in it. When I bought my first deck some upteen years ago.. my best friend practically had a coronary.. I said look at this site (AT)... that cannot be true or thier would not be so many choices ;) Look here I am almost 9 years later.. I would have only had one deck all this time and not learned of the joys of tarot shopping if I had listened. :D:D:D

The Buying your tarot decks. thread was originally posted on 15 Nov 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.