#editorspickdecks - Deck recommendations for 15 purposes, inspired by YouTube

[Nemia]

Right now, a very interesting hashtag is making the rounds on TaroTube: #editorspickdecks. I have watched some of the videos with this hashtag, not all of them, and I think we can extend the idea to the written word and give the word to those of us who don't have a YouTube platform. 

 

You can, of course, pick and choose what kind of deck you recommend - you don't have to answer all 15 questions. But this might be an interesting starting point for people looking for deck recommendations. If enough people participate and give their answers, I'll turn it into a list with links, if that's okay. Why should YouTube have all the fun? 

 

The prompts

 

1. Inner Child Work: A deck you recommend for inner child healing. One that feels safe, nurturing, and playful—ideal for reconnecting with innocence, creativity, and emotional truth.

 

2. Shadow Work: A deck that’s powerful for helping readers face their shadows. Honest, deep, and unafraid to confront the difficult—this is your recommendation for deep transformation and self-inquiry.

 

3. Deity Work (or Spirit Guides): A deck that serves as a spiritual bridge—perfect for working with deities, spirit guides, or higher realms. It holds sacred energy and supports devotional practice or channeled messages.

 

4. Ancestor Work: A deck you’d suggest for connecting with ancestral wisdom. Whether for lineage healing or honoring those who came before, this one opens the path to ancestral connection.

 

5. Divination: A deck that excels in traditional divination. Clear, direct, and accurate—this is your top pick for those seeking predictive insight or practical answers.

 

6. As Above: A deck that connects the reader to cosmic or spiritual realms. Ideal for soul work, life path exploration, or messages from the higher self—it speaks to the divine perspective.

 

7. So Below: A deck you recommend for grounded, real-world readings. This one captures everyday emotions, human experience, and earthly wisdom with clarity and depth.

 

8. Hug Deck: A deck that offers emotional support and comfort. Gentle, compassionate, and soothing—this is a deck that feels like a warm hug for anyone going through a tough time.

 

9. Feel-Good Deck: A deck that uplifts, encourages, and energizes. Whether through color, artwork, or message, this one is a perfect feel-good recommendation for readers who want joy and empowerment.

 

10- Most Versatile: A deck you recommend for handling any type of reading—love, career, shadow work, daily pulls, and everything in between. Reliable, flexible, and reader-friendly, this is the all-rounder that adapts to every situation.

 

11- Most Inspiring Deck: A deck you recommend to inspire creativity, intuitive flow, or personal transformation. Whether it's the art, the energy, or the depth of the messages, this one sparks something powerful in the reader.

 

12- Best for Beginners: A deck you'd confidently recommend to someone just starting their tarot journey. Accessible, clear, and easy to learn with—this one makes tarot feel inviting rather than intimidating.

 

13- Best for Professionals: A deck you suggest for experienced readers who need depth, nuance, and strong symbolism. Ideal for layered readings, spiritual insight, and working with clients at a professional level.

 

14- Witchy Vibes: A deck you'd recommend for those who love witchy aesthetics, moody vibes, magical symbolism, or spell work support, casting, altar work, etc.

 

15- Astrology Work: A deck you recommend for astrology lovers and cosmic seekers. One that weaves planetary wisdom and archetypes into its structure—ideal for exploring birth charts, transits, and celestial guidance.

 

Edited April 19, 2025 by Nemia

[Misterei]

On 4/19/2025 at 2:18 AM, Nemia said:

Right now, a very interesting hashtag is making the rounds on TaroTube: #editorspickdecks.

Thank you for posting this. I ended up making a video [VR] but it took awhile 😉 I finally uploaded it yesterday.

It was fun and my first time doing a VR.

Anyway, I'm not allowed to post a direct link but my channel is in signature line in case you want to see my 15. 

Actually, it's a couple more than 15 b/c I had 3 decks for shadow work 🤣 and 2 for astrology and a couple other categories.

[Natural Mystic Guide]

2 hours ago, Misterei said:

It was fun and my first time doing a VR.

Wow!  You are a natural at this.  This is a great video.  Your presentation is relaxed and professional and to the point.  No spacey rambling!  It's nice to see you.

[FindYourSovereignty]

3 hours ago, Misterei said:

Thank you for posting this. I ended up making a video [VR] but it took awhile 😉 I finally uploaded it yesterday.

It was fun and my first time doing a VR.

Anyway, I'm not allowed to post a direct link but my channel is in signature line in case you want to see my 15. 

Actually, it's a couple more than 15 b/c I had 3 decks for shadow work 🤣 and 2 for astrology and a couple other categories.

 

Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed the video. It was very thoughtful to include readily available, mostly mass market decks, as, like you stated, it is a recommendation video. The whole presentation was very professional and well thoughtout.

[Misterei]

On 4/28/2025 at 6:51 PM, FindYourSovereignty said:

Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed the video. It was very thoughtful to include readily available, mostly mass market decks, as, like you stated, it is a recommendation video. The whole presentation was very professional and well thoughtout.

Thank you so much for the thoughtful feedback! Very helpful. I,m going to try other VRs now that I've done my first--it was fun.

[Misterei]

On 4/28/2025 at 5:08 PM, Natural Mystic Guide said:

Wow!  You are a natural at this.  This is a great video.  Your presentation is relaxed and professional and to the point.  No spacey rambling!  It's nice to see you.

thank you for the feedback and thanks for watching 🙏. LOL the "natural" part is LOADS of practice + trial & error hehe.

[zurgles]

I’m gonna be doing this as decks from my collection. There may be some repeats and some decks may be OOP, but some are mass market too. 

 

1. Inner Child Work: A deck you recommend for inner child healing. One that feels safe, nurturing, and playful—ideal for reconnecting with innocence, creativity, and emotional truth. 

 

I’d say the Sakki-Sakki tarot for inner child work because it’s colorful and playful. I also want to mention Tarot of the Sweet Twilight for inner teen work. It’s a little melancholy and emo but still sweet and good for the emo teen in us. 

 

2. Shadow Work: A deck that’s powerful for helping readers face their shadows. Honest, deep, and unafraid to confront the difficult—this is your recommendation for deep transformation and self-inquiry.

 

I haven’t used it much yet but I’d say the Deviant Moon and the Thoth. I’m not cool enough to not think the Deviant Moon has challenging imagery and the Thoth cuts right to the heart of a matter, no bull****. 

 

3. Deity Work (or Spirit Guides): A deck that serves as a spiritual bridge—perfect for working with deities, spirit guides, or higher realms. It holds sacred energy and supports devotional practice or channeled messages. 

 

I’d say the Spirit Keeper’s tarot. It’s kinda a deck designed for conversing with deities and spirit guides. I have the Vitruvian edition so can’t say whether it’s the same with the Revelations edition. I’ll also add the Persephone tarot for working with her. It’s a simple deck and it does its own thing, but it works. There are a lot of decks you could use when communing with her though. 

 

4. Ancestor Work: A deck you’d suggest for connecting with ancestral wisdom. Whether for lineage healing or honoring those who came before, this one opens the path to ancestral connection. 

 

For me as a black person, that’d be Dust ii Onyx. I’ve only done two readings with it so far but it’s really connected me to where I came from and my history and experience with my culture. 

 

5. Divination: A deck that excels in traditional divination. Clear, direct, and accurate—this is your top pick for those seeking predictive insight or practical answers. 

 

I’d say the Universal Waite (or any other RWS clone). It’s direct and to the point. The meaning is at the top of the card. I remember I made a timing system and it wasn’t too inaccurate, it was often surprisingly close. I’d also say the Halloween tarot can be unusually on the money too. 

 

6. As Above: A deck that connects the reader to cosmic or spiritual realms. Ideal for soul work, life path exploration, or messages from the higher self—it speaks to the divine perspective. 

 

I don’t think I have a deck like this so I’m gonna say the Thoth and Spirit Keeper’s tarot. Maybe Dust ii Onyx too since it has a starry vibe. 

 

7. So Below: A deck you recommend for grounded, real-world readings. This one captures everyday emotions, human experience, and earthly wisdom with clarity and depth. 

 

I’d say the Universal Waite again. 

 

8. Hug Deck: A deck that offers emotional support and comfort. Gentle, compassionate, and soothing—this is a deck that feels like a warm hug for anyone going through a tough time. 

 

Definitely Shadowscapes. It’s always been an encouraging reader for me.

 

9. Feel-Good Deck: A deck that uplifts, encourages, and energizes. Whether through color, artwork, or message, this one is a perfect feel-good recommendation for readers who want joy and empowerment.

 

Shadowscapes and Sakki Sakki. Also Britt’s Third Eye tarot is fun and pop-y. 

10- Most Versatile: A deck you recommend for handling any type of reading—love, career, shadow work, daily pulls, and everything in between. Reliable, flexible, and reader-friendly, this is the all-rounder that adapts to every situation. 

 

I’m gonna have to go with the Universal Waite again. 

 

11- Most Inspiring Deck: A deck you recommend to inspire creativity, intuitive flow, or personal transformation. Whether it's the art, the energy, or the depth of the messages, this one sparks something powerful in the reader. 

 

I think I’ll go with the Thoth. It requires a lot of study, which I’m planning to do soon, but it’s undeniably powerful and inspiring. I’m familiar with the cards because I’ve used the website Esoteric Meanings for added insight to my RWS readings and just to compare and contrast, but this will be the first time I do a dedicated study. I’ll also say Numinous tarot because it fits “inspiring creativity” and personal transformation to me personally. 

 

12- Best for Beginners: A deck you'd confidently recommend to someone just starting their tarot journey. Accessible, clear, and easy to learn with—this one makes tarot feel inviting rather than intimidating.

 

I’d say Universal Waite, Thoth, or Britt’s Third Eye tarot. The first because most decks are based on it and it’s a clear reader. The second for anyone who’s interested even though it’ll take a lot of study because when you’re having fun, the work is easy. The last because it’s a really easy reader that simplifies things and it’s fun. I don’t have a Marseilles but I’d add that if you’re interested. Really I’d go with a deck that speaks to you. I’d also say Numinous tarot because the guidebook is amazing. 

 

13- Best for Professionals: A deck you suggest for experienced readers who need depth, nuance, and strong symbolism. Ideal for layered readings, spiritual insight, and working with clients at a professional level.

 

Universal Waite or Thoth. 

 

14- Witchy Vibes: A deck you'd recommend for those who love witchy aesthetics, moody vibes, magical symbolism, or spell work support, casting, altar work, etc. 

 

I’d say Tarot of Magical Correspondences for the beautiful layout of, well, correspondences. It looks like it’d be good for spellwork or on an altar. And the Ophidia Rosa for the earth witch aesthetic as well. 

 

15- Astrology Work: A deck you recommend for astrology lovers and cosmic seekers. One that weaves planetary wisdom and archetypes into its structure—ideal for exploring birth charts, transits, and celestial guidance.

 

I’s say Thoth, even though it’s mixed with Qabalah and other things. It’s why I originally got the deck. I had written the correspondences on my Universal Waite deck (on the borders) and was getting frustrated at not being able to see all the connections, so I got the Thoth. 

[zurgles]

I watched Misteri’s and part of the original video and I got a better idea of how the recommendations should go. So for the OOP decks I’ll modify it a little. The Sakki-Sakki is OOP but there’s a slightly modified clone available by the artist called the I Am The Artist tarot that would work. For the Spirit Keeper, last I checked (a few years ago) the majors were available for download for free on her site. And for the Persephone tarot, there’s a deck I saw online called the Tarot Of Persephone’s Garden. They’re not similar at all but it’s fit the same criteria. Also I think the Ophidia Rosa fits her aesthetic as well. 
Sorry for all the indie decks. I think most of what I recommended included mass market decks though. I just don’t have a huge collection. 
 

I also want to add Sun and Moon tarot to inner child work decks and feel good decks. It’s a deck I used to own. 

[Misterei]

4 hours ago, zurgles said:

I watched Misteri’s and part of the original video ...

Aww. Thanks for watching! Your comment about Spirit Keepers is interesting. I've never figured out how to use that deck--beautiful as it is. 

[Nemia]

So let's do this for myself! 

 

1. Inner Child Work: A deck you recommend for inner child healing. One that feels safe, nurturing, and playful—ideal for reconnecting with innocence, creativity, and emotional truth.

 

The Anna K. Tarot has always given me very good Inner Child readings. Its cards remind me of children's book illustrations, and the scenes are poignant and honest. We sometimes forget how much pain children can feel and understand, so the tougher cards of this deck are necessary for honest Inner Child readings. 

 

The Mystical Moments Tarot has a dreamy atmosphere. I use it for Inner Child work as well. 

 

If the Little Prince or Alice in Wonderland carry a lot of childhood memories and flavour with them for you, the respective tarot decks can also work well. You can apply the images, scenes and motifs to your own life. 

 

The Under the Oak Tarot and Fairy Tale Tarot also seem very promising but I haven't tried them yet for an Inner Child reading as they're pretty new in my collection. 

 

2. Shadow Work: A deck that’s powerful for helping readers face their shadows. Honest, deep, and unafraid to confront the difficult—this is your recommendation for deep transformation and self-inquiry.

 

I discovered that most people use dark decks for shadow work readings. I can't do that, it's too much shadow for me. I prefer neutral decks for shadow work to make the outcomes more nuanced. I'd recommend a deep, layered deck for such readings, like the Rosetta Tarot. The Stretch Tarot and, unsurprisingly, the Light and Shadow Tarot have also worked for me. 

 

I find it easier to open up to a deck if it doesn't confront me with shadows everywhere like the Night Sun or Deviant Moon decks would. 

 

3. Deity Work (or Spirit Guides): A deck that serves as a spiritual bridge—perfect for working with deities, spirit guides, or higher realms. It holds sacred energy and supports devotional practice or channelled messages.

 

The Thoth is a very powerful tool for this kind of reading. The Spirit Keeper's Tarot should be very good for this kind of reading as well, but I haven't tried it yet. Another deck I'd love to use for such a reading would be the Tyldwick - it just popped into my head now that the empty rooms might be just the place to meet divine presences. 

 

The Tarot of Saints uses Christian iconography but has an unorthodox perspective on Christianity, so for people like me who come from a strongly Christian background, it works very well. 

 

The Förhäxa Tarot has a strong faerie atmosphere, and it can feel quite magical. 

 

4. Ancestor Work: A deck you’d suggest for connecting with ancestral wisdom. Whether for lineage healing or honouring those who came before, this one opens the path to ancestral connection.

 

Anna K., Stretch and Mystical Moments were the decks I used to explore my ancestors, and they worked superbly well. 

 

5. Divination: A deck that excels in traditional divination. Clear, direct, and accurate—this is your top pick for those seeking predictive insight or practical answers.

 

For this kind of work, I'd use Lenormand, playing cards and the good old RWS, including its "clones" (I don't really like this word), Morgan-Greer and Aquarian. 

 

For family complications, the Housewives Tarot can give surprising insights and recommendations. It's a bit of a Supernanny Tarot and will put its finger precisely into family wounds and conflicts. 

 

6. As Above: A deck that connects the reader to cosmic or spiritual realms. Ideal for soul work, life path exploration, or messages from the higher self—it speaks to the divine perspective.

 

Every good deck should be able to do that. The Thoth and Tabula Mundi would be my first choice, along with the Haindl. 

 

7. So Below: A deck you recommend for grounded, real-world readings. This one captures everyday emotions, human experience, and earthly wisdom with clarity and depth.

 

I recommend the Distant Past and Touchstone Tarot for real-world and emotional readings. The expressive faces and bodies, the well-populated scenes and the lived-in feeling of fine art portraiture make them very accessible. This is also true for the Golden Tarot, but some people might find it easier to connect to the Baroque Touchstone than the late medieval Golden Tarot. 

 

Completely different but also very grounded is the Idiosyncradeck. 

 

8. Hug Deck: A deck that offers emotional support and comfort. Gentle, compassionate, and soothing—this is a deck that feels like a warm hug for anyone going through a tough time.

 

The Pastoral Tarot, the Majestic Earth Tarot and the Flow Tarot feel soothing to me. They remind me of the beauty of nature, and the Pastoral Tarot shows a world where people care about and for each other. I also find the Secret Forest and Fairy Light Tarot very comforting. 

 

The watercolour decks (New Liminal, Zillich and White Sage Tarot) are uplifting as well. Watercolour always lets the light in - there is a wonderful glow to the colours, and I find that comforting. 

 

9. Feel-Good Deck: A deck that uplifts, encourages, and energizes. Whether through color, artwork, or message, this one is a perfect feel-good recommendation for readers who want joy and empowerment.

 

Margarethe Petersen's art encourages and energises me whenever I see it. 

 

10- Most Versatile: A deck you recommend for handling any type of reading—love, career, shadow work, daily pulls, and everything in between. Reliable, flexible, and reader-friendly, this is the all-rounder that adapts to every situation.

 

The Thoth! The more you work with it, the more it gives back. 

 

11- Most Inspiring Deck: A deck you recommend to inspire creativity, intuitive flow, or personal transformation. Whether it's the art, the energy, or the depth of the messages, this one sparks something powerful in the reader.

 

Ah - the Tarot of the Abyss and the Verdance Tarot. The Tarot of the Abyss pulls you right in, and the Verdance is so beautiful that you can't resist. 

 

12- Best for Beginners: A deck you'd confidently recommend to someone just starting their tarot journey. Accessible, clear, and easy to learn with—this one makes tarot feel inviting rather than intimidating.

 

Hands down - the Good Karma Tarot. Not only is it upbeat, warm, and friendly, but it also has an excellent guidebook. It makes tarot accessible to anyone. 

 

Another beautiful deck for beginners would be the Light Seeker's Tarot. If you want to develop your intuition, this is a great deck. 

 

13- Best for Professionals: A deck you suggest for experienced readers who need depth, nuance, and strong symbolism. Ideal for layered readings, spiritual insight, and working with clients at a professional level.

 

For professional readings, I want to use a deck that the querent understands - the RWS family is always reliable and accessible, and you can work with it in many different ways. Again, the Thoth has never let me down when reading for others. 

 

14- Witchy Vibes: A deck you'd recommend for those who love witchy aesthetics, moody vibes, magical symbolism, or spell work support, casting, altar work, etc.

 

Förhäxa, Mythologia Fennica and Enchanted Forest come to mind, also the Ostara Tarot. For me, witchy doesn't mean pointed hats, but herbs and dark forests where generations of wise women learned about plants and the changes of the seasons. 

 

15- Astrology Work: A deck you recommend for astrology lovers and cosmic seekers. One that weaves planetary wisdom and archetypes into its structure—ideal for exploring birth charts, transits, and celestial guidance.

 

The Celestial Tarot uses its own decan system but relies strongly on astrology. The Zodiac Tarot, Constellations Tarot, Cosmos Tarot and Oracle and Tabula Mundi Tarot are all very good decks for star lovers. And of course, the Thoth has lots of astrological content as well. Actually, you can get to know the planets and signs really well by studying the Thoth. 

[Tanga]

Ooh.... great thread Nemia, it's interesting.

For some of these - I can't say "recommend for everyone" - and some of them are OOP or pricey. This is a list for me 🙃:

 

1) Inner Child Work:

Paws Tarot -  by Wyspell

Halloween Tarot - Kipling West

 

2) Shadow Work:

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Tarot - Gilly & Mountford

The Murder of Crows Tarot  - Harrington & Roi

Game of Thrones Tarot - Dean

 

3) Deity Work & Spirit Guides:

Golden Tarot - Kat Black

The Really Badly Drawn Tarot  - Kim

Gendron Tarot - Ferguson

Medicine Cards (Oracle deck) - Sams & Carson

 

4) Ancestor Work:

Relative Tarot  - Paris

Stretch Tarot - Stretch

 

5) Divination:

Superlunaris Tarot - Superlunaris

Halloween Waite Tarot & All Hallows Eve Tarot, Hybrid (the best of 2 decks made into 1) - Battersby & Aguiar

The Light Seers Tarot - Chris-Anne

 

6) As Above, the divine perspective:

Tarot Apocalypsis - Dunne & Huggens

Gendron Tarot - Ferguson

 

7) So Below, everyday human experience

The Light Seers Tarot - Chris-Anne

 

8) Hug Deck, emotional support.

The Halloween Tarot - Kipling West.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Tarot - Gilly & Mountford

 

9) Feel-Good Deck, uplifting.

Gendron Tarot - Ferguson.

 

10) Most Versatile:

Pams Vintage Tarot  - the game crafter

The Light Seers Tarot - Chris-Anne

 

11) Most inspiring Deck, creativity, intuition.

Superlunaris Tarot - Superlunaris.

Thoth Tarot - Crowley & Harris

(I suspect I may find Craft Felt Tarot, by Lucci, goes here - the postman is in transit with it 🙂 ).

 

12) Best for Beginners:

Smith-Waite Tarot, The Centennial Edition.

 

13) Best for Professionals:

? imo decks that have down-to-earth imagery that all types of clients can relate to it.

The Light Seers Tarot,

Halloween Tarot

Versions of RWS & Clones

Superlunaris...

 

14) Witchy Vibes:

The Modern Spellcaster's Tarot - Marquis & Murphy

 

15) Astrology Work (which I know zero about):

Thoth Tarot.