How to Choose the Right Tarot Deck for Yourself: Sure Tips
- Tip 1. Make Sure to Check the Number of Cards
- Tip 2. Find the Right Imagery
- Tip 3. Take Your Experience Into Consideration
- Tip 4. Pick a System for Yourself
- Tip 5. Consider the Cards Application
- Tip 6. Pick the Right Size of Cards
- Tip 7. Don
- Tip 8. Ditch the Superstitions
It honestly doesn’t matter whether you are a pro tarot card reader or a mere newbie - choosing a tarot deck is an exciting adventure regardless. It’s like looking for a magical artifact that will unlock your immense potential. The only problem that you face when going on this adventure is the fact that there are just way too many of those decks on the market. All your enthusiasm wanes as you are stuck with a question - how do I choose a tarot deck then?
Don’t worry, we’ll help. Not by choosing the deck for you, mind you, but by providing you with enough tips so that you could make this difficult yet important choice all by yourself. And be content with it afterwards, naturally. This article will be particularly useful for those who are choosing a beginners tarot deck since it can be utterly overwhelming to navigate the sheer amount of options. So let’s put on your thinking caps and be on our thrilling way.
Tip 1. Make Sure to Check the Number of Cards
Let’s start with the basics. Gather around, newbies, and listen up - be careful when choosing a tarot deck for beginners - keep in mind that not all decks that appear spiritual are tarot cards. Even though these cards serve a similar purpose, they belong to different realms. So if you come across a deck only containing 36 cards - keep in mind that this is a Lenormand deck that does not qualify as a tarot system. What you need from a deck is for it to have 78 cards - that’s the golden standard of a proper tarot deck. Sometimes you can come by a 79- or an 80-card deck which is completely acceptable as tarot card artists like to add a little something to the traditional deck.
Tip 2. Find the Right Imagery
You don’t need to be a pro on how to choose a deck of tarot cards to know that you need to look for the imagery that would truly speak to you. So it’s of crucial importance that you sit down and browse the Internet looking for the cards that resonate with you in terms of artwork. Even though it’s truly difficult to pick an option when you have way too many of them, we are still blessed with the opportunity to look through all the possible decks now that we have online stores. In case you want to psychically touch the cards to scan their energy, indulge yourself in some offline shopping and don’t get discouraged if vendors look at you funny. You aren’t just shopping for something for fun time-passing. You are looking for a tool and you have all the right to be curious.
You might be asking - but how do I know that I have the perfect tarot cards when choosing a deck for myself? Well, you might not like the answer, but here it is - you’ll just simply know. This will be like a warm jolt in your gut, a clear voice in your head that would tell you that this deck is the one. And another thing - make sure that the deck you choose fits whatever source you use to learn the craft from. Otherwise, you might get further confused.
Tip 3. Take Your Experience Into Consideration
While pros know their onions when it comes to tarot cards, newbies still might be wondering how to choose a tarot card deck that wouldn’t confuse them. Well, we have a thing to say to both parties. First off, if you are only starting your journey as a tarot card reader, you would be wise to stick with something more approachable and straightforward. Consider going with the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. It’s easier to interpret since its symbols are clear and understandable.
In case you are a seasoned reader and want to upgrade your trusty tool as well as your skill, then you can go with the likes of the Thoth deck or the Marseille and get willfully lost in their world of rich imagery and deep meanings. In case you are in for a hardcore challenge, then consider the Shadowscapes tarot deck, an abstract but achingly beautiful system that might unveil some mysteries that no other deck can.
Tip 4. Pick a System for Yourself
Again, the newbies can find themselves confused by the fact that there could be more than one tarot system. Worry not, as we have already tackled this topic in the previous tip. So before you actually go and choose a tarot deck, you have to learn that there are various systems that all - sometimes falsely - fall under the term tarot cards. And we don’t mean the style of the imagery - this is a different matter that we have covered. So let's make things clear by talking about the systems.
According to the reputable Spiral Nature Magazine, here are the main systems you can come across when choosing a beginners tarot deck, or a pro deck, for that matter:
- Rider-Waite-Smith: this is arguably the most wide-known system. The majority of modern artsy decks are based on it. These cards have clearer meaning and are handier in terms of interpretation.
- Thoth: this is a system developed by none other than Aleister Crowley. Even though it is somewhat similar to the previous one, it adds other symbols to the familiar layout, like those attributed to astrology or Kabbalah.
- Marseille: this is a fortune-telling deck that precedes the Rider-Waite-Smith system. It is considered somewhat of a challenge to master as it includes pip cards for all the suits.
- Lenormand and oracle: while most people do not consider these to be tarot decks, it is still worth mentioning: These cards have little in common with the usual tarot card imagery and are mostly used for personal or meditations. You will be better off not using them for reading.
- Unique: Finally, there are decks that do not fall in any category, but rather create their own. They may or may not include all the necessary cards found in a tarot deck. They can also go above and beyond by adding new cards marked with the creators’ view of the art of tarot reading. Unique cards aren’t easy to use for reading but they are sure a nice addition to a reader's collection. So you might want to consider getting unique cards if you are choosing a tarot deck for someone and want to treat them.
Tip 5. Consider the Cards Application
Now on to a more practical side of tarot card deck choosing. What are you choosing the cards for? Are you going to use them to read other people’s fortune? Are the cards going to be touched by other people? Then go with the deck that you would be willing to utilize for public readings. Consider going with several decks so that your clients have a style to choose from. Make sure to stick to those cards that have brighter colors and flashier texture - they will definitely get your client into the right mood. Don’t go with the cards that some people could find offensive - keep them for your own leisure (or don’t). More importantly, consider using such decks for public reading that you don’t have an intimate and overly strong connection to - these have to be for your own use.
On the flipside, when choosing a deck for yourself, go with your instinct. Your intuition will tell you what cards are going to be the right choice for your personal readings. Get them and hold onto them dearly.
Tip 6. Pick the Right Size of Cards
Here’s another practical tip that will make the whole how do you choose a tarot deck situation a bit easier. You need to find those cards that you will have more comfort holding, spreading, and just viewing. There is, of course, the golden standard size of 2.75 inches by 4.75 inches (or 7 cm by 12 cm). But you can go with a smaller or a larger deck, all depending on your needs. Are you going to travel a lot with your cards? Do you have enough space to stash your decks? Do your eyes tire looking at smaller objects on the cards? Answer these questions to know what size of the cards to prefer.
Tip 7. Don’t Limit Your Options
It actually doesn’t matter whether you are a pro or a newbie - you don’t need to stick to just one deck. On the contrary, it would be a lot more beneficial for you to have multiple as different artworks and systems will enrich your reading. After all, each deck has its own distinct voice - some have a strict one, others have a more compassionate one. If you have multiple decks, then you will easily match the mood of the querent.
Tip 8. Ditch the Superstitions
Now let’s open that little can of worms that had been sitting in the corner waiting patiently for it to be referenced. You know how they say that you must own a tarot deck that has been given to you rather than buy it yourself or else you’ll be cursed? Well, a myth about eating a gum and having it in your belly for seven years is more dignified. In other words, don’t believe what they say about buying your own cards. A deck of cards is a simple tool for your psychic readings and has no power beyond it. If something is written in the stars about your fate, no deck of cards can change it, no matter how gorgeous or ugly. However, a self-bought deck can predict it. So there is no danger in buying a tarot deck for yourself, only limitless opportunities for discovery.
So now you know how to choose a tarot deck for yourself. We hope that you use our tips to find the deck or decks that will speak to you clearly, excite you tremendously, and be a feast for the eyes.