Finding Your Perfect Tarot Deck

As a divination tool, tarot has endured the test of time for good reason. The origin of tarot lies somewhere in the 14th century, evolving out of early decks of playing cards. The symbolism has evolved over the years. More recently, the artistic expression of those symbols and the concepts they represent has exploded. There are more tarot decks than ever before and sometimes it can be hard to decide which deck of tarot cards is going to suit you best. To assist with that process, we’ve gathered tips to help you feel confident in your new deck.

Become an art critic. Look through the art of the decks you are considering. The goal of the cards is to inspire your conscious mind to relax enough to allow your intuitive mind to speak. Within a tarot deck, symbolism is the primary method of allowing intuition to shine. If you don’t feel inspired by the art on the cards, you are unlikely to feel inspired during a reading. While considering if the art connects to you, also make note if your interpretation at a glance of the card’s art matches the message that the card is trying to send. If your response to the art is vastly different than the typical reading of that card, it may not be a good deck for you unless you are well-established in your practice.

Size Matters

Depending on how you read, a deck with large cards might be a challenge for you to shuffle or your clients. Consider your size needs when selecting a new deck. Consider Durability. Thick cards with a high gloss are going to serve you longer than thin cards without the sheen. If you plan to read regularly, invest in better quality decks.

Skill Level

If you are brand new to reading tarot, you are likely to be better served by a deck that gives the clearest imagery and information. Rider-Waite is one of the most popular and familiar decks and you are going to find more resources for it than any other. Other decks with clear, simple imagery and with hints of meaning might serve you better early on in your studies. For those comfortable with the stories and symbolism in tarot, you may want to expand into oracle cards or modern decks with new twists to explore.

Personal Connection

This is perhaps the most fundamentally important aspect of selecting a deck. Each of the other elements can play a role in personal connection. If you aren’t feeling the art, it’s unlikely to be a deck you bond with. If you keep dropping cards every time you shuffle, it’s hard to feel comfortable in your reading. Open your intuition when shopping for a deck and don’t be afraid to follow your instincts towards your new tool. If you’ve heard the old adage that you can’t read a deck you’ve purchased yourself, let that myth go. You’ll get better readings with a deck that gets out of the way of you interpreting the cards. When you are ready to start the process, you can shop here for your next deck.