Whether you’ve had a tarot reading or you’re still among the curious, one thing’s for sure: the truth is behind the cards — 78 of them to be exact. While you can also read with a traditional deck of cards, the tarot deck has a special significance. Each of the colorful and artistic cards represents a different symbol, karmic influence, or life situation. They are used in conjunction with one another to tell a story, whether that’s yours or someone else’s. Once you grasp how a tarot reading works, the next step is to understand better the meaning behind each of these powerful pieces of paper.
Of course, mastering the tarot deck is easier said than done — even professional psychics are constantly refining their skills. Not to mention all of that memory work! With that in mind, if you want to learn the art of tarot, try starting with one of these easy yet functional decks of cards. Who knows? You could be reading spreads sooner than you think.
What Makes A Good Tarot Deck For Beginners?
The purpose of getting a tarot deck for beginners is so that it’s easier for you to memorize upright and reversed meanings of all of the cards to eventually tie the bigger picture meaning together in a spread.
Easy to use
There are some decks out there that try to get creative by being a bit unconventional — skip those. If you have a deck that goes against the grid, it will be more challenging to connect with the tarot card designs as a beginner. This is not to say that you can’t experiment with alternative decks in the future.
Designs Rich In Symbolism
Trust us; this tip will help you the most — especially if you’re a visual learner. It’s easier to interpret and memorize clearly illustrated scenes versus keywords. This way, you won’t have to feel like you need to conduct an emergency Google search.
Low Investment
Tarot decks for beginners shouldn’t break the bank. You only need to make a small investment when you’re first starting to dip your toe in the psychic pond—somewhere between $20 and $30 is the sweet spot.
Popularity
When it comes to where to buy tarot cards, you’re in luck. The internet is filled with tarot decks for beginners — but how do you choose? For starters, most online retailers have reviews of their products, so you can see what other aspiring readers had to say about their experience with the cards. Second, we’ve done a little legwork on your behalf so you can spend less time researching and more time learning.
1. Llewellyn’s Classic Tarot
As the name suggests, this is a classic deck — it’s touted as the world’s most popular. However, what makes it a standout pick for beginners is the rich artwork based on the symbolism and colors of the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith system — the most popular deck founded in 1909 — but with fresh, relatable, 21st century interpretations.
2. The Modern Witch
Unlike many older and more traditional decks, this modern-day pick is gender and culture-inclusive. Bravo to acclaimed illustrator Lisa Sterle for making tarot cards easier to decipher while being youthful, contemporary, and relatable in today’s society.
3. Inspirational Tarot
This unique tarot deck features beautifully illustrated hand drawn cards by artist Rachel Farabaugh. Thanks to fresh images and soothing color combinations, it’s the perfect deck for beginners because it’s easy to comprehend.
4. OK Tarot: The Simple Deck for Everyone
This tarot deck is more than ok, but it is super simple. It’s one of the more modern picks on this list because it doesn’t have tarot’s traditional, rich imagery. However, since some people grapple with being instinctive when looking at the cards, this deck has taken out the guesswork by relying on keywords and simple illustrations to aid the learning process. For that reason, it’s an excellent choice for beginners.
5. Morgan-Greer in a Tin
This convenient, pocket-sized deck (each card measures 2 x 3.5) pays homage to the Morgan-Greer Tarot, which is known for its evocative artwork, making it easier to understand the details of tarot imagery and its applicable symbolism. What makes this deck unique is that the borderless cards meld together to generate a beautiful picture when laid out in a spread.
6. Wild Unknown Tarot Deck
Here’s the thing about tarot: everyone has a different learning style and background. With that said, some people may learn better with a less traditional deck versus a classic. If you’re the type of person who easily connects with animals and understands their symbolism, then this is an excellent deck to start out with as a tarot newbie.
7. Revelations Tarot by Zach Wong
Whether you’re new to tarot or an experienced pro, working with the cards’ reversed meaning is no easy feat. That’s where this deck comes in handy. Each card showcases different symbolism on the bottom of the card, so it appears upright when the card is inverted — it’s like having 156 cards, but you’re only using 79.
8. The Smith-Waite Tarot Deck Centennial Edition
The SW tarot deck is a trusted reproduction of the aforementioned Rider-Waite deck — the original version, of course. It’s a great classic pick for a beginner due to its straightforward imagery riddled with symbolism. This version is pocket-sized, so you can take your studies with you while you’re on the go.
9. Everyday Tarot Mini Tarot Deck
While the cards are based on the Rider-Waite deck, they’re more approachable and focus on the most important symbols you’d need to understand to learn tarot. Exercises help the user tap into their intuition while using the cards as their guide. This deck is a fresh approach to a timeless divination tool.
10. Easy Tarot
The author of this tarot deck clearly wanted the consumer to know what they were buying, so you can rest assured this is a great starter set for a beginner. Along with 78 colorful, gilded, easy-to-read cards, you’ll also receive a quick guide to card readings, including card combinations that link to specific events (thin pregnancy, new job, wedding, etc.), sample readings, ethical guidelines, and troubleshooting advice. This kit is like having your own personal tarot reader in a box to help you out.
Interested In Getting Started With Tarot?
Practicing with a deck of tarot cards for beginners is a great way to dip your toe in the divination pond, but if you hit a wall or have more profound questions beyond symbolism alone, speak to one of our psychics here at Keen. In fact, not only can a professional tarot reading provide you with insight into your past, present, and potential future, but it’s a great way to help you learn the ropes as a recipient. As with anything new that you’re learning, practice makes perfect, so allow one of our advisors to help you on your tarot journey.
