Which cards should a beginner start with: tarot, oracle or the French 32-card deck? If you want to learn a reading method that lasts, start with a 78-card divinatory tarot (the French call it tarot divinatoire). An oracle suits quick, intuitive messages, and the 32-card pack is the cheapest way to try the French folk tradition.
The three families French readers talk about
In France, people searching for "carte de voyance pour débutant" are usually choosing between three things:
- Tarot divinatoire: 78 cards, 22 major arcana and 56 minor arcana in four suits. The structure (22 + 56, in four suits) is the same; illustrations, names and a few numbers vary by tradition.
- Oracle: a deck invented by its author, with its own number of cards and themes. There is no shared structure.
- The 32-card pack: an ordinary pack from 7 to Ace in four suits, used in French folk cartomancy and often handed down in families.
Side by side
| Criterion | Tarot (78) | Oracle | 32-card pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Fixed: majors, four suits, numbers, court cards | Specific to each deck | Four suits, 7 to Ace |
| Where the meaning lives | In the tradition, a guidebook, or printed on the card | In the author's guidebook | In tables that differ between authors |
| Start-up speed | Gradual | Very fast | Fast |
| What you learn | A system that carries to other tarot decks | One author's language | A folk tradition |
| Best for | Learning a method | A daily message | Trying it out, family tradition |
Why not simply use a 32-card pack?
It is a question that comes up often, and the honest answer is that you can. It is cheap, many people already own one, and it is a living tradition. For someone who wants to learn a system, the drawbacks are the lack of pictures to lean on and the fact that meaning tables vary from book to book. If it is your family's way of reading, keep it. We cover it in our guide to reading with playing cards.
Where oracle cards fit
An oracle is a good choice for a daily thought or a calm moment, and you can start in a minute. Its limit is that the meanings belong to a single author, so changing oracle means starting again. Our article on oracle cards versus tarot cards goes deeper.
Why we suggest tarot to someone who wants to learn
The tarot gives you one structure, clues inside each card (picture, number, suit), plenty of learning material, and depth that grows with you. One difficulty remains: 78 cards feel like a lot, and looking everything up in a book breaks the flow. That is where our French-language learning deck helps: the name, number and a one-sentence core meaning are printed on every card, so it reads almost like an oracle at first while you still learn the tarot system. It uses the 1909 Pamela Colman Smith illustrations and comes with a full beginner course in French. You can learn with any deck; the Marseille tradition follows other conventions (its numbered 2 to 10 cards carry no scenes).
Why French-language learning tarot deck, 1909 art
Anti-scratch lamination. A screen can't show you how a card feels in your hand; this is the part to judge before you buy.
78 cards with an electronic (PDF) guidebook for each card, upright and reversed. Learn the cards on this deck and the meanings carry over to our other decks drawn on the 1909 system.
See French-language learning tarot deck, 1909 art →
Buying for someone who reads tarot? A deck with an electronic (PDF) guidebook suits a beginner and a collector. Sets with a velvet bag, reading cloth or wooden box are on the product page.
A first three-card reading for any of them
Ask an open question, such as "What do I need to understand this week?", shuffle, and lay three cards: what is present, what helps or blocks, and one small step. Look at the picture before the guidebook, then write two lines. It is reflection, not prediction. For more ideas, see our beginner's guide to choosing a tarot and the one-card reading.
Questions
What is a tarot divinatoire?
It is the 78-card illustrated deck used for reflection and guidance, as opposed to the French card game of the same name. It has 22 major arcana and 56 minor arcana.
Can I start with an oracle and move to tarot later?
Yes. An oracle gets you used to relating a card's message to your own situation, and the tarot then adds a structure to learn. Nothing needs unlearning.
Which French tarot is best for a beginner?
There is no single best one. Choose a clear tradition, consistent meanings and images you like. A deck with the meaning printed on each card helps while you build the habit.
Where to go next
Not ready to buy? Take the free Your First Reading (first four parts of the course). Ready to read on your own? The full course is $29.99 — enter code COURSE50 at checkout. The code works until 8 November 2026.
