How to Choose Your Own Tarot Cards

How to Choose Your Own Tarot Cards

As tarot readings are more popular today than ever before, a common question I get asked is, how do I choose my own tarot cards? There seems to be so many tarot decks around, that I just can’t decide.

Well, they are right. There are literally hundreds of different tarot decks that you can buy and when there is so much choice, it can be hard for the brain to decide which ones could be for you.

So here I will give you some tips on how you can decide which tarot deck is for you.

The First Deck for Everyone

From Left to right: Mindscape Tarot; The Rider-Waite-Smith, the Buckland Romany Gypsy deck (and my three most used tarot decks)

Rider-Waite-Smith

"Stand new knowledge on good foundations"

The first deck of tarot cards that I think everyone should start with is the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. Why this one?

Well, firstly because it is one of the oldest decks still in use today, and secondly, this deck of cards will give you the foundation to any other deck you might buy in the future.

Virtually every new tarot deck is based on the Rider-Waite-Smith philosophy of 78 cards; 56 minor Arcana and 22 Major Arcana. All new decks will base their interpretations on the interpretations of this deck.

That said, in my opinion, some modern decks seem to be more interested in making the pictures look different, ‘out there’ or shocking and thus losing the traditional meanings of the older cards.

Now that doesn’t mean all new decks are ‘bad’ and all ‘old’ decks are good. I have a couple of new decks that I love and use.

But for beginners, the best deck you can start with is the Rider-Waite-Smith deck.

When you are learning something new it is best to stand that new knowledge on sound foundations and by buying this deck, that’s exactly what you will be doing.

Should you buy your tarot cards online or offline?

Again, if you are a complete beginner and going for the Rider-Waite-Smith deck you can simply go ahead and buy them straight online.

If you are looking to buy a second deck of cards because you are thinking of giving readings for friends and family (or making a living out of it), then I would highly recommend that you buy them offline from a new age shop.

The feel of the cards

When you buy your cards offline, most shops will have a few decks that are out of their packaging. This is great because by touching and handling the cards, you’ll get a good feel for them.

And even when they are in the boxes by being in a new age shop that sells related items, there will be incense burning or candles lit and maybe even some soft background music. This atmosphere will trigger your intuition which can cut through boxes and still give you a good feel for how the cards will resonate with you.

If you ask nicely and tell the shop owner you are seriously looking to buy a deck, they will quite likely let you open a box so you can handle the cards.

The look of the cards

Consider the artwork when you are choosing which tarot cards to buy.

Do you prefer oldy-worldy type art or would you prefer something more modern? Do the cards with cats appeal or do you feel the woodland cards resonate better?

If you don’t like the pictures or the main colours in the cards you won’t be able to read for yourself let alone other people. So bear this in mind when choosing your deck.

With or Without Instructions on the Cards?

All tarot decks (that I know of) come with instruction booklets that will give you a very brief overview of the card meanings, but some decks come complete with meanings written across the top or at the foot of the cards.

So are the latter worth buying? Well, the answer to that is both yes and no.

Yes, if you are only reading for yourself and good friends and family, then they are okay to use.

The answer is no if you want to go deep into the meanings of the cards and read for other people.

Here’s why.

When the readings are written on the cards the words can automatically pull your focus to the top (or bottom) of the card.

This can take you away from a good first impression that the picture may well have given you and which was more fitting and accurate for the client.

Free 90-Day Tarot Forecast

Get your FREE 90-day tarot forecast - EVERY 90-days! (next forecast arriving 27th March)

Conclusion

If you are totally brand new to tarot then it might suit you better to get the Rider-Waite-Smith deck as your first set of cards.

Buy your tarot deck offline if you are thinking about reading for yourself more seriously or if you are going to be giving readings to family, friends or clients (charging).

How do the cards make you feel? Feelings are extremely important when choosing which tarot cards to buy. When you feel good about them, you’ll give better, more accurate readings.

The look of the cards. The artwork will either turn you on or turn you off. Choose the deck that has the artwork that is pleasing to your eye.

With or without instructions. It can be better to go for cards without the instructions, especially if you are reading for others.

I collect tarot card decks and have quite a collection. However, there are only three decks that I use for readings and these cards are a real part of me.

Yours will become your best friend and confidant too so it really is worth taking the time to choose your tarot cards wisely.

When I am face to face with somebody or online, I intuitively know which tarot cards are the right ones for my clients.

Would you like an indepth tarot reading with Rob?