The best tarot cards to recommend depend on the reader. For a first deck, choose clear scenes on every card; for beauty, choose foil; for calm, choose a matte finish.
Of the four decks we ship to Japan, Borderless Vintage Tarot Light Edition and Moon Magic suit a first step well.
First deck and calm texture
Two decks to look at first
Borderless Vintage Tarot Cards — Light Edition, 1909 Classic Art
Both have 78 cards, a matte anti-scratch lamination and a 36-page printed guidebook.
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Moon Magic Tarot Cards
Both have 78 cards, a matte anti-scratch lamination and a 36-page printed guidebook.
View this deckThree Things to Decide Before You Look at Recommended Tarot Cards
Many tarot cards are labelled as recommended, but the same deck is not the best choice for everyone. Instead of ranking decks, this article gives you a way to choose the one that fits you. The steps below are simple, and each one can be checked on a product page.
First, decide what the deck is for. Do you want to draw one card a day and learn slowly, display a deck that photographs well, or give it to someone? The answer changes which finish suits you.
Second, decide whether you want to look at the picture and think about its meaning. For a beginner, scenes on the number cards as well make it easier to link a picture to a meaning. A deck with only symbols on those cards asks you to learn more from the guidebook.
Third, think about texture. The thickness of the card, how its surface catches the light and whether it has a border all become noticeable once you handle the cards every day. Our article on how to choose tarot cards sets out the full criteria.
Four Types of Deck and Who Each One Suits
Here we sort decks into four types. This is not a ranking; it describes which kind of reader each type suits. Every one of our decks has 78 cards and comes with a printed guidebook and a protective box. The cards measure about 7 by 12 cm (roughly 2.75 by 4.7 inches).
1. The first-deck type
For a first deck, the classic 1909 imagery with a scene on all 78 cards, including the Minor Arcana, is an easy base for learning. Borderless Vintage Tarot Light Edition uses Pamela Colman Smith's original 1909 illustrations, printed on white 350 gsm card with a matte anti-scratch lamination.
It is borderless, so the artwork runs to the edge of each card, and its palette is a calm vintage one of ochres and dusty blues. The 36-page guidebook explains all 78 cards, upright and reversed. Because every card shows a clear scene, you can begin by describing what you see and then check the guidebook.
2. The pretty foil type
If appearance leads your choice, look at foil and holographic decks. Moonlight layers gold rainbow foil over black 350 gsm card, finished with a glossy anti-scratch lamination. The foil shifts colour as it catches the light.
Holographic Crystal Foil Tarot changes through the full rainbow spectrum as you tilt each card. It also uses 350 gsm card with an anti-scratch lamination, and it carries Pamela Colman Smith's original 1909 illustrations. Turning the cards in your hand makes the colour move, which is why this type suits photographs.
3. The calm matte type
If glare bothers you, or you like a quiet mood, a matte finish suits you. Borderless Vintage Tarot Light Edition gives no glare under a reading lamp, and Moon Magic is also a thick card with a matte anti-scratch lamination.
Moon Magic is based on the Pamela Colman Smith system and is illustrated entirely around lunar symbolism. It simplifies some of the classic pictures, so it is not the 1909 artwork itself. It suits readers who like the moon as a theme and want a deck that is not too dark.
4. The gift-ready type
For a present, it matters that everything is ready when the box is opened. Each of our decks is a set of the cards, a printed guidebook and a protective box, so the person who receives it can start straight away.
If you want something striking, choose a foil deck. If you do not know the person's taste, a calm matte deck is the safer choice. For more options, our article on tarot cards for beginners is also useful.
Quick Table: Type, Reader and Deck
The table below puts the four types side by side, so you can find your own row at a glance and then open the deck that matches it.
| Type | Suits | Deck |
|---|---|---|
| First deck | Readers who want to learn from pictures and like the 1909 imagery with a scene on all 78 cards | Borderless Vintage Tarot Light Edition |
| Pretty foil | Readers who like decks whose colour shifts in the light and that photograph well | Moonlight / Holographic Crystal Foil Tarot |
| Calm matte | Readers who like a quiet, low-glare surface, or a lunar theme | Borderless Vintage Tarot Light Edition / Moon Magic |
| Gift-ready | Givers who want a set with a printed guidebook and a protective box | Any of the four above |
Every deck in the table is one of the four we ship to Japan. The table pairs types with readers; it is not a ranking.
If you are torn between foil and a lunar theme, compare these two decks as well. Moonlight and Holographic Crystal Foil Tarot both put the shine of the foil first.
Pretty foil
Two decks whose colour shifts in the light
Moonlight Tarot Cards Gold Rainbow Foil
Both use 350 gsm card with a foil finish and an anti-scratch lamination, and come with a printed guidebook.
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Holographic Crystal Foil Tarot Cards — 1909 Classic Art
Both use 350 gsm card with a foil finish and an anti-scratch lamination, and come with a printed guidebook.
View this deckWhat to Check Before You Buy
Whichever deck you pick, the same points are worth checking on the product page. First, check that all 78 cards are there: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana make one complete deck.
Next, check the thickness and the surface finish. Our four decks have an anti-scratch lamination, which resists scratches and can be wiped clean. Many of them use 350 gsm card.
Then check whether a guidebook is included. A beginner is more at ease with a printed guidebook to hand after drawing a card. You can also look up meanings in our complete guide to tarot card meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Recommended Tarot Cards
Which tarot cards should a beginner start with?
A deck with the classic 1909 imagery and a scene on all 78 cards is an easy base for learning, because pictures help you link each card to a meaning. In our range, Borderless Vintage Tarot Light Edition is this type.
Can I use a foil deck for everyday readings?
Yes. The foil is a finish laid over the artwork, so the scenes are not changed. Moonlight and the holographic deck have an anti-scratch lamination, which suits daily use.
Is a matte or a glossy deck easier to read?
A matte finish reflects little light, so the pictures are easy to see under a lamp. A glossy deck makes the colours look vivid, which suits readers who put appearance first.
Which deck suits a gift?
Each of our decks is a set of cards, a printed guidebook and a protective box. A foil deck is the more striking choice, and a calm matte deck is the safer one when you do not know the persons taste.
Do all of your decks use the original 1909 illustrations?
No. Borderless Vintage Tarot Light Edition and Holographic Crystal Foil Tarot use the 1909 originals. Moonlight is based on that system, and Moon Magic is a lunar redrawing of it.
Once you can see which deck fits you, compare the photos and details across all our tarot decks.
A full tarot course in English comes with every deck.
Includes a free full tarot course in English
Includes a free full tarot course in English
