Your first tarot should make you want to look at the cards, pick them up again, and learn their language. But when faced with several decks, the choice is not based solely on an attractive cover. The deck system, number of cards, language, and guidebook matter just as much as the illustrations. A tarot that matches the book you have chosen will accompany you more easily than an edition whose reference points you do not yet understand.
Start with a simple question: would you like to study the Tarot de Marseille, read illustrated scenes with the Rider-Waite-Smith, or discover a specific creation? Our selection of beginner tarot decks and the full range of divination tarot decks allow you to compare these options. Here is how to choose between decks without turning this first purchase into an exam.
Start with the method you want to learn
The word tarot encompasses several families. The Marseille and Rider-Waite-Smith decks have a similar structure, but their images are not read in the same way. In a classic Marseille deck, the pip cards mainly show suits arranged in patterns. In the Rider-Waite-Smith, they depict characters and situations. These differences are visible in the decks and in Arthur Edward Waite's text, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot.
Have you already bought a book? Look at the name of the system and a few card reproductions. Choosing the corresponding deck lets you find the same characters, titles, and organization. You can then spend your time understanding the reading rather than wondering why your card does not look like the one in the book. This consistency is especially useful when you are starting on your own.
If you have no initial preference, compare the Tarot de Marseille decks and the Rider-Waite-Smith decks. The first may appeal to you because of its artwork and compositions; the second because of the scenes on the pip cards. Neither choice locks you in. The guide Marseille, Rider-Waite, or Thoth: which one should you choose? provides a detailed comparison of the systems.
Understand what the deck contains
A complete classic tarot deck contains 78 cards: 22 major arcana and 56 minor arcana. The majors feature great figures such as The Magician and The High Priestess. The minors are divided into four suits, with pip cards and court figures. This structure is presented in particular by Grimaud for its Tarot de Marseille.
The commercial name of a deck does not, however, guarantee this content. Some creations are limited to the 22 majors; others add cards or change the organization. This does not make them any less interesting, but learning them does not follow exactly the same path as learning a classic deck. If you ultimately want to work with both the majors and minors, choose a deck that contains both sets. You can start with a selection of cards without having to buy another deck to continue.
Also read what comes with the cards. A small booklet provides initial meanings and a few spreads. A more developed book may explain the author's approach, offer examples, and discuss correspondences. The number of pages is not the only criterion: clear text devoted to the right system and pleasant to consult is more useful than a thick book whose method you cannot follow.
Look at several cards, not just the box
A cover is designed to attract attention. To choose your reading tool, go further: look at a major arcana card, a pip card, and a court figure when visuals are available. Look for the names, the placement of symbols, the gazes, and the contrasts. Simply ask yourself what you can describe without having the booklet in front of you.
A busy illustration is not necessarily difficult, and a sparse drawing is not necessarily easy. What matters is your ability to find the details again during a reading. Colors you like, expressive characters, or a clear composition may make you want to return to the cards. This affinity fuels the pleasure of learning; it does not replace the explanations specific to the deck.
Gilded editions, borderless versions, and animal themes offer different visual experiences. Compare them with how you plan to use the deck. A finish you enjoy for contemplating the arcana is not necessarily the one you prefer under the light of your table. Collector tarot decks are still open to beginners: it is the content and method, not their presentation alone, that determine the work required.
Distinguish the language of the cards from that of the guidebook
A deck may feature several languages on the cards while offering only an English guidebook. Conversely, an edition may retain foreign names while providing French-language support. The term “multilingual” therefore deserves a careful reading of the product page. For a first tarot, ask yourself above all which language you want to use to learn the meanings and read the exercises.
This difference appears in the Aeternum catalog: the product page for the Rider-Waite Black & Gold indicates an English guidebook, while the Marseille Professional Edition announces a multilingual guidebook including French. These details concern these specific references. Two similar editions may have different contents.
You can absolutely choose an imported tarot deck and pair it with a French book on the same system. Simply plan for this combination from the outset. Our team can clarify the contents of a specific reference: send us the link to the deck from the Contact us page rather than relying only on the deck's name.
Choose a format that feels comfortable in your hand
The dimensions affect handling as much as the space needed to lay out the cards. To get a sense of the format, draw a rectangle with the measurements indicated on a sheet of paper. Compare it with your hand and your table. This small test helps distinguish a deck that is easy to carry from a large edition designed to display details.
Shuffling does not require professional card-player technique. You can pass small packets from one hand to the other or spread the cards on a clean cloth before gathering them together. Choose a size compatible with these movements, without forcing the cardstock. The box matters too: a bulky deck needs a place in your home, while a suitable pouch is easier to take when traveling.
Put together a coherent purchase without accumulating accessories
To begin, a deck, its method, and a notebook are enough. A cloth, box, or pouch becomes useful once you know how you will work and store your materials. Check what is already included in the deck before adding an accessory. Divination accessories and divination books are meant to meet a specific need, not to build a collection before your first reading.
Compare the price of the complete set: buying a deck alone and adding a book may cost something different from purchasing a deck with its book included. A more expensive edition may reflect artistic work, a larger format, or a particular finish; it does not exempt you from learning the cards. Keep part of your budget for the resource you will genuinely want to consult.
Choose between your final two options
When two decks appeal to you, return to a concrete situation. You open the box, draw a card, and look for its name in the guidebook: with which deck does this first interaction seem simplest and most enjoyable? This test brings together the previous criteria without forcing you to choose the tarot that appeals to everyone.
A strong personal attraction remains a good reason to buy a deck, provided you know what it contains. You may love a tarot for its artwork and decide to study it gradually. You may also prefer a simple edition for learning and then discover other creations. You do not need to own several decks to bring value to your practice.
Have you made your choice? Explore the beginner tarot decks, Marseille decks, and Rider-Waite-Smith decks, then continue with our guide Getting started with tarot: the first exercises. The best next step after choosing is to open the cards.
Sources and further reading
Arthur Edward Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, for the organization and reading of the Rider-Waite-Smith. Grimaud–Cartamundi, presentation of the anniversary edition of the Tarot de Marseille, for its composition. The deck examples refer to the relevant Aeternum product pages; their language and contents should be verified edition by edition.
