The market of the dead

There’s something about an early morning walk on the port.

The iodized smell of the sea, the sun shining its first rays of the day, fishermen coming back from their first outing accompanied by seagulls trying to steal their share of the loot.

My acolytes and I were casually strolling through the busy sea-side flea market of Sanary-Sur-Mer, in the South of France, making our way through the long alley of colorful clothes, fresh fish, fruit and veggies, and most importantly, hidden oddities.

Amongst the old books and kitsch jewelry, I noticed a row of used tarot decks winking at me. Some were more traditional, like the famous Tarot de Marseille and the Rider-Waite-Smith, and others appeared more unique. Two stood out to me: “El Gran Tarot Esoterico” and the “I-Ching Tarot”. Interesting takes; the second one even came with three divination coins!

“That’s a nice little tarot collection you got there!” I told the lady holding the stand, “Why are you getting rid of it?”

“Oh…” said the lady, glancing down with a hint of sadness in her eyes and voice, “…they belonged to my sister… she just passed away… This is a bit of an estate sale for us.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, my condolences to you and your family…” I said. “How much are you letting them go for?”

After telling me her price, I looked at the decks again, a glimpse of worry in my heart. Is it wrong to buy and use a deceased person’s tarot cards? No one ever talks about this, I thought. What should I do?

My acolytes gave me a side-eye, most likely sharing my unspoken concerns.

“Sure, I’ll get them.” I said, pushing down my worries, and leaning on the uniqueness of those decks.

My acolytes gave me an even stronger side-eye. I paid the seller and kept walking between the stands. 

“Why did you buy those?” frantically murmured one of my companions, when we were just a few steps away from the stand.

“Yeah! That’s creepy, what’s up with you? Aren’t you worried about offending the dead lady?” asked the other, “or worse, getting haunted by her?”

I wasn’t sure what to say.

“Yeah, a little bit, I don’t know…”

Superstitions

Like my acolytes and I, most people would be either suspicious or frightened at the idea of buying the tarot deck of a deceased stranger. 

Why do we tend to judge negatively the fact that a deceased person used the decks?

I think three reasons could help explain this:

First, this can simply be a manifestation of a fear of death. In our materialistic and non-religious culture, death has become associated with nothing other than annihilation and nothingness, both in matter and consciousness. As such, the existential meaning of death has changed from an unfortunate, yet natural and meaningful part of life, to something inherently negative that should be avoided at all costs, even in thought and association. Death is seen as tainting things, like it does memories.

Secondly, spiritual circles tend to view money negatively (at least in theory). Money, in this perspective, is viewed as the perfect representation of human greed, materialism, inequality and attachment. With this comes the expectation that spiritual workers provide their services out of selflessness and charity, even to their own detriment.

Thirdly, divinatory tools, like religious objects, are often seen as a sacred extension of their user, or as imbued (or even possessed) by the user’s protective soul or another spirit. Contrary to religious objects, the esoteric and occult nature of divinatory tools and the stigma around them, paired with the common emphasis on their exclusive use by one single user, can cast an aura of fear around their second-hand uses. This is especially pertinent when the item is sold, which can then be perceived as sacrilegious.

It would therefore make sense, at first sight, to be wary of buying and gaining ownership of the tarot deck of a deceased person, but that doesn’t mean it is the most constructive or meaningful way to approach these situations.

What’s beneath the surface?

What if, like The Hanged Man or Allfather Odin, we chose to hang upside down from the Tree of Knowledge and adopt a new perspective?

The Chapel on the Hill

Later on that day, once the flea market was over, I made my way to the small Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Pitié, up the hill overlooking the Baie de Sanary. Inside the holy place once inhabited by a lineage of hermits, I lit a candle and recited a quick prayer.

As I returned back down the hill, I stopped and looked at the bright maritime view, when a thought crossed my mind: “What if I put myself in the deceased lady’s shoes?”

Let’s be pragmatic, here. When I die, would I want my loved ones to throw my tarot decks away, or for them to gain a little bit of money by selling the decks to someone passionate about the craft?

Of course, I chose the latter.

And how would I want the new owner to use those decks? Many would decide to “cleanse” and “recharge” them before hesitantly using the decks. I’ve never really been one to clean my new tarot decks (I prefer simply getting to know them)…, but from a dead person? 

A part of me understands how cleansing a deck can help make a deck our own, but a part of me also finds the idea of “cleaning” someone’s energy from a deck because of their passing a bit insulting, as if I was an attempt to erase the person’s story, the person’s journey.

Her story. Her journey.

I was getting somewhere.

Shouldn’t her story and her journey be the focus, rather than my superstitions? Shouldn’t death be the ultimate reminder of what has truly existed and what truly matters, rather than being used as a justification to erase what makes us uncomfortable?

Instead of being afraid and avoiding the tarot decks (or other divinatory tools) of a deceased person, I suggest approaching them with reverence, gratitude and commitment:

Reverence for the story and journey the person had with the deck.

Gratitude for the possibility and honor of continuing the chain of ownership.

Commitment to care and use the deck for good.

To guide you in this process, I’ve put together a quick ritual to help you accept the tarot deck of someone who has passed away, inspired by my multiple visits at the Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Pitié.

I hope this simple ritual can help you honor the dead and assist your journey, should you encounter the tarot deck(s) of a deceased person, whoever that person may be.

–

Ritual – To use when acquiring the tarot deck of a deceased person

Preparation

Find a quiet space where you can sit undisturbed. Light a candle, representing the temporal container of the ritual. Take a moment to ground yourself by breathing in deeply and releasing any tension as you exhale.

Ceremony

Part 1: Reverence for the Person’s Story and Journey

Hold the Tarot deck in your hands, feeling the shape and weight of the cards, taking in their symbols and colors. Close your eyes and envision the person who once held this deck. Picture their hands shuffling the cards, the stories that unfolded with each draw. If you know their name, speak it aloud, honoring their memory. If not, guide your thoughts towards their unknown existence. Recognize the unique energy infused into the deck through their experiences, trials, and triumphs. With gratitude, acknowledge the bond that once united the departed and the cards.

Part 2: Gratitude for the Possibility and Honor

Express gratitude for the opportunity to continue the journey of this Tarot deck. Recognize the trust bestowed upon you as the new guardian. Notice the continuity between the past, present, and future. If you knew who the person to whom the deck belonged was, visualize them smiling upon you with a sense of approval and shared purpose. You are now part of a lineage that transcends the boundaries of life and death.

Part 3: Commitment to Care and Use

Envision a harmonious collaboration between your energy and that of the one who came before, ensuring the continued flow of wisdom through the cards. Speak your commitment aloud, making it a solemn vow. Promise to treat the Tarot deck you have been entrusted with respect, and declare your intention to use the cards for the greater good, seeking wisdom and insight to navigate the complexities of existence.

Closing Steps

As you conclude this ritual, gently lay down the deck in front of you, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. Open your eyes and blow out the candle, a symbol of the completion of this sacred passage. You are now the new owner of this deck. Know that you carry not only the physical deck but also the spiritual essence of the departed.

–

The sun was very strong that day, and I had walked enough. 

It was time to stop at a café and enjoy a nice espresso in the shade, by the port. 

To life!