State of Tarot in your country

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 02 Jan 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

closrapexa	02 Jan 2005
I've heard many people say on this forum that Tarot is unknown or un appreciated in their country. I looked for a deck recently and in all the New Age and Magick stores that I looked in there were very few, sometimes only the RWS. However, I finally found a cigar and tobacco shop, of all things, that stocks hundreds of decks. But it upsets me that Tarot decks are hidden in a dark, dusty shop with an old man who doesn't even know what decks he has... How is it where you are? I mean, even if Tarot isn't all that popular, is there a range to be found?

Fulgour	02 Jan 2005
Mainstream bookstores seem to be consolidating stocks, and there are fewer sources for fewer decks all the time. It's probably a part of a natural curve, away from dozens of imaginative new decks back to what will sell the most. Just like your tobacconist, specialty sources will continue to provide the widest range of selections, but even so...

Kiama	02 Jan 2005
I think the UK is fairly open to Tarot. Nearly all bookshops will sell some Tarot decks (though you are bound to find a wider range in New Age/occult/tatooist shops) and many people know of it. Certainly the younger generation are more widely exposed to it than the old one, and here I'm not referring to my generation anywhere! My little sister is 13, and I bought her a Tarot deck for Christmas when she was 12. Since then she has been taking it into school, and she regularly tells me her experiences with it. Apparantly, most people she knows either have a deck as well, or their Mum/Dad has a deck. Either that, or they're interested in neo-Paganism, so have an understanding of the Tarot. The UK's teen and young adult population has caused a boom in Tarot interest - they all seem to want a piece of it, or are interested (at least for a time) in neo-Paganism, Wicca, and the occult. The fact that you can buy a cheap Tarot deck for under £4 (lovingly named the Tesco's Tarot }) ) helps this along. Interest in going to Tarot readers is also very high here. So many people I know go to Tarot readers and psychics on a regular basis... Tarot is also to be found in magazines, newspapers, etc. I've also seen Tarot decks given away free in teen magazines (I collect them. The decks, not the magazines. ;p) So I'd say Tarot, whilst not being a mainstream hobby just yet, is certainly well-known and maybe even... well-loved? I'd be eager to hear from other UK Tarot readers, so see if they have a similar impression. Kiama

Alta	02 Jan 2005
Quite a range so far. Tarot decks, in very limited selection, are available in many main stream book stores. But when I mean limited, I mean you can buy the Mythic and maybe one or two others. NewAge bookstores generally carry them, but only to the limit of the interest of the proprietors. In Halifax, where I lived previously, there was only only one New Age shop and it was run by wiccans who were mainly carried books and instruments tending to their interest. There was a decent case of decks though. In Quebec, tarot is much more widely accepted and displayed, with many more books and decks available, at least in the two larger centres. As for it being a mainstream interest, I would say not. Given the number of decks and books sold, you would think half the population was interested, but it would seem not to be so. Most, if interested, tend to be rather quiet about it.

Moonbow*	02 Jan 2005
Kiama, what you have said is very interesting because I don't feel the same where I live, there still seems to be alot of prejudice about. Although, I agree that youngsters and teens seem to be open about it. But then they are about most things, they certainly seem to have more freedom and I put that down to my generation. I generally don't like to restrict my kids because I think they have to find themselves and to some extent, make their own mistakes. I also find that because they are strong minded, saying no, is not the best way to deal with them. I try to make a compromise or get them to think carefully before making rash decisions (I'm particularly thinking about piercings and tatoos at the moment)! I've said this in a number of other threads, but generally I find a prejudice to Tarot, and only tell a few good friends about it. (most of which, interestingly, are from other cultures). I think that my interest in it is gradually leaking out but it's not something I would discuss openly here. The mainstream bookshops are selling some decks but mostly, as you say, it's the metaphysical ones that stock the most and that's why I try to support them. I still believe it's not easy for them in my area, and have given several examples before of this. My daughter is interested in Tarot and has been since the age of 12, she is swaying towards Wicca at the moment and I will help her with that when she becomes more serious about it (of course being nearly 14 she has other things on her mind now too!). In the UK I think the acceptance of Tarot is probably geographical to some extent. It's very well accepted in the West Country from what I have seen, and I believe in London too - but then London is more cosmopolitan now.

Gyda	02 Jan 2005
Out here in Alberta you find them in main stream books stores, a decent enough selection, in the New age shop, and the Witchery ( a pagan store) here in Calgary, used book stores, coffee shops if the sell books will often have a couple, though the RWS isn;t as common now a dyas it;s more of the themed ones. It's not kept in the dark here at all most of the people think of it as a cool party game and often asked to have them read or dimiss it. So access to them isn;t all the hard to do and the prejudice isn;t all that bad.

huredriel	02 Jan 2005
Following Kiama's comments, I don't think Tarot in Essex is as open as up in Cardiff to be honest. I have to agree with Moonbow on this one. But then I have only come to Tarot recently myself. I know a few people who have regular readings but on the whole, I find that most people are frightened of it or don't want to know. It's easier not to say anything outside of my circle of friends. Also I've found that getting hold of decks isn't that easy. We have several shops where I live that do sell so-called "occult" stuff, one of which is more like a gift shop, but the other, although smaller is owned by a wiccan/pagan and I love that one. However, because of the size, they don't stock many decks. I have to be honest and say I've never gone into a mainstream bookstore and looked for tarot, something I shall have to do in the near future. My only deck is Tarot of the Old Path and I ordered that online. Both of the local shops don't stock it, or any of the others that are on my wishlist at the moment, although I guess I could pre-order. It would be great to find there are other people here at AT from Essex but I haven't come across any yet :( x Huredriel

Vilyariel	02 Jan 2005
Tarot in australia is a fairly well known and accepted thing; almost every bookstore you go into sells cards and books related to the subject, as well as other topics like numerology and iching, etc. Even in my smallish sized town, the local store has a very well-stocked "new age" section.

DarkElectric	02 Jan 2005
Here in the USA I think it's regional. Overall, many Americans are very open to Tarot, New Age, and so called "Alt Spirituality". But there are areas of the country which are very conservative. Tarot, as well as other "New Age Practices" are less accepted. Thank the Gods for the Internet and online shopping! This opens it up for people in those places where a more rigid ideology holds sway.

damfino	02 Jan 2005
Here in Mexico Tarot is on a rather delicate state. I know there are well known readers, and that the esoteric culture embraces Tarot. But the majority of people in here are rather... well, I hate this word, but I can't think of any other to use here... "ignorant", regarding Tarot. Given most of the country has been raised on a strict catholic doctrine, it's hard for them to accept things that does not belong to their beliefs. I know, I've had problems with my family about this. The general opinion I've found is that Tarot is a tool of prophets, or that it's some kind of supernatural thing, like an Ouija board. Except for 2 or 3 persons, I've had to explain everyone I've done a reading for that there's nothing supernatural in Tarot, and that I have no psychic powers or touch with a higher entity (most people here thinks such "entity" is the devil, according to the christian mithology). Tarot is nothing new in here, but people are still sort of sttuborn to try to learn more about it and see that it's not the bad or diabolical thing they think it is.

fairyhedgehog	06 Jan 2005
I think that Tarot acceptance probably varies according to region, age group, profession and a whole host of other variables in the UK. And availibility of tarot doesn't entirely equate with acceptance of it. I can get hold of tarot decks locally: Merton Abbey Mills has a tarot stall (expensive!) and Borders in Kingston has quite a selection. But I would not dream of telling most people at the school where I work that I am interested in Tarot. Apart from one colleague/friend no one discusses such matters and I have the feeling that it could be considered corrupting to the young people we work with. Even if I didn't do anything with it at work!

WolfSpirit	06 Jan 2005
In the Netherlands, people will not think tarot is "work of the devil" and they will not get upset if they see you reading cards, but they may not take it seriously. I think many people think of themselves as level-headed and consider tarot dubious. I think there is no harm in being sceptical, but they won't even give it a chance. They will think it is harmless but a waste of time. Of course, it differs for different people, in Amsterdam it will be much more accepted than in most provincial towns, most business men will regard it more suspiciously than people working in arts or alternative healing... Most bookshops have a little bit on tarot, and here and there are well assorted spiritual shops. For me, it is still easier to shop on-line.

huredriel	06 Jan 2005
fairyhedgehog wrote: But I would not dream of telling most people at the school where I work that I am interested in Tarot. Apart from one colleague/friend no one discusses such matters and I have the feeling that it could be considered corrupting to the young people we work with. Even if I didn't do anything with it at work! I totally agree with this view fairyhedgehog. Most of the adults I train with at karate know that I was venturing into Tarot, but they don't know how much or how serious I am. And I haven't mentioned it much lately either. Also, none of the parents of of our junior students know yet and I aim to keep it that way. I don't know how it would be viewed to be honest, but it's not a chance I'm willing to take, especially as I wouldn't want to see my instructor possibly lose students because of it. x Huredriel

Flavio	06 Jan 2005
In Mexico City, I've observed a very recent interest for divination tools in mainstream bookstores in the shape of Oracles, mainly based on Angels and Fairies (I think they seem less dangerous to the average person) a limited selection of Tarot decks can be found at those bookstores, maybe a RWS redrawn version or very romantic decks like the Legend Arthurian Tarot (in spanish version), on the other hand metaphysical shops aren't hidden in the darkness so a wide selection of books and Tarot decks can be found there. People in Mexico still thinks Tarot is about future readings, has something to do with psychic powers and dark entities as a catholic country Tarot practice isn't seen with good eyes but I enjoy the challenge to open people's eyes to a different Tarot view and experience.

Red Emma	06 Jan 2005
Here in the U.S., the acceptability of Tarot, or other New Age interests, depend on what region you live in. In the Old South (Scarlet O'Hara country), it's pretty hard going. In fact, one still hears of single mothers losing their children. Because they're Wicca members, they're considered evil and unfit to raise God-fearing youngsters. I have a cyber friend In Oklahoma who uses tarot cards in her home, but doesn't take them out and about. She'd like to start a business reading cards on the Internet, but it's illegal. I'm not too sure about the mid-west. I've not visited there myself, but I understand they can be a bit conventional. Here on the West Coast, things are pretty liberal, especially in large metropolitan areas. In small towns, one would have to be pretty careful about letting people know you indulge in such nefarious activities.

roppo	06 Jan 2005
Here in Japan the tarot situation is rather paradoxical. Many youngsters are interested in tarot and other western type divinations, but the lack of knowledge about the western cultures in gereral is very serious. Japanese senior tarotists have repeatedly told younger tarot fans "Read the Bible thouroughly and gain basic knowledges about Christianity or you can't possibly understand the symbolism of Tarot". We could say Japanese Tarot fans are more "Christianised" than the rest. Those "Tarot vs Christianity" issues are non-existent in Japan simply because Christians are a minority group, less than 1 percent of whole poplulation. Popular Buddhism and Shintoism are not a religion in the western sense of the word. Everyday some forms of fortune telling can be seen in breakfast shows and prime time TV. Western and Eastern Astrologies, Tarot, I-Ching, Blood-types, shamanism and necromancy, anything goes. In a word, an island of Le Fou, my Japan. We can buy all the types of tarot cards at bookshops, toyshops, occultshops etc. Spin-off tarots from manga,anime and games are abundant, to the horror of serious fans.

Red Emma	07 Jan 2005
roppo wrote: Here in Japan the tarot situation is rather paradoxical. Many youngsters are interested in tarot and other western type divinations, but the lack of knowledge about the western cultures in gereral is very serious. I guess I'm kind of surprised that some enterprising Japanese taraholic hasn't created a deck based on Eastern culture and some of the religions Roppo mentions. I know several people who really, really like the Zen Tarot deck. I gather it doesn't serve the purpose. Blessings.

The State of Tarot in your country thread was originally posted on 02 Jan 2005 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.