Your First Tarot Deck Must Be a Gift: Fact or Fiction?

It’s one of the most popular bits of tarot folklore: Your first deck must be gifted to you—or it won’t “work.” This idea floats around beginner circles and old witchy corners of the internet alike. But is there any truth to it, or is it simply an enduring superstition?

Let’s break it down with some historical context, expert opinions, and a healthy dose of common sense.

Where Did This Idea Come From?

This myth most likely arose from times when tarot cards were scarce, expensive, and sometimes even frowned upon by mainstream society. Decks were often handed down through family lines or shared between members of small esoteric groups. Receiving a deck from a mentor could symbolize initiation or trust.

Some practitioners say that being gifted a deck allows you to receive cards that come already “blessed” or energetically linked through the giver’s goodwill. As one modern tarot teacher puts it, “The idea is that the person who gifts you the tarot deck is energetically linked to you, offering a kind of spiritual endorsement.”

It’s a lovely thought—but as we’ll see, it’s far from a requirement.

What Tarot Experts Actually Say

Most respected tarot professionals are quick to dismantle this myth.

• Theresa Reed, also known as The Tarot Lady, puts it bluntly: “That’s total rubbish. If I would have waited around for that to happen, I might not have started working with the tarot as soon as I did—if ever.”
• Mary Shannon, author and tarot instructor, points out that choosing your own deck is often more powerful: “When you buy your own deck, you’re picking something that resonates with you on every level—visually, spiritually, emotionally.”
• Jerico Mandybur, a tarot coach and author, notes, “I’ve never actually met a tarot reader who truly believed your first deck must be a gift.” In her view, this myth is more about romantic notions of mysticism than about effective practice.

Why the Myth Persists

• Tradition: People love the sense of mystery that old customs carry. Saying “your first deck must be gifted” sounds arcane and exclusive—like being initiated into a secret order.
• Energy concerns: Some take it as a gentle reminder to be thoughtful about where your spiritual tools come from.
• Sentiment: Getting a deck as a gift can feel special. It’s imbued with the care and intention of someone else, which can be a beautiful foundation for your relationship with the cards.

Still, none of these reasons make it a rule.

What Really Matters

The truth is simple: the power of your tarot deck comes from your relationship with it—not from whether it came wrapped with a bow.

Here’s what actually shapes your tarot practice:

• Connection: Your energy, your intuition, and your trust in the cards. That’s what brings readings to life.
• Cleansing & dedication: Whether bought or gifted, most serious readers cleanse new decks with rituals like smoke, moonlight, or meditation, then dedicate them for sacred use.
• Resonance: Picking a deck that speaks to your soul—whose art, symbolism, and vibe draw you in—means you’re more likely to use it, bond with it, and grow your skills.

So… Buy Your Own Deck!

If you waited for someone to gift you a deck, you might never start reading at all. Buy your own. Choose a deck that excites you. Spend time with it—shuffle, draw daily cards, meditate on the images, keep it close.

As tarot historian Rachel Pollack once wrote, “The magic is not in the cards themselves, but in what they awaken within us.”

It’s your energy that turns painted paper into a doorway for insight. Whether your deck comes from a bookstore, an online shop, a thrift store, or your grandmother’s attic—it’s yours the moment you claim it.