Best Tarot Decks for Beginners in 2025

Starting your Tarot journey is a powerful step towards self-discovery and empowerment. The cards can be a profound tool for reflection, offering clarity and guidance when you need it most. But with hundreds of decks available, choosing your very first one can feel overwhelming. The right deck can make learning intuitive and exciting, while the wrong one can feel frustrating and confusing.

This guide is here to help you step confidently onto your path. We'll explore what makes a Tarot deck beginner-friendly and review ten of the best options to help you find the perfect match. Your transformation starts with a single step, and selecting a deck that resonates with you is a beautiful way to begin. By the end of this post, you'll have the knowledge to choose a deck that not only helps you learn but also feels like a true partner in your personal growth journey.

What Makes a Tarot Deck Beginner-Friendly?

When you're just starting out, you want a deck that supports your learning, not one that complicates it. Here are the key factors to consider when looking for the best Tarot decks for beginners:

• Clear Imagery and Symbolism: Many beginner-friendly decks are based on the Rider-Waite-Smith system, the most widely recognized and taught Tarot tradition. Decks that follow this system use clear, evocative imagery that makes it easier to understand the core meaning of each card.

• A Detailed Guidebook: A good guidebook is your best friend when you're new to Tarot. It should offer more than just a few keywords. Look for guidebooks that explain the upright and reversed meanings of each card, the symbolism in the imagery, and maybe even suggest some simple card spreads to get you started.

• Printed Meanings on Cards: Some modern decks now include the card meanings directly on the cards themselves. This is an incredible feature for beginners, as it allows you to learn as you go without constantly stopping to flip through a book.

• Card Quality and Size: You’ll be shuffling your deck a lot, so durability matters. Thicker cardstock with a good finish will last longer. The size of the cards is also important—they should feel comfortable in your hands and be easy to shuffle.

• Personal Connection: Ultimately, the best deck for you is one that you feel drawn to. The artwork and style should resonate with you on a personal level. When a deck "speaks to you," you'll be more excited to use it, practice with it, and build a relationship with it.

Top 10 Tarot Decks for Beginners (go straight to the list 'click here')

Here are ten of the most recommended and beginner-friendly Tarot decks to kickstart your journey.

1. The Authentic Rider-Waite Tarot Deck

This is the quintessential "classic" Tarot deck, first published in 1909. Its iconic imagery, created by artist Pamela Colman Smith, has become the standard for modern Tarot.

• Key Features: The deck includes 78 cards with the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) symbolism. The imagery is rich with detail, making it a powerful tool for intuitive reading as you grow.

• Why It's Great for Beginners: Nearly every Tarot book, course, and online resource uses the RWS system as its foundation. Learning with this deck means you'll have a massive amount of support material available. The imagery is straightforward enough for a new reader to grasp the core concepts of each card.

• Pros: Universal symbolism, vast educational resources, clear imagery.

• Cons: The medieval art style and lack of diversity may not appeal to everyone.

2. Modern Witch Tarot Deck

Created by Lisa Sterle, this deck is a vibrant, contemporary reimagining of the classic RWS deck. It keeps the traditional symbolism but updates the scenery with modern, diverse, and empowering characters.

• Key Features: This deck features all-female and non-binary characters of different shapes, sizes, and ethnicities, dressed in stylish, modern clothing. It comes with a hardcover guidebook.

• Why It's Great for Beginners: It uses the familiar RWS structure, so you can still use traditional learning resources. The modern context makes the card meanings feel more relatable and accessible, helping you connect the Tarot's wisdom to your everyday life.

• Pros: Inclusive and diverse representation, relatable modern imagery, high-quality cardstock.

• Cons: The highly contemporary style might not suit those looking for a more traditional or mystical feel.

3. Original Rider Waite Tarot Pack

Slightly different from other RWS versions, this particular pack is often praised for its print quality and color fidelity, aiming to be a faithful reproduction of the original 1909 deck.

• Key Features: High-quality printing that brings out the details in Pamela Colman Smith's art. The cardstock is generally sturdy and feels good to handle.

• Why It's Great for Beginners: A high-quality deck makes the practice more enjoyable. Clear images and durable cards encourage you to spend more time with your deck, building your confidence and intuitive skills. It provides a solid, reliable foundation.

• Pros: Good print quality, durable cardstock, faithful to the original art.

• Cons: Like other RWS decks, the traditional imagery may not resonate with all modern readers.

4. SUCADA 78-Deck Set with Meanings on Cards

This deck is designed explicitly for learners. It takes a classic RWS-style deck and prints keywords for both upright and reversed meanings directly on each card.

• Key Features: Each card displays its name, numerology, corresponding zodiac sign, and upright and reversed meanings. This eliminates the need to constantly consult a guidebook.

• Why It's Great for Beginners: It's like having flashcards and a Tarot deck in one. This design is perfect for memorizing the meanings and building a quick, foundational understanding of the cards. It helps you stay in the flow of a reading without interruption.

• Pros: Meanings printed on cards, includes extra symbolic information, great for memorization.

• Cons: Some readers may find the amount of text on the cards distracting from the imagery. It might also become a crutch, slowing the development of purely intuitive reading.

5. KLEDERY Classic Tarot Cards for Beginners

This is another deck designed with the novice in mind. It follows the RWS style and often includes printed keywords on the cards, presented in a clean and easy-to-read format.

• Key Features: Durable, often plastic-coated cards that can withstand frequent shuffling. The design usually includes keywords for upright and reversed meanings.

• Why It's Great for Beginners: The durability makes it a great practice deck you don't have to worry about damaging. The printed meanings offer instant support, helping you build confidence as you learn to read tarot with a simple guidebook right at your fingertips.

• Pros: Durable and budget-friendly, printed meanings for easy reference.

• Cons: The aesthetic can be quite simple, and the plastic finish might not appeal to those who prefer a more natural card feel.

6. Wyspell Classic Tarot Cards with Guide Book

Wyspell offers a version of the classic deck that often includes premium features, making it feel a bit more special without straying from the traditional symbolism.

• Key Features: These decks often have enhancements like gold foil edges, a more durable matte finish, or slightly stylized artwork. They come with a guidebook.

• Why It's Great for Beginners: If you plan to use your cards frequently, investing in a sturdier, more aesthetically pleasing deck can be very motivating. It feels like a sacred tool, encouraging you to engage with it regularly. The familiar RWS imagery ensures you're still building a strong foundational knowledge.

• Pros: Premium feel with features like gold edges, durable cardstock, classic symbolism.

• Cons: The price point may be slightly higher than more basic beginner decks.

7. Witchy Cauldron Tarot Cards for Beginners

This deck offers a more stylized and whimsical take on the RWS system. It often features a darker color palette with gold or holographic foil, appealing to those with a modern witchy aesthetic.

• Key Features: A unique, often darker art style with gold accents. Keywords or symbols are sometimes printed on the cards to aid interpretation.

• Why It's Great for Beginners: The approachable, playful art style can feel less intimidating than the austere imagery of some traditional decks. It’s a great choice if you want your deck to have personality and a bit of modern magic.

• Pros: Stylized and approachable art, often includes printed keywords, appealing aesthetic.

• Cons: The non-traditional art might make it slightly harder to use standard RWS guidebooks.

How to Choose the Right Deck for You

With all these options, which tarot deck should you buy first? The answer lies in listening to your intuition. Browse images of the decks online. Which art style calls to you? Do you prefer the classic, historical feel of the Rider-Waite-Smith, or does the inclusive and vibrant world of the Modern Witch Tarot excite you?

Don't overthink it. Often, the deck you're meant to work with will simply feel right. Your first deck is a partner in your journey of self-discovery. Choose the one that you’ll be excited to pick up and work with every day.

Start Your Empowering Journey Today

Choosing your first Tarot deck is a sacred act of commitment to your own growth and intuition. Each of these decks offers a supportive and accessible entry point into the transformative world of Tarot. Find the one that resonates with your spirit, and trust that it will be the perfect guide for you.

Your journey of empowerment starts now. Pick up your cards, ask your questions, and be open to the wisdom that unfolds.