"But It Has to Be Gifted"

It is a common misconception that your first tarot deck needs to be gifted to you. I’m imagining this may have a root in analysis paralysis--too many choices, not sure which one to choose, what if you choose the wrong one? Anxiety.

A gift takes all of that away and gets you on the path to learning. Additionally, when someone gifts you a deck, it’s because there’s something about that deck that speaks about you to them. One year around Christmas time, I was searching Amazon for a gift for a good friend of mine. To this day, I’m not sure how it happened, but no sooner did the Modern Witch Tarot pop up, it was in my cart and on it’s way. When it arrived, my intention was to wrap it and put it in her stocking. The deck was going to have none of it. Before I even took it out of the shipping envelope, it buzzed in my hands. I have never felt such electricity from a deck in all my life. It wanted to be delivered immediately. My friend absolutely loved it and felt an immediate connection with it.

Unfortunately, that’s not always the experience, but I do want to assuage any fears around superstition or gate-keeping. I bought my first deck in 1998. I loved a very particular kind of art and I just happened to see the Dragon Tarot deck in a window case at Medieval Times. It called to me in a way I can’t explain. I didn’t even know what tarot was or the meaning behind the dragons, but the illustrations were absolutely stunning! Dragons are guardians and protectors and this deck came to me around a pivotal time in my life when I needed protection and guardianship. I later used these cards as the basis for my unique tattoo of a dragon with butterfly wings (more on that fun story in a bit). All that to say, if a deck calls to you, get it.

What if it’s too expensive or you can’t make up your mind?

Great question and this is my favorite story. A friend of mine is a die-hard Bowie fan bordering on obsession. She has the posters, the cutouts, the books, the movies. She is in LOVE with this man! One day she saw the Starman Tarot deck in a shop and had to have it … but it was super expensive for her in that moment. She told herself that if she was meant to have it, it will show up in a more affordable way or she will save up for it. Every year on Bowie’s birthday and death day, she visits his star on Hollywood Blvd to celebrate his life. As she arrived, she noticed a woman near his star looking around as if searching for someone. My friend asked her if she needs any help. The woman replied “Well, I’m suppose to give this box to someone, but I’m not sure who. I guess I’ll leave it here on the star and whoever is supposed to have it will take it.” My friend opened the box and found the Starman Tarot inside.

Before we start getting overly critical, yes, this was a bizarre, outlandish, and very much a true story. Tarot cards are tools of our spirituality and sometimes require a leap of faith. It is very possible to ask your guides and Spirit for signs just like my friend did. “If I am meant to have...let it cross my path again.” “If I am on the right track, show me a [butterfly, hummingbird, penny, etc.]” Which brings me to my tattoo story. I was in a spiritual shop wanting a new oracle deck and couldn’t make up my mind. Like the magical parting of clouds, I see my unique dragon with butterfly wings on Enchanted Blossoms Butterfly Dragon Empowerment Oracle Deck by Blue Angel. Obviously, she came home with me.

Decks find their way.

Sometimes the way you find each other may not seem so magical, but it may be that the story isn’t over. I signed up for a tarot reading clinic at a local bookstore with another friend of mine. I knew she didn’t have a deck, so I bought her the only deck they had: Spirit Within Tarot. It had simple illustrations and was easy to navigate visually, perfect for a beginner. She wasn’t able to make it, so I hung onto them and learned from them myself. A little over a year later, she was excited to participate in my Tarot and Tea get together. I brought all my decks and invited everyone to choose one that spoke to them. She chose the deck I originally bought for her, so I let her keep it. This story nods to the saying “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” A tarot deck can be our teacher. You may feel stressed out about which deck to choose, but the right one will find you if you willing to see it, call to you if you’re willing to hear it, and teach you when you’re ready to learn.

Not new to tarot, but still need help?

If you're not new to the tarot world, but you need help choosing your next deck, this is a great time to explore decks based on cards that speak to you. For example, the Hierophant spoke to me, but the imagery on the decks that I had didn't get to the part of it that called to me. The Hierophant is usually a priest or religious leader, but talks about tradition and spiritual learning. On tarot.com you can explore decks and the cards in them, so after meditating and thinking about what that card and a couple of other meant to me, I would look at those particular cards in the deck. After some searching and browsing, I stumbled on The Light Seeker's Tarot and I heard angels singing! The Hierophant was the exact messaging I was looking for. This enlightened guru is basking in the glow of spirituality and is full of joy in his connectedness. His face is how I want my spirituality to feel ... as opposed to the traditional Rider-Waite Hierophant, which feels over-bearing and scary.

What if you choose the wrong one?

If you're holding off on buying your first deck, consider the reasons behind your hesitation. A simple Rider-Waite will kick-start your tarot-learning journey. It doesn't have to be the last deck you'll every buy or own. Learn what you can from your first deck and after a time, get a new one that resonates better. Keep one for learning and one for teaching. One may like to be held by others and another may prefer only your hands. One may call to someone else and you can lovingly send it to a new home. The point is, there is no such thing as the "wrong" one if you're learning and growing. Find and acknowledge the magic that is tarot and you can't go wrong.

If you have found this article, it is time to act and start your journey. The light in me acknowledges the light in you.