Let me first start by saying, tarot and oracle reading does not always have to be so solemn and serious. For some, it is, but it can be fun, light-hearted and enjoyable. With that being said, shopping for a deck that you will enjoy working with is just that..FUN! It’s always recommended to browse in-store; to be able to get a better feeling for the cards. However, in all honesty I don’t see that being useful, as most shops that do carry tarot cards have them pristinely packaged and no “tester” decks just laying about for you to shuffle through. So, buying online and using YouTube flip-through videos and reviews are your best option.
What is deck lust?
As a beginner (and I am speaking from personal experience; because..well I am still at the beginning stages, too!) I feel like once you get your footing with card meanings, the lust of adding more beautifully designed cards to your collection grows! There are so many talented artists out there. If you’re a fan of artwork and love to collect it, the deck lust bug will bite you even harder. Your want for different and unique decks will grow, but try and stay focused. It will be much better in the long run to keep your collection limited (at least at first!)
OK, but how do I avoid it?
If you plan to only read for yourself, having a true bond with the deck(s) you have is important. Learn their meanings and even experiment with reversals (the reading of card meanings that are shown upside down) first before springing toward a new deck. Having a deck that is beautiful in your collection, but never actually gets used is just a waste! Here are a few questions to ask yourself when selecting tarot decks that you know are right for you and ones you just suddenly have lust over:
1. Do I have clear intuitive perspective with this deck?
Let’s face it. There are many tarot decks that I want, but honestly I have no real understanding of them. Guidebooks are fantastic tools, but I don’t want to rely on it 100% just to get some kind of meaning from the cards. If the imagery is too obscure for you to read intuitively; it’s probably not for you (I know, I know..the artwork is beautiful. Self control, my friend!)
2. Am I truly drawn to these cards, or caught up in the hype?
Many new tarot decks are being featured online and in the community that others are really excited and chatty about. However, are you spending money on them just to keep up with others, or do you really feel a connection? Trust me, you’re no less cool if you don’t have the latest hot new tarot deck. In a month or so, it’ll be old news anyway!
3. Can I really afford another tarot deck in my collection?
On average a good quality tarot or oracle deck with guidebook can cost $30-60 USD if not more. One or two decks is really all you need (Like, seriously. Don’t be like me!) Building a collection can quickly become expensive. As a beginner, focus on your understanding and learning of the cards with one deck before you build a stash. Don’t fall prey to the impulse buy…like I do!
These are just some tips I’ve learned along the way. At the present moment, I am truly in love with all the decks that I have collected and I have done research on all of them before purchasing. Some of them I have bought to compare with others and how they work with the intent to sell the lesser off on a BST Facebook group. I do understand buying more than one with the intent to sell some, because it is hard to choose what you will like in-person; just make sure you know the difference between testing them out and deck lust!
