How To Pick Your Tarot Deck

For new readers, the fact that not all spiritual card decks are tarot may be somewhat confounding. Even though they are used in comparable ways to tarot, Lenormand decks and oracle cards are significantly distinct from each other. A tarot card typically has 78 cards, though occasionally 79 or 80 cards are included if the artist decides to add their own signature card to the deck. Oracle cards differ since they don’t adhere to a specific format and typically contain more variety. Lenormand cards typically contain 36 cards. Knowing the type you’re utilizing is crucial because each one serves a different purpose.

What Tarot deck should I use as my first one?

It stands to reason that the Rider Waite Tarot Deck is a classic. You can’t go wrong here either, even though it’s not as attractive as the newest decks. It’s reasonably priced and ideal for beginners.

Familiarize yourself with the traditional meanings

During intuitive tarot readings, your intuition will direct you in conveying messages, but Rose thinks it’s still beneficial to comprehend the conventional meaning of each card. She advises developing a regular tarot reading ritual where you ask your trusted tarot deck questions about your life and keep a journal of the readings you do for yourself to explore the meanings of the cards. According to Rose, intuition can come through more clearly the more you connect with yourself and your deck.

Which Tarot hand do you choose?

Therefore, when we haphazardly shuffle the cards as a Knight of Pentacles is on the verge of jumping ship (or, you know, falling to the ground), we’re really just putting a little bit of ourselves into the mix. As a result, when we draw a card, it will give us a precise reading of what might be in store. By putting your trust in the divine power of your deck and allowing it to lead you, you can really infuse it with a kind of intuitive energy. The hand you choose to shuffle your deck may therefore influence when it comes to connecting with that higher power, at least in part.

“Because the left side is connected to feminine, intuitive, and receptive energy, card readers have always shuffled with their left hand. They were able to get genuine, exact celestial insight as a result.” A spiritual adviser is Alexis Alvarez.

Because the left side of the body is linked to feminine, intuitive, and receptive energy, card readers have traditionally dealt and shuffled the cards with their left hand, according to Alvarez. “They concurred that doing so enabled them to access authentic cosmic wisdom. Some people think you should shuffle and play with your weaker hand. Since the majority of people prefer using their right hand, shuffling still requires utilizing the left hand. However, if you are left-handed, your dominant hand would be your left.”

Which tarot deck is the best?

The following are the top 5 tarot card sets, in the opinion of expert readers:

  • the tarot deck by Rider-Waite-Smith. Amazon.
  • The Modern Tarot Library’s Modern Witch tarot deck. Amazon.
  • Tarot deck from St. Croix.
  • Tarot deck by Morgan-Greer. Tarot.com.
  • The tarot deck and book set called The Wild Unknown. The Unknown Wild.

Tarot cards fly out for what reason?

I adore proverbs with a witchy theme. They are a part of an oral tradition that most likely began when illiteracy rates among rural residents were high. Witches created rhymes and other catchy words to help people remember their rituals before they could record their spells in intricate grimoires.

I’ve never been able to determine where the adage first appeared “What hits the ground makes its way to the door, but I believe it’s a keeper. The statement is applied by tarot readers to cards that fly out of the deck during the shuffle, whether they “either touch the table or the floor. Jumping cards is most definitely a message to pay attention to if, like me, you see the tarot as an oracle and a doorway to a higher plane of awareness.

Why Do Tarot Cards Jump Out of the Deck?

Cards may jump as a result of luck, inexperienced handling, or subconscious energy transference from the reader.

When seasoned tarot readers manipulate their decks, they infuse the cards with energy and intention. Empaths are particularly adept at transferring energy, so if you belong to this mystical group, you should be aware of any strange occurrences when you shuffle the cards.

amateur tarot readers

Additionally, anxious clients who shuffle the deck before a reading are more likely to make poor shuffles that cause cards to fall to the table or floor. In spite of this, their jumpers shouldn’t be dismissed as “accidents.” Regardless of the shuffler’s skill, every card that leaves the deck needs to be recorded.

How Do Cards Jump?

A card can emerge from the deck in a number of ways. Jumper cards are ranked in the following order, from least to most significant:

  • Several cards from the deck drop to the ground or the table. This mishap was probably just the result of a careless shuffle.
  • Without any ceremony or drama, one card is dealt face-down to the tabletop.
  • One card is dealt face-up and is placed on the table.
  • From the deck, one card flips enthusiastically and lands face-up on the surface of the table. Please read this carefully, dear reader. Hey, says the greeting card. Observe me! I want to share something with you.

Methods to Deal with a Jumping Tarot Card

It takes a lot of honesty and trust to read the tarot, especially for someone else. Even if you’ve only recently met and even if you’re reading for yourself, take a moment to pause and focus into the vibes surrounding your relationship with the querent whenever a card jumps out of the deck during a shuffle.

From the most cautious to the most important, here are the six ways to deal with an escaped card:

  • Reshuffle the deck after placing the card back in it as if nothing had happened.
  • Make a mental note of the jumper, reshuffle it, and only pay attention to it if it reappears in the spread you laid.
  • Lay your spread separately as usual, with the jumper face up on the table to the side. After that, assess whether the jumper has any bearing on the cards you laid. Only incorporate it into your reading if it “you and makes sense in the given situation.
  • The jumper should serve as the signifier. Particularly in spreads that feature a card meant to represent the inquirer, such as Card 1 in the Celtic Cross spread, treat this card as the beginning point for the remainder of your reading by placing it in the first place.
  • Think of the jumper as resetting the reading. The true question is frequently avoided by respondents out of fear. They are hesitant to discover their murkier, more hidden sides. Even though you are the one asking the question, there could be an opportunity to do so “Maybe the question you asked wasn’t quite the correct one. What exactly do you want to know?
  • Give the jumper a reading of its own. Because they lack the context that comes from reading cards in connection to other cards, one-card readings are probably the most challenging. However, there are instances when the most challenging tasks are also the ones that are most important. Examine the sweater thoroughly and attentively. Really go to it! Take into account all the information you have available about this card, including conventional keywords, your own interpretation of the symbolism, color, and numerology. Ask yourself if the jumper card might be a communication from the afterlife if your belief system includes communicating with the spirit realm.

Tarot card reading is a practice rather than a craft that can be mastered. There are numerous factors that effect every reading, making them unique. Avoid putting too much restriction on your practice. To make every reading the most meaningful and pertinent experience possible, open your heart, intellect, and sixth sense. This includes paying attention to feisty cards that demand your attention.

How can I obtain my first deck of tarot cards?

I can still clearly recall my very first tarot deck buy. On a rare trip to the mall, I entered my all-time favorite store: the bookstore. My intended destination was the modest new age department because I had recently begun studying astrology.

My eyes landed on a tarot deck as I combed through the modest collection of astrology books with my fingers.

The Tarot of Marseilles!

On the shelf, it was the sole item.

I grabbed it and made the decision to buy it out of curiosity.

For a beginner, this deck was challenging, but I persisted.

I was adamant about learning all this tarot stuff!

I returned to same mall a few months later and once more hung out in the new age area.

The Rider Waite Smith Tarot was anxiously waiting for me, as I soon discovered.

When I went home and opened the deck, something clicked.

The deck was “my.

Even now, I occasionally stray to different decks, but I always return to my reliable Rider Waite Smith.

(I also have a tendency to be brand loyal; I’ve been wearing the same Loreal inky black eyeliner for years.)

I persist with anything once I find it enjoyable.)

The first step in exploring the beautiful realm of tarot is getting your hands on some cards.

Have you prepared?

Let’s get a foolish superstition out of the way first.

Ever hear the saying that someone else must buy your first tarot deck?

I’m here to tell you that’s bullocks.

You can be sure to receive a deck you don’t like if you do that.

or being made to wait.

When you’re asked to read tarot cards, it makes no sense to wait for someone else to get up and get you a deck (and you definitely don’t want to whine your way to getting one).

So immediately discard that idea.

Find a store that sells tarot cards next.

If you’re fortunate, your neighborhood will have a well-stocked metaphysical store.

If not, you might have to search your nearby bookstores like I did.

The appeal of a physical location is that you can physically feel and see the deck.

If this is “the one,” it will depend on how it feels and looks.

Since I’m a very tactile and visual person, this is my preferred path.

Your best bet is to go online if that isn’t a possibility.

Through a website like Tarot Garden or Amazon, you might be able to locate a deck you prefer.

You might also want to speak with the creator of self-published decks or the publisher directly (ex: Fountain Tarot or The Wild Unknown).

You can view photos of the cards on some of these websites.

There are also a ton of websites that offer reviews of decks, like Aeclectic Tarot, frequently with lots of images to help you get a sense of how the deck looks and functions.

For individuals who are unfortunate enough to lack a nearby store, this can be useful.

Give the deck a thorough inspection. Observe the cards carefully and take your time. Which deck do you like best? Do you notice that certain cards have graphics that “pop” for you? How does it feel in your hands if you are holding it? Does the card stock feel flimsy or strong? Is it simple to shuffle the cards?

Trust your instincts and sense of style. It must fit well and look fantastic on you, much like a quality pair of slim jeans. Your final choice should be based on how you are feeling.

Still uncertain? You can always get opinions from your buddies who enjoy using tarot cards (does this tarot deck make my butt appear big?). They might be able to point you toward some of their particular favorites.

Grab The Rider Tarot Deck if everything else fails and you’re still feeling unsure. The majority of contemporary tarot cards are based on this classic. Nothing can go wrong.

It’s time to open the deck after you get it home and to start reading!

Some people who use tarot cards want to open it slowly and reverently.

Not me.

I don’t have the same patience for things like that, like a child at Christmas. I simply rip the box open and throw it away!

Next, give it some time. Rearrange it. Spice it up. Learn about it. Use it by yourself for a bit to become accustomed to the deck. The greatest method to establish a relationship is to simply keep trying until it becomes as comfortable as an old sweater. The deck is “broken in” and prepared to read for others at that moment.

To “consecrate a new deck,” some tarot readers perform unique ceremonies.

Common practices for cleansing and preparing the deck include leaving it out in the moonlight surrounded by crystals, saying an invocation or prayer, smudging with a sage wand, or even sleeping with it under their pillow (I’m too princess and the pea for that). I don’t do any of it; instead, I shuffle the deck frantically for several weeks until I think it’s ready to play.

Several typical queries:

A: This is a personal choice.

It won’t harm your deck, so it’s not a terrible idea, but it’s not necessary.

A: Sure thing! Try it out if your grandmother leaves you a deck or if you are drawn to a used deck you see in a shop. Since I want my decks to be related to just me, I don’t work with secondhand decks personally.

A: When a deck’s edges become so frayed that it cannot be properly shuffled, I retire it.

A shoddy deck, in my perspective, results in a shoddy reading. I prefer my tools to be clean and precise. I must thus encounter numerous Rider Waites here! In spite of this, a lot of people find an ancient deck impressive since they believe it to be more powerful, especially if it has been passed down from generation to generation. The key is to “trust your intuition on this and feel it out.” Retire the deck if it seems to be lacking “juice” or if it begins to deteriorate.

If it still holds sentimental value for you, you can store it in a drawer. Alternately, you may donate it to a used-deck-accepting metaphysical store or bookstore. Consider recommending it to a friend. You can discard it. Or, you may try these ideas: Gonzo Tarot7 useful tarot card usage.

I’m finding it difficult to recall the meanings from the small white book.

What ought I to do?

A fantastic beginner’s book, like Joan Bunning’s Learning the Tarot: A Tarot Book for Beginners, is a must-have if you’re brand-new to tarot.

(I suggest the following list of tarot books.) In comparison to that tiny white book, this will give you a lot more to work with. Every day, take a card and give it a good look. If you like, keep a journal of your interpretations. Alternately, use a marker to draw a few of the interpretations directly on the deck (yes, I know some tarot readers are aghast at the idea but cards CAN be replaced). If you persist in doing it every day, eventually those interpretations will become true, and you’ll be astounded by both yourself and your friends. Remain persistent and just keep practicing.

After a breakup

Draw one card for each of the following inquiries if you’ve recently broken up with someone and want to know more about the reason or determine whether you’ll get back together:

  • How energetic is the partnership right now?
  • What caused the divide in the first place?
  • What do they really think of me right now?
  • What do they intend for me right now?
  • What kind of relationship will this be in the future?
  • Which action is ideal for me to take right now?

When job searching

You can use this spread to explore what kind of career guidance the tarot can offer if you’re feeling uncertain about your career path or thinking about a new employment. Draw one card once more for each query.

  • How active am I in my career right now?
  • What challenge must I overcome?
  • What is my calling in life?
  • How can I follow this calling more closely?
  • What should I do to prepare for the upcoming month?

When deciding between two options

This spread can highlight the benefits and drawbacks of each option, guiding you toward the best decision if you’re using tarot to pick between two possibilities (two job offers, two apartments, perhaps a love triangle???). Getting the deal Per card, ask one question.

  • What is the fundamental cause of this fork in the road?
  • What is the likely result of choosing option A?
  • What is the most likely result for option B?
  • What more should I take into account that was overlooked?
  • What’s the best thing I can do right now?

When something is off with a friend

If you’re concerned about the state of a friendship or feel like something is wrong but are unable to pinpoint the cause, you might be interested in seeing what conclusions and solutions this spread offers. Ask one question per card, once more, I repeat.

  • Why is this friendship important?
  • What led to this sudden change in tone, and why?
  • What has changed, in my friend’s opinion?
  • What can I do to make this matter more urgent?
  • What is the future of this friendship?
  • What should I do at this moment?

Is Tarot difficult to learn?

The amount of information you need to study and memorize to read tarot, though, can seem overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be that way, and that’s what we’re here to tell you. You’ll be an expert by the time your friends from college come around for drinks tonight if you just follow our quick-start tarot instruction.

Tarot reading has been practiced since the 14th or 15th century and may have started out as a card game, similar to poker, rather than a spiritual activity. Nevertheless, a spiritual component emerged, and tarot cards started to be employed for divination in the late 18th century. They have also been applied to psychological research. Even Carl Jung thought of the playing cards as a tool to depict the “archetypes of mankind.”

The majority of 78-card tarot decks follow the Rider-Waite-Smith tradition and make use of related archetypes and iconography.

Additionally, there are tarot decks from various traditions, such as Marseilles tarot decks, as well as oracle cards, which can have any quantity of cards with their own particular imagery. But chances are, if you’re new to tarot, your deck is a Rider-Waite-Smith one.

Each of the 78 cards in these tarot decks has a distinct meaning. You don’t have to keep all of that in your head, even though it is a lot to know about them. The following are the key facts to be aware of:

1. The Minor Arcana and the Major Arcana are the two categories of Tarot cards.

Similar to a standard deck of playing cards, the 56 Minor Arcana cards are divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. The total journey of your life is covered by the 22 Major Arcana.

Who can read tarot cards?

These cards are just bits of paper in the end, says actress and reader Rachel True. She claims that the tarot cards’ ability to assist you in discovering your own personal power is what gives them their charm, beauty, and strength.

Without a book, how do you interpret tarot cards?

The energy of the card is filling my body and spirit as I speak those words out loud in the present tense. Experiencing a moment of magic, grace, and oneness with the Divine is the meaning of the card that “came to me in the last phrase.

I am aware from my years of study that the Star card is frequently associated with ideas like hope, inspiration, the Muse, peace, quiet after a storm, bright promises, faith, and destiny. My own personal connection to the card, though, is more about finding a way to commune with God or Goddess when I’m in the outdoors.

3. You can advance the Description method by posing and then responding to questions based on your description.