Different Tarot Decks: A Guide to Choosing the Right One

Choosing your first tarot deck is more than just picking pretty pictures—it's about finding a visual language that speaks directly to your intuition. With thousands of designs available, from the classic to the contemporary, the sheer variety can feel both exciting and overwhelming for newcomers and seasoned readers alike.

The key to clarity lies in understanding the foundational systems and personal symbolism that resonate with you. Many of the different tarot decks you see are based on historical structures like the Rider-Waite-Smith, Thoth, or Marseilles systems, each offering a unique approach to divination and self-reflection.

This guide will help you navigate the rich world of tarot, from historical systems to modern artistic interpretations, so you can confidently choose the deck that feels like an extension of yourself. Let's explore how to find the perfect deck to begin your conversation with the cards.

Understanding the Foundational Tarot Systems

Before exploring the beautiful and varied artistry of different tarot decks, it's crucial to understand the foundational systems they are built upon. Think of these systems as the "operating system" of a deck—the underlying structure and philosophy that governs the cards' meanings and relationships. Nearly every modern deck is based on one of three historical traditions, and knowing what are the differences between tarot decks at this core level is the first step in making an informed choice.

The Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) System

The Rider-Waite-Smith system is by far the most popular and influential, making it an excellent starting point for any tarot deck guide. First published in 1909, its groundbreaking feature was the inclusion of fully illustrated scenes on the Minor Arcana cards (the "pip cards").

• Key Feature: Instead of just showing seven cups, the Seven of Cups card depicts a figure contemplating various choices emerging from the cups. This illustrative approach makes the meanings more accessible and intuitive, especially for beginners.
• Symbolism: The imagery was designed by occultist A.E. Waite and brought to life by artist Pamela Colman Smith. It is rich with esoteric, astrological, and Kabbalistic symbolism. Cards like the Judgement card, for example, are packed with themes of rebirth and awakening, providing layers of meaning for deeper study.
• Beginner Friendliness: Due to its popularity, an enormous number of books, courses, and online resources are based on the RWS system, making it the most beginner friendly option. Many versions of the Rider Waite tarot deck exist, from faithful reproductions to modern reinterpretations.

The Thoth System

Developed by the controversial occultist Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Frieda Harris, the Thoth deck is a complex and powerful system. It diverges significantly from the RWS tradition, incorporating a dense web of esoteric sciences.

• Key Feature: The Thoth system is deeply intertwined with astrology, Kabbalah, alchemy, and numerology. Each card is a rich tapestry of abstract and symbolic art, often requiring a deeper understanding of these associated disciplines to fully interpret.
• Symbolism: Unlike the narrative scenes of the RWS, Thoth’s symbolism is more abstract and elemental. For example, the court cards are renamed to Knight, Queen, Prince, and Princess, each linked to specific elemental combinations.
• Experience Level: Due to its complexity, the Thoth deck is generally recommended for intermediate to advanced practitioners who are interested in a more ceremonial or esoteric approach to divination.

The Tarot de Marseilles (TdM) System

The Marseilles is one of the oldest and most traditional tarot systems, with roots tracing back to 15th-century Italy and France. Its style is distinct and has a strong historical feel.

• Key Feature: The most significant difference in the TdM system is that the Minor Arcana are not illustrated with scenes. Like a standard deck of playing cards, the Five of Swords simply shows five swords arranged in a pattern. This requires the reader to rely more heavily on numerology, elemental associations, and intuition.
• Symbolism: The imagery of the Major Arcana is bold and often described as woodblock-style. The focus is on primary colors and archetypal figures, which readers interpret through pattern recognition and intuitive pips reading techniques.
• Reading Style: This system encourages a more intuitive and numerological reading style, which some practitioners find liberating and less prescriptive than the RWS system.

Understanding these core operating systems provides a powerful framework for navigating the vast world of tarot. With this foundational knowledge in place, the true creative journey begins as we explore how modern artists use these systems as a launchpad for their unique thematic visions.

Exploring Different Types of Tarot Decks by Theme

Once you grasp the foundational system, you can start exploring the exciting world of themed decks. These are the artistic "skins" that are built upon the RWS, Thoth, or Marseilles structures. The theme of a deck influences its emotional tone, imagery, and how you connect with its messages. Finding a theme that resonates with your personal spirituality or interests can dramatically deepen your connection to the cards.

Nature-Based and Animal Decks

These decks draw their inspiration from the natural world, using flora, fauna, and landscapes to reinterpret traditional tarot archetypes. They are perfect for those who feel a strong connection to nature, shamanism, or animal wisdom.

• The Wild Unknown Tarot: A hugely popular deck that uses striking, minimalist ink drawings of animals and nature scenes to represent the cards. The Emperor might be a sturdy oak tree, while the Strength card could be depicted as a serene lion. It follows an RWS structure but encourages a deeply intuitive reading.
• The Brady Tarot: This deck focuses on the flora and fauna of North America. It’s a powerful tool for connecting with the local ecosystem and understanding tarot archetypes through the lens of ecology and natural history.

Modern and Minimalist Decks

For those who prefer clean lines and contemporary aesthetics, modern and minimalist decks offer a fresh take on tarot. They often strip away complex esoteric symbolism to focus on the core emotional message of each card, making them feel direct and accessible.

• The Modern Witch Tarot: This deck reimagines the classic RWS scenes in a vibrant, contemporary, and inclusive setting. It features diverse characters in modern clothing, using technology and navigating urban life, making the cards incredibly relatable for today's reader.
• The Minimalist Tarot Deck: As the name suggests, this deck uses simple line art and a limited color palette. It’s designed to remove visual clutter, allowing the reader to project their own intuition onto the cards with minimal distraction.

Fantasy and Mythological Decks

These unique tarot decks tap into the power of myth, folklore, and fantasy to explore the tarot's archetypal journey. They are ideal for storytellers, dreamers, and anyone who loves epic tales.

• The Starchild Tarot: With its dreamy, cosmic, and pastel-hued artwork, this deck is perfect for those interested in Akashic records, starseeds, and galactic themes. It blends photographic elements with ethereal illustrations to create a truly otherworldly experience.
• The Labyrinthos Tarot: Based on Greek mythology, this deck assigns gods, goddesses, and mythical figures to each card, adding a rich layer of mythological storytelling to the RWS framework.

Psychological and Shadow Work Decks

A growing category of decks is designed specifically for introspection, psychological exploration, and "shadow work"—the process of confronting one's hidden fears and unconscious patterns.

• The Deviant Moon Tarot: This deck features surreal, moonlit artwork with characters inspired by asylum drawings and graveyards. Its unique and sometimes unsettling imagery is designed to unlock the subconscious mind and explore the less comfortable aspects of the human psyche.

The sheer variety of thematic decks ensures there is a perfect match for every personality and spiritual path. With this understanding of systems and themes, you are now equipped to begin the personal process of choosing a tarot deck.

How to Choose the Right Tarot Deck for Yourself

Selecting a tarot deck is a deeply personal process. The right deck should feel like an extension of your intuition—a tool that speaks your language. Answering the question of how to choose the right tarot deck for yourself involves a mix of practical considerations and intuitive connection.

Define Your Purpose

First, consider what you want to use the deck for. Your intention will guide you toward the right system and theme.

• For Learning and Study: If you are a beginner aiming to build a strong foundation, a deck based on the Rider-Waite system is highly recommended. The accessible imagery and wealth of learning resources will accelerate your understanding.
• For Self-Reflection and Meditation: You might prefer a deck with calming, abstract, or minimalist artwork. These are excellent for daily pulls to set an intention or seek a clear answer to a simple question.
• For Creative Brainstorming: Writers, artists, and designers can use tarot as a tool to overcome creative blocks. A deck with evocative, story-rich imagery can help generate new ideas, develop characters, or plot out narratives.
• For Divination and Client Readings: If you plan to read for others, perhaps even in a professional capacity, a deck with clear scenes (like an RWS clone) can be helpful for conveying messages. However, if your style is more intuitive, a Marseilles deck might suit you better.

Assess the Imagery and Symbolism

The artwork is your primary interface with the cards. Look through images of a deck online or, if possible, in a local shop. Pay attention to your immediate reaction.

• Do you feel a connection? Does the art spark your curiosity, emotion, or intuition? If you find the images confusing, off-putting, or boring, you will struggle to connect with the deck.
• Is the symbolism clear to you? Some decks are visually direct, while others are packed with dense, esoteric symbols. Choose a level of complexity that matches your interest and willingness to study.
• Does the deck feel inclusive and representative? Many modern decks are intentionally created to reflect a diversity of bodies, cultures, and identities. If this is important to you, seek out decks that align with your values.

Consider Your Experience Level

Finally, be honest about where you are on your tarot journey. While it can be tempting to jump to a complex and unique tarot deck, starting with a solid foundation is often more rewarding.

• Beginners: Stick with an RWS-based deck. The illustrated Minor Arcana provide crucial visual cues that make learning the card meanings much easier.
• Intermediate Users: If you are comfortable with the RWS system, you might explore a Thoth deck to deepen your understanding of esoteric correspondences or a Marseilles deck to strengthen your intuitive reading skills.
• Advanced Practitioners: At this stage, you can confidently choose any system or theme that calls to you, as you have the foundational knowledge to adapt to different structures and symbolic languages.

Ultimately, choosing a deck is about finding a visual and energetic match. This decision is the first step in a long and rewarding relationship with the cards, so it's worth taking the time to find the one that truly resonates. This careful consideration naturally leads to the most common question of all: what is the best choice for someone just starting out?

The Best Tarot Deck for a Beginner

When you are just starting your journey with tarot, the sheer number of different tarot decks can be overwhelming. However, the consensus among experienced readers and teachers is clear: the best tarot deck for a beginner is almost always one based on the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) system.

The primary reason is the fully illustrated Minor Arcana. Learning the meanings of 78 individual cards is a daunting task. In a Marseilles deck, the Seven of Wands simply shows seven wands. In an RWS deck, it shows a figure on a hilltop, defensively fighting off six other wands from below. This single image instantly conveys themes of challenge, defensiveness, and holding one's ground. This narrative imagery acts as a powerful mnemonic device, making the learning process more intuitive and far less abstract.

Furthermore, the vast majority of introductory books, websites, and courses use the RWS system as their teaching standard. By starting with a deck like the classic Smith-Waite Tarot Deck or a modern interpretation, you gain access to a massive ecosystem of educational support. This foundation allows you to learn the universal language of tarot before branching out into more specialized dialects.

Here are a few highly recommended, beginner friendly decks based on the RWS system:

1. The Centennial Smith-Waite Tarot Deck: This is a faithful reproduction of the original 1909 deck, featuring muted, vintage coloring. It’s the perfect choice for those who want to learn with the authentic, original symbolism intended by Waite and Smith.
2. The Radiant Wise Spirit Tarot: This deck is a re-colored and vibrant version of the classic RWS. The bright, dynamic colors make the scenes pop, which can help a beginner notice details and symbols they might otherwise miss.
3. The Modern Witch Tarot: As mentioned earlier, this deck is an excellent starting point for those who want the classic RWS structure but with a contemporary and inclusive feel. The relatable scenes can make it easier for a new reader to connect the cards' meanings to their own life.

By choosing one of these RWS-based decks, a beginner sets themselves up for success. It provides a solid, structured foundation that makes the complex art of tarot reading accessible, engaging, and deeply rewarding from the very first shuffle.

Conclusion

Navigating the vast world of tarot is less about finding the "best" deck and more about discovering the one that speaks your unique intuitive language. By understanding the foundational differences between the Rider-Waite-Smith, Thoth, and Marseilles systems, you transform the selection process from an overwhelming task into a conscious, empowering first step on your journey. This knowledge allows you to move beyond aesthetics and select a tool that aligns with your experience level and purpose.

Looking ahead, the journey does not end once you've chosen a deck. That choice is merely the beginning of a dynamic relationship. Your first deck will be your teacher, but as you grow, you may find yourself drawn to new visual languages and deeper symbolic systems. The true power of tarot lies not in a single deck, but in its ability to evolve with you, offering new perspectives as your own wisdom deepens. The ultimate challenge isn’t just to find a deck that resonates today, but to remain open to the conversation it will spark within you for years to come.