Looking for my ideal first deck

[LearningLiz24]

After years of going to readers, I have finally decided to jump into tarot. I want my first deck to feel like me, but I'm having a tough go at it.

 

I understand that some believe first decks should be gifted, but as this is going to be a highly personalized practice, I thought I'd gift myself exactly what feels right to me.

 

I'm very picky about art and back designs. I think because I had a dream about my practicing

 

First, my ideal requests

 

1. RWS

2. I want the backs to have predominately yellow/gold colors. Geometric or kaleidoscopic is preferred. It can have flowers on the back, but no roses.

3. I like softer art. I don't like digital. I'm looking for art like what is found on the Dreaming Way Tarot, Efflorescent Tarot, Vivid Journey Tarot. I also love the Classic RWS art.

4. I prefer no circular cards right now. For learning purposes I think it would be easier, but if it fits the first 3 then so be it.

5. I don't care about boarders or borderless. I also don't care about reversible vs non.

 

Thanks for all the links and help you can provide. I know I might not get my ideal deck, but it's worth asking for. Give me your favorites too. You might change my mind.

 

Kindly,

LL24

[PathWalker]

Hi - nice to meet you.

You didn't say how closely you'd like your deck to follow the RWS tradition - but have you taken a look at these two pages on the AT site?

 

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/rider-waite-clone.shtml

 

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/rider-waite-inspired.shtml

[Guest libra]

Have you seen the Golden Thread? It's RWS, Black  & Gold.

[DevonCarter]

I'd suggest getting a regular RWS along with whatever other decks you get - it can be helpful to look at the original alongside the inspiration.

 

That said, the first thing that came to mind when I read your post is the Joie de Vivre tarot!

http://www.paulina.ws/joiedevivre/

[AJ-ish/Sharyn]

welcome!

the perfect deck is a moveable feast and will change many times over the years. Part of that change is caused by expectations. Relax, they are all good.

[Guest Night Shade]

Hi, LearningLiz24, and welcome to the forum.

 

The Hanson-Roberts Tarot has soft artwork, drawn with colored pencils.  The images are inspired by those of the RWS deck, so you can mostly follow along with beginner books that use the RWS as their reference.

 

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/hanson-roberts/

 

 

 

 

 

[reall]

Welcome!:) imo you are good with any regular rws deck n book for start!:)

But be sure to check out my Pam's Vintage Tarot (link in signature!:) bridge size my fav!^^)

also my other fav so far;

mini/bridge size Manga Tarot http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/manga-tarot-mini/

(note this one is not exactly rws standard & bit genderbender!XD but I like reading with it!XD)

 

Golden Universal Tarot http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/golden-universal/

(regular rws clone & my fav gilded art!XD best for *public party readings!XD )

 

Anna K is everyone fav; http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/anna-k/

 

Pears of wisdom ; http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/pearls-of-wisdom-tarot-third-edition/

 

& you say you don't like digitial but some are good!:)

Fairy Tarot http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/fairy-tarot-cards/

& Guardian Angel Tarot http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/guardian-angel-tarot-cards/

(one of my fav DV decks n books set great for start as!^^ & I find these readings to be supercomfy & *positive for hard situations as these are mostly confirmation style cards?:)

 

also c.m Gilded Tarot/Easy Tarot http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/easy/

& other deck n book sets are good start!:)

 

& i wont mention super hi res baba studio decks!XD https://baba-store.com/

 

also be prepared to

1) order & then part with many decks until you find your perfect One!:)

 

2) surprises sometimes deck you fall in love with art & all simply wont work for you i readings!x,x  & some other you never expect to will work as a charm!:)

 

it's all about the journey so have fun & enjoy the ride!:D

 

& we're all here to help learn together!:D

so be sure to post us what worked best for you?!:)

[LearningLiz24]

Hi All,

I am overwhelmed by the response. You all have such great insights for such a tall order. I am enjoying this ride immensely and didn't know what kind of response I would receive. It is so positive! I'm glad to have sought the wisdom of this crowd. I am going to address some of the responses so far so you know where I am at with all of this.

 

1. Aeclectic.net was my first source. I love, love, love the reviews and the resources. I was sad to find that the forums there closed because that is where I would have originally posted this question.

2. Joie de Vivre tarot really hit the nail on the head. I can't believe I hadn't come across this one before. The Wonderland vibe is jaunty, but dark it is so fascinating.

3. Golden Thread Tarot, Anna K, Guardian Angel Tarot Cards gave me so much to consider. I can see why they are well liked.

 

I am not sure I've found my cup of tea  ;) yet so keep them coming. I will check back through out the week.

 

Also, I see a lot of readers with mini decks. If one of your suggestions is a mini deck or has a mini deck version please share!

 

reall, can you give me an example where you experienced a deck you loved, but wasn't great for your readings? That seems like something I would find invaluable when reconsidering all these wonderful suggestions.

Thank you, Kindly,

LL24

 

 

[odd_soul]

Your request for the yellow / geometric / kaleidoscopic backs reminds me of The Fountain Tarot. Its meanings are based on RWS, though it does swap Strength and Justice, and the images are definitely different, so it isn't a clone really. But you might want to check that out. I'd consider the art softer, too, though it doesn't feel as warm to me as, say, the Vivid Journey does.

 

I'd also consider Tarot Mucha to have softer-feeling art, and it is heavily based on RWS. The backs are creamy, but not yellow-yellow or geometric.

 

Mystic Faerie Tarot might also be a good option.

 

As for evaluating your choices, this is what I would do:

• Look up walkthroughs on YouTube. Maybe watch them a couple times to make sure you like the art.
  
• Look up the deck on Instagram so you can see how it looks laid out in a spread. (I've bought decks where I've liked the art on individual cards but haven't wanted to read with it because I don't like how it "feels" when it's laid out in a spread, so I've added this step to my own deck-choosing process!)
  
• If you still can't decide after this, I'd add a pros/cons step, where you look at what you like and don't like about each deck.
  

[Little Fang]

When I go to find a new deck, I check to see if Fool's Dog has made an app for it. Cheaper than a deck, with guidebook and card meanings. :)

[DevonCarter]

Joie de Vivre may be my absolute favorite deck, and I find it easy to read, as well. I'm a collector at heart so I have too many decks, but that is one I keep coming back to, and when I saw your description I thought "hey, I have just the deck!"

 

Best of luck finding the perfect deck - or more likely, decks!

[reall]

heh, I could give you plenty, mostly marseilje pattern pips style decks that leave me blank (I could give better reading with playing card deck!;D) & some modern artist decks (Lo Scarabeo) where l loved art & great characters style but it simply did not work for me in reading we would stare at each other in silence!x,x facepalm lol

 

but Angel Tarot by DV was worst! it have great big book I loved & Beautiful card design but totally give me freaks to the point I had to get rid of it every time I had one in my house!:)

 

so be ready for that as well!:)

 

best luck finding your perfect cup of Tarot! you'll need it;)

 

but if plan to start learning any deck n book set is good as long as it get you started!:)

 

p.s heads up for Mucha Tarot!:) one of my fav Great deck n mini lwb n genderbender!XD lol

[Jewel]

Hi LearningLiz,

 

We are starting to build some deck reviews here on TT&M, here is a review I wrote for the Joie de Vivre https://www.thetarotforum.com/deck-reviews/joie-de-vivre-tarot-deck-review/, it really is a wonderful deck.

 

If you are looking for a deck/book set, I would also like to recommend the Victorian Fairy Tarot (review here https://www.thetarotforum.com/deck-reviews/victorian-fairy-tarot-deck-review/).  What I love most about this deck is that art really conveys the meanings.  The book that comes with the deck is also very nice.

 

If you want a RWS deck, you might try the Universal RWS which has the softer colors.

 

Good luck with choosing your first deck.  The tarot journey is truly fascinating I hope you really enjoy it.

[Petalene]

“When I go to find a new deck, I check to see if Fool's Dog has made an app for it. Cheaper than a deck, with guidebook and card meanings. :)”

 

If there’s an app for the deck I want, I’ll get that first. It’s great for seeing all the cards and playing with them first. And if you love the deck and want the physical one, then you’ll have the book on your phone or device. And it’s handy when out and about.

 

I asked an app several questions about our train wreck of a road trip because of course I didn’t have my cards with me. I knew it was going to be bad, which the cards confirmed, and I braced myself. It’s a hot mess, but I’m much calmer than I would have been. I highly recommend any of The Fool’s Dog apps.