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.
Incluye el curso completo de tarot en español, gratis
Incluye el curso completo de tarot en español, gratis
