Some tarot decks feel like they have been waiting for you in a dusty tower library. Others arrive covered in neon kittens, bone motifs or gloriously dramatic dragons and demand immediate shelf space. Both can be excellent. The right deck is not necessarily the oldest, most serious-looking, or approved by the loudest witch on the internet. It is the one you will actually want to pick up, shuffle and spend time with.
Tarot can be a reflective practice, a ritual tool, a storytelling prompt or simply a beautiful object for your collection. There are traditions worth understanding, certainly, but there is no prize for choosing a deck that leaves you cold. Bramble’s official position: life is too short for boring card art. I will not be taking questions.
What makes tarot decks different?
A traditional tarot deck contains 78 cards split into the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. The 22 Major Arcana cards are the big characters and turning points: The Fool, Death, The Moon, The Lovers, and the rest of the dramatic gang. They often speak to themes, patterns and major shifts rather than one-off daily annoyances.
The remaining 56 Minor Arcana cards deal with the texture of ordinary life. They are divided into four suits, most commonly Cups, Wands, Swords and Pentacles. Depending on the deck, these may connect with emotions, action, thought and material life. Each suit has numbered cards and court cards, usually Page, Knight, Queen and King.
That framework is why tarot has such satisfying depth. A single card can have a traditional interpretation, an image-specific meaning, a personal association and a different role depending on the question or spread. You do not have to memorise every layer before your first reading. You just need curiosity and a willingness to look closely.
Tarot versus oracle cards
Oracle decks are cousins, not substitutes. They tend to have a looser structure, with any number of cards and themes ranging from moon phases to folklore creatures, affirmations and tea leaves. Oracle cards are often easier to read straight from the guidebook because the creator defines the system.
Tarot decks share a broadly recognisable structure, which makes it easier to use books, courses and traditional meanings across different designs. If you want a system you can study for years, tarot is a splendid rabbit hole. If you want a quick, intuitive nudge from a deck of gothic moths, an oracle deck may be more your speed. Plenty of people keep both nearby, as any sensible magpie would.
Choose a tarot tradition before you choose artwork
The artwork is allowed to be the reason you fall in love, but the underlying system affects how approachable a deck feels in use. Most new readers will encounter one of three traditions.
Rider-Waite-Smith: the friendly starting point
Rider-Waite-Smith, often shortened to RWS, is the most common basis for modern tarot decks. Crucially, its Minor Arcana cards are illustrated scenes rather than just suit symbols. The Five of Cups shows grief and what remains; the Ten of Wands looks properly overloaded. This gives beginners something to read in the image before they know a textbook definition.
A huge number of themed decks use RWS-style meanings. That makes them a practical first choice, particularly if you love a strong aesthetic but also want guidebooks and learning resources to make sense. A witchy woodland version, a fantasy version or a pop-culture-inspired deck can still be wonderfully usable if its scenes tell a clear story.
Marseille: elegant, historical and less literal
Tarot de Marseille-style decks have older roots and distinctive, graphic artwork. Their Major Arcana cards are often instantly recognisable, but the Minor Arcana may show arrangements of cups, coins, swords or batons rather than illustrated situations.
That is not a flaw. It invites a more numerological and intuitive reading style, and many experienced readers adore its directness. It can be a less obvious first deck if you want every card to hand you a ready-made scene, but it is ideal for anyone drawn to history, symbolism and bold vintage design.
Thoth: rich symbolism, heavier weather
Thoth-inspired tarot decks are packed with esoteric correspondences, striking colour and dense symbolism. They reward close study. They can also feel like being handed an occult syllabus by a very glamorous lecturer who expects you to keep up.
Choose this route if that sounds thrilling rather than exhausting. There is no need to start here merely because a deck looks impressive on a coffee table. A reading tool should invite you in, not glare at you from across the room.
Let the art do some of the reading
A deck’s visual language matters more than people admit. You will be looking at these images repeatedly, often when you are trying to untangle a feeling or tell a story. If the people in the deck all look identical, the colours make your eyes unhappy, or the imagery is so abstract that you cannot find a way in, it may be a collector’s piece rather than your daily reader.
Look for pictures that create an immediate reaction. A card does not need to be cute, pretty or comforting. Some of the best decks are shadowy, strange and a bit feral. It does need to give you something to notice: body language, a creature at the edge of the frame, a storm on the horizon, a tiny goblin making questionable choices behind a cauldron.
Representation is part of usability too. Many readers prefer tarot decks with varied bodies, genders, ages, cultures and relationships because they can see more of real life in the cards. Others seek decks rooted in a particular mythology or artistic tradition. Specificity can be powerful, provided it is handled with care rather than treated as decorative wallpaper.
Practical details that are surprisingly important
Before committing to a deck, consider how it will feel in your hands. Large cards show off elaborate illustration, but they can be awkward to shuffle if your hands are small. Mini decks are charming and good for travelling, yet fine details can disappear. Standard-sized cards are usually the safest option for frequent reading.
Card stock changes the experience as well. Thick, textured cards can feel luxurious but may need breaking in; smooth cards often shuffle easily but can show wear sooner. Gilded edges look suitably fancy and may suit a display shelf, though they are not always the most carefree choice for daily handling. It depends whether you are building a working deck, a cherished collection, or both.
A guidebook is worth checking too. Some are brief and beginner-friendly, while others offer spreads, symbolism, creator notes and alternate interpretations. Neither is automatically better. A deck with a thin booklet can still be brilliant if the imagery is clear, while a thoughtful guidebook can turn a more unusual deck into a proper long-term companion.
Your first deck does not have to be a starter deck
The usual advice is to begin with a classic RWS deck, and it is sensible advice for many people. But “sensible” and “the only acceptable option” are not the same creature. If a classic deck inspires you, wonderful. If you have found a dark fairytale, celestial, botanical or fantasy deck that makes you itch to learn the cards, that enthusiasm counts for a lot.
A useful middle path is choosing an RWS-based deck with art that suits your vibe. You get familiar card meanings and illustrated scenes, without pretending your altar has to look like a 1909 parlour. Planet Goblin approves of practical magic with excellent taste.
Try a simple one-card pull when you begin. Ask, “What should I pay attention to today?” Then describe what you see before reaching for a guidebook. Is the figure guarded, joyful, stranded, determined? What colours dominate? What part of the image nags at you? The guidebook can add context, but your observations are not cheating. They are the point.
Buying tarot decks as gifts
Tarot makes a cracking gift, but a little thought goes a long way. For a complete beginner, an approachable RWS-style deck with clear scenes and a decent guidebook is usually a kind choice. For someone already reading, pay attention to their shelves, jewellery, favourite games and general aesthetic. A lover of gothic romance may not want pastel affirmations. A Dungeons & Dragons player may be delighted by mythic creatures, maps or medieval art.
Avoid assuming every witchy-looking friend wants their future predicted. Tarot can be spiritual, secular, creative or all three at different times. Present it as an invitation to reflection and imagination, not a test they must perform correctly. Add a deck bag, a reading cloth or a handsome storage box if you want the gift to feel properly ceremonial.
Make the deck yours, gently
There is no universal rule that a tarot deck must be gifted, cleansed under a full moon or slept beside for seven nights while ravens offer editorial feedback. Those rituals can be meaningful if they appeal to you. They are optional.
You might shuffle through every card, read the guidebook with a cup of tea, keep the deck in a pouch, or simply use it straight away. Treat the cards with enough care to keep them in good condition, especially if they have delicate edges or a fancy finish. Beyond that, build habits that make the practice feel like yours.
Choose the tarot deck that makes you want to return to the table. The meanings will grow with repetition, the cards will gather your associations, and before long that peculiar little box may become less of a purchase and more of a trusted companion for the wonderfully messy business of being human.
