The Search for Your Next Tarot Deck and My Favorite Tarot Decks

Everyone wants to know what the best tarot deck is. It’s the most common question I get from people who purchase my tarot cloths and friends new to tarot. The absolute truth is, the best tarot deck to use is the one you feel connected to and love the art of. Frankly, if it’s beautiful you will pick it up and use it more, if you’re not that into it you’ll find other things to do.

I’m a collector, and like many tarot enthusiasts, I love to find new decks. Whenever I pull my cards it’s like choosing your outfit for the day. What mood are you in? Do you feel colorful or dark? I may be in a more modern mood today. Yesterday I may have felt more interpretive and used my more abstract deck. Sometimes you want a defined answer, and other times you’d like to focus on the journey of interpretation along the way. Whatever your mood, there’s definitely a deck out there for you to add to your collection or to get started.

After getting this question of the day so often, I’ve curated a short list of suggestions on picking out your next tarot deck and wanted to share my favorite tarot decks to use.

-Go out and handle as many decks as possible. My local metaphysical store has about 100 decks and they’ve all been handled for years. This is exactly the state you want to see them in. This is how they will look years into your practice. Decks aren’t inexpensive, and it’s nice to see how they will look after years of guidance. Are they fraying at the edges, is the top layer peeling off, do the colors fade, are they still very sturdy?

-Ask questions. There are so many decks out there. If you share a style you’re looking for with someone who works at a store, they’ll be able to streamline your search.

-Look for a tarot deck unboxing video. If you don’t have a nearby store, search tarot deck reviews on YouTube. So many lovely readers will post videos of themselves flipping through decks one card at a time. It really gives you an idea of size, ease of use, and art.

-My style of art: The Fountain

I find so many messages in this deck and love the art. The colors and symbols speak to me and if you don’t have a tarot box it comes in a sturdy enough box that holds them well.

-On the go tarot: Everyday Tarot by Biddy Tarot

The cards are a small 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches and are easier to carry than most decks.

-Modern tarot: Mystic Mondays

Bright, modern tarot cards that packs a punch with its’ color and fresh take on the major and minor arcana cards.

-Traditional: Universal Waite

These traditional paintings have been recolored and I find the detail and new coloring adds depth to the art.

I love the concept of this deck. There are images on both sides of the card, from the front view and the back view. It’s imaginative and opens up the traditional scenes to a new vantage point.

-Throwback: The Illest

I love this deck! The artist features female pop icons from the 90s in the major arcana and court cards. The other cards do not feature people on them, but it’s worth it.

-Not a tarot deck, but a deck I like to use alongside my tarot spreads: Crystals: The Stone Deck

I use this with my tarot spreads. Whatever I’m focusing on (love, abundance, creativity, etc.) I’ll place some of the crystals that represent that energy on the corners of my tarot cloth to direct my thoughts to it. This saves you so much money from having to buy a vast array of crystals immediately. I do use crystals too, but this gives me so much more range.

I hope you enjoy some of these or find some inspiration here on the variety of cards that are available to you on your journey.

Love and light, Cathy