How to Choose Your First Tarot Deck: A Beginner's Guide
- Megan Phoenix
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
Choosing your first tarot deck can feel surprisingly overwhelming. There are so many to choose from!
Walk into a metaphysical shop or search online and you'll find hundreds, maybe even thousands, of decks. Some are traditional and symbolic. Some are colorful and modern. Some are dark and mysterious. Others are whimsical, minimalist, nature-inspired, or completely different from anything you've seen before.
So how do you know which one is right for you?
The good news is that you don't need to be an experienced tarot reader to choose your first deck. You also don't need to find the "perfect" deck.
You simply need to find one that makes you want to pick it up and start exploring.
I've been reading tarot for decades and one thing I've learned is that the relationship you develop with your deck matters much more than whether you chose the deck someone else says you should have.
The second deck I got is the one I use the most. And I’ve accumulated dozens more since then!
Let's look at what actually matters when choosing your first tarot deck.
What Should You Look for in Your First Tarot Deck?
There are a few practical things to consider before buying a tarot deck, but don't overthink this.
Your first deck doesn't have to check every box.
1. Choose Artwork You Connect With
This is probably the most important thing.
You'll be spending a lot of time looking at these cards, so you want artwork that catches your attention and makes you curious.
Maybe you're drawn to traditional Renaissance-style artwork. Maybe you love modern illustrations, witches, animals, plants, celestial imagery, or something completely unconventional.
Take some time to look through the cards before purchasing if you can.
Ask yourself:
Do I like looking at these cards?
If the answer is yes, that's a good sign.
See if you get any initial thoughts or impressions.
You don't need to choose a deck because it's popular or because another tarot reader says it's the best. Your deck is a tool for your practice and you should enjoy using it.
2. Look at the Imagery
Tarot is a visual language.
The pictures on your cards help you understand the story and symbolism of each card, especially when you're learning.
When you're choosing a deck, look at several cards from the Major and Minor Arcana rather than judging it by the cover alone.
Can you look at the cards and imagine what they might mean?
For a beginner, a deck with imagery that gives you clues about the traditional meanings can be especially helpful.
3. Consider the Card Size
This is something beginners often overlook.
Some tarot cards are quite large, while others are smaller and easier to shuffle.
If you have smaller hands, an oversized deck might become frustrating quickly.
If possible, check the card dimensions before purchasing.
And don't worry about whether you're "supposed" to shuffle a certain way. Find a method that feels comfortable and works for you.
4. Check Whether It Comes With a Guidebook
A guidebook can be incredibly helpful when you're learning.
Some decks come with detailed books explaining the meanings and symbolism of the cards. Or at least have one you can purchase separately. Others have only a small booklet with a few keywords.
Neither is necessarily wrong, but if you're brand new to tarot, you may appreciate having more information available.
You can always learn more later, too. Your guidebook is a starting point, not a rulebook.
5. Think About the Cardstock
Cardstock refers to the thickness and feel of the cards.
Some decks are thick and sturdy. Others are thinner and easier to shuffle.
This is largely personal preference.
If you're shopping online, read reviews specifically mentioning the card quality, flexibility, and how easy the deck is to shuffle.
Should Your First Tarot Deck Be the Rider-Waite-Smith?
If you've researched tarot at all, you've probably heard of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck.
It's often recommended for beginners because so many tarot books, websites, courses, and other decks are based on its imagery and symbolism.
That can make learning easier.
The Minor Arcana cards in particular contain scenes that can help you understand their meanings rather than relying entirely on memorized keywords.
And honestly, when I read tarot, I don’t go by the meanings the guidebook says. I go by my feelings and interpretations.
But here's something important:
You don't have to buy a Rider-Waite-Smith deck as your first tarot deck.
It wasn’t my first deck or even my second, or third.
If you absolutely love it, wonderful.
If you look at it and think, "That's not really my style," that's okay too.
There are many tarot decks that follow the same basic structure while using completely different artwork.
The best beginner deck is one you'll actually want to use.
Do You Have to Be "Called" to a Tarot Deck?
You've probably heard the advice:
"Let your first tarot deck find you."
Or maybe you've heard that you shouldn't buy your own first deck and someone else has to give it to you.
These ideas can be fun parts of tarot folklore, but you don't have to follow them.
You can absolutely buy your own tarot deck.
And you don't have to wait for some magical moment when a particular deck "calls" to you.
That said, intuition can be a wonderful part of choosing a deck.
Maybe you see a particular deck and immediately feel drawn to it. Maybe the artwork makes you stop scrolling. Maybe you pick up a deck in a shop and don't want to put it down.
Pay attention to that feeling.
But don't worry if you don't experience some huge mystical connection.
Sometimes choosing a tarot deck is as simple as:
"I love these cards."
Or, “This looks kind of cool.”
That's enough.
If it feels right, go for it.
How Do You Know If a Tarot Deck Is Right for You?
Before buying, ask yourself:
Do I like the artwork?
Can I connect with the imagery?
Do I understand some of the symbolism?
Can I imagine myself using this deck regularly?
Does the size feel comfortable?
Does it come with a guidebook?
Do I actually feel excited to work with it?
You don't need a perfect score.
If you're excited to use the deck, that's probably the most important answer.
Should You Buy Your First Tarot Deck Online?
Absolutely, you can do that.
There are some advantages to shopping in person, especially if you can actually look through the cards before purchasing.
But buying online can give you access to a much larger selection.
And you may not have a local store that supplies tarot cards.
If you're shopping online, look for:
Card images
Don't judge a deck based only on its box. Search for images of the actual cards.
Reviews
Look for reviews that mention the card quality, artwork, guidebook and ease of shuffling.
The publisher
It's worth checking whether you're purchasing an authentic deck from the original publisher or creator.
Card dimensions
A deck that looks beautiful but is difficult for you to shuffle isn't going to be much fun.
The guidebook
Check whether one is included and how detailed it is.
7 Tarot Decks for Beginners: Which One Is Right for You?
There isn't one universally "best" tarot deck for beginners.
However, some decks are especially popular because they're easy to learn from or have imagery that follows traditional tarot symbolism.
Rider-Waite-Smith is an excellent starting point if you want to learn traditional tarot symbolism.
If traditional artwork isn't your style, look for a modern deck that still follows the basic Rider-Waite-Smith structure.
You might also want to choose a deck based on your interests: nature, animals, mythology, witchcraft, celestial imagery, or another theme that naturally draws you in.
The best tarot deck for you is the one you'll actually use.
Here are some suggestions to consider:
Best traditional deck: Rider-Waite-Smith
Best nature-inspired deck: The Wild Unknown Tarot
Best modern deck: Modern Witch Tarot
Best witchy deck: The Green Witch Tarot
Best colorful deck: Mystic Mondays Tarot
For Pagan/Wiccan Readers: DruidCraft Tarot
My personal favorite: Cosmic Tarot Deck
Still not sure? Don't feel pressured to choose the "right" deck. Look through the artwork, read about the deck's system and pay attention to which one makes you want to start reading.
Your first deck doesn't have to be the deck you'll use forever. It just needs to be a deck you're excited to learn with.
Do You Need to Cleanse a New Tarot Deck?
This is completely up to you.
Some readers cleanse every new deck before working with it. Others don't.
If cleansing is part of your spiritual practice, you might use:
Moonlight
Smoke cleansing
Sound
Crystals
A cleansing visualization
Simply holding the deck and setting an intention for your work
There's no single correct method.
If you'd like to cleanse your new deck before using it, you can read my guide: How to Cleanse Tarot Cards: 9 Simple Methods for Your Deck
What Should You Do After Choosing Your First Tarot Deck?
Once you have your deck, don't feel like you need to memorize all 78 cards before you can start reading. That can feel very overwhelming.
Start getting familiar with the cards.
Look through them.
Notice which ones immediately catch your attention.
Try a simple one-card reading each day and write down what you notice.
You might ask:
"What energy should I be aware of today?"
or:
"What can I learn from today?"
Then look at the card before reaching for your guidebook.
What do you notice?
What does the image make you feel?
What story does the card seem to tell you?
Then compare your interpretation with the traditional meaning.
Over time, you'll begin developing your own relationship with the cards.
You’ll see symbolism in the cards and associate it with something.
And that's where tarot gets really interesting.
You Don't Have to Choose the "Perfect" Tarot Deck
If you're staring at dozens of decks wondering which one you're supposed to choose, take a breath.
You can't really choose wrong.
Your first deck doesn't have to be the most popular deck, the most expensive deck, or the deck a tarot expert told you to buy.
Choose something that makes you curious.
Choose something you enjoy looking at.
Choose something that makes you want to shuffle the cards, pull one and see what happens.
Your tarot practice is your own.
And sometimes the best first deck isn't the one you think you should choose.
It's the one you can't stop thinking about.
How I Chose the Deck I Use Consistently
I was always drawn to tarot and I borrowed a deck from someone, but it didn’t feel right. I wasn’t connected to it at all.
Then I had a tarot reading done and couldn’t stop staring at the cards. Throughout the reading, I was more focused on the cards than what the person was saying.
Afterwards, when she asked if I had any questions, I blurted out “What’s this tarot deck called?” I hunted it down and it’s been my go-to deck for more than 30 years.
The luck deck: The Cosmic tarot deck.
Ready to Start Reading?
Once you've found your deck, the next step is learning how to work with it.
Start here: How to Read Tarot Cards for Beginners
And if you're ready to make your tarot practice more personal, you might also enjoy keeping a tarot journal where you can record your readings, card meanings, questions and intuitive impressions.
Overall, just enjoy the journey. Your relationship with the cards will develop as will your intuition.
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