Tarot decks differ in three ways: the art tradition behind them (1909 classic, Marseille, Thoth or a modern style), the card finish (matte, foil, holographic or plastic-laminated) and the format (bordered or borderless, with or without meanings printed). Most guidebooks start from 1909 classic art, and so do we: if you are new, we recommend a 78-card deck with that art.
Our best seller in that group is the Holographic Crystal Foil Tarot, 78 cards of the original 1909 illustrations with a holographic finish on 350GSM art cardstock and anti-scratch lamination.
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Practicing? Here's where to start.
Holographic Crystal Foil Tarot Cards — 1909 Classic Art
Holographic Crystal Foil uses the original 1909 illustrations, with a foil that shifts through the rainbow as you tilt each card.
See Crystal FoilTypes of tarot decks by art tradition
Almost every tarot deck has the same skeleton: 78 cards, split into 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. What changes is the artwork and the symbolism built into it. This is the first thing to decide, because it determines which books, courses and guides will match your cards.
1909 classic art (Pamela Colman Smith)
This is the most widely used style. Pamela Colman Smith drew the illustrations in 1909, and the deck is often called by its publisher's name. Every Minor Arcana card shows a full scene, so you can read a card from the picture alone. Most modern guidebooks, courses and apps assume this system, which is why it is the usual recommendation for beginners. Several of our decks use this art, in different finishes. You can browse them in our Pamela Colman Smith tarot decks collection.
Tarot de Marseille
The Marseille system was codified in France in the 17th and 18th centuries and is older than the 1909 deck. Its number cards show repeated suit symbols rather than scenes, so you read them through number and pattern. It rewards readers who like a more traditional, structured method. Our Tarot de Marseille Vintage Edition is sold in the EU and UK only. For the full picture, see our Tarot de Marseille guide.
Thoth
The Thoth deck was painted by Lady Frieda Harris to designs by Aleister Crowley and published in the 20th century. It is dense with astrological, Kabbalistic and occult symbolism, and it renames and reorders some cards. It suits readers who already enjoy esoteric study. We do not make a Thoth deck, so we cannot offer one.
Modern art decks
Modern art decks keep the 78-card structure but replace the 1909 illustrations with a new artist's style, such as a single theme like the moon. If a new deck keeps the same card names and numbers, any standard guidebook will still work with it. Check this before you buy, because some artist decks change the suits or the card titles. Our Moon Magic Tarot is an example: moon-themed art on the same 78-card system.
