Beginner’s guide to choosing a tarot deck
Choosing your first tarot deck
Are you ready to pick your first deck with this beginner’s guide to choosing a tarot deck?
Choosing a first deck can feel exciting and a bit overwhelming at the same time. There are so many decks out there, and the best one for you is the one that speaks to you. Below you find popular decks for beginners and some practical tips to help you choose.
Let yourself be guided by what appeals to you visually
Choose a deck that attracts you. If you like the images and the art style, you are more likely to pick the cards up and practise with them.
Recommended deck:
- Light Seer’s Tarot: A modern deck with colourful, inspiring images.
Start with a classic deck
For beginners it often helps to start with a traditional deck, such as the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck. Many tarot books and online learning materials are based on it, which makes learning a lot easier.
The Rider Waite set, for example, comes with an extensive Dutch-language book that explains the basics of tarot.
Recommended decks:
- Smith-Waite Tarot Deck Centennial Edition: A reissue of the classic deck with soft colours and authentic images.
- Universal Waite Tarot: An updated version of the RWS deck with bright colours.
- Rider Waite Tarot: Available in several languages, including Dutch.
Try the Tarot de Marseille if you like history
If the historical side of tarot interests you, you could start with the Tarot de Marseille. It has a rich history and a distinctive artistic style.
Have a look at our range of Marseille tarot decks to see what we have.
Recommended deck:
- Tarot of Marseille: A classic deck with traditional images.
Choose a deck that fits your interests
Do you have a special interest or hobby, such as cats, nature or mythology? Then pick a deck with that theme. It makes learning more fun and more personal.
Recommended decks:
- Cat Tarot: For cat lovers, a playful deck with cats in the leading role.
- Wildwood Tarot: Inspired by nature and Celtic mythology.
View images of the cards before you buy
Take your time to look at the decks online. That gives you a better idea of the deck and helps you avoid a disappointment. For each deck we have added several images, so you can see whether it suits you.
Don’t feel pressured to find the perfect deck
There is no wrong choice. Many experienced readers began with a deck they happened to come across and grew into it. What matters most is that you start and enjoy learning.
Read reviews and ask for advice
Online communities can help. Ask questions on forums or read reviews to hear what other people have experienced.
- The Tarot Forum: An active English-language forum where members talk about tarot decks, interpretations, readings and more. Website: www.thetarotforum.com.
- Reddit’s Tarot Community: The subreddit r/tarot is a large and lively community where people discuss tarot, share readings and ask for advice. Visit the community at reddit.com/r/tarot.
- Tarot Association of the British Isles (TABI) forum: TABI focuses mainly on the United Kingdom, but it has members from all over the world. It has a forum for discussions about tarot and also organises events and workshops. Website: tabi.org.uk/forum.
- Biddy Tarot Community: An online platform where beginners and experienced readers come together to learn and share experiences. They also offer courses and learning materials. Website: biddytarot.com/community.
- Tarot Town: An international community for tarot enthusiasts with forums, groups and learning resources. Website: tarot-town.com.
Think about the size and quality of the deck
Some decks are large and can be hard to handle for small hands. Others come in a compact tin, which is handy when you travel.
Recommended decks for on the go:
- Radiant Wise Spirit Tarot in Tin: A compact, sturdy deck that is easy to take with you.
- Rider Waite Pocket: Available in several languages, including Dutch.
Know which system your deck uses
Most decks are based on the RWS system, but there are other systems too, such as Thoth and Marseille. Choose a deck that fits the system you want to learn. When you understand how these systems differ in style, symbolism and complexity, it gets easier to see which deck matches your interests and your way of learning. Do you like the detailed stories of the RWS deck, the traditional simplicity of the Marseille deck, or the esoteric depth of the Thoth deck? Each one is a different way into tarot.
- The Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) system: The most popular and widespread system. It is richly illustrated, with detailed images on all cards, including the numbered cards (Minor Arcana). The images tell stories and are full of symbolism, which makes it easier for beginners to understand and interpret the meanings.
- The Marseille system: One of the oldest tarot systems, with a traditional and minimalist style. The numbered cards are simpler and mainly show the number of suit symbols (swords, wands, cups or coins). With fewer scene details, interpretation relies more on numerology, structure and knowledge of classic symbolism.
- The Thoth system: Designed by Aleister Crowley and illustrated by Lady Frieda Harris, this is a complex and esoteric deck. It combines elements from astrology, Kabbalah and numerology. The cards are rich in abstract symbolism and deep concepts, so this deck suits people who like a philosophical approach to tarot.
Your beginner’s guide to choosing a tarot deck, in short
Choosing your first deck is a personal step, and it does not have to be stressful. Let your intuition guide you, stay close to what appeals to you and enjoy the learning. That is how you find the deck that suits you.
Keep learning?
Get our free guide and learn how to draw a card every day and which deck really suits you.
Get the guideWant to read more? These articles fit well with choosing a deck.
- Which tarot deck suits you? How to choose one
- What is tarot? Meaning, spreads and intuition
- What is the Minor Arcana?
Take your time and see which decks catch your eye.
