what deck?

[willowfairy]

i would like to get a deck of tarot cards, but i don't know which one is right for me. i'm clueless!! there are SO MANY kinds, it's overwhelming. anyone have any suggestions?

[loopy]

Have you checked out www.aeclectic.net/tarot? They have previews of some cards for each Tarot deck, and it might help you to familiarize with the images while you're trying to decide. :)

I would say... go with the deck that speaks to you, that maybe you instantly fall in love with because of the drawings or the name or something.

:)

[Lavender]

That's where I first found my Wheel of Change deck. I loved the samples they had & then found some more on other sites. It was tough deciding since I couldn't hold the cards in my hand.

[Myst]

Most times I see them and love them, thus buy them. This has only failed once out of four times... :)

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

All have given great advice!

I have seven decks and love each one for a different reason. Some I read from, some I meditate with, some I do spell work with.... The one's I read from are: Rider Waite, Robin Wood and Buckland's Romani Tarot.

For learning I would go with a deck that is similar to the rider waite images as most books use that deck or look-a-like decks. However, most every deck is available with an accompanying book. So, once you decide on the book/deck kit you will use, stick with it. I agree that you should just go through www.aeclectic.net/tarot to browse through the pictures. Then you can ask people here if they have a deck that interests you ....and what they think of it. I got the Rider/Waite because it was the only one I was really aware of because all the books I've read referred to them. Since then, I have only bought the decks that "pull" at me. :D Oh, my next purchase will be the Celtic Dragon Tarot! :D

There are many times that I would give up because I felt that it was impossible to learn the meanings, but I stuck with it....on and off....and I don't regret purchasing any of the decks I have! (They also make great gifts if you find they just aren't for you!)


The hardest, but most necessary part of learning the tarot is familiarizing yourself with the deck and it's meanings.....there's just no way around that. I found that very difficult when my interest was first peaked 5 years ago....until last year, I was still a book-in-hand reader. Now, if I get stumped I give myself a few minutes to let thoughts drift through my mind....and I pay heed to them. If I am totally blocked, I go to www.learntarot.com to get a jumping off place.....and go from there.

My decks in order of acquisition:
*Rider/Waite
*Witches Tarot
*Dragon Tarot
*Arthurian Legend Tarot (I ended up trading this deck off as I couldn't read from it....though it's a beautiful deck!)
*Cosmic Tribe Tarot
*Robin Wood Tarot
*Sacred Circle Tarot
*Buckland's Romani Tarot

I had the Rider/Waite deck for a couple years before I got any more decks....now I can't seem to stop collecting them! :D

Good luck with your search! :D

~D

[willowfairy]

thanx! :) i'll be busy with that link. :D

[Silver Venus]

Thats a fab site!
Ive got the Secret Tarot, The Mythic Tarot and the Sacred Circle Tarot and love them all for reading, meditation and spell work. I do generally read with the Secret deck allot more, use the Mythic for spells from time to time and I have been using the Sacred Circle Tarot for dream and meditation work allot recently.
I hope one deck really jumps out at you and speaks to you 'Get me! Get me! Get me!'
:T
Theres some really great fae decks out there too if your interested in woodland folk :)

[willowfairy]

i've found 3 decks that i like.

fairy tarots
faery wicca tarot
fantastical tarot

i'm not sure which one to get though... :confused:

[Silver Venus]

I know which deck Im getting next!!
Nijinsky Tarot!!! Sorry just had to shout that :D :) ;) Has any body seen anymore of the deck?

I had a look at the decks you were interested in Willow and remembered that my friends got the Fairy Tarot ~ That is a really great deck :D ~ all the pictures are very intricate and I have read with them before! I found them easy to read with because of the faces of each fae and the scene and objects around each fae really tell a story ~ my friend said they came with a little leaflet book which explians all the cards and even has some special fairy spreads to practise with.
I like the other ones too but personally think the Fairy Tarot will be allot easier to read with.. but each to their own in the world of Tarot.

Has anyone seen the Gendron Tarot that too looks really interesting :)

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

When I have a tough decision like that, ....I break out my pendulum. :D

I write the names of the decks down.....with plenty of space between them. Then I take up my pendulum, place it over the name of a deck and ask if it is the deck I should purchase at this time....repeat with all three names written. I use a vertical swing to indicate yes and a horizontal swing to indicate no. ....or clockwise yes, and counterclockwise to indicate no. It hasn't failed me yet. ;)

[willowfairy]

i'm getting the fantastical tarot deck!!! i looked at all three to show my mom, and when i got to the fantastical it was screaming "BUY ME!!!!" :D $12.00 dollars at amazon. does it come with a little booklet or anything? anyone know? anyone read with it? :)

does that really work, dagda? i've heard about doing that before.

[loopy]

I recently got that one. I think I posted a thread in here on my thoughts, but summarizing, I think it's gorgeous, but I don't like the use of photograph heads for some of the people. I think it detracts from the art, personal opinion only. :)

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

It works for me Willowfairy!

Usually if you purchase just the deck, it comes with the LWB (little white booklet) with the meanings. :D

And, how lucky for you, Joan Bunning has classes at the Barnes and Noble Univerisity start again soon online. Just go to her site and follow the links! ( www.learntarot.com) It's a nice little beginner class....and it's free! ;) Oh, and don't forget to check out this forum for class/course threads. :D

[Lavender]

The Wheel of Change came with a real book that had 383 pages! I've just started reading the cards with my book tonight & boy! Did I miss a lot of stuff! There are at least 2-3 pages on each card!

[Silver Venus]

I still havent read through the wonderful book that came with my Sacred Circle Tarot ~ I really should.. maybe Ill start it tonight ~ thanks for the inspriation WildChild ~ I needed a kick in the butt ;)

Thanks for the info Loopy! Can I ask a few more questions :) ~ Do you find the deck easy to read with? Are the major and minor arcana suits and main charatcers traditional or different? Like pentacles, cups.. Emperor, Empress...

Willow ~ The Pendulum does work! You can try it with a ring (yours helps) on the end of a peice of thread.. and see what deck it likes!

[moonmagick4]

I think if you really"FEEL" that it is the right deck for you,then you should get it!!!You will know if you made the right choice!!:wave: :wave: :cool: :cool:

[moonmagick4]

By th way,my decks are the Witches Tarot and the Mythic Tarot!!The Mythic Tarot is not on aeclectic.com!!

[moonmagick4]

It is at Aeclectic.com!!!!Whoops!!!

[Silver Venus]

I thought it was in the top ten there :)
Ive got that deck too ~ Its so beautiful and great to read with isnt it!