I have and use many tarot decks. Depending on my mood, what literature I’ve been reading, the time of year, and other factors, I select different tarot decks for my own use. When a person comes to me for a professional tarot consultation, I put about six or seven packs on the table for them to choose from. It’s important for me to convey to the client that the session is about conscious choice. This begins by something as simple as choosing a deck of cards.
Lately, the decks I’ve been using the most are:
- Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot
- Morgan-Greer Tarot
- Voyager Tarot
- Maat Tarot
- Tarot of the Crone
- Shining Tribe Tarot
- 1JJ Swiss Tarot
How about YOU? Which tarot decks call to you the most? It’s always interesting to hear what’s out there.
Evolutionary Tarot & Circle Ways 
Although I’ve collected a number of decks over the years, I use the Haindl deck the most when reading for myself. I’ve started to expand this year though & am using the Gilded Tarot & the Archeon Tarot (love the artwork). I just bought the Bohemian Gothic Tarot. I love the imagery on this one but it doesn’t feel “right” for readings.
I work primarily with the Universal Rider-Waite, Robin Wood Tarot, and World Sprit Tarot. I have been avidly following Joanna Powell-Colbert’s progress on the Gaian Tarot and sometimes work with her limited edition Major Arcana. My husband particularly likes the Hudes Tarot, which I get nothing from.
My all-time favorite tarot deck to read with is the Golden Tarot by Kat Black. At one time, I had about 30 tarot decks, but have only kept my favorites:
Gilded Tarot
Lovers Tarot
Quest Tarot
Alchemical Tarot
Dreampower Tarot
Lover’s Path Tarot
William Blake Tarot
Universal Rider-Waite
Robin Wood Tarot
Rennaisance Tarot
Bota Tarot
Aquarian Tarot
Mantegna Tarot
Visconti Tarot
and oracle cards:
The Way of Cartouche
The Medicine Cards
The Crystal Ally Cards
Runes
Crazy, huh? What can I say? I’m an artist and intuitive, so tarot art is soooooooo addictive. The only deck I couldn’t get anything from was the Thoth tarot–gave it away immediately…
When I read for myself the majority of the time I use The Tarot of Ceremonial Magick, but if I’m reading for someone else I tend to use the Tarot of Metamorphosis .
Wow! What a great variety so far. Keep ’em coming in, folks.
~ James
It depends on my moods and tarot needs, but my favourites are Shining Tribe, Inner Child, and Goddess Tarots. I just ordered Lisa Hunt’s Animals Divine.. it looks like it might be a match for me (felt a bit like online dating!)
Lately, I’ve been studying with the Haindl deck. I find it quite rich in symbolism. It is my deck of choice when reading for myself. I have to say that my all-time favourite is the RWS. I remember buying my first one over 25 years ago, when the Occult Shoppe was downtown; in the 600 block on Queen if my memory serves me correctly. Other faves are Revelations and Gilded.
My favourite decks include :
The Quantum Tarot
Cosmic Tribe
Voyager
Osho Zen
Roots of Asia
Rohrig
Recently I’ve been experimenting with a Deviant Moon + Hanson Roberts combo.
Deviant Moon as a really dark deck is great bringing to the surface the subconscious and troubles the Querent is currently facing, then the Hanson Roberts works its tender magic when looking for solutions and healing ways.
As for personals readings I’ve been working/learning the Marseilles Tarot.
When I do a reading for someone else, I usually use my own Full Moon Dreams tarot. I don’t use it so much for myself, as I need another perspective most of the time. The decks that have gotten most attention from me recently are Caitlin Matthews’s Celtic Wisdom Tarot and the Druidcraft Tarot. I keep a Hanson-Roberts deck at my desk for quick consults too.
I seem to like the ones that aren’t as popular:
Circle of Life Tarot
The Grail Tarot
The Da Vinci Enigma Tarot
I also do studies with the Via Tarot paired with passages from the book Symbolist Art by Edward Lucie-Smith which has been interesting.
I have a long-standing study of Dante using the Lo Scarabeo Dante Tarot with the marvelous art by Andrea Serio. It gets me reading the Convivio by Dante as well as the Divine Comedy.
I did some interesting draws with cards of all kinds using The Book of Silk, a history of silk fabric.
This is the way I like to use my cards, mixing them up with oracles, playing cards and books.
All terrific tarot decks! The storylines in both the Grail and Da Vinci Enigma packs are profound. But then, the Matthewses are profound teachers, diviners, and healers. Mixing it up sounds fun. It’s amazing what confirmation we can get when we check into two or more forms of feedback. Thanks for responding!
~ James
Oh-oh, someone just gave me The Lord of the Rings Tarot. So far that’s been great–very insightful believe it or not. Most reviews pan that deck, but I’m going to get something from it.
I made a Rohrig deck in miniature for my wicked witch of the west Tonner fashion doll. She seems to like those girls in the deck with the hair. If I ever get a blouse sewn for her I’ll use her and the Rohrig on my daily card blog.
Sorry, couldn’t resist an update! Ya gotta keep those decks busy.