How to Choose Your First Tarot Deck: A Beginner’s Guide
Choosing your first tarot deck can feel surprisingly overwhelming. With thousands of beautiful designs available, it's easy to wonder if you're picking the "right" one or whether you need to follow certain rules before you begin.
The good news is that there isn't one perfect tarot deck for everyone. The best deck is the one that makes you excited to learn, encourages you to practice, and feels comfortable in your hands. Whether you're drawn to classic symbolism, modern artwork, or something a little more magical, your first deck should inspire curiosity rather than stress.
In this guide, we'll explore what makes a tarot deck beginner-friendly, clear up a few common myths, and help you choose a deck you'll enjoy reading for years to come.
Do You Have to Be Gifted Your First Tarot Deck?
One of the most common myths you'll hear is that your first tarot deck has to be a gift. While it's a lovely tradition for some people, it isn't a rule you need to follow.
In fact, many experienced tarot readers buy their own first deck. Choosing a deck yourself allows you to find artwork, symbolism, and a reading style that genuinely resonates with you. Since you'll likely spend a lot of time learning and practicing with your first deck, it's perfectly okay to pick one that excites you.
Tarot is a personal practice, and there isn't a universal set of rules that determines who can own a deck or how it should come into your life. What matters most is your willingness to learn, trust your intuition, and build a connection with the cards over time.
If everyone waited for someone else to buy them their first tarot deck, many people would never get started. This is especially true for closeted witches, people exploring spirituality privately, or anyone whose friends and family don't share their interest in tarot. Why wait for permission or the "perfect" moment when you can begin your journey whenever you feel ready?
If someone gifts you a tarot deck, that's a wonderful and meaningful experience. But if you're ready to begin your tarot journey today, don't feel like you have to wait for someone else to make that first step possible. Your practice can begin the moment you choose the deck that feels right for you.
Choose Artwork That You Connect With
One of the best ways to choose your first tarot deck is to pay attention to the artwork. Since tarot is a highly visual practice, the images on each card play a big role in helping you understand their meanings and develop your intuition.
As you browse different decks, ask yourself a few simple questions. Do the illustrations make you want to keep looking at them? Can you imagine yourself spending time with these cards? Do the images spark your curiosity or tell a story?
Some decks feature traditional, symbolic artwork, while others have modern, whimsical, minimalist, or fantasy-inspired designs. There isn't a right or wrong choice. The best deck is the one that feels inviting and inspires you to pick it up and practice.
If you're shopping online, take a few minutes to look through sample cards before making your decision. Most publishers and creators share previews of several cards, giving you a sense of the deck's overall style. If possible, pay attention to more than just The Fool or The Lovers. Look at a variety of Major and Minor Arcana cards to make sure you enjoy the artwork throughout the entire deck.
For me, artwork has always been one of the biggest deciding factors. I remember seeing the Light Seer's Tarot for the first time and immediately feeling drawn to its bright, expressive illustrations. More recently, as a longtime Buffy fan, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Tarot caught my attention because it combined a story I already loved with tarot symbolism. Neither deck is "better" than the other, but they each sparked that feeling of, "I can't wait to explore these cards."
That's the feeling I encourage you to look for. If a deck makes you excited to sit down, shuffle the cards, and start learning, it's probably a great choice for you.
Should You Start with a Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot Deck?
If you've spent any time researching tarot, you've probably come across the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck. It's one of the most well-known tarot decks in the world and serves as the foundation for many modern decks.
The biggest advantage of starting with a Rider-Waite-Smith-style deck is that most books, websites, and online resources use its symbolism when teaching tarot. This can make learning much easier because the card meanings and imagery you'll see in guides will closely match the cards in your hands.
That said, you don't have to buy the original Rider-Waite-Smith deck if the artwork doesn't appeal to you. Many beginner-friendly decks, such as the Light Seer's Tarot, Modern Witch Tarot, and Everyday Witch Tarot, follow the same basic symbolism while offering a fresh artistic style.
If another deck truly speaks to you, don't feel like you have to ignore it just because it isn't the traditional choice. The most important thing is that your deck encourages you to practice. A deck you love and use regularly will teach you far more than one that sits on a shelf because you felt you "had" to buy it.
If you're unsure, look for a deck that's described as being "Rider-Waite-Smith based" or "RWS inspired." You'll get the benefit of familiar symbolism while still choosing artwork that feels like your own.
Consider the Guidebook Included with the Deck
Another helpful factor to think about when choosing your first tarot deck is the guidebook that comes with it. While not every deck includes an in-depth guide, many beginner-friendly decks do, and this can make a big difference when you're just starting out.
A good guidebook doesn't just list meanings. It helps you understand how the creator intended the deck to be used, often offering interpretations, spreads, and examples that make the learning process feel less intimidating. For beginners, this kind of support can make it much easier to build confidence with the cards.
Some decks include very simple guidebooks with brief keyword meanings, while others offer full explanations for each card along with advice on how to read them in context. Neither is automatically better, but if you're completely new to tarot, a more detailed guidebook can be especially helpful while you're still learning the basics.
If you're shopping online, try to check reviews or previews to see what kind of guidebook is included. You can also look up whether the deck has a companion book available, as some creators publish expanded guides separately.
That said, don't let the guidebook be the only deciding factor. A beautifully written guide won't make up for a deck you don't enjoy using. Ideally, you're looking for a balance: a deck you feel drawn to visually, with enough guidance to help you feel supported as you learn.
Think About Card Size and Quality
When you're choosing your first tarot deck, it's easy to focus only on the artwork, but the physical feel of the cards matters just as much. You’ll be handling, shuffling, and laying out your cards often, so the size and quality can affect how comfortable your readings feel.
Tarot decks come in different sizes. I have one deck that’s so tiny it’s about the width of my finger, and I also have a few smaller travel-sized decks that are easy to carry around. Some decks are standard playing-card size, while others are larger with more detailed artwork. Larger cards can be beautiful to look at, but they may be harder to shuffle, especially if you have smaller hands or limited dexterity. Smaller or standard-sized decks are often more beginner-friendly because they’re easier to handle while you’re still getting used to the process.
Card stock quality is another factor worth considering. Some decks are printed on thicker, more durable cardstock that feels sturdy and long-lasting, while others are thinner and more flexible. There isn’t a “perfect” choice here, but lower-quality cards may wear out faster or feel slippery when shuffling, which can be frustrating for beginners.
Try to read reviews or watch unboxing videos before buying a deck online, especially those less known tarot decks that are out there. These can give you a better sense of how the cards actually feel in real use, not just how they look in promotional images.
Ultimately, you want a deck that feels comfortable in your hands. The easier it is to shuffle and handle your cards, the more natural it will feel to practice with them regularly, which is what really helps you learn.
Read Reviews and Look Through Sample Cards
Before you commit to buying your first tarot deck, it can be really helpful to spend some time reading reviews and looking at sample cards. This step can save you from disappointment and help you feel more confident in your choice.
Reviews often give you insight that product photos don’t show. People will usually talk about how the cards feel in real use, how easy they are to shuffle, whether the guidebook is helpful, and if the deck lives up to expectations. Pay attention to repeated comments, both positive and negative, because those tend to be the most accurate indicators of what you can expect.
Looking through sample cards is just as important. Most publishers, creators, or shops will show a selection of cards from the deck, not just the box or a few highlight pieces. Try to look at a variety of cards from different suits and the Major Arcana so you get a full sense of the deck’s overall style. A deck might have a few beautiful standout cards, but still feel inconsistent when you see the full set.
If possible, avoid choosing a deck based on just one or two “aesthetic” cards you see on social media. While those can spark your interest, they don’t always reflect the full experience of using the deck day to day.
Taking a little extra time to research can make your first tarot experience much smoother and more enjoyable, helping you start with a deck you’ll actually want to keep using.
Don't Worry About Finding the "Perfect" Deck
One of the biggest blocks beginners run into is the idea that there is a “perfect” tarot deck out there that they need to find before they can start. This can lead to overthinking, second-guessing, and feeling stuck in the decision process.
The truth is that no tarot deck is perfect. Every deck has its own strengths, quirks, and limitations. Some are easier to learn with, some are more visually striking, and some simply feel more intuitive to certain people than others. What feels perfect for one reader might not feel right at all for someone else.
Your first tarot deck is not a lifelong commitment. It is a starting point. Many readers go on to collect multiple decks over time as their understanding and style evolve. The deck you begin with does not define your ability to read tarot or limit how you will grow in the practice.
If you feel yourself getting stuck trying to make the “right” choice, it can help to step back and ask a simpler question: “Which deck makes me want to actually sit down and learn?” That feeling of curiosity and willingness to engage is far more important than finding something flawless.
In tarot, progress comes from practice, not perfection. The most important step is simply choosing a deck and beginning.
What to Do After You Choose Your First Tarot Deck
Once you've chosen your first tarot deck, the next step is simply to start getting familiar with it. There is no rush to master everything right away. Building a relationship with your cards takes time, and the learning process is part of the experience.
Spend time looking through every card. Pay attention to the details in the artwork and notice which images stand out to you or feel meaningful.
Read the guidebook a little at a time instead of trying to memorize everything at once. Many beginners find it helpful to focus on just a few cards per day.
Try pulling one card each day. This is a simple way to start practicing without feeling overwhelmed, and it helps you slowly build confidence in your interpretations.
Something I do is keep a tarot journal to record my thoughts and interpretations. If you keep one, over time you’ll begin to notice patterns in how you read the cards and how your intuition develops.
Give yourself permission to learn at your own pace. There is no “correct” speed for learning tarot, and you don’t need to get everything right immediately. Consistency and curiosity matter far more than perfection.
- Spend time looking through every card.
- Read the guidebook a little at a time.
- Try pulling one card each day.
- Keep a tarot journal to record your thoughts and interpretations.
- Give yourself permission to learn at your own pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy my own first tarot deck?
Yes, absolutely. You do not need to wait for someone to gift you a tarot deck. Many readers choose their first deck themselves so they can pick something that genuinely resonates with them. What matters most is that you feel drawn to the deck and excited to learn from it.
Is Rider-Waite-Smith the best tarot deck for beginners?
The Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck is often recommended for beginners because many books and online resources are based on its imagery and symbolism. However, it is not the only good option. Many modern decks follow the same system while offering different artwork that may feel more inspiring to you.
Can I own more than one tarot deck?
Yes. There is no limit to how many tarot decks you can own. Many readers collect multiple decks over time because different decks can offer different perspectives, moods, or styles of reading. Your first deck is just the beginning of your journey, not the only one you will ever use.
Should I cleanse my tarot deck before using it?
Cleansing your tarot deck is optional, not required. Some people like to cleanse their deck before first use to help them feel more connected to it, while others simply start using it right away. If you do choose to cleanse your deck, you can do so in whatever way feels meaningful to you, such as shuffling, setting intentions, or using smoke from incense to cleanse.
Final Thoughts
Choosing your first tarot deck should be an exciting experience, not a stressful one. While there are plenty of opinions about which deck is “best,” the truth is that the right deck is the one that makes you want to sit down, shuffle the cards, and start learning.
Whether you choose a classic Rider-Waite-Smith deck or one with artwork that immediately captures your heart, trust yourself. Tarot is a personal journey, and your first deck is simply the beginning of it.
There is no perfect choice, no strict rule you have to follow, and no wrong way to begin. What matters most is that you take that first step and allow yourself to explore.
Blessed Be, Rowan ✧✨ SHOP HERE ✨
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