One of the side effects of reading tarot is collecting Tarot decks. I personally own fourteen decks! Because Tarot is a powerful tool for self-discovery, divination, and spiritual growth, choosing the right tarot deck can greatly enhance your reading experience and the accuracy of the messages you receive. With so many tarot decks available, it can be overwhelming to select the right one. In this post, I will discuss some tips on how to choose the right tarot deck for your reading.
Consider the Artwork and Imagery of the Tarot Deck
Triple Goddess Tarot
Don’t get too carried away by artwork, however. I have two lovely decks that I simply cannot read. In one, some of the symbols and imagery contradict the classic meanings of the card so much that I just can’t use it. It also doesn’t have a title or label on the card and some of the Major Arcana cards are easy to mix up.
The other Tarot deck is beautiful and has lots of unusual symbolism, but just doesn’t give me a clear reading. I want to use it, but I just can’t.
Know Your Purpose for Using Tarot
Uncommon Tarot
The Modern Witch Tarot is my everyday Tarot deck. It gives clear, almost blunt, answers to all kinds of questions. This is my go-to deck for most client readings. I also use the Lo Scarabeo deck which seems to prefer questions that center around business, organizations, and finances.
At times I want a more nuanced, less blunt response from my Tarot deck. The Heaven and Earth Tarot and Light Seer’s Tarot decks give me readings that are, for a better word, softer. It is difficult to explain, but where the Modern Witch Tarot will say “You are wrong and this is why”, the Heaven and Earth Tarot will say “You need to take another look at the cause of this issue and figure out what result you desire because you may not be on the path to achieving that desire”.
Tarot Decks and the Tarot Consultant
The minute I hear a client’s question I know what deck I will use. It just pops into my head. If you are working with a Tarot Consultant, they will choose the deck based on your question and that certain feeling they have.
I’ve had some clients who want me to read with a certain deck, generally because they like how it looks. I explain why and how I choose a deck and so far they’ve trusted my guidance. Requiring your Tarot Consultant to use a certain deck is something like requiring your doctor to use a certain set of surgical tools. Just like your doctor will know best which tools are needed, so does your Tarot Consultant.
Examining Tarot Decks
Let’s look at the Page of Wands in a few decks.
The first card is from the Lo Scarabeo Tarot deck. The second is from the Heaven and Earth Tarot, and the third is from the Modern Witch Tarot.
Each has a different personality. The Lo Scarabeo deck’s Page is naked but for a hat and cloak and the staff is reversed in a kind of “sundown” symbolism. The Heaven and Earth Page (called a Princess) is surrounded by fire. The feather and sun staff are retained, but she looks much fiercer and more active than the others. The Modern Witch Page looks younger than the others. The feather has become ribbons and the figure seems to contemplate their staff rather than wielding it like the second or planting it downward like the first.
Next, we’ll examine the Five of Wands.
The Five of Wands classically shows five people sparring with wands. In it’s classic “book” meaning, the Five of Wands represents strife, diversity, arguments, and striving. In the first image from the Lo Scarabeo Tarot deck, the two figures seem to be fighting over the central flame or perhaps that column is what is keeping them apart. Depending on the question and the rest of the spread I would say that something has come between you and something/someone else.
In the Heaven and Earth Tarot the wands create a pentagram over a fire. The meaning I get from this is a more internal struggle for the client rather than an external, physical world struggle.
The third card, from the Modern Witch Tarot, shows actual fighting between people all dressed differently. I always get a strong sense of diversity, seeking different opinions, and infighting with this card in this deck.
Conclusion
When reading for yourself, be aware how the Tarot deck you choose might change the focus of the meaning somewhat. If you have a question, pick up your deck, but feel like it is somehow “wrong” trying rewording your question. If you journal your readings, this will help you see what kind of advice the deck is better at. It is clear and sharp or softer and less focused?
When working with a Tarot Consultant, feel free to ask why they chose the deck they did. This will help you with your interpretation of the reading.
What Clients are Saying about Sophrosyne Tarot
I was advised to ask open-ended questions instead of predictive questions which I thought was helpful because I never would have known if it weren’t for the reader. The reader provided the reading along with some advice too so the entire reading was very thorough and explained in an understandable manner.
Everything said was accurate and helpful for me to identify my flaws in order to grow as a person. I have learned a lot about tarot and what it does to help me.
I didn’t know there was that much difference in Tarot decks. I am learning a lot through your posts!
I didn’t know there was a difference in Tarot decks either. In fact, if you have a post on tarot in general and exactly what it is all about and all I would benefit from that. If not hint, for a blog post idea!! I truly never got into tarot- and don’t know much about it!
Hi Pam! I do have an article explaining Tarot! See About Tarot.
I do see the purpose of using tarot but what exactly is Tarot?
Hi Pam! I do have an article explaining Tarot! See About Tarot.