I can still clearly recall my very first tarot deck buy. On a rare trip to the mall, I entered my all-time favorite store: the bookstore. My intended destination was the modest new age department because I had recently begun studying astrology.
My eyes landed on a tarot deck as I combed through the modest collection of astrology books with my fingers.
The Tarot of Marseilles!
On the shelf, it was the sole item.
I grabbed it and made the decision to buy it out of curiosity.
For a beginner, this deck was challenging, but I persisted.
I was adamant about learning all this tarot stuff!
I returned to same mall a few months later and once more hung out in the new age area.
The Rider Waite Smith Tarot was anxiously waiting for me, as I soon discovered.
When I went home and opened the deck, something clicked.
The deck was “my.
Even now, I occasionally stray to different decks, but I always return to my reliable Rider Waite Smith.
(I also have a tendency to be brand loyal; I’ve been wearing the same Loreal inky black eyeliner for years.)
I persist with anything once I find it enjoyable.)
The first step in exploring the beautiful realm of tarot is getting your hands on some cards.
Have you prepared?
Let’s get a foolish superstition out of the way first.
Ever hear the saying that someone else must buy your first tarot deck?
I’m here to tell you that’s bullocks.
You can be sure to receive a deck you don’t like if you do that.
or being made to wait.
When you’re asked to read tarot cards, it makes no sense to wait for someone else to get up and get you a deck (and you definitely don’t want to whine your way to getting one).
So immediately discard that idea.
Find a store that sells tarot cards next.
If you’re fortunate, your neighborhood will have a well-stocked metaphysical store.
If not, you might have to search your nearby bookstores like I did.
The appeal of a physical location is that you can physically feel and see the deck.
If this is “the one,” it will depend on how it feels and looks.
Since I’m a very tactile and visual person, this is my preferred path.
Your best bet is to go online if that isn’t a possibility.
Through a website like Tarot Garden or Amazon, you might be able to locate a deck you prefer.
You might also want to speak with the creator of self-published decks or the publisher directly (ex: Fountain Tarot or The Wild Unknown).
You can view photos of the cards on some of these websites.
There are also a ton of websites that offer reviews of decks, like Aeclectic Tarot, frequently with lots of images to help you get a sense of how the deck looks and functions.
For individuals who are unfortunate enough to lack a nearby store, this can be useful.
Give the deck a thorough inspection. Observe the cards carefully and take your time. Which deck do you like best? Do you notice that certain cards have graphics that “pop” for you? How does it feel in your hands if you are holding it? Does the card stock feel flimsy or strong? Is it simple to shuffle the cards?
Trust your instincts and sense of style. It must fit well and look fantastic on you, much like a quality pair of slim jeans. Your final choice should be based on how you are feeling.
Still uncertain? You can always get opinions from your buddies who enjoy using tarot cards (does this tarot deck make my butt appear big?). They might be able to point you toward some of their particular favorites.
Grab The Rider Tarot Deck if everything else fails and you’re still feeling unsure. The majority of contemporary tarot cards are based on this classic. Nothing can go wrong.
It’s time to open the deck after you get it home and to start reading!
Some people who use tarot cards want to open it slowly and reverently.
Not me.
I don’t have the same patience for things like that, like a child at Christmas. I simply rip the box open and throw it away!
Next, give it some time. Rearrange it. Spice it up. Learn about it. Use it by yourself for a bit to become accustomed to the deck. The greatest method to establish a relationship is to simply keep trying until it becomes as comfortable as an old sweater. The deck is “broken in” and prepared to read for others at that moment.
To “consecrate a new deck,” some tarot readers perform unique ceremonies.
Common practices for cleansing and preparing the deck include leaving it out in the moonlight surrounded by crystals, saying an invocation or prayer, smudging with a sage wand, or even sleeping with it under their pillow (I’m too princess and the pea for that). I don’t do any of it; instead, I shuffle the deck frantically for several weeks until I think it’s ready to play.
Several typical queries:
A: This is a personal choice.
It won’t harm your deck, so it’s not a terrible idea, but it’s not necessary.
A: Sure thing! Try it out if your grandmother leaves you a deck or if you are drawn to a used deck you see in a shop. Since I want my decks to be related to just me, I don’t work with secondhand decks personally.
A: When a deck’s edges become so frayed that it cannot be properly shuffled, I retire it.
A shoddy deck, in my perspective, results in a shoddy reading. I prefer my tools to be clean and precise. I must thus encounter numerous Rider Waites here! In spite of this, a lot of people find an ancient deck impressive since they believe it to be more powerful, especially if it has been passed down from generation to generation. The key is to “trust your intuition on this and feel it out.” Retire the deck if it seems to be lacking “juice” or if it begins to deteriorate.
If it still holds sentimental value for you, you can store it in a drawer. Alternately, you may donate it to a used-deck-accepting metaphysical store or bookstore. Consider recommending it to a friend. You can discard it. Or, you may try these ideas: Gonzo Tarot7 useful tarot card usage.
I’m finding it difficult to recall the meanings from the small white book.
What ought I to do?
A fantastic beginner’s book, like Joan Bunning’s Learning the Tarot: A Tarot Book for Beginners, is a must-have if you’re brand-new to tarot.
(I suggest the following list of tarot books.) In comparison to that tiny white book, this will give you a lot more to work with. Every day, take a card and give it a good look. If you like, keep a journal of your interpretations. Alternately, use a marker to draw a few of the interpretations directly on the deck (yes, I know some tarot readers are aghast at the idea but cards CAN be replaced). If you persist in doing it every day, eventually those interpretations will become true, and you’ll be astounded by both yourself and your friends. Remain persistent and just keep practicing.
In This Article...
How do I select my initial Tarot deck?
9 Sure-Fire Ways to Pick the Right Tarot Deck for You
- Keep an eye out for a strong intuitive and personal connection with the cards.
- Examine the Illustrations on Each Card.
- Think about your level of experience.
- Choose a traditional or modern approach.
- The Little White Book is worth looking at.
- Find a Fitting Size.
How can I pick a tarot card just for me?
Which spread are you going to use? How in-depth do you want to make your response? The level of complexity of the insight will increase as more cards are drawn. I recommend a three or five-card spread as a general rule to provide clarity without causing confusion. I advise reading each card according to its position in the spread before observing how all of the cards come together to create a larger narrative that is rich with deep significance. The question of whether or not to read card reversals is a contentious one within the Tarot community. (When a card is dealt face-down, it is known as a reversal.)
Reversals draw attention to certain things and might identify the “contrary to the upright meaning of the card. In some instances, a reversed card doesn’t dramatically alter the definition of the overall card; instead, it indicates a deficiency of that energy. In other circumstances, it could mean something quite unrelated or nothing at all. Because of the possibility for misunderstanding, I advise you to concentrate on the upright meanings of each card and, as you become more familiar with this terminology, explore the reverse meanings as you continue your Tarot exploration. You will confidently be able to determine if a reversal should be taken seriously or ignored as you gain experience and become more in touch with your intuition.
In my experience, veering away from the topic of your inquiry is the best course of action “Keep it more general and limited to yes/no. rather than asking “Will I get the job promotion? usage “What roadblocks are in my way as I try to advance my career? By posing your query in this way, you encourage deeper understanding and contemplation through a richer response and provide a viewpoint that would be missed with a simple “yes” or “no.”
Do you have to receive a Tarot deck as a gift?
And because of its esoteric reputation, there is a persistent notion that tarot beginners must get their first deck as a gift and shouldn’t make an effort to buy one for themselves. Experts in tarot state that this is, not unexpectedly, a myth.
Which Tarot deck ought I to consult?
The most well-known tarot deck is this one. Due to its age and classic nature, it is less inclusive than some of the others. Dore claims that despite being quite Eurocentric, Christian, and hetero, she still utilizes this deck nearly exclusively. “She claims, “I’m particularly interested in interpretation, and the Pamela Colman Smith artwork in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck is so lovely. Dore frequently uses these photos, which is why she consistently uses this deck. She claims, “I learn so much there, and I believe using a deck to dig deep is helpful. Even though you might not connect with the visuals, the Rider-Waite-Smith deck continues to form the basis for many contemporary decks and still uses the same numbering scheme. All of our specialists advise beginners to start with a Rider-Waite-Smith-based deck because most resources and tarot reference materials are geared toward it, regardless of your personal artistic preferences.
What is the Tarot’s most potent card?
The Fool is typically seen as a card from the Major Arcana when performing a tarot reading. Contrary to popular belief, the Fool does not fall under either category in tarot card games. Instead, the Fool serves a function that is distinct from both the simple suit cards and the trump cards. As a result, the Fool has no number assigned to it in the majority of tarot decks that were initially created for playing games. Although Waite assigns the Fool the number 0, in his book, the Fool is discussed between Judgment (number 20) and The World (number 21). The Tarocco Piemontese is the only traditional game deck that numbers the Fool 0. Since the 1930s, the corner index for the Fool in Tarot Nouveau decks has frequently been a black inverted mullet. The Fool is one of the most expensive cards in practically all tarot games.
How should a fresh Tarot deck be cleaned?
While rearranging the cards in the tarot deck is a good approach to purify and clear their energy, there are some circumstances in which you might wish to perform a more specialized ritual. If you’re just getting started with tarot, cleaning your deck can be an excellent place to start.
You might want to clean your tarot deck for a variety of reasons, including:
- beginning with a fresh deck
- readings for other people
- You think you need to recharge.
- Your card readings seem a touch “odd” or “disconnected”
- Your deck hasn’t been used recently.
- Your deck has been handled by others
- You think you’ve been utilizing your deck a lot. A LOT, especially for books with strong emotional content
Why should you cleanse or clear your tarot deck?
Tarot deck cleansing helps keep the energy flowing between you and your deck. Consider it as a little spiritual hygiene to maintain a strong and clear connection. It’s not necessary, but if you have any of the aforementioned symptoms, try a few of the energetic cleansing techniques listed below and note which ones seem to work the best for you.
How often should you cleanse your tarot deck?
This is another way of stating USE YOUR INTUITION: there are no hard and fast laws. Don’t stress if you don’t believe it is necessary for your deck. Alternately, if you like to cleanse them once per week or once per month, that’s great. If it feels appropriate to you, you can even place your favorite crystal on the balcony each night.
If you frequently place crystals on your deck and store it on an altar while not in use, you might not feel the need to cleanse it frequently because this quick ritual will likely be sufficient to keep your deck feeling nice.
There are numerous ways to cleanse your cards, just as there are numerous reasons why you might desire to do so.
Different ways to cleanse your tarot deck
Use holy smoke. Light a dried rosemary, lavender, cedar, sage, or palo santo cleansing wand until it begins to smoke. Hold the smoke a safe distance below the deck while holding the burning herbs in one hand and the deck in the other so that the smoke drifts upward onto the cards. Turn the deck so that the smoke covers it from all angles. Next, safely put your deck to the ground and put out the fire.
On the deck, set a selenite stone (or a black tourmaline or a transparent quartz). It works well to leave it like way for an hour, but I prefer to leave it overnight.
Set them on display during a new moon. The New Moon is energy of a blank slate; you can purify the deck by setting it on a window sill on a new moon night. At this moment, you can also make a brand-new intention for your deck.
Place the cards in a salty dish. A strong and stabilizing cleaner is salt. My preferred choice for a thorough cleansing is this. Allow it to sit anywhere from one to eight hours in a dry area.
Unorderly shuffle. Spread the cards out on the ground, then shuffle them around like a child playing in dirt. This method’s freedom and randomization serve as an excellent reset.
the shuffle and sort. Set up the deck in rows of seven cards across, commencing with the Major Arcana numbers 0 to 22. (see photo above). Next, arrange the cards, Ace through King, one for each suit, as follows: Swords, Pentacles, Cups, and Wands. View the deck in this configuration, then mix everything up (like the chaotic!) and shuffle it thoroughly.
After a breakup
Draw one card for each of the following inquiries if you’ve recently broken up with someone and want to know more about the reason or determine whether you’ll get back together:
- How energetic is the partnership right now?
- What caused the divide in the first place?
- What do they really think of me right now?
- What do they intend for me right now?
- What kind of relationship will this be in the future?
- Which action is ideal for me to take right now?
When job searching
You can use this spread to explore what kind of career guidance the tarot can offer if you’re feeling uncertain about your career path or thinking about a new employment. Draw one card once more for each query.
- How active am I in my career right now?
- What challenge must I overcome?
- What is my calling in life?
- How can I follow this calling more closely?
- What should I do to prepare for the upcoming month?
When deciding between two options
This spread can highlight the benefits and drawbacks of each option, guiding you toward the best decision if you’re using tarot to pick between two possibilities (two job offers, two apartments, perhaps a love triangle???). Getting the deal Per card, ask one question.
- What is the fundamental cause of this fork in the road?
- What is the likely result of choosing option A?
- What is the most likely result for option B?
- What more should I take into account that was overlooked?
- What’s the best thing I can do right now?
When something is off with a friend
If you’re concerned about the state of a friendship or feel like something is wrong but are unable to pinpoint the cause, you might be interested in seeing what conclusions and solutions this spread offers. Ask one question per card, once more, I repeat.
- What makes this friendship so crucial?
- What led to this sudden change in tone, and why?
- What has changed, in my friend’s opinion?
- What can I do to make this matter more urgent?
- What is the future of this friendship?
- What should I do at this moment?
How are tarot cards charged?
Leave your deck in a sacred location where you can “knead (shuffle) it each hour, giving it your magical power with your hands, for one waking day, much as you would a loaf of rising bread.” The greatest time to use this charge is when you’re taking a day off at home or in a retreat.
What transpires if your tarot cards are touched?
If you have been reading Tarot for years without allowing anybody else to touch your cards and this is how you prefer it to be done, maintain reading in this manner. Do it if it works.
However, if you are new to tarot and unsure about whether you should allow others to touch your cards when reading for them, REST! Others are welcome to touch freely. In fact, I believe that doing this makes a reading seem more genuine. You simply need to believe in the strength of your intention to afterwards purge any negative energy from your Tarot deck.
What are your thoughts on this? I’m interested to know! Therefore, please share your thoughts regarding individuals touching your cards in the comments section below. Do you agree with it? Or do you strictly enforce a no-touch policy?
Helpful tarot cards
Tarot is being used by some people as a mental health ally. Tarot readings can help you find meaning in your circumstances, uncover solutions, and start a conversation with a therapist.
Tarot cards include a spiritual element, which may appeal to people who don’t identify with established religion. To that end, tarot might conflict with your beliefs or be difficult for you to accept.
It can be tempting to see what you want to see because the cards have a variety of interpretations. Getting a second opinion, according to experts, helps lessen confirmation bias.
The final word? Tarot cards may be a useful tool if they give you a sense of calm and well-being. It’s acceptable to go on to something else if they don’t.