Which tarot deck should you buy to learn on your own? Choose a 78-card divinatory deck with the meaning written on the card, a printed booklet in French and a course that takes you step by step. Without a teacher, that saves you from opening a book at every draw.
What you need to learn without a teacher
In France, "jeu de tarot" first means a deck of playing cards. This page is about the divinatory tarot: 78 cards you draw to reflect on a question. Learning alone, four things matter more than the name of the deck: a meaning you can read right away, a printed booklet in French, a clear progression and a rhythm you can keep. For the general answer to which deck suits a beginner, see our guide to tarot decks for beginners.
For a self-taught learner of French tarot, our French-language learning deck prints the meaning on every card, includes a printed booklet in French in the box and comes with the full course in French (4 books), received after purchase by a personal link.
French-language learning tarot deck, 1909 art
Meanings printed on every card in French, a French guidebook in the box and the full course in French after purchase. Ships to the EU, UK, Switzerland and Iceland.
See the French deckWhich type of deck suits a self-taught learner?
There are four families of tarot, plus two decks that are not tarot. The table starts from your need.
| Your need | Deck type | What it implies |
|---|---|---|
| Read the meaning without leaving the card | Printed meanings (ours) | Less room for the picture alone |
| Describe what you see, then look the meaning up | 1909-system (Smith-Waite), no text | The 56 minor arcana show a scene, but a book stays open beside you |
| A detailed reference book | Deck with a separate book | Two objects to juggle |
| Learn the French tradition with a course or teacher | Classic Marseille | Numbered cards (ace to ten) have no scene, court cards do: longer learning |
| A simple message, no system | Oracle | Not a tarot: little transfers |
| Try classic cartomancy | 32-card deck | Playing cards, a different reading system |
Our deck is not the right choice for everyone. A Marseille deck suits readers drawn to the French tradition who accept a longer start and have a course or teacher within reach.
A first week
Ten to fifteen minutes a day is enough. Our page learn tarot on your own gives the full day-by-day plan. Tarot is a tool for reflection, not a prediction.
Frequently asked questions
Which tarot deck should I choose to learn alone?
It depends on how you learn. Without a teacher, a 78-card illustrated deck with the meaning on the card and a French booklet is the easiest to pick up. If you love numbers and French tradition, a Marseille deck is possible, with a longer start.
Do I need a separate book as well as the deck?
Not at first. A short booklet in French covers the first draws. A longer book helps later, when you want to go deeper into a symbol.
Can I learn the Tarot de Marseille on my own?
Yes, with more patience. The numbered cards (ace to ten) show symbols, not scenes, while the court cards are illustrated, so a Marseille course or a good guide helps a lot.
How many cards should I learn first?
Start with the 22 major arcana, then one suit at a time. With the meaning printed on the card you can draw and read from day one.
Inklusive: kompletter Tarot-Kurs auf Deutsch – gratis
Inklusive: kompletter Tarot-Kurs auf Deutsch – gratis
Inklusive: kompletter Tarot-Kurs auf Deutsch – gratis
Inklusive: kompletter Tarot-Kurs auf Deutsch – gratis
