I have a modest collection of ‘New Age’ items. It started with an antique gypsy book containing spells and fortune telling information — including face readings and other unusual tips. From there, I was hooked.

Many of the collection is in books and manuscripts, but there are other items as well. Some are decorative items, such as this collectible cup and saucer set which shows how to read tea leaves.

Now my collection includes the areas of herbal lore, Astrology, spirit boards, Ayervedic & Chinese Medicine, Phrenology and physiognomy, good luck charms and amulets, divination and various other occult items from many cultures. In fact, collecting in this area easily transcends or crosses categories, like this much sought-after round handkerchief with the astrological signs.

One of the largest areas are fortune telling cards. This includes not only ‘authentic’ and antique cards, but vintage sets and even modern Tarot decks — which are quite popular based on rarity, the artist etc.

Like many collections, it’s easy to have the collections run away with itself. One book or Tarot deck can easily lead to another area. For example, fortune telling cards may lead to fortune telling games; a dragon themed Tarot deck may lead to pewter and other dragon items; a Phrenology book may lead to other quack medicine items or a passion for a particular illustrator. Your fortune telling collection blends and blurs much like the future itself!

An easy way to become bewitched by this area of collecting, is like I did: with an old book of secrets across many areas. But beginners need not start expensively. You can begin with more common items such as Magic 8 Balls, which come in so many themes, it could keep you busy at your local mall for years.

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This entry was posted on Monday, May 8th, 2006 at 9:20 am and is filed under collecting fyi, flea market finds. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.