Tarot is an ancient divination practice open to anyone who feels called to it. Getting started with your own tarot deck can feel intimidating, but trust that your intuition will lead you toward what’s right for you. You may have heard that someone must “gift” you your first deck, but this is a myth! Anyone who feels drawn to tarot can and should explore it. Curiosity comes from your soul, and following your desire to learn more about spiritual topics can connect you more deeply to yourself. If you’re feeling drawn to explore, take that as a sign that there is something for you to learn from practicing tarot. 

What makes a tarot card deck good for beginners?

There aren't a lot of rules when it comes to choosing your first deck, but I recommend following these two basic guidelines. First, choose a deck created by someone specifically for the use of divination. Some decks on the market are sold as games or toys. When choosing your deck, look for one created by someone who loves and respects the practice of tarot. There are many independent artists, writers, and practitioners who have created decks. 

Second, choose a deck that follows the traditional structure. Most tarot decks follow a basic structure with 78 cards that include the major arcana and minor arcana. The major arcana are 20 cards representing the different archetypes we might meet, embody, or experience in our lives, starting with the Fool as he travels through his journey encountering The Magician, The Emperor, and so on, until he encounters card twenty, The World. The minor arcana contains tarot court cards, typically featuring imagery of people or faces meant to express different characters or archetypes. Then, forty cards follow suits, traditionally depicted as cups (water), wands (fire), swords (air), and pentacles (earth). When choosing your first deck, I recommend finding a deck that follows this formula because the meanings you’ll need to memorize will be universal to other traditional decks. Once you know the meanings, you’ll be able to more easily collect non-traditional decks, translate the meanings, and ask the right questions.

How to Choose Your First Tarot Cards

It’s important to choose a deck that you feel drawn to, where the imagery is appealing to you. When it comes to selecting a tarot deck, you are the authority on what's best for you. Avoid choosing a deck that you think is best, and instead, go for one that feels best. There are so many options to choose from when it comes to your first deck. There is no need to work with a deck that you don't personally find beautiful. The first deck I worked with was a traditional Rider Waite deck, and I didn’t connect with it right away. Not fully knowing the meanings, the imagery felt harsh to me. When I pulled the Hanged Man, the ten of swords, the tower, or the Devil, I felt like I was receiving “bad news” rather than guidance. The traditional gender roles and imagery didn’t truly resonate for me either. There are so many diverse tarot decks now, and you don’t have to work with one that doesn’t represent your experiences. The variations are truly endless, animals instead of people, various gender roles and non-binary court cards, impressionist art, and queer characters exist in decks that follow the traditional structure. 

Another thing to consider when choosing your first deck is whether or not it comes with a guidebook and what the quality of that guidebook is. There are certainly some beautiful and thoughtful guidebooks out there, but you don't need to use the book that comes with your cards. Most of the decks I recommend come with a guidebook, but a few don’t. If your first Tarot Deck doesn’t come with a book for you to look up the meanings of the cards, or you don’t resonate with the book it comes with, I recommend buying a book that resonates with you. Modern Tarot by Michelle Tea is my favorite book to recommend for beginners and can pair with any deck you have that follows the traditional format. 

Affiliate link disclosure: In some cases I may receive a tiny commission for purchases made through links in this blog post post. This helps support my writing.

1. Anima Mundi Deck

The Anima Mundi deck draws inspiration from the biodiversity of planet Earth – plants, landscapes, insects, birds, and animals. “Anima Mundi” is a Latin term that loosely translates to “the world’s soul.” Originally coined by Plato, it is the belief that all living things on this planet are connected as a single spiritual entity. I love the imagery and mood of this deck. The cards are richly pigmented and have a nice quality and texture. You can tell that this deck was created with love and intention from the artist.

It also follows the traditional format with 78 cards and the major and minor arcana, making it perfect for beginners or experienced readers who resonate with the theme of the natural world. I also love the corresponding Oracle deck (Noturna Oracle) and often use them together for clarity and deeper messages. When buying this deck, I recommend going directly through the artist's website or to a stockist they recommend. If you see decks a lot cheaper somewhere else they are usually fakes. I bought my deck at Hauswitch in Salem, MA, and they often have this in their online store.

You can also buy through The Creeping Moon.

2. The Fountain Tarot

Amazon Rating: 4.8 / 5 stars (2,560 reviews as of February 23, 2024)

This is the deck I began using when I started reading professionally, and I fell in love with it. The Fountain Tarot is a modern take on the Rider Wait Tarot story, which makes it great for beginners. The imagery is stunning and ethereal, created from oil on canvas paintings. There are 79 cards (I’ll explain) with die-cut rounded corners, the card edges are gilded in silver, and the deck comes with a small (card size 112-page guidebook). The traditional tarot is reimagined, and the court cards are diverse. The “extra card” included is The Fountain, a beautiful card representing destiny and fate. I love the meanings in the guidebook for beginners because they give you a few keywords as well as a longer explanation, which makes it easier to understand if Tarot is new to you. This is my most well-worn deck, and everyone I’ve shared it with absolutely loves the imagery and overall feel.

3. Queer Tarot

Amazon Rating: 4.8 / 5 stars (273 ratings as of February 23, 2024) 

There are several queer tarot decks on the market right now, and it was hard for me to choose one! I’m recommending this deck for beginners because of its vibrancy and affirmative LGBTQ imagery. The bold colors are probably my favorite thing about this deck. The imagery in each card is representative of a real person, resulting in a full range of races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, sizes, and abilities. This is a truly fun and diverse deck with modern imagery. The cards are a great quality and generously sized. Although the imagery is non-traditional and fresh, the meanings and suits follow the traditional Rider Waite deck, making this a good pick for beginners who want to become familiar with the meanings. The price point, currently on sale for less than $20 through Amazon, makes this deck truly accessible. 

4. The Wild Unknown Tarot

Amazon Rating: 4.8 / 5 stars (21,847 reviews as of February 23, 2024)

The Wild Unknown Tarot deck and guidebook are hand drawn and created by artist Kim Krans. This deck follows the traditional tarot structure of 78 cards. The minimalist imagery is inspired by animals and nature, with the court cards represented by deer, owls, swans, and snakes. One diversion from tradition is that the court cards use family terms. So, instead of the King of Cups, you have the Father of Cups. The Page of Wands is called the daughter of wands and so on. The accompanying guidebook is excellent for beginners, with gentle, clear, and relevant meanings to help you begin memorizing the cards. There are also some recommended tarot spreads in the book, as well as general guidance and inspiration. This deck would be perfect for anyone learning or seasoned readers. The minimalist artwork of The Wild Unknown has become iconic over the last few years. 

5. Modern Witch Tarot 

If you like more modern and updated imagery, you’ll love Modern Witch Tarot by illustrator Lisa Sterle. This vibrant deck is diverse and celebrates women's archetypes. The cards feature the general themes of the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith in combination with youthful, stylish characters and items from our modern lives. The woman pictured on the 10 of swords appears to be scrolling Instagram on her phone. The cards are easy to read and rich with imagery, which makes them great for beginners. There are not many surprises or alterations from traditional meaning other than the modern takes. If you loved the Barbie movie, then chances are good you’ll love this deck. 

Purchase through Lisa Sterle.

To go deeper into tarot and expand your skills, check out Uncovering Intuition: The Course, a two-part, self-paced course guiding you through practical, inspiring exercises that'll help unlock your inner wisdom so you can live with more power, truth, and intention.

6. Dreamers Tarot

Amazon Rating: 5 / 5 stars (3 reviews at the time of writing because the new edition was recently released)

Created by Artist and Intuitive Marcella Kroll, the Dreamer's Tarot is a modern take on the traditional Rider Waite deck. All the archetypes are explored through their basic meaning without gender binaries and traditional rules. Instead of The Lovers, Marcella explores the concept of duality with The Twins. Instead of The High Priestess, there is The Oracle. This is a beautiful and minimalistic deck with 78 cards and a 64-page guidebook. The artwork is simple, yet inspiring. This deck is perfect for anyone looking for a beautiful Tarot Deck designed by a tarot reader for tarot readers. The non-binary archetypes leave more room for interpretation and intuition. I got to experience having a reading with Marcella a few years ago and could feel the love and care that she channels into all of her decks. This deck is, for sure, an extension of that energy. 

7. The Lioness Oracle Tarot 

This is one of my favorite decks because of its magnetism and stunning imagery. It’s collaged by hand, incorporating animal and astrological imagery. I bought this deck in a shop in Salem, MA, a few years ago, and it quickly became a favorite. It’s often out of stock, but it's worth the wait. At the time I’m writing this, it’s available for pre-sale here. This deck follows the traditional 78-card format, making it perfect for beginners drawn to vivid colors who appreciate the cosmic connections. The deck also comes with a quality 94-page guidebook containing divinatory meanings and Astrological correspondences for the cards. The guidebook also includes tips for cleansing the deck, centering/shielding/grounding, learning to read reversed cards, and Numerology. 

8. Accurate AF Tarot

Amazon Rating: 4.7 / 5 stars (23 reviews as of February 23, 2024) 

This card deck is beautiful and unique. The soft pastel imagery features diverse imagery with gold edges. The cards are circular-shaped, so you should consider that because it can be a challenge to shuffle. I have several decks in this shape and don’t find it a challenge to shuffle. I love how each card has a poignant keyword representing the meaning, which makes it a great pick for beginners who want a unique deck. The deck is also available in English and Spanish. It comes with a complete tarot guidebook to help you learn the meanings of all 78 cards. They are rich with imagery and symbolism, making them perfect for anyone wanting to add an intuitive, inspiring deck to their collection.

9. Toth Tarot

Amazon Rating: 4.8 / 5 stars (2,604 reviews as of February 23, 2024)

The Toth Tarot is a classic deck. I learned to work with this deck in my mediumship training because it was preferred by one of my tutors, and we were required to buy it for class. The deck was created by Alister Crowley, a controversial (for good reason) occultist and philosopher. I didn’t end up sticking with this deck because it’s not completely my aesthetic. However, it’s very popular with professional readers. It’s rich with symbolism and astrological references, making it perfect for beginners, and so I’ve included it on this list. The deck is large so a traditional shuffle won’t work. You can check out other shuffling methods here. The cards also have keywords on them that may be appealing to beginners as you learn the meanings. 

10. Shadow Scapes Tarot

Amazon Rating: 4.5 / 5 stars (114 reviews as of February 23, 2024)

This was one of the first decks I owned and continues to be a favorite. If you’re looking for a unique deck that not everybody has, this seems to be lesser known, and I’m surprised I don't see it more often. The imagery is fantasy and nature-themed with fairies, nature spirits, and animals. My favorite thing about this deck is that you can pull the same card hundreds of times and notice something different each time. The imagery is so rich with symbolism. You’ll notice shapes of animals hidden in trees and clouds. It really engages your intuition and imagination. This deck follows the traditional tarot format and will be easy for any beginner to pick up and start learning with. If the imagery resonates for you, you’ll likely be inspired by this deck as I have been. This deck also comes with a highly detailed full-size guidebook. I also appreciate the size of these cards, and the stock is slightly thinner than some, which I like because you can get a real shuffle going with them. 

11. Prisma Visions Tarot Deck

Amazon Rating: 4.8 / 5 stars (53 reviews as of February 23, 2024) 

This deck was gifted to me, and it’s truly a work of art. Prisma Visions is based on the classic symbolism of Rider-Waite-Smith but with an impressionistic modern approach. The cards are printed on thick, glossy paper with silver-gilded edges. Perhaps the most unique feature of this deck is that when the cards are put together in order, they create a panoramic image. Each suit has its own theme and style, which can help beginners in learning the meanings of the suits. This is a truly unique deck that was created by an artist with a love of tarot. The included guidebook will be appreciated by anyone learning the meanings of the cards. The box they come in is stunning depicting the third eye. Just opening this deck is an experience. These would make a perfect deck for beginners or a wonderful gift for a collector. 

12. Witchy Cauldron Learning Tarot Cards

Amazon Rating: 4.8 / 5 stars (3,438 reviews as of February 23, 2024) 

This is the only deck on the list that I haven’t personally held, but my friend, who is a brilliant medium, was so excited about it that I had to check it out for myself. This deck is based on the traditional rider waite deck and uses the same symbolism. Instead of the traditional image taking up all the space on the card, the image is smaller, and there are keywords and meanings written on each card. There are also astrology and chakra symbols to help guide you as well. This deck would be great for a beginner who really wants to learn the traditional meanings. The one thing I’d caution with having the words and meanings in front of you is not to get too attached solely to the prescribed meanings. You’ll want to leave room for your intuition to guide you as well. I think this deck would be wonderful to use as a learning tool, as flashcards, especially if you are a visual learner. 

How to Set Up Your First Tarot Reading Space

 1. Set an intention for your space

When you're starting to learn tarot reading, it can be overwhelming to figure out how to set up your reading space. Having an intention will help set the tone for your practice. Decide what you want to achieve with your readings. Do you want your space to be creative, reflective, or calm? Do you want to be alone or around people? If you're practicing for yourself, you don't need a separate space. You can just pick any comfortable spot in your home, like your bedroom, kitchen table, or living room. The important thing is to choose a space where you feel good energetically and can focus on your readings.

 2. Practical things to consider

To ensure you have a comfortable experience, make sure you have enough space to spread out and shuffle your cards. You may want to place a cloth underneath the cards to protect them. It is also helpful to have a timer nearby if you are giving readings. Remember to be true to yourself and don't worry about impressing anyone else or making your space look a certain way. The most important thing is that you feel authentic and comfortable. You can read tarot anywhere, whether it's in a busy holistic center, behind curtains, in private offices, at house parties, or in cafes. The location doesn't matter - you and the cards will create magic wherever you go.

 3. Make the space your own

Spend some time intentionally clearing the energy of the room or area. This can be done by channeling your energy towards a clearing intention or by using an herbal spray or smoke to clear any energy that doesn't belong to you. Adding crystals, plants, or items of personal significance that amplify your intuitive intentions can also be helpful. If you are setting up in someone else's space, bringing along something of yours like a palm stone or candle can be a nice gesture. By taking ownership of the energy in your space, you can create a more relaxed and flowing environment.

To go deeper into tarot and expand your skills, check out Uncovering Intuition: The Course, a two-part, self-paced course guiding you through practical, inspiring exercises that'll help unlock your inner wisdom so you can live with more power, truth, and intention.

Takeaways

When it comes to choosing your first deck, go with the imagery you feel drawn to. Remember that you are the ultimate authority when it comes to what feels right for you. Take time to learn the cards and build a connection with them. Over time, the cards will make themselves known to you. Work with a deck that resonates with you and let go of any cards or ideas that don’t. Let your intuition guide you and make your own rules.