Tarot Party

21/07/2026

“See a penny, pick it up, all day long you’ll have good luck…”

Most of us know the rhyme, but have you ever stopped to wonder where it came from?

Like many superstitions, its exact origin has been lost over time. Historians believe the idea stretches back hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of years, when metal itself was considered a gift from the gods. Finding a piece of metal by chance was thought to be a blessing and a sign that fortune was smiling upon you. Later, as coins became symbols of wealth, protection and prosperity, discovering one unexpectedly came to represent good luck in its own right.

The familiar rhyme became popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, making the superstition easy for children to remember and pass on from one generation to the next. Some people even know a longer version:

“See a penny, pick it up, all day long you’ll have good luck. Give it to a faithful friend, and your luck will never end.”

Of course, folklore rarely stays the same.

In many parts of Britain and North America, the penny should be heads up to be lucky. If it is lying tails up, some people leave it where it is, believing it carries bad luck instead. Others turn it over without taking it, leaving the good fortune for the next passer-by.

Interestingly, there is evidence that an even older version of the rhyme may have referred to a pin, rather than a penny:

“See a pin and pick it up, all the day you’ll have good luck.”

In centuries past, pins were surprisingly valuable. Losing one was inconvenient and wasteful, so finding one was genuinely fortunate. As coins became more common in everyday life, many believe the pin gradually became a penny.

Around the world, similar beliefs appear in different forms.

In parts of Mexico, tradition says only a heads up coin should be picked up, with some people making the sign of the cross before keeping it. In Sweden, and in parts of Britain, a silver coin has long been associated with good fortune at weddings, reflected in the famous saying, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue… and a silver sixpence in her shoe.”

From a tarot perspective, the symbolism is fascinating.

The Ace of Pentacles represents new opportunities, prosperity, abundance and unexpected gifts. Finding a coin on your path feels remarkably similar. It is a small but tangible reminder that value can appear when we least expect it.

Some readers might also connect it with the Wheel of Fortune, reminding us that luck, chance and opportunity often arrive without warning. Others may see echoes of The Fool, whose journey begins by noticing the simple wonders hidden in everyday life.

Whether you believe in lucky pennies or simply enjoy the tradition, perhaps the real magic is that such a tiny object can make us pause, smile and look at the world with a little more optimism.

So… if you spotted a penny on the pavement today, would you pick it up?

Follow Tarot Party for more folklore, superstitions, history and the hidden meanings behind the traditions that have fascinated people for centuries.

16/07/2026

Have you ever been told that you should never give a knife as a gift?

An old superstition says that a gifted knife will “cut” the friendship or relationship between the giver and the receiver. The traditional way around this was for the recipient to give a small coin in return. The knife was no longer considered a gift, but something that had been bought, even if only for a penny.

Some people say this custom dates back hundreds of years, when knives were valuable possessions and symbols of trust, loyalty and protection. Others believe it developed as a simple way to avoid the bad luck associated with sharp objects. Whatever its true origins, the tradition has proved surprisingly resilient.

In fact, some modern knife makers and retailers still include a small coin with gift sets, keeping the custom alive for those who enjoy following old traditions.

But what about swords?

If the belief is really about sharp blades “cutting” relationships, then surely it would apply to swords as well. Historically, ceremonial swords have often been presented as gifts to mark honour, achievement or military service, yet many collectors still exchange a coin to satisfy the old superstition. Whether that is history, habit or simply good fun is open to debate.

It also raises an interesting tarot question.

The Ace of Swords often represents truth, clarity, decisive action and the power of the mind. The Ace of Pentacles is associated with money, prosperity and tangible opportunities.

Could the old custom of exchanging a coin for a blade symbolically combine these two energies? A sword without a coin might be seen as severing a bond, while adding a pentacle transforms it into an exchange of value, balance and mutual respect.

Of course, tarot is open to interpretation, and folklore rarely comes with definitive answers. Perhaps that is exactly why traditions like this continue to fascinate us.

Would you accept a gifted knife or sword without offering a coin in return, or would you rather not risk it?

Follow Tarot Party for more folklore, superstitions, tarot insights and the fascinating stories behind the traditions we still talk about today.

15/07/2026

Something special is happening in the skies on Wednesday 12th August.

A deep partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK, with around 90% of the Sun covered in many areas. For a short while, the light will take on an eerie quality as day begins to feel more like twilight. It is a rare and memorable sight that many of us may only experience once in a generation.

From a tarot perspective, eclipses have long been associated with change, hidden truths and new beginnings. They invite us to pause, reflect and consider what we are ready to release and what we want to welcome into our lives. Whether you see them as spiritual symbols or simply as an incredible natural event, they always encourage a moment of wonder.

If you’re watching from Rochdale, Oldham or Manchester, remember never to look directly at the Sun without proper eclipse glasses or suitable viewing equipment.

For the exact timings where you are, visit:

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/@2648108?iso=20260812

Will you be watching?

28/11/2025

Tarot Party is kicking off the festive season tonight with our very first Christmas house party of the year, sneaking in just before November runs out of days. The tree isn’t up yet, the neighbours are confused and the cards are behaving as if they have just witnessed the arrival of three wise men. The Emperor looks sensible enough, the Hierophant will give you advice whether you want it or not and then there is the Fool. He is not exactly wise, but have you tried finding three intelligent men in Rochdale?

There will be curious questions, surprising insights and at least one guest asking if the cards can predict whether the mulled wine will last until midnight.

If you hear laughter drifting from the living room, that will be us. If you hear dramatic gasps, that will also be us. The cards always get a little overexcited the moment someone mentions Christmas.

Here’s to an evening of sparkle, mystery and stories that will definitely be repeated all through December.

19/07/2025

We use tarot to uncover life’s hidden truths — not just our own, but the ones other people are desperate to keep buried.

Like when your husband disappears for a couple of days.
Comes home with glitter on his jeans and a faraway look in his eyes.
Starts humming unfamiliar tunes and quoting things like, “Lights will guide you home.”
You draw the cards. You dig deeper.

And you discover that he’s… a Coldplay fan.

To book Rochdale based TarotParty for your next event - birthday, wedding or trade show, get in touch.

Your secrets are safe with us.

08/05/2025

Today marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day

A day of celebration, yes — but also of reflection.

We remember all those who gave their lives, on every side. Those who came home changed in ways that words can’t reach. We honour the towns and homes reduced to rubble, and the families who never felt whole again.

We are proud of our grandparents, our great-grandparents, and everyone who stood up, stepped forward, and made a difference. Their courage shaped the world we live in.

But even as we look back with gratitude, we must also look forward with hope. May we finally learn that in war, there are no true victors — only loss, and lessons still waiting to be learned.

Here’s to the past that built us, and the peaceful future we still strive to create.

23/04/2025

Happy St George’s Day from all of us at TarotParty!

Today we celebrate courage, protection, and the strength to face whatever dragons life throws our way. Whether your battles are epic or everyday, may you carry the spirit of the Slayer of Dragons with you.

If this card speaks to you, share it—and tag a friend who could use a little extra bravery today.

30/03/2025

From Manchester Mercury - December 1766 - an advert for a night of fortune telling with... a small bird, as seen by royalty! This seems to have taken place in a street - Smithy Door - long since demolished.

"Performed twice before the Royal Family. This acquaints the Learned and Curious that there come to this Inn, and the King Arms, in Smithy-door, Manchester, the most extraordinary and amazing Performances ever seen in the World, viz. A BIRD, generally deemed a WITCH. Its weight only half an ounce, and it astounds every beholder; this phenomenon will spell any person’s name, tell the hour and minutes by any watch, answer various questions in Ovid's Metamorphoses, Geography, Roman, French, Sacred and History, questions on the four rules of Arithmetic, reckons the number of ladies and gentlemen present, and what is more extraordinary, it spells any lady’s or gentleman’s thought by the impenetrable secret, a thing never attempted by any other animal. Any lady or gentleman may have any question resolved by the bird, perfecting any fortune-teller in the Kingdom."

We considered "Tweeting" this article!

We would love to know what happened that night. Would you have your fortune told by a small bird?

29/03/2025

A Blessing for the Solar Eclipse

As the moon’s shadow whispers, soft and true,
A moment of magic between old and new.
The sky dances, a celestial embrace,
A reminder of power, and time’s endless grace.

In this fleeting moment, we are called to see,
The balance of darkness, the light yet to be.
A cycle of change, a turning of page,
A space for new beginnings to rise from the cage.

Let go of the past, its weight and its chains,
For this eclipse brings freedom, washing away pains.
Feel the energy stir, a force deep inside,
Unlock the strength you’ve been hiding, denied.

With each solar flare, may your spirit ignite,
As the cosmos aligns, casting away night.
Embrace the unknown, trust what’s to come,
For the eclipse is a gift, a promise, a drum.

Here’s to transformation, to courage, to grace,
To stepping forward and finding our place.
May we rise in the glow of the sun’s bold retreat,
And walk into change with hearts that beat sweet.

This is the moment. The world will realign,
So share this blessing, and let your light shine.

28/03/2025