How to Choose the Right Tarot or Lenormand Deck (Beginner Guide)

In the previous post, we discussed the similarities and differences between Tarot and Lenormand, and we left you with a bit of a cliffhanger — how do you choose a deck that’s right for you? Let’s uncover the answer in this post.

Theme, System and Connection

Light vs Dark Aesthetic

First, you need to decide whether you prefer a light or dark-themed deck. For example, the classic Rider-Waite Tarot has a brighter, more uplifting vibe, while some decks feature darker imagery like skulls or ghosts. Although the light or dark theme of a deck typically doesn’t affect its magical or ritual use, it’s still important to choose one that suits your personal taste. Even without considering other factors, a deck with bright colors can be visually pleasing. And as the saying goes, “If you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.1” So, for beginners, I recommend starting with a light deck.

System: Tarot or Lenormand?

Next, you need to decide on the system of the deck. Are you looking to buy a Tarot deck, a Lenormand deck, or something else? If it’s Tarot, do you want a Rider-Waite, Marseille, or Thoth deck? Since I’ve only studied Rider-Waite, I want to clarify again that when I refer to Tarot on this site, I’m specifically talking about Rider-Waite and its derivatives.

Connection is the real criteria

Finally, when it comes to choosing a deck that’s right for you, what’s the most important factor? It’s how the deck feels to you. In other words, buy the deck that you’re drawn to — the one you feel a connection with. After all, you’re stepping into the mystical world, and the deciding factor here is that mysterious “feeling.”

Design, Feel and Spend More Time

So, how do you know if a deck “speaks” to you?

Look

First, you need to like it. When you see it, you should feel an immediate connection — it should appeal to your sense of design. If you pick it up, check out both the front and back of the cards, and feel that they look great, that’s a sign you like the deck’s design. If you don’t even want to look at it, that’s a definite red flag. If you like only one side of the card, that’s not ideal either; after all, a deck is a complete set.

Touch and Time

Once you know you like the design, the next step is to feel it. Do you want to touch it? Is it firm or soft? Smooth or textured? If you’re willing to handle it, that’s a good sign. Now think about this: are you patient enough to go through all the cards one by one? Even Lenormand decks have 36 cards — looking at each card could take minutes. So, are you willing to invest the time?

If you are, then ask yourself: how many decks are you willing to spend time with? Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few decks, you can start considering how well you connect with them.

How easy is it for you to connect with a deck? Only you can answer that, because the connection is often irrational. You might figure it out in just a few minutes, or it might take several tries. For example, I once bought a Tarot deck that had different designs for upright and reversed cards, making it easier to read. I thought it looked good, so I confidently ordered it. At first, it seemed fine — though not perfect, it was workable. But as I kept using it, I started feeling like something wasn’t right. The cards didn’t shuffle well, the readings didn’t flow, and eventually, I have to put it away.

So, if possible, I’d recommend going to a physical store to feel the deck in person. Then the chances of picking the right deck will be significantly higher. If you can’t make it to a store, please spend more time online — not only to see more images of the deck, but also to check if you still like it under different lighting or from different sellers’ photos.

Of course, whether you’re shopping in person or online, you won’t have the opportunity to use the deck multiple times before purchasing. So, what do you do? The answer is: ask yourself if you’re willing to spend money on this deck. After all, if you’re willing to invest both time and money, at least you know you genuinely like it. Even if it doesn’t work out once you start using it, you can always keep it as a collectible artwork. It’s very difficult to be 100% sure that a deck is perfectly suited for you right from the selection stage.

Practical Tips (Objective Factors)

If you find the previous advice a bit too subjective and hard to gauge, here are some practical tips.

1. Hand size

As mentioned earlier, the typical size of a Tarot deck is 7 × 12 cm or 8.9 × 14.6 cm, while Lenormand cards are usually 6 × 9 cm or 3.5 × 5.5 cm. If you have large hands, a larger deck might feel better; if your hands are small, a smaller deck might be a better fit. After all, if your hands can’t comfortably hold a deck, drawing cards could become difficult. Of course, how you draw the cards is a personal preference, and if your method doesn’t require considering card size, that’s a different story.

However, if you have smaller hands and prefer to hold the deck while drawing, but still stubbornly want a larger deck (because the larger designs might inspire you more), then be sure to pick a deck with smooth cards. A smooth finish means the cards are easy to shuffle and slide; if the cards have a high friction or textured surface, it will become much harder to handle.

2. Match your personal style

Consider your usual style of dressing, and pick a deck that matches. After all, “like attracts like” — people tend to gravitate towards things that reflect their own tastes. If you typically dress in an elegant, royal style, go for a classic or vintage deck. If your clothes feature cartoon elements, you might enjoy a playful, whimsical deck with cartoon characters.

3. Imagine the whole spread

It’s possible that you’re drawn to a single card design, but when you use the entire deck, it might not work as well together. For example, you might love the image of a single flaming flower on the back of the card, but what happens when 78 fiery flowers are in front of you? When a small flame turns into a big fire, and that fire roars in your face — will you still like it?

Recommend Decks

I hope this article has helped you in choosing a deck. If not, don’t be discouraged — let me directly recommend some decks for you to check out2!

Tarot:

Lenormand:

  1. Nietzsche, Friedrich. Beyond Good and Evil. Translated by Helen Zimmern, 1886. ↩︎
  2. These links are provided solely for reference purposes. The inclusion of these links does not imply any endorsement or recommendation. We do not have any financial relationship with the companies listed, and we do not receive compensation from any purchases made via these links. ↩︎

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