Top 5 Tips for Choosing a Beginner Tarot Deck

Thinking about getting into tarot? It can be intimidating knowing where to start. There's so many different decks on the market now, which can make one feel overwhelmed trying to pick one. Just a few decades ago you would go to a metaphysical store and there might be a small handful of decks to choose from. Now you can walk into any major retail chain bookstore and find dozens of different tarot decks on the shelves in a wide variety of themes. So where does one start? How do you choose the right deck to begin reading the tarot? Picking the right deck to start with is important because if you pick the wrong one and get frustrated, you won't stick with learning how to read them. Below are some tips for picking the perfect deck for you to start your tarot journey with.

The Rider Waite Smith Tarot

1. Find a Deck With an Art Style or Theme You Like
   It only makes sense that if you don't like the art, you are less likely to work with the deck. With so many decks out there these days, there really is something for everyone. You can find decks with themes from unicorns to panda bears, from fairies to aliens. There's also pop culture themed decks like Disney Villains and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. For beginners I recommend staying away from the pop culture themed ones as they can be a little too much on the collector's side and less on the practical side of actually reading a deck. Look for an art style that you like or a theme that you resonate with. Something that sparks your imagination and makes you want to pick it up even to just look at the cards. The deck should be something that inspires you and gets you excited to read cards.

2. Stay Away From "Pip" Decks
   A "Pip" deck is one where the cards in the minor arcana (the suit cards) do not have fully illustrated scenes on them. Instead, if say the card is the 5 of Cups, the card depicts just 5 cups. Or if it is the 7 of Swords, the card has 7 swords on it and little or nothing else. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this kind of deck, they are not beginner friendly. Look for a deck where all the cards are fully illustrated. You want a deck where the images clearly depict the cards meaning. This way the images tell you a story and will help you to remember the card's meaning so you can interpret it accordingly. On the other end, stay away from decks that appear esoteric or are overly mysterious in their symbolism. When starting to read you want clarity not confusion. You can always move on to pip decks or esoteric decks later, if that's what you are interested in.
   
   
3. Look for Decks With Key Words
   One of the easiest ways to start reading tarot is to find a deck you like that has key words or phrases on the cards. This gives one the ability to read the cards right away, rather than struggling to memorize the meanings of each card before reading for yourself or others. This can also help you with memorizing the meanings as the more frequently you read with them, the less and less you will find yourself relying on the key words and then you can make the jump to a tarot deck without them.
   
   
4. Get a Deck With a Good Guidebook
   Back when I started reading cards in the mid 90s, most decks came in a little box with a small flimsy guidebook. The LWBs (little white books) had tiny print and only a few pages of information. Most were next to useless for learning to read the cards. These days there are loads of tarot decks that come in big sturdy boxes with full colour large guidebooks included. Most include not only the card meanings, but also basic tarot info like shuffling and caring for your cards, along with spreads for laying out the cards and reading them. These kinds are great for getting started with learning tarot. If you have your heart set on a deck that doesn't come with a good guidebook, fret not, as there are lots of books on the market now with information on how to read the cards.
   
   
5. When in Doubt, Stick With the Classics
   With the variety of decks on the market, it can be overwhelming knowing where to start. If you are unsure, you can't go wrong with a classic deck, especially the Rider Wait Smith (also known as the RWS for short). This is the most common deck you will see referred to in beginner tarot books and is the stye of tarot deck that most modern decks are based on.  Once you know how to read the RWS, you can read almost any other tarot deck on the market. Other good options are the Morgan Greer Tarot and the Aquarian Tarot. They have both been around since the late 1970s and are other decks commonly referred to in tarot books. For beginners I advise staying away from the Thoth deck and Marseille style decks. Both are classics but are not very beginner friendly.

In short, you want a deck with artwork you enjoy, where the pictures clearly show the meaning and/or have key words or phrases. Having a great guidebook or stand along tarot instructional book is also a must. Another option for learning the tarot is to take a beginner tarot course. There are lots of great courses out there both online and in person. If you like in person courses a great place to start is your local metaphysical shop. They may have courses they are running themselves or know who is teaching one locally. There are also lots of courses online, but make sure to do your research to find an instructor whose approach you like and who is knowledgeable about the tarot, and is in your budget.

If you would like to learn tarot with me, I am currently teaching beginner tarot on my Patreon, in the Academy level. My approach is to use keywords to get your reading the tarot quickly. We'll start with the Majors and reading with them alone before moving on to each of the four suits one by one, and finally the court cards. I also offer monthly personal readings on my Patreon in the Grove and Temple levels, or you can purchase individual readings on my Etsy shop.

Top 5 Tarot Decks for Beginners

It can be hard to know where to start if you are wanting to learn how to read tarot. In the past the biggest barrier was a lack of resources. In order to learn tarot you had to first purchase a deck. This meant you often had to go to a specialty store, which not every town had, and the selection of decks and books on how to read the tarot was quite limited. There was also a lack of people teaching the tarot if you were looking for one on one instruction. These days we have the opposite problem. There are a million different decks and a plethora of tarot books, podcasts, and Youtube videos to learn from. There is so much it can be hard to know where to start. Given this, I thought I’d write about my top 5 decks for a beginner to start with. 

 

The Rider Waite Smith deck

 

Please note that there are loads of wonderful decks that a beginner can start with, these are just my suggestions. I also tried to keep it to decks that are widely available at the time of writing this post, and to those that are on the more affordable end. You don’t need to buy an expensive deck to get started. You also don’t need to have a giant collection of decks or books on tarot to learn how to read. One deck and one good book is all you really need to get started.

 

The Rider Waite Smith – This is the classic deck that is most commonly referenced in tarot books and the one that most contemporary decks are modeled after. First published in 1909, it has remained continually in print for over 100 years. It was known throughout most of the 20^th century as the Rider Waite deck, named after the publishing company (Rider) and the author (A.E. Waite). In recent years Smith has been added to pay homage to Pamela Coleman Smith, who was the artist of this iconic deck. Part of the reason this deck became so popular was because of the addition of scenes to the minor arcana cards (the 4 suits, cards numbered ace – ten). Prior to this, these cards were usually just “pips”, meaning that, for example, if you pulled the three of cups card, the card would have just three cups pictured on it. So you had to memorize what that card meant, you had no visual clues to help you. With the addition of scenes to each of the suit cards, it was easier to figure out and remember what the meaning was. The author Arthur Waite was a member of the Golden Dawn, a late 19^th/early 20^th century secret esoteric society and wanted a deck that combined the medieval imagery of the tarot with western mystical symbolism. There is debate as to how much was Waite’s and how much was Smith’s design, but the result is an at once familiar and mysterious set of images. This deck is a good place to start as most instructional tarot books reference this deck in their imagery, so you have a variety of books you can learn from. It is also a great one to start with as so many other decks are based on it, making it easier to use other decks, should you wish to add more to your collection. Once you learn the RWS (Rider Waite Smith) you can pick up any other RWS based deck and be able to read with it.

 

The Morgan Greer – This deck was first published in 1979 and has since become a classic. During the 1970s there was a renewal in interest in the tarot, and when this deck came out it was a best seller and has remained in print ever since. This deck retains the medieval imagery and esoteric symbolism on the RWS, but with a more contemporary art style. Many of the figures are closer to the viewer, making it a more intimate and personal connection. Being a deck from the late 1970s it has a retro vibe with garish colours, and fluffy moustaches. Think of it as the hippie take on the Rider Waite Smith. It is also a deck you will find commonly referenced in tarot instructional books.

 

The Osho Zen Tarot – This deck reads more like an oracle deck, which can make it less intimidating for those new to the tarot. This deck came out in the 1990s and is based on Osho Zen teachings. Each deck has a key word on it, which can help those in the process of learning. It also comes with an excellent guidebook for reference, (as do many decks these days) to help the reader expand on the cards meaning beyond the key words. This is a great alternative for those not interested in the more traditional style decks, or who want something a little more like an oracle deck. This deck does a good job of balancing between the zen focus while still maintaining the meanings of the cards. The Osho Zen is one of the first decks that I had in the 1990s and helped me to learn and understand the elemental significations of the suits. It is also a relatively affordable deck that is still in print and widely available today.

 

Angel Wisdom Tarot – There are several angel themed tarot decks by Radeleigh Valentine (prior to 2017 he partnered with Doreen Virtue). The Angel Tarot, Angel Wisdom Tarot, Guardian Angel Messages Tarot and other angel themed tarot decks by him are very accessible for newcomers as they all have key words and phrases at the bottom of each card. You don’t need to pull out the book or memorize to be able to start reading effectively. This can also be a great way to ease into the tarot for those that might be interested, but a little intimidated or even fearful of the tarot. The angels can be a positive and reassuring sign for not only readers, but for those you are reading for that might be a little more superstitious about the tarot. It can also be great for those interested in learning more about and working with angels in their spiritual practice.

 

The Wandering Star Tarot – This deck is the most recent one on this list, being published originally in 2020 as an independent deck. It was so popular that it got picked up for distribution by a large publisher, making it affordable and easily accessible. This deck has a fun playful art style that focuses on the feminine. The deck features mostly female figures from a variety of backgrounds, making this deck modern and representational to a wide audience. The deck also has key words woven into the artwork on each card, making it easy to read for those who are just learning. I think this deck is a great one for teens and young adults as it is fun, beginner friendly and diverse.

 

While I’ve given you my top five recommendations, please note that there are many wonderful decks on the market that a beginner can start with. I think the biggest piece of advice is to find one where you love the art work as you are more likely to keep working with it over time. Also don’t start with something too complicated or abstract as it will make the learning process more difficult. This is also why I recommend decks with key words or phrases on them as you can start working with it right away. This keeps the process fun and engaging. If you get bored or frustrated you are likely to put the deck away and forget about it. After all, for all its mystical symbolism, this is supposed to be an enjoyable tool.

 

I’d love to hear about what decks you recommend for beginners or what deck you started with, or are thinking of starting out with if you are brand new. If you’d like to learn more about the tarot, I currently am teaching about the Minor Arcana (suits) on the Coven level on my Patreon. You can also follow me on my Instagram for the tarot card of the day. And as always, if you would like a personal tarot reading from me you can check out my Etsy shop.

Reflecting on 78 Degrees of Wisdom

This past week the Tarot community lost a prolific author and teacher, Rachel Pollack (Aug. 17 1945 – Apr. 07, 2023). Rachel wrote numerous nonfiction books on tarot and the occult as well as fiction works including Doom Patrol. She was widely known in the divination community for her expertise. She authored several books on tarot including Tarot Wisdom, The New Tarot Handbook, Seeker - the Tarot Unveiled, and her most famous work, 78 Degrees of Wisdom. While I never had the pleasure of meeting her or of attending any of her talks or workshops, I have definitely felt her influence in helping me to understand the tarot and it’s symbolism through her writing, especially through her book 78 Degrees of Wisdom.

78 Degrees of Wisdom came out back in 1980, and has had an enormous amount of impact upon tarot readers. The book is a comprehensive guide to the symbolism contained in the Rider Waite Smith version of the tarot. The book walks one through the imagery and symbolism of the Major Arcana (Trumps 0 – 22) and through the Minor Arcana (the four suits – Swords, Wands, Cups and Pentacles) while explaining its meanings and history. While this might not sound like a big breakthrough in this day and age, it is important to remember that in 1980 there were not the numerous amount of tarot decks and books that we have today.

 Today there is a plethora of tarot decks on the market, and many of them come with a comprehensive guidebook to help one to get to know the meanings of the cards. This is really only something we have seen become more common in the past couple of decades. In the 1990s and prior, most tarot decks were sold with a small pamphlet with only the most basic of instructions. The small pamphlets came to be known as the little white book (or LWB), and were often not very useful to new tarot students. If you wanted to really learn to read the cards, you had to either seek out a teacher, or find a separate book to learn from. Back then there were not the hundreds of tarot books available that you could get with just a click on your computer, and then have it delivered to your door. You had to go to a metaphysical store to find a book, if you were lucky enough to have a store in your area, and there were not nearly as many books on tarot to choose from.

78 Degrees of Wisdom brought knowledge of the tarot to a wider audience. It became a classic go to book for those learning to read the tarot, or wanting to understand the esoteric symbols on the cards at a greater depth. It has remained in print since it came out, and many consider it to be their tarot bible. Rachel Pollack does a great job of not only breaking down the symbolism, but also at looking into the psychological meanings and history behind the tarot imagery. The book takes a Jungian point of view and examines the archetypes contained in the cards. The cards are seen in a more psychological light, rather than as purely predictive.

I did not read 78 Degrees until later in my tarot career, although I had heard it being referenced by many other readers. I eventually decided that if so many people recommended something, I should probably check it out. It’s one of those books I wish I had come across sooner as it helped me to dive deeper into the tarot and have a better understanding of the Rider Waite Smith system. I now use it as a reference book for my own studies and for teaching others about the tarot.

I am very grateful to Rachel Pollack for leaving us with not only 78 Degrees, but also with many other wonderful tarot books. There is no question that she has left her mark on the tarot community and that her books will continue to educate and enlighten students for generations to come.

 If you would like to learn more about tarot symbolism and how to read the cards, you can join my online Coven on Patreon Where we are journeying through the Major Arcana.

Your Personal Tarot Card for 2021

I was going to make a video for my YouTube channel about this, but thought that a blog post might be better suited to this subject, as you can look up and refer to your yearly card. 

First I will show you how to calculate it, and then what each card means for your year. 

How to Calculate Your Card

Its actually pretty simple to calculate which major arcana card will be yours for the year. Take the digits of your birth month and day and add them to the current year. For example, my birthday is August 15, so I would add

8+1+5+2+0+2+1 = 19 

Card number 19 in the majors is the Sun, so that is my Tarot card for 2021. 

Any result that is over 22 you will have to reduce further. For example if your birthday is September 29 

9+2+9+2+0+2+1 = 23

As this is over 22 you would add

2+3=5

So your Tarot card would the Heirophant, which is number 5 in the major arcana. 

Please note that you are never going to get 1 (Magician) or 2 (the High Priestess) as a result so I’ve included them in other cards whose digits reduce to the numbers 1 or 2 when added together. You will also never get 0 as a result either, so we assign the Fool to number 22.

Card Meanings for Your Year

3 the Empress - A year of abundance,creativity and fertility. It’s a great year to have a baby, get a pet, or start a creative project or a business. The danger of this year is either taking for granted the abundance that is coming your way, or in spending so much time nurturing others that you forget to care for yourself. 

4 the Emperor - A year of taking control, getting organized and taking a leadership position. You are taking command of your life and taking your power back. The shadow side is trying to control others instead of focusing on your own life. 

5 the Hierophant - This is not a year to rock the boat or go against traditions. This is a time to learn from those that have gone before, from institutions and the more experienced.  The shadow side is going along with convention just for the sake of it, or rebelling thoughtlessly. 

6 the Lovers - A year of following the heart over the head. Choices will be presented to you and romance has the potential to flourish. The challenge is to take others into consideration when making decisions and not to avoid making difficult choices. 

7 the Chariot - Determination and focus are the themes this year. You can get a lot done in a Chariot year, and may even travel. Avoid being so hyper focused on a goal that you neglect other aspects of your life. 

8 Strength - This can be a challenging year as it asks you to settle in for the long haul. Consistent gentle effort over time will yield better results than trying to force things. It’s a year that can test you and exhaust you so get lots of rest and practice self care. 

9 the Hermit - This is a year to turn inward. Don’t worry about what others think, you need to consult your own soul. It’s a quiet year of inner growth. The challenge is it can be lonely so make sure you reach out to others. 

10 the Wheel of Fortune (1 Magician) - A year of change and good luck. Opportunities come your way but you have to act on them. The danger is to let them pass or to think you are not ready for it and procrastinate. You are so ready for this!

11 Justice (2 High Priestess) - This is another year of decisions but one where you must balance your head and your gut. You must make choices that take fairness and justice into account. Legal issues can arise sometimes. The down side is losing your balance and forgetting either your rational or intuitive faculties. 

12 Hanged Man - A year of waiting where not much seems to happen. You are being asked to look at things from a different perspective and develop patience. You may have to make sacrifices now for something greater in the future. 

13 Death - Loss can be a theme during a 13 year, but also transformation. This is a year of letting go and discarding the old and unworkable to make way for new and better things. It is not the easiest year but it is a profound one. 

14 Temperance - If you are coming out of a 13 year, this one is a blessing. Emotional balance is restored and you learn how to integrate the changes of the previous year. You may feel divinely inspired and guided. While it’s not the most active year, it is a more positive one. 

15 the Devil - You are asked to examine addictions, manipulation and any areas of your life where you don’t feel in control. You are forced to confront your limitations, which is never fun, but offers you an opportunity to get real about your circumstances and potentially break free. 

16 the Tower - Upheaval and change come this year whether you like it or not. If you haven’t done the work of the previous year, you might get the rug pulled out from under you. Anything on a shaky foundation will fall. But you may also receive life changing inspiration or insights. Be open to change.

17 The Star - A year of hope and optimism. Good news comes and there is hope for a better tomorrow. It’s a great year to make plans and set goals for the long term future. Also a good one for making connections and expanding your social life. 

18 the Moon - Uncertainty is the theme this year. You can’t see where you are going so you have to just put one foot in front of the other. Use your intuition as it is quite sharp. Any mental or emotional issues can be more active so practice good self care. 

19 the Sun -  A year of joy, optimism and renewed faith in yourself and the world. This can be a year of big successes, or a time of rest (or even both). Don’t waste any opportunities that may come your way this year. Soak up the good vibes. 

20 Judgement - It’s time to answer the call of your heart. The Universe is pushing you to grow, so don’t resist the changes it is bringing. It’s time to step up and meet the challenge. You’ll be glad you did. 

21 the World - You are at the end of a big cycle in your life. World years can be times where we graduate, or retire or move away. But they can also just be a time of internal shifting and growing. Look back on all you’ve accomplished  with pride. 

22 the Fool - Its a brand new start! Time to take a leap of faith and go for it! It’s a great year to start a business, apply for the dream job or move to the other side of the world. Or you can just change up your look, or outlook on life. Anything is possible this year. 

This year is a Sun year for me so I’m looking forward to a more optimistic and energizing year after the uncertainty of 2020 which was a Moon year for me. What is your card for 2021? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the coming energies for you. 

If you’d like a full reading to see what’s ahead for you in 2021, you can book one with me 

here

Top Tarot Myths Debunked for Beginners

While Tarot may be more popular than ever now, and more people are learning about it, unfortunately, there are still some misconceptions floating around out there. Every so often I get questions from people that show me there are some false ideas that continue to make the rounds for those looking to get into learning tarot. Below are the top 5 ones I hear most frequently. 

1. Your First Tarot Deck Must be Given to You. This false idea is probably the one I come across most often. The idea is that you can't buy your own deck, that someone has to give it you as a present. If you are interested in getting into tarot, please don't wait around hoping someone will intuit that you want one. Go out and buy yourself that deck! I think this idea came from in the past when tarot wasn't as common or acceptable. That way someone who knew how to read would pass on their knowledge to you. It was also a way of gatekeeping and controlling who had knowledge and who didn't. I personally do not believe in gatekeeping. If you want to read cards, please go out and find yourself a deck you love and a book or other resource to guide you. Don't hold yourself back.

2.You Must Take a Specialized Course or Certification to Read Cards. This is nonsense. Its said by those who either want to control who has access to tarot or want to sell you their course. That being said there are some great courses out there, and some people learn better from guided study than on their own. But you don't HAVE to take a course. There are plenty of inexpensive books, and free online resources to learn from. And if you want to take a course, do your research, find someone you trust, and avoid overpriced scammers.

3. You Must Store Your Deck in an Oak Box, Silk Scarf, Facing North etc. Of course if you want your deck to last a long time, storing it where its safe and protected from damage is sensible. But you will come across people who say that you must store it in particular fabrics, woods, facing a certain direction etc. or they won't work. This is just not true. Your cards will work just as well whether stored in a elegantly carved box or a cookie tin. 

4. You Can Only Read For Others and Never Yourself. I'm really not sure where this idea came from, as the way almost everyone learns is by starting by reading for themselves, then slowly branching out to read for family and friends. Its a great way to learn the cards. I often suggest starting with pulling one card a day, looking up its meaning and making note of how it played out for you. Or you can do a weekly reading and again make notes to refer back to. When you get more comfortable you can move on to others who are open to you practicing on them.

5. Tarot Cards are Portals to the Spirit World/Hell/ the Devil etc. This one comes from horror movies and poorly researched paranormal TV shows. It has no basis in fact and is based on superstition and fear. I even heard someone claim that each deck was a portal to Hell and opened the user up to demons. If so there would be a hundred demons in my house right now! After 26 years of reading cards, and owning dozens of decks, I can assure you, no demons have appeared. Tarot cards are a tool to help you access your intuition and are nothing to be scared of.

I hope that this post encourages you to pick up the cards, if you are interested in reading them, without fear or worrying about barriers. What other ideas have you heard about tarot? Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about getting started.