Choosing a Tarot Deck

Photo by BitchBuzz (cc)

(I originally wrote this page for the Seattle Tarot Meetup; it’s been localized for South Florida now.)

Here are some points to consider if you are choosing your first deck:

• Choose a deck that makes you feel comfortable and secure, but also inspired. Since you will be spending a lot of time with your cards, you don’t want to pick a deck that strikes you as odd, unpleasant or boring. Later, you may seek out unusual decks for the challenges and insights they offer, but it’s better to start with one that attracts you. If a certain deck calls out to you, go with that one.

• There is no official tarot deck. Decks come in many different forms, but the “standard” deck has 78 cards with 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana cards divided into 4 suits. Most decks are built on this model. You should probably stick with a traditional deck at first, so that you are familiar with the most common format.

• Many decks are oriented around a theme. This is especially true of modern decks. Typically, the images, the names of the suits and the court card figures reflect this theme. If you choose a deck with a theme, be sure it is one that suits you and that has lasting appeal.

• The Rider-Waite is probably the most common deck in the United States, and many tarot decks are based on it as well. Cards in these decks often have the same subject matter as the Rider-Waite, but are drawn with a different style and artwork. The Universal Waite is essentially a copy of the Rider-Waite, but with softer colors and less contrast. The Albano-Waite has bright, unusual coloration.

• In some tarot decks, the pip cards, or numbered suit cards, all have unique picture scenes. In other decks, these cards simply show the suit symbol repeated the appropriate number of times (similar to regular playing cards). Some people like these symbolic decks, but for learning and memorization, it is often easier to have the pictures.

• Some newer tarot decks have been created in the spirit of light-hearted fun. Two examples are the Halloween Tarot and the Silicon Valley Tarot. These decks are amusing, but not the best choices for deeper, more thoughtful tarot work.

-from www.learntarot.com

You can also find a detailed article on Aeclectic Tarot.

If you’re ready to go shopping, there are a few different places to look. A regular bookstore is more convenient for many people, but they probably won’t have a large selection. A local new age or magic shop will have more decks to choose from, but some people are nervous about going into one of these stores for the first time. Here are some local places to find tarot cards:

Five Sisters: A Spiritual Journey
A great store in South Miami/Pinecrest with a good selection of beginning decks and some books. Open until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays, if you just can’t wait. (305)251.YOGA

The Spider Web
A brand new shop and tea bar in Dania Beach. Very friendly and helpful, open until 10pm. (954)926.5513

The Goddess Store
Neat store in downtown Hollywood. Open until 9:30pm during the week, 10pm on Saturdays. (954)929.2369

Crystal Vision
Metaphysical and crystal shop in north Hollywood. Closed Mondays. (954)981.4992

Metaphysical Chapel of South Florida
This group in Dania Beach has a small bookstore with a selection of tarot decks. Call for hours. (954)923.0066

There are, of course, the old standbys of your local Borders, Barnes & Noble, etc. The larger locations will have a better selection. Amazon and some other online sellers also offer an excellent selection, but I recommend buying your first deck at a regular shop for two reasons: first, choosing a deck is a very personal process, and you will want to look at and handle as may decks as possible. Second, instant gratification! Why wait for the post office when you can take it home tonight?

Be ready to spend some time comparing decks when you get to the shop. If they have demo decks available, that is the best way to look. Check out the artwork to see what styles appeal to you most; some people like the bolder traditional look, while others are interested in more subtle images. The size and shape of the cards can be important too. Try to narrow it down to three, and then go with your instinct. You may also find yourself drawn to a style that you weren’t expecting- my most recent deck (not the one I went in to buy) nearly jumped off the shelf at me, and I carried the demo around for ten minutes before I just gave up and bought it.

And remember, the bit you may have heard about having to receive your first tarot deck as a gift is a myth. If you did, that’s great, but there’s no shame in “gifting” one to yourself either. Happy hunting!