Top 5 Tarot Decks (that aren’t RWS)
So you want to start reading tarot but have no idea where to begin? Let me make this easy for you.
Step one: get a deck. Sounds easy, right? Not so fast.
While yes, you can start reading tarot with any deck, some are a bit more advanced than others. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of the top 5 tarot decks for beginners!
There are oodles and oodles of tarot decks out there. And there’s plenty of blogs out there talking about the best deck for you to start reading.
I had different criteria in mind when I picked these decks. Most people will have you start with a Rider-Waite Smith deck. Personally, I think those decks are garish and boring. So it’s not going to be on this list. I decided to approach this from a different perspective. Instead of looking at it from “what is the best beginner’s deck?” I decided to look at this from, “what are the easiest decks to get your intuition going?” So, I’ll be showing you decks that are modern, fun, and intuitive!
As I’ve said, our creativity is closely linked to our intuition. And our intuition is what helps us read the cards!
So, let’s begin! And who knows, this list may have your perfect deck!
Deck #1 — The Light Seer’s Tarot
I adore this deck. As of right now, it’s my go-to tarot deck for personal (and video) readings. The vibrant colors and detailed imagery help my readings soar when I use this deck.
The deck shuffles great and has illustrated major and minor arcana cards. There is one variation in the Major Arcana. Instead of the Death card, the creator renamed it Rebirth. If you’re familiar with the religious symbolism in the RWS deck, you won’t find it here. Some of the imagery has been revamped to convey the same message but with a warmer, more inviting take.
I may be a bit biased, considering this deck has some of my favorite tarot cards! The art style can vary from warm and comforting to harsh and unsettling. Look at the rawness of the 3 of Swords! And then look at the Queen of Wands. She’s fiyah!
This deck is great for anyone who wants some RWS meaning but doesn’t need it. It follows the system somewhat but has enough identity on its own to stand out.
Deck #2 — Mystic Mondays Tarot
With a bit of 80s deco pop inspiration, soft, light figures to draw you in, this deck is a delight. Its cool yet vibrant color palette makes it art you can hold in your hand.
Some of the major arcana are just symbols, so if you want something that makes you tap into your inner knowledge, this is the deck for you.
I put these tarot cards on the list because while the imagery is unique, its usage of symbols is easy to read.
I did find one problem with this deck. It seems the black edging sheds as you shuffle it. The second time I opened this deck, I saw little black specks on my cards. I thought it was a printing error, but I noticed that more marks appeared as I shuffled. So something to keep in mind about the cards. In my opinion, if this art style really speaks to you and you love working with symbols, it’s a minor inconvenience.
Deck #3 — Everyday Witch Tarot
This is actually the deck I started learning the tarot with, so it holds a special place in my heart. I was adamant about not using an RWS deck. It felt like a compromise. So I went with something a little out of the box but still closely following the RWS system.
And the witchy theme gets extra cool points from me.
If you genuinely want to know the traditional meanings of the cards, this is your deck. I would file these tarot cards under “modern RWS with a twist.” The card stock is at the right thickness and smoothness for shuffling, making it easier for newbies.
Deck #4 — Golden Thread Tarot
Now, I’ve only used this deck on the Labyrinthos App. And the app is great! If you download the golden thread tarot app, you get the whole deck and some card meanings tips. This is an excellent option for those who don’t quite want to invest in one but are still interested.
The simple design helps the card meanings flow easily, and the app has a lot of guides and lessons to help you start reading intuitively. These cards give the messages plainly for me. When I’ve used them, they seem to have an attitude of cutting straight to the truth.
Deck # 5 — The Wild Unknown Tarot
For anyone familiar with tarot, I know what you’re thinking. “Why is she including this deck? Those cards weren’t made for beginners.” Hear me out. This isn’t the first deck I would suggest, but it is a contender. The reason being that while it is very nontraditional from other decks, it is ripe with symbolism. And understanding that symbolism is how we craft our thoughts in a tarot reading is important.
Beyond requiring a bit of skill, this deck is gorgeous and striking. It has a very creative way of illustrating its’ pip cards. (If you don’t know, a pip card/deck is when only the Major Arcana and court cards are illustrated). The minor arcana cards say just enough to get its’ message across and leave the rest of the message up to you.
So, if you’re not into people-focused decks or want something unique and steeped in nature elements, give this one a go!
And there you have it! My top five tarot decks for beginners that aren’t RWS. This list is not exhaustive, and above anything else, go with a deck that resonates with you! If an advanced deck (like, say, The Muse’s Tarot) calls to you, I’d say buy it! A crucial thing to know about reading cards is that if you don’t like the deck, that energy will carry over to your readings.
Or if you’re like me, you won’t use the cards ever and will give them away three years later. I hope I inspired any budding tarot readers to take the plunge and buy that deck already.
Next week we’ll be going into how to ask the absolute amazing questions in a tarot reading! Stay tuned!
