Beginner tarot recommendation

[ShouldIStaySelfIsolated]

Thinking of getting myself a tarot deck... can anyone recommend a good place to start for a complete newbie to it please?

As long as you know that it's bs...

Go to a shop or stall at an alternative festival and handle different packs. You'll have a strong reaction to one that speaks to you.
I would also recommend starting with ones closely based on the Rider Waite visual imagery because they can be easier to interpret.

The Astra app is also a great way to learn the cards.

Thanks for the ideas. I'll have to see what's upcoming in my area for a chance to handle some

Im.not sure how much i believe in the paranormal side of these things, but I definitely think they're a tool for getting you to look at things a little differently... to step outside of yourself, I suppose, and reframe your thinking

That's what you got MN for. Without claims to knowing your future.

Start with the Rider Waite Smith.

It's the currently most widely used one and a lot of the other decks are based on it so once you've started to master it you can move on to one with pretty artwork that resonates with you. There are lots of online resources that will teach you the meanings of the cards and then it's a matter of intuition and practice to piece together the reading and the nuances. Reverses are considered optional. Many don't take any notice of an upside down card.

My first deck was far too complex and the artwork gave no help as to the meaning so I struggled far more than I should have at the start. Avoid the Marseille deck initially, it is read very differently and the Thoth deck (another popular one) is a difficult one to get to grips with.

Ignore all the rubbish on line about having to be gifted your first pack. It's complete nonsense.

Thank you. This is really comprehensive

It was actually your thread last night that prompted me asking!

Absolutely this. You need to spend some time looking at different decks to find one that calls to you. Remember you're not looking for the one you find the prettiest - you want the one where you can see the most layers of possible meaning.

I personally really rate the Deviant Moon Tarot for irs gloriously detailed and expressive images. I also really like the Carnival at the End of the World deck.

And just to reiterate - there's nothing supernatural about Tarot. You're not tampering with dark forces or summoning demons. Its simply a tool for spending time thinking about a particular question.