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How We Tested These Decks
Choosing your first tarot deck is more personal than picking a new phone. The imagery speaks to your subconscious, the card stock affects how they feel in your hands, and the guidebook determines how quickly you can start reading with confidence.
Over six weeks, we evaluated each deck across five criteria:
- Imagery clarity — Can a beginner understand the card meaning just by looking at the image?
- Guidebook quality — Is the included booklet actually helpful, or just filler?
- Card quality — Stock thickness, finish, and durability after repeated shuffling
- Price-to-value ratio — What you get for what you pay
- Accessibility — Whether the deck follows traditional RWS symbolism (easier for beginners) or introduces new systems
Our Top 7 Tarot Decks for Beginners
1. Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot Deck (Standard)
There is a reason 90% of tarot learning materials reference the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) system. Created in 1909 by Pamela Colman Smith under Arthur Edward Waite's direction, this deck established the visual language that most modern tarot readers recognize. The imagery is rich with symbolic detail, yet clear enough that beginners can intuit meaning before memorizing keywords.
The standard US Games Systems edition uses decent card stock with a smooth finish that shuffles well. The included LWB (little white book) is basic but functional. For a deeper dive, pair it with a dedicated guidebook like Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom or The Ultimate Guide to Tarot.
Pros
- Universal symbolism — works with 99% of tarot books
- Clear, detailed imagery perfect for beginners
- Affordable and widely available
- Hundreds of online resources reference this deck
Cons
- Art style is over 100 years old — not for everyone
- Included guidebook is minimal
- Some find the original color palette muted
Who it's for: Anyone who wants the most versatile, future-proof first deck. If you plan to read tarot seriously, start here.
Check Price on Amazon →2. The Modern Witch Tarot Deck
Lisa Sterle's Modern Witch Tarot reimagines the RWS system with diverse, contemporary characters and bold, graphic illustration. Every figure is a woman or non-binary person of various ethnicities and body types — a refreshing departure from the traditional deck's Eurocentric imagery.
Despite the modern aesthetic, the symbolism remains faithful to RWS tradition. The Empress still sits in a field of wheat. The Tower still crumbles. This means beginners can use any RWS guidebook alongside it. The card stock is thick and matte, with a linen finish that feels premium.
Pros
- Diverse, inclusive representation
- Bold, Instagram-worthy artwork
- Fully compatible with RWS learning materials
- Thick, high-quality card stock
Cons
- Some traditionalists prefer original imagery
- Slightly more expensive than standard RWS
- Guidebook is brief
Who it's for: Beginners who want a deck that reflects modern values while maintaining traditional symbolism. Also ideal if you plan to share readings on social media.
Check Price on Amazon →3. Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot
The Radiant Rider-Waite takes Pamela Colman Smith's original drawings and recolors them with warmer, more saturated hues. The outlines are slightly bolder, and the backgrounds feel more alive. It is the same deck, just friendlier to the eye.
For beginners who find the original RWS colors too faded or "scary," this is the perfect compromise. You get all the traditional symbolism at the most affordable price point on this list. The card stock is standard — not premium, but perfectly functional for daily use.
Pros
- Most affordable true RWS deck
- Warm, inviting color palette
- Same symbolism as classic RWS
- Great for younger readers
Cons
- Card stock is thinner than premium decks
- Some details lost in recoloring
- Not as artistically distinctive
Who it's for: Budget-conscious beginners who want authentic RWS symbolism without spending much.
Check Price on Amazon →4. The Wild Unknown Tarot
Kim Krans' hand-drawn animal and nature imagery has become iconic in the tarot community. The deck uses animals, trees, and natural elements instead of human figures, which some beginners find more intuitive. Note: This deck does not follow strict RWS imagery, so you may need to learn its unique language. Best paired with the companion guidebook.
Check Price on Amazon →5. Light Seer's Tarot
Chris-Anne's Light Seer's Tarot balances dark and light in every card. The artwork is emotionally evocative — you can feel the joy in The Sun and the weight in The Ten of Swords. It follows RWS closely but with a contemporary, slightly mystical aesthetic. The guidebook is notably better than most included booklets.
Check Price on Amazon →6. The Fountain Tarot
A premium minimalist deck with silver-edged cards and photography-based imagery. Stunning to look at, but the abstract imagery can be harder for absolute beginners to read intuitively. Best for those who already understand basic tarot concepts and want a beautiful tool for deeper practice.
Check Price on Amazon →7. Everyday Witch Tarot
Playful, witchy, and approachable. The Everyday Witch Tarot by Deborah Blake features a cast of friendly witches going about their magical lives. The tone is lighthearted, making it great for beginners who might be intimidated by darker tarot imagery. Fully RWS-compatible.
Check Price on Amazon →Quick Comparison Table
| Deck | RWS-Based | Card Quality | Guidebook | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rider-Waite-Smith | Yes (Original) | Good | Basic | $ | Serious learners |
| Modern Witch | Yes | Excellent | Basic | $$ | Social media readers |
| Radiant RWS | Yes | Good | Basic | $ | Budget buyers |
| Wild Unknown | No | Good | Excellent | $$$ | Nature/animal lovers |
| Light Seer's | Yes | Good | Very Good | $$ | Emotional readers |
| The Fountain | Loosely | Premium | Good | $$$ | Experienced beginners |
| Everyday Witch | Yes | Good | Good | $$ | Intimidated beginners |
How to Choose Your First Tarot Deck
With hundreds of tarot decks available, the choice can feel overwhelming. Here's a simple framework to help you decide:
If you want to learn tarot "properly"
Choose a Rider-Waite-Smith based deck. The vast majority of tarot books, courses, and online resources use RWS as their reference point. Learning on a non-RWS deck means you'll constantly need to translate between systems.
If you connect with imagery more than symbolism
Choose a deck whose artwork genuinely moves you. Tarot is a visual language. If the images don't resonate, you won't enjoy the practice. Spend time looking at sample cards online before buying.
If you're on a tight budget
The Radiant Rider-Waite or standard RWS deck costs under $20 and will serve you for years. Don't feel pressured to buy a $50 premium deck as your first.
If you want to read for others professionally someday
Start with RWS, then expand your collection. Professional readers typically own 5-15 decks and choose based on the reading context and client energy.
What about Oracle decks?
Oracle decks are different from tarot decks. They have no fixed structure (any number of cards, any themes) and are more free-form. They're beautiful and useful, but not a substitute for learning tarot. If you want to learn tarot, buy a tarot deck. If you want intuitive daily pulls without system, an oracle deck works.
Once you have your deck, start with our free one-card reading or explore all 78 card meanings to begin your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While many readers enjoy cleansing rituals (using smoke, moonlight, or crystals), they are optional. Your deck works the moment you open it. If you want to cleanse it, simple methods like shuffling thoroughly or placing it under moonlight are perfectly sufficient.
Yes. Many professional readers have clients handle the deck during readings. The idea that others' energy "contaminates" your cards is a personal belief, not a rule. Do what feels right for you.
You can start doing basic readings within a week. True fluency — where you can interpret complex spreads without referring to a book — typically takes 6-12 months of regular practice. Use our daily tarot draw to build consistency.
This is entirely up to you. The "tarot decks must be gifted" rule is folklore, not tradition. Most modern readers buy their own decks. The deck you choose yourself is often the one you'll connect with most deeply.
Tarot has a fixed structure: 78 cards divided into Major Arcana (22 cards) and Minor Arcana (56 cards in four suits). Oracle decks have no fixed structure — they can have any number of cards with any theme. Tarot is a system; oracle is a format. Learn more in our card meanings guide.
Prices and availability are subject to change. We update this guide quarterly to ensure accuracy. Last verified: July 2025.