The Right Tarot Deck: Classic, Intricate, Modern or Simple?

 

From Original Classic (Traditional), to Intricate and Modern or Simple?

How does someone choose the right deck for themselves and What is a good tarot deck for a beginner?

Tarot decks have been around for centuries. Since their emergence through the decades today many variations of decks are to be found. Globally, each year around one hundred new Tarot decks are released. This includes adaptions of old decks and entirely new designs. Some reflect through their illustrations, esoteric teachings, occult philosophy, gender, cultural history and legend or religion, and others are purely designed to represent a work of art. More and more, a Tarot deck has become an art form expressing many qualities and ideas. The result is many of today’s decks of cards are heavily laden with a dizzy array of symbolism to easily confuse the layperson and novice.

Whether you’re drawn to the original classic – traditional type, intricate artwork or modern and simple black-and-white designs, there’s a Tarot deck for everyone. Because there are so many decks to choose from with different styles and designs getting started with and choosing the perfect deck can feel both exciting and overwhelming. So how does someone choose the right Tarot for themselves? and What are the Best Tarot decks for a beginner to use to learn to read the cards?

First, to cover an essential point that needs to be taken into consideration, when choosing a tarot deck what matters the most is that the symbolism and illustrations in the cards resonate and align with the user. This is important because their energy will interact with the cards, sparking their intuition.

With countless options available, some decks are more helpful for beginners than  others. To find a deck that can resonate, here are some excellent options to bear in mind, from the most popular to the more common and renowned tarot decks.

The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck 

Also known as the Ryder-Waite-Smith, this deck is a widely well-known and recognised deck. Slightly pastel in colour but colourfully illustrated, it is beautifully adorned with traditional symbolism and classic images. Each card is named and or numbered making it overall more helpful for the beginner than other decks. An excellent choice for a learner.

The Ryder Waite Tarot Deck, Image by Daniel Albany - Pixabay

The Morgan Greer Tarot Deck 

A classic yet simple deck. Its interplay of harmonious and uncluttered symbols gives it clear meaning, making it easy to align with. Each card is named and or numbered and its vibrant colours and images are as appealing as its beauty. An ideal choice for the novice.

The Morgan Greer Tarot Deck - eBay

The Modern Witch Tarot Deck 

A popular deck, famous for its contemporary style, simplicity, and modern representations. Its fresh artwork and relatable imagery make it popular with learners. This deck resonates with anyone who prefers a more contemporary approach. The Modern Witch Tarot is a fantastic choice for a beginner.

The Modern Witch Tarot Cards-Lisa Sterele-Karma Living

The OK Tarot Deck 

A basic deck, for everyone and is ideal for those with minimal aesthetic unfussy, and down-to-earth tastes. Full of good energy and hope, this playful, hand-drawn deck with its very simple illustrations avoids misrepresentations of gender, race and religion. It offers a fresh perspective to help the user focus their attention and find clarity. Created for learners and enthusiasts alike.

The OK Tarot Deck by Adam j kurtz-infinitesoulvibrations.com 

The Aquarian Tarot Deck

A traditional deck that combines universal Tarot Symbolism with captivating Art Deco and Art Nouveau imagery. The Aquarian deck is known for bringing medieval tarot symbolism into the Modern Aquarian Age. The deck is a stylish adaption of the usual card symbols and suits of the Minor Arcana: Wands, Cups Swords and Pentacles. Suitable for a beginner and resonates well with anyone looking for a modern-day deck of cards, that is both elegant and graceful.

The Aquarian Tarot Deck by  astroamerica.com

The Thoth Tarot Deck 

A highly esteemed Tarot Deck that is more suitable for the assertive-bold type of personality that resonates with dramatic illustrations. Combining a spectacular array of symbols and images, it is a complex deck that can be difficult to align with for a beginner but can be well worth the effort as it is renowned for being a powerful deck.

The Thoth Tarot Deck Designed by Famed Occultist Aleister Crowley - Open Culture

The Tarot of Marseilles Tarot Deck (Pack)

This deck was originally designed for playing card games but is also used for divination. It is a standard pattern of an Italian tarot pack. A well-loved pack linked directly to the history of the tarot. Its forceful colours and lines give power to ancient images, strengthening their symbolic meaning. A timeless deck that is highly sought-after and a must for collectors and tarot fans. While the learner will find this deck challenging they will also find it highly rewarding as it is a powerful deck that can offer a deeper guide to more profound divinatory suggestions.

Marseilles Tarot Cards - Wischik.com

The Visconti Sforza Tarot Deck 

The oldest surviving Tarot deck. One thing to know about these cards is they are big, 'real big'. The colours in this deck are just so striking. Their symbolic richness is impressive and breathtaking. The cards have a neutral tone and a lot of beige and brown. Their occasional spots of red, blue and gold light up the deck as a whole. Looking at them, they hold a sense of personality and power. We cannot over-emphasise how lovely this deck is. Not for everyone, some beginners may have difficulty reading with them because of the lack of narrative symbolism. They are unnumbered and untitled. Generally, a user needs to be fairly familiar with this deck and the tarot in general to work effectively with these cards. However, in saying this, although learning the cards may prove slow going, it has the potential to be a good starter deck owing to its imagery, and scenes being richly and clearly illustrated. We encourage anyone interested in the tarot to own this deck, not only for its historical value but for the beauty of the art and the symbolic richness of the cards themselves. Having it in your collection is highly recommended.

 

tarotgardenvisconti-sforza-pierpont-morgan-tarocchi-u-s-games-edition

Spark Intuition and Trust Instinct

The Three Essential Tips to Choosing the Right Tarot Deck

1. Seek a personal connection with the cards to spark intuition. Listen to your gut and trust your instincts.
2. Go for the visual appeal. Explore and look closely at the imagery of all the cards i.e., Are the colours, patterns, and illustrations appealing?
3. Consider the level of the cards. For instance, if you are new to the Tarot, or a beginner, start with the popular Rider-Waite or Morgan Greer Deck.

Hint: An invaluable learner-helper tool. Check to see if the deck comes with a guidebook or at least includes what is known as the  'Little White Guide Book'  which is usually free with the deck.

To conclude, there is no doubt that as time passes Tarot decks will continue to evolve and we will see more and more decks emerge. Thus to bring this article to a close we end on the note that:

 "the best Tarot deck is always the one that speaks to your heart and sparks your intuition"

"Happy Tarot Deck Hunting"

In our next article, The Tarot Deck Structure. 

Until then, as they say in Spanish, "Adios por ahora".