BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Tarot What Do You Look for in a Tarot Deck

I would love to hear the answers to two questions from our readers:

1. What deck you usually use when you read for yourself and/or others?

2. What specific features of a deck attract you? For instance, do you look for imagery that you can relate to - or do you look for a particular theme? Or is it something else that helps you decide?

Usually I read with the Robin Wood deck. I have about 20 decks in all but I find myself using that the most when I am reading for myself and for others. My other favoties are the World Spirit Tarot, Vision Quest Tarot and Halloween Tarot.

I try to mainly stick with the Rider Waite styled decks. But the main thing I look for is the imagery. The Robin Wood is beautiful in Imagery and the World Spirit practically leapt off the shelf when I saw it.

Imagery can also be a reason I choose not to use some decks. I have been known to put back a deck because one card was not right to me.

i use the tarot of the cat people, mainly cause i like cats and the cards are not too artsy and convey the proper image/feeling associated with the card. sometimes it can be confusing when the cards have different names (mainly major arcana) but its fine for me. i dont really have anyone to read except myself...kinda been away from reading for awhile. i should prolly get back in the habit, so to speak <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Interesting, Fiona and Sthenno!

Fiona, you certainly sound like a very dedicated tarot reader. I also wanted to point out to viewers here that Fiona is our new Wicca Host. I am looking forward to reading her articles, etc. Fascinating subject!

Sthenno, I love the look of the Cat People deck. I don't own it but feel very drawn to it. There are some that believe these races exist (cats that are upright like humans).

Thanks to both for your input! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Last time I went shopping for a new tarot deck, I was looking for size-- something small and easy to carry around and shuffle.

At Barnes & Noble (yes, yes, I know... ;-P ...but we didn't have a good selection at the 'local' metaphysical bookstore) I looked at the Hanson-Roberts deck, but wasn't sure about the images. I went to the checkout to buy a mini-Rider-Waite deck (to replace the one I thought I had lost). In line I noticed that someone (or something? ;-) had left a Hanson-Roberts deck on a sale-book table by the checkout. Hmmmm... So I picked up this little lost 'puppy', and we've been happy ever since. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Though I don't take it out as often as it would like, I'm sure.

A few of the images feel a little cheesy, but I like that it is a traditional R-W inspired deck, and that it emphasizes facial expressions. I think that helps me relate to the card's meaning.

I've chosen other decks because of the images-- the Haindl Tarot, The Celtic Tarot by Matthews, Secret Dakini, etc.-- but found them diffucult to relate to in readings, as a beginner. The Haindl is a little heavy/dark, the Celtic a little abstract, and the Dakini is WAY out there! Maybe one day I'll actually be able to use them for reading.

A couple on my wish list (if I buy another deck) are the Quest Tarot and the Buddha Tarot-- the first for it's images and references, and the second for it's Buddhist theme.

The oracle deck I use the most recently (when I actually take the time to pull a card!) is the Healing With the Angels. I have mixed feeings about the images sometimes (there's a lot of variation in styles), but I like the simplicity of pulling one card and getting 'one or two word' message. I tend to 'complicate' things too much in my life, so sometimes it's good to have a little simplicity. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

One day, I hope to find MY deck. One that balances evocative images and usability for me. Maybe it's out there.

I own 4 tarot decks and some oracle decks. The Thoth deck is the one I use for any readings I do for other people because I'm the most comfortable with it. Haindl I use just for personal meditation, I don't get good readings from it. I also have the Gill tarot, but my all time favorite deck, or MY deck as Michael called it, is the Servants of the Light Tarot. Every card resonates with me and when I looked at them for the first time I knew this would be my special deck.

For oracle decks, off the top of my head, I have the Crystal Deva cards, AORA Gemstone Oracle, the Kabbalah deck, and most recently the Archangel Oracle cards. My favorite of all of these are the Crystal Deva cards because of how beautiful they are.

Shannon

Thanks Michael and Shannon,

Michael, I think you would really like the Buddha deck - I will be posting a review on it shortly.

Shannon, the Thoth deck is my personal favorite too. So much time and energy went into its creation. Aleister and Freida worked on them, literally for years and years. Painstaking planning and revising went into each card.

For instance, look at the detail below: <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

My grandmother bought me the deck for my 18th birthday and I've used it ever since. It is really sad that neither of them got to see the deck published and how popular it became. This site shows some of the original artwork Frieda used to create the deck. http://www.occultartgallery.com/occultartgallery/harris/harris.html

And this site has close ups of the majors, you can really see the detail of the cards. http://www.lleeheflin.com/thoth/

In college one of my professors had us write a paper based on the topic If you could spend one hour with any person, living or dead, who would it be? I picked Lady Frieda. I just got a copy of Understanding Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot by Lon DuQuette but haven't had a chance to start reading it yet. Have you read it? I've heard mixed reviews.

Shannon

Wow!

Thanks for sharing these links, Shannon! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

They do indeed show incredible detail - I loved looking at the originals that Freida painted, as well.

I haven't read the book you mentioned but it sounds intriguing - will keep my eye out for it. Your paper must have been fascinating to write - do you still have it?? <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

College was so long ago if I still have the paper it's somewhere in a box in my attic, no Microsoft Word back then. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

What I would really like to know about is how they created the Thoth tarot from start to finish. It's too bad neither one of them wrote a book on it's history. DuQuette goes into that somewhat in the book based on bits and pieces of information he has found over the years. He also owns several of the letters that were sent between the two of them about the deck and uses excerpts from them in the book. I have several other books I want to read in front of it but I may have to move it up in my list.

Shannon

1. What deck you usually use when you read for yourself and/or others?

I usually use The Quest Tarot to read for others, but also use The Oracle Tarot (Lucy Cavendish). I used The Golden Tarot (created by Kat Black, our Vegetarian Host here at Bella) today for a journaling exercise. I found it incredibly helpful. I'm becoming more interested in RWS type decks since I've been reading Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom.

2. What specific features of a deck attract you? For instance, do you look for imagery that you can relate to - or do you look for a particular theme? Or is it something else that helps you decide?

Imagery is what draws me primarily. If the images don't speak to me, I won't even consider it. I tend to be drawn to the ethereal and hi-tech, like The Spiral Tarot and The Quest. I also look to specific cards: The Moon, Death, and The Hermit being the main ones. Photo collage is something else I enjoy, if done well.

I was originally drawn to the Inner Child deck, but although I love the concept of archetypes through fairy tales, could never get good readings from that deck. I look forward to using The Golden Tarot more, and am considering getting the Thoth deck and the Universal Tarot.

I agree Janet!

Kat's Golden Tarot is amazing. It fits so beautifully in my hands (I have a hard time manipulating the larger card decks) and is so exquisite to mull over. I always spend quite a bit of time with each card as I do a reading - and Kat's are truly inspirational and revealing.

You would love the Thoth deck, btw.

Hi June!

Yeah, that was another thing about the Inner Child Deck...it's so huge. I have small hands, so shuffling was very difficult.

Kat's deck makes it so easy tell stories about the cards, which I'm finding yields a lot of information from the subconscious/intuition.

I originally shied away from The Thoth, thinking it may be too "dark", but the more I look at it, the more I like it.

I just know that if I keep talking about decks, I'm going to turn into one of those deck-a-holics! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I have 2 decks of Tarot. The Rider-Waite deck and the Fairy Pack. The Fairy deck doesn't consist of the full 78 cards, but I think it works good. I haven't read for anyone else since I'm just starting the Tarot and I don't know how to read for anyone else, but when i've looked into the outcome of something I've used the Rider-Waite deck I have.

Speaking of photomontage decks (which I said I loved!), I just posted a review of the Tarot de Paris (complete with images): http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art20525.asp

It's an amazing deck, with a fascinating origin.

Janet:
78 Degrees of Wisdom is an amazing book on Tarot. One of my favorites!

I bought the Inner Child deck once because of the fairy tale imagery I loved the way they used the stories. However, shortly (like one day) after i brought it home it decided it didnt want to live with me and became so bothersome that I could barely look at it and I traded it away.

The Spiral Tarot is lovely and so filled with symbolism! But the Thoth does not at all speak to me. Too angular I think. Another of my favorites though is the Hudes Tarot. Lovely collage style imagery.

As far as specific cards.. I too have certain cards I look to when deciding on a deck. Death, the High Priestess and the Hanged Man generally. And I usually take a glance at the court cards as well.

Yes...good word, Fiona..."angular". Maybe that's why the Thoth hadn't sat well with me. I like more flowing images. I'd have to see more images of the Thoth before I actually buy it.

I look at The Hanged Man and Courts, too!! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I'm considering trading the Inner Child Deck someday, but since the Magical Child within loves the enchanting artwork, I don't know if I can part with it! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> There's just something about that Spiral deck though...

What are your thoughts on the Robin Wood deck? Ever use it?

Hi Fiona and Janet,

You both bring up some good points. I personally do not find the Thoth deck angular, though there are certain cards in the deck that could be called that.

The point that struck me from this dialogue though is how important visual perception is. It is SOOOO important that people choose a deck that resonates with them, visually. Part of my PhD research is focused on visual literacy and aesthetics so it is very interesting for me to read everyone's comments on this thread. There is so much diversity, which is wonderful, in my view.

I have one project online that might interest some scholars of the tarot called Cyberart as Psychological Tool. I focused on art online but any art, including tarot illustrations are relevant to this work.

Cyberart as Psychological Tool

Another deck that I am falling in love with is the Buddha Deck by Robert Place. The imagery is exquisite and the meanings very insightful.

I just posted a review of the deck and companion book:

:music: The Buddha Tarot Deck & Book Companion : A Review

Janet- The Robin Wood deck is my primary reading deck. I love the imagery and find that I often see something new on the cards during a reading even though I have used the deck for years. I know that Robin Wood put each detail onto the deck specifically but I can't bring myself to read the book because it is so important to me and so much of a director of my readings when I find some new detail that I hadn't noticed before. It is my favorite deck.

June- The Cyberart project seems fascinating. I need to set aside some time to read the pages more in depth!

Hehe and usually I say the Thoth is pointy. But thought "angular" was probably a better term for discussion. This however, is the reason there are so many wonderful decks. everyone finds something that they resonate with.

Fiona, somehow I just knew you'd be familiar with the Robin Wood deck. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Every time I see images from that deck, I feel drawn to it and I'm not sure why. (Especially the guy with antlers on his head. He seems so wise and kindly.) Hmm. I'll need to explore more... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I can certainly see why the Robin Wood deck would be enticing. He created his cards in the old world style - completely done by hand (took him a decade), in fact he scoffs at modern methods of printing, digital work, etc. It does speak to my Celtic blood as well.

Wow! I didn't know he created his deck by hand. Fascinating. Thanks for the additional information, June!

The only criteria I rely on is "Do the cards speak to you?" That sounds weird, but if you can see emotions or messages in the images, then they are speaking to you.

For me the Rider and the Thoth deck both 'speak' to me.

Pixie - That doesn't sound weird at all. That's what I read as a really good way to pick your tarot deck. If things talk to you.

Thanks Pixie,

I understand exactly what you mean - and I agree. The way images and symbols speaks to us is often through our sixth sense, which moves beyond the visual indeed.

I like to think that we use all six senses to perceive our world, especially as we "wake up" from mundane reality.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi Janet,

Yes, Robin drew the cards in pen and ink then colored them using colored pencils. Phenomenal work, indeed!

Hello All, New to Bella forums but thought I'd throw my 2 cents in:
I use the Celtic Dragon Tarot cards.
Celtic Dragon Tarot
I first saw the deck while looking around online. It caught my eye alot, I kept going back to look at it. Later that night and several nights after I dreamt of using that deck.
I later saw them at a book/music store and picked the box up to "look" I couldn't have put it down if it was on fire.
Never have I had a deck "Feel" so right to me. I always heard you would know when you found the right deck as it would call to you. I'd say I found my right deck. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for posting, Kari!

The Celtic Dragon Tarot is magnificent - the images are so fluid and ethereal yet rich and meaningful.

The way you "chose" your deck,...or should I say your deck chose you is perfect! That is exactly how we all should approach these wonderful tools. The same goes for crystals, rune stones, mantras, healing music, nutrition, and so on. You stepped back and allowed your Higher Self to attune to the energy of the cards. Very astute of you! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for your information.

Greetings, I have the small Hanson Roberts that I like but my fav. is the Sacred Circle. This deck really speaks to me. An also good learning deck is the Gilded Tarot. Very easy to read and the pics are beautiful. I have approx 18 decks. My favorite oracle deck which I recently got is the Wisdom of Avalon Oracle Deck. The Celtic Deck is also lovely.

My first deck, which I got when I was 14, was a Rider-Waite-Smith deck. That was, shall I say, quite a while ago, so that deck is an old (and well-worn) friend.

I used that as my only deck from 1978 until a few years ago, when the Gilded Tarot came out. I saw some online images from the deck and they resonated with me strongly. To say that I couldn't order one quickly enough is an understatement.

I still have my old friend the RWS deck, but due to its age and level of wear, the Gilded is the one I use for readings now.

But it might have company in the very near future. I had another "DO WANT!" moment last month when I saw some reviews of the Transparent Tarot. Where the Gilded deck has ornate, intricate artwork right down to minute levels of detail, the Transparent deck is as minimalist as it gets. And THAT resonated with me, as well. I think it will help build my intuitive reading skills to levels I might not have reached otherwise.

So I'm working with the Gilded, and studying the Transparent. I figure that should be enough to keep me busy for a while.

I have about 8 different types of Tarot/Oracle cards but the one I resonated the most and was easiest for me to work with in the beginning was the Sacred Path cards by Jamie Sams. Then of course, moved on to Medicine Cards, various Native American Tarot related types, dream cards, etc. all while trying to avoid dealing with the Rider-Waite..lol That was my first deck and it truly did intimidate me for a very long time so I worked with various other Tarot and Oracle decks that dealt with more spiritual viewpoints than the traditional Tarot does. But after having studied all the other decks when I finally gave in and decided to deal with the RW deck it was a shocker to discover that everything I'd read in all the other decks more or less still applied; the principles, symbols, meanings, etc. were relatively the same just with varying viewpoints. Once I made that discovery it was so much easier to understand the true path of the Tarot;)

Jellyfish,
after many , many months of being sick I am finally better. Still want your cards read, get in touch with me.

Sarah Redhawk