The Best Tarot Card Decks for Beginners
Whether you’ve had a tarot reading or you’re still 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.
Rider-Waite-Smith Centennial Tarot
The Smith-Waite Centennial Tarot Deck in a Tin is a faithful reproduction of the original deck created by Pamela Colman Smith in 1909 under the direction of Arthur E. Waite. This classic tarot deck features full pictorial scenes in the muted colors chosen by Pixie herself. The deck was first issued in 2009 by U.S. Games Systems as part of the Pamela Colman Smith Commemorative Set. The 80-card deck includes the standard 78 tarot cards plus 2 samples of Pixie s non-tarot artwork. Cards in this pocket-sized deck measure 2.25in x 3.75in.
Marseille Tarot
This professional-quality deck is a must for those who need their cards to stand up to heavy use. The larger cards make the details of the images easier to see, and the high-quality card stock ensures a long life. The Tarot of Marseille, one of the world's most important and influential decks, is a great choice for teachers and students alike. This deck is perfect for professional readers, workshop leaders, and people who appreciate a larger, more durable card. Readers will delight in this wonderful presentation of a familiar and powerful deck.
Tarot for Kids
A tarot deck featuring 78 beautifully illustrated cards and a 96-page guidebook that teaches kids about tarot and how to perform readings. Ages 8 and up.
Tarot is a great resource for advice, decision-making, understanding how to help your friends and family, making plans, avoiding drama, creative thinking, learning to trust your intuition, and so much more. Plus, it’s a lot of fun! Kids will love learning to read tarot, on their own or with their friends.
The deck features 78 beautiful cards illustrated by Kailey Whitman, based on the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck. A few have been modified for this age group―for example, the “death” card is “change,” and the “lovers” card is “friends.”
The guidebook has everything kids need to begin, including a brief history of tarot, the meanings of the cards, and how to perform readings. It also includes resources to help kids set goals, build friendships, adjust an attitudes, and listen to their own inner wisdom.
As author Theresa Reed, aka The Tarot Lady, reminds us: “The cards tell a story, but you write the ending.”
READ MORE Getting Started with Tarot Cards
The Akashic Tarot
Angel Tarot Cards
Tarot has long been revered for giving detailed and accurate forecasts. This is the first deck of tarot cards created that is 100 percent gentle, safe, and trustworthy! All of the words in this deck, as well as the illustrations by Steve A. Roberts, are positive and beautiful, while still retaining the magical effectiveness of traditional tarot. The accompanying guidebook walks you through the steps of giving an accurate reading for yourself or others and explains the general meaning of each card.
Rich with symbolism and imagery—including angels, archangels, unicorns, fairies, and mermaids—the Angel Tarot Cards will provide you with inspiring guidance on your life journey!
Previously published as Angel Tarot Cards by Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine.
Quick & Easy Tarot
The colorful, 78-card deck is based on the bestseller Universal Waite Tarot deck. Quick and Easy Tarot has both the divinatory meanings and reversed meanings printed right on the cards, so there is no need to consult a book. The illustrations of this unique deck are based on the iconic artwork of Pamela Colman Smith, which has been re-colored by Mary Hanson-Roberts with soothing colors, and fresh, new details. With insightful divinatory meanings provided by tarot expert Ellen Lytle, Quick and Easy Tarot is the perfect deck for learning and reading tarot cards. Others decks with artwork by Mary Hanson-Roberts include Hanson-Roberts Tarot and Whimsical Tarot.
The Good Karma Tarot
Easy, practical, inclusive, and super-positive… this specially commissioned tarot deck with guidebook by Cosmopolitan’s TarotBella is for beginners who are nervous about trying tarot themselves.
Ever feel as if you don't know which path to take, which decision to make, or what you really want in life? This beginner's guide to using tarot is specifically geared for personal guidance and self-development to help you understand your motivations, strengths, talents, and inner wisdom on your journey through life.
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