where to get a tarot deck from?
Well, first of all, think independent, shop indie, and support small businesses!
There has been a crazy surge in Tarot and the Esoteric in the last decade and the market is flooded with options. Tarot enthusiasts, Tarot beginners, advanced readers, skeptics (yes, even them!), everyone would like a Tarot Deck at their disposal. Since Tarot is such a wonderful tool to get access to our subconscious and face whatever it is we are avoiding or not being able to grasp, I think it’s amazing that so many are turning to it for guidance. There’s room for all of us Tarot readers!
There is actually myth that says that you should not be buying your first Tarot deck… Hmhm. I don’t really buy into it. I bought my first deck in Beirut (by chance and mere curiosity) and I can assure you that the cards do their job perfectly well! That’s my opinion, just saying.
So where do you go? You have two options:
1- you purchase your deck online
2- you buy it an esoteric physical store in your city or the nearest big city you have access to
I personally would advise against the big mass consumer shopping websites such as Amazon, Fnac, Virgin megastore - if you CAN. If this is your only option or if you don’t know any better then so be it. You find much cooler decks made by Independent artists and indie creators.
How to differentiate an indie deck from a mass-market deck? It’s easy to spot the difference. The mass-market decks, such as the beautiful Le Tarot Art Nouveau, and Dalí Tarot, you can easily find. They have been produced by major publishers and are readily available on those big sellers, Fnac, Amazon and the like.
An indie deck was created from A to Z by an individual or two who took care of the whole process without help from the big publishing companies. They designed the deck, they funded its production, they sent it out to print and took care of getting it in your hands, if you’re lucky enough. The indie decks are much harder to find. And they come in much fewer copies. They have not been printed as many times as the mass-market ones. So yes, they may be more expensive and it takes more time to get your hands on one of those. They’re special!
Kickstarter
When it comes to purchasing a deck online, I strongly recommend supporting independent Tarot and Oracle creators. They are investing their personal resources to create something very special to them. Why not support them directly? It’s the easiest way to get a specially crafted deck. Some of these decks really make it and become very popular and rare to find. You just have to invest in a deck that speaks to you. You would be hitting two birds with one stone!
So you can go check what’s new every now and then on the website by inputting “Tarot” in the search box, you may find some really cool deck that was just what you had been waiting for!
Indie online tarot and divination online stores
These online shops have some really cool decks. Be aware that the decks are almost always on limited availability. They go out of stock real quick so if you see a deck that you like, better get your hands on it as soon as you can, it may be your only chance!
The Little Red Tarot is by far my favourite. The website is also full of tarot tips, deck reviews and interviews with creators of the decks. This sort of e-shop is perfect because everything is handmade. Beth herself sends you your order in a very sweet package she prepared herself. Creators get to have a platform and you the buyer get to browse indie and original decks while supporting a small business and an independent creator.
Here are some sites that sell indie decks:
Facebook! Check this group out
Favourite Decks
So I couldn’t leave you without sharing my favourite decks. Check three of my go-to decks below. I regularly use them and find the artwork absolutely stunning:
I hope this was helpful!
Xx
Freddie Mercury - the Chariot Tarot Card is a drawing by Kathy Zyduck
