How do you pick a new deck?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 22 Oct 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

SoulFlower	22 Oct 2004
I'm pretty new at tarot, and I only have on deck yet. The Rider Waite tarot. But I'm interested in getting anohter one. I tried this by looking at images on the internet. But unfortunate, most sites only show a few images and the images are pretty small. It's also hard to know how the images would look in real, colours can be different from the screen. Than I started reading reviews, but they are so differece. Some people say it's pretty but the symbols aren't good enough, others say that it's great to read because of the many symbols but it looks ugly. Are there pretty decks that use symbols as well? I like to look at cards that I find appealing. How do you pick cards? I'm a student, so I don't feel like spending money on a deck that I wont like afterwards. Of course you never know what you will think of it before you get , but there must be a way to prepare yourself for it, no?

IDN	22 Oct 2004
If you go to the "Tarot Decks" section of this Forum, there is a post at the top called "Sites that show you the entire deck"- follow those links and you will find (for most decks) you can see each of the 78 cards on-line. Most shops that stock tarot cards, usually have a "portfolio" or folder- that contains 4-6 actual cards from all the decks that they stock. This is a good way to get an idea of the size / colouring / etc. Hope this is of some help. Regards, Ian

SoulFlower	22 Oct 2004
Thanks Ian, but you are only telling me what I already know. My point was that images on the screen or never the same in real life. And that images alone is not enough. For me at least. I need to know it's a deck you can really read with as well because of symbolism.

April	22 Oct 2004
If pictures and reviews aren't doing it for you I would suggest only buying decks in person. But keep in mind that most stores aren't going to let you test out a deck before you purchase it, and they might not let you open a sealed box to look at every card either. That means that sometimes you aren't going to know if a deck works for you until you take it home. That is a risk that is hard to avoid. If you have friends who also own decks ask if you can look through them or even borrow them for a few days. Remember, if the deck you but turns out not to be the deck for you, you can always resell it or gift it away. (I buy used decks all the time ;)) Peace, April

April	22 Oct 2004
Here's another idea. Sit down and make a list of all of your hobbies and interests. Artists and writers you like, whatnot. Then do a search combining those things with Tarot. For examples, I like Shakespeare and I LOVE Halloween so I have both of those decks. You can also eliminate a a lot of decks this same way. Vampires and anime just don't interest me so I will probably never buy a deck with those themes. Hope this helps. Peace, April

SoulFlower	22 Oct 2004
I want to know HOW YOU pick a deck. Because reviews are just the opinion of one person and one review says the opposite of the other. And images can look great on screen but not as nice in real life. How do you know if it's readable? A deck can be pretty but if it doens't has any symbols, you just have nice pictures but not a tarot game.

Ace	22 Oct 2004
Quote: Originally posted by SoulFlower How do you pick cards? I'm a student, so I don't feel like spending money on a deck that I wont like afterwards. Of course you never know what you will think of it before you get , but there must be a way to prepare yourself for it, no? No, I am not sure there is. I try to look at decks that I like, but I don't find many that are WORKABLE with as well as pretty. Astra designed the WorldTree to be a READERS deck, but too many (including the GORGEOUS Tarot of Prague, IMHO) are just pretty pix, although many are using the Tarot of Prague and even starting a study group about it! Meditate on decks. What do you want it FOR? a reading deck? say to the universe I want a reading deck. I plan to use it for this purpose... and see what falls into your hands. Meanwhile, the RWS or Robin Wood will get you started.

Gyda	23 Oct 2004
I went throught two decks before I picked the right one, I use the Norse Tarot,. The resaons I picked that one is because I know the mythology very well which helps incredibally with the symbolism and interpation. You'll find a deck that 'speaks' to you in some way. it may take time though. Gyda

catti	23 Oct 2004
I dont worry too much about finding the "perfect " deck. I think if you approach getting your next deck from a perspective of you have to love every single card it is going to be a long time before you expand your collection. Which is not necessarily a bad thing either. I do think you can have too many decks, be going in too many different directions when you are begining your studies. Since you are new to Tarot and are starting with RWS the obvious ( well to me ) next deck would be an earlier deck so that you can deepen your knowledge of Tarot. BUT if reading is what you are after it is all trial and error. What I mean is I have had decks that visually excite me, but I couldnt read with them. I had a Dali deck that was like that. And Thoth was like that for me. But now I want to try again. I dont spontaneously buy decks , in general and i dont buy decks i cant afford. that way if i am disappointed later it doesnt also hurt.

Rusty Neon	23 Oct 2004
Quote: Originally posted by SoulFlower How do you know if it's readable? A deck can be pretty but if it doens't has any symbols, you just have nice pictures but not a tarot game. To further this brainstorming session, it may be helpful to tell us what kind of symbols you're looking for in a deck. For example, if you want symbols in the major arcana that are symbols traditionally associated with a card, then perhaps a Tarot de Marseille deck may do it for you. On the other hand, sometimes the symbols on tarot cards on 20th century decks are not traditional symbols associated with the card but are instead symbols inserted by the deck creator to convey his or her own conception of the card or (as might happen in the case of a theme deck) to support a 'theme' that is an overlay onto tarot. In that case, in interpreting the symbol, you might find that what you're doing is unearthing what the deck creator had in mind for the card or in understanding the 'theme' -- which may or may not be something meaningful to you in studying or using tarot.

dadsnook2000	23 Oct 2004
I pick decks based on what type of client I will be reading for, or what world view I wish to explore. I also acquired the Waite-Smith tarot a long time ago, then recently the Robin Wood (because I wished to explore how this tarot deck reflected the Pagan views that I was encountering), then the Witches Tarot (because of the author's reputation and connection of the cards to the tree of life). Then I broke that chain of thought and acquired the Tarot of Prague because of its beautiful artwork. I quickly found that it worked well for mature adults who were comfortable with tarot (not new to it) as they related well to the cards and seemed to engage in a dialog that both a help to me and to them in getting more out of the reading. Then I acquired the Fey Tarot -- this was an astonishing deck for me as it so easily expanded the readings from just mundane concerns so as to more easily and clearly (for me the the querent) to explore spiritual issues that impacted their current daily concerns. Each of these decks seems to have filled a hole or need for whom I read for or for the perspective that I have in my learning process. This is quite a bit different from collecting decks for the sake of having them or to admire the pictures. Dave.

annik	23 Oct 2004
At the beginning of my collection, I didn't knew what I was interested in. So, during that time, I was buying without much knowing if I liked the deck. After a time, I saw a pattern emerging in what decks I really liked. Now, there is a few themes that I am collecting. Those themes are usually "save values" with me. When getting a deck I dislike, I usually trade them. It was more frequent at the beginning. Now, it is happening less often.

jlbvt	23 Oct 2004
I pick decks using a combination of what appeals to me visually, and reviews that I have read online. If you think you like the way a deck looks, but reviewers only give it one or two stars, it may not be a very readable deck. Of course, everyone's taste is different, and you may be able to read with a deck that others cant. But there is a lot of general consensus over which decks are less readable. Some decks are purely art decks, lacking good symbolism to learn with. If you love a deck for its art, but can't read with it, it will do nothing for you at this stage. My opinion is that you can learn from what others have said about decks before you spend your money on it and learn the hard way. Also- look into buying used decks. I love used decks. I have saved tons of money, and gotten a rather large assortment by buying/trading used decks. And if you find one that you really like, then you can buy a new copy of that deck. If you end up with decks you don't like, you can trade them away for other used decks. It's a perfect system! I hope this helps! Joan

Kath	24 Oct 2004
Quote: Originally posted by SoulFlower I want to know HOW YOU pick a deck. Because reviews are just the opinion of one person and one review says the opposite of the other. And images can look great on screen but not as nice in real life. How do you know if it's readable? A deck can be pretty but if it doens't has any symbols, you just have nice pictures but not a tarot game. I troll the net looking for as many images as I can find of the deck in question. I read reviews and threads about the deck. I know that colours may be different on screen to real life, but I figure if I like the look of the deck online, if I like the pictures, the symbolism, the style of art, and I feel that I could read with it, I take a chance and buy it. It’s very rare for me to get a deck, after all my ‘research’, and then not like it. I take my time too. I don’t buy many decks, and I put off impulse purchases. I figure if I still want it in a couple of months time, then I’ll buy it. There are many beautiful decks out there, but there are few that I feel I could read with :)

tmgrl2	24 Oct 2004
I have about 15 decks, but actually read with just 3-4 now. If you have a good metaphysical shop near you, they often have the decks hanging from rings, so you can flip through them to decide if you want to buy one. I agree. I have been disappointed in some after buying them. I was quite pleased initially with the Radiant Rider Waite, when I was reading with just that tradition. I love the Morgan-Greer. I love the Hadar Tarot de Marseille. Also, the Gilded Tarot and the Medieval Scapini. You may just have to check out the lists as has been suggested and hope for best. Also, the images at tarotgarden.com seem larger to me and more alive. Maybe that's just my view. I know I have been disappointed when I have received decks in the mail ...decks I thought I would at least like and then found myself quite let down. Good luck with your search. terri

Emily	26 Oct 2004
I think we've all bought decks from seeing a few card images on screen then finding that the deck just doesn't click. I buy all of my decks online, apart from the odd one or two a year from a little new age shop I visit. If you like Rider Waite symbolism then maybe looking at a few of the popular clone decks might interest you - Golden Tarot, Tarot of Prague, Radient Rider Waite, Universal Waite, Universal Tarot (LS), Morgan Greer (my one) are all easily read from learning with the Rider Waite. I can usually tell whether a deck will be workable for me or not by seeing images online, sometimes I take a chance and buy a deck that is not Rider Waite symbolism then the deck is a challenge to use. Hope this helps. :)

catti	26 Oct 2004
i hope i dont offend you SoulFlower, it is not the intention but the thread has me chuckling....does anyone remember the dark ages? when you bought whatever deck was at the store because " oh wow! a Tarot Deck!!!". I remember buying the Medieval Scapini in 1991 at a pokey little book store. They had motherpeace, voyager, cat people , thoth and scapini. I went with scapini not because i liked it so much but because i didnt like anything else in front of me and for some reason i didnt have a deck. It ended up being a good deck. But it had a learning curve i wasnt ready for. It sat months in its box, sometimes, I just didnt have anything but a LWB to explain the symbolism. Eventually we kissed and made up...then i traded it when i got online! Too many decks to choose from ! We are all sooooooooooo lucky!

The How do you pick a new deck? thread was originally posted on 22 Oct 2004 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.