Starting your tarot journey is exciting, but the sheer number of tarot decks available today can be overwhelming. How are you supposed to figure out which one is “right” as your first tarot deck? Hopefully this guide can help you choose wisely, confidently, and without overthinking!
Consider how you feel about the artwork first
Ideally, you need a deck with a visual style that clearly communicates the card’s meaning to you. The deck’s imagery must be intuitive enough for you to interpret without constantly referencing a guidebook. Look closely at the faces, the poses, and the colors. You need to ensure the imagery clearly communicates the emotional and conceptual weight of the cards. Look for visuals that spark clear ideas in your mind. If the art feels cold or confusing, it’ll slow down your interpretations and make it difficult to trust your gut.
You don’t NEED to start with Rider-Waite Smith (RWS) Tarot
Although many readers (myself included) will recommend the RWS tarot to any beginner, you don’t have to start with the original RWS deck. Actually, you don’t even need to start with the RWS system! The RWS is often suggested because the imagery and fully-illustrated Minor Arcana simplifies the initial learning process. However, if a different system like Marseilles (which uses pips only) or the complex Thoth deck clicks for you, then start there!
Don’t wait for someone to gift you your first deck
The idea that your first deck must be gifted is a tarot myth! I’m honestly surprised it’s still common to this day; I even had someone ask me about it in person just a few weeks ago.
Remember that since a tarot deck is a tool for you to use in your practice, buying the deck yourself makes the choice more personal and intentional. If you feel called to buy yourself your first tarot deck, go for it!
Buy only authentic decks from reliable shops
As a first-time tarot buyer, you may be tempted to buy the cheapest decks you see on Shopee or Lazada, but that deck might be a counterfeit deck that has been reprinted without the creator’s permission. While you may feel like you’re saving money, the truth is you’re hurting the deck’s creators by using something stolen from them. You can read my blog post all about the problem with bootleg decks for a deeper dive into this topic.
If you live in the Philippines and want to find reliable sellers, check out these posts I wrote:
- Where to Buy Authentic Tarot and Oracle Decks in the PH
- Asia-Based Tarot Shops to Buy Indie Tarot Decks and Oracle Cards From
Check deck walkthroughs/flip-throughs on YouTube before buying
While most online shops selling tarot decks include photos of the cards, this may not be enough to give you a good feel of the deck, especially if you have never seen it anywhere but online. Luckily, you can always search for walkthroughs or flipthroughs on YouTube! These videos show you every single card in the deck, and some even include commentary from the video creator to give you a better vibe of the deck you’re eying.
In the end, it’s all about choosing a deck that feels right for YOU
You really don’t need to overthink buying your first deck. If you find a tarot deck you really, really like (as in: napusuan mo na talaga), I say just go for it. Getting into tarot practice really involves using the cards as often as you can, so going for a deck you actually love to look at and hold will help encourage you to keep at it.
That said, I wish you all the best of luck in finding your first deck!