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Selecting Your First Tarot Deck
G. Estevez © 11/04 What is the best Tarot deck for a beginner? If you've recently made the decision to study Tarot, you may be overwhelmed with the choice of Tarot decks available. Take a quick glance at the local metaphysical shop or an on-line catalog, and you will find cards for every path, every interest, every personality and every hobby. Selecting your first Tarot deck is an important decision, but one that is quite simple if you know your personal preferences, listen to your heart and your intuition, and if you are willing to spend some time researching the possibilities. First, let's dispel a couple of myths: Myth #1: Your first deck should be The Rider-Waite Tarot. Truth: While it makes sense that certain teachers may request that students own a particular deck for his/her class so that everyone will be on the same Page (pun intended), it has been my experience that you are more likely to have success using a deck that means something to you personally. The Rider-Waite and other "classic decks" are incredibly powerful. But if the symbolism and ideas represented on those cards mean nothing to you, then that may not be the best place for you to begin. Myth #2: You can't buy your first deck of Tarot cards. They must be a gift. Truth: Of course you can buy your own first deck of Tarot cards. They are a gift to yourself! So, how do you choose your first Tarot deck? You can begin learning about the four basic elements represented in the Tarot - Air, Water, Earth and Fire - as you search. The element of Air is often related to the realm of thought and logic. Do your research. Go to bookstores, metaphysical shops, and surf online to learn about the different styles of decks available. Some of my favorite websites are: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/ - browse decks; read lots of reviews http://www.tarotinstitute.com/ - great articles and classes http://ata-tarot.com/ - home of the American Tarot Association; links to Tarot sites You may also review decks on these popular publisher websites: http://tarot.llewellyn.com/ http://www.redwheelweiser.com/ http://www.usgamesinc.com/ Make a list of what might be important to you in a deck. If you lean toward a particular philosophy or interest, research the decks that are based upon or contain those concepts. The element of Water generally relates to emotions and relationships. Ask yourself how you feel about certain decks. Look at the artwork. Does it move you? Do the cards make you laugh, cry, or feel uneasy? Do you recognize people or events in certain cards? Pay attention to your emotional response as you review each card. A deck that prompts strong emotional responses from you is a powerful catalyst and can jumpstart your Tarot journey. The element of Earth often relates to our physical realm and the five senses. National bookstores carry the more popular decks and may have samples available. While it?s not polite to open a sealed deck of cards just to look through it, some friendly metaphysical shop-owners will let you do just that, if you ask nice. How does the deck feel in your hands? Is it too big or too small or just right? Are the colors soothing or exciting? And what is your preference? Can you afford the deck? The perfect first deck is easy to shuffle, wonderful to look at, and affordable. And finally, the element of Fire coincides with intuition. Sometimes it's a simple knowing; sometimes a little inner voice speaks just loud enough to be heard, "This is the one." And sometimes the deck has to fall off the shelf in front of you and land at your feet in order to get noticed. Hint: If this happens, please stop what you are doing, get permission to open the deck, find a quiet corner, and go through that deck! You will know when you have found the right Tarot deck. If you do your homework, and listen closely to the messages from your heart and the world around you, you will find your perfect first deck of Tarot cards. May your first step on this new path be a rewarding one. |