To Buy or Not To Buy...

​I have been reading some books lately where the authors make definitive statements about how others should shape their practice. Personally, I have a bit of a problem with that. To me, an author’s job is to present their knowledge and experience to their readers as unbiasedly as possible. In most metaphysical books I have read, the author specifically states that the ideas expressed within are their own and that the reader should take only what they need. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. These other authors, though, write like their way is the right way.
The opinions expressed by two specific books I have recently read seem to further two superstitions I have come across in my many years of practice. They both revolve around the purchasing of tool of the trade. One is that you should never buy your own tarot decks, and the other is that you should never buy your own crystals. A superstition is defined as a widely held belief in a causal link between a behaviour/action and a particular consequence that has a supernatural base. An example would be knocking on wood or carrying an object for luck. In this case, that purchasing either item for oneself would diminish its energy or ability to function for the purchaser, if they keep it. I have not only read this, but have heard it at several markets and fairs I have attended. I will state at this point that if that is what you believe then that is perfectly fine. My question would be, why do you believe that? If your belief is based on your own personal experience, then great. If it is because someone told you that, or it was something you read, then I would encourage you to look at their motives for saying such a thing.
Often, these types of statements are passed on from person to person without question. If you heard it from someone you know or respect, it is easy to just take their word for it. There is, at this time, to known origin for either of these beliefs. My research has posited that there are several reasons they may have come into circulation.
One reason is a form of gatekeeping. It makes the item, or learning to work with the item more mysterious. If the knowledge has to be passed down, the item bestowed, or the person needs to be initiated into the process then it is less likely to become more mainstream, and the people who already do it seem to be more credible and more powerful. In this case, I would say that learning to do something on your own, with or without a teacher, is perfectly acceptable. You may have an innate talent, your own type of connection, or you may learn to work with talents/skills you never knew you had. There are many books on how to develop your intuitive abilities, a skill we all possess to one degree or another.
Another reason for their wide spread is that older customs may have been misinterpreted or created by certain groups because working with such tools may have been taboo. Even today there are people who discount or try to discredit many different intuitive or “supernatural*” skills/abilities because they have not been proven to exist (or be effective) by modern science in a lab somewhere. While this is a slow process, there has been some headway here, though I do not think all research in this area has been published for public consumption.
A third possibility is the generalization of already widespread “superstitions”. For instance, it has been said that opal was once considered a talisman of bad luck because it was associated with witches, sorcerers, and the evil eye. On the other hand, it would be considered lucky to be worn by someone born in October, as that is considered one of that month’s corresponding birthstones. It was also believed in some places that a crystal would attach itself (energetically) to whomever received it, and the intentions of the giver influenced the energies of the crystal. It is possible that the superstitions surrounding this stone became generalized for all crystals in general. What is true for one, could be true for all, so to speak.
The fourth reason, and final of this post, is politically motivated. Especially concerning crystals. I do believe that everything we use should be ethically harvested. There is no reason to destroy earth just to possess something. That said, a couple of authors I have read lately have firmly stated that one should ONLY use crystals that have been found, that you should ONLY ever own one crystal, or that if you cannot find/stumble across what you feel you need you should put that need/want out to the universe so that someone else may provide you with it. I find these statements to be very heavy handed and rather judgmental. Different crystals provide different energies/abilities. As a healer, I have used many different crystals for various purposes. While a single person may feel that one particular crystal is all they need for their own purpose, I do not feel it is right to make some feel guilty about what they feel they need. I also believe that if it is meant to be, then the universe will put it in your path, whether you have to purchase it or not. If it feels right to you/you connect with it, then it should not matter how you procure it, as long as you don’t steal it. That would just be bad juju.
Regardless of the reasons for passing on such “rules” for purchase, I would encourage my readers to question everything. What rings true for one person, may seem completely wrong for another. Also, even though books (on any topic) are written like the information is solid facts, what we know about the world/universe around us is always changing. After all, we once believed the sun revolved around the earth, and that atoms were the smallest units of matter. We must be open to new ideas and information, and be willing to change our point of view when new evidence is presented. Sometimes, it is a matter of faith until proven fact. No judgement.
How do you feel about these “superstitions”? Do you purchase your own decks or crystals? I know that the very fist tarot deck I ever had was a gift, but I have bought many decks myself since then, and they all work just the same for me. How about you? What are your thoughts or experiences? I would love to know.
 
 
*Supernatural, in this case, referring to abilities like energy healing, mediumship, any of the “clairs” (any of the psychic gifts like clairvoyance), and other such skills.