"You can't buy your first tarot deck. Someone needs to give it to you." I am sure you may have heard this old saying before. And this is what has kept many people away from trying the tarot card.
You absolutely don't need to wait for someone else to start your tarot journey. In this article we will bust this myth wide open and get you started on your path right now.
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The Origin of the Gifted Tarot Deck Myth
So where did this strange rule come from? Nobody knows for sure but it likely started back when magical practices were kept secret. Teachers would pass down special tools only to students they chose as worthy.
The mystical idea caught on and a tarot deck passed from person to person carried special energy or power. Some say it started because the elites wanted to keep the tarot exclusive and only to themselves. And on the other hand, some people think it was about creating a sense of community.
But the fact is that it was never an actual rule. And it was just a tradition that somehow got treated like law.
Why This Myth Doesn't Hold Up Today
Modern spirituality is all about taking charge of your own path. Waiting around for someone to decide you're "ready" for tarot makes zero sense.
But what if you don't know anyone who reads tarot? Should you just never start? Of course not.
This myth can actually be very harmful to the popularity of tarot card reading. And it may even threaten the very existence of cards. It suggests you need permission from others to begin your spiritual journey.
Your spiritual path belongs to you and not to someone else who may or may not gift you a deck someday.
Personal Connection to Your Tarot Deck Matters More
The deck you use should speak to YOU. Each tarot deck has its own artwork, symbols and feel. Some show fantasy scenes. Others use anime styles. And some may even stick to traditional images whereas others will update with modern themes.
When you are choosing your own deck, you need to pick the one that clicks with your style. Maybe the colors grab you. Maybe the characters look friendly. Maybe the symbols make sense right away.
This personal bond helps your readings flow better from day one. The cards become your friend and not strangers.
Buying Your Own Tarot Deck Is Powerful
Buying your own deck can be a powerful moment as it says, "I trust my intuition." It marks the start of your journey because YOU decided you were ready.
Many readers report feeling an instant connection when they find their first deck. Maybe you'll spot one that seems to glow on the shelf of a local shop. Or you might browse online until a particular set of cards makes your heart beat faster. That moment of recognition — that's your intuition already working.
Self-selected decks often become favorites for years to come. There's something special about a deck you choose yourself. And it is the one that matched your energy from the very beginning.
And taking control of your path means saying yes to yourself. Instead of waiting for someone else to say yes to you. Buying your own deck is the first step in claiming your spiritual authority, and that's very amazing.
How to Choose the Right Tarot Deck for Yourself
Here's what to look for if you are ready to pick your own deck
Artwork: Pick a style that makes you happy. You can pick bright colors or detailed drawings or even simple designs. The images should feel good to look at.
Guidebook: You need to pay careful attention to the things that come along with the card. One of the things that comes with it is the guidebook. And this is usually very beginner-friendly and good for those people who are new to tarot reading. You can try reading the book before you start your reading.
Cardstock and Packaging: Hold the cards if possible. And check if they are too big for your hands or too slippery or may be too stiff to shuffle. The box matters too as it can protect your cards.
Energy Check: Trust your gut. If a deck feels right for you then it probably is. The important thing is that you connect and resonate with the deck that you use.
Cleansing and Bonding with a New Tarot Deck
Bought your own deck? Awesome. Now you'll want to make it truly yours by cleansing it and connecting with it.
You can:
• Place it on your windowsill during a full moon
• Tap each card gently to "wake it up"
• Shuffle with the intent to connect your energy to the cards
• Wrap it in a special cloth when not in use
Gem Blackthorn notes, "Purchased decks should be cleansed and programmed to your energy anyway." So the gift thing doesn't even matter here.
What If You Are Gifted a Tarot Deck?
If you get a deck of tarot cards as a gift then it can be a wonderful experience. You can most probably get it as a gift from someone you know. And who knows, the card you receive can even match with your personality and therefore provide you with a strong bonding.
But what if you get a deck you don't connect with? It happens. You can:
• Keep it on your shelf as part of your collection
• Use it for specific types of readings
• Thank the giver but still buy one you like better
• Pass it along to someone else who might love it
A gifted deck isn't magical just because it was given to you. It's the thought that counts, not some mystical transfer of powers.
No, you absolutely don't need to be gifted a tarot deck. The old myth might sound magical but it can keep you stuck waiting for permission you don't need.
Go ahead and buy yourself that deck that catches your eye. Start your tarot journey today, not when someone else decides you're ready. Your intuition is already there inside you and waiting to grow.
Your tarot journey starts when YOU say it does and not when someone else hands you a deck. So what are you waiting for? Go find your perfect deck today.
