Choosing a Tarot Card Deck. Things to Consider When Buying Tarot Cards

Originally, the story goes that only a Gypsy could read the Tarot Cards and only a Gypsy would pass down a set of Tarot Cards to another. Think about it, a few hundred years ago, all the cards were hand made, all the images hand drawn and coloured, cut and created by hand. These cards got very worn with use and would be used for many readings.

The Gypsy would only pass on their set of cards to someone in their family that had a gift or was going to be groomed to be the next reader.  Essentially, this was when they were ready to retire. They would teach, train and pass on their knowledge of reading the cards.  They would mentor the next generation, handing down their experience from generation to generation.

Now, in 2009, Gypsies are in short supply.

Decks are mass produced in thousands of forms and are sold, bright, shiny and new from nearly every bookstore, newsagency, online from anywhere in the world in almost every language.  Now on line, take your pick of images, old and new, with thousands of types of decks.  The choice is endless.

Even 10 years ago, very few Tarot Card Decks of Cards were available except from mystic shops and even then you had to look hard to find someone that sold them. They were still considered taboo and almost sold under the counter but now things have changed and people have accepted them widely.

Where to start? So how do you pick a deck that is the best for you?

I usually let my mood judge which deck I use on the day of the reading for each individual person.

I recommend first buying the Rider Wait deck.  Simply because the images are easy to see and remember and the numbers 1 – 10 of each suite have pictures and are easier to remember when you are starting out.

Then, buy the deck you fall in love with.  Once you have gotten your confidence with the meanings of the cards, you can effectively use any deck of cards.

Get emotionally connected to the images, what moves you, what artwork and design resonates with you?  What do you love looking at?  The cards are personal, you will work with them, getting knowledge from them and helping others seeking answers for questions in their lives which they take very seriously.  These cards may help you make money and change your life direction.

The tarot cards do not simply give answers to all who use them. Tarot cards must be respected, and a bond created. So, the first point in selecting tarot cards is to find tarot cards that you feel a bond to. This bond can just be the individuality of the cards that express you or perhaps any other factors such as a gut feeling that these tarot cards is the right one to buy. 

A set of tarot cards can become very important items in your life. When we need answers, and these answers cannot be seen, then we need to utilise other tools, such as tarot cards as readings fringe on the spiritual.

If you are having problems choosing a deck, narrow it down to 5.  Discard designs and types by what you don’t like if that is easier.

How many cards are in the deck? Not everything labelled ‘Tarot’ is actually a Tarot deck. Some only contain the Major or Minor Arcana cards and some are oracle decks which have totally different cards and meanings. True Tarot decks contain 78 cards. Always be sure to look at all the cards. Some decks have amazing Major Arcana cards and then have incredibly boring and/or repetitive Minor Arcana (1 cup for Ace of cup; 2 cups for 2 of cups, etc.) If you are a beginner, this repeating pattern for the Minor Arcana cards might prove to be difficult because it doesn't give you a lot of symbology to go on in your readings 

A word about novelty decks: They can be fun but if you are looking at your cards for spiritual insight and guidance or just collecting for fun, but you might not want to use the Halloween deck or the nursery rhyme deck for true readings.

If you get a chance to hold the deck in a store, see how it fits in your hands.  They are naturally made bigger than playing cards so they are a little more difficult to shuffle so that the person has to ‘try’ a bit harder to make sure the cards are shuffled well, that they are concentrating on what they are doing and the question they are asking in their mind for the reading.

Many good metaphysical shops will keep tarot decks especially for viewing, so purchasers can take a good look through the cards to see if they connect with them.

Try to find the Death card in a deck – because it is often by looking at Death that you can see whether you will like to work with the deck or not. Death should always contain an element of hope and rebirth no matter how gruesome. If the picture repulses you too much, it may not be the right deck.  Mostly people are moved by the Death card because it is a disturbing image that hits right at your subconscious.

When buying tarot cards online, the process is the same. Simply look at the pictures, and listen to your gut feeling, your intuition. If the cards simply stand out, even though all the pictures are all the same size, and the others fade, while this set looks vibrant in a spiritual sense, then that may be the best tarot card set to buy.

Another consideration when buying tarot cards is price. There are many different sets of tarot cards that you can buy. If it is your first time at tarot, remember that you don't need to go for the most expensive set.

Purchasing tarot cards should be done with respect. Though there are very cheap tarot cards available, you want to find a set that is both within your budget, and also one which you will value.

There are others however, some which utilise other systems. For example there may be angel cards which have different aspects or other cultures systems. Ultimately they all work, as divining works.

However, one point to consider is like with most things, more you pay for it, the more likely you will use them, and take good care of them. 

Storing the Deck

Which leads me to storage.  You will need a really nice box to keep your cards in and to keep the energy off them so they are fresh for the next reading.  We all have an energy around us and coming from us and as others handle your deck, their energy passes onto it.  I recommend a wooden box or a box made from a natural fibre and a naturally made fabric to go around it like a silk scarf (real silk that is).  There are lots of gorgeous boxes out there, just make sure they fit the size of the cards that you buy as not all are the same standard size.  Have some fun with it.  Maybe get a plain wooden box and personalise it.  Put things on it, or paint on it or just keep it plain.

Cleansing the Deck

If you feel that your cards need cleansing (as I would do after a day of tarot card parties where I would reading up to 10 people’s cards), I get a quartz crystal that I wash in water first, then put in the sun to charge for a few hours and then place it on top of the box to draw out any energy in the cards overnight.  I then wash the crystal again in the morning and put it in the moonlight for a night to release the energy that it has collected. The bigger the crystal the better.

When you do buy your deck remember to treat it with respect and clean and cleanse them when necessary – Tarot cards are not a party trick to be brought out on a whim – they are a serious tool for discovering hidden patterns in our lives, often giving us a peek at the future, and invariably surprising us with their messages. 

Passing Decks On

Also, remember to impart your knowledge.  If you have a friend or a member of your family who is interested in getting some cards, mentor them, become the Gypsy who ’hands down’ their knowledge to someone else so they can be richer for it.  It is easy to learn out of a book and learn the meanings of the cards, but learning from the experience of another reader is priceless and hard to come by.  Remember to give back your skills. 

Giving a deck of Tarot Cards as a present is also advised with a promise to teach them how to use it! Maybe say a blessing over them to pass them on.