Future Tarot

An old superstition (Serenity Bly discussed how we feel about superstitions here) says it’s “bad luck” to buy your first tarot deck for yourself. Some believe the deck won’t “work” if you buy it for yourself – you must receive it as a gift.

I’ve even heard people say that not only must you receive your first deck as a gift, but you should receive every deck as a gift. I know many people with massive collections of tarot card decks who wouldn’t have any if they sat around waiting for someone to give them one.

Where did this superstition come from? It seems no one knows, but the tarot is steeped in mystery and superstition. In all likelihood, tarot beginners at one time purchased their own decks, and began using them before they were proficient. They may have gotten frustrated with their inexperience, muddling along with no support other than a small black and white guidebook included with the cards.

Meanwhile, other people who received a deck as a gift also received mentoring from the gift-giver. With someone to guide them on their tarot journey, they advanced quickly, getting accurate information from the cards nearly immediately.

But that is only a guess! The truth is, no one I’ve spoken to knows for sure how this silly superstition got started, but serious tarot enthusiasts all agree that it’s just not true.

It’s perfectly fine to purchase your own deck of tarot cards, whether it’s your first deck or your tenth.

4 good reasons to buy your own tarot deck
1. Tarot cards work best if you forge a personal connection with the deck you use. The imagery should speak to you. It may even take several decks before you find one you really like. If someone buys you a deck, sight unseen, it may not be a deck you particularly like.

2. Many tarot readers are also tarot deck collectors. It’s lovely to receive a new deck as a gift, but I don’t know one person who doesn’t like to add to their own collection of anything – be it stamps, books, Precious Moments figurines, teddy bears or tarot cards. If you want a deck – buy it.

3. I know many talented tarot readers who might still be waiting if they had to wait for someone else to buy their first deck.

4. The tarot is all about empowerment. What’s more empowering than selecting your own deck from the thousands on the market to begin your personal tarot journey?

Tarot decks do make great gifts!
Having said that, as we enter the holiday season, tarot decks (and books, and even personalized readings!) do make great gifts. Whether you’re buying someone their first deck or just adding to their collection, a tarot deck is a kind, personal gift that shows you put some thought into their present and that you have some idea of their tastes.

If you’re beginning your tarot journey, we’d like to invite you to shop our online store for a large selection of tarot decks and books, including some of our favorites. If you’ve already been reading for a bit, why not treat yourself – or a loved one – to a new tarot deck for the holidays?

It’s Friday the 13th, and unlike the series of popular movies and television shows of the same name, today will be a normal, uneventful day for most people. According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, between 17 and 21 million people in the US* suffer some degree of paraskevidekatriaphobia (a fear of Friday the 13th). Have you ever wondered where these superstitions begin or how they affect our lives?

While some people believe Friday the 13th is unlucky, superstitions also exist to support the idea of good luck falling on this day. Some believe black cats bring misfortune, others (like myself) believe black cats offer omens of protection. So, what exactly IS a superstition? Lets look at the definition of superstition as given by dictionary.com:

su⋅per⋅sti⋅tion –noun
Pronunciation [soo-per-stish-uhn] /ˌsupərˈstɪʃən/

1. a belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge, in or of the ominous significance of a particular thing, circumstance, occurrence, proceeding, or the like.
2. a system or collection of such beliefs.
3. a custom or act based on such a belief.
4. irrational fear of what is unknown or mysterious, esp. in connection with religion.
5. any blindly accepted belief or notion.

Did you know that Tarot, by the definitions given above, could also be considered superstition? There is no tangible, definitive proof that would give credibility to our belief in the insight and potential for foresight we glean from Tarot.

So how do superstitions become plausible? Why do more than 17 million Americans believe Friday the 13th bodes ill? I believe the Law of Attraction plays a large part in the perpetuation of superstitions. If we believe Friday the 13th is unlucky, we attract ill fortune into our lives on this day. If we believe our black cat offers protection, we feel protected when he is around. If we believe seven is a lucky number, we’ll win on this number more frequently simply because we play it more than any other number.

In the same way, the meanings and definitions we’ve given the 78 Tarot Cards represent our belief, our superstition, as to their meaning and the impact they have in our lives. If, as theorized by the Law of Attraction, our thoughts attract our reality perhaps we can surmise that our interpretation of Tarot, and the choices and actions we take because of those beliefs, create the future that unfolds. Miss Michele and I firmly believe that the insight Tarot offers empowers us to create a future for ourselves. To be forewarned is an opportunity to prepare and prevent challenging outcomes and to explore and enhance positive experiences.

Imagine for a moment, that Friday the 13th was a particularly lucky day. Can you imagine good fortune and great joy befalling you on this day? If you can conjure positive superstitions your positive thoughts could influence your future. Your positive thoughts create a positive outcome.

Have you experienced events unfolding due to your own personal superstitions or those of people around you? Which superstitions do you hold and what do you think their influence has been on the life you’ve lived?