Would you buy a whole new deck?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Aug 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

HudsonGray	25 Aug 2004
I was selling at an event, this past week, and had a gentleman in his 30's buy one of my Ferret Tarot decks in the early afternoon. He came rushing back around 6pm looking grim and bought another deck from me, which I thought was strange. When I asked if he wanted that one as a gift, he said no, he'd shuffled the other deck completely and did a spread, then reshuffled two more times & laid out the cards again, getting the same cards all three times & wanted to see if a second deck confirmed those. I was pretty floored, don't have the faintest idea what his question was, but he was dead serious about it, bought the second deck & left. I don't know what the result off the second deck gave him either, but considering the first deck gave him the same identical cards after being shuffled thoroughly each time I'm thinking he probably got the same answer a fourth time. Though I'm not sure I'd be buying a second deck to verify if it had been me (I'd vary the question or focus on a detail & do a new lay). Would anyone here buy a whole new deck just to 'check' something? I'm just curious.

MeeWah	25 Aug 2004
Not likely. I do not usually try to second-guess; however, can see that perhaps a different deck could be used as a "control" element in a hypothesis for comparison purposes. Your repeat customer had a lot riding on his query &/or was freaked out by the repetitious cards.

VGimlet	26 Aug 2004
No way. I might go through and make sure there was only one of each card in the deck. I might be freaked out too - but I wouldn't buy the same deck to check and see if it gave me the same cards. But hey, you sold two decks to the same guy. It's all good. :D

Fulgour	26 Aug 2004
My experience has been more the opposite ~ being in possession of a deck I would simply not allow myself to consult at all, ever. A friend once presented me with a very curious European deck, one I've never seen since and strangely can't recall the name of. The cards were very still, nothing coming to me looking at them. I respectfully kept them neatly in their package, and then one day while visiting ~ there was a beautiful cedar wood box, inlaid with mother of pearl designs and red velvet inside, made in Egypt. When I asked where it came from, I was told it had belonged to his twin brother who had died of AIDS not long before that time. I knew the cards wanted to be back in that box, and it was a very traumatic dilemma for me, not wanting to give any offence. So I bought him a Tarot deck I thought he'd like, and found an oak box that I decorated with Celtic designs. When I gave him this 'return' gift, I also later presented him with his brother's deck, saying I would feel better if it were back with him and his wife.

Ace	26 Aug 2004
Quote: [i] Would anyone here buy a whole new deck just to 'check' something? I'm just curious. [/b] Seems to me, this guy had a very hard time accepting the truth the first deck was giving him. To actually BUY a second copy, just because he wanted to double check? well, you can't complain too much..... but to answer your question, this is a new one on me! :confused:

bluebird	27 Aug 2004
Doing a spread & have the same cards come up up 3 times in a row, would freak out anyone. Wonder what kind of question he had?? & I wonder what the next deck he bought from you came up with. To buy another deck, it really must of scared the crap out of him!!!!!!to bu another deck. Maybe, you will run into him again at another event. For me no, I would not buy another deck,but who know's that's too weird!!!!!!

Ellie	27 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by HudsonGray Would anyone here buy a whole new deck just to 'check' something? I'm just curious. I wouldn't, but I also would accept what the cards told me the first time without a desire for 'checking' any further. The only reason I would buy a second deck of any Tarot would be if I wanted to keep a pristine copy of a deck that I used often...but that's a whole different topic. It would be interesting to see what the second deck had to tell the fellow though - too bad he didn't come back to let you know. Be well, Ellie

baba-prague	30 Aug 2004
How strange. I recently had someone get almost the same cards in a CC - she asked me to lay it out again as she didn't like what it was saying. She shuffled and - out came almost the same cards. What was interesting is that the impression I get is that she still rejected the reading. I gave her a postcard of one of the main cards to take away and look at but I doubt it made any difference. If someone does not want to hear, they won't hear. It would be fascinating to know what your man got in his "checking" spread.

Trogon	30 Aug 2004
I'd have to agree with Ellie and Baba-prague here. I wouldn't have even gotten to the point of seeing the second reading. If I do a lay out, that's it - whether I (or my client) "likes" the reading is immaterial... it's the reading we got. So, we deal with it. Now, there is a slight exception to this, and that is if the reading needs clarifying, we might add some clarifying cards, or do another reading to further expand on a single specific issue which came up in the first reading. But I wouldn't bother repeating the first reading just because it wasn't what I wanted to hear. I just always figured that if I tried this, one of two things would happen; either I'd keep getting essentially the same information (though I hadn't considered that I'd keep getting exactly the same cards), or I would end up getting the answer I "wanted to hear", which of course would do me no good at all. Now... having said all that, I am considering buying another copy of the Golden Tarot by Kat Black... just to keep the "pristine copy" as Ellie had mentioned. But, yeah, I do agree... getting the same cards 3 times in a row... that would be a real eye opener. :eek:

Thirteen	30 Aug 2004
If a Deck gave me a really strange answer, one that felt very wrong or creepy, I might test it with a second different question--and if I got the same result, I might conclude the deck wasn't for me and return it if possible. But maybe he really, really liked that deck but felt that the one he got was cursed or faulty or just bad? So get a second and hope it's not the *Ferret Deck* but just THAT one Ferret deck? But then, I don't ever buy a deck and do a reading first thing out of the box. At the very least, I go through and study the cards first, before doing that first reading. Quote: Originally posted by Trogon If I do a lay out, that's it - whether I (or my client) "likes" the reading is immaterial... it's the reading we got. So, we deal with it. Now, there is a slight exception to this, and that is if the reading needs clarifying, we might add some clarifying cards I'm in agreement with one added exception: if the repeat cards I got were from the last reading with a different client ;) I had that happen once. Read for Client A, very clear and sound, then I *THOUGHT* I'd done a good job shuffling and cleansing before handing the deck to Client B. When almost the exact same cards for Client A turned up in almost the same order, I said, "That's not your reading." I mean it was more than just seeing the same cards; the spread didn't feel like Client B. So, recleanse, resuffle, and when the spread came up completely different, I was satisfied. The new spread had Client B's signature on it, not not Client A. But that's nothing to do with this situtation. It's almost too bad that someone else wasn't reading for this guy, someone who could say, "Sorry, you don't get to ask again." And this is why I don't read for myself. It's too easy to reject the reading, resuffle, while whining like a petulant child, "I don't like that answer! I want a better one!" Ditto with just reading the cards for oneself--too easy to read what you want to see rather than what's there. I guess this guy had money to burn and the question...life/death or money/love? Was there a "no returns" policy? I wonder that he didn't just exchange the first deck for a second, though I suppose it was honest of him to buy a second, there being nothing wrong with the first. Not something I'd do, but people are strange.....

Thirteen	30 Aug 2004
Okay, I just had a look at the Ferret deck--couldn't resist, and the guy's actions seem even more bizarre given the deck. Maybe it told him his beloved Ferret was going to die? Because even reading this "straight," I can't imagine getting a creepy or scary answer. When the Tower is a falling bag of kibble, you gotta say, "oops, too bad for me," and smile not, "Gotta get a new deck!"

anubis	30 Aug 2004
I would buy my own decks. But if its a gift, i would be most gladly to accept it. I bought the ancient egyptian tarot myself. In fact, i thought of buying the thoth deck now.

Satori	30 Aug 2004
I agree with Thirteen. Just looked at the deck and cracked up. Well, you just never know in this great, wonderful realm, now do you? Thanks for the story. Very interesting......

Trogon	30 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Thirteen Okay, I just had a look at the Ferret deck--couldn't resist, and the guy's actions seem even more bizarre given the deck. Maybe it told him his beloved Ferret was going to die? Because even reading this "straight," I can't imagine getting a creepy or scary answer. When the Tower is a falling bag of kibble, you gotta say, "oops, too bad for me," and smile not, "Gotta get a new deck!" Definitely a rather light-hearted and amusing take on life in these cards. But then, just how seriously to ferrets take life? :D This deck has been on my wish list for a while... well, maybe next payday... or the one after... sigh

Satori	30 Aug 2004
I dunno Trogon, you may have the undeniable urge to do every reading twice with a pristine deck..... Can you really afford THAT? I think I'm on to something......THE DECK IS CURSED MAN! Beware The Ferret Tarot......eeek!

Ace	30 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Thirteen Okay, I just had a look at the Ferret deck--couldn't resist, and the guy's actions seem even more bizarre given the deck. Maybe it told him his beloved Ferret was going to die? Because even reading this "straight," I can't imagine getting a creepy or scary answer. When the Tower is a falling bag of kibble, you gotta say, "oops, too bad for me," and smile not, "Gotta get a new deck!" I have seen the Ferret and maybe (thinking about what you are saying) maybe he was pulling Hudson's leg! the Ferret is a HOOT of a deck by the way, for anyone who hasn't seen it.

Chronata	30 Aug 2004
This does seem mighty strange to me. The only thing I could think of...was this a ferret lover's event, and not a tarot enthusiasts? If the man really didn't know anything about tarot, I could see him maybe having that reaction (especially if he really liked ferrets!) Dunno...very strange indeed!

HudsonGray	30 Aug 2004
Not a ferret lovers event, no, it was a medieval Ren Faire type of thing (Pennsic War is SCA organized, so it runs 11 days on one site, everyone is in Medieval costume the whole time--12,000 people this year). They don't have many vendors who sell tarot decks, I could find only three & they had standard ones mostly (one had 12 of Baba's BBC deck, sold out very fast!), and the guy didn't ask for a return/exchange, just was dead set on "deck #2 thank you I'm going now". Yeah, sure, my deck is cursed. Fluffy ferrets heralding doom & gloom to all---beware the deck! Weasel madness! I would have questioned him a bit, but he didn't even make eye contact, was pretty much not open to discussing it. I figure it was the nature of his question that bothered him, but who knows. He didn't come back to discuss anything.

Satori	30 Aug 2004
Yo Hudson, did you create the Ferret Tarot? OOPs! I was kidding, and btw, thought it was very cute....did I just stick my foot into something...sheesh. Sorry! Long live Ferrets! Hip hip, hooraaaaaay!

HudsonGray	30 Aug 2004
Oh Elf, I think it's a hoot to hear others talking about it! No harm done anywhere, people are free to say what they want. Go ahead & speak your mind, I'm not offended in the least! Besides, that way it's all honest feedback, right?

Satori	30 Aug 2004
My 20 month old daughter calls ferrets kitties. We were watching them play on that morning show, the one with Dr. Mark the Vet guy? The Pet Show TV Vet? (That isn't you too is it? LOL!) But she loved the ferrets! Kept saying,"Kitty, kitty, hold 'em, hold 'em....."

Fulgour	31 Aug 2004
Insomuch as we may ever come to know one another through the vagaries of the internet, I feel I have met Hudson Gray, under the very best of circumstances, many number of times. When first I became aware that The Ferret Tarot was nuzzling its way past the initial stages of formative creation toward becoming a bona fide member of the new world of cartomancy, I felt an urge of supportive camaraderie, a la Hooray! And when I see it now, well on its own furry way, how nice to be able to say, hey, I remember when, with a warmth in my heart like that of an old friend.

HudsonGray	31 Aug 2004
Thank you Fulgour! That's very nice to say! Not having decades of tarot study behind me, I try to keep very open on the creation options & reactions from others to what I make, as honest feedback is the absolute best kind you can get. And support of the people here has been well appreciated (believe me!).

pandora	31 Aug 2004
I have looked at this post since you put it up HudsonGrey and the first thing that came to me was that this man didn't want an answer, what he wanted was a not answer, he was doing a test to prove that tarot was crap. My life is filled with many,many such people who would do just as he did and I can see this. The reading he got scared him, it iis not what he wants, so he tried again and again and got the same answer x3, now he is thinking this might be real, how does he feel, he is upset and scared....so he comes back to you and gets another deck. What does he find in the second deck....who knows...but anyone who believes the cards hold some truth and confront a truth they don't want to see say ......WTF..... and then analize. So, who was he ........ someone who wanted to tell someone else...see I told you so ...and got told!

Trogon	02 Sep 2004
LOL Pandora! I've had a couple of people come to me for readings... thinking they'd get nothing because they were so skeptical. For the most part they've gotten really good readings... real eye-openers. I've only had one person who I couldn't get a good reading for, a college student who does some part time work where I work at. For some reason, with him, nothing seems to fit. Hmmm... may have to start a new thread...

Ace	02 Sep 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Trogon LOL Pandora! I've had a couple of people come to me for readings... thinking they'd get nothing because they were so skeptical. For the most part they've gotten really good readings... real eye-openers. I've only had one person who I couldn't get a good reading for, a college student who does some part time work where I work at. For some reason, with him, nothing seems to fit. Hmmm... may have to start a new thread... Please do! I want to discuss this.

Wisp Wings	03 Sep 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Trogon I've only had one person who I couldn't get a good reading for, a college student who does some part time work where I work at. For some reason, with him, nothing seems to fit. Hmmm... may have to start a new thread... Trogon, I hope you open a new thread on this college student too. When you do, please come here and post a link to this. That is if an okay thing to do, is it Monitors? I am sure others having read this thread will want to follow up on this new thread as well.

Trogon	03 Sep 2004
Okay Ace and Wisp Wings... since you asked... :D http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30771

Flavio	10 Sep 2004
Quote: Originally posted by HudsonGray Would anyone here buy a whole new deck just to 'check' something? I'm just curious. Maybe the guy bought the second deck because he was in the event, unable to reach another deck for "confirmation" reading. As for myself... I'm trying to avoid repeated readings on the same subject so to buy a second deck to ask again is not achoice for me.

Hawks_girl_dove	16 Sep 2004
Sometimes when we ask a question, we have to decidee if we really want to hear or accept the answer. I was taught: You when asking a question, you may a.) get an answer your were hoping for b.) get an answer you didn't lik, or c.) that which you asked the question may not wish to answer answer it. This holds true in people or cards. Sounds like he wasnt wanting to accept the answer given to him the 1st time, 2nd time or 3rd time. But hey, it worked out well and in your favor. you got to sell an extra deck. :) In answer to your quesion: No i personally would nto have bought a second deck.

The Would you buy a whole new deck? thread was originally posted on 25 Aug 2004 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.