A Beginner’s Guide To Buying Your First Tarot Deck
If you’ve found your way here, Welcome! I’m so excited for you to take the Fool’s leap and begin your journey with Tarot!
I’m assuming if you’re reading this blog then you must be at least a tiny bit curious about Tarot cards and how to start working with them. The first thing you should know is that there is no secret initiation or invitation that you need to buy a deck. You don’t have to be a self-proclaimed witch or magick practitioner. Tarot is truly for everyone. If you feel more muggle than magical most days, then that’s an even better reason to get your own deck and start a beautiful new Tarot practice that brings more glimmers, synchronicity, moments for reflection, and divine inspiration into your life.
When To Buy A Tarot Deck
Choosing your first deck does not have to be a sacred ritual or a formal affair. I remember buying my first Rider-Waite-Smith deck on a whim one day at a crystal shop. It was really quite simple and I didn’t think much of it at the time. I was super curious and excited to start learning the meanings of the cards and potentially read for me and my friends one day. If you feel called to explore the Tarot and pick up a deck, the best time to buy one was yesterday. Depending on what deck you buy, Tarot can be a very low cost investment for a lifelong passion and hobby—so why wait? Go for it!
*There is a Tarot urban legend that your first deck has to be gifted to you…not true! Don’t let anyone stop you from diving into the magic whenever you feel ready.
Choosing The Right Deck For You
Selecting a Tarot deck really comes down to personal preference. Everyone likes what they like and it is super important that you find a deck that really appeals to you and makes you want to pick it up and use it! With so many amazing tarot decks out there on the market in a wide range of art styles, it is essentially guaranteed that you will find the perfect deck that resonates with you and inspires you in your Tarot practice. You just have to find “the One”…but who are we kidding, the first deck usually kicks off a lifelong Tarot deck addiction so—consider yourself warned! Your first deck is just the gateway drug to becoming a Tarot collector and connoisseur, and there’s nothing wrong with that (at least that’s what I keep telling myself).
What’s The Difference Between Tarot Cards & Oracle Cards?
Before you run to the nearest metaphysical store, you’re going to want to know exactly what you’re looking for. One of the most common questions tarot newbies have is what the difference is between Tarot cards and Oracle cards.
Tarot cards have been around since the mid-1500s and have evolved over time into a standardized set of 78 cards, each with a very specific meaning. Arguably the most popular Tarot deck in the world today is the Rider-Waite-Smith deck published in the early 1900s. This particular deck has very much inspired the concepts and artwork of the myriad decks that followed it, and it is considered a classic in the world of Tarot. When you think of Tarot cards, it is likely the imagery from this deck that immediately comes to mind, whether you know it or not!
Every Tarot deck consists of 22 Major Arcana cards numbered 0-21, which depict the Fool’s Journey through a series of archetypes. The remaining 56 cards make up the Minor Arcana which is split into four suits (wands, swords, pentacles, and cups). Similar to a deck of playing cards, each suit begins at the Ace and progresses up to 10. Each suit also has four Court Cards: the Page, Knight, Queen, and King. This is the standard framework for any deck with the label “Tarot”. Modern day Tarot creators will often take some creative liberties with their decks, perhaps adding an extra card, changing the suits, or even re-naming some of the cards entirely. Despite these modifications which can give a deck a unique twist, you will not see much deviation from the standard 78 card template and the original meanings/concepts behind them. In this sense, Tarot is quite standardized.
Oracle decks on the other hand, are completely unique creations. Any person can create an Oracle deck using their imagination and creative powers, choosing any theme, concept, or art style they want. Each oracle deck is very unique and specific to the author and artist who made it, and just like Tarot decks, there are many to choose from! They range in the number of cards per deck (many of them having less than a Tarot deck), and are often a bit bigger in size. Oracle cards typically come with a guidebook to help explain the messages of the cards, and are very useful for more simple card pulls, or daily affirmations & reflections.
Things To Consider When Buying A Tarot Deck
If you’re brand new to the world of Tarot, you might be a little bit overwhelmed by all the amazing Tarot decks out there, but before you jump in and purchase one just because you think it’s the prettiest, let me give you a few of my personal recommendations first to help make sure you’re set up for success in your future Tarot practice. After reading Tarot for over 10 years, I have my opinions on what works well for beginners, but as always, you can take or leave any advice here. If you want help narrowing your search, these are just a few things to consider when selecting your first deck.
Deck Inspiration (Rider-Waite or Not)
Guidebooks
Artwork
Card Size & Stock
Additional Resources
Deck Inspiration:
In a nutshell, there really are only two types of Tarot decks—ones that are inspired by the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, and ones that aren’t. Although it would be hard NOT to get started on a RWS-inspired deck since there are so many out there, make sure you start on a deck that is at least a derivative of the RWS, if not the original version.
**My personal recommendation for any Tarot beginner is to start learning on the original RWS deck. Since this deck basically provided the source material for every other Tarot deck that came after, you’ll miss out on a TON of valuable, foundational Tarot knowledge and important symbolism if you start somewhere else. If you find the original artwork too be a bit too “old school”, nowadays there are tons of really cute and creative decks that have re-illustrated the standard RWS artwork with different characters, cartoons, or cats (hey, whatever you’re in to). I promise, you will NOT be disappointed if you start learning Tarot with a RWS deck. It’s a forever deck and a quintessential staple for any Tarot enthusiast.
Guidebooks:
Get a deck with a good guidebook. There are many Tarot decks that you can get online for under $20—the only catch? No guidebook, cards only. Tarot isn’t an easy system to learn without a reference guide handy, so make sure your first deck includes one. As a beginner, this is essential. Some guidebooks will be more thorough than others, but most decks will at least include some sort of booklet or reference guide with basic card meanings and hopefully some introductory/background information. A guidebook is an important companion and resource on the Tarot journey, especially early on in your study and practice.
Artwork:
Nothing will make you want to grab your cards more than beautiful artwork. Get a deck that inspires you! Whatever your aesthetic or style, there is a Tarot deck out there for everyone. Shop around, look online, and find one that speaks to you (have you heard of the Creatrice Tarot?). That being said, I do have some advice for first-time deck buyers:
Avoid Monochromatic or Solid Color Decks - If you already know the meanings of the cards, you’ll be fine, but if you’re just learning, these decks can get confusing since every card looks similar. Color is extremely helpful in cueing our intuition and helping with memorization. Even though you might really want the all-pink deck to match your vibe or your décor, go for a deck with a good range of color and contrast, at least to start.
Avoid Minimalist Artwork - Once again, this style of deck may be cool, trendy, and aesthetic, but unless you already have the meanings memorized, you’re going to find yourself constantly relying on your guidebook to figure out what a line going through a circle is supposed to mean. Strong imagery can be incredibly helpful to trigger our intuition and give us an impression or a feeling without even needing to read the guidebook. Ideally you want a deck that can help stimulate your imagination instead of making you draw a blank every time you pull a card.
Consider An Educational Deck - There are many decks out there that are specifically made for beginners, in particular ones that have text on them with key words (both upright & reversals), astrological associations, elements, planets—you name it. If you want to learn quick without always having to crack open your guidebook, you may find these cards extremely helpful. They are like little study buddies for Tarot.
Trust Your Intuition - This one should be a no-brainer when it comes to Tarot cards, but let your intuition guide you! If you feel a strong pull or connection to a particular deck, you don’t have to explain yourself any further. The Universe is always guiding us and giving us little hints along the way. If a deck is screaming at you “BUY ME!”, then do it. I won’t stop you. But if you happen to be reading this blog before you go deck shopping, I hope you’re finding some of these tips helpful.
Card Size & Stock:
You may not have much control over these factors in a deck and it probably won’t make or break your decision, but if you do get a chance to play around with a test deck or borrow one from a friend, you’ll immediately notice if you like the feel or not. Standard Tarot cards are 2.75 x 4.75 inches, which I find to be a comfortable size that’s easy to shuffle and handle. I’ve noticed lately that some Tarot creators are going for a slightly larger size, if not an over-sized card and a thicker stock. I’m sure the intention here is for the cards to have more of a luxury feel which is great; however, when I’m looking for a deck that I plan on using regularly, I don’t want extra thick display cards…I want cards that are small and flexible enough to shuffle easily without really having to break them in. Sometimes the bigger and thicker the card, the more awkward and difficult they are to use, especially for people with smaller hands. Ultimately, the best way to find the goldilocks deck that’s juuuust right for you is to try out a few and see what you like. Once again, it’s a personal preference but it can really make a difference if you plan on using your deck a lot.
Additional Resources:
This is purely a bonus factor to consider when purchasing a deck, but if you find one you’re really interested in, check out their online presence and see if they have additional resources or content to help you along your Tarot journey. Your favorite Tarot deck creator may also offer an online course, YouTube series, or a helpful blog (*cough cough*) to support you as you learn the ropes. If you resonate with their deck, you likely will resonate with their other offerings as well. If you feel compelled, give the creator a quick google search and see what you find. There might be more treasures available online to supplement your studies.
The Tarot Deck You’ve Been Seeking
Reimagining the iconic artwork of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot with a unique and colorful touch, the Creatrice Tarot invites both beginner and advanced tarotists to journey through surreal dreamscapes that will spark your intuition and kindle your spirit.
In an effervescent collision of color and magic, the Creatrice Tarot is a vibrant 79-card tarot deck created to ignite your spiritual wanderlust and awaken your intuition. Accompanying the deck, the 150-page Seeker’s Guidebook will be your go-to resource for everything Tarot, including comprehensive card descriptions, key words, tarot basics, and other magical inspiration.
This limited edition Creatrice Tarot deck is currently in production and is available for pre-order. Get on the waitlist for more sneak-peeks, glimmers, and updates when the deck becomes available.
Thanks for your continued support in all things magical and mystical from the heart of the Creatrice!