Best Tarot Deck

[Aguilero]

Hi everyone,
what do you think is the best tarot deck for all purposes?

 

[PinealisGlandia]

I recently picked up a "Rider Waite Playing Card Deck" that I'm in love with. The cards are standard playing card size, so I can actually shuffle them properly. Feels so much better than typical oversized tarot cards, and the art is still perfectly legible.

 

[Aguilero]

I recently picked up a "Rider Waite Playing Card Deck" that I'm in love with. The cards are standard playing card size, so I can actually shuffle them properly. Feels so much better than typical oversized tarot cards, and the art is still perfectly legible.

I also believe that Rider-White's cards are the best and most complete, after comparing them with a huge number of other decks and versions (I think I compared about 90). In my opinion, they are the only ones that give a complete representation of the Universe and, consequently, of the Tree of Life.

What do you think?

 

[Robert Ramsay]

So many Tarot packs nowadays seem really "gimmicky" so unless you're desparate to own a Looney Tunes Tarot pack, Rider Waite is a good solid choice.

 

[AbammonTheGreat]

I like the hermetic tarot for visualization and ritual, the Mersailles is good for contemplation and meditation, and then for all purpose/divination my deck ive used for nearly a decade is the Tabula Mundi which is a thoth inspired deck so it works with Crowleys Book of Thoth.

 

[TheKEKist]

I still use the first two decks I have ever used:
-The Medieval Scapini Tarot
And
-The Vision Tarot

Both have served me well and will continue to well into the foreseeable future (it's a divination pun).

 

[KjEno186]

I favor the Continental Marseilles decks which predate the English remake by Waite. I disagree with the Qabalistic associations made by the Golden Dawn because there was never a set numbering system involved with the ordering of the triumphs/trumps. If they work for you, all fine and good... for you.

I've been reading The Devil's Picture Book by Paul Huson lately and learned more about the lore behind the images than I ever learned in any other book on the Tarot. Huson references the Ars Notoria, which is also recommended reading.

After the 'standard' Marseille-style decks, I do rather enjoy Huson's fully illustrated deck, Dame Fortune's Wheel Tarot. There is an illustrated guide in the forum's library.

 

[Hathen]

A fun one that got me started after Rider-Waite (the one most people use/start with) was the Tarot de Marseilles. That, paired with the book The Way of Tarot by Alejandro Jodorowsky, is a great place to start. Jodorowsky mainly just uses the Major Arcana, making it the perfect entry-point. Probably the most advanced deck in my opinion is the Tabula Mundi, which is just a more modern Thoth deck. The best one though, is the one you make yourself.

 

[Anziel_Merkaba]

I would argue the best tarot deck is the one you have and can actually use. But then again I shifted away from tarot ages ago as directly scrying was much more useful for me in 95% of cases.

 

[Savodonger]

I’ve used the Tarot on and off since I was seventeen. It’s what got me started on the occult path a couple of years before I went into magic. My first deck was the 1JJ Swiss which had a Marseilles style to it based on woodcuts. The minor Arcana was pipped and I remember sat there at night going through the cards trying to remember their meanings. I love the Tarot but I must admit, the Rider Waite is probably the best for beginners as its symbolism is accurate and the minor Arcana is pictured making acquaintance easier.

Over the years I used the Robin Wood for its Pagan symbolism but recently I’ve been using the Ecstasy of the Divine which has a beautiful feel to it although I’m also drawn to the Wild Wood, I love natural looking decks.

 

[virginia24]

I learned on the RWS, and do think it’s a great deck to start with and learn a system, and is the one I use when reading for others often. I mostly use the Sacred Rose tarot for general divination on my own. That and the gnome deck Hear me out, because I hear people on the looney tunes ridiculousness above-I was gifted a tarot of the gnomes deck and it’s actually insightful and accurate despite presenting in quite a silly way. I’m glad I have it a chance. It’s based on the RWS, but I find some of the minors are less one sided in presentation than some of the RWS and Sacred Rose cards. Beyond that, I like the Mystagogus deck for more long term serious readings I do for myself. And pendulums, scrying, and natural signs are more important than any deck in my practice, really.

 

[Sabbatius]

As virtually everyone has stated, the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck is the most universal.
Once you are able to expand your readings and expand your reach, you can find something with a more personal taste.
I found a deck based on the Hanafuda cards but designed as Tarot, so it was unique and I almost bought it. I have yet to find it, even online now.

 

[frater_pan]

Rider-Waite + Thoth + Hermetic Tarot + Tarot of Ceremonial Magic + Marseilles + Wildwood Tarot + Visconti-Sfora Tarot (Lo Scarabo version -this is a complete deck). I'm pretty sure I got the Marseilles Tarot in Paris, summer 2019.

The best is what speaks to you.

 

[nutmeg]

When I was first really excited about readings I bought like 6 decks, I only have used one and it's the rider waite deck. I think is ultimately what is best for you. I've seen accurate readings from decks that look gimmicky as well. A few years ago I had a reading done by someone using this odd playing cards inspired deck that was popular in the 1970s I forget the name now, went and bought it and decided to practice using it and nothing was correct. Since then I just stick to rider waite since that's best for me.

 

[Savodonger]

As virtually everyone has stated, the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck is the most universal.
Once you are able to expand your readings and expand your reach, you can find something with a more personal taste.
I found a deck based on the Hanafuda cards but designed as Tarot, so it was unique and I almost bought it. I have yet to find it, even online now.

Have you seen this deck called the 'Ukiyo Tarot' Its a lovely Japanese design.....

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