How To Choose A Tarot Deck

How To Choose A Tarot Deck

Learning to read tarot cards for yourself or others will require a
Sizable investment in time. You will have to look at and work with
Whichever deck you choose on an almost daily basis. This being the case, it
Is important that you choose a deck that you find visually attractive.
The images should stimulate you.

Many stores have sample decks available so that you can see all of
The cards. Some of the larger chain bookstores will open decks for
You if you ask. If you cannot see the cards in the store, there are several
Sites on the Internet that feature cards from a variety of tarot decks. If you
Don't have a computer, try your local library. Most public
Libraries now have computers with web access.

Try to see as many decks as possible before choosing one. Good
Tarot imagery can evoke feelings in the viewer. Do some cards look happy
Or sad, angry or peaceful? It is easier to learn the meanings of the cards
If the images portray emotions. Some people buy several decks before they
Find one that works for them. Tarot decks are fairly expensive, so take your
Time and find a deck that appeals to you before you buy.

Once you have found a deck that is evocative and visually pleasing,
You should make sure that it is, in fact, a tarot deck. There are
Several decks that are marketed as tarot, but are not. All tarot
Decks share several characteristics. They usually consist of 78 cards: 22
Trumps (called the Major Arcana) and 56 non-trumps (called the Minor
Arcana). The Minor Arcana usually consist of four suits, each of which can be further
Dividedi into four court cards and ten numbered cards. Some modern decks may
Deviate on one or more of these points. Recently there have been several decks
That have added additional cards, but even these decks maintain the
Framework of Major and Minor Arcana, suits and court cards. There are also decks
That have only the Major Arcana. Just how closely a deck must adhere to this
Layout is a matter of some controversy, but a deck with 40 cards and
Nondifferentiated suits is clearly not a tarot deck.

I divide tarot decks into three types: traditional decks, theme
Decks and art decks. Traditional decks include the Rider-Waite,
Aleister Crowley's Thoth, and decks based on these two standards.
Traditional decks have meaningful symbolism. A butterfly on a card in a traditional
Deck will have a specific meaning. Theme decks are based on a theme
Like Shakespeare, or the Grail Legend, or a specific Pagan tradition.
Art decks are designed to be aesthetically pleasing, but may lack meaningful
Symbolism. A butterfly in an art deck is usually there because it is pretty.

If you simply cannot find a deck that appeals to you, but you still
Want to study tarot, you may want to start with a traditional deck.
Once you have learned to read with a traditional deck, you will find
Subsequent decks easier to learn because most theme decks and art decks still
Bear similarities to traditional decks.

When you find a deck you like, ask whether there is a book written
Specifically for the deck you have chosen. The vast majority of
Decks come with a small instruction booklet with brief card meanings
And one or two spreads, but you will probably find the booklet wanting. If
There is a separate book written specifically for your deck, purchase it when
You buy your deck, or as shortly thereafter as possible. Many decks
Are sold as deck-and-book sets. This is probably the best way to go.

Take your time shopping for a deck. You will be spending a lot of
Time with whichever you choose. Choose a deck that you find
Pleasurable to look at, and the time devoted to study and practice will be a
Pleasure, not a chore.
By Michele Jackson
Copyright 2000