When you first decide to dive into Tarot, the temptation is entirely real. A quick search reveals thousands of breathtaking decks. Some dripping in moody gothic art, others with minimalist modern linework, or glowing with celestial gold foil. It is easy to fall in love with aesthetics and buy a deck simply because it looks stunning on a bookshelf.
However, if you want to build a lasting, intuitive relationship with your cards, my top recommendation is to start somewhere classic: a Rider-Waite-Smith learning deck.
1. Start with the Classic: Rider-Waite-Smith
There is a reason the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck has been the gold standard for over a century. Almost every modern tarot book, guide, and community references its iconic imagery.
Starting with an RWS deck (or a dedicated "learning" version of it, which often features keywords right on the card faces) gives you a universal foundation. Once you understand the symbolism in an RWS deck, you can easily read almost any other deck on the market.
2. Look Before You Read
Before you crack open a guidebook or sign up for an online course, try this simple exercise:
- Draw a single card from your new deck.
- Sit with it for a few minutes.
- Look deeply at the artwork. What colors, symbols, or characters stand out? What is the figure in the card doing, and how does their posture make you feel?
- Ask yourself: What does this card mean to me, right now?
Write down your raw, unfiltered impressions before looking up the traditional textbook definition.
3. Why Intuition Comes First
If you memorize traditional meanings straight out of a book too early, you risk second-guessing yourself and turning every reading into a rigid memory test.
By looking at the imagery first, you train your brain to trust your own inner voice. Tarot is ultimately a mirror for your subconscious. When you build a personal connection with the visual cues on the card, your readings become more fluid, empathetic, and deeply resonant.
The traditional meanings will always be there waiting for you in the books. But your intuition? That’s what makes the Tarot truly magic.