The Top 10 Tarot Decks for Beginners for 2024
A Tarot deck is a great tool for divination and self-discovery. When you’re just starting out, it can be hard to know which deck will work best for you. Luckily, there are many different types of tarot decks for beginners with varying degrees of complexity and imagery so finding one that is right for you shouldn’t be too difficult.
In this article we’ll take a look at ten of the most popular tarot decks for beginners and explain what makes each so great.
What are the Best Tarot Decks for Beginners
1. Rider Waite Tarot Deck
Rider Waite Tarot Deck– Tarot Decks for Beginners
For the beginner, the Rider Waite Tarot deck is a good choice. This edition includes all original hand drawn titles created for each card by artist Pamela Colman Smith under direction from Arthur Edward Waite. The deck was originally published in 1909 and has been reprinted many times since then. It’s hard not to be drawn into this beautiful piece of art from over 100 years ago!
“A unique feature of the Rider Waite deck, and one of the of the principal reasons for its enduring popularity, is that all of the cards, including the Minor Arcana, depict full scenes with figures and symbols. Prior to the Rider-Waite Tarot, the pip cards of almost all tarot decks were marked only with the arrangement of the suit signs — swords, wands, cups, and coins, or pentacles.
The pictorial images on all the cards allow interpretations without the need to repeatedly consult explanatory text. The innovative Minor Arcana, and Pamela Colman Smith’s ability to capture the subtleties of emotion and experience have made the Rider-Waite Tarot a model for the designs of many tarot packs.”
The Rider Waite Tarot deck was named one of the Top Ten Tarot Decks of All Time by Aeclectic Tarot.
The Rider Waite Tarot deck is a true classic that has been around for quite some time and still remains as one of the best Tarot decks for beginners to start learning tarot or power through more advanced levels.
2. Quick & Easy Tarot
Quick & Easy Tarot – Tarot Decks for Beginners
The Quick & Easy Tarot is the perfect Tarot deck for beginners who want to learn and practice tarot card reading. Expert Ellen Lytle provides insightful divinatory meanings as well as reversed meanings printed right on each card, so there is no need to consult the books.
The illustrations are based on the iconic artwork of Pamela Colman Smith, which has been re-colored by Mary Hanson-Roberts with soothing colors, and fresh details that will make you see these cards differently. The illustrations are a perfect blend of art and spirituality, making it an excellent tool for divination or as a meditation aid.
The Quick & Easy Tarot deck is a colorful, 78-card deck is based on the bestseller Universal Waite Tarot deck, and with the meanings printed on each card, makes it one of the best Tarot decks for beginners.
3. Starter Tarot Deck
Starter Tarot Deck – Tarot Decks for Beginners
As its name implies, the Starter Tarot Deck is a perfect choice for beginning Tarot enthusiasts. It’s so easy to use that you’ll be able to do your first reading on day one!
The Starter Tarot deck is a must-have for any beginning tarot enthusiast. Regular and reverse meanings are printed on each card to provide some insight as to its meaning.
The imagery and the artwork has been based off traditional woodcut images from centuries ago, which adds an ancient flare that will have you feeling “out of this world” while reading through these beautiful Tarot cards!
4. Apprentice Tarot Deck
Apprentice Tarot Deck – Tarot Decks for Beginners
Apprentice Tarot, based on the popular Universal Waite deck, offers an engaging and enjoyable introduction to tarot.
Tarot beginners often start by memorizing keywords for each card. However, relying on memory can limit readers’ understanding of a card, and hinders connection with the imagery.
The Apprentice Tarot Deck features keywords printed right on the cards, making it easier for apprentices to focus on the meaning of the imagery.
5. Radiant Rider Waite in a Tin Tarot Cards
Radiant Rider Waite in a Tin Tarot Cards
The Radiant Rider Waite Tarot deck is based on the original Rider Waite Tarot deck with the difference being the enhanced artwork and vibrant colors, which helps make it a more intuitive tool for beginners.
For Radiant Rider Waite, the artwork of Pamela Colman Smith has been updated and enhanced with a vibrant palette of colors, bringing new energy and radiance to the familiar scenes of 78 cards.
Radiant Rider Waite’s brightness and subtle shading highlight the traditional symbolism that readers rely on for insightful readings.
The brilliantly colored tarot deck that has been popular for decades now comes as a pocket-sized version (2˝ x 3.5˝) in a charming keepsake tin, with an instruction booklet. All this makes it one of the best Tarot decks for beginners that they can take with them anywhere.
6. Practical Tarot Wisdom Tarot Deck
Practical Tarot Wisdom – Tarot Decks for Beginners
The Practical Tarot Wisdom Deck is a miniature versions of the 78 Radiant Rider Waite cards, with added simple and easy tarot guidance.
Expert advice is printed right on the cards, so there’s no need to look up the meanings of each card in a book..
This handy, pocket-sized deck is on of the best Tarot decks for beginners and advanced readers alike, who value portability and practicality.
7. The New Mythic Tarot Deck
The New Mythic Tarot Deck – Tarot Decks for Beginners
The New Mythic Tarot Deck is another great Tarot deck for beginners who are acquainted with Greek Mythology.
The Major Arcana card illustrations depict the gods and goddesses, heroes and heroines of classical Greek mythology. These familiar archetypes reflect our own life patterns and experiences.
The New Mythic Tarot is easy to use by beginners. The images are rich in psychological insight, providing wisdom and guidance for all seekers of personal growth. The Minor Arcana are presented in the form of stories that accompany each of the four suits, each relating to a different sphere of life.
First published in 1989, The Mythic Tarot deck has been an international success with tarot readers for over 25 years. New life has been breathed into this classic deck with all new illustrations by Giovanni Caselli.
8. Beginner’s Guide to Tarot
Beginner’s Guide to Tarot – Tarot Decks for Beginners
The Beginner’s Guide to Tarot deck is specifically designed to introduce the beginner to the art of Tarot card reading. The Sharman-Caselli deck has taken some of its imagery from classic decks as early as Visconti-Sfzora, as well as from the Smith-Waite deck.
This softly colored Tarot deck encourages tarot beginners to tap into their own intuition. Its thematic approach uses colors and visual symbols to explore archetypes and elements in tarot.
“Although aimed at beginners, this package is far more than just an introductory course. It is a timeless deck and book that will continually provide pleasure and insight no matter how far advanced you are.
As such it should be a required acquisition to any serious collection as well as the best recommended starting point for anyone interested in learning the art of Tarot.”
—Chris Butler, Tarot author and illustrator
Particular colors and specific symbols are used in the imagery of each of each suit, linking each one visually with a corresponding element. The Court cards are also analyzed in terms of their astrological dimensions.
A practice layout is given for each suit. Once you are familiar with the Minors, you will meet and practice with the Major Arcana. This unique method makes it fun and easy to get to know all the tarot cards.
9. The Complete Tarot Kit
The Complete Tarot Kit – Tarot Decks for Beginners
“The Complete Tarot Kit includes everything needed for beginner to intermediate students. The book within the kit is an excellent instruction guide. Susan Levitt’s teaching and writing style makes learning the tarot so easy for those new to the tarot and for intermediate tarot users, as well.
If I had this kit when I began my tarot journey, I would have had a firmer foundation built more quickly than I did. The kit is a well created resource, and a valuable asset for beginners, intermediate, and collectors alike.” —Sheila Hall, Vice President, American Tarot Association
“This is a clear and compact guide, with many gems stored inside it. Levitt presents the tarot as a way to join with the rhythms of nature, as natural as the yin and yang of breath.”
The Complete Tarot Kit includes:
• Special Edition Rider-Waite® Tarot Deck (78 cards)
• Special Edition Crowley Thoth Tarot Deck (78 cards)
• Introduction to Tarot book (246 pp., 4-color illus.)
• 4-color Spread Sheet
• Stand-up Quick Reference Chart (Double sided)
• Deluxe Box with Magnetic Closure
10. NEW – Reflective Tarot Featuring the Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot
Reflective Tarot – Tarot Decks for Beginners
t makes it easy for beginners to visualize the cards in 3D.
Printed on luminescent holographic cards, this shimmering tarot deck accentuates the vibrant colors of the Radiant Rider-Waite for dynamic readings.
Includes 78-cards and 60-page booklet of traditional tarot meanings in a handy small size that packs a big punch.
Conclusion
The Tarot deck you choose should be determined by your personal preference, but we hope that this list has helped clarify what to look for in a Tarot deck for beginners. Read through our ten suggestions and see if anything calls out to you!
If you are still unsure, then our top pick, the Rider Waite Tarot deck, is a great place to start. It is a tried and true Tarot deck that will serve you well for years to come.
Last Updated on November 26, 2024
Last update on 2024-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API