Decks, Glorious Decks!
This is where the real fun begins. I’ve reviewed dozens of Tarot decks on TarotCake, from glitter-covered indie beauties to massmarket classics and deliciously weird outliers. I’m fussy about card stock, unusually interested in symbolism, and prone to getting over-excited about good production choices. If you’re here to swoon over aesthetics, unpack archetypes, or just figure out which deck speaks to you, you’re in the right place.
Which Tarot Deck Should I Buy?
This is a difficult question for me to answer, as my personal response seems to have been: ALL OF THEM! ALL OF THE DECKS!
The most important thing is to find a deck you will actually use.
I hope the reviews here will be helpful in giving you some inspo, and in the meantime, have some pointers:
The boring (but useful) answer: Just buy the Rider-Waite-Smith
If you’re new to Tarot, and especially if you’re learning from books, courses, or online resources, the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck (and its many clones and variations) is still the most widely used system. Most guidebooks assume it. Most teachers refer to it. A lot of its symbolism is already probably buried in your subconscious somewhere. No, it’s not the most aesthetically thrilling. When I started learning I straight up disliked the RWS – I didn’t like the palette, I didn’t like the naive quality to the drawings, I thought it was just a bit… basic (don’t worry, we love each other now, and I have eaten my words).
But even if you don’t love it, it will teach you the symbolic language that underpins so many other decks, and you probably will pick it up quickly. So while you don’t have to start with the RWS, just know that some resources might not map perfectly to your deck.
Trust your eyes: Aesthetics matter
You are going to spend time with this deck. You’ll shuffle it, study it, glare at it when it gives you unhelpful answers. So you need to like looking at it.
Ask yourself:
- Does the art speak to you?
- Can you distinguish the cards at a glance?
- Do the images make you feel something?
Tarot is visual language. If a deck leaves you cold, it doesn’t matter how “accurate” or “traditional” it is, you probably won’t use it.
Think about system
Not all decks follow the same structure. Some key systems to be aware of:
- Rider-Waite-Smith: 78 cards, illustrated minors, a go-to for beginners and readers alike.
- Thoth: Different symbolism, some renamings (e.g. “Art” instead of “Temperance”), rich in esoteric and occult references. It’s loads more beautiful, intellectually interesting, and nuanced than the RWS IMO, but it’s arguably less ideal as a first deck – unless you like a challenge served up with a side of everyone’s favourite hot mess problematic-occultist-poster-boy Aleister Crowley.
- Marseille: Older European style, pip cards (i.e. the numbered Minor Arcana aren’t illustrated). Beautiful and great if you’re into numerology, but can be harder for beginners.
Some indie decks break the mould entirely and invent their own system, or mash the above three together – which can be great, but also disorienting. Just make sure you know what system you’re working with, or be prepared to piece it together as you go.
Indie vs. mass market
Indie decks are often stunning and meaningful, and they are a GREAT way to support artists and creators, as well as small, inclusive Tarot sellers (like my faves Little Red Tarot and The Wootique). BUT they can also be:
- Expensive
- Hard to replace
- Of varying quality
Mass market decks (from publishers like US Games, Hay House, or Llewellyn) are generally easier to source, cheaper, and, while a bit basic bitch at times in terms of cardstock etc., they do tend to be pretty durable.
You don’t need to choose one or the other, just know what you’re getting into. And, my one PSA: please don’t buy stolen repro decks off sites like Temu, where the OG creator has had their work taken from them, uncredited :-(. If the price looks too good to be true, it probably is.
No, it doesn’t need to be a gift!
Granted, I am not a particularly woo reader, but, just, like: no. No. Where did this idea even come from? Buy your own deck that you love.
(I want to do an old style anti-piracy advert here like: You wouldn’t let your friend choose your outfits. You wouldn’t let your friend choose your car. You wouldn’t let your friend choose your spouse etc.) Don’t let them choose your Tarot deck!
Final word: The best deck is the one you’ll use
There’s no One True Deck. If you’re waiting to find the perfect one before you start reading, you might be waiting a while.
Get the one you like.
Use it.
Get to know it.
And when you’ve read with it enough, you’ll know what you want in your next one – or if you’re a monogamous Tarot reader, lol, and want to stick with it for life. (I am obvs a total deck slut).
Ready to explore? Browse my curated tarot deck reviews, or filter by indie decks, mass market decks, or Kickstarter campaigns. Or you can simply read through all my reviews in reverse chronological order:
