Key points
- A standard tarot deck has 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana in four suits.
- Rider-Waite style decks show a full scene on every card, so they're the easiest to learn from.
- A guidebook in the box gives you each card's traditional meaning to start with.
- Choose a deck whose pictures you like: you'll spend a lot of time with them.
What is in a tarot deck?
A standard deck holds 78 cards. They split into two groups, and knowing them makes any deck feel less strange.
The Major Arcana has 22 cards, numbered 0 to 21. These are the big named cards, such as The Fool, The Moon and The Sun. They tend to point to larger themes and turning points.
The Minor Arcana has 56 cards. It is split into four suits:
- Cups: feelings, relationships and intuition.
- Wands: energy, ideas and action.
- Swords: thoughts, words and decisions.
- Pentacles: work, home and everyday life.
Each suit runs from Ace to Ten. Then come four court cards: Page, Knight, Queen and King. Courts often stand for people, or for ways of acting.
If you are new, browse our tarot cards and look for a full 78-card deck. Some packs hold fewer cards, so it is worth checking before you buy.
Why do Rider-Waite style decks suit beginners?
Most people start with a Rider-Waite style deck, and there is a good reason.
The original was published in 1909. The artist was Pamela Colman Smith, working with the scholar Arthur Edward Waite. Her key choice was to paint a small scene on every card, even the numbered ones. These numbered cards are called pips.
In many older decks, the Three of Swords is just three swords on a plain background. In a Rider-Waite style deck, you see a scene. That gives you something to look at, think about and describe in your own words.
This matters when you are learning. You do not need to memorise 78 meanings on day one. You can read the picture first. Ask what you see, how the figures look, and what mood the colours carry. Then check the guidebook.
This style is also the one most books, courses and online tutorials use. So whatever you read next will usually match the cards in your hands.
Many modern decks follow the same layout with new artwork. That means you can pick a style you love and still keep the same helpful structure.
Are Thoth and Marseille decks harder to start with?
They can be. That does not make them worse. They simply ask more of you at the start.
Marseille style decks come from an old French tradition. The Major Arcana are richly drawn. But the numbered suit cards usually show only the symbols, such as six cups in a pattern. There is no little scene to guide you. You learn to read through numbers, suits and how the cards sit together. Many readers adore this, but it takes patience.
Thoth style decks come from the early twentieth century. They were designed by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Frieda Harris. The art is striking and full of layered symbolism. It draws on astrology, Kabbalah and other systems. If those subjects interest you, it is a deep and rewarding deck. If not, it can feel like a lot at once.
A simple way to decide: if you want to start reading with a picture to guide you, choose Rider-Waite style. If you love the history and want a longer study, a Marseille or Thoth deck can be a lovely second deck.
What is the difference between tarot and oracle cards?
The two are often sold side by side, so it helps to know how they differ.
Tarot has a set structure. It always has 78 cards, in the same suits and with the same Major Arcana. That shared framework is why you can learn from many books and teachers.
Oracle cards have no fixed rules. Each deck sets its own number of cards, its own themes and its own messages. One might focus on animals, another on the moon, another on gentle affirmations. They often come with a guidebook that explains each card simply.
Neither is better. Tarot suits people who enjoy learning a system and building skill over time. Oracle cards suit people who want something lighter and more direct.
Many people own both. They might use tarot for a reflective evening with a journal, and an oracle deck for a quick morning thought. If you are unsure, start with tarot and add an oracle deck later.
What should you check on a tarot product page?
Before you buy, scan the product page for a few practical details. They shape how the deck feels to use.
- Card count: look for 78 cards if you want a full tarot deck. Check that it lists both Major and Minor Arcana.
- Guidebook: a beginner deck is much easier with a booklet that gives a short meaning for each card. Check whether one is included. If it is not, plan to buy a book.
- Card size: larger cards show more artwork but can be hard to shuffle, especially with small hands. Smaller cards are easier to handle. Check the measurements and picture them in your palm.
- Card stock and finish: thicker stock lasts longer. A smooth, glossy finish slides easily but can stick together. A matte finish gives more grip. Neither is wrong. It is about what you enjoy.
- Artwork: zoom in on the pictures. You will look at these cards often, so choose art you like.
If the page leaves something out, ask us before you order. It is better to know than to guess.
How do you start learning tarot?
Start small. A few simple habits will teach you more than a long study session.
1. Draw one card a day. Shuffle, pull a single card and look at it for a minute. Notice the colours, the people and the mood. Ask yourself how it might connect to your day. At the end of the day, think about whether it gave you anything to reflect on.
2. Try a three-card spread. Lay out three cards in a row. You could read them as past, present and future, but many people prefer situation, challenge and next step. Read the cards as a story, one after another. Treat it as a prompt for thought, not a forecast.
3. Keep a journal. Write down the card, what you noticed and what the guidebook says. Add a line about how you felt. Over a few weeks, you will see your own pattern of meanings take shape.
Do not rush to learn every card. Be curious, go slowly and let the pictures speak first. Tarot is a tool for reflection. It helps you ask better questions. It cannot tell you what will happen.
How do you look after a deck, and must your first one be a gift?
Looking after your cards is simple.
Keep them wrapped in a cloth or in their box. This protects the edges and keeps them clean. Many people like a silk or cotton wrap, as it also makes a small ritual of putting them away. Store them somewhere dry and away from direct sunlight, which can fade the colours.
When you shuffle, be gentle. Overhand shuffling is kinder to the cards than bending them. If your deck is large, split it into two piles and mix them on a table. Wash and dry your hands first if you like. It is a nice moment to slow down.
Now for the old idea that your first deck must be given to you. It is a myth. Some people enjoy receiving one as a gift, and that is lovely. But there is no rule in tarot history that says you cannot choose your own. In fact, buying a deck yourself means you can pick artwork and a size that suit you. The best first deck is the one you feel drawn to and will actually use.