Surprisingly for some, a lot of people buy tarot decks if they find them in vintage shops, lost somewhere on some shelves at the back. They make good decorative items, but with time, interest grows.
Even if you actually want to start reading before getting your first deck, there are countless options out there. The decision is often subjective, meaning you’ll need to kiss quite a few frogs before finding your prince.
Which tarot deck suits you best? Let’s see how you can figure it out.
Advice for Beginners
If you’re new to tarot, choosing the best deck depends on your interests. Your skills are out of discussion at this moment because you’re new. The classic Rider-Waite system is a popular option for newbies.
Rider-Waite
Created in 1909 by artist Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of Arthur Edward Waite, it’s well illustrated and looks great. While you’ll find new decks in commerce, they’re based on classic meanings, so here’s a first tip: don’t avoid new decks just because they’re new.
This deck is traditional, scenes are very well depicted and all symbols are clearly visible, so you can go halfway through the reading by just looking at a card.
On the other hand, if you prefer discovering tarot mastery through archetypes and perhaps memorization as well, how about the Âme deck? While more sophisticated, it’s based on the Rider Waite deck as well, so there won’t be too many differences.
Fantôme
If this type of system doesn’t feel suitable for you, you can try out the Fantôme deck. Illustrations are still traditional, but they’re more colorful. Since colors are very powerful in tarot, too, you’ll get an additional dimension to your readings.
This type of tarot deck often calls on your intuition as well, so you’ll need to rely on it.
While still related to the Rider-Waite system at its basics, the artwork is brutalist and more modern.
Advice for Experienced Readers
Again, figuring out which tarot deck suits you best implies trying more of them. Try to discover each and stop when you find something that resonates with your intuition.
As you gain more experience, you’ll be able to figure out yourself which system draws your attention. Also, pay attention to how comfortable you feel with the cards, not to mention your ability to capture messages and answer questions.
What works for some people won’t work for everyone else, so if you find a deck that feels boring or unpleasant, someone else might actually love it.
Baroque
The Baroque deck is more conceptual. It looks amazing, hence the name, meaning this style can be observed in all scenes. It’s bold and energetic, but it also stimulates the thirst for spiritual discovery. It has an incredible energy and offers deeper meanings if read correctly.
Fairy Tale
On the other hand, this tarot deck is self-explanatory because it invites you to come up with your own story. Your own fairy tale, if you want.
Characters have their own stories, which resonate with the meaning of the cards they represent. This deck stimulates you to mix your imagination and intuition only to evaluate and shape your story. All these things become real when you escape from reality for a few moments.
What to Look for in a Tarot Deck
Figuring which tarot deck suits you best is a personal element. There are more considerations to think about.
Price
The budget is a quick way to clear out some decks from your potential options. If you need to do it now, you can find basic tarot decks for little to no money. If you have more money to spare, your options are more varied. Mass market decks tend to cost less. If you’re tight on money, used decks are good, too.
Visuals
The aesthetic style is just as important. Opt for something that appeals to you, or you’ll find it boring. You’ll have to check the cards again and again as you draw them until you’re fully familiar with them, so you need to have good looking cards.
With time, visuals won’t be such an important consideration, but for newbies, it makes perfect sense.
System
If you’re traditional, opt for a classic tarot deck, such as the Thoth one. The Rider-Waite system is also a perfect choice, while those who prefer antique alternatives can go for Tarot de Marseille. It was developed a few hundred years before the others.
Theme
Themes make sense if you’re obsessed with something. The theme won’t affect the readings or representation, but some people like them. For example, you can find themes like Alice in Wonderland or Harry Potter, just to name a few.
While these theme decks have a bad reputation among experienced readers, the truth is once you understand cards and their meanings, the theme is irrelevant.
What You’re Actually Looking for
What you’re actually looking for is probably one of the main considerations when not sure which tarot deck suits you best. So, why do you want to start a tarot practice? Why do you want to read cards? Are you planning to do it for yourself only or for others, too?
Unsurprisingly, there are people out there who love the tarot, but they just can’t get used to the cards and their interpretations. Those who may want validations, affirmations, and good energies may find these things in an oracle as well, rather than actual tarot.
It’s important to define your needs before anything else, and only then you can explore tarot decks and alternatives.
