A friend mentioned that your first deck has to be gifted to you, which kind of threw me off since nobody I know reads tarot or would even know what deck to get me. I’ve heard this a couple of times and I know a lot of Tarot YouTubers argue against it (but they’re also selling Tarot decks so they’re biased).
I went to a local shop yesterday and saw this beautiful deck that really spoke to me. I kept thinking about it all day. But now I’m second-guessing myself because of what my friend said about the gifting rule.
Is this actually a thing? I’ve been researching online and getting mixed answers. Some people swear by it, others say it’s just an old superstition. I don’t want to mess up my practice before I even start, but I also don’t see how I’ll ever get cards if I have to wait for someone to randomly gift them to me.
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My first deck caught my eye in this little metaphysical shop. Bought it right away and still use it more than any other deck. I’ve gotten a few as gifts since then, including this vintage one that looked really nice but never felt right to me.
But that first one I picked out myself is still the one I reach for most of the time. If you’re drawn to a particular deck, just get it.
Doesn’t really matter if someone gives it to you or you buy it yourself.
I’m really curious where this idea got started because I’ve never heard it from someone who actually reads the Tarot.
How would that even work? Surely someone at some point had to have made or bought their own Tarot deck.
One downside to buying your own tarot deck is that you might overthink your choice. With so many beautiful options out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and start second-guessing yourself. You might find yourself wondering if you’re picking the right one, which can make it hard to move forward with your tarot practice.
Sometimes, this indecision can hold you back before you even get started.
What if the ‘gift’ is actually the permission you give yourself? Maybe buying cards is just a way of trading energy.
Some cultures believe in not paying the full price, suggesting you haggle or add a penny to make it more personal. It makes me think your ancestors might be guiding you toward that deck.
There’s this misconception that you need to be an expert to start using tarot. Not really true though. Tarot is pretty accessible for anyone who wants to try it. Doesn’t matter how you get your deck, bought, gifted, whatever.
The main thing is just starting to practice with it. You pick things up as you go. It’s more about personal exploration than having all the answers from day one.
Gatekeeping nonsense. Get your own deck if you find one you like.
When you’re picking out a tarot deck, try to hold it in your hands at the shop if you can. If it makes you smile or just feels right, it might be the one for you. Don’t worry too much about rules or traditions. The deck that feels right to you is the best choice.
Trust your instincts and choose the one that feels like a good fit.
Marie Anne Lenormand was this famous card reader in 18th century France who wouldn’t buy her decks unless the moon phase was right. She thought it gave them stronger powers or something. Turns out lots of people still follow this.
New moon is the popular time, supposedly good for the deck’s energy and making it more intuitive. Different cultures have linked new moons with fresh starts for ages, so that’s probably why it’s considered a good time to get a new deck.
Back in the day, tarot cards were pretty rare and the people who read them were basically social outcasts.
So getting a deck wasn’t as simple as walking into a shop. It makes sense that the whole ‘gifted deck’ tradition probably started because you couldn’t just buy them openly. You had to get them through more secretive means.
These days we have entire stores dedicated to tarot decks, so sticking to that old rule feels like we’re holding onto something from a different era. If that deck is calling to you, I’d say go for it. That connection you’re feeling matters more than some old superstition.
I think when you buy your own deck, there’s something about choosing it yourself that makes it feel more personal.
Found this video that talks about the purchase being part of the commitment to practicing. Could be relevant if you’re thinking about getting that deck.
The Fool appears first - showing that beginning your tarot journey by choosing your own deck is actually the perfect embodiment of taking that brave first step. The card whispers of trust in your own instincts, not waiting for permission from others.
Next comes the Two of Cups - interesting! This suggests that when you’re drawn to a deck, it’s already a form of exchange, a meeting between you and the cards. The universe doesn’t need a middleman to create this connection.
Finally, the Magician lands before us - and this is the key. You already have everything you need within you to begin. The act of choosing your deck is the magical alignment. When you reach for that deck that calls to you, you’re not disrupting cosmic order - you’re actively participating in it.
The cards seem quite clear: your intention to begin is the gift the universe recognizes.
I’ve got a bunch of gifted decks just sitting in my closet gathering dust. Meanwhile, the deck I use? The one I picked out myself. Guess that’s the whole point (when a deck catches your eye at the shop, there’s usually a reason. My go-to deck is the one I chose because something about it just clicked with me.
Gifted decks definitely have something special about them but it’s not because you can’t get your own deck.
There’s this extra meaning when someone chooses cards thinking of you specifically but that’s just anything someone gets you because of the thougth behind it.
My most accurate deck is actually one I bought myself when I couldn’t wait anymore for someone to gift me one. makes me wonder if it’s really about how connected you feel to the cards rather than how you get them.
I’d be interested to know if other people have noticed their gifted decks reading differently than purchased ones. might just be the sentimental value making them seem different though. That deck calling to you sounds like there’s already something there btw
I get why some people like the gift tradition, but honestly it can keep a lot of people from ever starting with tarot.
Most of us don’t know anyone else who reads cards. If I’d waited for someone to gift me a deck, I’d still be waiting. I think what matters is finding a deck that feels right to you. There are so many ways to connect with the cards, and buying your own deck is just as valid as getting one as a gift.
When I bought my first deck, it felt right immediately.
Every time I shuffled, the cards seemed to match what was going on in my life. Like they’d been waiting for me. I’ve seen plenty of readers who have strong connections with their cards, whether they bought them or got them as gifts. That pull you felt in the shop sounds like what I experienced. Go with your gut on this one.
Yeah, intuition is huge when picking decks. Even when you already have one you like, sometimes another one just calls to you. hunting for the right deck teaches you a lot about what you actually want from your readings.
Like, are you drawn to darker imagery? Traditional symbols? Something more modern? It all says something about where you’re at.