The Aeternum guide
How to choose your first tarot deck?
Enjoy discovering the images, holding the cards and making your first readings. Find your deck among Marseille, Rider-Waite-Smith, Thoth and illustrated creations.
Catalogue photograph of Aeternum’s Mini Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot.
Tarot or oracle: what would you like to learn?
Your first tarot should make you want to explore its images and stories. At Aeternum, we bring together Marseille designs, Rider-Waite-Smith scenes, Thoth symbolism and contemporary creations. A classic 78-card deck opens 22 majors and 56 minors for your practice.
Prefer an author’s world and method? Our oracles offer other images and readings. Since 2023, we have helped you choose cards, books and accessories. Follow the illustrations you love and explore our guides.
How do you like to learn?
Scenes to describe, a tradition to discover or a system to study: follow what makes you want to open a deck.
You like starting with a scene
Rider-Waite-Smith offers characters, gestures and landscapes to describe. Illustrated number cards make inviting first readings. Discover sets and guidance to learn through images.
Rider-Waite TarotsMarseille’s drawings attract you
Love Marseille’s colours and drawings? Make it your first deck. Numbers, suits and figures invite observation, with a matching book to accompany your practice.
Marseille TarotsYou want to study a particular system
Thoth, Wirth and specialised creations offer rich symbolic worlds. Choose a deck and companion book to begin or deepen your study.
Crowley TarotsMarseille, Rider-Waite-Smith and Thoth: see the difference
Discover Marseille’s designs, Rider-Waite-Smith’s scenes, Thoth’s correspondences and artists’ worlds to find your favourite.
Six guides to finding your tarot at Aeternum
We present decks with practical information and inviting images. From a first set to a collector’s piece, find an edition that feels like you.
A deck for your practice
Our descriptions explain card counts and reading systems. A 78-card deck accompanies majors and minors; major-only editions invite a different approach. Follow your interests.
Clearly presented languages
We describe each edition’s language and companion material. English, French or multilingual: choose your reading preferences and ask us about a particular deck.
A format you enjoy holding
A small deck to carry, large cards for details, a format for your table: explore dimensions and choose your pleasure in practice.
Discover worlds through images
Our photographs invite you to explore drawings, titles and symbols. Choose a world you will enjoy revisiting from your first reading onward.
Sets to accompany your beginnings
Deck, booklet or substantial book: we describe each set’s contents. Find your companion set, then explore books for further learning.
A selection and a team by your side
Since 2023, we have selected decks for beginners, practice and collecting at different budgets. Our team helps you choose yours or a gift.
A small format to take with you
A compact tarot deck slips easily into a bag and stays close throughout the day. Explore our collections for smaller decks that are lovely to handle, travel with or give as gifts, and choose the artwork that makes you want to read the cards.
A lovely space for your readings
A cloth showcases your cards; a pouch or box keeps your deck ready. Explore accessories for your personal set and keep paper and finishes dry with gentle care.
Your deck is chosen: enjoy your first readings
Take time to discover your cards, then start simply. Our guides and workshop accompany one card and your first three-card readings.
Meet the deck
Open your set and explore its images. Find the four suits and let names, gestures and colours awaken your curiosity.
Take one card
Choose a card and describe its image. Read the matching booklet text and note what enriches your interpretation.
Ask an open question
Try a simple situation: “What could I understand better here?” Record the question and card so you can return to the exercise.
Try three cards
Define positions before drawing, for example situation, point of attention and possible action. Our workshop shows layouts; the arcana entries support reading.
Questions before choosing a tarot
Which tarot is suitable for beginners?
Rider-Waite-Smith suits lovers of illustrated scenes; Marseille opens forms, colours and numbers. Explore our sets, languages and companion materials to find your beginning.
Can I start directly with Marseille?
Yes, Marseille can be your first tarot. A complete set and matching method accompany majors and minors. Explore our decks and books.
Should I buy 22 or 78 cards?
A complete 78-card deck opens 22 majors and 56 minors. A 22-card edition focuses on majors. Our descriptions explain each set’s contents.
Must my first tarot be a gift?
You can choose your own first tarot: enjoy finding images, a format and guidance you love. For a gift, consider the person’s interests and reading language.
Can I use a Marseille book with Rider-Waite-Smith?
Begin with a deck and book from the same family: Marseille or Rider-Waite-Smith with its method. Our collections help you create this pairing.
Which languages are available in imported tarot decks?
Our selection includes English and multilingual editions, some with French. Each product page describes card and guide languages; our team can help choose.
Must I cleanse or charge a deck?
Give your deck a moment of intention: explore the images, use a lovely pouch or prepare your reading space. Keep paper dry, without water, oil or direct smoke.
Continue with Aeternum’s guides
We share the pleasure of reading cards. Explore meanings, spreads and guidance to enjoy your new deck and enrich future readings.
Your next tarot is waiting
Your first deck, a new world or a thoughtful gift: find images you will love receiving and revisiting.
Sources and reference points — Aeternum selection, guidance and exercises. Explore the references below for the decks’ histories, artists and reading traditions.
V&A · tarot history and structure · Grimaud–Cartamundi · Marseille Tarot · A. E. Waite · The Pictorial Key to the Tarot · U.S. Games Systems · Thoth
